Paragon of Sin

DZZZZZT!

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! 

The entire Nexus Battlefield trembled vigorously, as if subjected to an violent, city-collapsing earthquake in terms of magnitude. Regardless of the environment, regardless of what was in it, be it trees, mountains, lakes, volcanoes, or even the rain clouds within the air, all environmental conditions were adversely affected. 

The trees fractured or snapped. The mountains began to crumble. The lakes leaked out or drained slightly. The volcanoes erupted, spewing out copious amounts of molten smoke and falling ash. The rain clouds released heavier drops of water that pierced the ground. 

"What the hell is happening?!" A Soldier of War wielding a blade plunged into the skull of another, couldn't help but find himself unsteady. Wiping the still-wet blood from his face, he looked beyond the horizon to the chaotic walls to see a change that turned his heart cold. 

Another Soldier of War, a long-time fighter, had finally claimed sufficient War Souls and then some, killing nine others to do so. The quaking began just as he was about to touch the screen, a bright, contentful smile on his face, yet only death by execution awaited his fate.

Fortunately, just as he was about to touch the wall to exit, its colors immediately drained from it and the animated manner at which it moved halted. Soon, an obsidian wall formed of seemingly the densest material imaginable in its place. As his hand touched it, ready to announce his departure, the rumbling pushed him forward and he collided with the heavy wall. 

With a pained grunt, he held onto the wall as he felt his entire body tremble ceaselessly. He looked upwards in shock and confusion, and what he witnessed caused his eyes to constrict further than it had ever before. 

The Soldiers of War were all attracted by this change, regardless if it was the caged Ascended hermits or the hopeful mortal soldiers, they all were drawn by this evolving phenomenon. 

Guan Yu and the woman were at the center of this change, and the hymn of war unleashed by the Obelisk smashed against their bodies as explosive soundwaves. Their expressions paled. 

The woman clenched her fists as she watched Wei Wuyin challenge the Obelisk of War. This wasn't her first time witnessing such changes. There have been other Ascended since she arrived, those elites amongst the elites like her, talented and fierce, yet subjected to an impossible situation. Forced by their circumstance to live out their lifespans here or challenge the Obelisk of War, a few inevitably chose the latter.

The result was obvious, but if it needed to be said: None of them survived. 

She, too, had wanted to challenge the Obelisk of War at one point, even considered gathering other Ascended and Soldiers of War in a fierce challenge against the 10,000 Spirits of War Army, but the mortals would certainly unhesitatingly flee at the sight, and the enemy Ascended numbers were simply too high to match. It was purely childish to think of being victorious in the face of such terrifying odds.

It was impossible.

Thus, she could only wait with her hope burning until it was inevitably doused by cold, heartless reality. Left with no way to escape, she wanted to experience womanly pleasures for once in her unbearably long life to someone she saw worthy, and then end it on her own terms. However, everything changed.

While she knew that Wei Wuyin, a mere mortal, was intending to challenge the Obelisk of War, she found herself unable to stop him after receiving the 10,000 War Souls. She now had her ticket to go home. She would even have 10,000 War Souls to use after escaping, an incredible amount of War Souls for trading.

Was this evil? To think about home while your savior faced death?

She tensely bit her lower lip in anxiety, recalling all of what Wei Wuyin had said. While he had considered her silence as a yes, her thoughts were spiraling uncontrollably that she couldn't even process all of it. The fires of ambitions and desire had been reignited, and she now could see the light of her cultivation path once again. 

Yet she was extremely conflicted. However, it didn't matter what her feelings were like. Wei Wuyin had already declared war against the Obelisk of War, so he must either lose or win. Even if he sought to escape, those 10,000 Spirits of War will hunt him down relentlessly until his death. She couldn't fathom why a mere mortal would make such a foolish challenge. 

However, she was beset by a choice. 

She could retreat, wait for Wei Wuyin's demise, and then escape. 

Or…

She could stand with Wei Wuyin to face 10,000 Spirits of War and die alongside him. 

In her mind, there were only these two choices. She didn't believe Wei Wuyin had any semblance of hope in coming out victorious, no matter how powerful his World Heart Intent was. He was just a mortal; a measly little mortal man in a chaotic world that restricted them fiercely. 

Her delicate hands clenched so tightly that she felt her heart in her palm, feeling the pulsing of her heartbeat. She took a deep breath, and then took a step forward. This step fully displayed her intentions. While Wei Wuyin barely met her qualifications as a man, even though he was hopelessly suicidal, she decided to stand with him. 

At worst, they died together.

While she wouldn't be able to experience the pleasures of a woman, her dreams and hopes shattered once again, at least she was at peace with this decision, acting accordance to her heart.

Wei Wuyin was currently experiencing immense pressure as his Mark of Annihilation formed on his palm, emanating out faint rays of light that seemed to directly challenge the Obelisk of War. Despite this, he heard the faint footsteps of someone approaching. When this reached him, he was extremely shocked. 

He turned to the side, holding out his other hand towards the direction of the footsteps, causing it to halt. The woman was noticeably confused by this gesture. 

"Thank you, but you must leave! Now!" Wei Wuyin shouted urgently as the hymn of war kept escalating in volume. The woman was taken aback, unsure what to do. She was internally struggling. If she had just a little bit of confidence in Wei Wuyin, this choice might not be so difficult, but how could she? 

