Paragon of Sin

"On time, in fact." Sheng Jizi responded, his heart consoled by the presence of the sensual figure in the air. While her attire was somewhat inappropriate for such an important event, he didn't criticize her for it. And Yang Chaoyue didn't comment or excuse her dressing either.

She had just rushed over from meeting Wei Wuyin, exerting her fullest might to find a suitable Void Gate with sufficient strength to send her into the Prosperous Arena. Unlike normal secret realms and world realms, the Prosperous Arena resembled a sealed Shell World, an isolated and condensed world. As such, entering and exiting required a few additional requirements than a Void Gate and Void Disk with its coordinates.

The hassle aside, she had still arrived on time, not bothering about changing her clothes en route. Thus, she still sported her messy updo of her burgundy hair, her midriff exposed, form-fitting, fiery-red outfit that could stimulate a eunuch, and her expertly applied make-up. Her efforts and sacrifices had paid off, and she made it.

She gracefully landed within the group of Sheng Jizi, looking out at the battlefield that was seething with remnant sword energies that raged like tyrannical storms, and the long, impressive ditch that led from one side of the arena to the two Earthly Saints. Wu Yu was standing above Nansi Yuangu's corpse, his eyes drawn to Yang Chaoyue. 

Yang Chaoyue was baffled, sent into a moment of confusion. "Wu Yu?" She looked at Sheng Jizi for answers. Sheng Jizi gave a wry smile, yet he fully explained the events thus far, including Wu Yu's statement as not representing Wei Wuyin's will in this competition.

However, when she returned her gaze to see the lone corpse of Nansi Yuangu and Wu Yu's great indifference as he sauntered back to his group with triumphant steps, she found this increasingly hard to believe. She lifted her left eyebrow towards Sheng Jizi, clearly questioning him on this. Unfortunately, Sheng Jizi had no answer to this.

"It doesn't matter; Wu Yu's acting as a lone entity is likely a sign that Wei Wuyin wants to remain neutral, giving him a way out in case this bound-to-fail challenge were to fall. At the very least, our relationship would be unharmed." Sheng Jizi could only conclude this from it all. 

Yangzi Yanshi harrumped, showing his dissatisfaction with this so-called mysterious Wei Wuyin's balancing act. Intelligence be damned, it was weak-willed in his eyes. But when he thought about Wu Yu's overwhelming strength, an 8th Runic Ascendant, who had access to a cultivation method that bore an exceptional resemblance to the Imperial Clan's Cultivation Method, he felt a shiver traverse from his Sea of Consciousness to the bottom of his spine.

If Wei Wuyin had other cultivators of such caliber, then wouldn't this entire challenge be settled instantly? 

This wasn't just his thoughts; Sheng Jizi resisted the urge to explain this detail. He didn't know why, but this Wei Wuyin was bringing him a feeling of unfathomableness that put him on edge. 

Yang Chaoyue frowned slightly for a brief moment, returning to a neutral expression with a slight smile. She was so ravishing that a few of the male members couldn't help but give this Sky Monarch several glances, some trying to hide it. After all, she was an Earthly Saint. A being of exceptional status, power, and means. Yet she was also a female of incredible beauty, and currently had all her good features accentuated to the zenith. It felt as if she was seducing them.

If they knew all her careful efforts were spent solely for a mortal man, these Ascended beings might spiral into depression. 

"Retrieve Nansi Yuangu's corpse," Sheng Jizi ordered. A middle-aged woman flew off into the battlefield. The remnant power lingering there was extremely oppressive. She was a Soul of Mysticism Phase cultivator, a genuine Ascended, yet as she traveled just a few dozen miles in, she screamed. 

"Ahhhhh!" 

A sword storm that had expanded upon losing Wu Yu's suppressive strength had appeared before her without warning. She was drawn in. Blood, crimson and glaring, spurted out as she was lost, no, drowned in the sword storm. 

"..." The others watched this happen, stunned. The powers of an Earthly Saint weren't insignificant. There was a reason why this challenge wasn't held outside. A single drop of their power could terraform a planet, devastate it, or make one. 

"HEL-HELP!!" An explosion of Mystic Aura from the terrified woman was evident as she resisted fiercely. She didn't want to die. Not here, not now. She had things to do, people to do! 

