Paragon of Sin

The Twin Beacon Stellar Region was an astral neighbor to the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region since the dawn of written history, once divided by millions of miles of Void-Blank Space. It was once prosperous and filled with thriving planets, numerous and varied lunar satellites, and radiant Solar Stars. This all drastically changed during the former Imperial Clan's reign and the Seven Sages Tower's development of the Echoing Stars of Vastness Pill. The stellar region was one of the first areas that fell victim to the 'need' for natural Solar Stars from the dual disaster.

Now, the Twin Beacon Stellar Region was a mere shadow of its former self, lacking even substantial celestial debris as it had been mostly cleaned out by the Void Hunters throughout the years. Despite its proximity to the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, there was an absence of material, only the privately established Void Pirate bases concealed through various formations and defended by arrays.

Over the years, few would directly venture into this territory, directly deciding nine times out of ten to bypass it through Void Gate channels. Not only was it barren, but the once Void-Blank Space that spanned millions of miles had long since been seized by the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, forming the edges of several Domains, and causing the neighboring side to be bereft of any distance, while billions of miles of territory had been directly seized as well.

The Imperial Clan had bases within the area. However, these bases weren't too strong and often were assigned to those who had caused indescribable trouble or offended a great figure, often seen as an assignment of punishment rather than a reward. If there was an invasion, this place would be the first casualty of war and the first alerting system in place.

Therefore, there wasn't anyone particularly strong in the stellar region itself. At most, an Exalted or three. These individuals were only considered 'false' Ascended beings, as 'true' Ascended beings had more lucrative punishments that could greatly benefit the Imperial Clan.

Some of the Domains had outposts as well, yet they too were seen in a similar light with very little investment.

Seven beings stood atop a large flat-circular platform that was formed by pure Mystic Power laced with the profundities of Permanence. It floated in the sky calmly and silently. Not even the outposts were capable of noticing it despite their sensory formations in place.

"You're right, this is a good location to establish a starfield to serve as our base of operations."

Those words came out of a middle-aged woman with a mature charm and a beauty mark that was perfectly placed on the side of her lip. She was garbed in silver robes adorned with animated depictions of lunar cycles that flowed beautifully on its surface and accentuated her looks and outstandingly voluptuous figure that was almost excessively sensual. If not for her modest dressing, her body would stir eunuchs and ghosts.

She was Hu Meifang, a Silver Moon Librarian, one of the highest-ranking members who oversaw the Sacred Library, specifically the Guardian Tower.

The ranking for Sacred Library Librarians began with Pages who handled simple matters, acting as staff and assistants to Librarians or their visiting patrons. After Pages were the Librarians, starting from the Azure Moon Librarians who handled the Free Study and Sealed Tower. They had a minimum cultivation requirement of the Third Stage of the Mystic Ascendant Realm, the Demi-Mortal Lord Phase.

Crimson Moon Librarians handled the Voyage Tower, and they included individuals such as Shi Peng who made a singing assault on the Rainbow World Starfield, if information or material was seen as too valuable, the Azure Moon Librarians would send it up the chain, allowing the Crimson Moon Librarians to vet it to decide whether it belonged in the Sealed Tower, the Voyage Tower, or bring it higher up the chain to the Guardian Tower overseen by the Silver Moon Librarians.

The Crimson Moon Librarians' minimum cultivation was at the Earthly Saint Phase while it was heavily rumored yet unconfirmed that Silver Moon Librarians required a Worldly Saint Phase cultivation base!

From the faint aura of Mystic World Intent emanating from Hu Meifeng, this rumor was most definitely true!

"How is this a good location?"

A masculine voice resounded with a scoff infused deeply with dissatisfaction. It belonged to a figure in azure-colored full-body armor that exuded a menacing, terrifying feeling from a single glance. He was of average height with a mediocre build, but his faint aura revealed a wisp of Mystic World Intent as well! This was none other than Su Nianzu, the Lord of the City of Guardians. Despite his armor's exuded aura, his voice lacked any unique qualities, almost as if it originated from a nondescript common man.

He continued, "We should have just used the Void Voyage Sect's secret realm."

"This place will do well to serve our future endeavors,"

An elderly man with a muscular figure and tall stature said while hunched forward slightly with a long wooden cane supporting his white-robed figure. Despite his aged, withered face and hands, his eyes were brimming with a discomforting amount of vibrant life and strength, completely contradicting his withered, wrinkled, and stone-grey hair tied in a bun with loose strands at the sides. He seemed oddly well-kept yet equally as messy.

When he spoke, Su Nianzu grunted. This elderly man piled with contradictory visual tones was none other than a former Guardian of the Time Vortex turned reclusive hermit after fathering an ungodly amount of children in the Endless Voyage Realm. There were unverified rumors that seven to eight percent of all native inhabitants of the Endless Voyage Realm's human population originated from this elderly man. However, to them, this was not an exaggerated rumor but a known fact!

He was named Jia Yang, and his cultivation was unfathomable alongside his advanced age.

"Why aren't we using the Void Voyage Sect's Secret Realm?"

Su Nianzu didn't even bother engaging Jia Yang, directing his question to a young, gorgeous woman dressed in cerulean robes with a silver-colored belt. She had a willowy body figure and two proud peaks at her chest. She was extremely beautiful with a type of direct, alluring charm that was far from Hu Meifang's sensual qualities.

She was an almost spitting image of Liu Suyin!

Liu Yinlan!

"Until we eliminate any 'threats', we can't enter the Void Voyage Secret Realm. We have no idea what traps may lay in wait."

"Traps?"

