Paragon of Sin

1353 Chapter 1347: CKC, Everclash (1)

As Wang Yutian's announcement thundered, the various alchemists of the World Beyond, including Qingye Ying, Tian Xiaolu, and the Alchemists of the Hepta-Dawn Alchemic Corps of the Ascendants, started to make preparations. Many of these geniuses of the Alchemic Dao among the World Beyond were named figures of reputable backgrounds and feats, so, despite the focus of the competition, those of lesser status or significantly weaker strength were vigilant and observant of their every movement.

It was clear that the Everclash was not an unfamiliar test to these alchemists from the World Beyond as their initial moves varied yet were rife with preparation. Wei Wuyin was rather curious as he observed. While he had participated in a mock contest, that was among the older generation of the Endless Voyage Realm, and there was a distinctive difference in quality and skill between them.

Additionally, Wei Wuyin had never personally seen titans concoct before, in either life. The World Between the Fold shockingly lacked them, but in the Everclash, there was no shortage of them. Their large forms acted with deft swiftness and practiced ease. As their energies circulated throughout their bodies, Wei Wuyin distinctly recalled Da Shan's recent transformation and felt that each titan was circulating their powers through their skeletal frame. He nodded faintly in his heart, relieved.

The Alchemists might have been randomly separated, but they seemed to be moving cautiously using a variety of talismans that executed extremely powerful spatial shifting. The blips of spatial ripples fluttering drew Wei Wuyin's attention.

"Brother Dong-Gun! The talisman worked as you said!" the cheerful voice of a young girl with an Alchemic Soul transmitted spiritually, but to Wei Wuyin's senses, it was as clear as day as he subtly eavesdropped. She was of the Celestial Race, her fluffy tail wiggled in a cutesy manner, and her star-pupil eyes were teeming with joy.

"Of course, Junior Yoo-jin! The Shifting-Bond Spatial Talismans work even in the Everclash. We'll be able to remain together as long as we're in the same stage." After the male Celestial replied, he became serious as he looked around. When his gaze landed on certain figures, his expression changed and contained heavy vigilance.

"Brother Dong-Gun, shall we set up our defenses now or wait?" The young woman called Junior Yoo-Jin saw his eyes shift about and felt a little unsafe.

"Yeah…" Rang Dong-Gun hurriedly brought out a few tools that he set up in a square formation. They were pikes that glittered with mystic light. Wei Wuyin's uniquely exceptional sight for a mere mortal could see the Mystic Runes carved exquisitely on them. Junior Yoo-Jin executed a few hand-seals; clearly, they had practiced this time and again.

Within a few seconds, a dome of thirty feet of space was erected, split down the middle as they each took a specific side. They looked at each other, and the young woman smiled cheerfully and joyfully that the barrier had finished being established.

Wei Wuyin's eyes observed from afar; he was once again intrigued by the unique naming sense of Celestials. It sounded less odd than Titans such as Ji Tu, Zun Torju, and Zi Fu. The Titan Race's naming sense resembled Demons of the Everlore Starfield initially.

They weren't the only ones to gather through various means. There was a group of five that blitzed towards each other through a strange light, a pair of Dao Companions that somehow melted and reappeared in an entirely different area from two different locations, and a group of three that similarly used spatial shifting to gather together from various areas. Clearly, they were fully aware that they would be separated.

But what confused him was that they had been given ample time before; why not move normally? Since he had never experienced this type of Everclash, specifically with Chosen of the Alchemic Dao according to the King of Everlore's rules, he was slightly unsure by a few of their actions. However, he received his answer after some illicit listening.

This was merely them 'testing' if their methods worked in the Everclash. He also realized a few individuals stood where they were, frustration and anger flashing across their faces as they looked for their teammates but didn't dare to move from their location. They begrudgingly began setting up their areas alone.

The alchemists carved out locations for themselves; Tian Xiaolu and Qingye Ying were no exception. The two were together, so they got together.

"Sorry, Wei Wuyin, but—" Qingye Ying's expression became apologetic as she moved together with Tian Xiaolu, but Wei Wuyin interrupted her with a smile and a wave. "You came prepared, and so have I. Don't worry about it, and just focus on the competition. I'll be fine." The smile he revealed was filled with relaxed confidence, bright and carefree. Qingye Ying was instantly stunned by his response, her heart pounding as she blushed for reasons she couldn't explain.

