Paragon of Sin

''These two,'' atop a thick, sturdy branch of the Elemental Tree, a man garbed in nine-colored inner clothes and a white outer robe observed the Lin duo with a thoughtful gaze. Directly to his right was a woman of mature looks, a subtle, stately beauty that couldn't be considered outstanding; she lightly bit into a peach-like fruit with verdant green skin and golden flesh and then proceeded to swallow it with a look of appreciation and fascination.

The two were none other than the True Element Sect's Earthly Saints--Han Yuhei and Zhang Ziyi!

Zhang Ziyi was too immersed in the delicous taste and flavor of the fruit, not giving Lin Ming and Lin Xianxei any thought. If this was fifty years ago, she might have sought ways to plot Lin Xianxei's demise or obstacles to obstruct her path, but she was no longer bitter or invested in the fate of the Lin Clan.

While she still felt that they were all fools, causing the True Element Sect and her family much suffering with their lack of foresight and idiotic decisions, since Lin Xianxian entered Wei Wuyin's inner circle as a maid, she no longer felt any need to set herself against the Lin Clan. She reasoned that while the Lin Clan had instigated the disastrous past of the True Element Sect, their current lineage was making great strides to making things right.

Lin Xianxian, for example, had gained a direct line to Wei Wuyin and brought the True Element Sect unimaginable benefits. More importantly, she had reached the 3rd Runic Ascendant State in an extremely short period, entering the ranks of above-average Earthly Saints.

Han Yuhei, however, couldn't help but stare at Lin Ming; this so-called Archaic Chosen of their sect had gained the favor of his beloved granddaughter, Bai Yuxi--his Little Tulip, and she was head over heels for him. Despite his efforts, she had already lost her virginity and given him her everything. The burning rage in his heart was hard to suppress, and he had the desire to turn Ling Ming into dust a few times.

If he has extremely careful, he could kill and revive him a few times to easy his belly full of frustration and disappointment. Fortunately for Lin Ming, he didn't want to ruin his cousin's plans.

In the end, he was left sighing for Bai Yuxi's future.

Zhang Ziyi took another bite; this fruit possessed a high-level wood intent, essence, and energy that was perfectly melded in a unique, fantastical way. This was the benefit of the Elemental Tree. Usually, however, it would only give birth to low-level fruits. But after passing by many hands and finding its final owner in this wondrous starfield basking in the richest solar radiance in the known world, it was undergoing astonishing improvements.

She couldn't help but be emotional because this tree had been grounds for a trial by fire of the Elemental Jade Sect in the old days. Zhang Ziyi could remember when she was young during her Astral Core Realm days, fighting in the middle of the pack, relatively unseen, with barely any reputation to her name. Yet in the end, how many of those outstanding talents, those Immortal Heroes that snubbed her, those Immortal Saintesses that she envied, reached her level? How many even reached the Mystic Ascendant Realm?

She was now an Earthly Saint!

It went to show that the race was not won by talent but by dilligence and fortune.

She glanced at Han Yuhei, her eyes shining slightly. Taking another soft bite, Zhang Ziyi said while chewing softly: ''I've always wondered something.''

''Hm?'' Han Yuhei's attention was grabbed away from the Lin duo.

Zhang Ziyi had a greater air of confidence since her sucessful cultivation feats recently, and it added a type of charm that caused Han Yuhei to see her in a different light. He still wasn't physically attracted to her, but she felt more respectable than before. Her inferiority complex and need to exert her strength on the lower, more talents youths at times had been considerably reduced. Before, she was kind of annoying and a little disgusting to him due to those things.

Zhang Ziyi asked, ignorant of Han Yuhei's changed opinion of her, ''Why didn't you kneel and submit to Ascendant Emperor Wei back then?''

Ascendant Emperor? Han Yuhei's left eyebrow lifted as he smiled slightly.

