Paragon of Sin

After an hour, Wei Wuyin kept the book; his expression was the defining picture of annoyance and frustration. The book was certainly profound, enough to allow someone beneath the Spatial Resonance Phase to grasp unique spiritual sensory abilities and utilize Spatial Arts prior to the Spatial Resonance Phase of the Astral Core Realm. Unfortunately, it was entirely useless to the current him whose grasp of Space, Time, Astrological Forces, and Void Energy was extremely high.

He was a True Void Dragon! When he was at the Qi Condensation Realm, he could already perform feats vastly exceeding this book. It was a disappointing read, but he felt satisfied from simply knowing the contents. After three decades, he finally discovered why his Celestial Eyes were unable to see through the mysteries of this book, easing a sense of inferiority in his heart.

He didn't have the power to glimpse into other's souls, so just like the invisible Mystic Dao, the Soul Auras of others were invisible to him. While the term 'Soul-Bound' was fresh to him, he instantly understood the intricacies of its functions when he heard it.

The characters were formed using a strange ink that mimicked the soul's aura, so only those who were connected to this soul's aura can visibly see it, such as the person in question or their twin. It was an ingenious method of disguise and concealment—not even the Celestial Eyes can see souls. Fortunately, he had long since formed Soul Light and used Ori's Soul Light to cleanse the book and supplant it with his own aura. 

After reflecting on that, he looked outside the window and was once again reminded of this thirty-two-day trip, of which they were less than five hours into. He felt an urge to jump out the window and open a Void Portal. Unfortunately, he had no idea where they were going, and he didn't wish to expose his ability to escape should situations devolve. 

"So what's this Trial of the Three Voyages?" Wei Wuyin decided to ask about this topic now, hopefully gaining some answers. When his silver eyes returned to Liu Suyin, he briefly froze. For a moment, just the slightest moment, he felt as if Liu Suyin's gaze was…heated? 

However, it felt like an illusion as her visage was as indifferent and absent of emotions as a blank canvas. 

"The Trial of the Three Voyages is the test used to gauge the qualities of Destined. They are sent to face three trials relating to the three critical requirements of the Void Voyage Sect's recruitment: Spirit, Strength, and Endless. These voyages are called the Voyage of the Spiritual, the Voyage of the Unyielding, and Voyage of the Wanderer." Liu Suyin didn't hide the essential information.

Wei Wuyin was still a little jolted internally by Liu Suyin's gaze. He thought about it for a moment, °Was it the Soul Light that caused her to react?° He was an idiot, knowing the implications of Soul Light and its importance. In terms of Primary Light Sources, the typical grades were Black, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, and White. Through special methods and alchemical products, True Light can be formed. 

However, Soul Light was the mythical equivalent of a thirteen-ringed Soul Idol or the Grand Convergence Spatial Resonance. Each one of these signified an absolute pinnacle, no, transcendent level of foundation that vastly exceeded cultivation standards. All of these things were infused into his body, including the unique Black-White Hole within his Dantian. 

"Three Voyages? Is it like the Three Chosen Aspects Tribulation?" The Three Chosen Aspects Tribulation was a set standard for Chosen to renew the confidence that others have in them, rightfully proving their right to be Chosen. It was called a tribulation mostly because failure meant going from heaven to hell, falling from the skies like a fallen immortal, no longer enjoying the benefit of the sect's resources as freely as one had. 

In fact, ridicule and contempt would grow from this failure. It could weigh heavily on cultivators, and most never recover. There have been times Chosen have fallen, losing their standings in their clans, their lovers, and even their lives due to this loss. 

"No; they're different." Liu Suyin flatly responded again. Wei Wuyin tried to catch a glimpse of any emotion, but he found bupkis in his efforts. She uncharacteristically added of her own volition: "The Voyages will determine your standing as a Destined."

Wei Wuyin sighed, "Why are you so insistent on me becoming a Destined? I don't know its responsibilities, and it feels a little forceful to bring me to an unknown location while sealing my two subordinates. Don't you think this is counterintuitive to the recruitment process?"

"..." Liu Suyin was silent. Wei Wuyin heaved a helpless sigh, but Liu Suyin asked, "Why haven't you asked me about them?" A wisp of curiosity leaked! 

Wei Wuyin's eyes brightened. She showed no indication of any emotion before, but now she was displaying an inkling of curiosity! Containing his excitement at this change, he responded with a slight smile: "Mostly because I'm not worried."

