Paragon of Sin

It was time.

The Elementus Domain, with the True Element Sect, set off in a grand procession of Voidships towards the Everlore Domain. The number of ships that soared through the Dark Void was exceptional, both in quantity and visually. If one paid attention to the Dark Void, they would feel the faint rumbling, almost as if a stampede was thrashing a faraway road. 

With under two months left, the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit was at the forefront of everyone's priorities. The discussion that will determine the meaning of 'genius' and 'Chosen' was of paramount importance to all experts and youthful talents. It would define their future and available means, likely affecting who could gain entry into the upcoming Chosen King Trial.

Moreover, the parallel events, trading conventions, competitions, and the arrival of celebrities were invigorating. Those on the Immortal Heroes Ranking and Immortal Saintess Ranking were all invited, and it was the same for the Mortal Sovereign Alchemists, and every Earthly Saint.

This was not solely limited to just the Aeternal Sky Starfield. The ENTIRE Grand Cyclic Stellar Region was involved in this! How could it not enthrall every region with fanaticism? 

Those from beyond the Aeternal Sky Starfield had long since set off. All across the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, countless Voidships moved towards the it with excited anticipation. It was beyond description. Mere words were not enough to fully grasp the epicness of this titanic event. 

The Void-Blank Space that was typically too dangerous for many had been carefully paved by Earthly Saints, ensuring that casualties were at an all-time low for this venture, and those mysterious beings that hid within the Dark Void remained mostly silent. That said, there were still missing Voidships. 

Some of these Voidships and passengers were pierced through by Stellar Rain, others vanished in a single blink of a mortal's eye as if eaten whole by an invisible creature, and a few grew hazy and faded as if they entered a different space entirely. They were never heard of again. The unpredictability of the Void-Blank Space was too volatile for even Earthly Saints to guard without issue. 

Yet, that was less than a percentage of a percentage of loss. The total amount that set off was simply too astonishing. 

Those with wealth and resources had safer avenues, such as using the Golden Life Pavilion's established super-long-range Void Gates used to conduct imports and exports. Those who could bear the obscene cost suffered absolutely no life-based losses after swearing several mythical oaths. While their wallets might grow a little thinner, the experience was definitely greater.

Many of the foreigners that had just transitioned through these portals were just departing from the Golden Life Pavilion towards their final decision. The Aeternal Sky Starfield was massive, but with all the Domains having been swept clean of most dangers, besides Stellar Rain and unpredictable Vanishing Points, it was a far safer voyage. Moreover, the Voidships of the wealthy were fitted to defend against these threats. 

The hype grew with each passing second. News trickled in of renowned Heroes and Saintesses making their way there, or of top-tier Chosen who were predicted to have a high chance at claiming the Chosen King title. Albeit, there always have been those with 'high chances', yet none had ever accomplished this task. It was well within human nature to heavily speculate, even make certain bets. 

-----

The True Element Sect had a grand Voidship capable of housing hundreds of thousands with ease. It was called Third Origin. There were originally three of these Voidships called Second Origin, Third Origin, and Fourth Origin, built over the course of thousands of years, yet the True Element Sect had to sell Second Origin and Fourth Origin to other forces to stay afloat. 

Their financial crisis was far too heavy, and they had lost almost every planet and secret realm within their ownership, attempting to remain relevant to pay off debts accrued over the years and so many other complications. Just the cost to ensure their Domain-wide Array remained active and maintained was an absurdly high price. 

It siphoned off their wealth in a disgusting fashion. 

Third Origin was relatively advanced. While it wasn't a Sky Destroyer, capable of counting as an artificial Earthly Saint by the elites of the stellar region, it was quite capable. It could move at speeds rivaling an ordinary Soul of Mysticism Cultivator, a genuine Ascended being. While it lacked Spatial Shifting abilities, it had its own internal and stable World Realm that could house cultivators.

The world realm heavily resembled the environment of the former Origin, having a varied environment of forests, lakes, volcanoes, deserts, and mountains. There were several cities within that were bustling with rich activity. However, the Solar Star only provided mid-grade astral essence. The environment simply wasn't up to par with Origin. 

Despite this, it was still better than most World Realms out there. 

Within one of these cities, there was a mansion with a large, projected character of 'Lin' hanging gloriously above it. The mansion was the location of the Lin Clan's resident and were countless figures were moving about with the 'Lin' character embroidered on their outfits.

If one looked at these figures, there were flashes of happiness and genuine joy on these Lin Clan descendants' faces. Those who were aware of their previous attitudes had only witnessed their sense of gloom and stiflingly depressive air, but now it was totally different. 

The External Clans had been dealt with. 

