Paragon of Sin

"A new era rife with change." The old coots, sly foxes, and long-lived experts were all echoing the same sentiment! Ever since the Golden Life Pavilion's proclamation of Wei Wuyin's existence at their Golden Auction, alongside the announced release of the Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill, the flow of the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region became highly unpredictable. The once peacefully quiet river stirred into a storm of epic proportions that was hard to describe.

The Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill had outright changed the potential of cultivators, and those young geniuses with it would inevitably outpace those without. This was a definitive certainty that not even the most elite of the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region could deny. It was difficult to not see the implications of such a convention-defying product. 

The pill's existence preceded countless world-changing events, causing them to explode with a torrential force that would continuously shake the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region. The first that could be highlighted was the fall of the twenty-three starfields, the elimination of the Ravenous Edge Starfield, and the ensuing division of resources that was still ongoing. The starfield had become an ideal place to send elite talents to train themselves in fire and blood due to its lawless state that had no clear leadership. 

The sharp, insatiable fangs of the elite powerhouses had bitten down and none felt like letting up; therefore, a behind-the-scenes agreement was established to allow the chaotic society that had inadvertently formed to be used for other purposes. 

This event coincided with equally thundering news, such as the existence of an ancient Fire Phoenix, an unidentified Earthly Saint, the Tang Clan's failed capture attempt of said Fire Phoenix, the deaths of two Earthly Saints belonging to the Ravenous Edge Starfield, and the Soul-Rising Saint's abrupt departure and betrayal of the Ninestar Sainthall. 

There was even the birth of a new Earthly Saint after a long period—the Grand Knight of Neo-Dawn, Wu Yu! 

Next, the contest for the Pavilion Master of the greatest merchant organization of the Aeternal Sky Starfield, the Golden Life Pavilion, was underway! One of the oldest recognized cultivators in the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, Ma Zheng, formerly known as the Third Manager of the Golden Life Pavilion, had challenged Pavilion Master Sheng Jizi! And won! 

It had then contributed to the greatest gathering of Chosen and powerhouses of renown that had ever been known since recorded history—the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit, which resulted in the defining changes of Chosen standards throughout the stellar region. A race involving talents, geniuses, peak forces, and a need for resources had begun.

However, no one could've predicted that the Great Blue Starfield would experience a coup, but they all knew that the Golden Life Pavilion and Wei Wuyin had their hands in the act with funding or outright showing support by sending their signature Alchemic Knight. This was almost immediately followed by the complete domination of four starfields and their eventual united announcement! 

Born True Starfield!

Unchained Heart Sect!!

Within this decade alone, the twenty-three starfields that had enjoyed millennia of peace had undergone a series of tumultuous changes and were brought down to nineteen starfields. 

"A new era rife with change." 

This single phrase was continuously spoken as all levels of the cultivation society, from the young cultivators to the peak powerhouses were making moves, and at the center of it all was none other than the Neo-Dawn Alchemic Sovereign, Wei Wuyin! 

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The Born True Starfield was the combination of the Great Desolate Starfield(6th), All-Fury Starfield(8th), Beyond Light Starfield(9th), and Verdant Paradise Starfield(19th), but the process of formulating a single starfield from multiple and merging them into one was not a simple matter. Firstly, the Void-Blank Space that segregated these starfields had to be cleansed of all chaotic debris, rogue planets, and dangerous phenomena by countless experts. This was a task that took years, if not decades, to properly perform.

Secondly, a centralized Solar Star or Solar Stars had to be established that created a natural orbit that allowed a proper diffusion of Solar Essence throughout the starfield. Therefore, the larger the starfield, the greater the size of the Solar Star or Solar Stars. This was often circumvented by using multiple Solar Stars to compensate such as the Ninestar Starfield, Trihex Starfield, and the Hexaflame Starfield. It could also involve attempting to merge all Solar Stars into a single, overwhelming entity that could govern the entire space.

Thirdly, the planets, lunar satellites, flat continental earths, World Realms, and Secret Realms had to be relocated. The task itself was incredibly complex and not even Earthly Saints will dare say they could reliably do so, especially given the changes to orbit that needed to calculate gravitational forces, total mass, occupied space, and stability of World Cores. 

Lastly, and the most precarious situation, the deactivation, and relocation of Starfield-wide Arrays and Formations. Most of these arrays and formations were anchored to locations for the greatest stability and they provided the strongest power due to connecting with the various Star Cores, World Cores, Secret Realms, and World Realms of a starfield. The True Element Sect's Domain-wide Array had used this principle to fight against Wu Yu, and the array could even bring harm to legitimate Worldly Saints. Each Starfield was a nigh-impregnable fortress, and with the precious three tasks necessary for a process of merging, this was an unavoidable circumstance. 

While it was entirely possible to maintain the four starfields as an independent starfield, that would eliminate at least twenty times its potential defensive, offensive, and material-creating strength. The provided power that four starfields merged into one could exert if combined into an array or formation was unfathomably great. 

The last several months of the Born True Starfield were hectic signs with heavy work. There were occasional bursts of erupting waves of energy and light as Celestial Bodies were being moved carefully. From time to time, ripples of chaotic spatial power would surge outwards as World Realms and Secret Realms were either deconstructed or forcefully shifted. 

The entire world was observing the Born True Starfield slowly forming into a whole as the Void-Blank Space that served as vast chasms of borders noticeably began to shrink. That said, only a few months had passed, and while the process was being conducted with abnormal efficiency, it hadn't even been completed by a tenth yet. Just cleaning the Void-Blank Space was an increasingly difficult task to perform, especially considering that Ascended beings of a certain level didn't dare to assist. 

