Chapter 1781 Chapter 1774: A Game of Mystics (5)
Chapter 1781 Chapter 1774: A Game of Mystics (5)
Unsettled. Whether it was their minds, hearts, or souls, those who just witnessed the brutal execution of an elite Sage were wholeheartedly besieged by extraordinary shock, bone-deep disbelief, hair-raising terror, and spine-tingling awe. The lingering sounds of spiritual waves that carried his panicked, begging, and unwilling voice kept replaying in their ears. For the first time in a long time, Yue Baoyue gulped a wad of saliva. Within her heart was a degree of confidence in her life, but most of that was generated by the Utmost Purity Galaxy's societal protections toward alchemists who cultivated Alchemic Souls into the greater stages of cultivation. She finally was forced to realize that this foreigner was just that—a foreigner. More importantly, he was an Emperor. An Emperor with a cultivation base of a Supreme Sage! Fearless, aggressive, and mysterious! She felt a seed of fear settle in her heart. She wasn't the only one. The battle between Sages was intense. While only three exchanges were held, some of the Sages present, these Dao Protectors tasked with protecting the life of their patrons, didn't feel confident in taking Pakhet's three moves. Moreover, Heavenly Treasures didn't grow on apple trees as apples do. They were rare, paramount treasures that can exert power that only Supreme Sages should touch. It was only because the standards of cultivation since the dawn of its inception had experienced continuous leaps and advancements, creating easier routes to success such as Seeds of Law. But even Heavenly Saints, Ascended Saints, Mystic Overlords, or Sages were never meant to wield the power of the heavens so easily, and creating these treasures required excessive materials and refinement. That golden khopesh of Pakhet's was terrifying, exceeding any ordinary Mystic-World armament they could bring forth. They would have to exhaust their foundational strength like Sage Painted Star had to bring out such strength, and even that wasn't exactly comparable. As a galactic ruler with the assistance of seven other Sages, Pakhet and the other Sages of the Resolute Dusk Galaxy had an extreme advantage in terms of resources and aid. For example, Imentet had greatly assisted in forging three out of their eight Heavenly Treasures, all with the Law of Light imbued within. Pakhet relied on extreme methods, using her bones that had been infused with the Major Authority of Metal to create a Heavenly Treasure, while the rest used the common method of excessively high-grade resources, mostly extremely rare Mystic-Heaven graded materials to serve as foundations while getting the assistance of the other seven Sages to forge it. Regardless of their internal dynamics, they never rejected aiding the others. This was what made the former No-Name Galaxy so chaotic that no external Sage had the means to fight against them or stabilize the situation. They were fiercely united. Su Yi's eyebrows were deeply furrowed. Unlike the others, he wasn't too disturbed by what had just happened. In hindsight, he realized that idiot was involving himself in forces he simply did not understand. This was not his stage to play around, and this foreigner had just shown everyone that this was the case. As for being schemed against by someone from afar, Su Yi was used to it. He was even feeling schadenfreude at their lack of success.
After all, cultivating a Sage was not an easy or inexpensive venture. Considering how that idiot had recovered from the wounds he received that day, and then pushed forth to establish elite foundations as a Sage, he would have to be a brainless chicken to not realize that a Supreme Sage or terrifying Alchemist had interfered. Their objective?
Wasn't it just him?
They were terrified of him. Unlike what that idiot experienced, Su Yi was confident that a Supreme Sage acting against him would be interfered with. Similar to when the foreigner arrived with Shang Wanqing in tow, he was protected. Unbeknownst to Su Yi, the newcomer's backer had tried to interfere. For the briefest of moments, the entirety of the spatial region within ten million miles of the incident was sealed by the Laws of Space, Time, and Imperial. No one could interfere easily. At least, without some foreknowledge that these restrictions would be established. That's why the backer of that so-called idiot had raged with great anger. How could they not?! All their investment had been crushed. Moreover, the newcomer had a 'gift' to give that was exceedingly precious, enough to move the heart of a Resonant Soul Realm expert, yet it was taken away as well. Losing a piece on the board and a treasure was enough to send anyone into a spiraling tantrum. Su Yu sighed softly. The cultivation world was often brutal, and playing with forces you didn't understand often left you a cold corpse. Sometimes headless. In the end, he wasn't shaken at all, his Heart of Cultivation and experiences thus far exceeded what others would expect. Surprisingly, while initially stunned, those who were here for the game, excluding Yue Baoyue, had calmed down. It was as if their hearts were being held by unseen hands. They had confidence in their safety by virtue of their sky-holding backers. The Arachnids on board their spider-shaped vessel were led by a warm brown-skinned young woman dressed in night black with a threaded design of spider webs in red. She was quite tall, naturally slender, and graceful. She wore a half-mask of porcelain, yet the other half of her face exposed a charming beauty, mysterious and alluring. She was a Sage, and her aura was frighteningly deep and unordinary. "World-Saint Neo-Dawn," she spoke, dismissing the brutal death of a Sage as if it was nothing to her, her voice was raspy yet comforting, capable of luring one to a relaxed state, "May I approach?" She not only revealed herself before speaking, floating in the Dark Void, but every word contained the utmost respect. From within the Original Dawn Palace, Wei Wuyin's voice echoed out into the Dark Void, containing admiration and interest. "To think they would send you, Lady Missulena. I feel honored." When her name was spoken, the young woman's sole exposed pupil constricted slightly, but her heart was steady and strong, hurriedly concealing her surprise with a calm visage. "It is my greatest honor to be here today before you, World-Saint Neo-Dawn." Stifling her surprise, she performed a salute of respect with greater emphasis than before.
