Paragon of Sin

All eyes were on Ma Zheng, his swagger was suffused with the exceptionalism of a wise sage, great merchant, and knowledgeable scholar. Whether it was the glinting light from his vibrant, energized pupils, or his hint of a smile that contained indescribable confidence, he gave a profound impression to the others. 

Some were startled into silence, caught off-guard by Ma Zheng's arrival and brazen demeanor. Others, like Shui Yu and Shuang Xi, were exceptionally calm. There was another, a middle-aged woman with a homely appearance, with two star-studded earrings and a pearl necklace. She was none other than the Manager of the First Branch of the Golden Life Pavilion, the second Earthly Saint amongst the Golden Life Pavilion. 

She was just as renowned as the rest, her age and reputation dating back to the early years of the Golden Life Pavilion. Sun Li, one of the four original founders of the Golden Life Pavilion. When she observed the sitting Ma Zheng, there was a deep complexity within her eyes flickering ceaselessly. 

"THE AUDACITY!" A voice, powerful and earth-shaking, erupted. The room shook even greater than before, with some of the hidden formations activating to resist the force from the sonic boom generated. A gust of wind sent everyone's robes fluttering about chaotically. Those at the lower stages of the Mystic Ascendant Realm—Mystic Star, Soul of Mysticism, and Demi-Mortal Lords—had to conjure their Mystic Aura to remain sitting. 

But all that force rushed towards Ma Zheng like a raging storm. If a Demi-Mortal Lord was hit by this surging sonic wave, it'll be fortune if they were just mildly injured. 

"Hmph!" A cold, forceful snort resounded. A figure appeared at Ma Zheng's right, their right hand outstretched as they waved it carelessly. The sonic surge was dealt with, dispersing instantly. 

"How crude, savage and low. Is this how the Golden Life Pavilion managed by the Radiant Lion Golden King acts?" The one who interfered was none other than Ma Sujiang's mother, her demeanor impeccable, her facial expression noble and stately. She seemed unbothered by this all despite knowing of their intrusive actions. 

Sun Li gave the middle-aged woman who came to Ma Zheng's defense a close inspection. 

"Huoyan Liulan! Is this a declaration of war by Hexaflame Starfield on our Golden Life Pavilion?" The one who sent out that fierce sonic attack had a sullen expression, his aura as a Demi-Mortal Lord was impressive and flourishing, refusing to back down as he threatened. 

The voice belonged to a bald, strongly built, middle-aged man with a heavy beard, and his physique was quite impressive. He exuded a domineering aura of physical might unlike typical Earthly Saints. He was just as renowned as the others, being the long standing manager of the Second Branch, Yangzi Yanshi!

"Hmph!" Huoyan Liulan, Ma Sujiang's mother, didn't deign to give a reply, merely coldly harrumphing and ignoring Yangzi Yanshi. The reaction caused Yangzi Yanshi to exude a stronger aura, threatening to attack. Despite that, Huoyan Liulan gave him a disdainful glance. 

A mere Demi-Mortal Lord dared to threaten an Earthly Saint? Did this idiot think the Golden Life Pavilion could protect him if she wanted his life? She represented the Hexaflame Starfield, the third strongest starfield within the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region. The Golden Life Pavilion might be impressive, but it wasn't to the point it couldn't be taught a lesson. 

"Enough!" Sheng Jizi calmly exclaimed. The irritated Yangzi Yanshi settled down, only narrowing his eyes towards Ma Zheng. 

A calmer Golden Councilman decided to speak, looking at Ma Zheng: "Highlord Ma Zheng, you're no longer Third Manager of the Golden Life Pavilion; you have no right to be here. I think it would be best that you leave, before the activation of the protective arrays and formations ensure you stay here indefinitely." The form of address deftly reminded all the other councilmen that Ma Zheng no longer held any power or status here.

