Paragon of Sin

Realm World Astral Tribulation! 

Wei Wuyin's Realm World Astral Tribulation!!

Shocked by this revelation, the expressions of Ma Zheng's group had large and varied changes that can be summed up as vividly animated. The implications of this reveal, especially by Yangzi Yanshi, and that the Imperial Clan's Yang Chaoyue was present, were potentially dangerous. 

Huoyan Liulan turned her focus to Wu Yu, the Alchemic Knight of Wei Wuyin, baffled by his absence. If anyone should be there, Wu Yu was the one, not Yang Chaoyue. Moreover, Wei Wuyin's location had always been concealed, mystifying as his origins, and elusive. If Yang Chaoyue and Yangzi Yanshi knew of his location, so must the Imperial Clan, and definitely the Alchemist Association by now. 

Evergod of the Everlore Association's attitude was both clear to some, ambiguous to most, but the destruction of Rainbow Sky and Wu Yu's actions after had painted a vivid story of a particular desire. The malicious intent was there despite their protests and declaration otherwise. 

What if a move was made? 

Another Rainbow Sky Incident? 

The Primal Flame Hex Queen wasn't the only one who gave Wu Yu an inquiring look. However, Wu Yu remained totally calm, absolutely cool as an icy block, unbothered by this fact. This made them realize that Wu Yu had no fear for Wei Wuyin's fate. 

And in truth, Wu Yu wasn't. Wei Wuyin was far more terrifying than they could imagine. Whether it was intelligence, means, or might, he had the ability to ensure his safety even before Wu Yu existed. Just the Void Portals that could escape the clutches of the Everlore Association's Domain-sealing formation was unfathomably profound. To this day, he has never met a cultivator that could form Void Portals at will. 

Ma Zheng gave Wu Yu a side-eyed glance, measuring his response, and breathing an internal sigh of relief. He felt confident to follow-through with his plans with this. 

Yangzi Yanshi believed that Wu Yu's act was that—an act. Sheng Jizi had understood the dangerous implications to this knowledge, and felt that Wu Yu, and likely Ma Zheng, might concede to accepting this delay and wait obediently. Whether it was in Wu Yu, Ma Zheng, or Sheng Jizi's interest, Wei Wuyin's safety was paramount. 

"Is that an important enough reason for the delay?" Yangzi Yanshi sought official verification of their acceptance, wearing a grin that brought an urge to slap something, preferably the face it belonged to. 

"No; if Yang Chaoyue isn't here by the time her match starts, in accordance to the rules: she will be eliminated—her match forfeit. You can go back and tell Sheng Jizi this: Find more reliable champions next time." Ma Zheng indifferently spat.

"..ugh?" Yangzi Yanshi was dumbstruck. For a while, he was unable to articulate a proper sentence. Ma Zheng had refused the delay? But…Yang Chaoyue's presence and allegiance to Sheng Jizi meant that Wei Wuyin was getting an additional layer of protection against those like the Evergod.

"Are you deaf? Go." Wu Yu gestured with a shoo'ing motion of his right hand, his eyes contained a wisp of contempt, a hint of mockery, and a trace of ridicule. Yangzi Yanshi gritted his teeth, growing an increasingly intense degree of hostility and dislike towards Wu Yu. If he wasn't an Earthly Saint, he would've crushed him beneath his feet with sick joy.

Unfortunately, reality was the only truth; he was weaker, only able to stomach the humiliation from Wu Yu. Moreover, Wu Yu wasn't ruled by any Mythical Oaths. In fact, Sun Li and Huoyan Liulan wouldn't be able to suppress him due to Mythical Oaths that they swore long ago during their early years of growth, when the Golden Life Pavilion was crucial to their continued development.

It stipulated, simply: In official Golden Life Pavilion events, members of all levels weren't to be assaulted without appropriate and reasonable provocation. It was a simple Mythical Oath that all powerful cultivators and those who've established deals with the Golden Life Pavilion had taken. 

It protected the Golden Life Pavilion's interests. That said, Sun Li was under no obligation to defend Yangzi Yanshi, neither was Ma Zheng or any of them, so it didn't offer protection from these oath takers. 

"Fine," Yangzi Yanshi spat disgruntledly. With a flourish of his Mystic Aura, he flew back to Sheng Jizi's group. His departing figure gave one a sensation of his frustration. 

Wu Yu remained silent, his thoughts indeterminate. However, he couldn't help but stare at the spatial walls of the Prosperous Arena. The location was completely insulated, completely unaffected by the outside world, so not a single wave of external energy fluctuation could be sensed. It had to be this way to prevent the outside world from being affected by an Ascended's power. 

This was a well-crafted battlefield, a larger, more stable Shell World. There were very, very few realms of this type. If it wasn't, the fluctuations of Wei Wuyin's that resembled an Earthly Ascension would've alerted them all, and Wu Yu wouldn't have had to wait for news from others. He would've traveled there immediately to ensure no mishaps.

Fortunately for Wu Yu and Wei Wuyin, it was of tremendous activity. So the Everlore Association's Evergod or other threatening parties were unable to act, as the event was viewed by too many, including the Imperial Clan who were acting as the greatest unintentional guards in history, standing and observing at the edge of the Elementus Domain to seek out Wei Wuyin's favor.

DING!

A melodious ring resounded, attracting the spiritual senses of all observers who had bought tickets, to all those within the Prosperous Arena. It signified one thing: the Official Challenge of the Golden Life Pavilion for the Pavilion Master's position had begun! 

