Paragon of Sin

Under the escort of Pavilion Master Shang himself, Wei Wuyin and his entourage were brought deeper into the palatial complex built upon the Continent of the First Knight. The scenery continued to expand and become increasingly luxurious, especially the atmospheric quality of air and essence. The walls of the palace were formed of a mixture of high-level Mystic-Earth grade and pinnacle-level Astral-grade stone material, granting it an archaic feeling. These walls had all sorts of statues, busts, paintings, and works of art that foretold the history of the Knightly Dao Pavilion.

This history was mostly told through the viewpoint of its members, detailing their achievements in training and subsequent achievements in battle or life. There was once a Knightly Dao Pavilion-instructed cultivator that cultivated to the World Emperor level and then, out of sheer strength and talent, fought against 18 World Emperors to a tie in a life-threatening conflict. The cultivator hadn't won, but he hadn't lost either. Moreover, he saved his clan from destruction by displaying the principles of the Knightly Dao Pavilion's teachings. Some of the more repeatable ones were the cross-realm conflicts. The greatest of these feats was an Original Magistrate, a cultivator at the sixth stage of the Mystic Ascendant Realm, igniting his Mystic Soul to withstand a strike from an enraged Sage.

While there were seemingly only two stages of difference between the Heavenly Saint Phase and True Sage Phase, these two stages were naturally divided by two expansive charms of unknown depth. It was unfathomable for an Original Magistrate to withstand anything of a Sage by relying on the virtue of their cultivation base, even if they ignited their full strength, yet this student had!

The more common ones for this type were mostly lower-stage Mystic Ascendants fighting above their cultivations, with Venerables and Highlords often written. The depictions of art were colorful or dynamic, some even held active spiritual activity of vivid movement recording a snippet of the battle. It was easy to get lost in these dynamic paintings. Most of them were replicated by an observer, so the spiritual-created snippets were based on pure memory, yet it was as if someone had used a spiritual recording item. While observing, it felt as if one were observing the battle in person.

At times, those observing the painting might be so enthralled by the painting that their cultivation bases would circulate, causing their robes or clothes to flutter as if they were bearing the shockwaves.

Yue Songli's eyes were shining throughout the walk. She was introduced to a new form of art, and her mind was filled with creative wonder and inspiration. She had once made a painting of Wei Wuyin's conquest of the Ancient Sealed Region, and she felt that she could potentially recreate the majestic splendor.

She was already holding Wei Wuyin's hand tightly, gasping here and there, her excitement comparable to a young girl in a candy store. She didn't care for her image, and with Wei Wuyin there, her normally shy and reserved demeanor was melted away by comfort and a sense of safety. She could be her true self.

Of course, as she moved about, those twin mountains moved with lethal momentum, especially when they occasionally pressed against Wei Wuyin's arm as she brought him here and there. The men present had to hold in their fiery desire to observe too closely. What a frightening woman!

World-Saint Searing Star was cursing Yue Songli silently as he felt she was deliberately trying to sign their death warrants. Meanwhile, Sage Moonrise didn't hold back. She even approached Yue Songli and explained some of the origins of the arts, including the ones who made it.

"The Knightly Dao Pavilion cultivates artistic creativity as much as we cultivate our Spirits of Cultivation. Grand Instructor Shang has always believed that breadth is spirit and depth of courage was tied to one's ability to expel their thoughts and emotions into art. I, personally, made this piece." Sage Moonrise had somehow eased near Yue Songli and began to become a guide. World-Saint Azure Rain had no issue with her taking the proactive measure to engage.

In fact, the situation was a little awkward after the Arising Sage Elixir, mostly because it displayed that the gulf between them and Wei Wuyin was rather massive, yet Pavilion Master Shang denied them the initial courtesy of his respect, treating them as a common high-level guest by sending a Vice-Pavilion Master to greet them beyond the door, and then not meeting them personally at the door. It was a twofold act of dismissal.

While she was Pavilion Master Shang's former student and a Sage, it was hard to justify such an attitude since Wei Wuyin was an Exalted Worldly Saint Alchemist, a potential Supreme Sage, and had four Sages in his entourage who were rulers of an entirely different galaxy.

Yue Songli was like a sponge as she listened attentively. She asked all sorts of questions. Qing Qiumu was also involved at times as she gasped at some of the artistic designs. There was a statue of Sage Avenging Heart that was made by a witness and fellow Knightly Dao Pavilion member that displayed his state after claiming his revenge, detailing the feeling of relief, extreme exhaustion, and suffering he experienced during the battle. His body was ravaged and he bled from six out of seven orifices.

The statue was made with a mixture of Mystic-World Essence Stones and the blood that flowed or looked dried was Mystic Origin Liquid. The expense was incredible, and Yue Songli was stunned by the luxury, but the technique was fascinating.

