Paragon of Sin

"Isn't this a little too much?" The expression of the Demi-Mortal Lord elder of the True Element Sect was unsightly, extremely so, to the point where 'ugly' wasn't sufficient enough to describe it.

Witnessing the battle of Huang Xiaoming, there was a sense of frustration, defeat, and grievance within her eyes. She wasn't much stronger. No, in fact, she was quite weaker and older than Huang Xiaoming. The vagabond of a cultivator was extraordinarily talented and abnormally powerful as an independent force, completely justifying his ability to stay free and unchained from various forces for resources. 

At the 5th Rune Ascension, he could already be considered elite amongst Ascended of the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, but as a six-thousand-year-old Ascended at the Demi-Mortal Lord Phase, his talent was obscenely high. The soulspan of a Demi-Mortal Lord was 30,000 years, so Huang Xiaoming could be considered very young.

"Even with the Heavy-Earth Lightning Gourd, he wasn't able to win." Lin Xianxian sighingly stared at the stage as wisps of mystic power and energies permeated throughout; the dark-yellow lightning was exceedingly tyrannical, like a heavy mist, crackling ceaselessly on the stage. The stage's innately inscribed formations were cleansing it of power, while the translucent barrier had thickened, signifying it as impassable for the time being. 

The Heavy-Earth Lightning Gourd was a high-grade Mystic-Earth armament that could unleash a unique mixture of Heavy Earth Energies and Basic Lightning Energies, creating exceptionally heavy lightning that could flood entire planets, overtaking enemies and serving as a powerful medium for manifestations. 

For a Demi-Mortal Lord, a high-grade Mystic-Earth armament was top-tier. They could utilize their greatest might without any issue, granting them extraordinary support in combat.

"Is this a joke? Are the Earthly Saints just messing with us?! Do they not want anyone to pass this dastardly trial?!" A disgruntled Venerable, a Soul of Mysticism Phase cultivator of a Mystic-tier force in the Great Sea Starfield, shouted in anger. Huang Xiaoming was terrifyingly powerful with tremendous potential, yet he was barred from entering. As for them, their backing and years exceeded Huang Xiaoming; what were they supposed to do? 

How could they test Ascended beings, those who've proven their talents in their Ascensions, with such unfair criteria? A clump of concentrated mystic energy instilled with the Way of Mysticism's Permanence and controlled by an Earthly Saint's Spiritual Sense and Strength? Wasn't this too excessive for a mere vagabond?! 

He was but one of a few vocal cultivators that felt the Everlore Association was being completely unfair. They wanted to be a part of history, of the era-defining event that will alter the state of the stellar region for millennia. 

While an air of despair and heated discussions flared, Lin Xianxei calmly watched it unfold. She couldn't help but grimly frown at the unreasonableness of these Ascended; even the elders beside her were infused with righteous indignation at the absurdly high standards. 

'This is all to sift through the trash, finding only the pillars of talent and strength amongst mortals and Ascended beings. How shameless,' her thoughts echoed as sneers in the hearts of many Chosen, Saintesses, and Heroes. They were top-tier talents, youthful and ambitious, and they were confident in their strength, potential, means, and cultivation. Very few saw failure when they looked to the stage above.

These Ascended were crying out unfairness while simultaneously ignoring the degree of status and strength the Ascended beings in the Main Hall had. They were strictly Earthly Saints and Mortal Sovereign Alchemists! How could they possibly compare to these exalted existences that numbered, in total, less than five hundred throughout the ENTIRE Grand Cyclic Stellar Region? 

Even in the Aeternal Sky Starfield, a starfield housing the number one Alchemist Association in the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, only thirty-four Mortal Sovereign Alchemists were known, excluding Wei Wuyin. That number was the highest amongst all starfields. In fact, the Moonfall Starfield(22nd) had only three Mortal Sovereign Alchemists in total. 

With the stage undergoing cleansing, the crowd had sufficient time to wallow and complain to each other. Some tried to discuss tactics to overcome this trial, while others focused solely on cultivating, with no intention of risking their lives. The benefits here were enough for them. 

As for entering the Main Hall, less than 1% of the population here actually had genuine beliefs of their qualifications when they arrived and after Huang Xiaoming and the 34th Prince had failed, the reality was like a cold splash that doused most of their thoughts. 

"This is a stage for the Chosen, Saintesses, and Heroes of our starfield. Not old bones like us, destined to be surpassed by the young." An elderly woman with wrinkled skin and eyes that contained the vicissitudes of time, having seen numerous eras come and go, spoke up at this moment. 