Su Nianzu said with a tone as if he was openly frowning beneath his helmet. Then, as if after recalling something specific, he gave a rife with a mocking response: "Right."

Liu Yinlan was unbothered by the underlying tone.

"I would rather not get involved with your private grudges,"

Hu Meifang stated plainly. None of them was ignorant of Liu Yinlan's history with the so-called Tian Clan of the Ancient Sealed Region. She was, after all, a native-born from this place.

"That might not be for you to decide,"

A gorgeous mature-looking woman with trimmed eyebrows, and indigo-colored eyes that could engross the masses said while carrying three thick books under her right arm. She pushed her round glasses up the bridge of her nose as her brunette hair tied flawlessly into a ponytail without a strand of hair out of place moved slightly, mesmerizing to observe as a faint scholarly presence exuded from her every cell.

Zhangjie Wushu!

There were two others, a young man and a young woman who seemed to be in their early twenties. They were handsome and beautiful, and they held hands while observing the situation. They would exchange glances from time to time, but they didn't speak at all. It was clear from their life auras and presence that they were two newly ascended Worldly Saints, likely no more than a few hundred years ago. Moreover, they were Dao Companions from the faint heavenly air that was generated from their direct contact. They truly carried the faint presence of an immortal couple.

They were Zhen Yang and Peng Yue. They watched quietly as their seniors discussed.

"And why is that?"

Hu Meifang questioned with an annoyed glint in her eye.

"You're smart enough to figure it out yourself. If not, perhaps you should retire from your position as you've clearly grown quite old,"

Liu Yinlan stated plainly.

"What did you say?"

Hu Meifeng's eyes flared as she moved her gaze from Zhangjie Wushu to Liu Yinlan, her voluptuous figure was very visually stimulating despite her modest attire. It was an outrageous sight.

"If you've grown half-deaf already, then maybe it is time to leave your post,"

Zhangjie Wushu added, seemingly agreeing with Liu Yinlan's assessment.

"..."

Hu Meifang's eyes seethed. However, she calmly recited some profound mantra, closed her eyes, and swiftly regulated her rising temper. She refused to allow these two to spur a reaction out of her.

The group looked at Hu Meifang for a moment, and then Su Nianzu said:

"Fine. We'll get dragged into it regardless, so why not be willing and direct? So who do we have to eliminate to seize-"

Su Nianzu pointed at the far-off stellar glint, the Aeternal Sky Star, and continued, "-that."

The Aeternal Sky Star was a Supermassive Solar Star with the Mystic Radiance Belt, and they all had greed flickering within their eyes as they observed it. Some were subdued while others were more rampant.

"First, we should understand the limits that the Sealing Array will allow. For example, can we use items invested with Heavenly Radiance? How much of our Cultivation Base is unrestricted by the Sealing Array? Where is the Spirit of the Endless Void Mirror and whether we should force it to hibernate beforehand? Moreover, we need to know about the intricate qualities of our target and its defenders."

Zhangjie Wushu brought up several good points.

The others agreed.

"Then, shall we act after we've verified everything? Then, and only then, will we be able to properly use this area as a base of operations to house the citizens of our Endless Voyage Realm."

Liu Yinlan didn't disagree. If she had come alone, even if her cultivation base was suppressed after having a True Destined Voyager replace her, she would have taken the initiative to attack Tian Taizong without any hesitation.

However, she now had six other cultivators who sought profit and benefits in this world rife with ripe fortune that has been vastly underutilized by its inhabitants. Why would she act hastily when she can guarantee success through borrowed knives with a little conversation and goading.

"Our?"

Hu Meifang sneered. Liu Yinlan was a native of the Ancient Sealed Region, she had never even seen the world beyond the Fold, yet she...how laughable.

Liu Yinlan glanced at Hu Meifang but moved away soon after. There was a reason why they didn't get along and that condescending tone rife with disdain and contempt was anger-inducing to the very soul. And she had to deal with that for thousands upon thousands of years.

"Can you tell us everything about these two thriving stellar regions?"

Jia Yang asked politely to Liu Yinlan, giving her the proper respect of a Guardian of the Endless Voyage Realm.

"Two?"

Liu Yinlan frowned as she gazed at the distant Supermassive Solar Star in the distance. She had received a message through a special channel about Wei Wuyin during his Neo-Dawn Alchemic Expo...

Her expression gradually grew solemn. "I'll tell you what I know."

Xia Jia's figure landed in her garden unsteady. She seemed thoroughly shaken, fear still effusing from her eyes. She hastily and nervously formed a few hand-seals, solidifying the rainbow veil as if scared to be spied on by a terrifying power. After she executed that function of the array, her eyes that were dripping with horror suddenly dimmed.

Her tense lips and spine grew relaxed and straightened. Then, she revealed a smile.

"Everything's a little expedited with a few unpredicted events, but everything's still going along the correct route." There was deep satisfaction in her tone as if she received great applause for her performance. When she arrived at the spot where a Hou Lan vanished and a Hou Lan had their skull crushed, she paused for a while.

"Hou Lan?"

She softly muttered, her senses scanning the garden but finding nothing. "Where is she?" After saying this, she checked her life talisman and discovered that it had been shattered very recently.

"..."

Hou Lan was dead.

There was no roar of rage or shout of sadness. She lifted her gaze at the sky, as if peering beyond the rainbow veil, and her brows furrowed with narrowed eyes. "How ruthless of you, Tian Taizong..."

She knew there would be a punishment, but to think this would...

Clenching her fists, her entire body shook slightly. Anyone who knew Xia Jia would know she was in a state of unbearable anger, sufficient to rampage the depths of hell, and ravage worlds!