Paragon of Sin
chapter-1707

Once, in a small town known as Red Dove City, there was a homeless drunk who was a retired scholar of philosophy and etiquette. He had informed a young, courageous boy who properly learned cultivation and principles from his elder brother that sincerity was best shown in threes.

He told of the three ceremonial bows of a lifetime, where one bows to the bindings of life, the eternal deliverance of death, and the recognition of all things beneath heaven and earth that were blessed upon you.

But most importantly, what stuck with him the most was the act of giving blessings and displays of love in three, especially when gifting, offering, or requesting things from heaven and earth. It was ravings of a distraught mind once keen and sharp, yet believed with all that drunk's soul, and the young, courageous boy had felt it.

Wei Wuyin had subconsciously lived by that principle. A small blip that was no more than twenty or so minutes of his life, listening to an old man who was briefly coherent as he poured his soul into those words, those principles. The most recent example was Yue Songli's date, while a further, more distant memory during his journey as an Inheritor of Sin was Anu.

Wei Wuyin thoughtfully and nostalgically recalled this once-distant memory that had slowly shaped his life. Abstract and lofty principles had turned him into the man he was today, given to him by those in his childhood. Normally, Wei Wuyin would have avoided any matter regarding Supreme Sages, especially such a suspicious encounter with a being far beyond his cultivation.

He had learned from his complex encounters with Blessed such as Lin Ming and Divine King Han Xei and his plot for bodily conquest, but he had also met Anu, who had tremendous power, yet readily agreed to the principle of three to show sincerity. Wei Wuyin obtained three drops of essence blood, the Fixed Soul Method, and the True Dragon Transmutation Method.

If Anu had tried to negotiate back then for less than three offerings of sincerity, Wei Wuyin would have decided to not trust him and departed hastily with all his might. But he hadn't. The dragon had agreed because he was honest in his desire and earnest in his intentions. This was what Wei Wuyin had wholeheartedly felt.

Thankfully too, because Anu's displays back then allowed him to obtain a family again. A family that he refused to lose again.

Wei Wuyin had used his Draconic Void Arts to take nine Soul-Bound Azaleas in accordance with the rules established by that supreme being with little risk, but while departing, the supreme being offered three offerings of sincerity. The first was the flower that stood as the emperor amongst those fields of Spirit-Bound and Soul-Bound flowers.

The second was the offer of service.

The third was the hidden, concealed form of protection that the supreme being had left around the Minor Elysium. It was barely perceptible, but Wei Wuyin's Celestial Eyes could perceive even unseen divinities, let alone a discreet protection rune that functioned as a defense against Oracles, Heavenly Seers, and Fortune Tellers. It probably had other functions.

Wei Wuyin tested it as they moved, realizing this invisible rune that was as small as a gnat was honed onto the emperor flower's aura that could transmit through the void itself. Wei Wuyin initially thought this was a sign of an insidious intention, but he trusted his instincts and always had.

This supreme being was honest.

But there was an issue.

Wei Wuyin could only set aside this event as the journey to the Utmost Purity Galaxy continued. He didn't seek out further divinations from Ming Shufeng to excavate greater fortune or discover potential fortuitous encounters and decided to make a direct path to the Utmost Purity Galaxy without delay. It wasn't that he was no longer interested, but time was already tight as is.

The horrid call of the Fourth Calamity sang softly in his soul.

While Wei Wuyin piloted the Minor Elysium, Pakhet quietly stood beside him as her gaze observed the starry expanse of the silent Dark Void. She stayed silent for several minutes before saying,

"I can assail the True Soul Phase."

Her words were backed with immense self-confidence, yet she still informed Wei Wuyin.

Wei Wuyin knew that Pakhet was searching for critical insight into her next steps of cultivation, and her trust in his opinion had been greatly heightened after their fight, her recovery, and the recent incident of interacting with a Supreme Sage.

"Your foundations are enough," he replied.

A flash of relief sparked in her eyes. Every tribulation of the Mystic Ascendant Realm was rife with dangers and great potential for failure. Moreover, she was concerned about how her Cultivation Art would manifest after. Her situation was quite special since she was soul-linked with seven other Sages, and their aspects of Mystic Dao cultivation were shared. If she ascended, they would subsequently ascend.

