Chapter 1822 Chapter 1815: Act I (4) |
The ravenous gazes infused with urgent desire and rampant greed could be felt all over for millions of miles at the mere prospect of acquiring Su Yi's location without risk.
'All eyes on Su Yi,' Wei Wuyin thought as he could feel in every cell of his body the unrestrained confidence in the Alchemic Dao of the Utmost Purity Galaxy boring into him with brazen willingness, all hoping that Wei Wuyin would agree to any challenge of the Alchemic Dao on their very familiar playing field.
There was one undeniable thing said by Tianshi Zaoxuan that deeply resonated with the crowd—this was not the Prosperous Ruin Galaxy! The Utmost Purity Galaxy established its foundations in the Alchemic Dao. They used Dao Enforcers to exert their will and protect their interests, including their livelihoods and freedoms of Alchemists, especially considering how society could treat alchemists without these things being rightfully guarded. An example of the potentially horrid fate of Alchemists was the Devil War Realm which treated them as slaves and tools, either by societal standards or through force.
As such, Dao Enforcers and the Seven Utmost Towers didn't just protect the interests of themselves or act as conquerors, but to Alchemists as a whole, they acted as a union across the various galaxies. Meanwhile, internally, they were largely concerned with the regulation of the Alchemic Dao, and there wasn't a heavy emphasis on territorial reign or conquest through war.
The Prosperous Ruin Galaxy and Treasured Vale Galaxy had Imperial Cultivators, and imperialism came into conflict over authority, territory, respect, land, and resources. As a whole, the Seven Utmost Towers established a type of extreme freedom for Alchemists and avoided such bloody conflicts, only serving as representatives of the Alchemic Dao.
This was mainly why those present didn't outright handle Wei Wuyin with hard tactics initially. The fact he was an Alchemist himself and acted somewhat within acceptable range was protected by themselves. If this was the Prosperous Ruin Galaxy or Treasured Vale Galaxy, there was a significantly high chance of Wei Wuyin being violently besieged by Supreme Sages and an army equipped with dealing with Supreme Sages, seen as an ill-intended invader the moment he interfered with any matters of the galaxy as a powerful foreigner.
Wei Wuyin would not have been able to act as wantonly as he had during the Knightly Dao Calamity or freely attack Shadow Veil's headquarters. He would have had numerous challengers or righteous self-assigned galactic protectors, unwilling to ignore his domineering actions. Once again this brings up the point that Dao Enforcers were not warriors tasked with protecting the galaxy's peace or anyone's safety but the Alchemic Dao, and by extension—the Alchemists and their interests. They were involved in self-interest and the pursuit of the Alchemic Dao!
But since Wei Wuyin was an Alchemist himself, carrying a phenomenal Alchemic Dao lineage, he was only a foreigner in terms of the galaxy but a true-blue native otherwise. At least, in the eyes of the Seven Utmost Towers.
Su Yi, for example, was not afforded much respect due to lacking alchemical talent and skills, often referred to as 'Daoist' as an address, and to many, especially to the cultivators and Alchemists of the Utmost Purity Galaxy, this meant his status was naturally below any skilled and prestigious Alchemist. Although his strength contributed to his elevated status, as a corresponding alchemist, a Grand Worldly Saint Alchemist, which has and could nurture a Supreme Sage, it wasn't sufficient to push him on the same level as Heavenly Alchemic Saints, even those who established their paths using inferior lineages.
Tianshi Zaoxuan's voice grew increasingly majestic, "Yes! For Daoist Su's current location, including any locations you may have sent him to after."
A myriad of eyes sparked to life; Tianshi Zaoxuan covered his bases with a single sentence, much to the approval of the crowd. It was highly probable that Su Yi might be transported to a location and then be sent elsewhere, learning the initial location would do them no good since that Void Formation was extremely difficult to track and no Seer would want to deliberately scry with Wei Wuyin guarding him, almost certainly suffering a devastating backlash as a result.