Not only was every iota of their Mystic Power extremely precious, but they also formed the totality of their military might and defensive prowess, especially given the collapse of starfield-wide arrays and formations. They were its guardians, and if they assisted, while the process would go tens of times faster, they would leave themselves vulnerable and weakened. 

Far, far away from the True Born Starfield was a single Sky Destroyer that had been stationed there by the order of the Imperial Clan. There were four Earthly Saints on board, an astonishing line-up. They included Tian Muyang, Tian Lingyu, the oldest Sky Monarch, and one of the greatest symbols of the Imperial Clan, Empress Xiaocheng! 

The Sky Destroyer belonged to Kong Yi; he was a decorated expert that had rivaled Ma Zheng in seniority. While his cultivation path hadn't involved any outstanding feats, the fact that he stood here today as a Sky Monarch spoke volumes of his staunch effort towards cultivation. 

Tian Muyang and Tian Lingyu observed the flashes of light and incessant ripples of space unfold in the vast distance. They both had calm, dignified facial expressions. 

Tian Lingyu frowned slightly after a light of curiosity flashed in her eyes. "I don't like this," she flatly stated through spiritual transmission. As a woman of practical thinking and realistic beliefs, she didn't believe having a Sky Destroyer stationed at the edge of the current restructuring of four starfields was wise. Moreover, they were given orders that she felt went against her interests.

"I know." Tian Muyang understood her thoughts completely because they heavily resonated with their own. Unfortunately, he was left with no other choice as it was an order from the Imperial Advisor, and that typically meant it was approved by the Aeternal Sky Divine Emperor himself. 

"Have you had any contact with Wei Wuyin lately?" Tian Muyang asked with his eyes staring straight at the Born True Starfield. 

"No; he's gone completely off the grid," Tian Lingyu answered solemnly. Over the years, Wei Wuyin would occasionally send requests to be completed that wouldn't infringe on their Mystic Oaths. This was their trial period, and they've helped in many different ways, even assisted from the distant shadows in the Great Blue Starfield's coup. 

Tian Muyang had reasonably kept a few key cultivators of the Great Blue Starfield inside the Aeternal Sky Starfield on 'official business' that prevented them from intervening with the eventual vote for succession. Meanwhile, Tian Lingyu sent intelligence reports regarding the movements of certain shipments from the Aeternal Sky Starfield that were being sent to the Great Blue Starfield. 

They perfectly skirted certain Mystic Oaths. Fortunately, most Mystic Oaths were directed towards their loyalty to the Aeternal Sky Starfield, not a distant starfield. 

"That strange space that devoured the Desolate Dragnet Stellar Region, do you think…?" Tian Lingyu frowned as she thought of the Absolute Void Region that induced fear in her heart. There were some loosely unverified reports that Wei Wuyin was stationed in the Desolate Dragnet Stellar Region, but no one dared to investigate because doing so meant likely offending the Neo-Dawn Alchemic Sovereign himself.

Furthermore, he had yet to swear any Mystic Oath of any substance and had a level of freedom that could bring extreme fear into the hearts of powerhouses. Just his two Alchemic Knights at the Earthly Saint-level and the ancient Fire Phoenix were enough to cause pause. 

There was a floating theory that Wei Wuyin was dead, and Trueborn had killed him to ensure their conquest went off without a hitch. Considering they haven't been in contact with him for nearly a year, this felt increasingly true. Fortunately, Grand Knight Wu Yu was still active and seemed to be performing tasks here and there without any haste, so it was unlikely to be the case. 

Tian Muyang shook his head with a solemn light in his eyes, "The calm before the storm. Why else would we be here?" 

"..." Tian Lingyu stayed silent. She swept her gazes across the vast Dark Void, sensing the various presences there.

Will he come? 

Her thoughts were interrupted by a blazing burst of flaming light in the distance, followed by a clear, piercing clarion cry!

Kree! 

They both turned their heads to see an incoming flaming comet streak across the Dark Void. It was heading directly toward the Pentastar Cluster! 

"He's here." A silky voice carrying an innate tone of imperial nobility resounded as Empress Xiaocheng arrived alongside the Kong Yi. Her gorgeous eyes carrying endless allure and imposing dignity gazed upon the streaking light. It was difficult to determine what she was thinking. 

Both Tian Muyang and Tian Lingyu's expressions grew darker, their eyes rippling with complex emotions. 

A man and beast soared towards the edge of the Pentastar Cluster alone, cutting a figure that was reminiscent of an immortal legend and halted just before entering the range of the still-intact arrays. 

Hovering at the edge, tensions inevitably rose! 

"..." The white-robed Wei Wuyin stared at the Born True Starfield with a steady gaze. 

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a black-robed masked figure appeared at the other edge of the starfield's border. The distinct mask! The stylized robes that concealed their features, gender, and body type!

Undoubtedly, it was Trueborn, and they weren't even trying to hide it!

The figure had a cultivation base at the Soul of Mysticism Phase, a genuine Ascended being, and was clearly sent to open a dialogue between both parties! 

"Alchemic Sovereign Wei, how can I help you?" Despite their scraggly voice, there was a modicum of respect within that showcased their intentions. 

The various presences watching from afar, including the Sky Destroyer, were waiting with bated breath for Wei Wuyin's response!