Those parasites had been killed off! They watched as Wu Yu crushed Nansi Yuangu with domineering force, and it was announced earlier that Gong Lau had been executed, declared a traitor! It wasn't long before news of the truth spread: Wu Yu had killed them both! 

How could they not be happy? Those parasites had hidden away, scared stiff, especially after Wu Yu had visited them and 'inspected' their treasures. It was rumored that their stores of resources and wealth were plundered mercilessly. They were like scurrying roaches, too ashamed to act. 

Most of their Ascended beings went into hiding, and those who hadn't were absolutely freaking obedient! Why? Because the Lin Clan's Lin Xianxei was Wei Wuyin's fiancée! And Wei Wuyin? Wu Yu was HIS ALCHEMIC KNIGHT! 

The connection was there. While there were attempts to clarify the rumors, the people thought what the people thought. The truth was buried, and with Wei Wuyin never making an official statement regarding the situation, they believed what was in front of their faces.

Wei Wuyin had dealt with the external clans viciously the moment he arrived to meet his fiancée, coming out of the woodwork to make his presence known! It was as clear as day. There was almost no evidence refuting this. After all, why else would Wu Yu slaughter Nansi Yuangu when he was simply that much stronger? Why would Gong Lau be labeled as a traitor and executed the moment Wei Wuyin appeared?

The only two links that Wei Wuyin had were that he was a Chosen of the True Element Sect and his fiancée was Lin Xianxei, the beloved daughter of the Sect Master! The first link was shattered; there was an announcement by Zhang Ziyi that Wei Wuyin would not represent the sect as their Chosen, so that removed that possibility. Moreover, this made the most sense.

Wei Wuyin was a rumored Mortal Sovereign Alchemist with a powerful Earthly Saint at his beck and call? Just that alone begged the question: Why would he ever become a Chosen of the True Element Sect?

This belief wasn't just limited to the Lin Clan, but the True Element Sect, the Elementus Domain's citizens, and those beyond the Domain also had similar theories and thoughts. It was the only reasonable conclusion! Moreover, beauty tempted heroes. 

To many, the Lin Clan was blessed! And the Lin Clan felt the same! 

While before Wei Wuyin's rumor had benefited them only enough to prevent bullying, now their clan was treated as the true leader of the sect. Their rise was unstoppable! Some found themselves grinning so widely that their mouths threatened to split apart or spontaneously burst into laughter while doing casual activities.

In this mansion, Lin Xianxian's foxy figure paced the largest room with her trimmed eyebrows slightly furrowed into a frown. Within this room, Lin Xianxei and Bai Yuxi were there. The latter had been close friends with Lin Xianxei, and despite the recent issues, their friendship remained strong. After all, Han Yuhei had supported Lin Xianxei at Bai Yuxi's behest, considering their relationship, and while he wasn't too involved, his mindful actions said a lot. 

Lin Xianxian seemed to be beside herself with worries, evident by her swift steps and frown. 

Lin Xianxei spoke at this moment, "Mother, isn't this alright? Even if he isn't coming along with us, that doesn't mean he's not going." Lin Xianxei tried to calm her mother's worries down. Since his breakthrough as a Realmlord, Wei Wuyin hadn't been seen. 

Bai Yuxi asked, "Does it matter if he comes or not?" She still held some bias towards Wei Wuyin; all his recent achievements be damned. She knew that Wei Wuyin was Lin Ming's opponent, so she didn't mind him not being around. Moreover, all her problems were Wei Wuyin's fault.

If Han Yuhei knew of his granddaughter's thinking, he would certainly feel an urge to slap her to set her right. If Wei Wuyin knew of her thinking, he might bowl over in laughter. However, Bai Yuxi was clearly in love with Lin Ming, so there wasn't much that could be done with her wearing rose-colored glasses while viewing the situation. 

Lin Xianxian's frown deepened. She gave Bai Yuxi a heavy look. "Yes, it matters. The Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit was mostly caused by his Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill, triggering all sorts of events that followed, even the unveiling of the Ever-Domain Pill. The Golden Life Pavilion is now allied with Wei Wuyin, he has Grand Knight Wu Yu and is a Mortal Sovereign Alchemist-"

"That's never been verified!" Bai Yuxi exclaimed with a pout. 

Lin Xianxian was baffled for a moment. Was this girl rudely interrupting her? Her eyes shone with a dark light. Bai Yuxi shirked back. 

If it weren't for Han Yuhei protecting Bai Yuxi, she would've slapped her. She was responsible for Wei Wuyin having an abnormally difficult time being a Chosen. If it wasn't for her, maybe they're situation would've been a thousand times better.

"Verified or not, his talent is well-known by the former inhabitants of the Everlore Starfield. He's bound to become one if he isn't already. Whatever. Wei Wuyin's presence is important." Lin Xianxian no longer tried to explain herself. Moreover, she couldn't explain the truth of why she wanted him here, right?

