Paragon of Sin

Instantly, the vast lands of the Evercrown Ceremony experienced continuously deafening explosions, thunderous and ravaging, as well as bursts of fiery light possessing world-incinerating heat.

BOOM! BOOM! CRACKLE!! BURN!!!

The epic battle between the charcoal-skinned Evil Sentinel and the shocking arrival of a new Earthly Saint of the Human Race not of the initial nine unfolded before the eyes of the Chosen present. They were utterly baffled, especially those scant few who weren't unaware of the special exception made by the Ascended Sovereigns.

Tambu Ma was one of them; the Chosen of the Titan Race was unable to comprehend how this Earthly Saint existence was currently possessing their cultivation. Did they ascend during the Chosen King Competition? But when he thought about it, there was no way that was possible-he would've sensed it!

He should've sensed it.

...right?

A seed of doubt surfaced in his already shaken Heart of Cultivation, causing him to doubt the strength of his senses and abilities, slowly devolving into low self-esteem as he concluded there was a chance. Why? Because he wasn't strong enough to notice many other things, why not one more?

"Does their Mystic Aura seem unstable?" Tula Yi asked with a dubious expression on her face as if she was unsure if it was just her senses being incorrect. While the Earthly Saint clashing with the Evil Sentinel was certainly powerful, there seemed to be something inconsistent in their normally unfathomable aura.

"..." Tambu Ma tried to use his Spiritual Sense to feel the fluctuation, but a cloud over his heart similarly obscured the effectiveness of his senses. He was unable to tell! "I don't think so?" The greater consequences of losing one's self-confidence and having one's Heart of Cultivation shaken was being showcased on this once domineering, charismatic Earthly Saint Chosen.

"Huh," Tula Yi frowned. Was her senses truly wrong?

BOOM!!

It was as if a massive firebomb went off as hectic, burning flames scattered for hundreds of miles, scorching anything and everything they touched. A few Chosen from the World Beyond were in a panic as they retreated fearfully, trying to escape the range of the continuously moving battle. A few unlucky souls were caught up in the charcoal-skinned Evil Sentinel's attempts to retaliate, losing their lives without being able to cry out their grievance.

The two fought without any words; the fight grew increasingly intense at every exchange. Initially, the charcoal-skinned Evil Sentinel was caught off-guard in a perfectly timed attack. The damage inflicted was not small, and most Earthly Saints might have lost a huge portion of their fighting strength then and there, but this particular Evil Sentinel not only had Mystic Heart Intent to bring the world to his defense, but he was a specialized Martial Cultivator-a cultivator that used Physical Force to much greater effect than ordinary cultivators, much like Spiritual Cultivators and Spiritual Force.

The Evil Sentinel's body was insidiously sturdy, and despite being burnt on a surface level, his refined flesh and blood were far too powerful to be incinerated by an Ascension Art of the Third Way by a mere Earthly Saint without Mystic Heart Intent! Moreover, this Earthly Saint was strange!

As he adjusted his condition, defending himself with each move granting him greater degrees of short reprieve, the Evil Sentinel noticed the peculiarity of the situation, especially the cultivator's aura. They only used Ascension Arts of the 3rd Way, but their initial strength seemed to be on par with a 9th Runic Ascendant.

With his knowledge of cultivation, the Evil Sentinel was spontaneously enlightened. He grinned as he viciously punched with a blackened, scorched fist, shattering a spear of violent flames aiming for his throat.

"Need some milk? Your body isn't looking too good." The toothy, bloody grin of his was infuriating to behold.

When he said this, he couldn't help but find some time to observe the figure that was wreathed in flames. While he couldn't determine the person's identity, the fiery blaze was unable to stop his senses from determining her gender off the Primal Yin aura she exuded. Moreover, he knew that this Primal Yin did not belong to an Earthly Saint, or it would be so overwhelming that he would've smelt it a million miles away, but of a cultivator at the Mystic Star Phase. It was unenhanced by any Yin-type Cultivation Methods, so it was easier to determine its level for someone like him.

He licked his burnt lips, cackling madly as he blocked another attack aimed at his torso. He didn't even try to attack yet, focusing on defense while keeping his senses firmly attached to this person's aura. Whatever tricks she was using to temporarily grant her Earthly Saint-level power was nearing its end.

San Yongli was concealed by the Null Cloak; however, as she watched the fight unfold, her expression darkened and a somber light flickered within her normally gorgeously treasure-like ruby eyes. She knew this Earthly Saint wasn't an Earthly Saint, but a cultivator relying on an external means of power, tapping into a specific merging method with the ancient expert's soul hidden in her Dantian.