While they were all above average in terms of foundation and strength, especially herself, Imentet, Nepri, and Shattered Sphinx, which were possessors of Minor or Major Laws, she was fully aware that 'above average' was exactly as described. For example, if Enlightened Sage Springfield had met them as a True Sage, he would have been able to fight all eight of them to a standstill, just as Zhang Jiangwen, the notorious vagabond Sage, unless she resorted to her self-destructive tactic of using her Major Authority of Metal Law to imbue herself with heavenly might.

Wei Wuyin had witnessed how flimsy Nepri was with exhausting his foundation for his Dao Companion, something that he had done somewhat excessively during their Dual Cultivation prior to her ascent as a Sage, including how Imentet had damaged their foundation earlier with her reckless attempts. Things like that had left behind hidden injuries they all shared in their souls and fundamental cultivation, and this could affect the awakened connection with their True Soul.

She was concerned despite her confidence.

"But only enough," Wei Wuyin said honestly.

"..." Pakhet's eyes dimmed.

Wei Wuyin didn't look her way, saying directly as he maneuvered the Minor Elysium through a field of asteroids,

"You should already have an idea of my interest in you."

Wei Wuyin hadn't established a Void Portal beside the boundary of the galaxy, making his way over the 'natural' way from trillions of miles away.

"..." Pakhet remained silent.

"If you have no objections, I'll do my utmost to remedy your regrets and ensure your path of cultivation has been solidly paved and reinforced, built alongside an unshakeable foundation and indestructible pillars upholding your heart."

"..." Pakhet didn't immediately respond, only stared at the swiftly passing asteroids. Wei Wuyin didn't rush her either and no longer spoke. This was her decision, and while Wei Wuyin would prefer a particular response, he would still assist her even if she declined. He admired Pakhet in his heart; he genuinely wanted to see what heights she could reach.

However, his time and energy were not infinite.

Whoosh!

They escaped the dense asteroid field.

"Is that…?!" Ming Shufeng's eyes sparked with spiritual light as she pointed. After escaping the cluster of asteroids, it was almost as if they had entered an entirely different space, exiting a boundary, and she could see the entirety of the distant Utmost Purity Galaxy.

It was unnaturally beautiful. A spiraling mass of seven distinct colors, shrouded in a very thin layer of hazy multicolored mist. She was genuinely unable to fathom the sheer quantity of Utmost Purity Mist present, and her heart roared with utter amazement.

The Sages all observed the galaxy from afar, their eyes were as brilliant as stars and wondrously innocent as the joys of a child. Not one was an exception. Etched within their pupils was an unforgettable memory.

The Utmost Purity Galaxy.

A cosmic island composed of stars, gas, dust, mana, and essence that was regarded as the haven for Alchemists and where the Alchemic Dao thrived to an unimaginable extreme.

Nepri breathed out a breath of awe,

"The Utmost Purity Galaxy is shrouded by the Alchemic Dao, blessed by the World throughout and around. It is true. It really is true."

Nepit added,

"Said to be the single-most richest galaxy within countless miles. The origins of numerous Sages, Enlightened Sages, and Supreme Sages across galaxies all begin here. Without their products, who knows how many heroes or legends of history would have failed on their difficult path of cultivation? Who knows…"

Her words were laced with heavy emotion.

Nepri had paid a significant price and suffered loss after unreasonable loss to obtain excessively expensive Alchemical Products during their loving younger days, allowing her, who had incredibly ordinary talent, seen as having no hope of ever reaching the Heavenly Saint, to say anything of becoming a Sage, had her life overturned. The dreams of countless cultivators, dead and alive, were achieved by her.

A single man's love and willpower drove him to use his sturdy feet and strong legs to carry her to the top of her galactic hierarchy, standing shoulders with the strongest there, and wielding extraordinary authority and prestige. She had been the one in a quintillion.

Nepri never once complained, however. Not once. And never would he.

The layer of Utmost Purity Mist surrounding the galaxy had a wondrous river-like flowing current that spiraled alongside the galaxy, seemingly moving with the movements of the very Heart of the Galaxy. Unlike normal galaxies, Wei Wuyin could tell the heart of this galaxy was moving with the rest of the galaxy.

Pakhet had almost always had a neutral, indifferent facial expression on her face, cold as she was savage, beautiful as she was powerful, yet now, her entire self had undergone a subtle change as she observed the Utmost Purity Galaxy from afar. It was unknowable only to herself what she felt, but her next words resounded in Wei Wuyin's ears with adamant resolve.

"I agree."

Wei Wuyin acknowledged her decision.

"Then, Pakhet of the Storm and Rain, I, Wei Wuyin of Red Dove City, welcome you as my third Alchemic Knight."