Paragon of Sin

The Vermilion Graveyard was a unique Chaos Realm—a realm of harmony, flames, and life. Unlike its name, there was a vibrant flow of life coursing throughout the realm. The geographical layout was that of a continent, flat and earthen. The earthy soil glowed a searing gold, resembling molten metal. It was a strange, extraordinary sight. There was no Solar Star in the sky; the radiance originated from the ground and painted the realm. 

Spread throughout the realm were glowing mountains, emanating a vermilion light. These weren't mountains but burial mounds, each holding the corpse of a now-extinct beast. At the base of these mounds were ten-meter-sized doors made of Terra-Mystic Steel. The sheer value of these doors was monumental, capable of stunning the entire world, yet they stayed firmly at the base of each mound, acting as gateways to the burial grounds of Vermilion Birds. 

A portal formed at the center of this realm. Wei Wuyin, Xiao Bing, and Tuo Bihan walked out. The trio was immediately besieged by the sight of glowing radiance, and Xiao Bing exclaimed in astonishment. There was an enriched fire energy within the air, and it wasn't Mortal or Mystic. This fire energy was something special, abnormally pure, and containing vigorous physical vigor. 

"Vermilion Flames?" Tuo Bihan's eyes widened in awe, breathing in the heat and fire energy. His heart pounded fiercely as his physical cells felt refreshed. As his body tingled, he was unable to hold his excitement as he exclaimed. "Young Prince, this place doesn't seem like a graveyard." 

This was the same thought that Xiao Bing had. Unfortunately, she also felt a tinge of discomfort as her cultivation base and physique began to resist the fire energy within the air. Her breath became an icy white mist as her body naturally decreased its internal temperature as a defensive mechanism. In some ways, this was her homeostasis in effect. This went against her cultivation method's attribute, so this wasn't suitable for her to be in.

"Consciously suppress your cultivation base," Wei Wuyin held Xiao Bing's hand and instructed. She was taken aback but swiftly decided to listen. She suppressed her cultivation base, and her physique—the Everlasting Ice Essence Physique—began to take center point in this environment. Shockingly, her natural physiological response of homeostasis began to calm down, and the discomfort in her body started to decrease gradually. 

"This…" Xiao Bing soon found that the unique fire energy was entering her in minute amounts, and it seemed to be interacting perfectly with her physical cells. This nearly overturned her understanding of Elemental energy. She looked toward Wei Wuyin for answers.

"Vermilion Flames are equally as unique as Nirvanic Flames. It isn't true 'fire' but a type of power in the form of 'fire'. Nirvanic Flames are a manifestation of incineration, absorption, rejuvenation, life, death, and rebirth in flame form. Unlike Nirvanic Flames, however, Vermilion Flames are the manifestation of incineration, physical vigor, life, and annihilation.

"Fire is merely its medium of existence, not its defined state. Have you ever heard of Ice Phoenixes?"  Wei Wuyin asked as he located Hong Ru, finding her with ease through the Spatial Ring. 

"Ice Phoenixes? They exist?" Tuo Bihan had just heard the history, but in the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region's recorded history, while Fire Phoenixes have existed and roamed the world, Ice Phoenixes were unseen. 

"They do; Ice Phoenixes have a similar power: Nirvanic Ice. It carries the same principles as Nirvanic Flames, but its manifested form is Ice." Wei Wuyin explained as he took a few deep breaths. 

"Ice? If they're the same thing, why the differentiation?" Tuo Bihan asked curiously. The urge to cultivate swelled within his heart. 

"That's a question for the progenitor of phoenixes," Wei Wuyin chuckled lightly. After grasping Nirvanic Flames through Originfire, Wei Wuyin thoroughly understood the concept of 'manifested material state'. It was impossible to call Hellfire real 'fire'. It wasn't under the Law of Fire. The same could be said of Nirvanic Flames, a Unique Intent. 

The best answer to explain the distinction would be that anything that can interact with the physical world must originate from the Material Dao. 

Xiao Bing's eyes lit with keen brilliance, "So the fire energy I'm absorbing doesn't have any resistance toward my physique! Is my Astral Soul reacting instinctually to resist the Vermilion Flames because it can't differentiate it?" She instantly found the crux of the issue; her knowledge from centuries of studying cultivation had not been wasted.

