Paragon of Sin

Wei Wuyin's straightforward admission preceded by the accusation of his involvement with Teng Jiangwen exacerbated the tension and mystery enshrouding the Main Hall. The thoughts of the Sages were far too abstract to determine, and Sage Khonshu, Sage Imentet, Sage Nepit, Sage Nepri, and Sage Khepri were all silently observing, equally as inscrutable.

While the other Sages' involvement in this discussion was difficult to determine, Sage Khonshu was ignorant regarding Sage Pakhet and Sage Shattered Sphinx's intentions for this line of questioning. However, that did little to diminish the heart-pounding fact that Wei Wuyin had turned two 'neighboring' galaxies into Vassal States for his fledgling empire.

That wasn't a feat that an ordinary Alchemist, even a Worldly Saint Alchemist or Enlightened Sage, could remotely achieve alone in a short period. It was outright astonishing to an extreme! More importantly, the event was incredibly thought-provoking!

Did this distinguished Alchemist and Imperial Ruler of a far-off world have these intentions toward the No-Name Galaxy? Considering Wei Wuyin had mostly been absent recently, uninvolved in many of the major events lately, while there were signs of independent networking by his wives, it definitely had not reached the point of being excessive, widespread, or deliberate. If not for Luo Ning's identity, her actions of assisting during a critical moment, and her close relationship with Sage Imentet, the majority of those present wouldn't have even known that Wei Wuyin existed!

But…if there was an opportune time to discuss transforming the No-Name Galaxy into a unified union of diverse forces, a genuine vassal state of the Neo-Dawn Empire, then this was by far the best time! After all, every leader of this galaxy from the far reaches of the galaxy was right here!

None of those present were too dull in wit or schemes, so they could already sense that there was something here. They just felt that…something was off about the entire situation. No one could quite discover why.

Sage Hathor cleared her throat, drawing the attention of everyone. She took center stage within the Main Hall, her platform transforming into a gold and silver design.

"I'd like to extend my deepest apologies to World-Saint Neo-Dawn."

She smiled sincerely and made direct eye contact with Wei Wuyin, transforming into an intense stare that conveyed her utmost respect, sincerity, and honest emotions. Her innate gentleness and warmth amplified her actions in the eyes of everyone.

The others were turned for a loop. Sage Hathor's apology came straight out of left field to many of them. If anyone should apologize, it should be the accusers—Sage Pakhet and Sage Shatter Sphinx!

However, Sage Hathor still took the lead here, clearly indicating that the accusation was something she had a hand in.

"May I ask you a rather impolite question, World-Saint Neo-Dawn?"

She was immensely respectful and it was hard to find fault with her warm outspoken tone.

Wei Wuyin replied with a calm smile. If Sage Pakhet or Sage Shattered Sphinx had asked this, he may be inclined to express his dissatisfaction and assume a position of being offended for benefits, but since Sage Hathor had spoken, someone with a good reputation and doing so with a smile laced with good intentions, he decided to not play into that role and let this play out.

"Of course, Sage Hathor. How could I possibly refuse?"

While he was willing, his voice sounded as if it was dipped in dissatisfaction. Considering that he was given permission to enter here by Sage Hathor and faced accusations almost immediately after, none of the Sages found that odd. That said, all of this was already within his expectations.

Sage Hathor gave a silent thanks with a grateful gaze and then looked at everyone present in the Main Hall slowly, her eyes were strong and resilient, yet gentle and understanding. They could feel that she was looking at each of them without shying away, viewing them entirely. With a deep inhale, she returned her gaze to Wei Wuyin and then exhaled.

"Our galaxy has suffered a great calamity. While we can discuss means of mitigating the damages inflicted by Teng Jiangwen's devious final act, the desolate wave of desperation and unpredictability after losing so much wealth within an extremely short period with no preparations will begin to show itself in hectic and disastrous ways within the coming days. Already—"

She paused as she glanced at a few leaders whose regions had already descended into war before Teng Jiangwen was confronted, continuing:

"—we can catch a glimpse of the inevitable fallout."

"..."

