Paragon of Sin

Wu Baozhai was already thinking about ways to reestablish the Myriad Monarch Sect on this new planet. The issue was the possibility that those from that new continent would descend alongside them. The only Realmlord she possessed was Tuo Bihan, and while he was the highest ranking member of the sect, his loyalties were fastened to Wei Wuyin.

She didn't judge him for this, however. Wasn't she the same?

The sect was likely going to fade away, unable to maintain itself in this new environment. It was a depressing thought, especially after all the effort and planning she went through. The countless elites might not stay after learning that Wei Wuyin wasn't present and they had no resources, wanting to choose joining another established force to support their clans and futures. It was understandable.

The complications didn't just stop there. As she agonized over her choices while walking towards those who wrote down Myriad Monarch Sect, she heard a voice behind her.

"Grand Princess Wu!" Tuo Bihan arrived with a furrowed brow and a solemn glint within his eyes.

"Oh? Yes, Grand Sage Tuo?" Wu Baozhai was still respectful, referring to Tuo Bihan by his title. Regardless of what, she would love it if Tuo Bihan decided to stay and help her fashion the Myriad Monarch Sect on this new planet, in this new environment.

In truth, she was nervous and jittery about it all. She had to force herself to accept these circumstances, and she knew she wasn't alone in her feelings. Taken away from home, told it was going to be destroyed, and then revealed the lethal fate that they had been saved from. If it wasn't for the giant face's unnecessary need to lie, considering the vast power difference, she wouldn't believe it and refused to accept it.

"Is the Grand Monarch present?" Tuo Bihan glanced at the unassuming black ring that hung around Wu Baozhai's neck leading to the tantalizing valley that was her ample bosom.

Wu Baozhai was taken aback, frowning. After a brief period of staring at Tuo Bihan, she nodded slightly. Wu Yu had always been present in the ring, but he had gone into hiding to avoid the prying eyes of those who were observing this peculiar space.

Tuo Bihan didn't ask any more questions. Instead, he brought out a silver box from the piece of cloth he fashioned into a pouch. "Hold out your hand," he said.

Wu Baozhai was at first skeptical, but when she saw that rectangular box, her heart sped up and her chest heaved up and down in an unstable and powerful fashion. Tuo Bihan was likely the last person to see Wei Wuyin, and at that time, he didn't have that box.

Furthermore, the box was held in a piece of cloth so it wasn't stored in a storage ring, so its importance must be great. To add, it seemed as if Tuo Bihan knew the storage rings or spatial rings wouldn't work in this environment. While the last assumption was incorrect, it led to all sorts of correct assumptions.

"Did Wei Wuyin give you that?" She asked, her breathing a little heavy. Ever since she enjoyed the resources Wei Wuyin left behind for the Valkyrie, she knew why only those who had the help of Mortal Sovereign Alchemist could become Realmlords, Timelords, Starlords, and ascend beyond the Astral Core Realm.

The feeling of growing stronger each and every day was intoxicating, truly and utterly. It even brought forth feelings of jealousy as she knew the resources and materials she would obtain would always be lacking in comparison to Wei Wuyin's lovers or trusted subordinates.

From Wu Yu's own mouth, almost every Mystic Ascendant during the King of Everlore's era was produced only because of their intimacy with the man himself. There was only one that was particular and strange.

She had the desire to find Wei Wuyin, and cement their relationship to secure her future. If one thing she knew, it was: Cultivation is difficult.

Wu Yu, likely one of the most talented cultivators in the entire Starfield, had failed to ascend to the next stage after King of Everlore left. He lost his physical body, becoming a disembodied spirit. Without that support, Wu Yu would have never become a Mystic Ascendant. Without King of Everlore's ring left behind, he would've already died. While most of it was due to the environmental factors, it didn't subtract from the clearly obvious facts.

So the box that Tuo Bihan pulled out carried her imaginary hopes of ascension within them.

Tuo Bihan couldn't help but awkwardly smile after seeing those obsessive and expectant eyes. Once you taste power, taste a lifestyle far beyond before, it was hard to let it go. He was well aware of that fact. But he didn't judge her based on that, the chances are all of those behind him would or will react with the same or even greater intensity.

"Hold out your hand," Tuo Bihan requested again.