Tian Xiaolu's expression changed somewhat. She grabbed Qingye Ying's hand and pulled her away. "He'll be fine," she said, looking at Wei Wuyin with a glare as if giving him a warning. If there was one person they didn't need to worry about, it was Wei Wuyin!

She hastily brought Qingye Ying away as she hurriedly made her focus on setting up a defensive perimeter. A rectangular barrier of three-colored mystic light erected around them, splitting down the middle, separating them while obscuring their figures from outside eyes.

Wei Wuyin saw Qingye Ying's bashfully blushing expression and couldn't resist chuckling. The next few minutes were filled with alchemists of the World Beyond establishing defenses and various formations to protect themselves.

Wei Wuyin didn't erect any barrier. He stayed where he was, bringing out a cauldron, the Neo-Dawn Ascension Cauldron, that floated before him mid-air. It was pristine white, with the grand phenomenon of the formation of stars occurring endlessly on its milky, pure white surface, granting it an ethereal and majestic beauty that was difficult to fathom.

"So this is the Everclash!" Bai Xiu's figure resounded from the cauldron. She was extremely excited.

Just as the cauldron formed, Wei Wuyin received a message from Wang Yutian. "Product Type: Pill. Product Tier: High. Product Grade: Eighth. Product Name: Rising Scorch Giant Pill."

Wei Wuyin looked up at Wang Yutian's figure, "Can you not add 'product' to each classification. It's quite redundant."

Wang Yutian looked back at him, flashing an apologetic smile his way. But from his slight nod, he accepted Wei Wuyin's suggestion. If it were anyone else, he would rightfully ignore them and remain acting mechanically. But Wei Wuyin was not just anyone!

By now, most of the World Beyond alchemists were in their preparation stages. Wei Wuyin wondered if the product listed was consistent in this Everclash. "Are all the products the same across the board?"

Wang Yutian shook his head. He couldn't speak, but he wrote in the air: "Only grade and tier."

"Mm," Wei Wuyin nodded. That made sense since other cultivators could simply copy the same process as others and receive very similar results, so each Alchemist would be faced with their own battle.

the distance. He focused on that area and realized someone was using a talisman to emulate the effects of the Neo-Dawn Vortex-Zone Pellet. It was something forged by an Earthly Saint with great care and comprehension of Space and Time.

Wei Wuyin was originally taken aback, but then he realized that even completing eighth-grade products in only eighty-four hours or seven days was difficult for Mortal Sovereign Alchemists, especially since each contestant gets allocated a single portion of concoction materials. While they might be Alchemic Souls cultivators, the vast majority of them were mortals.

Wei Wuyin was about to start when he felt a spiritual sense sweep in his direction. It was downright oppressive and overt, not trying to hide itself at all. Wei Wuyin turned to see that it was an Ascended being! Moreover, they had an Alchemic Rune.

It was a human. The man was stick-thin with sharp eyes, narrowed and pinpointed in his direction. He wasn't handsome or ugly, but his sunken cheeks, which were typically the sign of improper eating or a malnourished body, were quite defined. When he gazed at Wei Wuyin, there was a glint of killing intent within. Clearly, his keen senses determined that Wei Wuyin was the greatest threat.

Moreover, as he saw the Neo-Dawn Ascension Cauldron floating before him, a flash of greed flitted across his eyes! He could instantly tell that Bai Xiu's body was exceptional on every conceivable level! He sent a few waves of inspective spiritual sense toward Wei Wuyin, verifying his status as a Mortal. While Wei Wuyin's body possessing the True Void Dragon Bloodline made it difficult to gauge his cultivation base, his aura as a Mortal being was as prevalent as his silver eyes and handsome features, completely unconcerned.

The man's eyes brightened considerably, and the light of calculation flowed through instantly as risk assessments and plans emerged.

Wei Wuyin was faintly amused by this. He looked at this man and could easily tell that he was one of the main reasons the Alchemists present were establishing various protections. He was an Ascended being with a Mortal Sovereign Alchemist-level talent. However, he wasn't very skilled; at a single glance, Wei Wuyin could tell that he was borderline at the age of five hundred and had barely reached the Mortal Sovereign Alchemist level about six or seven years ago. As for his cultivation, he was in the Soul of Mysticism Phase.

"A plant?" Wei Wuyin realized that this Alchemist was planted here to disrupt others, likely even to kill. Moreover, his aura of pure alchemical energies was false. Wei Wuyin had to do a double-take when he sensed closely, discovering that this figure was not an Alchemic Soul cultivator.

