Paragon of Sin

"They deserve death!" Hong Ru gnashed her teeth as she spat. The trio had given the juniors and seniors of the Tang Clan an astonishing show, and they began to walk the Vermilion Graveyard together, leaving the twins trailing a far distance behind. It was an odd sight to see a Highlord and Earthly Saint following obediently behind three mortals. 

"..." Xiao Bing remained silent; she had just given Hong Ru a rough account of her life after their separation. She faintly described her circumstances, such as being lured by Bing Tian on the promise of excellent treatment, then being arranged a marriage, her imprisonment after the young master's death, and their change of attitude after a while. At times, she would glance at Wei Wuyin, whose handsome expression was a little icy at certain points, but she would soon receive a slight comforting smile.

Hong Ru, however, was absolutely livid and did little to hide it. She had always been outspoken and rarely hid her inner thoughts, wearing her heart on her sleeve, so she quickly said what she thought: the Bing Clan deserved total eradication. Shockingly, she hadn't placed the slightest blame on Wei Wuyin.

Like Xiao Bing, Hong Ru had deeply experienced the greater world, grasped the high level of this society, understood the peril that remained hidden, and learned of all the exceptional and godlike feats that Wei Wuyin had accomplished throughout these years. Just like the Alchemic Association of their home starfield, the current Everlore Association was scheming and competing against Wei Wuyin, but on top of that, this association had also already made an attempt on his life. 

She hadn't misunderstood in the slightest Wei Wuyin's two decades of being in strategic hiding, especially as he kept performing increasingly impressive feats and directed the future of the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region. She always knew that Wei Wuyin was of a different breed of cultivator. The silver-eyed youth initiated the beginnings of a new era before he was fifty in their home starfield! And now, he had essentially done the same on a greater stage. 

She couldn't help but recall her naive thoughts when she first arrived here. When Bai Lin was nearly captured, she decided that her induction into the Tang Clan would become an act of espionage. She would infiltrate the Tang Clan's hierarchy, learn all about its operations and infrastructures, and then assist Wei Wuyin in bringing it down completely. 

Hong Ru now realized that Wei Wuyin was growing to the point where he could eliminate the Tang Clan on his own, but she wasn't depressed. Instead, she was very impressed! 

There was a heavy degree of pride and happiness growing in her heart every time she learned of Wei Wuyin's antics. She also grew terrified and anxious about Wei Wuyin's life and death, fearing the worst at times. When she heard the news that Wei Wuyin had attacked a recently established starfield, the Born True Starfield, and was besieged by thirty Earthly Saints, she was horrified. 

Yet the turn of that story left her laughing heartedly. 

She knew that her only goal was to live by the standards and hopes of Wei Wuyin, to become a Valkyrie worthy of following him, so she focused solely on cultivation. Given the immense amount of resources she received from Wei Wuyin that were never late, never lacking, and never low or high grade, she felt all of Wei Wuyin's intentions. 

In her heart, she hadn't expected to see him or Xiao Bing until she became an Ascended being and a prominent character within the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region. Seeing them so soon felt a little premature but was nevertheless a joyful event worth celebrating.

"So, did you come here to dual cultivate with us? Or, I guess it'd probably be a cultivation threesome. Hehe," Hong Ru snickered mischievously, and Xiao Bing's complexion turned a shade pinker from ear to ear. The ice princess of the Myriad Monarch Sect was fiercely blushing!

Wei Wuyin didn't shrink back at the suggestion, "I wouldn't mind." 

"..." Xiao Bing.

"Oh? Here I thought you were waiting for us to ascend, gain the greatest benefit for yourself, and not hinder our cultivation." Hong Ru eyed Wei Wuyin suspiciously, unable to comprehend his intentions. The Primal Yin of talented female cultivators was essential in fueling their cultivation. This was even more so given how Wei Wuyin had recently given her a variety of Yin Energy refining products, which had explosively increased her cultivation toward an exceedingly grand foundation. 

