Paragon of Sin

An outcome that no one had predicted! 

"A draw?" There were numerous experts that were extremely well-aware of the absurd difficulty that a genuine fight could lead to an eventual draw. Most fights and conflicts amongst cultivators ended in a few exchanges, much like Wu Yu's or this one, but a winner was typically declared early on. The only exceptions were sparring sessions, where two combatants were willingly exchanging spells and arts to enhance their proficiency, gaining combat experience, and contest bouts where life-and-death wasn't decided.

Just from Wu Yu's earlier victory, this was clearly not either of those cases, and seemingly neither participant had agreed to this result. Yet strangely enough, the stimulating scenery of two highly-regarded Earthly Saints aside, the crowd was stimulated!

They first observed that Earthly Saints weren't invincible, that a strong foundation and talent was needed, through the short and extreme fight of Wu Yu and Nansi Yuangu. Then, they witnessed two Earthly Saints unleash cataclysmic horrors that ended in a conclusive draw. 

These two outcomes left them enthralled with anticipation, an anticipation driven by uncertainty from the everlasting impact that the last match had on the two champions lives! A determination that might reshape countless futures and prospects! 

Sheng Jizi! 

The current seating Pavilion Master of the Golden Life Pavilion, Manager of the Life Branch, and Earthly Saint! 

Ma Zheng!

The former Third Branch Manager, and to those knowledgeable, one of the key founders of the Golden Life Pavilion's beginnings! 

The former was fighting to retain his power; the latter was fighting to reclaim his power! 

The difference was inspiring, with both having much on the line, and seemingly prepared enough to invite a Soul Monarch and Sky Monarch to do battle on their behalf! So prepared that Wu Yu, the Grand Knight of Neo-Dawn, the Alchemic Knight of the most mysterious junior in the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, had been brought along! So prepared that the Nansi Clan's Earthly Saint met an untimely end! 

As such, the crowd proceeded to grow rowdy with anticipation for the end result. In truth, many were originally of the belief that Ma Zheng was destined to lose. Sheng Jizi's reputation wasn't small, and his means were abundantly clear for all to see. On the other hand, Ma Zheng was recently kicked out, and many believed this was a hasty attempt on his part. 

However, now, they were invigorated by Ma Zheng's showing! A win! A draw! With one match left, all Ma Zheng had to do was take the victory or settle for a draw. In accordance to the rules, three draws meant victory for the seating Pavilion Master, yet with that devastatingly decisive win by Wu Yu, this was enough to threaten Sheng Jizi!

The last match: Sheng Jizi versus Ma Zheng!

It was a match that seemed settled, but with the rules clearly outlined, all Sheng Jizi had to do was win once. Now, he had to win! He must, beyond a shadow of a doubt, win! Anything less was his loss. 

The stakes were higher than before, and Ma Zheng's Demi-Mortal Lord Phase cultivation base wasn't looked down upon any longer. There was a high possibility that a trick on his sleeves could definitely force a draw! This was what drove many into excitement.

Was this Ma Zheng's intentions? If so, perfectly done!

"Who do you think will win?" Many spectators asked, mostly their juniors blessed with watching their wise, experienced seniors. Yet their seniors all rubbed their chins, put on profound looks, and said this and that, but never a concise answer. Those who've carried some intelligence would never underestimate a Manager of the Golden Life Pavilion, let alone Ma Zheng who had held this position for an extremely long period of time. 

At Ma Zheng's barrier, Wu Yu and Sun Li had kept the barrier perfectly intact. Their duality of infusion had reinforced the barrier to such a degree that the terrifying, chaotic, and torrential storm of winds was repelled by its defensive strength. Still, Sun Li's complexion was ashen. Her breathing was heavy, fingers trembling, and eyes a little dull.

She had exhausted over eighty percent of her mystic power to ensure their safety. Sheng Jizi's quick thinking allowed him to swiftly estimate that his defense would be insufficient alone, hastily deciding to breach space and escape. If he wasn't the current owner of the Prosperous Arena, this might've been challenging. Fortunately, he had all the permissions, so the formations didn't interfere with his spatial shift as it would've another. 

As for Wu Yu, he was a little pale in the skin. Overall, however, he was in good condition. The exhaustion on his end only amounted to roughly ten-percent of his mystic energies. With the Blood Origin Method at the first stage, creating a tri-polymerization of his blood, his reserves of energies were of a higher quality than an ordinary 8th Runic Ascendant, enhancing his mystic power.

Sun Li was astonished by Wu Yu's still stable and healthy aura, whereas hers was in disarray and chaos. She had circulated her mystic power too heavily, so she suffered some internal energies. Unlike Wu Yu, she lacked the tri-polymerization of the Blood Origin Method's first stage, her compatibility with mystic-graded energies weren't near Wu Yu's level. 