She had made all the preparations to cleanse her body of her Ascended attributes. This was likely the sole occasion she'll have to…to ensure that she remains unforgettable to Wei Wuyin, a rising figure that had already established himself. He had an Earthly Saint-level Alchemic Knight, the Golden Life Pavilion's Pavilion Master, and an ancient Fire Phoenix in his pocket. He held more power than the lesser Starfields and their leaders.

Lin Xianxei, however, thought her mother's intentions were different and her worries were elsewhere. "Mother, I know what you're thinking, but I don't think we need to worry. I have a feeling that he'll be at the summit." 

"..." Lin Xianxian softly sighed. 

She didn't know why Wei Wuyin had systematically eliminated their issues, dealing egregious damage to the external clans to the point they either went into hiding or acted unreasonably passive. It didn't feel right that he had done so all for Lin Xianxei, the self-proclaimed fiancée, or for her, the eager maid. 

It didn't make sense. 

Yet her daughter was clearly of the belief that the world revolved around her, that he had acted in her interests. After all, it didn't make sense for Wei Wuyin to do so otherwise, right? If he wanted to control the Elementus Domain, he could've allied with all four Earthly Saints, not just two. It was actually against his best interest to do anything else, especially risking Wu Yu's life to deal with Nansi Yuangu.

Even Lin Xianxian doubted whether Wei Wuyin's actions were due to Lin Xianxei at times. While she felt it wasn't that simple, it was also entirely possible, especially after Wei Wuyin hadn't acted against Lin Xianxei for using his name, saved her in the Paramount Jade Realm, and warded off Zhang Ziyi's abuse. 

Since then, Zhang Ziyi hadn't made a single move, overt or covert. 

When he snatched Lin Xianxei, her daughter had come back a little different too. She seemed less indifferent to Wei Wuyin's name and followed his activities more consciously, she was m0ore invested in his past as well. Most importantly, she smiled more. There were times her mind drifted off during these smiling periods. At first, she thought it was Lin Ming, but that boy wasn't doing anything different.

In fact, at this point, Lin Ming was no longer relevant. The Lin Clan no longer wanted to escape after the external clan was ruthlessly dealt with. Lin Ming no longer served any hopeful purpose. The hard, vicious truth. 

With no more fetters, Lin Xianxei's life suddenly became her own, even who she wished to devote her mental time to.

"He'll be there," Lin Xianxei repeated confidently. 

Lin Xianxian's anxiety didn't end, however. 

-----

Outside the mansion, in an open-field training ground, a young man with a white spear practiced his spear arts. Lin Ming was using this time to train, perfecting his skills and spells to the best of his abilities. The Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit would surely use the current Chosen as a reference for the new baseline of talent, which meant upcoming battles of high intensity, pitting elite talents against each other.

With the Everlore Association inviting all the Immortal Heroes and Saintesses, even offering a reward for a unique event, this was bound to be an opportunity he could not abandon. This was his chance to prove himself as a top-tier talent that shouldn't be underestimated. The True Element Sect will see his true worth.

With a bright light effusing from his eyes, he redoubled his efforts. 

-----

In the Endless Prosperity Realm, within a specially designed secret realm invested with rich blood energies, a graveyard of sorts of the greatest warriors, all talented in Battle Energies or Battle Intent, was solely occupied by a single figure.

The figure had long, silver hair that reached their bare feet, loose robes, and scarlet-colored eyes. With pale skin, their features were as beautiful and feral as a blood moon that hung in the night sky. 

Suddenly, another figure breached the realm. It was an imposing, domineering existence that caused the roaring battle forces to submit despite their shrieking protests. When they softly landed, the area went quiet.

Wu Yu looked around, realizing this realm was enriched by bloody energies. As someone who cultivated the Blood Origin Method, he felt oddly stimulated by it. "There you are," Wu Yu turned around with a jump of his eyebrows.

The silver-haired figure stood a few meters from Wu Yu; their scarlet eyes fixed on him. 

Wu Yu hadn't sensed anyone approaching until they were a mere few meters from him. That was a little terrifying. He admiringly remarked, "Worthy of being the one he calls his claws and fangs. The man that went on a rampage in my sect despite knowing his fate." 

A low, deep, snarling growl resounded. It caused the ambient energies to seethe, especially the blood energies.

"Here," Wu Yu brought out a spatial ring. It bore Wei Wuyin's unique spiritual signature. "He said to tell you this: you only get one chance—redeem yourself." 

The scarlet-eyed figure, the one and only claws and fangs, Zuhei didn't speak a word! Only a confident smile drenched in pure savagery and carnage was his reply!