That pseudo-Earthly Saint was a figure written in the Book of Heaven's Path that was updated after the Chosen King Competition began, allowing her to gain some access to information beyond the Sealed Regions. San Yongli had helped her survive a lethal calamity, sharing in her fortune as they worked in tandem.

Just like Wei Wuyin, she was seeking out allies to invest in. With her assistance, not only had they gained benefits, it was far greater than what she was originally supposed to receive despite the two sharing. This was another benefit of the Book of Heaven's Path! Not only could it lead her to fortune, but if she aided those on it through her foreknowledge, she could gain greater benefit and potential friends with figures destined for a great future!

Due to their relationship, she was aware that the figure would assist her, and that she was observing the situation. Even trying to actively draw the charcoal-skinned Sentinel's attention to only her so that a premium opportunity could be seen, launching a decisive, deadly blow.

Unfortunately...

The Earthly Saint was relentless in her attacks, utterly merciless and fueled by unrestrained killing intent, but after her initial attack, the subsequent attacks lacked a type of lethal danger to it. The charcoal-skinned Evil Sentinel's powerful physical body made it far too difficult to handle to deal significant damage.

Within her Dantian, a mature, womanly voice that was stern, haughty, and chastising resounded, reaching her Sea of Consciousness: "Xiao Yanyue, your usage of Mystic Power is too low level; you can't even emulate a thousandth of my power properly! This vile cretin is trying to exhaust your strength, so find an opportunity to flee!" The voice sounded firm, but there was a subtle, almost indistinct sound of concerned panic.

The soul was using an exquisite method of imparting a portion of their strength into the Mystic Core of Xiao Yanyue, but the female Blessed of the World Beyond lacked a Mystic Soul, so what she could handle and properly use was fundamentally different.

The soul was already bringing forth an Earthly Saint-level of power at the 9th Runic Ascendant State, and even that wasn't enough to handle the Evil Sentinel due to his Mystic Heart Intent and disgustingly sturdy body. Furthermore, Xiao Yanyue's body was unable to handle such a powerful Infusion for long, her Mystic Aura was already growing increasingly unstable with each passing moment and her body was degrading from the inside.

The urge to scold Xiao Yanyue for assisting a recently made acquaintance because she helped her once and decided to declare themselves as 'friends' going forward was suppressed. She couldn't bear to deliver that line given Xiao Yanyue's state.

Xiao Yanyue was in tremendous pain, but she gritted her teeth and kept the assault going. She knew she didn't have long before her Earthly Saint power dissipated into smoke and her life would be all but forfeit. She cursed that her prime opportunity to strike, which was when the Evil Sentinel was at the height of his distracted state, preferably while not circulating his power at all, had never come despite seeming like it would!

Unaware that certain circumstances had caused her to act before ideal circumstances were met, she could only fight! As for fleeing? Where? How?! She fought with much greater intensity and murderous intent as her cells shrieked in agony.

From a mountain peak far, far away, Wei Wuyin rubbed his lower chin with his right index finger and thumb as he wore a vaguely intrigued and contemplative expression. This was the first Chosen that he had met that was using the Mystic Star Ascension Method used by the true geniuses of the World Beyond. Moreover, she was young too. Relatively speaking. She was only about three hundred years old.

"She's already perfectly grasped three ways of Mysticism. Interesting," Wei Wuyin ascertained with a glance. She could, despite not being at the Earthly Saint Phase, unleash Ascension Arts as a Mystic Star Phase cultivator while those at the Soul of Mysticism and Demi-Mortal Lord Phases could only use Minor Ascension Arts.

This woman could potentially fight two stages above her cultivation already! This was unprecedented in the Sealed Regions for the Mystic Ascendant Realm. She had the signs of a true Chosen from the World Beyond. If she faced a 1st Runic Ascendant Earthly Saint, with the right armaments and circumstances, she could potentially escape or defeat them!

Cultivation was difficult, but the path she was taking was exceptionally arduous and equally rewarding. If she wasn't a Blessed and given heavenly opportunities, Wei Wuyin was skeptical that she could properly take this particular path. Only the true elites did, and even then, many, many, MANY fail. Those who did were often among youngsters born to Mystic Overlords, Earthly Saint Alchemists, or of the various top-tier forces of the World Beyond.

When he was a Mortal Saint Alchemist, he strongly debated whether he should have the Ascendants simply cultivate the 'normal' way. Fortunately, he was a Worldly Saint Alchemist, and he had the memories and experience of his alternative life, an exceptional Earthly Saint Alchemist in his own right, so his decision was much easier.

