Karmic Luck Value: 41,132.3.
First Calamity: Survived - 7/7.
Second Calamity: Claimed - 1/1.
Third Calamity: Suppressed - 1 Year.
-----
Kree!
In the Dark Void of the Neo-Dawn Starfield's shattered remnants, a clarion cry echoed out through the chaos mana, rippling across the world as a ray of dazzlingly gorgeous scarlet-gold flames freely streaked across it. In the background, the slumbering Star-Devourer served to enhance the scene as freeing and majestic.
As if in a blink of an eye, or in reading a sentence, eight years had passed. The Grand Cyclic Stellar Region had subtly entered a state of peace, welcoming the new era, as the Everlore Association and Golden Life Pavilion jointly united to usher in a new group of up-and-coming Chosen.
The auction for the Sharded God Domain Pill, the world-changing revision of the Ever-Domain Pill, had proceeded with great success. The effects had been as advertised while the price was extremely affordable. With the two largest associations of their respective fields—alchemy and business, cooperating openly, the products soon flooded the market as organizations and cultivators went wild with collecting wealth.
This induced a strange peaceful state of the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region as the theme had moved from the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit to the Chosen King Competition. There were continuous whispers that this competition, thanks to the convention-defying efforts of Wei Wuyin, the Neo-Dawn Alchemic Sovereign, would produce the one true Chosen King. It was hard for the youths not to be thrilled, thrusting an era of rapid cultivation as seniors emptied their coffers.
Countless talented geniuses began to rise, especially with the momentum of an early Worldly Domain, allowing those with outstanding comprehension to greatly capitalize on their golden years.
Unfortunately, as geniuses rose left and right, organizations suffered. The first casualty was the title of their ranks. Before the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit, the forces were divided into two tiers—Mortal and Mystic. Mortal-tier forces were further divided into three ranks: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
While the Mystic-tier was divided into two classifications: Noble and Imperial.
The three ranks of Mortal-tier forces were dependent on their leading strength, defined solely by cultivation. A Bronze-rank force had a Timelord at the helm, while Silver and Gold-rank forces respectively needed a Starlord and an Exalted, otherwise known as those at the Mystic Star Phase of the Mystic Ascendant Realm or Tenth Stage of the Astral Core Realm.
Mystic-tier forces two classifications had different meanings, and they weren't rigidly determined by cultivation level. All forces with 'genuine' Ascended beings were given the title of Noble, and only the top-tier force of a starfield, such as the Tian Clan of the Aeternal Sky Starfield or Inferno Solaris Church of the Hexaflame Starfield was considered Imperial-rank forces.
They were the undisputed strongest forces of their respective starfields. It should be known that this system was archaic, not having changed since the previous Imperial Clan's rule. At that time, Demi-Mortal Lords were exceedingly rare, and there were no Earthly Saints present. Countless cultivators capitalized on this archaic categorization as many forces could devote their entirety to a single cultivator and receive an unimaginably good fortune from the Chosen King Competition slots they were given.
This had become such a heavily abused practice that few wanted to change it, especially amongst the weaker cultivators. Unfortunately, and depressingly for many, these abusable systems were changing, and the good fortune was slipping away for mediocre showings.
Now that the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit had redefined the Chosen standards, the rankings changed as well.
The first change to this system was the upper limits of forces in the Mortal-tier, which induced countless wails and likely caused many crushed objects.
Bronze-rank forces' minimum requirement had been changed to the Star Core Phase, the Ninth Stage of the Astral Core Realm. This instantly eradicated 99% of these forces from participating in the upcoming Chosen King Competition.
As for obtaining the rank of Silver, this has one of two entry requirements: A leading cultivator with the strength of a Pinnacle Starlord OR A force with five Starlords. The testing process was agreed upon by all the Earthly Saints, with the leading figure setting up testing locations in accordance with the Everlore Association's set parameters.
Gold-Rank forces required a Transcendent Starlord or a total of eighteen Starlords. These requirements have already seen a new wave of alliances form. Unfortunately, this still greatly reduced the number of slots these forces possessed, but they could at least obtain slots.
Numerous forces across the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region were disbanded or merged to create large World Sects, jointly controlled by clans, factions, and associations.
The most shocking change was the elimination of Exalted amongst the leadership, truly demoting Mystic Star Phase cultivators in terms of relevance amongst forces. Before, they carried the peak of the Mortal-tier with pride, and while they were failures, they were still important to seize slots to nurture their future generations. Yet this decision had relegated them to being subordinates, unqualified to lead forces with their shortened lifespans and limited potential.
