Paragon of Sin

"Did you just…?" When Bai Lin saw the ninth-grade Everlore Ascension Pill with its very own Transcendence Radiance Belt, she couldn't help but release a soft cry of disbelief, excitement, and a little sullenness. 

"Yes!" Wei Wuyin brought the Everlore Ascension Pill before him, inspecting it with a keen eye, observing every fiber of its existence. The purity of which was phenomenal, its design was without flaw, and the inherent mystic qualities were instilled within without the slightest issue. 

With a thought, another Everlore Ascension Pill was taken out of his Saint Ring. He opened the small-sized jade box that it was contained in, using the ambient mana to bring it next to freshly concocted pill. They hovered using their own power, levitating upon ambient mana even after Wei Wuyin removed his control.

The two mini-black solar stars carried a captivating charm that was soothing to observe for the heart and soul. They emitted their own brilliance, and it truly resembled the Aeternal Sky Star in its magnificence. 

"There's a difference, no?" Wei Wuyin inspected both products with his Celestial Eyes. While he couldn't glimpse into the mystic qualities, he gained an insight into the Solar Stars' composition. The initial one was concocted using Terra-Mystic Ore, melted, its mystic essence extracted and mixed within, but the other was made purely off Alchemic Eden Force intermixed with the Mystic Light birthed by the World Rune Seed. 

"There is," Eden pointed out. There was a notable difference internally despite their exact outward appearance. Wei Wuyin grabbed the old one, lifting it up and down. Then, he did the same to the fresh one. 

"The one concocted from Terra-Mystic Ore is heavier, considerably so." Wei Wuyin confirmed, realizing that there was a greater degree of solidness within the old Everlore Ascension Pill. Likely, the mystic essences contained within the Everlore Ascension Pill had unknowingly integrated within. 

Terra-Mystic Ore was a mixture of earth and metal at the mystic-grade, containing both of their energies. Its ability to be smelted was why it was suitable to be used as a substitute for mystic essence.

"Did this adversely affect its refinement time?" Wei Wuyin immediately thought that the excess mystic essence and attributed energies could've led to a greater difficulty of refinement. In fact, it might've been lethal for mortals if they couldn't refine this power.

Suddenly, Wei Wuyin's heart skipped a few beats, and a still silence invaded his hearing. A wave of dreadful fear bombarded his thoughts as he recalled the sheer difficulties of refining his Astral World-Deluge Pills. He hurriedly brought out the other transcendent-quality product he had concocted through this period. He inspected them all, feeling the inherent heaviness within each of them.

That wave of fear went into a full-blown panic as he hastily placed those products down, cold sweat at his brow. "Oh heavens…"

"Lucky?" Eden said, its voice carried some heavy solemness within. It felt incredibly relieved.

"Very. Holy shit…" Wei Wuyin regained his senses, feeling his emotions drastically calm down as he realized that he hadn't given any transcendent products to any of his Ascendants or allies outside of the eighth-grade World-Light Refraction Elixir. Then, he had formed it due to the mystic essence drawn in unintentionally by his Zenith Origin State's Mana Domination. As long as it wasn't formed with Terra-Mystic Ore, then it was good.

"The mystic-graded earth and metal essence within the Terra-Mystic Ore is far too high-quality. Even Bai Lin couldn't destroy it all, and my current power couldn't hope to extract it. In fact, Bai Lin's mystic-graded Nirvanic Flames have also integrated within it…I was filing each product with this power that couldn't be refined by mortals. These products I've made…they would certainly induce some form of petrifaction or outright harm mortals who refined them." Wei Wuyin brought out over a hundred jade boxes and vials. They contained transcendent-quality products he refined through this month. 

They were all heavier than one would expect. While the weight was manageable for him, just comparing the two Everlore Ascension Pills, the ore-refined pill weighed about 60,000 kilograms and the other was far less. To his strengthened physical body, this was simple to handle. Due to the density of various energies in his body, he weighed far more than this if he didn't control himself. 

However, the second pill weighed about 20 kilograms. It was so glaringly different in weight that it seemed absurdly ridiculous. 

If Wei Wuyin had decided to refine these products himself, not use the Externalization Cultivation Method he invented, he would've learned of these consequences long ago. That being said, those at the Mystic Ascendant Realm wouldn't find any issues with these products. In fact, their refined physiques might become more durable, their mystic power denser, and if they cultivated with an Earth Mystic Soul, Metal Mystic Soul, or Fire Mystic Soul, this would be a greatly beneficial boon to their cultivation.

