Paragon of Sin

The Myriad Monarch Sect as of late had become a beacon of change and development, encapsulating the future. With the news of Wei Wuyin's acquiring of the Alchemist Association spread, the world couldn't help but simmer in anticipation.

There were numerous vibrant discussions from vivacious women and high-spirited men on who will be the next Realmlord of the starfield. With their ascension, the cascading effect of the Myriad Monarch Sect's indomitable rise would be written in stone.

While the world was experiencing a noticeable shift, the Myriad Monarch Sect's five Grand Imperial Sages assembled within a particularly impressive Sky Palace settled on the eighth level of the Sky Layer. Directly above the Extreme Imperial Mountain, the meeting was ongoing.

A large round table separated the five. They stood on sides and formed a perfect circle with five symmetrical points. Tuo Bihan faintly seemed to be positioned within the leader position, his aura thrumming with extraordinary power. As a newly ascended Realmlord, he hadn't been able to control the vast and impressive spatial energies within his body causing faint ripples to emit from him at times.

As it did, Zen, the Grand Imperial Sage of the Extreme Imperial Mountain and overseer of the law and order of the sect, would squint her reptilian eyes. A wisp of envy would flit through those eyes.

Tuo Bihan had a faint smile, careless and lazy, seemingly not changing from before. He still wore his signature grey robes, sported his grey hair, and had a lazy demeanor, but that intertwined with his powerful aura made him feel imposing instead.

"...finished handling the matter of the survivors. They're being treated by our top Medical Sages. Furthermore, Heavenly King Wei has provided numerous seven-grade life rejuvenating products. They should all make a full recovery after a year or two." Yao Zhen gave out his report, clearly feeling a little out of sorts as he spoke in a semi-fluid formal tone. The event wasn't the issue, but his duty of handling this task.

As a demon and the newest Grand Imperial Sage, he wasn't typically one to handle this, but it was Wei Wuyin's request, so he tried his best. Fortunately this was a matter that needed mere overseeing, as he was not one typically handling logistics. With a faint sigh at the end, Yao Zhen's eyes of violet flame trembled slightly.

Tuo Bihan smiled at Yao Zhen, a hint of pride in his eyes.

Zen coughed lightly, "Good." Her eyes glanced at Tuo Bihan, and her face became somewhat unsightly, a mixture being not knowing whether to cry or laugh. She could only take a deep breath and say, "Besides the matter of the survivors of the Chill Incident, we should discuss the regulation of the Myriad Monarch Sect's rules. As you all know, the ranking of Sages are determined by the highest phase cultivator present within the sect. Before, the highest standard was the Sixth Stage of the Astral Core Realm, the Gravity Emission Phase, and so the highest official ranking set that as a precedent.

"With the ascension of Grand Sage Tuo, we'll have to reassign the power structure of the sect, upping the overall standard of acceptance, as according to the sect's rules. With those at the Seventh Stage of the Astral Core Realm, the Realm World Phase, also known as Realmlords, being the entry requirements to the Grand Imperial Sage rank.

"This means all Elders, Disciples, and Sages will have a change in entry requirement, thereby shifting the Power of Authority." Zen said, her voice turned a little monotone at this point. This was the way of the sect and has been for a while, having experienced this shift quite regularly. Typically, this was merely for the decreasing quality of the sect, so this will be the first time it was used to alleviate the ranking requirements.

Ji Changkong's expression contorted slightly, his emotions quite complex after hearing this. Qin Rui sighed, but showed no resistance. Yao Zhen pouted a little, but he remained silent.

This was a rule established by the Founding Monarch Wu Yu to deal with the inevitable consequences of the King of Everlore's departure. He was keenly aware that the sect would decrease in quality, and so would the overall world. At the height of the Myriad Monarch Sect, the lowest type of elder, Mortal Captain-rank Elders, had the entry requirement of the Fourth Stage of the Astral Core Realm, Spatial Resonance Phase. While Nascent Dust and Mortal Common Disciples hadn't changed, the requirement to be an Earthly Warrior Disciples were the Third Stage of the Astral Core Realm, and Sky Nobles were the Fifth Stage of the Astral Core Realm.