Wu Baozhai snapped out of her thoughts and did so, revealing her long fingers and perfectly curated nails. Tuo Bihan placed his hand over hers and executed the spell to transfer spiritual seals.

Wu Baozhai saw a spiritual light infuse into her skin and vanish. Curious, she glanced at Tuo Bihan.

"The Grand Monarch, please," Tuo Bihan asked as he held out his hand. Wu Baozhai hesitated for a moment before she removed the unassuming black ring and placed it on Tuo Bihan's palm. Another spiritual light flashed and integrated into the ring before vanishing.

Tuo Bihan didn't hesitate after that. He withdrew two rings from the silver box, finding it incredibly strange. The silver box didn't feel like a spatial object, but when he went inside, it did. It felt as if it was an independent space. When he pulled out the two rings, it was almost as if he pulled out two objects from his storage ring.

There was a trace of shock and fear in his eyes as he watched the rings for a few seconds, expecting them to vanish like the others, yet nothing occurred. With a soft sigh, he realized the box might have a different type of function. While similar in feeling, might not be in function.

He returned the unassuming black ring and the two spatial rings to Wu Baozhai. "There's a letter in each ring. Be sure to read it."

Wu Baozhai nodded, taking the ring. When she did, the spiritual light that had hid within her hand flashed, integrating into the ring, and then a burst of light shot out and entered Wu Baozhai's mind.

She was about to instinctively fight against it when she recalled Tuo Bihan's words, settling her thoughts and accepting it.

Tuo Bihan was shocked. Wasn't the letter material? The moment he thought about this, he realized that if it was the case, there was no need to remind them of it. Likely, Wei Wuyin meant to tell them that there's a message within each ring so they don't destroy it by mistake. He did stress the importance of that.

The unassuming black ring also moved slightly, touching the ring in Wu Baozhai's hand with the etching: Wu Yu. A surge of spiritual light flowed out of the Wu Yu's ring and into the spatial ring. Then, another spiritual light shot, returning to Wu Yu's ring.

Wu Baozhai had her eyes closed, her eyelashes flickering as she perceived the entirety of the message. It read:

"I learned about your astonishing feats after I left. I must say, I'm thoroughly impressed. You exceeded my expectations and then some. You were always the rightful candidate to take the Grand Monarch throne in my mind. I knew you were a natural-born leader from the moment I saw you all those years ago.

"I guess that's enough praise for now, leave the rest for in person. After all, I'm sure you hear more than enough already. Within this ring contains alchemical and material resources that I've carefully selected to nurture you, and for the future of the Myriad Monarch Sect and its members. You should already be clearly aware of my hopes for you by now, so I won't say more on that. I can't wait to see how far you go, Grand Princess Wu Baozhai.

"If Wu Yu is still with you, he has a ring as well. Within it is a Ninth-Grade Ever-Rebirth Pill that will restore his body, and supplementary resources that'll restore his energies in the quickest manner I can conceive. I know you'll focus on maintaining the name of the Myriad Monarch Sect, you don't seem like someone who quits when the unexpected occurs, so I had to make sure it wouldn't be too difficult.

"Good luck. And remember: Once an Ascendant, always an Ascendant."

Those words were said with a distinct warmth that caused Wu Baozhai's heart to race for quite a while before she calmed down, settled herself, and located Wu Yu's ring.

In Wu Yu's spiritual space, he was similarly receiving a message from Wei Wuyin.

"I won't say needlessly sentimental words. Within contains the Ever-Rebirth Pill, peak-quality, and some energy restoration products to ease the resurrection of your body and cultivation. Your only job, until I come back, is to ensure that all those who are present are protected. If I find out you didn't do everything in your power to do so, when I return, I will take back everything I've given you.

"Especially Na Xinyi. Her life and yours, it is one and the same. But you are not to restrain her personal growth, protect her from the shadows unless absolutely necessary." Wei Wuyin's voice was calm and clear, lacking any warmth.

But Wu Yu didn't feel that this was offensive, and even held a little bit of admiration. He would be a fool to not complete the task of a talented Mortal Sovereign Alchemist. With his body restored, protecting some Astral Core Realm fledglings should be easy!

There was a faint roar of joyous excitement from within the ring that only Wu Baozhai could hear, due to her connection with him. It caused her to sweetly smile, creating a picturesque scene that would be priceless on the market.

Wei Wuyin didn't forget them.