Paragon of Sin

"..." Wei Wuyin gently scratched his lower chin, a thoughtful light in his eyes as he pondered soundlessly.

Ma Zheng stood in silence, not doing anything overt, and obediently waiting for Wei wuyin to give further orders. He had never been slow in picking up on clues, and he knew that his life and the life of the Great Sea Oceanic Queen were saved just now. While he was unable to fathom the danger, Wei Wuyin had a Spatial Dragon Bloodline, so his attunement to space would naturally be at a higher intrinsic level than his, so areas like fixed space and that world of chaos were his domain.

He couldn't help but recall Wei Wuyin's earlier words stating that the Great Sea Oceanic Queen was dead. Considering her state, the fact she still had breath, yet was lingering on the edge of deprivation of all her innate energies, then it was likely that she had died. The whimper remnants of energy were likely Wei Wuyin's efforts to save her.

Thinking up to here, he quietly touched her shoulder, using only his intuitive senses to feel, and felt the heat of energy at work. This feeling felt familiar, and he soon recalled what it was—Mystic-Graded Alchemical Product. It was silently working to restore her lifeforce, sustaining her mystic-level bodily functions. It must be an extremely precious product considering its effects on an Earthly Saint.

He heaved a quiet sigh in his heart; the Great Sea Oceanic Queen was unimaginably fortunate.

If Ma Zheng knew that Wei Wuyin had resorted to using four Mystic-Earth Products, all at the high-tier, and Unrefined Lifeforce Strands of the Mark of Eden, exhausting quite a bit of resources to revive the Great Sea Oceanic Queen, he might feel a little animosity towards this woman for being so stupid in nearly throwing away her life. No, she did throw away her life.

Wei Wuyin's harvest from Xu You's Saint Ring was not small. It was far, far greater than even Cai Liuyang. Moreover, he had an Internal World that contained a literal palace of treasures that was claimed by the Nexus War Flag via the Law of War. It was a disgusting understatement to say that Lord of the City of Voyage was a lucrative position, or that Xu You wasn't wealthy among Worldly Saints. At least, as far as an independent entity can be considered.

Not only was Xu You powerful for a Worldly Saint, capable of invigorating the Legion Commander Zhan Zheng, but extremely intelligent in business, savings, and accumulating wealth through various avenues. While he wasn't an outright Sinner, his methods to gain wealth were a little sinister and could cause people to feel a tinge of revulsion, like most successful businessmen.

Furthermore, his cautious nature caused him to purchase an array of life-sustaining products against niche methods and in general, such as the peak Mystic-Earth graded antidote elixir. The products he used on the Great Sea Oceanic Queen originated from Xu You.

After an hour or so, Wei Wuyin finally breathed out and his expression returned to normal. He turned to Ma Zheng with a faint smile, "It's gone." After hearing this, Ma Zheng was shocked to find that his heart was incredibly tense as it relaxed, causing a faint wisp of euphoria to flow through his thoughts.

Despite having experienced thirty-thousand years of life, he was still frightened of the unknown and death. It would be foolish to say otherwise, or he wouldn't have such a strong desire to survive and cultivate. That creature was the greatest unknown of Ma Zheng's life, like an invisible sword that could swipe against his throat at any time. Moreover, he hadn't realized it existed until very recently.

Nodding, Ma Zheng looked around with less fear, realizing they were in the Void-Blank Space between the Aeternal Sky Starfield and its neighbor, the Trihex Starfield(4th). Their proximity influenced their cultures, causing their system of hierarchy, organizations, and traditions to be shared.

While it might seem like it neighbored the Aeternal Sky Starfield, the Void-Blank Space between them was massive, like a great chasm of celestial debris, dead planets, and emptiness, spanning millions of miles. They were deep within the Void-Blank Space territory, roughly two million miles away from the border of the Aeternal Sky Starfield.

"Wei Wuyin, will you be returning to the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit?" Ma Zheng was curious about Wei Wuyin's plans and suggested in his tone that he could safely return should he wish to. The summit was nearing its end, and quite a few changes had occurred against Wei Wuyin's interests, like the creation of the Excavation Stage. He was absent for eighteen months, so this was entirely unfair.

Wei Wuyin lifted his brow curiously, confused why the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit was still ongoing despite the time. It had been over twenty months since his departure. The summit should be over.

Ma Zheng hurriedly explained to him the implementation of the Excavation Stage, the last desperate attempt of the Alchemists there to take advantage of his absence, gaining more of a voice during the final discussion.

But he didn't expect Wei Wuyin's response.

"Hahaha!" He chuckled heartily, genuinely amused! "Only eighteen months?" Was his reply. Only?

Ma Zheng wryly smiled; Wei Wuyin was truly outstanding to have such great confidence in Du Ling and his efforts of nurturing via proxy.

"No need," Wei Wuyin shook his head. The Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit's results wouldn't change unless they were given another three or so years. He didn't want to waste his time there. Moreover, not being there will have a greater impact on his plans going forward.