Moreover, quite a few individuals had a vested interest in Su Yi's life and death, while the secrets that he held were secondary in importance. After all, Su Yi was severely injured after showcasing a phenomenal degree of strength rivaling a Supreme Sage, granting them a very unique opportunity to stomp out their enemy that would make them lose their appetite and develop insomnia at the mere possibility of him arriving at their doorsteps.
However, none of them sought to offend Wei Wuyin, a foreigner seemingly dead-set on clashing to improve his Authority of Law.
Wei Wuyin's brows caressed slightly before smoothing out as a surge of World Pressure swirled around him. His starry gaze pierced outwards toward Tianshi Zaoxuan, and just as he was about to speak, clear to all observing his intent to refuse such a disadvantageous scenario for one in favor of fighting, another voice, one that was unheard of before spoke out: "The Alchemic Dao is as limitless as it is fair; Zeniths of our galaxy, a clash of alchemy must present equal gains on both sides. What shall we offer our friend should our Alchemic Dao falter before his?"
The voice was like night itself, smooth with endless depth and unknowable mysteries. It wasn't refreshing, lingering in the mind like a looming shadow stretched out by the countless blazing stars in the sky. The vocal cadence was soul-engulfing, utterly irresistible to the spirit and ears like the coming veil of darkness laced with a beguiling feminine depth.
Tianshi Ya's pupils constricted intensely as her vision darkened as time and direction lost all meaning. A warm, strong hand gripped hers tightly. Her heart and soul relaxed with inexplicable comfort. Her sight, both physical and spiritual, which was on the verge of vanishing, returned to fullness like an abrupt supernova. Her breath resumed and cold sweat dotted her brows.
Suo Haoran stood beside her. His firm figure was like a sky-holding pillar, and she leaned into him as her heart throbbed violently with fear.
Shadow Veil's Supreme Sage!
The All-Shrouding Dusk Sovereign!
Tianshi Ya was unable to stymie her rampant thoughts. If she, someone under a Supreme Sage's protection, was subjected to some ungodly spiritual dissonance, then what about everyone else? Her thoughts were not without reason!
As if agreed upon, the six Zenith Towers, genuine Mystic-Heaven graded tools, diverted their Heavenly Force to disperse the lingering and all-encompassing spiritual power of the All-Shrouding Dusk Sovereign! This was Shadow Veil's second Supreme Sage!
While considered second, the All-Shrouding Dusk Sovereign was the most widely known of their potentially three Supreme Sages, with the All-Viewing Sky Sovereign's life-or-death as a very contentious unknown. The Shadow Veil Sovereign was the first and its founder. While incredibly ancient in age, where Su Yi was familiar with him in his other life, the All-Viewing Sky Sovereign joined after the founding of Shadow Veil.
But if they had to describe the most mysterious of the three, then it was likely none other than the All-Shrouding Dusk Sovereign, the master of the Law of Darkness and wielder of the Unique Intent—Dusk Intent!
Back at the subrealm space, Young Master Shang's heart raced as a pendant beneath his chest pulsed with a radiant light, seemingly on the verge of unleashing a fantastical power in response, but the formation placed in the Original Dawn Palace used the foundation of the Omega Saber Mystic Force, and halting all those inside from feeling any effects.
However, Young Master Shang was shaken. 'Shit!' The activation of the pendant was something he did not want to see. As for why…
Well, there existed the diametrically opposite of Dusk Intent —Dawn Intent, and his mother…
'Shit! Shit!' While Young Master Shang panicked, Wei Wuyin remained unmoved as the six Zenith Towers dispelled the All-Shrouding Dusk Sovereign's spiritual oppression. She made an unforgettable entrance, one that none of them could ignore.
Still, her declaration that their Alchemic Dao could possibly falter before his Alchemic Dao was nothing less than an utter joke. Wei Wuyin was a verified Worldly Alchemic Saint, and while he could be classified as a grand-tier with stupendous products here and there, not a single individual here thought he could match a single hair on a Heavenly Alchemic Saint's head, perhaps not even from their rear!
They were the galactic authority on the Alchemic Dao!