But to mortals—lethal. 

Just the thought of inadvertently causing his allies, lovers, or subordinates' death weighed heavily on his mind. It seemed losing his Celestial Eyes and him being pulled away continuously, unable to meet them, might've saved them from his ignorance. Of course, the possibility was quite low. If he had his Celestial Eyes, he might've developed the World Rune Seed beforehand.

There was no real way to know. 

"We need to make sure the Mystic Light tainting our astral force is harmless to ourselves and mortal cultivators," Eden reminded. Wei Wuyin wholeheartedly agreed, placing the Terra-Mystic Ore concocted products aside, putting them into a single large container and returning them to his Saint Ring. 

Wei Wuyin first ran some tests with each Astral Soul's astral force, confirming that the Mystic Light of the World Rune Seed had infected each of them, changing the qualities of their powers to carry the forces of the Mystic Dao. While it wasn't within his control, the infusion definitely increased their innate qualities and power drastically. 

"Without Mystic Intent in some form, and an ascended body beyond Mortal Limits, I can't control mystic essence, energies, or mystic-graded mana. Even with Mana Dominance of the Zenith Origin State, it seems outside of my means." Wei Wuyin remarked as he delved into his newfound power. 

With a careful measure, he compared his eighty-one-meter-sized Astral Core's astral force to his current state with Mystic Light infused within and discovered a great difference. Before, the Mystic Rune Seeds were only minorly increasing the various powers of his energies, thereby elevating him somewhat. However, his abnormal power level diminished its effectiveness. If it was an ordinary cultivator, the drastic amplification of power would've been massive. 

As of now, his astral force was almost double his original strength. This wasn't just massive, this was titantically outrageous! 

Wei Wuyin frowned, inspecting the Mystic Light deeper. "Could this be the state that Mystic Star Phase cultivators are in?" This thought sprung within his mind. Those at the First Stage of the Mystic Ascendant Realm, or Tenth Stage of the Astral Core Realm, did not have a Mystic Soul, but they did have Mystic Power. 

Mystic Power was the evolution of Starforce after ascending, and it touched beyond Mortal Limits. According to Wu Yu, Mystic Star Phase cultivators lacked the ability to use the various Ascended abilities, such as Temporal Revision and World Prison, only controlling mystic power in substitute of Starforce. They weren't just a tad bit weaker than so-called 'genuine' Ascended. 

This was why they were referred to as 'false' Ascended. Outside of their mystic power, they had no other traits of Mysticism. A greater fuel for an old machine did little before an upgraded superior machine with multiple added functions running off the same fuel. 

He didn't blame society for differentiating them, including their low lifespans. 

Wei Wuyin's astral force hasn't reached that mystic power stage yet. If it had, he wouldn't have been able to manipulate it at all. 

"My tainted astral force isn't mystic power, but it can be used to concoct transcendent-quality products, so it has sufficient mystic qualities within that could rival true mystic-graded materials. In that case, it should be called Quasi-Mystic Power or Mystic Force. I like the latter. Let's go with that." Wei Wuyin decided with a nod as he continued testing its unique properties and powers. 

Nothing had changed in regards to his innate energies, they weren't affected by the Mystic Light or amplified. It was limited solely to his World Seas that contained his refined astral force, now mystic force. 

"If we enter the Star Core Phase, will our astral force that evolved to starforce transform into mystic power?" Ori asked curiously, baffled by the complex nature of their recent growth. 

"..." Wei Wuyin and Eden were silent, contemplating this possibility. Eventually, Wei Wuyin and Eden voiced simultaneously: "No." 

It wasn't Starforce or the Mystic Light that defined Mystic Power, but the Seed-level of Mystic Intent. Considering this could only be acquired as an Ascended being, it was impossible for it to evolve in that direction without breaking all forms of conventions and common sense.

A Mortal controlling Mystic Power? How ridiculous would that be? 

"What about this Mystic Light? Is it like our Soul Light?" King, shockingly, asked this question. The fact that it spoke again caused Wei Wuyin, Eden, Ori, and Kratos to take every word seriously. Every word that King had said thus far was like liquid gold and extremely important. They all grew solemn. 