"Guan Yu! Take her!" Wei Wuyin shouted loudly, gesturing out an order. Guan Yu was deeply shaken by the hymn of war, his face became thinner and thinner. The pressure was unbearable. He wanted to flee. He wanted to run with all his might. The grip on his bident loosened. Was this the terror of ensuing war? 

Struck by this feeling, he was lost for a moment until the explosive shout of Wei Wuyin gripped his heart and dragged it back to reality. His eyes widened as he saw the woman standing a few meters away from Wei Wuyin. Instinctively, he rushed forward after tightening his grip and grabbed the woman, causing her to frown, but her eyes never left Wei Wuyin's concerned expression. 

He seemed to be troubled by her presence, striking her with a strange sensation she'd never felt before. They had just met, so why was it like this? 

Guan Yu glimpsed at the woman's face and body for a brief moment. His eyes widened and heart raced uncontrollably. 

Was this…? Holy shi-

"Go!"

His thoughts were interrupted by Wei Wuyin's commanding shout, acting on instinct once again as he dragged her away with swift steps. The two retreated far away, but the woman's gaze never left the shrinking figure of Wei Wuyin, lost in her own confusion and feelings. 

Wei Wuyin turned back around, sighing after hearing the receding footsteps. He was unable to see what was before him, but he could feel the terrifyingly ferocious pressure developing. 

Soon, stars in the ceiling of pure chaos above started to manifest. Most were small, some medium, a few large-sized, and a single star that eclipsed the right that was gargantuan. It was the brightest star in the chaotic sky. These stars faintly gave the chaos some semblance of order and unity.

An Ascended commander, aged to his limits, hair as grey as possible, body almost entirely skin and bones, and with sunken eyes as dim and dark as death itself, glanced at the sky with pity and sadness in those dim, deathly eyes. "Was it her? I didn't think she would take this route to end her life. I wish I had the courage…I wish I..." The man slowly said, lowering his head as his breathing slowed. If one were to observe him, they'd realize his state was very similar to hibernation, and he consumed the bare minimum of lifeforce. 

SHOON!

A strange, bursting sound resounded, and the hearts of the old Ascended shook as they watched the stars break out of the chaos and shoot down like blazing meteorites. They all shot towards the center of the Nexus Battlefield, directly before the Obelisk of War. 

BOOSH! BOOSH!!! BOOSH!!

Explosive landing that shook the mind resounded out endlessly, almost resembling a musical symphony with their timing and different volumes. A wave of gushing wind swept across the entire Nexus Battlefield! 

Wei Wuyin was at the forefront of this wind, feeling his skin get pressed against his flesh and bones, and his legs drag across the ground. If he wasn't so inherently heavy, a product of his extremely refined physique, he would've been sent flying for thousands of miles. 

Guan Yu and the woman, however, were directly propelled backwards uncontrollably, distancing themselves for a few miles. It was only when the woman acted, grabbing Guan Yu, did they land to observe the Obelisk of War that was thrumming with sound.

Her eyes were focused not on the Obelisk of War, but on the multi-armored legion that stood before it, lined in a perfect formation, equally divided by squads, companies, and battalions, with their leaders and commanders at the forefront, donned in heavy, uniquely designed armor capable of differentiating each by their little differences.

The only one that truly stood out in these rows of beings, armed to the teeth in body armor and weapons, was the tall figure that wore the most impressive set of plate mail, encased in golden-colored metal, and wearing a dragon head-helmet that exuded faint sounds of bloody smoke. They rode a skeletal-like warhorse with black flames emanating from its hooves. They stood at the forefront of their entire legion, unleashing an incredible aura far beyond Mortal Limits.

Wei Wuyin hadn't moved since his declaration, but he was only a few dozen meters away from the great legion of armored Spirits of War. Just their presence could cause the collapse of many brave minds. This was especially so when a single man suffered the violent and forceful gazes of ten thousand Ascended!

Wei Wuyin stuffily coughed, causing all their gazes to become sharper and unleash devastating levels of killing intent. The figure at the lead, the absolutely most terrifying presence on this battlefield, that seemed to be the Legion Commander, looked at Wei Wuyin's figure from above his horse.

"A mortal?" His voice was low, but the entire range of a hundred miles could hear it. An absolutely terrifying power, crucial in commanding armies from far distances with ease. Since spiritual sense was gutted here, this gave this legion commander an undeniable advantage.

Unknown when, Wei Wuyin's expression had become pale. Then, it started to become healthier. He sighed out a little bit of relief. 

With his closed eyes, he lifted his head towards the most terrifying pressure. 

Guan Yu watched this from afar and felt his heart lurch. If he was before that great army, at such great distance, he would've pissed himself. He might have even begged for his life. 

The woman's eyes narrowed. What was this man thinking?

"A blind mortal?" The legion commander said, a trace of incredulity within. The army of 10,000 all realized that they were challenged by a single person. This had happened quite a few times, so they weren't too surprised. Those who sought to end their lives and were far too cowardly to be unable to do it themselves would seek their hand, and they would unhesitatingly give it. 

However, this was the first time it was a mortal.

Moreover, a blind mortal?!

"That's interesting, you all feel alive." Wei Wuyin commented softly with awe, but then he revealed an insufferably arrogant grin and shouted loudly: "Commander of this pathetic legion! Have you decided the terms of YOUR surrender?!" 

"...." The army of 10,000 was speechless!