"I concur," Tianshi Zaoxuan echoed out, shocking the six other Zenith-level Heavenly Alchemic Saints. However, Tianshi Zaoxuan seemed to not care, continuing: "If you dare to accept our challenge of the Alchemic Dao, and find victory, no matter how unlikely, what can't our Seven Utmost Towers not agree to?"
Suo Haoran sighed inwardly.
Here it is!
Wei Wuyin's eyes flickered intermittently with considerable thought. From an outsider's perspective, he was genuinely considering it! However, his gaze dulled as he sighed. They all knew that emotion all too well!
This foreigner understood there was no benefit to accepting this! How could he possibly accept such a ridiculous, unfair challenge of Alchemic Dao against a juggernaut like the Utmost Purity Galaxy's top alchemists when his Authority of Law hinged on clashing with the galaxy? Once again, Wei Wuyin's momentum began to rise.
No cultivator in their right mind would ever agree to hinder their cultivation path in an unfair challenge that was entirely unnecessary! If they wanted Su Yi's location, then the answer was rather simple:
FIGHT!
If they're strong enough, then beat it out of him!
But none of them were willing to do so. It was deeply against their self-interest and there were bound to be uncertainties in such a scenario. What if Wei Wuyin detonated his Heavenly Treasures or held nothing back? The damage, even if they suppressed him, would be extensive. And if his Imperial Law ascends to the Major Authority or Higher?
They would genuinely be harming themselves! A Resonant Soul Realm expert can utilize authorities to a far greater degree than any other cultivation Realm, and it wasn't even close.
In fact, Laws and their respective authority tiers were rightfully tied to their cultivation path. It was meant for Supreme Sages! At the very least, meant for the Resonant Soul Realm! The advancement of cultivation over countless years only pushed the originally placed limits as cultivators exceeded conventional standards of cultivation time and time again, from prematurely obtaining a Worldly Domain as a Soul Idol Phase cultivator to executing Spatial Arts at the Qi Condensation Realm.
Cultivation has far exceeded typical standards! Now, to be considered a genius, one needed to possess a Seed of Law or Unique Intent, not just a stellar foundation or extraordinary physique!
Then, Dao Enforcer of the Zenith Refinement Tower spat, her voice as antagonistic as always: "If you want to fight, then we'll fight! But if you're a man, especially if you consider yourself any type of monarch worth a damn, then you shouldn't run away from any challenge! Do you dare accept ours? Do you dare accept OUR CHALLENGE?!"
"..."
Discussion flared. The crowd teemed with anticipation. Will this foreigner dare accept a challenge by their Alchemic Dao? While general, this was no different than being challenged by all the Alchemists of the Utmost Purity Galaxy!
Wei Wuyin's aura faltered ever-so-slightly, his expression gradually darkened, and murderous intent burned within his gaze. Not a single person who could perceive these changes felt they were unwarranted!
This woman was attempting to affect his authority of the Imperial Law! Crushing his momentum!
Immediately, they all sensed the Imperial Law aura churn violently as if awaiting Wei Wuyin's answer. Moreover, they more or less realized that Wei Wuyin had some invisible restriction that prevented him from acting first, so her move was masterfully done yet extremely simple!
Then, the scholarly voice of the Zenith Refinement Saint said in a soft voice that was rife with mockery, "Are you afraid?"
Wei Wuyin's starry eyes glowed with intense, blindingly bright light of seven colors. "YOU THINK I'M AFRAID?!" His voice was filled with a thunderous boom.
"OF WHAT?!" Wei Wuyin bellowed with the might of a million thunderstorms.
"OF WHO???!!!" Raging World Pressure surged chaotically, oppressing the Heavenly Force of all six Zenith Towers. It was unstoppable! Gales of chaos mana formed within the Dark Void, seeking to distort celestial orbits and snuff out Solar Stars!
The crowd instantly understood that whatever play these Supreme Sages were performing to entice Wei Wuyin had worked perfectly! He was hooked!
Meanwhile, Wei Wuyin's thoughts were lively: 'How shocking. I feel like I didn't even need to arrange so many things, especially when you have a few individuals just ready to jump into the hole! Haha!'
Act One was on the verge of concluding! Just one more step left!