While her voice was light, it reached the minds and hearts of everyone present. Almost everyone's expressions experienced a shift of some degree, and most of the Venerables and Highlords heaved out sighs heavily, unwillingly accepting this reality after hearing those words. Especially since it was spoken by Beyond Light Starfield's High Mother, the eldest and most respected figure throughout, and the Ancestor of the Illuminating Grace Bright Queen, the current leader of the Illuminating Grace Sect and leading force of the Beyond Light Starfield(9th).

It was a shame that even she lacked the qualifications to be directly invited, forced to prove her qualifications like everyone else.

The only three to pass amongst the five challengers thus far were exceedingly talented—and beautiful—cultivators of the younger generation. More importantly, all three were beneath the age of a hundred. The Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit was meant for their generation; their upcoming era was being determined here. It was their stage; hence, it only made sense their voices mattered most in deciding it, and their chances were the highest to pass.

As for the Exalted, as 'failed' Ascended beings, not one had arrived here with any delusions of their qualifications—they had none. Most were simply happy with the enriched energies the Everlore Association gifted them. They extracted and stored what they could from the symbols using various tools for their disciples, descendants, or organizations. 

Their thinking went beyond the summit. 

After an hour, the stage's chaotic energies were thoroughly cleansed and granted a perfect reset. Now available for challengers, the lingering and unspoken question of the crowd hung in the air: "Who's next?" 

While seemingly simple, it was anything but. Should Chosen go first? Or prospective Chosen? Should the top forces descend? Or should silver-rank talents go first, testing the waters, and then slowly rise to gold-rank, and then push to mystic-tier? A challenge of ascending order? 

Or should it just be anyone confident in fighting? By now, the elders and leaders have grasped that the challenges might be variable. If enough talents fail initially, this might prompt those deciding few to lower standards overall. This would be extremely beneficial. 

However, the inverse was similarly true. If those elite talents all passed and demonstrated world-shaking powers at young ages, belonging to weaker forces, such as the three women from before, then there was a possibility that the deciding powers could elevate the standards for those with higher statuses, significantly decreasing their chances of success. 

It was a dilemma. Furthermore, whoever seized the initiative will undoubtedly impact future standards, regardless of failure or success. No one wanted to be a sacrificial piece.

"If it wasn't for the certainty of being kicked out after refusal, there would  be more challengers—if only to see their Entity's level." Lin Xianxian commented as she felt the tension-filled atmosphere grow thicker. Logically, the top-tier forces should go first, primed for the challenge and chance to prove themselves, as they had the expectedly strongest Chosen; however, from the 34th Prince of the Eighth Sea's attempt, it was clear the current standards were a little too unreasonable.

She advised the three Chosen of the True Element Sect of these possibilities, and they all chose to wait.

Another three hours passed. No one moved. At this point, many had decided to take full advantage of the benefits the Everlore Association had provided, cultivating diligently and quietly in their respective areas. Since they had roughly five months and three weeks left, some felt there was no need to rush. 

Soon, a peaceful atmosphere developed as tensions gradually declined due to inactivity. Either focused on cultivating or devising a plan of action, it took much of their focus, vexation, and despondent feelings away. 

"So that's how it is." 

A violet-robed woman stood up, gathering the attention of those around her. Despite her cultivation base being low relative to everyone there, she sat firmly in the leadership position without the slightest discomfort. 

Her bright, gorgeous pair of grey eyes felt as if they could illuminate the spirit and ensnare the heart with a single glance. She carried an aura of boundless, unfathomably intense allure, but alongside that attractive aura was a feeling of pride, confidence, and worldly excellence. 

When she rose upwards, her magnificent features were highlighted, from her supple, slender waist, to her bountiful and shapely breast. Her every movement lifted and swung those identical twin peaks, forcing one's gaze to look, inspiring heated desires, and etching it in one's memory. Unfortunately, they were properly covered, only their size and rough shape revealed through her robes, yet it was more than enough to last the common man a lifetime of solo material.

Yet her features couldn't be said to conclude here, possessing skin as smooth, warm, and rich as honey alongside her brown hair with golden highlights cascading downwards like a serene waterfall glinting with health and luster. Those full lips of hers that drew one's gaze and trimmed eyebrows perfected the beautiful ensemble that was her existence. 

"Saintess?" Another gorgeous woman who stood behind her said. Her skin was vastly different from the violet-robed woman, being as white as milk, setting them apart. She was easily the most recognizable figure amongst the gold-rank forces of the Aeternal Sky Starfield as Exalted Purewhite, the Dark Yin Palace's Palace Master. 

Jun Baiyin, the Palace Master of the Dark Yin Palace, could help but probe: "Saintess, don't tell me you're-"

The violet-robed woman didn't respond, interrupting the woman as her aura of pure yin effused outward. She brazenly flew upwards under the shocked gazes of her all-female group, shattering the artificial gravity! 

SHATTER! 

Her actions instantly caused a commotion as she became the center of attention. And as she did, the vast majority of men present instantly became stimulated!