Paragon of Sin

While there were no witnesses, the Archaic Chosen had succeeded in overcoming the Three Chosen Aspects Tribulation, proving his status as an official Chosen. From henceforth, the True Element Sect, regardless of its complex network of factions and relationships, will support his cultivation and development to a certain extent. 

The most important event wasn't just his victory in claiming the official title, but the promise from Lin Xianxei. Soon, Lin Ming will be able to obtain the recognition of the Nine-Elementus Divine King Han Xei, becoming his official disciple. Lin Xianxei will truly become his Senior Sister underneath the same Master.

This moment could be heralded as the greatest piece of news for Lin Ming, yet his epic journey's climax of nearly twenty years had been overshadowed by an unexpected event. 

Timelord Duhan had hidden his white armor beneath his robes once more, losing a portion of his valiant demeanor, replaced by a calmer aura. He seemed more like a middle-aged elder than a terrifying warrior. 

The platform whirled with faint droning sounds as the hidden formations and array took action, sweeping away the elemental mist and fixing the cracks on the platform. The three were standing at the center platform as Timelord Duhan held an emblem that seemed to exert some control over the array, cleaning up the mess he made. 

After he finished, he softly sighed as he directed his gaze towards Lin Ming and Lin Xianxei. They were currently smilingly discussing their recent success, talking closely, while Lin Xianxei used her astral force to alleviate and expedite the healing of injuries that Lin Ming sustained. However, they were all minor.

The Aegis of the Elements wasn't a peak-grade astral armament for nothing. If fully activated, controlled by an expert of equal cultivation, even he would be left helpless to deal any damage to its wielder while unleashing his full strength. While it was merely passively operated, it still reduced all his attacks by nearly ¾ of its power. 

He didn't know how to feel. While the challenge was more difficult, and the Three Chosen Aspects Tribulation allowed such outside means, a display of their means and background, it felt somewhat disingenuous to succeed due to it.

'Well, he has broken the standards of cultivation, forming a Domain Seed prior to the Realm World Phase, so I guess his status as a Chosen is somewhat justified.' Despite his thoughts, he felt this scratching feeling at the base of his heart that dissatisfied him. 

By standards, even by average of a Chosen, Lin Ming's current strength simply wasn't enough to rival them. He lacked combat experience and developed instincts. In his first two moves, Lin Ming had undoubtedly lost due to these reasons. The only reason he remained undefeated was because of the Aegis of the Elements and his own expectations that Lin Ming couldn't resist him after each move. After all, he could've combined his moves in a rapid fire manner, and Lin Ming's defeat would've been certain. 

In his opinion, all the battles that Lin Ming had undergone before lacked any true experts. His gathering of energies and forces was slow, his usage of his arts and spells were unrefined, and his tactics and means were severely lacking. 

Still, he still overcame the tribulation. 

The end result was all that mattered.

He sighed once again. "Chosen Lin Ming, you have succeeded in the Three Chosen Aspects Tribulation, Congratulations. With this, you're an official Chosen of the True Element Sect. May you bring eternal glory to the elements." 

Timelord Duhan took out a piece of multi-colored quartz crystal with nine sides, oddly shaped and uneven. At each side, one of the nine elements was etched on it in characters. The characters themselves were all white, and if one looked at each character closely, they would see that they were composed of animatedly moving runes.

Lin Ming was curious about this crystal, realizing it wasn't simple. He reached out and grabbed it, and he felt a strange tingle from his hand as he did. 

"This is a type of Essence Refining Crystal. It's called the True Element Crystal. It can gather ambient energies and mana to create a type of astral-level elemental essence. It is very useful in cultivating for those with Elemental Souls of any type. By sending in your Intent, you can draw out a specific type of essence to absorb." Lin Xianxei was clearly excited as she explained. 

Lin Ming was startled by her explanation. Did this mean if he infused his high-level Elemental Intent within, it'll produce the essence of that type for his cultivation? He tried it instinctively, using the Grandgale Wind Intent. A surging wind current explosively erupted, causing the robes of Lin Xianxei and Timelord Duhan to flutter wildly.

"Grandgale Wind Intent? Apex-level?!" Timelord Duhan was finally surprised. He wasn't able to measure Lin Ming's cultivation exactly, because he was far too weak. Furthermore, Lin Ming evoked his Elemental Origin Intent, not his individual Intents. While his Elemental Origin Intent was impressive, it wasn't that outstanding.

Lin Ming was focused on the changes in the True Element Crystal as it sucked in his Grandgale Intent fiercely, absorbing. The eight other characters in the True Element Crystal flickered until they vanished, then they were replaced by the 'Wind' character. 

In a few minutes, the entire crystal had spontaneously become a Grandgale Wind Essence Crystal. This caused Lin Ming's heart to quake in shock and surprise. He had only ever seen this Intent Aura in the Elementus Badge that he was given by Lin Xianxei. 

How marvelous was this?

He hurriedly circulated his cultivation method, absorbing the essence that was contained within with his eyes closed. After another few minutes, he opened his eyes and felt his Astral Core expanded in size by a very minor amount. The essence portion of his cultivation had elevated by a tad bit, resulting in his foundation strengthening overall.

How terrifying was this?!

Timelord Duhan was flabbergasted by Lin Ming's Apex-level Wind Intent to such a degree that he was rendered speechless, his mouth gaping to reflect his shock. 

Lin Xianxei smugly smiled. One of the reasons she had bet on Lin Ming was his outstanding talent and comprehension of this very Intent. There was a belief, while it might not be completely confirmed, that the Material Dao has three thousand Laws, and those Laws gave birth to three thousand Intents. Among these three thousand Intents were a single Apex-level Intent, the king of all other variations. 

It was said an Apex-level Intent is the closest to a Law, and through it, that powerful Will, can feel the borders that exceed Mortal Limits with greater ease—Mysticism. It was rumored that comprehending an Apex-level Intent greatly increased one's chances of becoming an Ascended.

This was why Timelord Duhan was absolutely stunned by this discovery. While Elemental Origin Intent was impressive, it can be formed using nine of the lowest-level Elemental Intents, so it wasn't nearly as outrageous as Apex-level Intent. 

For the first time, his opinion of Lin Ming had changed heavily. 

Lin Xianxei's smugness didn't cease, joy flickering in her eyes. If Timelord Duhan knew that Lin Ming didn't just comprehend an Apex-level Intent, but several High-level Intents, and even fused it into his Elemental Origin Intent, he would be truly terrified. 

Right now, Lin Ming's cultivation was too low, but if he was a Timelord too, he would be able to slay Timelord Duhan with a single stab of his spear. The thought excited her, reminding her that Lin Ming was a genuine genius amongst geniuses. 

Lin Ming kept the crystal, joyful light effusing from his grey eyes. This was an unimaginable tool for cultivation. With it, he would be able to make fast advancements in certain cultivation methods and improve his foundation. He wondered what would happen if he used his Elemental Origin Intent on it.

Timelord Duhan once again sighed, but this time, for a very different reason. Given enough time, Lin Ming will surely shine brighter than others. After all, he had an Apex-level Intent, Elemental Origin Intent, and a Domain Seed prior to the Realm World Phase. While his battle tactics and experience was lacking, those things could be attributed to his desolate starfield and lack of any true opponents. Now that he has stepped into the field of the Aeternal Sky Starfield, these things will surely remedy themselves with time.

Then, he'll be a monster.

"Well, I'm off." After he finished his thoughts, a tinge of excitement reminded him of the event that was happening. 

"WAIT!"