Paragon Of Sin Chapter 4 - 4: Competition

Resource distribution within the Scarlet Solaris Sect was determined through disciple competitions, which were categorized into Outer, Inner, and Core brackets. While tens of thousands of cultivators flooded the ranks of the Outer and Inner tiers, the elite Core disciples numbered only nine in total.

These events served as the primary gateway for promotion and rewards. For instance, the ten highest-ranking Outer disciples earned a spot in the Inner Rank, while the top three Inner disciples were granted the opportunity to challenge for a Core Rank position. The champion of the Core disciples received the ultimate prize: seven days within the Mystic Scarlet Pond.

The Mystic Scarlet Pond was a reservoir of concentrated Scarlet Qi produced by the earth itself. It was used to refine a cultivator’s innate energies, such as Yin, Yang, and the natural elements. Furthermore, it facilitated the evolution of a standard Heart of Qi into a Heart of Scarlet Qi—a superior form of material qi.

The diluted Scarlet Qi found throughout the mountain was not even a thousandth as potent as the pond’s essence. Consequently, cultivating for a single day inside the pond was roughly equivalent to three years of external effort. Such an extraordinary benefit made it the focus of the sect’s most ruthless rivalries.

Wei Wuyin had climbed this ladder himself, placing third and second in the Outer and Inner Competitions, respectively. This track record was what allowed him to secure his current status. However, ascending from the Inner Rank required more than just a high placement; one had to personally defeat an existing Core disciple to seize their title.

Because of this, Wei Wuyin remained vigilant against threats from both the Inner and Core ranks, knowing a top-tier challenger could brutally strip him of his standing at any moment.

Had the recent assassination attempt succeeded in wounding him, he was certain his position—and the protections it afforded—would have been stolen. As an Inner disciple, he would be far more vulnerable to direct attacks from those wishing for his downfall.

Swoosh!

As his crane cut through the clouds, Wei Wuyin looked out over a sky filled with disciples mounted on eagle-like beasts, the hallmark of the Inner Rank. Some of these creatures carried groups of people traveling together. Despite the casual appearance of the travelers, a heavy tension permeated the air.

This was the season for shifting power dynamics. Every Core disciple commanded their own factions composed of Inner and Outer followers. Just as Core spots were limited, so too were the positions within the Inner Rank. If a Core disciple could dominate the Inner slots with their own people, their faction’s influence would become unrivaled, bringing limitless advantages.

Fortunately, because every Core disciple maintained their own group, power remained divided rather than monopolized. Even as the most junior member, Wei Wuyin controlled roughly seven percent of the Inner disciples and a significant number of talented Outer disciples.

The path of Cultivation was notoriously grueling. The difficulty was so immense that a vast majority of practitioners never advanced beyond the Foundation Establishment Realm, or even its opening phase, Physique Tempering.

It was a soul-crushing reality. The sheer volume of resources required often exceeded what an individual could obtain alone. To combat this, Core disciples utilized faction systems to pool resources and accelerate their collective advancement.

Wei Wuyin watched the Inner disciples converging on the stadium, his spiritual sense flickering as he measured their progress. Li Yin, that woman from the Violet Moon Sect, had only reached the Meridian Awakening stage, yet she had been an Outer disciple of her former sect.

In the Scarlet Solaris Sect—one of the Nine Great Sects—the barrier for entry into the Inner Rank was Dantian Establishment, while reaching the Qi Condensation Realm almost guaranteed a spot. However, the process of merging mind, spirit, matter, and essence to condense a Heart of Qi was a monumental hurdle.

As a result, roughly eighty percent of Inner disciples remained stalled at the Dantian Establishment Phase of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Even with the sect’s backing and ample time, their slow progress highlighted the inherent struggles of the path.

To break into the top three of the Inner Competition, reaching the Second Stage of Qi Condensation, known as External Flow, was mandatory. This was the level Wei Wuyin had achieved to secure his second-place finish previously.

The Qi Condensation Realm was structured into Nine Stages, each defined by a specific Phase of Qi. The initial stage was the Qi Creation Phase, where the four fundamental components—mind, spirit, matter, and essence—were fused to manifest Metaphysical Qi and a Heart of Qi.

While those at the Dantian Establishment level possessed superhuman power, practitioners at the Qi Creation Phase were true monsters. They were capable of shattering boulders with their hands or crushing fully grown bears with a single strike. Their power was truly daunting.

The Second Stage of Qi Condensation was the External Flow Phase. Once a cultivator’s Qi was fully matured and condensed, it could be projected outside the body in basic forms, such as pulses or shockwaves. This stage also unlocked Spiritual Sense, the essential sixth sense of a true cultivator.

Every advancement in stage and phase provided massive enhancements to the physical body and the acuity of one's senses, particularly spiritual sense.

During his hunt for the Violet Moon Sect's survivors, Wei Wuyin had stumbled upon a Steel Essence Source. This rare liquid, formed from elemental metal essence over a millennium, was a stroke of luck few would ever see.

By absorbing it, he had fortified his qi and manifested the four basic elements—earth, fire, wind, and water—while adding metal qi as a powerful bonus. This left his body and qi more resilient, temperature-resistant, and fluid. The addition of metal qi specifically granted him superior durability and a lethal sharpness.

