Paragon of Sin

, more than I ’ve seen before in my entire lifetime, she should succeed. She will succeed. ” Exalted Yu ’s words seemed more to console himself rather than the middle-aged woman. However, his tensed fists that revealed protruding veins betrayed his turbulent emotions. 

The Hallmaster ’s success was of paramount importance. She had been preparing for the Third Ascension for over two thousand years. They weren ’t even born yet when she started making preparations, compiling wealth and resources, so they could only wait in hopes of her success.

The screams and explosions never ceased. The rippling of mystic power was apparent, and if the entire palace hadn ’t been thoroughly reinforced prior, the entire thing would have collapsed in on itself. This continued for an hour without end. Those shrieking howls only grew more and more bloodcurdling, making these Mystic Star Phase experts ’ expressions become grim and tense. 

Twiing!

Suddenly, the middle-aged woman received a spiritual transmission as her spatial ring lit with radiant spiritual light. This drew away the focus on the group as they looked her way. 

The middle-aged woman felt that curious gazes, and she faintly smiled apologetically. She had informed her subordinates not to message her for anything during this crucial period, yet they still disobeyed. While she was annoyed inwardly, her outward reply was still that warm smile. 

However, her expression stilled and grew increasingly unnatural. She turned to Exalted Yu, ”It ’s about a gold and white feathered avian beast that has wings of scarlet-gold flames. ” 

Exalted Yu was taken aback that she was directing those words towards him, but then his eyes revealed a dawn of realization. ”The Fire Phoenix?! ” He hollered out in shock, his eyes bulging a little. Roughly half a year ago, a flaming bird had been sighted by flying in the Dark Void. A few Mystic Star Phase cultivators had observed its form and noted its appearance, including the scarlet-gold flames and its extremely large, twenty-two thousand meter-sized form.

It was almost impossible to miss. 

From various reports, a base of Trueborn had been eliminated by this Fire Phoenix for unknown reasons, including its existence. Immediately, various figures tried to find it, including a variety of Heavenly Seers but to no avail. They didn ’t know if it was due to its power being extraordinary or being hidden away by some powerful means, but they couldn ’t grasp any details about it. 

Still, the scene of the Trueborn ’s Shadow Egg being destroyed was viewed through special temporal reviewing spells, allowing the majority of the Ascended beings in the Ninestar Starfield to be aware of its existence. There were even rumors that Trueborn was actively seeking it out, wanting to capture it for their own goals or vengeance. This clandestine organization that remained silent and hidden was taking an active role!

Considering its power, many speculated that it was at the Soul of Mysticism level, amongst the elite of the elite. When Exalted Yu ’s thought leapt to the Fire Phoenix, his heart raced. He had only casually mentioned a bird of flames after hearing Spiritwalker talk about the beneficial potential extracting its Nirvanic Flames and Bloodline had towards increasing a cultivator ’s lifespan. As Mystic Star Phase experts, they needed to recoup 800 years of lifeforce to obtain another shot at ascending fully, but that was much easier said than done. 

”What about it? Do you have news?! ” Exalted Yu anxiously asked. The entire Ninestar Starfield was looking for this beast, so he was feeling agitated.

”AHHHHHH! ” The screaming in the room intensified, clearly reaching a climax! This caused the trio to grow silent. An extended period of time passed before the intermittent screams ceased, the explosive booms ended, and the ripple of mystic power settled down.

Exalted Yu gulped, his fists tightened to their limits, and his eyes focused heavily on the door. Was it a success? Was it a failure? His aged heart could barely take it. And it wasn ’t just him, as personal disciples of their Hallmaster, if she became a Demi-Mortal Lord, her lifespan would rapidly explode, and she could easily obtain with her newfound power and status or sacrifice her personally refined lifeforce to allow them a chance to assail their Second Ascension once more.

Her success was tethered to their future. How could they not be anxious? Even the glacial-eyed woman had ripples within her gaze, the indifference vanishing gradually, replaced with the light of hope. 

An hour passed with no response.

Then…

Creak!

The metal door opened! Their eyes unhesitatingly focused on the figure behind this movement. Even Exalted Yu had forgotten about the news of the Fire Phoenix, solely focused on the outcome of this moment! 

When it opened, a beautiful woman with brunette hair and scarlet highlights was revealed. She was dressed in vermillion red robes with white trim, and at her heart area was the character for ’Tang ’ written in golden characters. There were traces of sweat formed on her forehead, and her breathing was disorderly. 

The beautiful woman looked at the three figures who stared at her with intense anxiety. She revealed a smile, ”Your master, Highlord Spiritwalker, wishes to see you. ” 

Exalted Yu ’s eyes widened slightly as he realized the meaning behind that smile and those words. He hurriedly bowed and said with all his heart, ”Thank you, Highlord Scarletflame. ” The glee in his voice was unable to be concealed, and he didn ’t want it to be. 

It didn ’t take long before the three paid their respects to the Highlord, giving abundant thanks, and venturing into the room. 

The Demi-Mortal Lord from the Tang Clan, Highlord Scarletflame, frowned slightly as she watched them enter. She glanced at her spatial ring that flickered with faint spiritual light, her eyes glowing with greed. ”The Fire Phoenix is still here? ” She didn ’t hesitate to send out a message to her clan. 

After doing this, she went back into the room with a smile and gently closed the door. 

Back at the Tang Clan, several Voidships were being primed and deployed to the edge of the Ninestar Starfield via Void Gates, no matter the cost.