The statue was seemingly whole but if one looked closely, the various parts had formations that linked into an Auric-type array. When they observed the statue, they felt the genuine mystic aura of Sage Avenging Heart that was pulsating violently from over exhaustion. It was, from a single glance, capable of allowing observers to feel the challenge he faced for revenge.

Yue Songli was mesmerized by the sight. Qing Qiumu was inspired as her mental fluctuations were highly active. She was an artist too, but she felt as if she had never found her specific calling, observing this lively bust that replicated a moment frozen in time was utterly mind-blowing.

"I want to try making something like this," she whispered strongly to herself. The illusory form of Wei Wuyin that only she could see calmly held her hand, allowing her to feel warmth, and giving her a supportive smile. While no words were shared, her heart was racing as she felt the tender support Wei Wuyin was providing. She felt that pursuing this mixture of crafting, formations, and arrays might be her calling.

Sage Painted Star was a little reserved. However, Yue Songli would slyly ask questions that would involve him, and while he was a little distant, he accommodated her by explaining a few of the principles of the techniques, especially from some of the paintings that he made, which covered over half of the hall's painting.

Wei Wuyin had learned that Yue Songli wanted to come to the Knightly Dao Pavilion solely because Sage Painted Star was here, and she had seen a painting of him on a planet. She was instantly amazed by his technique and creativity, especially how silently dynamic his paintings were, like the rising of the sun or the last radiance of a sunset. It carried either excitement or melancholic feelings and prodded one's emotions, and this was a path that she pursued in her own works.

She had often relied on paintings to expel her hidden feelings. When she thought that Wei Wuyin would abandon her, leaving her behind, finding other love interests and experiencing great journals despite his brazen and unforgettable declaration to court her, seemingly granting her freedom and utterly at ease, knowing that in the end…she would certainly be his…

she had painted those feelings.

When she was trapped for hundreds of years within the Shadow Egg of Trueborn, forced to extract the Yang Energies of talented male cultivators, cultivating to the Mystic Ascendant Realm under lock and key, she painted those feelings. Wei Wuyin was the first one to feel her fallen desire for freedom, and he had changed her life by taking the caged canary out into the world and returning her home.

And now, they explored the starry skies together. While he was busy sometimes performing astonishing feats, he was always available and when he was present—he was present with her. She could always feel that. Just like now.

Then, at a specific hall, she saw a painting of a member of the Knightly Dao Pavilion, a female member, who was struggling to escape from a cage formed by a superior cultivator, her expression was one of pure defiance. The woman was incredibly beautiful and had a natural allure, and it was clear that she was only given a fraction of her true beauty in this depiction. Meanwhile, she was only a size or so smaller than Yue Songli in terms of mighty twin mountains that could move hearts and gazes.

Sage Painted Star silently observed the painting alongside Shang Liu and the others, clearly emotional at this painting, and it was rather deep within the halls. They all had a silent form of respect in their hearts at this painting, and Sage Moonrise looked away, Yue Songli's beauty and alluring body were revealed in her pupils.

"Who's this?" Yue Songli asked as she walked forward. She was in a trance. She found a familiar feeling here.

Sage Painted Star eyed Wei Wuyin for a moment, and then Shang Liu before closing his eyes. Sage Avenging Heart, however, didn't hold back and spoke:

"This is the painting of Xi Ning's last moments; she was a cultivator who aspired for the peak that had lived nearly eight thousand years ago, and she had a Catalyst Body. She was of the Knightly Dao Pavilion, but her cultivation base was only at the Earthly Saint Phase, where her body's unique properties were slowly becoming exposed. A Sage had taken an interest in her. He trapped her and tried to force her to surrender herself to him.

"She, naturally, didn't yield despite three hundred years of torture. This was her final moments before she…ended her life by destroying her True Soul and body, preventing any sort of resurrection efforts while refusing to allow the Sage to even benefit from her corpse. She was extraordinary," Sage Avenging Heart explained with a heavy emotional tone.

"..." World-Saint Azure Rain gave Yue Songli a complex look. Clearly, they were all aware at this point what Yue Songli's unique body was at this point. A Pure Catalyst Body was one of the rarest types of Catalyst Bodies too. Not only was she gorgeous enough to make the stars look dull, her body enticing enough to give rise to a eunuch's desires, and her natural brilliance of spirit, she was a Catalyst Body taken by a Supreme Sage.

However, when they thought they would find caution or a flash of despair from their related situation, she was only pitiful of her situation. Yue Songli didn't know about the situation of Catalyst Bodies nor did she want to find out. Wei Wuyin had already said that he would tell her if she wanted to know, but she also felt that Wei Wuyin would tell her when she needed to know.

That said, she wasn't an idiot. She realized the implications of a Catalyst Bodies' importance or just from the gazes of those present, how dangerous possessing one was. There were only three Catalyst Bodies throughout the Utmost Purity Galaxy that were known and each of them had extremely prominent backgrounds, often at the Sage level. For example, Shang Wanqing and the Knightly Dao Pavilion. While it didn't have a Sage, it had several Sage-level connections.