If she sensed correctly, Wu Yu and her matched power output to synchronize their power levels and not clash against each other, yet the difference was this massive? She didn't think this was attributed solely to his Imperial Clan-esque Cultivation Method or his 8th Runic Ascendant State. While the former was impressive, its strength lay in its numerous transformations. And while the latter was exceptional, the addition of a single rune enhanced raw mystic power by only a tad bit, it was the introduction of a complete portion of Mystic Intent that hypercharged the difference between two Earthly Saints. 

This was why despite Wu Yu revealing his cultivation base twice, his opponents didn't outright concede. They felt their arts, spells, auxiliary cultivation methods, application of their Mystic Intent, armaments, or combat experience could cover this gap in base strength. It was also why Sun Li and Sheng Jizi weren't too thrown off by his reveal.

Cultivation strength was not determined by a single factor. 

Wu Yu didn't bother with Sun Li's surprise. He was looking at the two figures sprawled out in their mutual loss. Yang Chaoyue and Faye Liying…

With a glint in his eyes, he sent Ma Zheng a curious look. It was as if to ask a question that only they might understand. And as expected, Ma Zheng too was focused on Yang Chaoyue and Faye Liying. 

"Was it him?" Ma Zheng spiritually sent to Wu Yu.

Wu Yu frowned slightly, turning back to the two, focusing on Yang Chaoyue. "It could be." There was a hint of pride in his tone as he replied, and Ma Zheng caught that instantly. He couldn't help but shake his head with a little peculiarity in his gaze.

Despite saying that he would handle it, having Wu Yu on his side, and all things going according to the intended plan, Yang Chaoyue had proven that it all relied on her whim. 

Why?

Because she had won!

Yes! She, Yang Chaoyue, had defeated Faye Liying! 

Yet, she had deliberately forced a draw in the midst of the chaos. As Ma Zheng and Wu Yu had Mana, Spirit, Spatial, and Temporal-type Mystic Runes, their sensory prowess were exceptional. They pierced through the veil of wind energies and saw Yang Chaoyue holding an unconscious Faye Liying by the throat. 

She had breached the turtle shell! 

Furthermore, they both were keenly aware as to why! And it was incomparably shocking! But in the end, she knocked herself unconscious alongside Faye Liying. 

"She's hidden herself well," Ma Zheng commented softly. 

"Seems like my Young Lord has once again decided your fate, haha." Wu Yu found it hilarious. In just a moment, Ma Zheng's entire plan was about to crumble into pieces, yet he was spared by Yang Chaoyue's actions. If it wasn't for knowing that Yang Chaoyue had observed Wei Wuyin's astral tribulation, they never would've contributed those actions to him. 

Ma Zheng smiled; there wasn't a single ounce of dejection within his vibrant eyes. He had once said to his daughter: "When he arrives, everything will be dust in the wind." 

Wei Wuyin's arrival heralded numerous impactful changes, but most importantly, all the matters that had troubled him for so long truly had been turned into dust in the wind.

Huoyan Liulan had sighed slightly, relieved that the danger had passed. Ma Sujiang was still quivering slightly. She felt the raging power within the violent storm threatening to consume them, body and soul. If it wasn't for Huoyan Liulan's protective assurance, she would be far more frazzled than one could imagine. 

A light of gratefulness emerged in her eyes as she looked at this mother of hers. Her first action was to protect, prioritizing Ma Sujiang above the others. 

Huoyan Liulan ignored Ma Sujiang, her brows deeply furrowed. "What are you guys talking about? Do you have a plan to take down Sheng Jizi?" Ma Zheng was a Demi-Mortal Lord and Sheng Jizi was a genuine Earthly Saint. Additionally, Sheng Jizi had the wealth of the Golden Life Pavilion behind him. Who knew what tricks, tools, and means he had?

She was quite concerned; they had lucked out with Faye Liying. Of course, if it was her, she would've won beyond a shadow of a doubt. 

Ma Zheng no longer spiritually communicated, saying aloud: "I do." His faint smile grew into a grin, one filled with youthful exuberance that hadn't appeared for thousands of years. 

"What?" Huoyan Liulan asked.

Ma Zheng chortled. Ma Sujiang, however, couldn't hide her excitement and anticipation, immediately answering for her father: "Just wait and see." 

"...?" Huoyan Liulan was stunned. Wait and see? 

Wu Yu left the barrier, traversing the wind storm with ease. When he arrived beside the two women, he grabbed Faye Liying carelessly, tossing her over his shoulder, and then looked at the unconscious Yang Chaoyue. He sent a disguised spiritual transmission. Then, he flicked his finger and she was sent to Sheng Jizi's barrier. 

While in transit, Ma Sujiang saw a brief glimpse of Yang Chaoyue's facial expression, and she seemed to be...smiling?