Paragon of Sin

ing his beast. 

As the age-old saying suggests, before acting against the dog, one should first consider their master. 

Gu Hao coldly snorted.
He yanked the chain that he held, a surge of worldly power sent itself into the restrained pegasus.
It caused the pegasus ’s organs to rumble, spitting out blood and kneeling on the ground; It was severely injured.

”Oh god! Gu Hao is not a character one should offend! ”

”Tch, what did we expect to happen? Gu Hao isn ’t here to bring this new Sky Noble into the fold with gentle methods. ”

”Miao Yu would ’ve been gentler, haaaa… ” 

Wei Wuyin didn ’t frown.
He lifted his arms and fixed his sleeves a little, straightening out his robes while seemingly unaffected. 

Gu Hao coldly said, ”I represent the Grand Axis Faction, led by the Sky Noble Ji Muzhao of the Extreme War Mountain.
This is an invitation to join our faction, leading the Myriad Monarch Sect to greater heights. ” 

Gu Hao ’s words might seem like he was inviting, but it was a blanket threat.

Wei Wuyin finished straightening his clothes and said, ”Ji Muzhao? Alright.
He ’s the chicken. ” 

”…What? The chicken? ” The crowd was startled by Wei Wuyin ’s words, unsure of its meaning. 

Gu Hao frowned and coldly snorted.
”Will you accept or do I have to invoke Imperial Combat? ” 

Wei Wuyin thought about Imperial Combat.
According to orientation, Imperial Combat was generally used to settle matters between disciples, but it can be taken to an extreme.
Those of the same rank can ’t refuse a challenge of Imperial Combat, and the challenging party can set the initial terms.
The challenged party can set a date, location, and their own terms which can not be refused.

This was how most things were settled, but very rarely do people enact it because the difference amongst those in the same rank wasn ’t very high.
Those who were Mortal Common disciples were all experts at the First Stage of the Astral Core Realm, the World Sea Phase; those at the Earthly Elite were all experts at the Second Stage of the Astral Core Realm, the Sky Ruler Phase; those who were Sky Noble disciples were all at the Third Stage of the Astral Core Realm, the Soul Idol Phase.

While the differences between phases were incredibly massive, nearly insurmountable without extreme differences, but within the same realm, there were very little differences unless one was an absolute elite.
Furthermore, those who had a higher degree of combat strength to surmount a realm would be given a higher rank by special exemption, so this made things fair.

However, Wei Wuyin was originally a Sky Noble and thus could be challenged by other Sky Nobles or their subordinates by proxy without the ability to refuse.
This was why many were startled by his decision to descend.
His arrival was a storm that would cause all sorts of blood and rain to descend.
In fact, Miao Yu was already a casualty of this event.

How unfortunate…

”Unfortunately for you, I ’m not a Sky Noble. ” Wei Wuyin calmly stated, looking at Gu Hao.

”What?! Not a Sky Noble? Was his status revoked? ” The crowd went wild with speculation, and a mixture of guesses flew, but no one thought of the truth.

Gu Hao shrugged.
If his status was revoked, they ’ll still bring this young Alchemist to their side by challenging him or using force.
After all, he was an Earthly Elite and can freely challenge Wei Wuyin still, unless he became a Mortal Common disciple.

”Make your choice, ” Gu Hao ’s aura continued to dominate as she looked down upon all heaven and earth, including Wei Wuyin.

Wei Wuyin nodded.
”I, Wei Wuyin, challenge Gu Hao to Imperial Combat.
My terms for victory are not relevant, as I invoke Death of Self. ” His words rippled as he retrieved a golden token and lifted it upwards, a faint trace of light shot into the sky.

”I Invoke my right as Heavenly King of Extreme Creation Mountain to force this challenge! ” Wei Wuyin ’s voice was loud yet unfathomably calm.
Just as his words finished, a figure flashed into existence.
It was an indistinct figure, but its power warped the world and pressued the hearts of the crowd.
They couldn ’t even reach as their breaths were stuck in their lungs.

”Imperial Merits must be exchanged for a forced challenge.
100 Merits! Do you accept? ” This voice was grand and boisterous, imposing and filled with boundless authority. 

’A Heavenly King?! He called a Prime Imperial Sage?! ’ Gu Hao was deeply shocked.
He easily understood the implications of this.

”I accept! ” His golden token light dimmed and flashed, its points went from 9,000 to 8,900.

The reason Wei Wuyin had to force this challenge was because a lower rank disciple can refuse an Imperial Combat challenge from him, and Gu Hao might try to run away, regroup and survive for a little bit longer.

But Wei Wuyin wasn ’t willing to breathe the same air, live under the same sky, or exist in the same sect as Gu Hao for a second longer.
His act of injuring his pegasus might not have caused him to react much, but this was no different than spitting in his face.
How could his rage be small?

”If Heavenly King Wei loses to Earthly Elite Gu, then all Imperial Merits, rights, and life or death matters will be handed to the other party without any interference! You may begin. ”

A spherical field the size of a kilometer erected by the Prime Imperial Sage ’s power, separating the crowd from Gu Hao and Wei Wuyin.
The pegasus was brought away as well, the chain dispersing and ensuring that Gu Hao no longer had control over its life or death.

Wei Wuyin calmly smiled, ”You got your wish.
If you defeat me, you can make any request, my life is yours.
But if I win, well… ” That smile turned into a grin, ”Next year will be the anniversary of your death.
I ’ll be sure to show respect by enjoying a bottle of fine wine for your sacrifice. ”