Zhang Ziyi continued, ''Considering the events that day, if you led the True Element Sect into the Neo-Dawn Starfield, I wouldn't have objected.'' This was a question she had on her mind for a while now. That day, four major forces submitted--the Inferno Solaris Church, United Source Clear Palace, Sanguine Ghosts, and the Great Blue Royal Clan-- in addition to numerous lesser forces.

She was certain that many thought that the True Element Sect would follow.

Han Yuhei's smile began to fade as she continued to speak. At the end of her words, he shook his head. ''I'm not the leader of the True Element Sect or its decision maker; I'm the 'Guardian of the Elements', and that's the extent of my authority--to guard. I never interfered with your or anyone else's matters since joining. Similarly to how you didn't dare submit on behalf of the True Element Sect, neither did I.''

''...'' Zhang Ziyi furrowed her brows.

While he didn't explicitly say it, it was clear that someone else decided not to submit, and Han Yuhei accepted that decision. The decision of the true leader of the True Element Sect!

''Moreover, if I submitted there, I would likely lose all chances of becoming his Alchemic Knight in the future.'' Han Yuhei added seriously, and his grand ambitions were leaking from his tone. A subordinate might be treated well, but an Alchemic Knight was an Alchemist's sword and shield and of vital importance to an Alchemist's future safety.

No one would receive close to what Wu Yu would in the coming days, especially if Wei Wuyin became an Alchemic Saint one day. Why? Because Wu Yu was his Alchemic Knight, his most loyal and valued subordinate! The thought of falling behind Wu Yu so far that the difference become insurmountable caused Han Yuhei's heart to clench in agony and unwillingness.

''...'' Zhang Ziyi remained silent. She was still dwelling on Han Yuhei's earlier words of a decision-maker. She realized that the millennium-gone Nine-Divine Elementus King was alive and present! She couldn't help but wonder...where?

-----

''Incredible!''

Since the announcement of the Neo-Dawn Alchemic Expo arrived, the transportation efforts thus far had more or less proceeded with astonishing precision and organization. As soon as those ships docked at the edge of Defiant Dawn's borders, various Ascended beings and Starlords under Wei Wuyin's command took the lead in trillions to their designated residences across the two territories of Dawn--the World Dawn and Defiant Dawn.

''Is this for real?''

Those who arrived earlier or now, whether they were Qi Condensation Realm cultivators or Mystic Ascendant Realm Cultivators, all found themselves in total awe at the various locations they were placed in. The accommodations were exceptional, but the environment was mind-blowing.

''The air is so fresh! The ground is extremely fertile! And the pure astral essence here is something I've never seen in my nine hundred years of life!'' An older farmer at the Astral Core Realm lauded lavishly and honestly.

''These buildings were recently and hectically built; while their materials are exceptional, they could be structured better for proper housing needs, overall stability, and maximum leveraging of the materials properties. What a waste.'' An old head architect and constructor observed the residences they were placed in with criticism. He was a prominent builder, renowned in his local region. His words sparked fear in his companions' hearts as they hurriedly tried to give this man, who often spoke his mind in his field of specialty without consideration, the advice to remain silent.

The old man's expression changed as he realized the consequences only afterward, as he gazed toward the escort who was a genuine Ascended being at the lead in the far distance. Suddenly, that figure blurred, arriving before him in a crowd of millions; their ghastly move caused him to nearly enter the next life. Moreover, this Ascended being was a Sanguine Ghost member, fearsome and covered in facial tattoos that looked increasingly menacing as one's eyes trailed over them.

The constructor gulped.

His nearby companions all felt the man was about to meet his ancestors, who would certainly chide him for his thoughtlessness. But the unexpected happened!

''Sir, if you have any recommendations or thoughts, please allow me to take note of them.'' The figure smiled a horrifying big smile but with sincerity and friendliness! He continued, ''These buildings were all done in haste, not meant ot be long-term initially. However, if you...''

