Chapter 868: Slow and Steady
Soon, the Elementus Domain regained a sense of normalcy. While the Domain-sealing barrier remained established, the Imperial Clan and their Sky Destroyers had left shortly after Ma Zheng's unexpected success. They already had the Myriad Monarch Canon, besides pestering Wei Wuyin, who had left with barely a word earlier, there was no reason for them to stay.
While they could continue their investigations into Wu Yu, there was no way Tian Muyang would continue with Wei Wuyin there. That silver-eyed youth wasn't just mysterious, he was someone with ungodly means. In a way, they no longer thought of themselves as having the absolute advantage.
Those of high-end Alchemist Associations were often very difficult to deal with. If one excluded their rallying power and wealth, they often carried unfathomable protective treasure, destructive tools, or powerful Alchemic Knights. Since Wei Wuyin could bring out a Mystic-World grade elixir, what if he brought out a pellet at that grade?
The Ever-Starlight Pellet was only in the ninth-grade, but it could be used to escape ordinary lower-stage Ascended beings, and hurt cultivators at the Mystic Star Phase. It would be idiotic to think a pellet at that level wouldn't have functions or power that could devastate the entire Domain, them included.
Back on planet Origin, in that idyllic courtyard, Wei Wuyin's veins were throbbing, and his skin were stretched to their limits as his muscles tensed uncontrollably. The contours of his amazing physique was brought forth at the moment, and despite the intense reaction of his physical body, Si De was totally mesmerized by his appearance. Her eyes might not be able to see, but her spiritual sense caught far more than others.
Wen Mingna also sat nearby, recovering while holding high-grade astral stones in her hands, absorbing their essence. From time to time, she would glance at the upright, bare-chested Wei Wuyin that was breathing steadily with his eyes closed. At first, she was curious about his physical state, but then she found herself sneaking glances.
"How are you feeling?" Wu Yu didn't mind Wei Wuyin's shirtless state. He was more worried about how his body handled channeling his mystic-graded spiritual strength. It wasn't easy for a mortal to be able to control. While Wei Wuyin was so spiritually strong it was outright abnormal, his spirits were still within the limits of the Mortal Dao. There was a definitive difference in their intrinsic structure of Spirit Units. If it wasn't for Wei Wuyin's extremely refined body, he would've exploded on the spot.
Wei Wuyin nodded slightly, "I'm fine. I just need a little time." To rapidly refine the War Souls for Ma Zheng, he had to resort to such a dangerous method. Fortunately, he survived. Today was a huge risk, but he was certain it paid off. The Imperial Clan had departed with their mind set on him being a descendant of the King of Everlore at most, maybe even backed by an exceptional organization.
This suited him immensely. Unlike in the Everlore Starfield, he didn't have the Myriad Monarch Sect to protect him from external enemies. He might have Wu Yu, but Wu Yu was definitely not sufficient to freely traverse the world and act as he pleased. There were too many variables, and he was talented.
As he saw it, he had a few options. Firstly, he could join a top-tier power, such as the Imperial Clan of the Aeternal Sky Starfield, one of the World Sects, or a ruler of a starfield like the Ninestar Sainthall. This was the easiest choice, but with how restrictive these forces were, littered with Mythical Oaths, he truly didn't wish to be caged unintentionally due to a small mistake.
There was no real guarantee that said his cultivation base will reach a high enough level to dominate the world, or his alchemy skill will be sufficient to shatter the Mythical Oaths established. For all he knew, he could forever be stuck at the Star Core Phase.
Secondly, he could continue to hide, avoiding the top-tier powers and acting as an independent cultivator. There was a lot of danger to this choice before. At any time, without those oaths protecting him, others could act against him without concern. There was the Imperial Clan, Trueborn, and the Everlore Association that drew his eye as threats. It wasn't certain if the Imperial Clan was neutralized.
Both of those choices weren't very appealing, limiting his growth, and conflicted with his main objective. With a heavy breath, he lifted his head upwards. He could only decide on the third option.
Wu Yu heaved a breath of relief, looking at the sky above, peering all the way to the Domain-sealing barrier. The barrier was teetering on the verge of collapse. It had run out of fuel, and the Elementus Domain could barely keep it up for much longer.
After roughly an hour of time, Wei Wuyin's muscles settled down and he adorned a soft-clothed shirt, much to Si De dissatisfaction. Up above, Wei Wuyin could see Bai Lin's shadow rapidly fleeting in the clouds. She was flying around the planet in circles, performing strange maneuvers in her twenty-two-meter-sized standard form. She wasn't alone.
Wei Wuyin still found it a little unbelievable that Lin Xianxian, the Sect Master of the True Element Sect, would jump to lower her status and become a maid of his willingly. He didn't know how to handle her for now. While he was fully aware of the Lin Clan's predicament, their conditions for freedom, and Lin Xianxei's secrets, there was little that he would involve himself with.