Her initial thoughts were that the products were in preparation for their dual cultivation life in the future. She was unaware that her cultivation method was too yang-focused, so bolstering her Yin had created a type of balance that allowed her to cultivate at a far faster pace than most. While it wouldn't solve the overarching issue of the Earthly Ascension, the assistance was not to be understated. In these recent years, she had become the most likely to seize a Chosen spot among the Tang Clan.

Xiao Bing then described what happened after the Bing Clan changed their tune, the near-destruction of Ice Jade, and how she was attacked by the perpetrator. Wei Wuyin had timely swooped in and saved her life, sending her away, and then settled the issue before meeting her. She leaked a little bit of her thoughts as well, allowing Hong Ru to understand that her feelings toward Wei Wuyin had changed. 

"Thank you," Hong Ru didn't say any superfluous words as she earnestly thanked Wei Wuyin for saving Xiao Bing's life. She was like a wife giving thanks, and Wei Wuyin was stunned at the change of demeanor. 

"You never have to say those words again; you're both precious women in my life, those who've chosen to stay by my side; even if the sky collapsed, I'd be there holding it until you become strong enough to shatter it." Wei Wuyin's words sent lightning through their minds, allowing them to realize that his thoughts weren't that of a typical man. He wanted them to succeed the most, establish their power, and grow to shatter all calamities they faced themselves!

"Okay," Hong Ru brightly smiled alongside Xiao Bing. The two created a color-siphoning scene of picturesque and enviable beauty. They had both always been beauties, famous figures even in the Myriad Monarch Sect, and now they were far more outstanding than ever before. 

The trio talked for over an hour, discussing various matters, laughing, snickering, or reminiscing about past events. There was a unique harmony, and the dynamic of Hong Ru and Xiao Bing was perfectly balanced, truly a match made in heaven. 

"Can I stay in the Tang Clan?" Soon, the matters of the future came about, and Hong Ru curiously asked. She knew that Wei Wuyin's arrival meant a change, but she was unsure of what that change meant. She wasn't against following his arrangements, but she did have some emotional attachments to some of the people here. Unlike Xiao Bing whose experience was littered with discomforting experiences, her experiences were mostly mild and filled with challenges to become Chosen. 

She had juniors and seniors who were both annoying and great, so it was hard for her to simply leave. At the very least, she wanted to say goodbye. 

"In the Tang Clan? No. The Tang Clan is on the verge of collapse. But here, sure. I'll establish a separate Void Gate tethered to the Endless Prosperity Domain's Worldly Equilibrium Moon. You can choose where you wish to cultivate at any time." Wei Wuyin didn't want to hinder Hong Ru's cultivation by shifting her from an ideal cultivation environment. 

"Y-you can do that?" Hong Ru was stunned. 

Wei Wuyin merely smiled, continuing: "This realm is extremely isolated. Unless an exceptional expert who grasped the Minor Space Law came, entering without the Vermilion Bird's Aura is nigh-impossible, so your safety is more or less secured. This will also allow me to deliver resources to you without you needing to exit. Moreover, I can gather some of this Vermilion Energy to concoct a few products beneficial to your physique establishment, Astral Core refinement, and general cultivation."

"Oh!" Hong Ru was deeply astonished that her heart began to race wildly. 

Xiao Bing was happy for Hong Ru.

Wei Wuyin grabbed Xiao Bing's hand, "Also, you should stay here too. The Vermilion Energy here can help balance and improve your Everlasting Ice Essence Physique, tempering it with every breath."

"Temper?" Xiao Bing was taken aback. 

Wei Wuyin nodded, "Your Everlasting Ice Essence Physique has flaws as well. I noticed after we kissed, but it seems to be lacking a strong Yang component. However, the Yang Energy can't be too overpowering, and the Vermilion Energy here can be refined gently to help solve some of these issues. It might not be a complete solution, but it'll allow your cultivation foundation to rise by leaps and bounds." 

"...!" They were both shaken by this new information. But then, a surge of unbridled joy flashed in both of their eyes simultaneously. They could cultivate together?! When they looked at each other and saw the same elation, they both blushed fiercely. 

Wei Wuyin laughed at how cute they were. But within his mind, he was slightly solemn. The Heavenly Daos was meticulous, and this connection between Xiao Bing and Hong Ru was genuinely a match made in heaven. He could already pierce into the Heavenly Daos' original intentions for these two Blessed-companions. 