They were reluctant to speak due to his status. He'd always been there, even when some of their ancestors had earned their seats, he was always there. His presence was a never-ending constant, even if the seat of Pavilion Master changed hands, the status of Manager Ma Zheng was never altered. A glorious and fantastical feat. 

They were reminded that he had been expelled, plotted and schemed against until his age and condition was in justifiable range to establish an interim Manager in his place. There were all sorts of complex emotions in almost everyone's eyes as they looked at Ma Zheng's calm smile.

This old man had taught them quite a few things, and they learned by his exemplary conduct with business, investments, and life. They were fully aware that, at some point, Ma Zheng led the Golden Life Pavilion. Hearing him state that he was only here to reclaim what was his, they all understood his intentions.

Sheng Jizi shook his head. "You've been expelled; you have no right to claim anything. As I respect you deeply, I'll give you one last chance to leave."

Ma Zheng lifted his right brow. He chortled amusedly, "One last chance? Little Jiji, the moment I set foot in this room, you've lost the initiative. Why play it off as if you're considerate of me? It's best if you think of your next play, not try to ease your way out of this." 

Not many had ever seen Ma Zheng express amusement in his expression, it added a unique charm that was seemingly lost long ago. Sun Li's eyes flickered with faint light, her emotions invested in Ma Zheng's current state. 

Sheng Jizi sighed, coldly saying: "Don't force my hand." There was a killing intent blazing within his tone. 

Ma Zheng flourished his open palm, gesturing with a smile. It was as if he was saying: "Go for it." He verbally added, "You tried once and failed. Don't miss your second shot, Little Jiji. Otherwise, some might think you're incompetent." 

Sheng Jizi's eyes grew so glacial that the temperature in the room dipped instantly, even Dan Ma shivered slightly despite his Mystic Star Phase cultivation base. The air was stifling. The rage of an Earthly Saint was not simple. However, there was some confusion as a silence formed. The two simply stared at each other.

This lasted a full minute.

Ma Zheng clasped his hands together, "See. Are you done?" Those words confused quite a few in the room. They looked at Sheng Jizi's cold glare, but there was no response from him. They felt that he should at least attack. This was the Golden Life Pavilion, even if Huoyan Liulan was an Earthly Saint of the Hexaflame Starfield's ruling clan, this was Endless Prosperity, the formations and arrays here were enough to suppress an Earthly Saint. 

However, nothing happened. 

Sheng Jizi's fists clenched slightly. "So that's where your confidence resides, huh? You have three minutes. What do you want?" As if accepting circumstances, Sheng Jizi directly asked what Ma Zheng wanted instead of forcefully arresting or expelling him and his entourage. 

Ma Zheng nodded approvingly, "Better." The others were still baffled by it all, but Shuang Xi explained openly: "The Star-Hex has isolated us. We're both inside Endless Prosperity and not, there's no formation key that can send a signal outside at this time. But it won't last; those outside would've noticed the Isolated Bubble, seeking to burst it apart." 

An exclamation of enlightenment resounded from one of the Golden Councilmen, awed by Ma Zheng's means using isolated spatial forces to accomplish this. He effectively bought him time.

Shuang Xi added, "Star-Hex deserves its reputation as the strongest Spatial-type Voidship outside of the Void Voyage Sect's Three Grand Voidcrafts. I hope I can study its formations one day." She was genuinely praising Star-Hex, and her status as one of the top three Architects lent an exceptional air to Star-Hex's feat. 

Huoyang Liulan revealed a slight smirk. The Star-Hex was hers. She would never allow others to casually examine it, but with a sufficient enough price, she might yield. 

Ma Zheng stood up. The air slowly grew tense. 

"Pavilion Master Sheng Jizi, by the Law of Endless Prosperity, I challenge for the right of ownership!" Ma Zheng strongly declared, the emotionally charged declaration sent shivers down everyone's spine! 