Su Yi looked at her and his eyes shone with a flash of astonishment. This woman wasn't just a simple Sage! If he had to give a rough estimate by relying on his experience, she was at least a seventh-tier or eighth-tier True Sage! To condense a True Breath of a Sage to that extent was rare, yet it didn't seem to just be a single one. "You may approach," Luo Ning announced. It seemed Wei Wuyin didn't have any further intention to speak to her, showcasing that he placed considerable importance on acknowledging her existence and little else. Lady Missulena flew over. Floating behind her was a large golden chest etched with silvery spider web designs, exuding both worldly radiance and mystic-grade spatial energies. This was certainly a peak Mystic-World graded Storage Treasure, designed to carry precious materials that can't be easily transported. When she arrived next to Luo Ning, she respectfully greeted her. "This is the gift, and I wish to extend to you and your Neo-Dawn Empire our deepest apologies for the previous incident. We take full responsibility for our ignorant and disrespectful actions. I hope World-Saint Neo-Dawn can forgive us."
"..." "..."
"..."
Regardless of who, they were all stunned into speechlessness! The Arachnids were apologizing?! Not just that—they were offering a gift?!?! What in the freaking heavens! The organization had never humbled itself to this extent. Moreover, some of them had heard of the legendary talent Lady Missulena in vague stories and depictions in certain news outlets, especially the Blessed Sentinel as she was on NUMEROUS talent rankings beginning from her Qi Condensation Realm days! This was due to her extraordinary trifecta of innate talent, comparable to Qing Qiumu, born with a unique dantian, set of meridians, and sea of consciousness.
However, no one knew what she looked like! Perhaps only the Blessed Sentinel and a few curious powerhouses knew. She was a figure shrouded in mystery. Wei Wuyin exposed that with ease, only signifying the depths of his knowledge of the Arachnids despite his status as a foreigner. Luo Ning looked at the chest. Then, she unreservedly ordered, "Open it." Lady Missulena wasn't expecting that, but she adapted quickly. She opened it, exposing her flawlessly beautiful hands. When it did, a pulse of rich heavenly and alchemical aura erupted outwards, causing the spiritual senses of those within the range of thirty million miles to feel invigorated.
There was only a single item within. An unrolled scroll. It had two golden rollers etched with seven-colored alchemical runes while the sheet of the scroll was made from Mystic-Heaven grade papyrus, which was in and of itself crafted from a Mystic-Heaven grade grass-like sedge alongside other materials and methods. Exclamations from the vessels and those hidden in the folds of space resounded continuously. Even Su Yi was moved. Luo Ning looked at the scroll. She noted the incandescent spiritual inscriptions hovering above the scroll, exposing the name of the legacy within: "Abstruse Spiritforce Pill—Low-tier, Mystic-Heaven." The spiritual inscriptions were as bright as a Solar Star in the Spiritual Senses of any observer, entirely unmistakable. Gasps from near and far occurred, some with the gentleness of a whisper while others were as explosive as thunder.
A gift? A Mystic-Heaven grade product Concoction Method?! What in the world were the Arachnids apologizing for?! Holy heavens!! Luo Ning was unable to keep her indifferent expression, her expression grew extremely emotional as she sensed the resonance these words had with the Alchemic Dao. This was a true-blue Mystic-Heaven product. She didn't know what its effects were, and without certain divination arts, a greater Alchemic Stars than Transcendent Purity—at least the Alchemic Stars of Pure Enlightenment, or inscription detailing it, she simply wouldn't be able to find out.
And unfortunately, there was no plaque here. Of those present, even these Exalted Worldly Saint Alchemists, only Su Yi had a tinge of recognition that was laced with emotions. This was an alchemical product he was familiar with. It was an ancient product, said to have been lost in the current day. Moreover, no Heavenly Seer was stupid enough to casually investigate Mystic-Heaven grade product recipes or Concoction Methods as a whole.
The difficulty was immense, not even Grand Seers would dare. And even if they did, it was unlikely they could use it. Their only recourse to recoup their losses was to sell it. But even then, finding a buyer was incredibly difficult!
Not a single person didn't realize how significant this was! Even if the foreigner couldn't concoct it himself, it would greatly assist him by just studying the Concoction Method that contained the process of concocting a Mystic-Heaven grade product! It would be boundlessly useful and a source of incredible inspiration.