The Spirit of Cultivation could be largely considered a brain-like organ for cultivation, handling functions that didn't need active control, and it would fight against both good and bad things instinctively if deemed a threat. Since Xiao Bing's Astral Soul was an Ice Astral Soul, it would naturally reject all forms of 'fire' from integrating so thoroughly into the body's cells. However, when it was suppressed, her body naturally absorbed it without resistance. 

Soon, two figures exited the portal. They were the twin sisters. Tang Baibai's eyes brightened as brightly as Xiao Bing had. The astonishment in her heart and mind boomed, and she held back the emotional wave threatening to erupt. 

"Vermilion Energy!" Tang Baibai softly exclaimed. She breathed deeply, her cultivation base circulating intensely and her bloodline boiling. While she was a human, she originated from a long lineage of cultivators that refined and cultivated Vermilion Energy. 

"Vermilion Energy?" Tuo Bihan was taken aback. 

Tang Heihei walked beside Wei Wuyin, waving her hands as the bright red strands of Energy beautifully danced between her fingers. She was its master. Her Cultivation Method was synonymous with Vermilion Energy, and she cultivated a Vermilion Fire Soul, just as everyone else.

The Vermilion Modifier was unique to the Blazing Unity of Twin Flames, and it required the absorption of Vermilion Essence Blood to cultivate, granting them exceptionally powerful physical bodies and flames that could obliterate other flames. It allowed them to forge bodies so terrifyingly powerful that the Third Ascension was far easier for them than others.

"Vermilion Energy is the quintessential energy of Vermilion Birds. It contains vigorous life, physical presence, and destructive power." Tang Heihei explained proudly.

"It's not anything amazing. It's too flawed to be considered good," Tang Baibai mocked. She had cultivated a different method and entered the Earthly Saint Phase.

However, this modifier was restricted and incomplete, unable to accommodate complete Mystic Runes due to an inherent imbalance of Yin-Yang. It was this balance that built the foundation of cultivators during their path within the Realm of Accumulation, the Qi Condensation Realm. While unseen, it was extremely important.

Every Tang Clan expert who had started their Earthly Ascension failed, but they didn't fail the Earthly Ascension; they 'failed' after the Earthly Ascension. Their Mystic Cores would explode.

BOOM!

Death. 

They would undergo Mystic Deviation, an advanced form of Qi Deviation, and it was impossible to stop by any means. 

"Flawed?" Xiao Bing was taken aback. She heard rumors, but she wasn't knowledgeable about the Tang Clan's Cultivation Method.

"Inherently so, yes. Vermilion Energy is too Yang-leaning. This is why women have the greatest chances of success when cultivating it; their Yin Sources are larger than men and assist in balancing out this imbalance. Unfortunately, it can only push it so far." Wei Wuyin's words caused both sisters to be shaken. Wei Wuyin had pinpointed the critical point of their issue. 

"Then, can't they enhance their Yin Energy to balance it further?" Tuo Bihan knew a little more, so he asked this question.

But Wei Wuyin shook his head, "It's not the quality of Yin Energy that's the issue—It's the resilience of Yin Source."

Yin Source?

Tuo Bihan knew this was the metaphysical storage of Yin Energy, also housing the Primal Yin and tethered to the body and soul. If a cultivator had a unique Yin Physique, their Yin Source would reflect it. 

"Mystic Runes require a delicate balance of Yin-Yang Energy balance to form stably. After all, the principles of Creation are bound in Yin-Yang." Wei Wuyin only explained it to this point and didn't elaborate further. There was a solution in regards to Alchemy—enhancing the Yin Source. Wei Wuyin's Neo-Dawn Soul-Sea Elixir enhanced the Primary Light Source, but there wasn't a single product within the Mortal Ranks that could do the same. At least, not in the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region.

Just this was enough to understand the difficulties of affecting a cultivator's source, any type of source. These sources all were connected to the soul in some way, and if a cultivator lost their bodies, if their Primal Yin was untouched, then if they were given an Ever-Rebirth Pill, they would be reborn as virgins.

If they lost their Primal Yin, they would never be virgins again. Unless, of course, alchemy was used to regain their Primal Yin.

"Let's go," Wei Wuyin had decided to bring Bai Lin here in the future and brought Xiao Bing away while holding hands.

Tuo Bihan was contemplating when he looked at the Matriarch Vermilion and asked, "I heard that a Fire Phoenix's Essence Blood could solve your cultivation method's flaw. How?" His curiosity was too wild to stay silent. 

