Paragon of Sin

At this moment, at the cusp of the day's end, countless eyes and thoughts were focused on a single planet. Throughout the vast Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, one specific domain contained the greatest concentration of experts, elites, and geniuses too, the likes of which the stellar region had never seen before. 

The sight of hundreds of thousands of Voidships painting the Dark Void with their colorful artificial atmospheres, emissions of pulsing energies, and gorgeous designs was breathtakingly majestic. An extreme rarity that may never occur again, at least in a peaceful setting.

Ever-Sky, the capital planet of the Everlore Association, a large-sized planet rich in unimaginable resources, gathered all this focus and attention. And it was solely due to a large set of numbers that were projected in eight directions displaying a timer. 

They displayed: 

00:03:00. 

Before, these numbers were slightly transparent, but as they gradually dropped from their original 72:00:00, the numbers grew more tangible, brighter, and pulsed with intermittent bursts of spiritual energy. It was impossible to miss. 

When the number dwindled, a vast, exceedingly fast pulse spread outwards and swept throughout the entire Everlore Domain in a matter of seconds. 

00:02:00.

Two minutes were left. Just two minutes. The most hyped event in this era was about to begin, likely redefining the entire stellar region, and attended by the strongest of the strongest, the greatest of the greatest, and the most talented out of all the talents! An unimaginable gathering of epic proportions. 

With bated breaths and pounding hearts, the entire world was eerily silent and still. There was nothing else happening besides watching those numbers. 

00:01:00.

The spiritual pulse this time was extremely fierce. Even if one were to be the deepest sleeper or in a coma, he would be unable to not feel it. And its reach extended beyond the Everlore Domain, reaching its neighbors! The inhabitants of all the planets touched by this pulsing wave looked in the direction of Ever-Sky. Whether it was up, down, left, or right, they looked. Whether they were animals, infants, or cultivators, they looked.

"..."

For the briefest of moments, there was total silence on all these planets as if feeling the immensity of this change. As if they were waiting! Not even Secret Realms or World Realms were spared, feeling the spiritual pulse through their protective shieldings. 

Finally…

00:00:00!!!

BOOM!

Another pulse was released, this time extremely audible, and even non-cultivators could hear it! Those in the Dark Void of the Everlore Domain, regardless of their shieldings or locations, all heard it! It was like thunder erupting in the heart and mind, tingling every sense one could possibly possess! 

The numbers all exploded into a brilliant burst of gorgeous multicolored light, transforming into starlight rays that circulated around Ever-Sky at extremely high-speeds. They spun and twisted, bringing forth a stunning light show. 

Awed, Everybody's focus was unquestionably on the Ever-Sky right now. The planet was surrounded by fantastically dazzling lights. After a full ten seconds of this, these lights began to gather into a single location of Ever-Sky, converging into blindingly bright spiritual light. 

As the light dimmed, two incredibly massive flat screens of spiritual light abruptly manifested, one at each of poles of Ever-Sky's. The screen could be clearly viewed by all those in the Everlore Domain with but a look. As the light completely disappeared, images emerged on the screen.

Three figures appeared, leading to numerous gasps of tremendous shock. Their eyes were suffused with sparkling light of awe, amazement, and worship. The trio was standing together; none were inferior in terms of placement, and all stood equally. 

The only exception was the center figure of the group. Everyone recognized this man! An existence that was devoutly worshipped and highly respected by all Alchemists of the stellar region, with busts and paintings of his visage adorned in many places! 

Adorned in exquisitely fitted golden robes outlining his slender figure and a seven-colored sash at his waist, the figure was a man with dark hair with a touch of grey at his temple, chestnut-colored skin, and emitted a demeanor of unprecedented wealth, authority, and wisdom. Those seven-colored eyes of his revealed endless permutations and spirituality, and everywhere it went, it felt as if the world became malleable, capable of being bent and transformed to his will.

It was none other than one of the three Alchemic Saints of the stellar region, Vice-President of the Everlore Association, and Earthly Saint, Evergod! This was his only known name, abandoning his birth name for simply this title. A sign of his unquestionable belief in himself and his reputation, dedicating his life to the Alchemic Dao!

