Paragon of Sin

"Destined Cultivator?" The term brought Wei Wuyin a strange feeling. Since learning of the Heavenly Daos and their active interference in the ways of the world, twisting and shaping it to suit specific individuals, he found the concept of destiny slightly amusing. 

If destiny was to be followed, wasn't his life 'destined' to end at Long Chen's hands? With beings of unimaginable power existing, such as the First Sinner, Heavenly Gods, or existences like Fuxi capable of altering fates at a whim, how could destiny have any legs to stand on? 

Yet, despite her emotionless tone, Wei Wuyin could tell that this Vice-Sect Master of the Void Voyage Sect was serious about recruiting him. If it were Wei Wuyin prior to establishing his reputation and identity in the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, he would've heavily considered it. When he first arrived, Wei Wuyin contemplated joining the True Element Sect to settle in, forming a power base in much the same way as the Myriad Monarch Sect. 

While he had numerous reservations, he deeply thought on the subject. Now, Wei Wuyin's status as a Mortal Sovereign Alchemist was publicly recognized, his age was remarkably low, and he controlled sufficiently powerful forces to be classified  as in the top ten of Mystic-tier forces. 

Just on the surface, he had Grand Knight Wu Yu—an 8th Runic Ascendant, Bai Lin—an ancient Fire Phoenix, and Zhan Zheng—a 9th Runic Ascendant. By himself, he's formed alliances with the United Source Starfield's Earthly Saint, Lady Clearwind, the True Element Sect was more or less in his control, and the Golden Life Pavilion was his unconditionally loyal partner. 

The Ascendants were growing with the efforts of Hong Chunhua, plans still in motion, some of the Valkyries had world-renowned reputations, and he had a budding information network active. From top to bottom, he had unquestionably developed himself as an independent power that couldn't be underestimated. 

It was a little too 'late' to join a sect to find peace to grow. Why? Because he was already grown! While his own cultivation base was low relative to the elite experts, if Luo Ning successfully becomes a Mortal Sovereign Alchemist, he'll recruit her and begin an operation of developing a corps of Alchemic Soul Alchemists. 

Wei Wuyin had plans far exceeding what a simple 'discipleship' of a World Sect could offer. Joining them would benefit the Void Voyage Sect more than him. 

These thoughts similarly echoed in Wu Yu's mind. To him, the Void Voyage Sect was far too late to attempt to recruit Wei Wuyin. Furthermore, there were no currently pressing threats of life or death that would force Wei Wuyin to ally with another elite power for safety. 

Inevitably, Wei Wuyin shook his head and said with a faint smile, "I'll have to decline, apologies." With this, Wei Wuyin could move on. Later, he'll revisit the Void Voyage Sect and see if he could forge a different type of relationship. He was immensely interested in their unique Spatial Arts and history. Who was the Void Voyage Sect? He felt this question had many layers. 

"I wasn't asking; Make your preparations—we leave in five minutes," Liu Suyin said. Wei Wuyin, Wu Yu, and even Zhan Zheng were taken aback by her forceful attitude. While she lacked a tyrannical tone, seemingly completely devoid of all things, her words were extremely overbearing! She wasn't going to give Wei Wuyin a choice?

Even Zhan Zheng had to give this young woman another look, slight amusement in his war-filled eyes. While he was a Spirit of War, an existence created from a War Soul, he had emotions and thoughts uniquely his own, not a puppet at all, and as such, had his own views this entire stellar region's cultivators.

In his eyes, everyone here was garbage. 

Everyone; there was no exception. As for Wei Wuyin, he didn't consider him a part of 'everyone' because he didn't consider Wei Wuyin a member of this stellar region, nor did he consider Wu Yu or Ma Zheng. They were notably excluded after their subservient behavior towards Wei Wuyin. To him, he treated them in a similar manner as himself—an extension of Wei Wuyin's power.

However, besides them, every Ascended being he'd met thus far had world-shakingly high levels of towering arrogance and self-confidence that were entirely unjustified. Especially the so-called Soul Saint King. These cultivators overly relied on external tools to establish their power, with their application of Mystic Forces of a pathetically low level.

In his honest opinion, Wei Wuyin should sweep through the entire starfield with the War Talisman in hand. For the last three years, Wei Wuyin hadn't stopped feeding War Souls to refine the Nexus War Flag, strengthening his Spirits of War, and he was confident it was enough to trounce all opposition. 

Now, this Soul of Mysticism expert with an Arcane Spatial Mystic Soul believed herself invincible! Laughable. 