Meanwhile, the other Evil Sentinels were not idle or observing while eating popcorn. The fight of Earthly Saints was not something they felt too inclined to participate in, so they soared like hungry ghosts toward these young, nubile, and fresh Chosen.

"KILL! KILL! KILL!"

"I WANT THE FAT ONE! KEKEKE!!"

"Come here little boy, let me give you a hug that your father likely never gave you. It'll be to die for, trust me."

The Evil Sentinels were beings of malevolent intent and many were adept at using sound-based Spiritual Spells to disrupt their enemies, creating a double-layered distraction of being slapped by a spell and trying to conceive a response or deal with rising emotional rage.

However, while there were sounds of slaughter, the battles unfolding were intense as well!

The Ascendants had already grouped prior. Most limited their numbers, only teaming up temporarily to try to deal with three great threats-Wu Baozhai, Na Xinyi, and her Royal Majesty. Of course, none of them were particularly inclined to attack Xue Yifei. Whether they consciously tried or not, Wei Wuyin's image in their hearts was imprinted too deeply, and looking at Xue Yifei was no different than looking at Wei Wuyin.

Just the thought of trying to harm her and causing Wei Wuyin the slightest potential displeasure was enough to stifle a great portion of their killing intent. What if they did kill her?

Xue Yifei knew this and knew that only the Valkyrie or Prime Ascendants wouldn't have those misgivings, so she focused on the Chosen from the World Beyond or the newfound Evil Sentinels. Ernu had the power of a Demi-Mortal Lord, and she was already large as she flew in the sky, clashing with two Demi-Mortal Lords as Xue Yifei assisted with corrupting Spiritual Spells that infused a demonic violet in their gazes.

They would grimace as they glared at Xue Yifei, but Ernu's draconic pressure and might were far too difficult to handle to divert their attention to this troublesome beauty. Moreover, despite her massive body, Ernu moved through space like a fish in the sea. She navigated their attacks and prevented any fluctuations from reaching Xue Yifei. The Horned-Firmament Azure Dragon was a type of Spatial Dragon after all!

Wu Baozhai and Na Xinyi weren't idle either: they aimed for Evil Sentinels.

"I got two!" Wu Baozhai said as she yanked her halberd from a Mystic Star Phase Evil Sentinel's stomach, bringing out a Mystic Core with an Astral Soul within. It exuded a naturally evil aura that could corrode the world. It carried all the signs of a genuine, bonafide Evil Cultivator. The foreign power lingering on it from others, likely recently extracted or not fully refined yet was sickening to her.

"Three." Na Xinyi was wielding her Sword of Yin and took out three Ascendants at the Mystic Star Phase, expertly extracting their Mystic Cores. They weren't even able to react before they lost their lives, and a few were even trying to use sound-based Spiritual Spells to disrupt Na Xinyi's spirit and mind.

"One of mine is a Venerable," Wu Baozhai grinned as she waved the first Mystic Core she obtained. Within, a Mystic Soul squirmed as it was suppressed by three World Heart Intents and her Imperial Heaven Aura.

Na Xinyi's expression changed very slightly. Her eyes found a Demi-Mortal Lord that was ripping out the head of a Soul of Mysticism Phase Chosen from the World Beyond, drinking their blood in a disturbing, violent fashion. The method caused his own Mystic Aura and Physical Force to visibly elevate at mind-boggling speeds. The Evil Methods of these Evil Sentinels were not simple at all! They seemed vastly stronger than those known in the Sealed Regions'.

She, however, decided to go with quality over quantity now. Within a blink of an Ascended's eye, she was madly tangled in combat with this Evil Sentinel.

Whoosh!

Wu Baozhai released a short laugh as she brandished her spear, sealing the other Mystic Core.

Suddenly, her eyes grew focused and she darted toward the side.

"The two Commanders..."

BANG!!

Her eyes moved to see a gigantic Da Shan crushing her foe with a vicious slap. The Evil Sentinel was only an Exalted, only at the Mystic Star Phase, so they were slapped to death, becoming mangled flesh and broken bones. Without a Mystic Soul, Exalted can die almost as easily as Mortals.

A strange, harmonic aura of fire and water erupted too. An aggrieved scream erupted before being abruptly silenced.

She suddenly sensed movement in the air as auras vanished abruptly in the distance.

"Arrows..." Wu Baozhai softly muttered. She knew that the true cultivators were seizing Evil Sentinels' Mystic Cores. While the Evil Sentinels were on the hunt for lives, the Ascendants were on the hunt for theirs.

[Author's Note: A glimpse at that path WW mentioned? :O And yes. Fire, Old Grandparent, Using Other's Strength. XD to those who know, you know. Lol.]