Heavenly Kings, this demonically talented and highest form of disciple, had to be a Realmlord before the age of five hundred. The overall standard of cultivation during the King of Everlore era was simply that high. A clear reflection difference between now and then. The Imperial Sages, Primal Imperial Sages, and Grand Imperial Sages were held to an even higher standard, with the cut off being Realmlord, Timelord, and Starlord level respectively.

With these rules finally brought up, the five Grand Imperial Sages would be reduced to one: Tuo Bihan. As the only Realmlord present, he would be the only one who can officially have such a high level of Power of Authority.

The five individuals were all extremely talented, having their fair share of fortuitous encounters and events happen to them, but this position that fought, bled, cried, and killed for would soon be stripped from them. But they held no animosity towards Tuo Bihan, only frustrated envy.

This wasn't a rule he had even brought up, clearly not minding if they were to ignore it, but there was already talks. There were numerous elders and sages who sought to elevate the sect, wishing to reverse the sect's failings with this display. It was to show the world that the standard of quality in the Myriad Monarch Sect had risen!

Zen began to list off the changes that would happen with this, including the demotion of a few Imperial Sages and Prime Imperial Sages. For example, Mortal Captain-rank Elders would no longer have an entry of the First Stage of Astral Core Realm. While the upper-limit of the Third Stage will remain, the Second Stage would be the entry requirement. Roughly 60% of all elders were about to be demoted to an Honorary Elder-like position with very little Power of Authority.

The landscape of the entire sect was about to shift.

"Does anyone have any input?" Zen inquired.

"..." None of them had. It was merely regulations and rules, a type of way to keep the peace and order of the sect.

Seeing no objections, she nodded. "Then, the order will be placed into effect over the course of the coming weeks, giving transitional time. During which, the Power of Authority will be given a waning influence to prevent radical abuse out of desperation. As for Grand Imperial Sage Qin Rui, Grand Imperial Sage Ji Changkong, Grand Imperial Sage Yao Zhen, and myself, Grand Imperial Sage Zen, we'll be considered as Prime Imperial Sages from henceforth. Furthermore, we'll no longer possess full authority over our respective Extreme Mountains, regulated to overseers until a Grand Imperial Sage of appropriate level is selected. Until then, Grand Imperial Sage Tuo Bihan will have full authority over the Extreme Penta Dao Mountains and their subsequent duties."

"..." Ji Changkong bitterly smiled. Knowing it and hearing it, they truly hit a little too different.

Zen then unexpectedly turned to Tuo Bihan, "Grand Sage Tuo…"

"Hm?" Tuo Bihan maintained his lazy smile. He was under no pressure, fully going to delegate the duties of overseeing the mountains to their former Grand Imperial Sages. He enjoyed a comfortable life so he barely managed his own mountain, let alone willing to for the others.

"I must ask: How did you ascend, becoming a Realmlord?" This question perked up everyone present, even Qin Rui. This was a question on everybody's mind. After all, Tuo Bihan was a purist cultivator and he was less powerful than that legendary purist of the Sacred Light Palace, and the latter failed miserably.

How did he succeed?

Tuo Bihan's brows faintly lifted, but it wasn't a secret. With Wei Wuyin not restricting his right to speak of certain matters, he was free to say what he wanted. As for this, it truly wasn't much to remain a secret. The world already had an inclination as to how, so why keep the suspense?

"Do you guys know of the Spiritual World Ascension Elixir and the Spatial World Ascension Elixir? They are high-tier and peak-tier alchemical products, capable of further refining one's Soul Idol and Spatial Resonance, reaching a higher level post-ascension."

Zen gasped lightly. The others wore shocked expressions. How could they not know about these legendary elixirs that were heaven-defying? The Alchemic Dao was renowned for its abilities to redefine an individual's talent and foundation, and these two elixirs were ample examples of how it was done in the Astral Core Realm. It was rumored that a sufficiently good quality version of these products can elevate a Six-Ringed Soul Idol and Six-Ripple Spatial Resonance to Nine.

Tuo Bihan then explained what had happened. Then, he faintly revealed the nine rings and nine spatial rings of his cultivation base. This left them stupefied.

Qin Rui's heart clenched in disbelief, an explosive shock was erupting in her heart. "Wei Wuyin concocted them for you?" She was so shocked that she called Wei Wuyin by his direct name, but no one besides Tuo Bihan noticed and he didn't care. Even if Tuo Bihan decided to concoct these products, he might take decades and only produce impure-quality products.

