Paragon of Sin

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Wei Wuyin had stolen the spotlight of the summit, and all gazes were firmly following his every action with rapt attention. The elusive, mysterious, and abnormally talented figure that could talk on equal standings with Earthly Saints as a mere mortal was incredible to witness—a scene of legend. 

If someone told them that a cultivator like Wei Wuyin existed, the vast majority would've laughed in their face at the ridiculousness of it all. That there was a mortal cultivator that had an Earthly Saint as an Alchemic Knight? Loyal and obedient? Who rode on an ancient beast long thought extinct, having power and means that rivaled genuine Ascended cultivators? A Mortal Sovereign Alchemist beneath the age of a hundred? Hell, beneath the age of five hundred?!

Impossible! They would say.

Get your head out of the clouds! They would say. 

Delusion idiot! They would say. 

Yet standing before them, in the flesh, was an existence they had once thought was a conspiracy conjured by the Golden Life Pavilion, skepticism filled the air, hearts, and minds of everyone! Yet, reality was indisputable.

Wei Wuyin! 

Additionally, his looks were downright heaven-rivaling, seemingly in contention against the conventional concept of handsomeness, threatening to break that too! Those on the Immortal Heroes Ranking could barely hold a candle to his visage, aura, and demeanor. Since he already brought forth the convention-breaking Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill, it seemed only right that he broke others as well!

The hearts of many females and a few males swooned and swayed, desire and lust thrashing within their eyes. A few men even questioned their orientation, feeling quite confused, and those women who long thought they found every masculine sight of man as abhorrent and ugly found their beliefs changing instantly, similarly confused. 

As such, when Xue Yifei ran into Wei Wuyin's arms that seemed to be able to hug the world, outlining the muscles of his forearms and biceps, and made it feel like the warmest and most comfortable location, pressing her head against that legendary broad pillow called his chest, the envy, jealousy, and rage borne from it was terrifying, to say the least!

With Xue Yifei's beauty, talent, and ability, one would generally think the scales would be tipped in her favor, placing all sorts of issues onto Wei Wuyin's plate as many would be struck with the lightning bolt of jealousy, believing Wei Wuyin wasn't worthy enough to hold such an astonishing gorgeous and exceptional woman, yet the reality was the exact opposite, and no one questioned it! 

To most of these women, carrying a rage-filled and envy-carved heart, Xue Yifei simply wasn't worthy of Wei Wuyin! While she might be talented, they had greater statuses, and while she might be powerful, some had greater cultivation bases! They constantly compared themselves to her, finding it unfair that they weren't in her place.

If Wei Wuyin was aware of their thoughts, he wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry. Fortunately, the animosity slowly decreased as discussion broke out and others were reminded that Xue Yifei was merely Wei Wuyin's concubine. This somehow reduced the jealousy considerably, and the eyes of many glinted brightly with an opportunistic light.

It was as if their chance was still there! 

Na Xinyi watched all of this quietly, not moving to greet this fiancé of hers. When she felt the envious gazes consumed by desire, she was able to push away her disgruntled feelings of seeing Wei Wuyin hugging another woman, and relaxing considerably. The words Wei Wuyin said to her in his spiritual message, the decision to keep their engagement a secret so that her name can foster its own light, caused her to be endlessly grateful. 

Regardless of how outstanding Xue Yifei becomes, she would forever be marred by her title as Wei Wuyin's concubine. That would be her identity, overshadowing all else. This wasn't something she could accept, and the gazes of others carrying that belief that she was unworthy of him would sunder her heart. 

Xue Yifei had no issues with this. While they both were reluctant to serve as a foil for a man, this was where their ambitions and bottomline differed. Xue Yifei didn't wish to be drowned into irrelevancy, taken to unknown places against her will, having the will of others imposed on her due to her weakness or lack of talent, and forced to stay in a man's shadow to support them. 

While Na Xinyi sought her own might, fame, and strength to stand upon the peak of the world, sit on the throne of authority, and be worshipped by countless cultivators. 

Shockingly, she finally knew that Wei Wuyin knew her better than any man, especially more than Long Chen ever did, both physically and mentally. This caused her to subconsciously reveal a gorgeous smile that could cause the world to grow colorless, unbothered by the show of affection before her. 

Meanwhile, Wu Baozhai's eyes contained a wisp of challenge and resolve.

Wei Wuyin gently rubbed Xue Yifei's dark hair, their heartbeats resonating as one. They were both cultivators of the True Dragon Transmutation Method, and their hearts were dragon hearts, larger and stronger than most. With their bloodline cultivated by the same source, they instantly formed a strong bond at contact.

The Yin Dragon Soul within her might have been why Wei Wuyin felt she was gorgeous enough to outshine the moon, special enough to change his plans and spare her on that fateful day, and take her in as his concubine. 

"Y-you! YOU!" A loud shout broke the gentle, lovely atmosphere. Wei Wuyin looked in the direction of the disturbance to discover a familiar face with a familiar aura. Those eyes of his immediately lowered to that person's chest. It pounded violently out of fear. Wei Wuyin could hear the faintest of draconic roars from every vigorous throb.