Wei Wuyin wasn't as knowledgeable as Zhan Zheng, so he sought clarification of Liu Suyin's source of confidence amidst his shock. Zhan Zheng said,  "As long as I'm here, a thousand of this Liu Suyin wouldn't be able to touch a single corner of your robe." There was the faintest sign of mockery in his voice. 

Wei Wuyin pondered briefly on this information. Clearly, this Liu Suyin's overbearing attitude stemmed from somewhere. He wasn't like Zhan Zheng; he was extremely cautious towards weaker individuals facing stronger ones with total composure. After all, Zhan Zheng was an innately proud individual who disdained acting against weaker cultivators.

This personality flaw contributed heavily to his loss via beheading in the Nexus Battlefield, allowing Wei Wuyin to slay 10,000 Ascended beings as a mere mortal. He would become the picture of foolishness to solely rely on Zhan Zheng's beliefs. The same beliefs led to his entire legion being slaughtered.

"Venerable Liu Suyin, I have no intention of joining the Void Voyage Sect as a disciple. The prospect of becoming one is simply unappealing to me." He honestly explained, on guard against any sudden action from Liu Suyin. Seeing her not respond, he continued: "It'll also be very awkward to join the Void Voyage Sect as a disciple. With my loyal forces, I can rival an entire peak Mystic-tier power by myself—my means likely exceeding your Sect Master. I'm sure this will destabilize the established hierarchy of the Void Voyage Sect, something the elders and yourself certainly wouldn't want to see.

"It'll be the same as allowing a baby tiger into a nest of a thousand wingless birds. No one wants that, right? How about this: Give me a way to enter the Void Voyage Sect, and when I'm free, I'll visit as a guest and pay my respects to the Sect Master." Wei Wuyin decided to take the diplomatic approach. More importantly, he didn't want to become enemies with the most mysterious World Sect without reason. His plans didn't need such an easily avoidable hindrance. 

"..." Liu Suyin remained entirely silent, not reacting to any of Wei Wuyin's words. This made things a little awkward. 

In the end, Wei Wuyin didn't wish to devolve the situation into a fight, breaking Mythical Oaths if Liu Suyin decided to overestimate her abilities or aggressively took action. As such, he sent orders to Wu Yu and Zhan Zheng. They didn't hesitate to unleash their Mystic Auras. They flew away at mind-boggling speeds into the far-off distance, bringing him away, and leaving this awkward situation.  In the blink of a mortal's eye, they were already a distant blip in Liu Suyin's eyes, reaching the end of the Everlore Domain. They were extremely fast!

Liu Suyin remained unmoved. She stayed still as if their escape hadn't bothered her in the slightest. 

Soon, time ticked down, and a full five minutes passed.

Wei Wuyin was already interfacing with the Nexus War Flag if Liu Suyin decided to take any action despite being so far away. And she did! She caressed her crescent moon necklace, and then Wei Wuyin's eyes widened slightly as his own necklace began glowing with a silvery light. Instantly, a feeling swept across his heart and right arm. Kratos released a faint contemptuous roar in response, but Wei Wuyin halted Kratos' intentions to act, allowing the following sequence of events to unfold unabated.

Pop!

A burst of light erupted from the CrescentJade Key around both of their necks, forming a large, silver sphere encapsulating the distant Wu Yu, Zhan Zheng, and Wei Wuyin! Then, it vanished immediately after the silver sphere momentarily shifted to a light-grey color. 

The space they once occupied was devoid of any life. 

-----

Wei Wuyin's absence caused a shock to the Main Hall of the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit, but it was brief. Inevitably, San Luoyang had taken the reins and reminded everyone that the Elimination Stage of the Saint Cyclic Alchemic Clash was still ongoing. As such, despite the hectic commotion and continued discussions, the summit resumed. 

Du Ling and Luo Ning stood together, staring absentmindedly at Wei Wuyin's previously occupied location. Luo Ning's heart was pounding. Wei Wuyin had left her a message just before leaving telling her to take over for him, overseeing Du Ling's progress as his proxy. Moreover, he left behind a detailed description of his Chosen standards!

Did this mean that Wei Wuyin wasn't coming back? Moreover, was he that confident that Du Ling would claim victory in the end? Where had he gone? So many questions, yet she was left with them all unanswered. 

She turned to Du Ling, who was also a little out of it, and felt a slight wisp of anticipation swimming rampantly in her heart. 

"We'll win this," she whispered to herself.