"..."
San Luoyang's announcement had solidified an ever-lasting, far-influencing reality: Du Ling had won!
The Extraction Stage born from the devious shamelessness of those Alchemic Sovereigns attempting to capitalize on Wei Wuyin's absence fell flat on its face. Furthermore, it only highlighted the grossly vast distance between Wei Wuyin and them, especially since he used a proxy!
"He did it!" Ai Juling jumped excitedly, her eyes extremely bright with the light of genuine elation. Du Ling had domineeringly conquered the stage, sending these Chosen Knights forged by five years of an Alchemic Sovereign's efforts packing without any falsehoods or schemes.
It was direct and irrefutable!
Like a herculean slap to the face!
Bai Lin's eyes slightly opened, giving the stage of molten magma a look. She then closed her eyes, unaffected by this victory. It was her Wei Wuyin, was there any other outcome possible? That belief, that confidence, and that type of reaction were held by many in the audience.
This included the Fangs and Claws, the Shadow, the Light, Ascendants, and those Saintesses tethered to Wei Wuyin!
"It seems he's destined to define an era," Lin Xianxei quietly said as her heart raced in her chest. In the starfield known by most as the Everlore Starfield, Wei Wuyin was on the cusp of changing the entire starfield as the leading existence of the upcoming era welcomed by many, even resulting in the starfield's native-given name—Tri-Vision Starfield—to change to the Neo-Dawn Starfield. A name honoring his people-given title, the Neo-Dawn Ascendant Emperor!
While the stage had vastly increased from a tiny starfield to a grand stellar region, the outcome was seemingly inevitable.
While it wasn't as domineering, Wei Wuyin had arrived at the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit and single-handedly revised its process with a few irrefutable words and reasons, allowing him to seize the greatest voice amidst what many considered impossible odds.
Facing the recently ascended Earthly Saint, Prime Mortal Sovereign Alchemist—San Luoyang, the Lavender Alchemic Sovereign—Xun Yicao, and countless other talented and experienced Alchemists such as Mu Yura, Wei Wuyin had overcome them with several disadvantages!
From Du Ling's weak initial talent and clear inexperience as a fighter, to his personally limited cultivation base in the Mortal Realms, being forced to use a proxy of a 'failed' Ascended being, being absent for eighteen months of additional nurturing, and lacking any instructor to teach Du Ling combat arts or spells, Wei Wuyin was given the short end of the stick at every turn.
Despite these obstacles, he triumphed over them all!
How could the Alchemic Sovereigns not understand these things? While some of their ill feelings were mitigated by Du Ling's display of an abnormal comprehensive talent, simply a rope to which to grab while drowning in their feelings of inferiority, they couldn't deny that Wei Wuyin had exceeded every expectation despite the pitfalls. To make matters worse, he wasn't even here!
It was hard to truly describe what each of these Alchemic Sovereigns that commanded endless respect and reverence was feeling at the moment. Well, except for Xun Yicao, whose face was distorted with ghastly shame and fiery rage. From his reddened cheeks, it felt as if he was slapped several times, but that was merely his embarrassment overflowing.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that, from the beginning, he was against Wei Wuyin. Moreover, he had picked Luo Ning himself, argued for the Extraction Stage, and laughed at Wei Wuyin's actions while simultaneously declaring him a fool!
But as the gazes of everyone turned to him, searing into him their scorching judgments, how could he not realize they were all thinking the same thing?
Thinking who the REAL FOOL was?!
Thinking that, while Wei Wuyin lacked an Alchemic Soul, his innate talent and skills were sufficient to place him firmly beside the one and only…
King of Everlore!
While his accomplishments might not match that in the long run to that legendary figure, it was undeniable that the non-Ascended Mortal Sovereign Alchemist capable of creating the Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill was heaven-shakingly talented! And he, the old codger that he was, had offended this rising existence so openly that the distance he could feel from others was already forming.
A few thrones even moved subtly away from him!
Moreover, Wei Wuyin's forces were already terrifyingly high. Some envied Wu Yu and the armored Earthly Saint, feeling that they invested their interests in the right person, seeing it long-term. The Sky Monarchs and Imperial Monarchs had felt the same feeling before, and Yang Chaoyue was brightly smiling at these events. She had already laid out the foundation for a relationship.
