Paragon of Sin

The first to take the courageous action of venturing first into the unknown, into the Gateway Door, was none other than Wei Wuyin. The hesitation that others felt in their hearts was absent from his own. When he moved, everyone's eyes fixated on his figure. There wasn't a single one present who didn't know who Wei Wuyin was nor what he had achieved.

Without the tension in the air from the two Realmlords or the confusion about Lian Yu's fate, the mind's of everyone could now focus on Wei Wuyin. Almost all of the non-Myriad Monarch Sect members were shocked by his appearance, understanding the inherent dangers of venturing into an unknown Gateway Door. 

There was a slight possibility that every last one of them might never return, dying in an unmarked area within a hectic and chaotic world that existed within. But Wei Wuyin was the Ascendant Emperor of Neo-Dawn, a figure that had both potential and abilities that made the legend of the King of Everlore seem distant and less impressive. 

A less than fifty year old Emperor Alchemist who beat the Successor of the King of Everlore with an Alchemic Astral Soul in an overwhelming fashion. Furthermore, he could actually cultivate without the innate docility of Alchemical Energies, providing him a strong combat prowess. Those who observed his fight against the three Gold-Starred Beasts in the Grand Spirit Trials understood his impeccable foundation and strength.

They couldn't fathom why the Myriad Monarch Sect was allowing Wei Wuyin to venture into the Auric Sea's unknown Gateway Door. In fact, the elders of the Elemental Heaven Pavilion, Alchemist Association, and the two Envoys of the San Clan were extremely shocked that he was making the first move. Their original assumption was him coming along to expand his horizons, not to fight for opportunities.

With the Alchemic Dao supporting him and boundless potential, what reasons did he have to take such risks? But witnessing him soar towards the Gateway Door left all their minds fizzing with coherent thought, a byproduct of their disbelief. 

Wei Wuyin didn't bother with these stunned and incredulous gazes. When he arrived by the Gateway Door, that wood-glass mixture of a door filled with various lights and mists, he couldn't help but temporarily pause his movements. His silver eyes shifted to the San Emperor's shrouded and concealed form, his eyebrows sunk by an unnoticeable degree. 

The San Emperor had always been an inscrutable figure whose thoughts and intentions were unknown and uncertain, but Wei Wuyin observed a trend of irreversible decline from his Eye of Truth. This figure wasn't as impressive as many believed, and he felt an inkling into the truth of various events.

As he glanced away, the words 'Temporal Reincarnator' rose within his thoughts. He turned to the Gateway Door, realizing the bits of information that the Black Skeleton had left behind. The Gateway Door was a location that his Eye of Truth revealed to contain something he sought after, something he needed, but it didn't seem to be connected to the Heavenly Daos. 

After a moment, his eyes focused as he shot into the Gateway Door, causing unexpected gasps to resound from several figures. Wei Wuyin's figure vanished, melting into the door like butter meating flames. The visual was quite disturbing, causing numerous individuals to fear for his life. 

"Go!" Tuo Bihan didn't want to waste time. He ordered them with a stern and irrefutable tone. If Wei Wuyin was fearless enough to venture inside, then they shouldn't have any fear that it's a death trap. After all, why would these elite experts of the starfield send their most precious member, their only chance at reaching the Mystic Ascendant Realm, to his death?

He urged with his hand gestures.

Qing Qiumu was similarly terrified by Wei Wuyin's melting form, but when she remembered their discussion long ago about risks and resolution, her emerald-eyes flashed with determination and strength. With a step, she turned into an emerald comet and shot into the Gateway Door, melting just the same.

"...!" Seeing such a gorgeous female elf enter and vanish in the same way, also from the Myriad Monarch Sect, the others became restless and even infuriated at their own cowardice. A hulking human youth from the Alchemist Association roared, his bald head and imposing figure left many in shock. He flew into the Gateway Door as if he was about to face his greatest enemy in existence.

This caused these other youths to soon gather their courage. Before long, numerous figures were flying into the Gateway Door, melting into it, and vanishing. With each new individual that entered, those observing from outside could see the dimming lights and dissipating mist from the Gateway Door. It seems it had a limit on how many it would accept, reaffirming the San Emperor's words of only allowing three thousand.

Long Chen's dark eyes flashed with a brilliant light. He turned to Lian Yu, grasping her hand tightly into his own. While he had exhausted himself somewhat, he was capable of recovering roughly ten percent of his astral force with a seventh-grade Essence Returning Pill. 