It was He Yanglei; his expression was violently distorted as sweat dripped from his forehead and brow. He pointed at Wei Wuyin with a trembling index finger, inching back little by little, and the fear in his eyes was extremely apparent. That there was true terror, as if facing one's executioner! 

Xue Yifei pouted after noticing that the moment of their long-awaited reunion was shattered by nonsensical shouts. A glint of killing intent flickered within her hazel eyes as she stared at He Yanglei. 

Na Xinyi and Wu Baozhai were immersed in their feelings, but He Yanglei's actions had broken them out of it. Did this man with an aura similar to Lian Yu have a connection with Wei Wuyin? 

Wei Wuyin inwardly sighed, remembering the preserved corpse within his Saint Ring. It was lacking a heart, and it seemed he found it. That being said, he had no intention of retrieving it for Lian Yu and making her whole. While he might have He Yanglei killed, he wouldn't do so himself, leaving it to those who should seek an explanation and vengeance on Lian Yu's behalf.

Instead, he openly said to He Yanglei: "Talent that does not belong to you will never be yours." After saying that, he felt a piercing aura from above observing him. It belonged to the He Clan's Earthly Saint, but Wei Wuyin was unbothered as Wu Yu and Bai Lin both gave him a forceful glance that forced him to recede his spiritual sense. 

"Stolen talent?" The crowd was taken aback, but when they saw He Yanglei's expression pale several shades slighter, most immediately grasped an idea of what he meant. The once unassuming He Yanglei had stolen something that granted him the astonishing talent he now possessed, enough to become a Chosen of this generation! Unfortunately, it seemed to belong to Wei Wuyin and this was a statement threatening to reclaim it! 

The way it was interpreted didn't matter to Wei Wuyin. He didn't owe Lian Yu anything. If Wu Baozhai, Qing Qiumu, or Na Xinyi wished to do so, that was their choice, and he would support it. 

He Yanglei stayed at the furthest edge of the platform, far away from Wei Wuyin. From time to time, saber light would flash in the depths of his pupils as he recalled the moment his life was almost taken. If it wasn't for Wei Wuyin's current status and revealed strength, his chaotic mental state wouldn't have happened. But whether it was Wei Wuyin or Wu Yu, his clan couldn't protect him! And he had 'died' to Wei Wuyin once before…

Na Xinyi and Wu Baozhai looked at each other, and with their intellects and instincts, they immediately deduced that Lian Yu's aura emanating from He Yanglei wasn't a coincidence. He had likely taken Lian Yu's talent! Their eyes suffused with dark, vicious killing intent as they stared at He Yanglei's retreating figure. 

At this moment, a short-haired figure with black hair and clear, black eyes walked over with an exceptionally steady gait. While she was approaching, Wei Wuyin's heart felt a warmth and emotions that he hadn't felt in almost a decade. 

A single word summed up all his feelings without any flaws: "We." And he couldn't help but call out, "Su Mei." A name that provoked enough emotion to challenge the world, carrying as much importance as Bai Lin within his heart.

"Lord Wei." He's gone by many titles, from Alchemic Sovereign Wei, Ascendant Emperor, Young Lord, even Lass that one time, yet Su Mei was the only one that referred to him simply as 'Lord Wei' since they first met until now. There was only one moment when she called out his full name with heart-rending panic and concern in her voice.

She stopped a few meters away, bowing respectfully as a subordinate should. Wei Wuyin couldn't resist his smile growing larger, brighter, and more genuine. This action caused many heartbeats to skip in awe and wonder. Even Xue Yifei, Wu Baozhai, and Na Xinyi, who had grown relatively accustomed to Wei Wuyin's looks and demeanor, were stunned with wide-eyes. 

However, Su Mei, who lifted herself up from bowing, was unaffected entirely by the sight. But the slightest of smiles hung on her face, while inwardly, her relieved heart was pounding excitedly.

"The competition thus known as Saint Cyclic Alchemic Clash will commence in seven days! Astral Mist will be sent throughout the various platforms, please do cultivate diligently! Do not let this opportunity slip, it'll only last for a few months.

"All Mortal Sovereign Alchemists participating, please use this time to select your future Chosen with care. After seven days, you will be able to choose your Mystic Star instructors, if you wish to have one. " San Luoyang announced. 

Woosh! 

Suddenly, multicolored mist resembling Utmost Purity Mist, but having a larger variety of colors, lesser density, and emanating a strong astral aura began to seep out of the stages, reaching ten feet high. Instantly, the crowd was immersed in Astral Mist, a mist form of peak-grade Astral Essence refined through special alchemical methods allowing an easier refinement process. Even those in the Qi Condensation Realm can refine this gentle mist, but the rate at which they can absorb it depends heavily on their innate talent. 

Yet this type of environment could potentially allow for a greater benefit than the diluted Astralis Essence for some. This was a huge boon to the vast majority of cultivators present, especially youngsters at the Qi Condensation Realm.

The Everlore Association had kept their word!