To accommodate their continued existence, not placing them entirely aside, there was a rule that was put in place that made them somewhat important. Those at the Mystic Star Phase were considered as two Starlords. But, should they create a force, they as leaders wouldn't be considered as such so that two count consideration would be reduced to zero.
Who knew how many Mystic Star Phase cultivators vomited blood out of sheer rage and humiliation!
While they were powerful beings, their limbo-like existence that the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region's society saw them as remained unchanged. They weren't fit to be called Ascended, and they weren't filled with unlimited potential as Mortals. While this type of rule dissuaded them from becoming leaders, many Exalted still formed their own organizations anew amidst the shuffling of forces with Starlords from all over gathering to them.
While they were considered failures by society, they still had power that vastly exceeded the typical Starlord. This was a reliable form of military might that couldn't be easily dismissed despite the Earthly Saints' efforts.
As for the rank of Noble and Imperial among the Mystic-tier, they were largely unchanged with slight differences. The rank of Noble was divided into three grades, Lesser, Greater, and Pinnacle, and they were granted to Venerables(Soul of Mysticism), Highlords(Demi-Mortal Lords), and Earthly Monarchs(Earthly Saints) led forces respectively.
Imperial-Rank was still given solely to the strongest force of the Starfield.
However, an additional title was formed!
The Eternal-Rank! The addition was only given to the force that was widely accepted by the majority of Imperial-Rank forces as the strongest, undisputed power of the entire Grand Cyclic Stellar Region.
After seeing the Aeternal Sky Divine Emperor take action, revealing his Mystic Heart Intent, there was no disagreement with accepting the Imperial Clan of the Aeternal Sky Starfield, the Tian Clan, as the strongest force. This an act to display the entire stellar region's acceptance of their supremacy and status!
With the Tiers and Ranks of organizations redefined, the stellar region was ever restless and endlessly active on all fronts. The youths were devoted to cultivating themselves to pursue the possibility of becoming a Chosen while the older generation was struggling to stay afloat and determine their future going forward.
Yet all this didn't matter to the young Fire Phoenix that was soaring in the Dark Void of a desolate starfield.
Kree!
Bai Lin released a joyous sound as she sped up, zooming across the debris and scorching chaos mana.
"Haha!" A peal of hearty laughter resounded atop her back. It belonged to none other than the silver-eyed Mortal Saint Alchemist that had triggered the countless changes in the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region—Wei Wuyin!
"It's been a while since we've just flown together just for the sake of it, huh?" Wei Wuyin asked as he enjoyed the rush of chaos mana smashing against his scales. He was currently in his Draconic Transformation state, freely enjoying the chill of the Dark Void, breathing chaos mana with every breath, and refining it through his powerful physical energies.
Woosh!
Bai Lin sped up further, even more energized than before. At this point, she was moving so fast that Earthly Saints using Spatial Shift would find it difficult to catch her.
"It has!" She sent through their mental connection, her heart at ease and warm with Wei Wuyin on her back. Wei Wuyin caressed her back, not bothered by the blinding speed despite his Temporal Eye Phase cultivation base. If anyone saw how he could ride Bai Lin comfortably despite the rapid speed she moved, they would all be sent into a state of total disbelief.
Bai Lin circled the slumbering Tiangou, not caring about whether she would wake up or not. She couldn't help but remember when she had first awakened and learned that the Tiangou had destroyed her home, and how she unleashed ceaseless attacks for a few years, yet she wasn't able to scorch a single hair. At the time, she struggled to resist the innately emitted gravitational force generated by the Tiangou, but now she could freely circle without the slightest effort.
This was a sign she was indeed growing stronger!
Wei Wuyin simply enjoyed the ride as they traversed the gargantuan mountain-like hairs of the Tiangou, zipping through the vast, valley-like gaps.
It's been eight years since he entered the Temporal Eye Phase, and the Third Calamity was approaching. He had one last year left before he would challenge this Calamity of Hell, either succeeding or failing. Unfortunately, his alternative version had also been a single year off from challenging the Third Calamity.
Unlike him, the version of himself hadn't killed any Blessed and expedited the clock, challenging them as they came. That version of him had an aversion to risk, going with the flow, and eventually led him to suffer unimaginable grievances.
Wei Wuyin realized that, with his Heart of Cultivation, if he was placed in a similar position, he would've detonated all his pellets without any hesitation, taking Liu Yinlan with him. And his four Astral Souls agreed.