This was not a small gift or a large gift, but a world-shaking gift! Luo Ning then had a shift in expression. She regained her cold indifference and then said with a trace of admiration and approval: "The True Soul-cultivating product that was forgotten by most in history, the Abstruse Spiritforce Pill. His Majesty accepts your gift. You can be one of the Mystical Judges, if you wish. You may enter." "...!" Lady Missulena was unable to hide her shock at this point. How did she know what type of product this was?! Su Yi's pupils shook too! This was an extremely ancient product! Long forgotten by history! It was even concealed by some ancient Seers, making it increasingly difficult to determine its origins and effects! Luo Ning didn't care for her shock as she kept the chest and the scroll, gesturing for Lady Missulena to enter.
From inside the Original Dawn Palace, Wei Wuyin's Alchemic Stars of Unparalleled Creation rescinded, returning to the disguised Alchemic Stars of Transcendent Purity. There was a line of grey blood flowing from his left eye. He wiped it off casually. "No wonder there were protections over it. This is a peak low-tier Mystic-Heaven product that Resonant Soul Realm cultivators would genuinely wage war for. A pill that can cultivate the True Soul." Not every Supreme Sage had a scripture like Bloodline of Sin inheritors that detailed cultivating one's True Soul from the jump, nor did they have one after ascending as any passive benefit. The ways to cultivate one's True Soul were few and far between, and there were exceedingly ancient Supreme Sages that weren't able to do so!
The Arachnids had ill intentions. However, he didn't mind after receiving their precious gift. Since he identified it, openly exposing its effects, then this would only make those with greedy thoughts think thrice. However, the subsequent storm of activity amongst Supreme Sages occurring across the Utmost Purity Galaxy was gargantuan! However, just as Wei Wuyin expected, after he had identified the effects publicly, they didn't make any moves. What was this?
Fearlessness!
Moreover, who amongst them were fools? Wei Wuyin from the onset came with great momentum and mystery, and his challenge to the Seven Utmost Towers' authority was deliberate and calculated! It was as if he was looking for a fight! A justification to fight Supreme Sages!! They didn't want to unintentionally fall into a sinister plot. There were already examples of these supreme existences suffering at Wei Wuyin's hands: The Knightly Dao Calamity!
Moreover, just because Wei Wuyin said that the product had this effect, that didn't mean it had that effect. If the Arachnids had sold them that information after guarantees, that would have changed things.
Lady Missulena clasped her hands, unable to hide the growing fear in her heart. If Wei Wuyin hadn't invited her into the Original Dawn Palace, she would have taken drastic actions to flee! After all, the Arachnids were scheming here! She was always going to open the chest before others. If Wei Wuyin accepted the gift publicly, without knowing its effects, the Arachnids would profit by exposing the effects in secret to those supreme existences as information. The trouble that it would cause wouldn't be small! She could only walk into the grade three Utmost Purity Mist, feeling her Mystic Soul thrum with excitement.
Luo Ning looked at the Incandescent Star Palace's vessel. The envoy left the vessel, exposing themselves to be a white-haired elderly man of great seniority, similarly a Sage. He was even older than Shang Liu. His cultivation base was extraordinary as he had eight wisps of True Breath of a Sage within him, and while their tiers weren't very high, reaching that level was a sign of excellence and talent.
Yet he was unable to awaken his True Soul or ascend to the Resonant Soul Realm, showcasing once again before those observing how difficult the path of cultivation was! He was named Sun Jiazhen, a close relative to the standing Incandescent Star Palace's Palace Lord. He was almost always in secluded cultivation. However, after learning of the star disc that could create a foundationless Star Bridge, he decided to accept the Palace Lord's arrangement and come as a gift-bearing guest to the event. Moreover, only he and the Palace Lord were aware of the glaring flaw of their business and the truth that Wei Wuyin had no connection with the Incandescent Star Palace despite the entire galaxy thinking otherwise!
Luo Ning exposed a congenial smile that could dazzle hearts. "Senior Sun, please. His Majesty has been waiting for too long. The gift you bring from the Palace Lord, you can give it to His Majesty directly. " She hurriedly ushered Sun Jiazhen in. The elderly man could only smile as the awkwardness in his heart was ravaging within his chest. After all, Luo Ning's tone was laced with undeniable familiarity, even alluding that the gift he brought with him was from the Palace Lord!
"Oh, Senior Sun. You can also be a mystical judge if you wish. Your integrity is known by all, and His Majesty is well aware of your penchant for justice and fairness. No one should object to it." Luo Ning's smile widened, her words carrying admiration.
"..." Sun Jiazhen was unable to deny her offer. What in the heavens was happening?! "So two Mystical Judges have been decided?" Su Yu blinked as he thought. If that headless idiot had become the third, then the situation would be a little more difficult. But who's the third? "All of you, come in. The last mystical judge had already arrived." Luo Ning no longer delayed the participants, ushering them in with an expression of apathy. It was as if her welcoming smile earlier exposing her beauty and charm just didn't exist for them. Considering they were competitors, they couldn't find much fault. It would be stranger if she was welcoming to them.