Ma Zheng nodded in response, accepting Wei Wuyin's decision. Then, he recalled something. "Your cultivation base has reached the Temporal Eye Phase, faster than I could've imagined, but Su Mei has reached the Star Core Phase, do you want me to give her the Golden Heart of Mysticism?"

"Golden Heart of Mysticism?" Wei Wuyin lifted his brow curiously, then a memory flitted through his mind. "You mean the Crystal Essence of Ascension?"

"The Crystal Essence of Ascension?" Ma Zheng was immediately confused.

Then, Wei Wuyin realized that this was a result of his knowledge gained from the library and his memories acquired from the alternative version of himself. The Golden Life Pavilion had a treasure they called the Golden Heart of Mysticism, and Ma Zheng had once teased that there was a treasure that he would want if he participated in an Alchemic Clash long ago, but that never came about due to various reasons.

The Crystal Essence of Ascension was the gathering of deceased Mystic Star Phase cultivator's Star Cores upon death, the same phenomenon that Starlords faced upon their deaths—Star Ascension—whereby their Star Cores are taken by the Mortal Daos under the laws of the heavens. Those normal Solar Stars are nurtured by the Mortal Dao and eventually become natural-born Solar Stars.

This process took countless years to complete. But for those 'failed' Ascended beings, their Solar Cores were tainted by Mystic Energy, so it was a contest between the Mortal Dao and Mystic Dao on ownership. So, the result was…neither won, and the Mystic Star Cores would gather together and birth a Crystal Essence of Ascension after an indeterminate period.

The solar essence it exuded from its crystallized state can be refined and help a Mortal Cultivator develop and comprehend the Mystic Dao, their Mystic Rune Seeds, increasing their chances of Ascension at a higher Runic Ascendant State. Unfortunately, the essence was severely limited, requiring an enormous amount of time to naturally replenish itself by gathering more Mystic Star Cores that have been filtered by the heavens. It was one of the few heavenly treasures that can help cultivators on their path to the Mystic Dao.

The Soul Saint King, the Imperial Advisor, and the Boundless Martial High King were all notable figures who used them to progress, having an extremely high Runic Ascendant State. This paved their path to becoming the top Earthly Saints of their generations, heralded as the strongest throughout the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region.

The Golden Life Pavilion had one, of course, and they cherished it heavily. Wei Wuyin could reproduce a similar effect through alchemical products, so he didn't need it. However, his eyes sparkled as he recalled a concoction method that the alternative version of himself had chanced upon using his Karmic Luck before losing…

Wei Wuyin shrugged off the heart-breaking memory with difficulty, suppressing the roiling emotions in his heart, "I'll take it. I can use it to make a more effective version."

Ma Zheng was stunned, and then he faintly smiled. He almost forgot that Wei Wuyin was a heaven-defying genius of the Alchemic Dao. "I'll have it delivered as soon as I return."

Wei Wuyin nodded approvingly. "You can send it to the Desolate Dragnet Region. I'll be there for now." After saying this, Wei Wuyin looked in the distance and saw a comet of light streaking through the Dark Void. It was Wu Yu.

Wei Wuyin didn't dare to conjure a Void Portal with that creature nearby, no longer curious about the recently formed chaotic space, so he called for his ride back. Earlier, he had jetted over here using the Void Portal. If he hadn't, he wouldn't have arrived on time even if he had all the Earthly Saints gathered their power together and sent him across at the greatest possible speed.

The Grand Cyclic Stellar Region was simply too far from where he was.

"Oh!" A thought occurred to Wei Wuyin, continuing: "send Tuo Bihan over as well." He gave Ma Zheng his coordinates, and he recalled that old codger with the strange naming sense and a distinctly precious warmth suffused his heart.

Ma Zheng's expression changed slightly, but then he nodded. Tuo Bihan had long since recovered from his injuries, but the events definitely might leave him feeling animosity towards his daughter, Ma Sujiang. He could only hope he wasn't the vengeful sort, especially considering how joyful Wei Wuyin looked after talking about him.

Woosh!

Wu Yu arrived with starry eyes, and long and feral-looking hair, and it contained countless moving stars. He had initiated his Third Grand Transformation to arrive faster!

"Young Lord," Wu Yu respectfully called out. He gave Ma Zheng a glance. The two nodded to each other. They were both figures who had their destiny changed by Wei Wuyin, so there was a type of familiarity that they felt towards each other.

"Here," Wei Wuyin tossed a Saint Ring towards Ma Zheng, who caught it curiously. "Inside are products for various individuals, do ensure they receive them. I'll send more over later." Just like Tuo Bihan, Ma Zheng was tasked to be a carrier. The thirty-thousand-year-old Earthly Saint accepted it with a smile.

"The Chosen King Competition is happening in a few decades. They must be ready." After solemnly stating this, causing Ma Zheng's heart to throb fiercely, Wu Yu took Wei Wuyin away in a comet of starry light. They vanished instantly.

Ma Zheng hefted the Great Sea Oceanic Queen in a more comfortable position, looking thoughtfully in Wei Wuyin's direction. He could feel that the world was going to be shaken up once again, and he loved it. It was about time the world changed.