If not for Pavilion Master Shang Liu's existence and the Knightly Dao Pavilion, Shang Wanqing would have been an obscure cauldron for someone else's cultivation, just like the numerous unknown others who existed yet never saw the light of day.

The cultivation world was brutal; yet within his arms, she felt safe. As for the underlying issue of why a Catalyst Body who desired to pursue the peak of cultivation didn't wish to dual cultivate with a Sage to expedite her path, whether it was out of strong will or her disgust for the Sage himself, she was aware of it too.

Wei Wuyin walked toward the painting, hovering his hand over the canvas. There was a strange aura here.

"How much for it?" He asked, and despite it only being four words, it caused the Sages and Worldly Saint Alchemist not of the Resolute Dusk Galaxy to start.

"How much?" Sage Avenging Heart was stunned.

Wei Wuyin nodded as he eyed the painting, "This could have been my wife's fate. If I hadn't met her. The emotions left here, scarring her, can serve as a reminder to myself to never allow her to experience that fate or those feelings again. Ever. I can hang it on my palace's southernmost wall of display."

Yue Songli's eyes brightened and grew extremely emotional. Tears welled in her eyes, threatening to fall. Qing Qiumu, shockingly, began to have wet eyes too.

The two had a shared past. Not only did this contribute to their expression of artistic creativity, but also their sisterly relationship. They were both caged and suffering, wanting to die, but unable to do so. They both had hope that refused to die.

But this woman…she lost the last spark of her hope and used everything to end it. Qing Qiumu had suffered this not once but twice, perhaps even two and a half times if the execution platform counted to some extent. And each time, Wei Wuyin had appeared right there and then.

Those present were simply unable to understand the depth of her fear or Yue Songli's, who was forced to end lives to maintain that semblance of hope. It was torture, a different breed, but torture nonetheless for the soul. Only with Wei Wuyin's presence and warmth, that sense of safety, that sense of ambitious adventure, and that thriving to love life and experience it to the fullest carrying the strongest hope, even if they were unaware of his challenges against Hell, had they been able to continue onward and heal.

Wei Wuyin felt the two's hands silently enter his own, to his left and right.

"..."

The story there…they all knew it was incredible.

Among them, Sage Moonrise's eyes revealed a trace of suspicion, uncertainty, and doubt.

Pavilion Master Shang Liu frowned, looking at Sage Painted Star.

"The price for this can be considered priceless. It is a crucial part of our Knightly Dao Pavilion's history, a show of defiance in the face of the greatest obstacles."

At this point, Yue Songli and Qing Qiumu didn't mind not obtaining the painting, they simply were happy that Wei Wuyin wanted to buy it.

Wei Wuyin shook his head in response, "Nothing is priceless. Tell me: what's the price?"

"..." World-Saint Azure Rain's brows furrowed. Wei Wuyin seemed adamant about buying this painting.

Sage Moonrise's eyes glinted, "It's not entirely impossible. According to our history, a few paintings and statues had been sold to others who were particularly moved by Sage Painted Star's extraordinary ability."

Shang Liu gave Sage Moonrise a look. She was right; there were instances of art being sold to those who walked this Hall. In fact, this could be considered an art gallery. Shang Liu was simply emphasizing the painting's importance. They had done this a few times before.

After all, can't they just make another one to replace the one sold? However, they have to get the highest profit. It was an overt scheme, and both teacher and student were executing it perfectly.

"She's right, but this painting…" Shang Liu was visibly hesitant.

Cao Cuifen walked forward and offered, "150,000 Mystic-World Essence Stones."

That was no small amount, especially for a mere painting. Their eyes each glowed. It was three times the amount given to Hao Chengxue to assist in the expedited solving of White Sky's issue.

Sage Moonrise's eyes glowed faintly. Shang Liu's eyes glowed even brighter, "150,000?" He said softly, but a struggling expression within his eyes exposed his reluctance. Of course, that was all for show.

Cao Cuifen gave Yue Songli and Qing Qiumu a look before stating flatly on Wei Wuyin's behalf: "170,000 Mystic-World Stones. That's the final offer. If we can't settle with this, then I think husband you should…"

She didn't bother to hide the thinly veiled threat.

"Deal!" Sage Moonrise agreed, causing Shang Liu to sigh helplessly. He seemed to have given in, not bothering to fight his student's decision. Cao Cuifen took out a ring and tossed it to Sage Moonrise.

Wei Wuyin held both Yue Songli and Qing Qiumu's hands as he got closer to the painting, his Celestial Eyes inspected the lively and defiant figure of Xi Ning.

"What a miraculous technique," he commented. Then, he looked at Pakhet. Pakhet seemingly understood his intent intuitively as she grabbed the painting with care.

"Bring her back," Wei Wuyin ordered.

"...?!"

Before anyone could properly react, Pakhet tapped into her Mystic Soul and Mystic Core to their fullest! A raging tempest swept the hall!

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