"You're not? They could be dead, not sealed. No foreign Earthly Saint is allowed in the World Between The Fold. They are killed on sight." Liu Suyin unhesitatingly stated with assurance in her voice.

Wei Wuyin was taken aback, instinctively checking his spiritual connection with the spatial ring that Wu Yu wore on his person containing a Void Anchor, including Zhan Zheng's status through the Nexus War Flag. Both of them were intact, so he internally released a breath of relief. "They're sealed away in a stasis field, why would I be concerned? Moreover, why would your sect deliberately antagonize a 'Destined' of yours? That would just be pointlessly brainless. You might as well kill me now."

"..." Liu Suyin didn't respond. However, Wei Wuyin's draconic hearing could hear the slightly racing heart within her chest. Liu Suyin was indeed having a heart-racing moment because Wei Wuyin knew they were kept in a stasis field! How? 

He was a mere mortal! This shouldn't be knowledge he was privy to since it just happened. Moreover, spiritual communication while spatial shifting using that formation or inside the stasis field was impossible! So he couldn't have gotten the information after the fact.

Liu Suyin wasn't wrong; Wu Yu was taken without being able to respond or send a transmission to Wei Wuyin. Alas, Zhan Zheng was connected to Wei Wuyin through the Nexus War Flag and that was refined using his Soul Light. They can communicate a million words in a day and across billions upon billions of miles of distance. Additionally, Wei Wuyin can perfectly pinpoint his location at all times. 

Wei Wuyin held his smile. "I told you that I'm unfit to be a Destined. Are you sure you want me to take this test of yours?"

"..." Liu Suyin remained silent.

After several minutes of asking a few more questions yet getting no response, especially after Liu Suyin closed her eyes, Wei Wuyin realized he'll likely obtain no more information from this silver-robed woman. It seemed his words had spooked her to the core. She might suspect him of mind-reading at this point.

In truth, Wei Wuyin wasn't too far off. Liu Suyin thought that Wei Wuyin was using his Soul Light to somehow grasp details from her own soul. She was now extremely cautious, sealing off her senses and secrets.

When the server came into the room with a fresh plate of food, Wei Wuyin asked if there was an isolated and secluded room for cultivation or concoctions. He didn't want to waste thirty-two days doing very little. Those enriched foods didn't have any benefits for him as his four essential energies were maximized to their limits already. 

The server seemed to be used to this question, giving Wei Wuyin a unique key and directions. Wei Wuyin told Liu Suyin his intentions, but she was completely unresponsive. After sending a spiritual transmission and yet still not causing any sort of reaction, he left the room after leaving a written note and entered the prepared room for secluded cultivation sessions. 

"Trials of the Three Voyages, huh? Well, this might be the gateway to my blessing." He could tell that the Heavenly Daos were still in the process of creating the fortuitous encounter, as he was unable to get a clear glimpse as to what to do except to remain with Liu Suyin. 

"...Is it safe to concoct here?" Wei Wuyin asked himself. He was planning to seal his surroundings using his Divine Edge Suppression Spell, but if there was a being vastly exceeding his cultivation spying on him, would he be able to know? 

"Use King's Omega Saber Soul Light," Eden suggested. 

"We can add layers! Layers and layers!" Ori excitedly chimed in. It was thinking of using both her and King's power as an early alert system should someone try to pry. As long as something touches their Soul Light, they'll be alerted. But keeping Eden and Kratos' Soul Lights concealed was a must.

"Tch." King agreed. 

Wei Wuyin nodded; he began to manifest the Divine Edge Suppressing Spell with various layers of Soul Light. Instantly, Wei Wuyin was stunned to find himself feeling as if a weight had been lifted, almost imperceptibly so. 

"..." Clearly, someone was sensing him in secret. Likely the one who was transmitting messages to Liu Suyin. A being that can escape his senses? He grew solemn. 

He began essential prep for his concoctions. This period of thirty-two days was going to be solely devoted to a single type of product—pellets. With a wave of his hand, he brought out the Terra-Mystic Ore. 

-----

In the World Between The Fold, somewhere within the City of Endless, a cloaked figure sitting in the lotus position surrounded by candles lit with silver flames opened their eyes. A pair of bewitching eyes shone with the beauty of a infinite stars and boundless space, invoking dread yet irresistible attraction.

"An Alchemic Sovereign with Inhuman Spiritual Sense, Dual Spirits, and Soul Light…" The figure spoke softly. "What else is there to you?"