However, it would be a lie to say that he didn't find Lin Xianxian extremely attractive, a refreshing beauty. This was certainly the core reason for his agreement, and it was his subconscious desire that he had made that joke. He learned long ago that acting against one's desire was harmful to one's state of mind.
If he wasn't like this, then Na Xinyi wouldn't have been freed after. If he wasn't like this, he would kill every Blessed on sight. If he wasn't like this, Xue Yifei would've been killed at their ceremony. If he wasn't like this, he never would've met Yue Songli and Yao Houyi. If he wasn't like this, he would've never obtained the War Souls and Elixir needed to pull off this incredible act.
As someone facing the Eighteen Calamities of Hell as a mere mortal and someone who lost so much already, Wei Wuyin decided long ago to never let himself lose out on opportunities or form threads of lingering, festering regret.
"Young Lord, Ma Zheng and Ma Sujiang are here." Wu Yu said as he looked towards the edge of the planet, finding a reinvigorated Ma Zheng who seemed to have reversed in age and Ma Sujiang. They were patiently waiting at the borders of the planet, waiting to be noticed patiently.
Wei Wuyin nodded, gesturing for Wu Yu to bring them over. Wu Yu flew upwards, soon bringing them down to the courtyard. The father-daughter duo was quite a pair. Wu Yu was shocked at how similar their facial expressions were. It was clear they were related.
He had met both of them before a few times, yet he was still unable to link them together in such an intimate fashion before, but now…it was so clear.
Ma Zheng held a slight smile, and he clasped his hands in greeting, slightly bowing to Wei Wuyin. This was a gesture of thanks and a sign of utmost respect. The daughter followed suit. Her crying and desperate visage was nowhere to be found, replaced by a serene and controlled demeanor.
Wei Wuyin gave them a look and laughed heartily in return. He was in a good mood. "You don't mind me calling you Old Zheng, right?"
"Not at all," Ma Zheng replied with a faint smile. Such a familiar term used by his savor? Wasn't this the best way to close the distance between them? While this was their first 'official' meeting, Ma Zheng felt as if he knew Wei Wuyin deeply at this point.
And he felt, no, knew he made the correct bet.
"Then you can call me Wei Wuyin, no need for titles." Wei Wuyin folded his arms across his chest and got closer, inspecting Ma Zheng's renewed state. He was quite curious how someone with near-endless resources and existed in a Stellar Region with three Saint Alchemists was unable to become an Earthly Saint after reaching such an advanced age.
Well, cultivation was difficult.
"What Runic Ascendant State did you reach?" Wei Wuyin asked, adding: "You don't have to say if you don't want to."
Wu Yu eyed Ma Zheng. He could easily tell Ma Zheng's Runic Ascendant State with a little probing. Of course, he wouldn't do so. He did, however, feel that Ma Zheng was quite exceptional.
Ma Sujiang was also curious. She hadn't asked before, but her bright eyes betrayed her.
Ma Zheng chuckled, "Not say? How could I not? Would I even be here today if not for you? If there was anyone that should know, it is my own Saintmaker, no?" Ma Zheng began to slowly interface with his Mystic Soul, exerting his Mystic Aura little by little.
Wei Wuyin's Celestial Eyes could only see faint shadowy outlines of tens of thousands of Mystic Runes emerge. He was satisfied that his Celestial Gaze was useful, regaining his sight. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell what these runes were.
Wu Yu and Ma Sujiang, however, proceeded to have extremely outrageous and exaggerated facial expressions! The former's eyes widened to their utmost limits in abject shock while the latter was absolutely speechless, gasping as she held her mouth to her hand to stop any further embarrassing noises.
Just from this, Wei Wuyin was certain his Runic Ascendant State was not ordinary. Especially since Wu Yu, an 8th Runic Ascendant, was showing such a strong reaction.
"..." Unfortunately, it just felt unfathomable to Wei Wuyin, Si De, and Wen Mingna. They only looked on with interest, awaiting for Ma Zheng to reveal his state.
Ma Zheng couldn't hold back his big, almost oaf-like grin. It was simple and pure, like a child that had accomplished a difficult task and received their reward. "There's a reason why I was unable to ascend, Wei Wuyin. Haha, I decided to go big or go home."
When Ma Zheng said this, he brought out his palm, and manifested nine visible runes that even the mortals could see. They were all uniquely shaped, clearly all different.
"9th Runic Ascendant?!" Wei Wuyin was blown away, his eyes looking at Wu Yu for verification. And those starry eyes filled with indescribable emotion were unable to hide the truth.
"Haha, sometimes accumulation can outdo talent. Cultivation is difficult, but with patience and willpower, there's no limit to a cultivator's path." The sound of deep, undisguised satisfaction reverberated through every syllable spoken.
Awakened Mystic Intent!
All nine Ways of Mysticism!