Lian Yu felt the pressure exerted onto her hand, looking at Long Chen who was smiling consoling at her. "I'm fine," she asserted. She wasn't one prone to weakness and uncertainty, but had overcome her fair share of dangers. Despite her lacking cultivation base, merely being at the World Sea Phase, she had her own means to protect herself. 

Long Chen nodded. Both of them soon flew out side-by-side. They entered the Gateway Door roughly at the same time, even holding hands while doing so. But their hands dissolved, and no one knew whether they would be together or separate. They were still unsure where this spatial entrance would lead them.

With numerous individuals entering the Gateway Door like a flock of soaring birds, everyone finally entered leaving only the elders and leaders. They were all lingering nearby, not having any intention of moving one single bit. They didn't know when their disciples would emerge, so they had to wait patiently.

The environment of the Auric Sea wasn't conducive for cultivation, having thin ambient essence, no solid ground, and a strange gravitational force that could bring any of these experts disastrous harm. Therefore, they lowered their astral force consumption and floated in meditative positions while absorbing what little essence they could to replenish what was lost.

Qingye Yun's eyes stared at the Gateway Door intently for a moment longer than others, his eyes betrayed a wisp of worry. But when he recalled the predictions and words of that Heavenly Seer, he glanced at the nearby San Emperor and felt reassured. According to the Heavenly Seer, the San Emperor would arrive after discovering the location of the Gateway Door. 

This was why they had left early, and since the Alchemist Association originally had a partnership with the Elemental Heaven Pavilion, they had come along. But what he couldn't figure out was why the Heavenly Seer didn't wish for them to inform the Myriad Monarch Sect directly, allowing them to learn from their own network of information. 

He frowned for a moment, but soon relaxed his brows. The thoughts of a Heavenly Seer wasn't something he could begin to comprehend. 

-----

When Wei Wuyin entered the Gateway Door, his surroundings started to shift instantly as he was encapsulated by multi-colored spatial light reminiscent of the entry curtain of a Void Gate. He felt as if he was traversing within a slim and narrow tube, but the speed was relatively slow. 

With his Celestial Eyes, Wei Wuyin inspected the multi-colored spatial light and realized that he had entered one of the three thousand tunnels, currently being transported at an extremely fast speed somewhere. It felt completely contradictory to his normal visual experience. It was as if he was on a high-speed moving beast while protected and shielded by the trembling motions or surging winds that would occur.

This was a very peculiar feeling. He couldn't help but think about that shuttle in the picture, wondering if this is how it feels if he was onboard one of those things. A faint gleam of interest flashed within his eyes as he saw a curtain of darkly-colored light blocking his way.

He was sent directly through it, causing his surroundings to turn dark. He had originally thought this was the exit, but he found himself in disbelief as he felt a prick of discomfort surge into his meridians. His bloodline aura was completely contained, but this discomfort originated from the innate energies circulating throughout his body. To be specific, the innate elemental energies that he used to refine his body with.

As he felt this, his silver eyes started to become a mist of white, with an ever-shifting form in various states. At times it was as if his eyes contained endless rain, became as hard as steel itself, or danced with the beauty of flames within. These were only the beginning as other extraordinary sights emerged.

Ori yelped in excitement. He felt his Elemental Origin Intent erupt from his glabella, effusing from his eyes and coating the dark surroundings in white light. This white light started to twist and shiver until it became nine different colors, separating into nine forms of Intent.

Fire Intent, Water Intent, Wind Intent, Desolate Earth Intent, Steel Metal Intent, Life Meadow Wood Intent, Violet Lightning Intent, Inferno Blazing Magma Intent, & Absolute Zero Ice Intent.

These nine intents became wisps that circulated around Wei Wuyin's body with a trail of light, making them seem like fireflies in the dark. Wei Wuyin was startled as he felt an unknown power sweep itself upon his Intents and his body. 

A monotone voice soon echoed out: "Candidate Discovered, Selected for Trial of Chosen."

This voice felt familiar to Wei Wuyin, startling him as he recalled a distinct figure, but he was given enough time to even ask a question as the multi-colored spatial light of the tube collapsed on him, causing him an incredible degree of pain before he vanished. The tunnel he inhabited had disappeared.

This incident happened to one more within the tunnel, similarly shocking them as they recognized the voice but was also sent away.