The crowd watched as the constructor went from terrified to instructing. Soon, others in various professions began discussing their field of study. They were all blown away by multiple aspects of the World Dawn's realms, but they could still be improved upon. This interested countless folks of varied professions. Some even took to designing cities suitable to these unique realms' environments, capitalizing on various miraculous features.

The ingenuity of those experienced and dedicated to their crafts was awe-inspiring and appreciated, and those of the Neo-Dawn Starfield's native residents, from former Grand Cyclic Stellar Region members to the various lesser forces that had submitted, all began to jointly work together on minor projects throughout, even offering compensation.

Countless saw as buildings of outstanding structure and quality were built overnight, and cities that were crude and ordinary became refind and breathtaking. To see these changes was an entirely new experience, as if they were evolving with this this location.

A lot of individuals quickly realized that the Defiant Dawn and World Dawn of the Neo-Dawn Starfield were nascent, growing, and had so much room to develop with an outstanding, heaven-defying Solar Star like Baby Defiant. Some herbalists began to set up various fields and formations to cultivate better materials in the future. They did so simply because they were there a month or two earlier than the expo's beginning. It didn't hurt that the reception from these experts was polite and respectful regardless of their cultivation, and the compensation was extremely plentiful.

Those who arrived later found themselves in beautifully structured cities, outstanding residences of exquisite designs, and cultivated fields that were already showing impressive yields in only a month or two. The soul's richness from the environment and the radiance of Baby Defiant were genuinely heaven-defying! The absolute best!

Day by day, the Neo-Dawn Starfield made steady improvements.

-----

As the last day before the Neo-Dawn Alchemic Expo officially came, those who were prominent members of the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region began to arrive in unison as if planned beforehand.

The most shocking, however, were two particularly eye-catching forces that essentially no one expected to arrive!

The Everlore Association!

And...

The Unchained Heart Sect!

The former arrived in a seven-colored Voidship, while the latter came in an ominous Shadow Egg, housing countless of their members!

Even the Jiang Clan of the Eight Noble Clans had arrived, including their last remaining Earthly Saint--Jiang Yushan.

With these forces present, would the Neo-Dawn Alchemic Expo be remotely peaceful? The feeling of tension rose as word spread of their arrival.

Within a private, spaceious quarter of the Everlore Association's Voidship, San Yongli was pacing back and forth while San Luoyang was cross-legged, performing various breathing exercies.

Sang Yongli's beautiful brows were furrowed, and her treasured ruby-like eyes that glinted with a mysterious light were fixated on the floor. ''What do you think he's planning?''

''...'' Sand Luoyang's eyes were closed, seemingly in a meditative state, yet San Yongli's pacing and words caused his eyebrows to twitch at times. In the end, he could only helplessly sigh, ''We'll find out soon.''

San Yongli's pacing came to an abrupt halt; then, she turned to San Luoyang with a curious expression. ''You're not concerned that this is a ploy to target the Everlore Association? That he'll restrain us all in his starfield? Perhaps even enslave us?''

San Luoyang's eyes finally opened with a trace of solemnness within his pupils. ''Concerned? No, I'm certain it is a calculated scheme of some sort. We all know it is. That's why I'm here.''

After a while, he added: ''That's why he's here.''

''...'' San Yongli went silent.

''Whatever Wei Wuyin intends to hrow at us, we have our ways to handle it. The Everlore Association isn't so simple as you think,'' San Luoyang gazed deeply at San Yongli. If not for that certain belief, why would they ever dare enter the Neo-Dawn Starfield? Moreover, this was Wei Wuyin's Alchemic Expo, an all-inclusive invitation, which came with certain unspoken assurances that affected Wei Wuyin's reputation and face.

Respect and trust went a long, long way in the cultivation world! Would he dare bare his fangs and forever lose the world's trust?

Within a uniquely-constructed Secret Realm inside the Voidship, Evergod Silently watched Baby Defiant's image reflected in his floating mirror.

He had come!