Paragon of Sin

What level has this third-in-command of the Everlore Association reached?

The question was at the tip of everyone's tongue as the barrier concealing San Luoyang's manifested palace began to diminish in effectiveness, slowly revealing three figures that emanated an awe-inspiring bearing relative to their cultivation, age, and status.

At San Luoyang's left, proudly walking a step behind, was the Mystic Star instructor that cost a hefty price to employ. It was one of the most expensive Mystic Star instructors listed, costing eight mystic stones. It was audacious of a Mystic Star to value themselves so highly, but the instructor unhesitatingly milked his worth and this rare opportunity—a praiseworthy achievement requiring unfettered courage.

And San Luoyang accepted it. The instructor originated from the Imperial Clan and was a cultivator from the direct royal lineage, bearing the Tian Clan's surname. While his official title had been stripped alongside his failure, he was relatively renowned during his youth as an outstanding cultivator, having been a Chosen in his past life.

Despite his existence being a cautionary reminder that even the Imperial Clan's might, wealth, and talents can fail the greatest trial of a mortal's life—Mystic Ascension—he was highly regarded as ranked within the top seven strongest Mystic Star Phase throughout the Aeternal Sky Starfield.

His name was Tian Zhuxian.

Tian Zhuxian carried himself with a regal temperament befitting a member of royalty, being astonishingly handsome, and possessing the signature hazel-gold eyes of the Imperial Clan's main lineage.

The Chosen Knight had siphoned some of this extraordinary bearing, with the light of nobility and righteous status lingering within their gaze. However, compared to Tian Zhuxian and San Luoyang, his facial features were ordinary, lacking any outstanding characteristics. He couldn't be described as fiercely handsome nor disgustingly ugly. It was a perfect middle ground that would be lost within a common crowd.

Born from two Mystic Star Phase experts, he originated from the greatest birth amongst the Chosen Knights but the most 'failed' bloodline. However, this contributed to his innate talents that greatly differed from the norm, setting him firmly apart from the others. He was called by his parents Duze Beixuan.

The trio cut a powerful image as they waltzed out of their palace. The focus wasn't on the Mystic Star instructor or San Luoyang but on the byproduct of their three-and-a-half year of effort! Will Duze Beixuan be a horrendous dub? A failure like his parents? Or will he rise to the occasion and bring a world-shaking performance?

The crowd from all over looked at him with highly inquisitive gazes. Duze Beixuan didn't shrink back an inch, slowly causing his aura to permeate! A whoosh of air distorted his surroundings, affecting the ambient mana of the Main Hall.

Gasp!

A wad of cold air was sucked in by many on the platforms, shaken to their cores!

In the subspace that held numerous outstanding figures that could call forth the wind and rain with merely a wave of their hands were all observing the scene projected on a large, oval mirror hovering a few feet off the ground.

At the center of these figures, and controlling the mirror, was a slender man adorned in golden robes and a seven-colored sash that tied his entire ensemble together beautifully, granting him an otherworldly demeanor filled with authority, wealth, and wisdom.

Evergod!

Amongst these figures was the Soul Saint King, with Yue Songli a step behind him, and the Grand Seer of the Golden Gate Pavilion. Her middle-aged looks, white eyes without pupils or irises, and her air of mystery did little to hide the peaceful aura around her or the omniscient feeling that her blank eyes gave.

Beside her was a slender scholarly man with square-lens glasses, light brown eyes, black hair tied into a ponytail, and garbed in a common linen robe that felt strangely inconsistent with his intellectual and humble style. If someone told you who this was, your first instinct would surely be to spit out a single word: Bullshit!

He was none other than the Boundless Martial High King! Lacking any ounce of fierceness or tyranny that his reputation has long since defined him as. A stark contrast to reality, yet besides the Grand Seer, not a single figure here was close to him. While his demeanor was reminiscent of a poor scholar forced to practice martial arts to make ends meet, those light brown eyes of his concealed an unimaginable ferocity that could shake the entire stellar region.

A veiled woman was also present, wearing silver robes, with a glistening crescent moon necklace hanging around her white neck. Her figure was lithe and willowy, her stance innately proud alongside two exceptionally high-lifted twin peaks worthy of such pride. She observed the mirror silently.

Furthest away from the mirror and everyone else, and by a large margin, almost as if entering a certain range of him was absolutely forbidden, was a tall, ramrod straight-standing middle-aged man that seemed to be in his early fifties with an elegant beard and primly styled grey hair. His eyes were tightly shut as if meditating, not glancing at the mirror, yet it felt as if he could see it all.

There was an air of peculiarity about him, especially when one inspected his exquisitely fashioned, carefully arranged white robes that were extremely clean. Pristinely so, unimaginably so, as if dirt and grime weren't permitted to exist within a mile of his presence.

This figure, regarded as one of the most intelligent and powerful beings throughout the entire stellar region, the mouth that had the Aeternal Sky Divine Emperor's ear, was the Imperial Advisor!