The crowd resonated heavily with these words. Most hoped that the Sages would take a small portion of their lost treasures and return what was stolen, willing to suffer a tolerable loss for the sake of a smooth future and a harsh learning lesson, but who would have thought that they would lose EVERYTHING! Even the Sages and Alchemist Organizations weren't spared!

What was the Eight Directions Summit meant for? To many, they initially believed it was to discuss the retrieval and return of stolen resources. But after the Sages all declared that there was nothing to return or retrieve, the objective instantaneously shifted as they turned into a think tank on how to mitigate the incoming cataclysm of chaos that was inevitably going to ensue. Desperation reeked to the extent that they allowed intelligent World Emperors such as Aziza El-Sabri to bring forth her ideas!

One must understand that these were the entire galaxy's top elites! World Emperors? They were largely insignificant to the grand scheme of things, yet they were given a platform to voice their ideas for salvaging the situation! In hindsight, it didn't make much sense.

When one seriously thought about it, even that felt pointless!

Others thought that it was mostly to elevate the strength of the galaxy by bestowing an opportunity to enter the Land of Manu and hopefully give birth to additional Sages or Sage-To-Be Candidates, hence the eight chosen. However, this felt off as well! After all, this youngest and oldest generation was more or less a foregone conclusion that would be abandoned, and even if the Sages wanted to elevate those chosen to peak levels, they simply didn't have the time to do so while gathering resources.

Perhaps if the Sages devoted all their time and effort to those eight chosen junior-generation cultivators, their futures would be incredibly bright with sufficient self-sacrifice. But would that be enough? Sage Khonshu had tried forty-three times with his familial lineage descendants to pursue the elite path, and all forty-three failed! With the current situation, even with the unique Cultivation Art of the False Doors, will it not just become considerably more difficult? More unlikely?

Moreover, the only potential options for the galaxy weren't difficult to discern, and there would likely not be any novel ideas introduced. What could these World Emperors, Original Magistrates, and Mystic Overlords possibly suggest that wouldn't devolve into an attempt to improve their situation or the situation of their organization selfishly? So why continue with the Eight Directions Summit for so many hours needlessly?

To give a voice to the voiceless? To assuage the desperate? To hope for a great idea that would solve their problems?!

UNLIKELY!

The Sages weren't so simple-minded or foolish! Their plans were certainly layered. After the Eight Directions Summit, prosperous land will be contended for with reckless abandon and wars will be launched by the sheer value of future territorial assets. The more a force had, the quicker they could return to their wealthy, prosperous position as before.

"I see!"

Cao Cuifen watched Sage Hathor apologize to Wei Wuin and then speak those heartfelt words that explained the galaxy's situation and her lime-green eyes shone with enlightened realization. Grey Rose held a slight frown as she eyed Sage Khonshu with a sideward glance.

Sage Khonshu was quick on the uptake, and his expression had already changed as he stared at Sage Hathor intently. Just prior, he glanced at Sage Pakhet, Sage Amunet, Sage Shattered Sphinx, and finally, Wei Wuyin. Within his eyes was a flash of discontent from being excluded, but he now understood why! He was the type to scheme selfishly, trying to dissect the best benefits for himself.

This included Sage Imentet, Sage Nepit, his Dao Companion—Sage Nepri, and Sage Khepri. They were all inherent schemers who often placed their interests before anything and anyone else, so their exclusion made perfect sense!

After all, if he had known this was their decision, he would have doubtlessly and decisively decided to throw his arms around Wei Wuyin's Alchemic Star-possessing golden thighs without the slightest hesitation and harmed the cohesive, independent structure of the current No-Name Galaxy and the balance of the Eight Sages, twelve Major Regions, twenty-two Minor Regions, and two independent Sages that had been in place for millennia!

This was especially so since Cao Cuifen and Luo Ning had connections with him and Sage Imentet, respectively!

Sage Hathor continued,

"I wish to avoid that fate. Moreover, I wish, just like many of you, to ascend to greater heights; however, doing so for our galaxy rife with contentious relations and disunity has always been difficult to do. We previously refused to be united. We all respected that decision as well. Unfortunately, our galaxy has lost a significant portion of its immediate future, and while this isn't enough to justify submitting to a foreign entity, nor should it—the Sages of this galaxy should not one-sidedly decide to do so either. I believe there should be a choice available for all on the matter to voice their stance.