"What cultivation method does he cultivate?" Wei Wuyin's curiosity exploded; he knew that despite his Palace of Eden, the greatest legacies conjured by an organization's long history and specific lineages were unlikely to be publicly shared in the World Between the Fold unless it was collapsed and widespread through malicious intentions.

"Who are you?" The stick-thin man stalked closer, passing several barriers and causing them to ripple; his Mystic Aura began to permeate throughout the surroundings.

Wei Wuyin could feel the killing intent of this person targeted toward him. Calmly, Wei Wuyin looked at Wang Yutian. As if guessing his question, Wang Yutian wrote in the air: "After the first minute."

Wei Wuyin laughed lightly; there was a restriction of a single minute before one could act against someone else. Wei Wuyin had already wasted that listening in on others while the vast majority had already established themselves. He looked around and noticed that a few Ascended beings were guarding a few barriers protectively; they, too, were at the Soul of Mysticism Phase with Alchemic Stars within their eyes.

"State your identity!" While Wei Wuyin gave him a strange feeling, the stick-thin Ascended didn't retreat or hold back his imposing steps. Eventually, the other Ascended beings that were stalking about, seemingly trying to find their destined targets, noticed them and instantly saw the cauldron.

"Halt!" A woman's voice resounded, thundering and forceful. Her Mystic Aura raged as well, rushing forward through the air. Her aura distorted some of the weaker barriers.

The moment she moved, the others in the surroundings instantly noticed the exceptional quality of the Neo-Dawn Ascended Cauldron and Wei Wuyin's Mortal Aura. Those not tasked with protection cursed under their breaths as they realized they had been too slow!

Wei Wuyin's eyes brightened. "Are talismans allowed?" He calmly asked Wang Yutian through transmission.

Wang Yutian saw Wei Wuyin from above, including how several of these wolf-like Ascended beings were racing toward him from all over. What was this, if not courting death? The Spiritform shook his head and wrote in the air: "You can use formations only fueled by your own power or the pellets you concocted. External energy units, offensive talismans, or tools aren't allowed. This includes Armaments."

Wei Wuyin was instantly enlightened about why these Ascended beings were planted and why some of these barriers were distorted by the Mystic Auras of Venerable-level Ascended beings. After all, they were from the World Beyond, but even with formation flags forged by Earthly Saints or Worldly Saints, none of it mattered if they relied on their own cultivated energies. In fact, that would limit your protection level.

This explains why there were guardians in place as well. How insidious! He had heard the Everclash of the Chosen King Competition was brutal, but this?

Was this an Everclash or a hunting of talent? In that case, his interest in the rewards rode considerably since those in the World Beyond decided to resort to these tactics!

"Give it!" The stick-thin man shouted.

"Halt!" The Titan female raced to seize the cauldron, too, refusing to allow it to fall into the stick-thin man's hands!

They were already gearing up to fight!

The others were too slow, but they began reacting as they circulated their cultivation bases to execute various movement arts to grasp any opening! Before long, Wei Wuyin felt dozens of oppressive Spiritual Senses of Ascended beings. Without offensive talismans allowed, why would these Ascended beings fear a mortal?!

While Wei Wuyin's looks and aura were beyond simply exceptional, they were given a task to do, and that was to slay enemy talents and seize treasures!

"Interesting," Wei Wuyin softly said as he looked at the stick-thin man. He pointed his finger. He pushed lightly.

Instantly, the stick-thin man's eyes widened uncontrollably as he felt an ungodly degree of pressure descend upon him. "Noo—!" He screamed in horror and disbelief. But before he could finish—

BURST!!!

The stick-thin man's body erupted like a balloon filled with blood, crushed bones, and mangled organs splattering in the air. When bits of him there, there, and a little over there fell to the ground in a fleshy thud and bloody splash, the entire atmosphere changed instantly.

"!!!" The titan woman that was the closest instantly ground to a halt, her eyes overwhelmed by uncertainty and fear. What just happened?!

Before she could even react, she felt a downright god-like power descend upon her. She lifted her head and then wanted to cry out, yet not a single sound could leave her lips!

BURST!!!

Her large body and refined skeletal frame could not withstand the power, exploding into a gory mess where leg and arm would be identifiable.

Wei Wuyin held out his right hand, not even giving them a second glance. Within his hand were two baby fist-sized orbs of substantial watery-like seas of mental energy. They were both Sea of Consciousnesses that he had captured! He was curious about their cultivation methods and the World Beyond!

"..."