Most gazes surreptitiously shot toward Ma Zheng; this renowned businessman's foresight was impeccable as always. It was hard for Ma Zheng not to reveal a contented smile. He felt fortunate that he had met Wei Wuyin at the War Devil Realm, and he wasn't blinded by curiosity or greed, only acting with the pure intentions of investing in this youth with tremendous potential.
Due to Wei Wuyin, he reclaimed the seat that was once his—Pavilion Master! Without him, he didn't know where he would be. Fortunately, he had no reason to ponder on 'what ifs' and could focus on going forward!
San Luoyang had predicted this result, and while he felt a little emotional uproar over his defeat, he didn't dwell as the primary host for this event. "Chosen Knight Du Ling, will you present your Alchemic Sovereign's criteria?" After all this, it was now ready to learn what Wei Wuyin had determined as the standards for being classified as a Chosen!
The hearts of many grew taut, struggling to beat, and their breaths were held. The portion of the crowd with a vested interest in these new standards was deeply focused at the moment.
This will determine the beginning of endless change! It will reorganize the concept of organization Tiers, could disqualify many organizations from obtaining slots in the Chosen King Competition, and strike the title of Chosen from so many.
Du Ling was now given center stage as he floated on the stage, his floating magma from the Radiant Lava Star had been absorbed by the stage and it had instantly repaired itself in a flash. Considering he was a mere Astral Core Realm cultivator, how could he cause everlasting damage to the stage?
He took a deep breath. The energetic words of Du Ping continuously reverberated through his heart and mind, granting him a type of pride and strength that he hadn't felt before.
After a minute, he finally steadied himself as his expression grew dignified. He was now the Young Master's messenger, and he needed to do the best job imaginable. Clearing his throat, he circulated his cultivation base in accordance with how Wei Wuyin instructed, his voice box was strengthened via a terrifyingly powerful spell, and he announced:
"All Chosen MUST at MINIMUM be at the Third Stage of the Soul Idol Phase!" The first standard wasn't shocking. It was merely an appetizer, mostly because this was an unspoken yet readily accepted standard that was already implemented. Only when cultivators reach the Soul Idol Phase would their potential display itself in the form of Soul Rings. Now, it was fully a standard that couldn't be affected by nepotism.
For example, some talents were declared as Chosen at the beginning of their Astral Core Realm, the World Sea Phase, and given access to resources by their respective leaders, mostly due to various organizational rules and limitations to hinder nepotism.
"All Chosen MUST, at the Soul Idol Phase, possess Nine Soul Rings! All Chosen MUST, at the Spatial Resonance Phase, possess Nine Ripples of Spatial Resonance! All Chosen MUST, at the Light Reflection Phase, possess a White-Colored Primary Light Source! These requirements must be met before the ascension to the Realm World Phase!"
"..." The crowd's hearts shook. This meant that every Chosen must have a perfect foundation! The dreadful wails of many Chosen from lesser forces soundlessly resounded throughout the summit. This was brutal! Extremely freaking brutal!
How many Chosen didn't have perfect foundations? Those like He Yanglei who had the support of a Mystic-tier force and various Ascended beings could obtain this, but those from weaker forces? Bronze-tier? Silver-tier? Gold-tier without Ascended clans or family members behind them? Could they meet such a requirement?
This was absolutely heart-wrenching!
But Du Ling didn't stop here, giving the dreams of many another world-shaking smash!
"The MINIMUM Combat Standard for Chosen shall be as follows:
At one hundred years of age and below!
Soul Idol Phase MUST be able to defeat Lesser Realmlords!
Spatial Resonance Phase MUST be able to defeat Pinnacle Realmlords!
Light Reflection Phase MUST be able to defeat Lesser Timelords!
Gravity Emission Phase MUST be able to defeat Greater Timelords.
Realm World Phase MUST be able to defeat Pinnacle Timelords.
Temporal Eye Phase MUST be able to defeat Lesser Starlords!
Star Core Phase MUST be equivalent to Pinnacle Starlords!
Every additional age of 100 years, the criteria will increase by a minor stage! As such, a cultivator between 100 and 199 years old Chosen at the Light Reflection Phase MUST be able to defeat a Greater Timelord.
At 400-499 years old, it'll rise to the Lesser Starlord!!"
