Paragon of Sin

'Failure...'

Despite his suave version's innately gifted Alchemic Talent, he had failed to receive the acknowledgment of the Alchemic Dao. Fuxi's advice had been heeded without ego or pride, yet he had fumbled the easiest category. While this suggested that this trial and tribulation was stupendously difficult, Wei Wuyin understood why his suave self failed horrendously.

Unlike him who focused on advancing his Alchemic Dao out of necessity and urging of his spirits, that version had been overwhelmed by a sense of urgency and progressed upon the stages of cultivation with remarkable speed, and while his strength and foundation were anything but ordinary, there wasn't a chance they were remotely even.

He had advanced to the Earthly Saint Phase, the fourth stage of the Mystic Ascendant Realm, at the age of 128, while Wei Wuyin was still slightly younger by a decade or so and he had just stepped onto the stage of Mysticism. The effort they spent in their respective Mortal Realms was far different, and that version of himself still hadn't experienced his Third Calamity.

They were fundamentally different in every aspect. But when it cto the Alchemic Dao, their stages of attainment were already long since different. Suave Wei Wuyin had reached the Earthly Alchemic Saint level while he had reached the Worldly Alchemic Saint level and had achieved perfect success in low-tier concoctions by their twistedly obsessive standards. Additionally, he already had hints of insight into the Heavenly Alchemic Saint level by studying and elevating the Soul Pill, a Mystic-Heaven grade product.

'Fuxi hadn't givenany advice on what path to choose, but he had given back the memories of that failure. Was it a warning? Or does he have greater confidence in me?' Wei Wuyin thought carefully as Eden's voice still containing faint ripples of four reverberating layers, yet slightly less prevalent than before, began to resound within his soul:

"The Dao Acknowledgement of Enlightenment, the Dao Acknowledgement of Scholarly Virtue, and the Dao Acknowledgement of Sagely Execution. Each of these tests has certainly gotten significantly higher in difficulty, and this has to largely due to the choice of selection."

Kratos added without any disharmony:

"That silver-eyed coward was an idiot."

"Tch," King agreed.

"Yeh! Yeh! Yeh!" Ori was excitedly agreeing as well.

Wei Wuyin couldn't refute that either. The version of himself was a genuine idiot. He didn't think deeply about Fuxi's instructions or underlying meanings. He had just witnessed the vast history of Creation and the origins of the Magi, and when he challenged the Dao Acknowledgments, he chose Alchemy. The Dao of Alchemy! Fuxi had just informed him that the Alchemic Dao was seven whole daos as one.

Moreover, he told him of the Dao of Concoction, Dao of Evolution, Dao of Inscription, and the Dao of Arrangement. Additionally, the most obvious indicator of his indirect suggestion, was that he left out three others! This meant they weren't relevant to the Creationist Daos!

Why would he choose the Alchemic Dao when he could have chosen any of the lesser ones? The Dao of Concoction was the most obvious pick!

Wei Wuyin could only give a soulful sigh. Perhaps it was because of their differences in experiences or the fact their respective paths had segregated their levels of intelligence and instincts by a significant chasm regarding cultivation. Regardless, that version of himself didn't know how to exploit properly.

It was clear he hadn't fought against Blessed or actively sought out the maximization of benefits upon entering the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region as he had. He wasn't tested by challenges and adventures, and simply caught the interest of Liu Yinlan and was taken advantage of, losing Kratos and Su Mei in the process.

A surge of hatred swelled within his soul toward that version of himself.

'So what's our path forward?' Wei Wuyin had an easy route to take. Whether it was the Dao of Concoction or the Dao of Evolution, he felt extremely confident in both.

"Do you even have to ask?" Eden said as if rolling its eyes.

Wei Wuyin chuckled softly. Right. There was no real choice for him. It was either all or nothing. Moreover, his spirits would never settle for less.

Magi Royalty, Dao of Alchemy.

That was the only option.

Fuxi implied that the Celestial Eyes of Spiritual Divinity and the innate cultivation method for the Mystic Ascendant Realm of Magi had differences based on his hierarchical choice and success, and this was not subtle to him in any way, especially during those memories where he covertly suggested for the other version of himself to take the easiest route again and again.

"..." Ori.

"..." Kratos.

"..." King.

"It's our only choice," Eden stated firmly.

Wei Wuyin's brows furrowed. He felt something was off.

No-

SOMETHING was off!

"What are you all planning?"

"Hm?" Ori replied with an innocent tone, almost as if it was blinking with big eyes as if it could do no wrong and there was no deception. Wei Wuyin might have been enveloped in complete darkness, but his instincts didn't need any sight; toward their reckless bullshit, he had a built-in meter that was going crazy. Just the sound of its tone was enough to trigger it.

"Do I have to remind you all once again? We're in this together," Wei Wuyin felt slightly annoyed as he reminded them. This happened earlier too, just before their advancement to the Mystic Dao, they had kept their plans to themselves. They were spirits, so the rate of their thoughts had always been absurdly fast, and could even react to an Enlightened Sage's explosively unexpected attack as a mortal while he couldn't. The rate of their conversation and planning was just as absurd.