Sheng Jizi sighed with a shake of his head. She got caught in one of the formation points that Nansi Yuangu was laying. He had forgotten for a moment about that. Yangzi Yanshi flew forward, releasing his Mystic Aura at the Demi-Mortal Lord. After he entered the Demi-Mortal State, he shot into the storm and pulled the woman out. When he came out, after canceling his Demi-Mystic State, he was dripping with blood, originating from deep cuts on his arms, legs, and neck. 

While returning, he had grabbed Nansi Yuangu's corpse. 

"..." Everyone just looked at Yangzi Yanshi's abhorrent state, reminded of the terrifying power of Earthly Saints once again. Subconsciously, they looked towards Wu Yu. He one-shot Nansi Yuangu. The difference…

Soul-tingling. 

Ma Zheng and the others were watching all of this unfold, but they weren't very invested in the outcome. "You did excellent," Ma Zheng praised Wu Yu sincerely. 

Wu Yu shrugged, "He was injured; If he wasn't, the fight might've taken a little bit more effort." 

"Injured?" Sun Li was shocked. Nansi Yuangu was injured? If that was the case, why didn't Sheng Jizi find a substitute? However, when she recalled Wu Yu's 8th Ascendant State, she didn't think the outcome would've differed with anyone besides the most elite of Earthly Saints. Her heart instinctually quivered.

Right…an 8th Runic Ascendant! 

Wu Yu wasn't just elite, he bordered the greatest mystic foundation of the Earthly Saint Phase. He was an absolute monster of a cultivator. An unrestrained monster bound by no oaths…

"A victory is a victory," Ma Zheng commented.

"Did you kill him on Wei Wuyin's order? Was that your purpose here?" Faye Liying spoke up at this time, causing the others to still. This was a topic on Sun Li's mind as well, but she felt it was inappropriate. As a Manager of the Golden Life Pavilion, she wasn't of the habit of interrogating the intentions of others.

Faye Liying, however, had no such restraint. 

Wu Yu merely revealed a toothy grin, saying: "Just finishing up what was started." After saying that, he chuckled in amusement. This wasn't a yes or a no, but for someone like these Earthly Saints, they understood the implication. They had long since speculated with their information network that Nansi Yuangu was injured during the Tang Clan's operation by that strange Earthly Saint, one of the three Earthly Saints.

This all but confirmed that the Earthly Saint that day belonged to Wei Wuyin's personal forces. The young mortal was growing more mystifying with every revelation. As for whether Wu Yu acted to deal with Nansi Yuangu, in much a similar way as Gong Lau, they each had their own thoughts.

Back at Sheng Jizi's side, Yang Chaoyue and Sheng Jizi were still talking. He brought her up to speed, explaining the match-ups and Faye Liying as her opponent. When Yang Chaoyue heard that Ma Zheng was his own champion due to a loophole, one brought about by Sheng Jizi's plan to remove him from his seated position, her expression became increasingly odd. 

She looked at Sheng Jizi and said thoughtfully, "As long as I don't lose this match, all my debts and oaths with the Golden Life Pavilion will be paid or dissolved, yes?" 

Sheng Jizi frowned slightly, but eventually revealed his merchant's smile. "Of course, all will be settled." Under special circumstances, if two people swore mutual oaths, as long as both sides agreed without coercion, the Mythical Oath can be dissolved naturally. It was a rare event, requiring very specific give-and-give oaths. An example of this would be if a favor was promised and then redeemed later on.

Yang Chaoyue nodded. She no longer spoke. Sheng Jizi didn't pester, flying forward once more. As the rays of spiritual light descended, giving him the spotlight, he announced the next match.

"I present to you all, the second match!"

"Our first champion, MY champion, is an illustrious Sky Monarch of the strongest clan in the world! The Infinite Zephyr Sky Queen herself, Yang Chaoyue!"

"And introducing Ma Zheng's champion, a figure that almost everyone knows and no one will forget, the once upon a time elite of the Ninestar Sainthall, the Rain Rising True Queen, Faye Liying!"

Every word was explosive, driving an excitement within the hearts of everyone listening.

Soon, two women of incredible strength, differing yet unique charms, both stepped forward at opposite ends of the arena. 

"LET THE MATCH BEGIN!"