"So I ask this, World-Saint Neo-Dawn: Can your Neo-Dawn Empire support an impoverished galaxy?"

Sage Hathor asked with a staunch resolve and weighty tone.

"..."

Everyone became almost eerily silent at the end of her question. With the suddenness of an explosion, they all finally understood why Sages were acting like this and their intentions! They…were preemptively laying the foundation to seek support from the Neo-Dawn Empire! This was different than seeking to become vassals, but to obtain the right to ask for what could be tantamount to a loan!

Cao Cuifen's eyes brightened as everyone digested those words and awaited Wei Wuyin's reply. That question was heavy! There was a difference between turning functioning galaxies into a vassal state under your Imperial Banner and accepting an impoverished galaxy deprived of its immediate future, all hoping for a solution.

She was aware that the Neo-Dawn Empire was far too tiny and nascent to support a galaxy. The scope and magnitude of a galaxy were far too great in terms of size and general needs, especially for a cultivation civilization as advanced as the No-Name Galaxy that had ten Sages. While the Sky Heart Galaxy and White Abyssal Galaxy were unique and extraordinary, the former lacked cultivation-aligned treasures suitable for cultivators while the latter's origins were aligned toward Abyssal Race's unique cultivation resources.

These two galaxies might have willingly submitted to Wei Wuyin, yet the Void Altars built and active development from the Neo-Dawn Empire's isolated world, the Ancient Sealed Region, forces sent over had barely established any foundation. Cao Cuifen didn't underestimate the Neo-Dawn Empire's current state development as the rate of expansion exceeded her imagination several times over, but that didn't subtract from the undeniable truth: Neither the two galaxies of the Ancient Sealed Region could support the No-Name Galaxy!

The silence that followed after that question was utterly palpitating.

Wei Wuyin's smile didn't fade from his unearthly handsome visage of calmness. Everything was going just as he planned.

"Support? Don't tell me you intend to plunder from my Neo-Dawn Empire, Sage Hathor? Because the act of an empire supporting a galaxy is far too unrealistic. Even if I said yes, who here would believe me? I wouldn't believe me."

Wei Wuyin's words were slowly said and they were accompanied by silent sighs of relief and then smiles and chuckles of amusement from the elite forces present. Sage Hathor wasn't the type to plot a plundering operation!

That was true! Who could believe a fledgling empire could support a galaxy? Moreover, a galaxy as rich and spoiled as the No-Name Galaxy?!

Wei Wuyin continued,

"The Utmost Purity Galaxy, Prosperous Ruin Galaxy, and the Treasured Vale Galaxy, these three greater galaxies, wouldn't be able to sustain such a long-term task. Sage Hathor—"

he called out, causing Sage Hathor whose eyes were shining faintly with a distant, distracted gaze of thought to focus on him once again,

"—was that your question?"

Sage Hathor faintly smiled,

"It was once said by High Overlord Ptah that eluding the piercing gaze of an emperor was as impossible as evading your own shadow's touch, I guess there's some truth within those words."

She swept her gaze across the people of the No-Name Galaxy and slowly said with emphasis on her words,

"Our galactic society has suffered; we have very few options left, and what's left is mere attempts to mitigate. Any mitigation will only act as a temporary stopgap for the greater flood of chaos bound to come. As I said before, our galaxy's fate isn't something that the Ten Sages can one-sidedly decide.

"However, we can decide our own fate and future—"

she turned her complete focus away from the slowly understanding minds of the crowd, staring at Wei Wuyin,

"World-Saint Neo-Dawn, my Prosperous Union Major Region—"

at this point, dozens upon dozens of platforms carrying elderly, young, and peak prime young men and women began to glow a gorgeous golden glow effusion warmth and the air of prosperity, these were all the elite and talented leaders of the Prosperous Union Major Region,

"—is willing to submit as a Galactic Zone Vassal of your Neo-Dawn Imperial State.

"I ask you: can you support my Prosperous Union Galactic Zone?"

"...!"

"...!!"

"...!!!"

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