From henceforth, it was best that they cultivated together, and when they ascended, he would certainly gain an explosive benefit through dual cultivation. 

-----

Wei Wuyin established a Void Anchor in the Vermilion Graveyard, leaving behind Xiao Bing and Hong Ru for now. He promised to return after he finished his cultivation, but they seemed unbothered by the abrupt separation as if they expected it. Wei Wuyin could only bitterly smile at their attitudes, but he understood that their breadth of knowledge was no longer restrained, and they were extremely happy to be together again. 

"I'll have the Golden Life Pavilion construct a Void Gate here," Wei Wuyin calmly informed the twins. His tone left no room for arguments. Your graveyard? No, my graveyard.

"..." Tang Baibai silently watched all this unfold. She felt heart-pulsating emotions stirring in her soul; Wei Wuyin had single-handedly opened one of the most restrictive locations in the Aeternal Sky Starfield with absolute ease. He didn't just enter but allowed her, Xiao Bing, and Tuo Bihan to enter without any issue. 

Moreover, he was directly seizing the Vermilion Graveyard and connecting a separate Void Gate within. She had only heard rumors and second-hand gossip of his feats, power, and means, but the actual truth was even more insane to witness! 

"I have no objections to this, Alchemic Sovereign Wei. However, may I ask…what do you intend to do about the chaos outside?" Tang Heihei probed Wei Wuyin's intentions, especially considering he hadn't stated any official position yet. 

"Hm? You want me to take the lead on that?" Wei Wuyin revealed a hint of surprise in his tone. For the Tang Clan's Matriarch to say this, her situation was certainly a desperate one. After all, she had ordered the capture of Bai Lin, which left her severely injured. It was already lucky Wei Wuyin wasn't assisting her enemies, especially since Hong Ru's original intention of becoming a high-level figure in the Tang Clan was to act as a spy to bring about its demise. 

"If you want," Tang Heihei knew that the conspiracy of this coup d'état was greater than the Tang Clan, likely tacitly agreed upon by the Imperial Clan and who knows what other organizations, and while risky, this was her best option. The earlier words of Tang Baibai only confirmed her suspicions, and given the knowledge of Tang Xingyun's infidelity being revealed, this only exacerbated the situation. The only way to survive…

Tang Baibai glanced at this stubborn sister of hers. What was she scheming in that conniving mind of hers? Despite knowing the truth of the situation, she was still taking the initiative to plot away. How foolish! A flash of killing intent flickered in her eyes. 

"I don't," Wei Wuyin indifferently replied. He had no love for the Tang Clan, and while Hong Ru had made some friendly acquaintances, taking them in wouldn't be an issue if they were in danger. It was unlikely, however, because Tang Baibai wanted to overthrow the current regime of leadership, not the outstanding young talents. They could simply stay in the reformed Tang Clan.

"Deal with it yourself," Wei Wuyin's voice was glacially indifferent. He signaled for Tuo Bihan to get ready to leave, causing the old man to feel a little forlorn. The Vermilion Graveyard was a cultivation holy land. 

Tang Heihei lightly clenched her fists, "I wish to conduct a trade with you, Alchemic Sovereign Wei."

Wei Wuyin was astonished. In this situation? A trade? He couldn't fathom what this Matriarch of a Noble Clan was trying to achieve. As for trading the Vermilion Graveyard for assistance, Wei Wuyin had already laid claim to it, and there was no wiggle room there. 

This was 'his' graveyard now. 

However, he was curious. "A trade? Go on." 

Tang Baibai was unable to understand what her sister was thinking. 

Tang Heihei took a deep breath and said: "Throughout the countless years, a secret has been passed on from Vermilion to Vermilion and no one else." 

"Oh?" Wei Wuyin was intrigued. 

She continued solemnly: "For a period of respite and safety under your protection, I'll tell you the location of the Fire Phoenix's Nirvanic World of Eternal Rest and everything I know about it." 

The Nirvanic World of Eternal Rest was the Fire Phoenix's graveyard!