Wei Wuyin's eyes lit up abruptly, bringing out the Nexus War Flag. It was the War Talisman that contained not only the powerful and domineering Legion Commander but 9,999 other Ascended beings. An entire army! 

When the Legion Commander had used his essential soul power, causing him to enter into a state of hibernation. It needed Soul Light to recover, but Wei Wuyin's Soul Light was at the Mortal-grade, so it was unable to swiftly recover. The issue wasn't really Wei Wuyin's Soul Light, but the rate at which it replenished.

Unlike the other forms of energies, Wei Wuyin could only absorb and refine light energies to produce more Soul Light from his Primary Light Sources. This was a long process, one of the few cultivation processes that he couldn't delegate to his Externalized Astral Souls. While they could rapidly refine light energies, their Soul Light was incredibly powerful, requiring time and effort. 

By estimations, if he focused solely on the task, it would take a few years, but with his Primary Light Source continuously exhausted, he'd never be at full strength. The Legion Commander's essential soul power was just too powerful. Considering it was of an Earthly Saint, this wasn't unbelievable. Of course, if anyone knew that Wei Wuyin only needed a few years to recover a Spirit of War that exhausted its essential soul power, they might faint from disbelief. 

Wei Wuyin intended to find a Primary Light recovery product from an Alchemist Association. In the True Element Sect, he expected to find a few, but he hadn't found any! While he obtained some concoction methods that could refine the quality or increase the quantity of innate light energies post-Light Reflection Phase, he couldn't find any that focused on replenishing the Primary Light Source.

He was mind-blown by this discovery.

Why?

Because he had already conceived one! 

How could no one else develop one? In truth, it was likely too advanced for the Alchemical Legacy of the True Element Sect. There might be some in dedicated Alchemist Associations like the Everlore Association. Yet Wei Wuyin still felt a little frustrated because he was functioning off of self-created theories of material interaction and eventuality of their effects, not any concrete information of what worked. 

"Let's see if this Mystic Light has an effect on the War Talisman," Wei Wuyin placed his annoyance aside, infusing his astral force into the War Talisman to see if it had any effect. After a long while, his eyes brightened! 

It had…

Failed!

The War Talisman absorbed the innate Soul Light refined in his astral force, acting as a semi-permeable layer that pushed all else aside. His astral force visibly grew weaker and the Mystic Light remained the same, pushed away all the same.

While this Mystic Light might share some similarities to Primary Light, it wasn't Soul Light. Considering there were various types of light, from Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, True, and Soul, it was unlikely that this Mystic Light bore the same qualities as Primary Soul Light. 

"How unfortunate," Wei Wuyin muttered. 

Kree!

Bai Lin stretched her head over, rubbing against Wei Wuyin's cheek. Wei Wuyin instantly knew what Bai Lin was worried about. With his ability to concoct transcendent-quality products alone, their joint concoction activities would soon come to a close.

However, he couldn't help but helplessly smile. The issue wasn't just the Terra-Mystic Ore, but her Nirvanic Flames had left behind traces of its power too. If other mortals refined it with their bodies, they might experience what he felt earlier, a scorching sensation followed by a heavy difficulty in refining it. 

Only Mystic Ascendants could benefit, but there weren't many astral-graded products that could benefit them. At least, the Astral World-Deluge Pill might be useful if it helped replenish mystic energies and grew the cultivator's Mystic Core. 

But he'll have to test these effects. But…this could…

Wei Wuyin's eyes brightened considerably. If it worked for Ascended beings, then he could add it to the market. The added effects of the fire, earth, and metal mystic-graded energies could greatly benefit them too. 

Suddenly, an idea sprung into his mind! He couldn't help but lift his head and chuckled loudly, feeling immensely pleased with himself. 

He caressed Bai Lin's neck tenderly, "Our sessions together aren't over." 

Kree!

After hearing that, Bai Lin cried with joy. She loved their times together. It was peaceful, and she got to be with Wei Wuyin. Just them too, just like before.

Wei Wuyin was doing calculations when he glanced at the War Talisman. He recalled his theorized product and the faces of all those Spirits of War that he slayed. With a slight smile, he said: "I can't wait to see how you all react." 

He brought out a large, three meters in diameter-sized spherical crystal from his Saint Ring that contained bits of sparkling starlight littered throughout! 

Stellar Rain!