The spectators had already known about Evergod's arrival. As the main host for this summit, how could he not appear? Yet it still brought indescribable shock and emotions to their beating hearts. This was an Alchemic Saint, an existence of the utmost prestige, only inferior to the King of Everlore, with means and ways to change the life of anyone he chose! 

How many sought his favor? To become his Alchemic Knight? Just being kindly thought of was enough to satisfy a few for a lifetime, reinforcing them with the belief that their talent was unordinary. 

Yet their awe didn't originate from just one of these god-like figures, but all three! Each figure was a god in the eyes of the typical cultivator, known far and wide, worshiped by many and respected by all.

At Evergod's right, a figure of equal fame, and rightfully so. She was easily one of the most recognizable figures of the entire starfield, the most recognizable female throughout the stellar region, with a world-shaking title that was unquestionably placed upon her: the Number ONE Beauty of the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region! 

The Empress of Aeternal Sky! 

Empress Xiaocheng! 

And her beauty was life-reaping, soul-rending, and as unearthly as physically possible. As if an immortal fairy of the highest order had descended upon the mortal plains, she blessed the eyes of many men. Her features were immaculate, from trimmed brows to red lips; nothing felt ordinary, nothing felt imperfect—especially those sky-blue phoenix eyes of hers, a perfect bust of ample size, shape, and curvature, and all accompanied by a slender and alluring waist. She was the ideal woman in the eyes of many, in talent, strength, and beauty. 

In fact, in the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, her physical looks largely contributed to what it meant to be considered 'beautiful' among female humans, defining thousands of years of aesthetics and fashion.

"...!" 

In an obscure corner of the myriad of Voidships, a relatively chubby man was watching from a large clustered crowd. The Voidship was a public vehicle, one meant to bring others to view some of the initial proceedings in person, especially the initial announcements of the summit. No one wanted to miss the beginning of an era-defining event!

The chubby man held a little boy in his arms, no more than three years old. Beside him were four other boys of varying ages, the oldest being over twenty years old. Dressed quite opulently for mortals, the chubby man was just as starstruck as his sons, but he soon broke out of his stupor with a nostalgic light shimmering within his eyes.

He unconsciously muttered in awe, "Like the female equivalent of the Young Master." After a brief period, his lips pouted, adding: "Maybe a little inferior, actually." If anyone were to hear this, that chubby man would've been beheaded on the spot. Fortunately, everyone was far too engrossed in basking every ounce of Empress Xiaocheng's beauty to pay him any mind.

In her lavish Imperial Robes, she did not wear a smile, yet she didn't come off as cold or dislikeable. Instead, she gave off a feeling of superiority and ease, as if looking upwards at a supreme leader. Her looks justified her title as the Number ONE Beauty of the entire stellar region, something few could contest.

To Evergod's left was a figure of lesser fame, yet not weaker status. An old man dressed in scarlet red, his robes adorned in animated flames, and his features were rather ordinary except for the animated Solar Star tattoo on his glabella; it rotated on its axis as if it was a real Solar Star! Out of the trio, he seemed most like a typical elder you would find randomly in the street. 

Still, a blazing feeling couldn't help but emerge in one's mind when they observed him from head to toe. The Hexaflame Starfield's undisputed strongest Earthly Saint, Pope of the Inferno Solaris Church! 

Three figures of the highest status were here!

Evergod slowly lifted his hand, and the focus of everyone watching was drawn back to him subconsciously; people even averted their gazes from the outrageously gorgeous Empress Xiangcheng. Clearly, he executed a strange attractive spiritual spell targeting the senses, compelling others to shift focus. With that, Evergod spoke in a husky, alluringly rich, and powerful voice that shook the Dark Void.

"I, Evergod, alongside Empress Xiaocheng and Pope Huoyan, announce the official beginning of the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit."

"WELCOME ALL!"

Succinct and clear, the summit had begun!

A strange aura swept the entire Grand Cyclic Stellar Region! 

The Mythical Oaths had officially activated!