He had never pried into their discussions either despite being aware of its happenings, but they were almost always tallinn especially Ori to King. Ori was a talkative bunch and its fluctuations made it very difficult to feel any urgency to pay attention given its nonsensical topics.

"All or nothing," Ori echoed as if speaking in his Eden's tone.

"All or nothing," King said as well.

"All or nothing," Kratos growled.

"..." Eden was uncharacteristically silent this time.

Wei Wuyin was confused by their synchronized understanding. After all, he felt the sas them. All or nothing!

Fuxi said there was only Magi Royalty, and clearly the daos of Creationists for Magi weren't initially included with Alchemy, and the Alchemic Dao hadn't completely devoured the other daos, only merging them, so they could be tested individually. But even still, the Dao of Alchemy could be chosen. After all, that was his suave and failure of a version had chosen. So what was left?

Suddenly-

From within his soul, he felt the familiar call for the test and tribulation of the Daos' Acknowledgments.

A mechanical voice of majesty and supremacy resounded. The fact it was mechanical yet suffused with colorful flavor was an indicator that it was made by a real person, and this was likely the sealed lineage and inheritance left behind by the Magi. Fuxi never explained how the Magi established this inheritance, but given that he mentioned there were many of them and that he would potentially meet others suggested they had gathered together and devised this inheritance, and then attached them onto souls like a bloodline lineage that was passed along and acted as an impetus.

However, he didn't know of his Mother or King of Everlore's history. He did, however, know that Fuxi implied that he often taught and guided other Magi countless times that weren't taught by the Magi and that their souls were introduced into the cycle of samsara.

Chances were...they were spread out across the universe initially and had a grand gathering of ssort to revitalize themselves and redefine themselves. This was likely where the term 'Magi' cabout. They were, after all, descendants of creation.

Setting aside his idle thoughts, the voice boomed:

"Descendant, choose your lineage."

Within his soul, Wei Wuyin could feel three orbs manifest themselves. They seemed to have always been there yet he hadn't noticed once. Each was of a silvery glossy color, one was significantly brighter and one was considerably darker. They were Dark Silver(Commoner), Light Silver(Noble), and True Silver (Royalty).

Within each orb was a floaty character that wasn't Mortal, Mystic, or Immortal in origins, yet seemed to embody every aspect of them. In fact, Wei Wuyin instinctively knew this was the first character created. The very first written language of the universe!

Wei Wuyin took a great, deep, inhaling breath, and then responded decisively:

"Magi Royalty."

With a single two-worded thought, the other two orbs-Dark Silver(Commoner) & Light Silver(Noble)-vanished entirely. They no longer existed. It seems that there was no return after making a selection. Wei Wuyin could sense that those orbs had disappeared from his soul permanently.

The mechanically majestic and dominating voice sounded again:

"Descendant, choose."

Unlike before, there wasn't a single indication of what to do next. Clearly, the absence of the process would leave those without any idea of their lineage to be completely ignorant without anywhere to step forward or backward. Fuxi's intervention made considerably greater sense now. If not for his guidance, those lost without a hor understanding of their origins would be left without any way to pursue their lineage's greatest secrets.

They would automatically fail in confusion.

Wei Wuyin's questions mounted on his mount regarding this type of design choice, but he didn't dwell too heavily because the solution was already there-Fuxi. It might even be intended for Fuxi to interact with those that he had once guided before, now fragmented into numerous other existences, and ensure they remained aware and he remained involved.

Wei Wuyin readied himself to announce his choice. However, before he could do so, he heard sixteen different voices layering over each other in a soul-pounding echo, including his own! HIS VOICE!

Wei Wuyin's eyes widened explosively. The Second Mind! Within a split second, everything clicked.

They roared:

"Dao of Creation!"

Fuxi's layered meaning wasn't one-sided! He mentioned the components of the Alchemic Dao, but he also mentioned the overarching Dao! The one that involved them all! CREATION!

He understood why they avoided telling him! Within a flash, Wei Wuyin felt his mind recede into his Mind's Eye while the studious Second Mind took charge assisted by the four spirits. Stago, Wei Wuyin had felt that his Second Mind embodied the concepts of the Magi while his Primary Mind focused on the cultivation aspects, and this remained true as one enjoyed the act of studying and developing theories while the other enjoyed cultivating and progressing in a practical sense. It was as if he was split into two!

There was no anger in his heart, only concern. He didn't resist their actions.

"Don't fuck this up!"

"We won't!" Eden shouted.

"I WON'T LET THEM FAIL! HEHE!" Ori's words inspired very little confidence, but he trusted them nevertheless. After all, they were as much of a Magi as he was.

When they said all or nothing, they truly meant ALL or NOTHING! Alchemy, Design, and Forging! But could his Second Mind who studied non-stop since the Library of Eden formed with genuine enjoyment and tireless energy complete this? He could only wait with bated breath and find out!