The last one present was a human affected by dwarfism with tanned skin and a gorgeous beard. At his back was a large forging hammer roughly twice his size, and he sported a blacksmith's garment. This was none other than the Godforge Emperor, and many were clearly aware that he was not a natural dwarf but a byproduct of his Cultivation Method that shrunk his body unnaturally. At times, some could see him in his full six-foot glory.

They were all an exceptionally eccentric bunch when seen together, yet they possessed some of the greatest authority throughout the entire stellar region.

"The Astral Core Realm! It seems you've kept quite a trump card, huh? No wonder you suggested this clash, tch." The Boundless Martial High King spoke disgruntledly. His voice was lightly spoken, yet it induced several waves of echoing power with every word. His physical body was simply this terrifying!

Evergod did not entertain the Boundless Martial High King, knowing full well how engaging him in an argument of words would inevitably lead to an argument of fists. With the Mythical Oaths in place, the chances he'll resort to some reckless outburst was incredibly high.

"Tch," embodying his inner King, the Boundless Martial High King clicked his tongue aggressively, carrying all his unsaid thoughts. He returned to observing the mirror.

Duze Beixuan had revealed himself at the Astral Core Realm, and not the First Stage, but the Second Stage! The Sky Ruler Phase! The entire world was rendered speechless, unable to process the vast, unquestionable disparity present.

Even the other Mortal Sovereign Alchemists were flabbergasted into quivering silence at the reveal. Duze Beixuan's original cultivation was the Yang Growth Phase! In three and a half years, he leaped into the Sky Ruler Phase of the Astral Core Realm? This was unimaginable! This was unreasonable!

How?

Their eyes shifted from the product to the producer, bringing a small smile-holding San Luoyang every ounce of attention present. The questions in the air were endless, but they were left unsaid.

But not unanswered!

Hmph!

A cold, imposing snort resounded, bringing everyone's attention to Wu Yu! With his eyes carrying boundless stars, he stared intently at San Luoyang. And San Luoyang turned his gaze fearlessly towards Wu Yu, satisfied with his dissatisfaction.

"Why hide your true cultivation?" A single sentence was followed by absolute silence and then a minor uproar as their gazes flitted back to San Luoyang. Hide his cultivation! What did that mean?

San Luoyang's expression stiffened; Wu Yu had seen through his concealment tool, giving him a great shock. But he wouldn't be Wu Yu if he wasn't at least this capable. San Luoyang swiftly regained his composure with barely a missed step.

"Hide?" He shook his head as if denying doing such a pointless thing, "but I guess you're right; why not announce my recent breakthrough."

Breakthrough!

The hearts of everyone was on tenterhooks, and those in the subspace glanced, specifically the Boundless Martial High King and the Soul Saint King, gave Evergod a glance carrying varying emotions. His expression was entirely unreadable!

San Luoyang then deactivated his concealment tool that had integrated with his Mystic Soul, causing an torrential outburst of pent-up Mystic Aura flowing rampantly with Mystic Runes! To Ascended, they were forced to feast on the visually stimulating storm of tens of thousands of Mystic Runes swirling grandly before them!

To mortals, they felt a slightly suffocating aura of unfathomableness that sent them reeling with the urge to kneel before San Luoyang!

Mystic Runes! Awakened Mystic Intent! Unfathomable Aura!

An Earthly Saint!

San Luoyang was an Earthly Saint!

Like a light bulb in the enveloping darkness, enlightenment switched on and illuminated them to their unanswered questions. San Luoyang was the sole Mortal Sovereign Alchemist out of 245 present to be an Earthly Saint!

The only exception!

How could this not significantly affect his speed of concoction? Quality of concoctions? Ease of refinement? Rate of success?! His Mystic Power was a chasm-grade of difference between the others, no question. Furthermore, he was at the 4th Runic Ascendant State right off the rip!

As the raging storm subsided, Xun Yicao proudly left his palace with his Chosen Knight, bringing a heavy degree of focus to this Imperial Alchemist of the Imperial Clan! Will he bring about an upset? Reveal his cultivation base at the Earthly Saint as well? The expectations of everyone grew wild!

Xun Yicao's Chosen Knight was a tall, strapping, and handsome young man with a fit physique, perfectly aligning with the image of a Chosen in the minds of everyone. Furthermore, his aura was startling, but if it had come just a person earlier, maybe the reactions would be wildly different…

The first stage of the Astral Core Realm, the World Sea Phase!!!

"..."

The gazes went back to Duze Beixuan…

Xue Yicao was lifting his head proudly, perfectly timing his arrival after San Luoyang, being the 244th Alchemist to reveal his Chosen Knight. A calculated plan. Yet the response of overwhelming awe and admiration that he expected was absent. He curiously looked around, then his eyes contracted!

San Luoyang was an Earthly Saint!

His Chosen Knight was at the second stage!

This…

At this moment, as if similarly perfectly timed, the last Mortal Sovereign Alchemist to reveal themselves had their dome of mystic power melting away!

Wei Wuyin was next?