If one of them died, they would all die. With their deaths, they would take down everything and everyone without remorse.
This was an agreement that they all made, swearing upon their souls to fulfill it.
He much rather die than lose his family again.
Never again.
Seeing Bai Lin's smile as her golden eyes glinted excitedly, Wei Wuyin's heart was enveloped by an unimaginable warmth.
Never again.
"Oh! They're here!" Bai Lin exclaimed as she somersaulted through one of the Tiangou's curly hairs that formed a hoop. Wei Wuyin looked and found a large-sized Voidship incoming, breaching safely the concealed Starfield-sized Array that was placed by the Legion of War.
"Let's go." Wei Wuyin said as Bai Lin spun and then blasted forth with a flap of her wings, blitzing towards the three Voidships.
The Voidship belonged to three familiar figures, two men and one woman. They were none other than Wei Wuyin's first subordinates upon entering the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region—Venerable Bluecloud, Venerable Slayingsword, and Kun Yiming.
"It seems you were right; this is the former Everlore Starfield that was the rumored home of our Lord." Venerable Bluecloud said to Kun Yiming. While the men were middle-aged with faint wrinkles, she was youthful as if in her early twenties and could be considered a beauty.
Venerable Slayingsword smiled, "Of course she's right, she's my wife."
"Yeah, yeah. She's your wife, but where's my great-grandchild huh? I'm growing old, and you ain't getting any younger." Venerable Bluecloud waved him off. This sword-wielding brat always likes throwing out that he had a wife here and there. At first, it was endearing, but now it was just annoying. You can show off, but do you need to show off before this old man?
"You!" Venerable Slayingsword was embarrassed but hid it behind his anger. It was notoriously difficult for Ascended beings to have children, and it was definitely not for the lack of trying. After all, Kun Yiming was at the edge of her fertile cycle unless she became a Demi-Mortal Lord.
Kun Yiming faintly blushed, her eyes ignoring the two as she glanced at the streak of scarlet-gold flames coming their way. "He's coming," she warned.
The eyes of both men changed and they turned serious as their postures grew slightly straighter. When they felt the radiating power from Bai Lin's casually emitted flames, their hearts shook, and as they saw the fast-approaching Bai Lin, their minds were in awe.
So fast!
In a blink of a low-leveled Ascended's eye, Bai Lin had arrived before the Voidship as it proceeded to set their spatial anchors. These anchors tethered them to fixed space, preventing them from being overwhelmed by shockwaves of experts from afar or various natural phenomena of the Dark Void that mimic planetary weather calamities in Blank-Void Space, such as Chaos Blizzards.
Bai Lin landed on the ship's deck, her golden eyes sweeping the crew and three Ascended with a light of domineeringness. Wei Wuyin internally shook his head as he saw their backs grow straighter and more respectful, especially the crew who was slack-jawed and shivering.
Wei Wuyin jumped from Bai Lin's back and arrived before the three Ascended.
The three bowed low as they paid their respects with a greeting, "Lord Wei, welcome."
"You three have grown considerably from all those years ago. Especially you, Venerable Bluecloud. You're on the verge of becoming a Demi-Mortal Lord." Wei Wuyin appraised them with a slight, contented smile.
"...!" Venerable Bluecloud was shaken by Wei Wuyin's insight despite his body permeating the aura of a Mortal. His heart trembled alongside the other two. Their image of Wei Wuyin's inscrutable brilliance was renewed once again.
"Lord Wei's eyes are as all-seeing as always." Venerable Bluecloud said, not denying it. He had cultivated the longest and forged his Mystic Physique the longest. With Wei Wuyin's funding, he was capable of obtaining resources that gave him the confidence to challenge his Third Ascension.
"That's good," Wei Wuyin nodded.
"My Lord, may I ask what you called us for?" Kun Yiming got to the point, asking a little confused. For the last eight years, they had been cultivating their forces in the United Source Starfield as ordered, even receiving the help of the United Source Starfield's sole Earthly Saint, Lady Clearwind.
Wei Wuyin could see the blooming curiosity in their eyes. He decided to not drag the matter. "I called you here to help me with something."
"Something?" The three Ascended were deeply taken aback. Wei Wuyin had a Fire Phoenix that felt as terrifying and unfathomable as an Earthly Saint and two known Alchemic Knights at the Earthly Saint Phase. What did he need three little Soul of Mysticism Phase experts for?
"Mm. It's not much of an ask. I just need you to try to kill me." Wei Wuyin's eyes fixated on their three figures, reflecting their images within his silvery gaze.
"..."