"..." Tang Heihei lowered her eyes and followed Wei Wuyin without answering. This was clearly a sore point in her heart.

Tang Baibai had little reservation in saying the truth, answering with a faint smile: "The true cultivation method is a Fire and Ice Method, but due to the absence of the Luan Bird, the polar opposite of the Vermilion Birds, our ancestors found a divergent path by relying on the Fire Phoenix's similarities and true power to balance Yin-Yang to rein in the vigorous Yang of Vermilion Energy. It works, of course. The heavens never leave only one path to cultivate, but fate is cruel as the Fire Phoenixes Graveyard is inaccessible." 

She moved to follow. 

"Luan Bird? Tuo Bihan grew curious about this creature. A method of Ice and Fire…

-----

Near the burial mounds were circular clearings inscribed with formations that gathered Vermilion Energy for cultivation. These areas had the densest concentrations of Vermilion Energy, so cultivating here was considerably faster. A group of young cultivators diligently cultivated the energy, circulating the Dual Unity of Twin Flames Method with startling efficiency.

The Chosen King Competition neared with each passing moment, so they had to cultivate fiercely to differentiate themselves from the others and claim the title of Chosen. 

This group had a single figure surrounded by a dozen others. This figure was a gorgeous red-haired woman with a proud chest, sharp chin, and phoenix eyes. There was an edge of unconcealable pride within her bearing as she led the others.

"Focus your Inner Fire; Emulate the Vigor of the Stars; Rampant and Stir; Flow and Energize!" She spoke out a mnemonic of their Cultivation Method, demonstrating the ancestors' insights regarding the profundities of Vermilion Energy and Vermilion Flames. 

The words were profoundly effective as the bodies of these youths all erupted with stirring physical energy with traces of vermilion energy. 

Suddenly, the woman opened her eyes, and two figures reflected within the depths of her pupils. They were as vivid as a fresh dream, reminiscent of memories that could only carry her hope and long-held desire. 

There was little that needed to be said; the young woman rose, her scarlet robes tightly hugged her feisty figure, and her crimson eyes were tinged with wetness. How long had it been? 

"Xiao Bing…Wei Wuyin…" Her tone was soft, yet to her ears, it was as loud as thunder, her heart and mind working in unison to make her believe that this was true. Not a dream. 

It was not a dream.

"Xiao Bing! Wei Wuyin!" Hong Ru shouted.

"Hong Ru!" Xiao Bing matched her energy perfectly, her words equally as loud and emotional. They both had different paths, likely due to their respective struggles, but they met again after being separated by vast distances and countless celestial bodies. 

Wei Wuyin calmly smiled; the joy in his eyes was evident for all to see. 

Woosh!

"You're both here!" The feisty redhead, that was outspoken and sassy, rushed forward at unprecedented speeds. The juniors she had been instructing were blasted away, tumbling and rolling aside. She didn't mind them in the slightest as she rushed forward, and Xiao Bing held out her arms. 

In a blink, the two women of nation-toppling beauties and top-class bodies hugged each other so tightly that breathing seemed difficult for both. Wei Wuyin was standing to the side, watching it all unfold with interest. 

Then, Hong Ru's crimson eyes turned to him, and there was an unspoken wish in her eyes. Wei Wuyin was taken aback but not inexperienced, so he decided to join in. As he did, about to wrap his arms around them both and join the fun and excitement, Hong Ru reached out to grab him by the neck, her grip strong, and she pulled him close.

She was as brazen as he recalled; her lips were already pressed against his own fearlessly. The passion was overflowing. Even Xiao Bing was shaken, and when Hong Ru and Wei Wuyin finally separated, she noted the untold grievance in Hong Ru's eyes.

Hong Ru didn't hesitate to say: "You took me as your woman and didn't visit me all this time! I demand compensation!" 

"..." Wei Wuyin was speechless. 

Xiao Bing was similarly taken aback, but the urge to smile at how unchanged Hong Ru was erupted in her heart. Unfortunately, she didn't get the chance. She found lips pressed against her own, soft and forceful. 

Hong Ru gave her one too! 

Fearless!

Only after a long time did they separate, and the eyes of the rattled juniors and seniors were wide. 

"I missed you," Hong Ru gently said.

"Well, might as well finish the triangle, no?" Wei Wuyin boisterously laughed as he moved, lifting Xiao Bing's chin lightly and giving her an equally passionate kiss even longer than Hong Ru's. 

With this, the world would know their relationship.