Sheng Jizi himself took center stage, arriving at the center of the cube-shaped Prosperous Arena, receiving the attention of every last individual. From above, rays of dazzling spiritual light descended that highlighted his figure, blessing him with an astonishing brilliance. Sheng Jizi's good-looks were accentuated alongside his merchant's smile. It was amicable, reliable, suffused with confidence, and explosive with charisma.

He truly benefited his title as Pavilion Master of the Golden Life Pavilion at this moment. It was undeniable. 

"Greetings all! It is my pleasure to announce the beginning of the…" Sheng Jizi introduced himself, the challenge, and gave thanks to all those who were here, including all those who will fight on behalf of the participants and showing their strong loyalty. He didn't leave out Wu Yu or Faye Liying. In fact, he emphasized the latter in his announcement.

"...Faye Liying, the former Soul-Rising Saint, has graced us with…"

"Petty tricks," Faye Liying softly said. She wasn't bothered by Sheng Jizi's attempts to bring the Ninestar Sainthall into the equation, inducing a conflict that could scare her off. Unfortunately for Sheng Jizi, none of it will work on her.

It never could.

Sheng Jizi explained the rules and conditions of victory. As the challenged party, all Sheng Jizi had to do was win a single match to eliminate all of Ma Zheng's chances of claiming his seat. Furthermore, draws didn't count as a loss. However, if three draws were made across the board for all matches, then Sheng Jizi will claim victory. 

There were certain items that were prohibited. Firstly, Mystic-Earth grade pellets were allowed, but only a maximum of ten could be used. However, for Earthly Saints, Mystic-Earth grade pellets weren't much of a threat. Talismans were not allowed at all. 

As for Armaments, all were allowed. The most crucial detail was the possibility of death, and he reminded everyone, both sides, that surrendering was allowed, but due to the fact that most of the participants will be Earthly Saints, they shouldn't expect to surrender mid-attack and expect interference. No one wanted to take an Earthly Saint's full-powered attack at a moment's notice to save anyone else. The risks were heavy.

Interference is only allowed to save, and only after surrendering. If neither party surrenders and another participant interferes, the participant's match will be declared a loss, even if they had already won. 

"...I'm honored to announce the beginning of the first match! A much-anticipated, certainly soon-to-be thrilling battle between the Nansi Clan's Patriarch of the Elementus Domain and the Grand Knight of Neo-Dawn, an Alchemic Knight of Wei Wuyin: 

"Nansi Yuangu Versus Wu Yu!" Sheng Jizi finished his words as the spiritual light blared fiercely. The formations were functioning at full throttle. The Pavilion Master flickered away, retreating to his corner. A thick, transparent barrier was projected in that corner, protecting the area.

From Ma Zheng's side, a barrier manifested too. 

Wu Yu walked forward with steady steps, exiting the barrier with ease. With his arms folded across his chest, his nonchalant attitude traversing the arena could make one question if he was walking forward on a potentially life-and-death battle. 

From the other side's barrier, a figure walked out, but his eyes were flaming with battle spirit. It was a male, average height, with short dark hair, a sharp nose, and slightly above average looks He was neither muscular nor skinny. The most noticeable features were his three-colored irises—red, blue, and green, a likely product of an Ocular Cultivation Method, and his dark green swordsmen hanfu, tight-fitted and exquisitely designed.

Nansi Yuangu! The leader of the external clans, also known as the Parasites of the Elementus Domain, and a genuine Earthly Saint. If Lin Xianxian saw this man today, she would wish to eat his flesh and gouge out his eyes. He had pushed the Lin Clan to its puppet position, defeated the True Element Sect thousands of years ago, and brought about their ceaseless oppression.

Wu Yu's eyes were unfathomably calm, analyzing the man before him. 'He doesn't seem injured.' Wu Yu thought for a moment, but decided to place that aside. Who knew what price the Golden Life Pavilion paid to bring him to a visibly healthy state. 

Nansi Yuangu touched the hilt of his sword in his right hand with his left. He looked at Wu Yu, and despite his fighting spirit, there was a vibrant fury within his three-colored irises. Clearly, Wu Yu was a sight that summoned forth his hatred.

"Oh?" Wu Yu was amused by this reaction, but then he recalled 'visiting' the various clans and taking, uhm, receiving their grace with exceptional wealth that far exceeded anything imagined. He chuckled softly. 

BOOSH!

SHIIING!!!

Nansi Yuangu's sword howled as he drew it out of its scabbard! 

Awakened Sword Intent!

Tens of thousands of Mystic Runes erupted from his body, generating a dense, chaotic explosion that induced ten mile wide sword storms throughout the arena! The sharp, piercing Sword Intent empowered by Awakened Mystic Intent was incomparable to anything a mortal could ever summon! 

"Interesting," Wu Yu waved his hand. A halberd! However, it was slightly different from the typical polearm that he transformed the Myriad Monarch Canon to. Instead, its bladed spearhead had protrusions on both sides, sharp and vicious, while the shaft was seven-feet in length! The blade had various runic markings of exquisite design, exuding an exceptional sharp and forceful power.

It was a Partizan! 

Wu Yu's Mystic Aura climbed fiercely upwards as he brandished his partizan with ample skill!

VRIIIING!

A spear howl was unleashed! 

AWAKENED SPEAR INTENT!