In the original standards set, a Chosen at the first, second, or third stage must be able to fight three stages above themselves at minimum. They didn't need to kill or defeat, but showed that they 'could' fight. Given that ordinary experts often had trash foundations, lackluster backgrounds, and little access to resources, they were noticeably weaker.
When a cultivator was at the Spatial Resonance Phase, they merely needed to be 'equivalent' to Lesser Realmlords. This mostly meant to show that they could fight against these cultivators for some time without being unquestionably suppressed. This was what Lin Ming faced before, but it was elevated to Lesser Timelord and three moves due to his special circumstances.
This caused the jaws of everyone to drop. Even the Earthly Saints had extreme reactions, their expressions changing greatly.
Lin Ming's heart shook! He recalled the 34th Prince of the Eighth Sea during that unfair stage was 164 years old, at the Light Reflection Phase, and he had to face a Transcendent Realmlord. If they went by this standard, wouldn't it mean he would have to face a Greater Timelord?!
The 34th Prince had directly surrendered too!
What type of…
This was madness!
MADNESS!
However, while everyone was reeling, Empress Xiaocheng had a smile on her unimaginably gorgeous face. "I guess it's clear that the Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill will be absolutely essential for this new era of Chosen."
When her words were spoken, the minds of many Alchemic Sovereigns and Earthly Saints immediately understood! Wei Wuyin was essentially killing the Ever-Domain Pill's pathetic False Worldly Domain, only allowing true Chosen to be those who obtained his product.
This was vicious, and every Everlore Association Alchemist had their eyes glint with frustration. This move, if it goes through, meant their Ever-Domain Pill was no longer valuable to those who sought to become Chosen. They felt that this was an omen of an upcoming move. These wily old foxes felt threatened.
Empress Xiaocheng didn't let others fester with that feeling, directly pointing out by looking at Ma Zheng, "I'm assuming you had a hand in this decision?"
The shocked eyes of many looked Ma Zheng's way, who only faintly smiled in response, saying respectfully: "You flatter me, your highness. If we want to fulfill the great, unspoken standards of the King of Everlore, it's best that a like-minded Alchemist with no less potential was to set it without interference."
His words once again caused thunder to boom in the minds of many! They were reminded that the King of Everlore had never left any set standards, but not a single person was capable of obtaining the true benefits of the Chosen King Competition, being declared as its winner and thus the Chosen King! It was true that their standards might just be a little too…too low.
"No less potential?" Empress Xiaocheng amusingly repeated. But she said no more, causing the minds of these lofty figures to ponder. They instantly understood that Ma Zheng was openly stating that Wei Wuyin was, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the next King of Everlore! How brazen!
Du Ling explained the Spirit Unit Minimum as well, but that wasn't too obscene given the combat requirements. After all, Spirit Units were representative of the foundational strength of Spiritual Energy, a product of a cultivator's three essential energies—Physical, Mental, and Essence. Since combat standards had risen, it was expected that foundational standards had too.
But Du Ling didn't stop there, and continued: "A Chosen MUST grasp a Spiritual Art of TWO Stage ABOVE!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Complete and utter silence.
What did this mean exactly? A Soul Idol Phase cultivator had to grasp a Spiritual Art that utilized Spatial Energy and Light Energy! While this was a step beneath Du Ling's Radiant Lava Star Spiritual Art, this was unquestionably an outrageously difficult feat to achieve, requiring a high level of comprehension and intense training.
Some Chosen from lesser forces felt like throwing up. A few did! Their access to resources was going to be severed, and they would be forced into obscurity, especially those older Chosen that were hundreds of years old. Just the combat standards were disgustingly difficult let alone this!
In the sub-space, the Boundless Martial High King couldn't help but have a faint smile on his face. He excitedly said without caring about anyone's feelings: "Brutal. I love it."
Soul Saint King shrugged indifferently. His starfield had a genuine Alchemic Saint, they had no worries about being unable to develop Chosen to these standards. It's not like they don't already exist elsewhere.
While the Imperial Advisor rubbed her chin thoughtfully, giving a slight nod of approval.
"Will you uphold those standards?" The Grand Seer spoke to Evergod, whose expression and thoughts were entirely unreadable.
"Of course," Evergod calmly said. "I believe it's time we gained a Chosen King of the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region. And what better way than this?"
"..." The top-tier elites all looked at Evergod.
What was he planning?