His second piece of fortune was discovering a woman from the Violet Moon Sect who possessed the rare Three-Point Yin Body. By utilizing her as a cauldron and absorbing her Primal Yin through dual cultivation, he had surged forward to the Yin Form Phase, the Fourth Stage of Qi Condensation.

This rapid growth was the only reason he had survived the plots against him. At his current level, he had already surpassed the other Core Disciples. He could not only condense metal qi but also give physical form to his energies.

At this level of cultivation, the true potential of qi arts and spiritual spells finally becomes accessible. These techniques were what allowed him to effortlessly dispatch two expert assassins and make a clean escape.

Now, with the competition beginning, he was set to become the center of attention.

He pushed his spiritual sense outward, his silver eyes glowing as he activated a spiritual spell: Iron Core Eyes. This technique allowed his spiritual sense to penetrate deeper into his surroundings and provided a defense against external spiritual attacks.

He had gathered a variety of arts and spells as a safety measure before his mission, a decision that proved more vital than expected. Without these techniques, his high cultivation would be like a massive sword wielded by someone without the skill to swing it. He was now fully prepared to utilize his power.

Fortunately, the sect allowed Core disciples unrestricted access to most qi arts and spiritual spells, excluding only those reserved for the high-ranking leadership.

"The general level of cultivation has declined..." Wei Wuyin noted with a frown. He could see several Inner disciples who had only recently achieved Dantian Establishment. It suggested that the bar for entry had been lowered.

"Did something occur during my absence?" he wondered, reviewing the reports from Du Ling. Nothing seemed to explain the dip in quality. If anything, the fall of the Violet Moon Sect should have raised the standard as survivors were tested and resources were seized.

And yet...

"Lord Wuyin!" A sharp, distant female voice called out, interrupting his train of thought. He turned his head toward the sound.

It was the stoic woman he had seen on the previous battlefield. He had tasked her with managing Li Yin earlier. She was an Outer disciple and a loyal member of his faction named Su Mei.

She was riding an eagle-beast alongside four other Outer disciples, led by an Inner disciple. Wei Wuyin recognized them all as his subordinates. He quickly scanned their cultivation levels and was pleasantly surprised.

Su Mei had successfully condensed her qi, reaching the First Stage of Qi Condensation, the Qi Creation Phase. Not only did she possess metaphysical qi, but her Heart of Qi now allowed her to draw upon the Essence of Heaven and Earth to replenish her energy and control her qi with ease.

The others had all achieved Dantian Establishment, including the Inner disciple. It was clear why Su Mei was the one speaking for the group despite her lower rank; her cultivation made her the de facto leader.

He took a moment to observe the young woman. In her early twenties, she had short dark hair and piercing black eyes. Her features were attractive and her complexion like jade, though she wasn't a legendary beauty. She was simply a striking woman in her own right.

Physically, she was modest, possessing a build that was average or perhaps slightly below.

Su Mei’s group pulled their mount alongside Wei Wuyin’s crane and offered their respects. He gave a small nod in return.

Under Wei Wuyin’s scrutiny, Su Mei felt a slight tremor. Having merged her mind, spirit, and essence, her perceptions were highly refined. She felt as though Wei Wuyin’s gaze was seeing through everything, leaving her feeling exposed.

A faint blush crept onto her normally cold face, softening her indifferent expression.

Wei Wuyin noticed and offered a thin smile. He was well aware of his own reputation for being handsome, fueled by his striking silver eyes and fit physique. However, he had never made a habit of pursuing his subordinates—at least, not yet.

"The Outer Disciple Competition starts first, so I think I’ll join you all. Any objections?" Wei Wuyin asked.

The competitions were held in sequence: Outer, then Inner, then Core. This allowed the top ten Outer disciples to move into the Inner bracket, and the top three Inner disciples to challenge the Core ranks.

Core disciples usually didn't bother showing up until their own matches began, but Wei Wuyin preferred to watch from the start. That arena was where his own rise to power had begun, giving it a personal significance.

Though Su Mei and her companions were surprised, they quickly recovered. Wei Wuyin was their leader and the source of their faction's strength; they would never refuse him.

He followed them toward the stadium. As they flew, an Inner disciple spoke up. "Lord Wei, rumors are spreading that you’ve achieved the fourth stage of Qi Condensation by giving form to your qi," the young man, who looked to be in his mid-twenties, said.

Wei Wuyin’s eyes narrowed slightly. He hadn't publicized his full strength, having only used basic elemental qi during his fight with the Violet Moon remnants. He certainly hadn't shown his metal qi.

Since he had only just returned, these rumors must have been circulated while he was away. It was likely a ploy to breed resentment or suggest he had found some incredible treasure to explain his rapid promotion. By stirring up jealousy, his enemies could entice others to move against him while he was vulnerable.

Someone was trying to orchestrate his death by proxy. It was irritating, especially since the rumor had been premature at the time and could have gotten him killed.

Chu Yan was likely one of the tools being used for this purpose. Wei Wuyin sighed internally but kept his face a mask of calm. He knew the young man beside him was likely testing him for information as well.

Despite their loyalty, many of his subordinates were ambitious and wouldn't hesitate to betray him if it meant their own advancement.

"I am already aware of these rumors," he replied simply, offering no further detail. The young man didn't press the issue, instead focusing on steering the eagle as if he were merely a dutiful servant warning his master of a threat.

It wasn't long before the massive stadium loomed ahead of them.