While they were aware of Wei Wuyin's heaven-defying talent, much like the King of Everlore's, they couldn't help but still find it incredibly shocking. It was hard to rid one's mind of preconceptions long since accepted since the beginning of their cultivation.

Tuo Bihan nodded, not denying it. Wei Wuyin hadn't changed his grade of light energies because that was permanently set. Even the Refraction World-Light Elixir offered no help in this regard. The only foundational factors of cultivation phases that could be changed retroactively was the Soul Idol and Spatial Resonance. These two tribulations left the body with unrefined energies that can be used to extract their latent potential.

"...I see." Zen's expression was a little ugly. She recalled her assault and berating of Wei Wuyin during that moment in the hall, her expression twisting a little more. She had a relatively decent relationship with Wei Wuyin, even having him give her little requests here and there, but after that incident, there were no requests given to her. She received no more products for her descendants or herself, leaving her certain that her actions had left her out of his favor.

A similar thought emerged in Ji Changkong's mind, realizing that standing by Long Chen had caused a noticeable change in treatment by Wei Wuyin's envoys.

Qin Rui frowned. While she wasn't in the same position as them, still receiving requests from his subordinates, also receiving some sixth-grade and seventh-grade essence-based products, she had chosen to remain chaste and uninvolved. While she had her own pride, for some reason she felt that it was very unlikely that Wei Wuyin would invest into her.

While Wei Wuyin would respect her choice thoroughly, likely to feel that her integrity and manner of carrying herself was worth investing in, he wasn't aware of it. At this moment, she bore no difference than the others. And it was unlikely she would speak to him about this matter directly, it'll just come off very odd.

"I've decided not to be your woman, remaining chaste until I desire otherwise." There was no man that wouldn't find that strange and somewhat offensive. It had to come from a third-party, and even then it had to be said correctly so as to portray her in a good light while avoiding insulting the other party.

But this belief of hers was confirmed after Yao Zhen, the only one who was actually given a little more duties than before. "You've joined Wei Wuyin's faction?" His words were sudden, prompting the others to turn their eyes over.

Tuo Bihan didn't hide it. Just like the King of Everlore in the past, only those he invested in due to whatever reasons were capable of ascending beyond the Astral Core Realm. There was very little difference in today's climate.

Nodding, he said: "The little boss has a way with words. Since he needed me, I answered the call." While he was faintly speaking in a joking manner, he couldn't help but glance at Qin Rui. Her decision meant cutting off her path to a Mystic Ascendant. There was no reason Wei Wuyin would randomly decide to invest in someone who wasn't loyal to him nor thoroughly invest in those who aren't his direct subordinates or women.

Even if he had a million eighth-grade products, this just won't change. As for the wanton spread of products? If they all had to compete, they might not even be able to afford it as they fought off the others in the starfield. They could only wait until Wei Wuyin placed some products of a high grade in the mission rewards batch, which will be fought over with even greater ferocity.

As for just asking? If it was so simple, everyone would've done so. He had once brought up Qin Rui and Yao Zhen in conversation, saying they had good talent but a weak foundation due to the era, but Wei Wuyin merely smiled it off. It wasn't cold, it was practical; thus, he understood.

Yao Zhen's pair of violet flame eyes grew in intensity, betraying his interest. There was a difference between being loyal to Wei Wuyin and loyal to the sect. Due to the rules, the Grand Monarch Lineage would always be the prime rulers of the sect, and unless someone destroys it, that's how it'll be.

Zen'a breathing became somewhat heavy, a wisp of regret within her eyes. With her foundation, she would certainly die challenging the Realm World Astral Tribulation. A forlorn expression emerged on her face.

"..."

Tuo Bihan realized that, besides Yao Zhen, everyone else had become quiet and emotional. He was speechless, uncertain what to say. He couldn't help but think: "Is this how those during the King of Everlore's era felt?"

He randomly wondered if there were other cultivation societies beyond the Dark Void, if they were as reliant on alchemists as them.

"Haaa...Let's discuss the Gateway Door's finalizing date and conditions." Deciding to change the subject, he brought up the Gateway Door, a topic that had been discussed for so long. It was approaching the time for the Elemental Heaven Pavilion and Myriad Monarch Sect to send their members to scour the unknown.