When was the last time a declaration of challenge for the Pavilion Master's seat was contested for?! The Law of Endless Prosperity was a never-changing, unyielding, and unerasable rule of the pavilion! It was etched in the very foundation of the organization, and it was largely the reason for many changes of ownership over the millennia and the continued existence of the Endless Prosperity throughout the ages. 

It was both simple and extremely complex. 

Sheng Jizi's eyes lessened its chill. A smile replaced his glacial expression, an extreme calmness overthrew his ill-intent. There wasn't a speck of killing intent in his aura or eyes, merely that serenity. 

Ma Zheng stared at Sheng Jizi, but this wasn't the typical response. He frowned. Shui Yu, Shuang Xi, Huoyan Liulan, Yangzi Yanshi, Sun Li, and the rest all had varying expressions. They couldn't help but look towards Sheng Jizi's response, with Yangzi Yanshi smiling with amusement. He turned to Ma Zheng as if he was looking at a fool, entering into a deep well without knowing its depths or contents.

A trap! 

Sheng Jizi laced his fingers, placing his mouth on the interlocking fingers, and he slightly gestured with his fingers, "You must have all the criteria to challenge. So, please." 

Ma Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly. He regained his confident demeanor, proceeding as Sheng Jizi had said. The Law of Endless Prosperity required three criteria for a challenge to be made. It could be exerted for any position, even managerial. 

Firstly, one must have contributed a certain amount to the organization. As someone who's been a part of the organization since its founding, there was endless evidence of his contributions. There was no need to delve into this. He merely brought out spiritual jades, delivering it to all Councilmen and Branch Managers, including the Pavilion Master.

They all grasped their respective jade, infusing their spiritual senses within to read the vast amount of information listing Ma Zheng's numerous contributions. Ban Ma and a few others choked slightly, their eyes and hands quivered as they lifted their eyes to see Ma Zheng. Even Shuang Xi was taken aback by such detailed records, her gorgeous light-green eyes revealed wisps of shaken emotion. 

She had barely contributed a tenth in comparison.

This much?

Holy fu-

"Any objections?" Ma Zheng asked.

Shui Yu snorted softly, "Barely over myself." As the teacher of the Mortal Sovereign Alchemists, a Grand Mortal Sovereign Alchemist himself, and the foremost authority on the Alchemic Dao in the Golden Life Pavilion, his contributions extended to every taught pupils, their feats, including all nurtured experts that he helped. Despite Ma Zheng's contributions being insane enough to cause one to puke, he closely matched if they were measured in points. 

In fact, he originally thought he had the greatest contribution on paper out of everyone here. He was truly shaken that Ma Zheng had contributed so much despite his lack of a high-level Creationist status. 

"You closed the Liu Clan's Beast-Dual Contract?" A Golden Councilwoman was baffled by this fact. The contract helped the Liu Clan retain their Noble Clan status and regained their strength over thousands of years, creating a continuous surge of endless beast bloodlines and exotic materials for cultivation methods and forging. After the Liu Clan was defeated, their Earthly Saint trounced, this contract brought them back to life, and they were strongly allied. 

But no one knew how this contract had been established. The jade contained indisputable proof of Ma Zheng's investment and coordination with the Liu Clan, changing their direction, forging a new path, and supporting them. It was mind-blowing how detailed and documented the process was. 

Of course, the Neo-Dawn Eclipse Contract was detailed too. There was no need to provide much in-depth detail on this matter, and everyone accepted it. 

Sheng Jizi was unbothered, "No objections from me."

The others didn't have a say. They had no need to contest any detail listed here, and it'll be a waste of time to do so. They were interested in Ma Zheng's preparations.

The next criteria! 

Past contributions were past contributions. What allowed the prosperity to be endless was the challenger must submit an acceptable contract that was capable of elevating the pavilion to the next level! 

When this thought emerged in their minds, the eyes of almost everyone looked to Huoyan Liulan!

The middle-aged woman that gathered all their attention stepped forward at this crucial moment. "I, Huoyan Liulan…"