C1240 Profound Plamer

The scabbard of the Optimus Sword rested on his left arm, not in the palm of his hand.

Etched deeply into the bone of his left arm was a sword mark, from which scarlet beams of sword light coalesced, winding around the joints like dragons and serpents, poised to unleash their savage ferocity.

Yu Yuan was perplexed.

Cao Jiaze, having summoned the white jade ruler from within his robes, caught sight of the Optimus Sword's scabbard, his eyes widening in astonishment as a contemplative look crossed his face.

"The Optimus Sword's scabbard..."

Cao Jiaze furrowed his brows attractively, pondering the origins of the white jade ruler and its enigmatic functions, and whether there could be any connection to the fabled Divine Sword.

Fu Xuanwen was genuinely exhilarated.

The emergence of the white jade ruler had rejuvenated his arm, previously tainted and poisoned by the breath of death, as flesh and blood began to reconstitute from the bones, infused with a mixture of blood and spiritual energy.

In the Late Period of the Unrestrained Stage, one could manifest their true form within the Outland Star River. Although not as formidable as the physical body of a Greater Demon at the same level, one could still draw upon the copious vitality of the Little World to regenerate flesh and blood.

A practitioner like Zhongli, adept in the cultivation of the body, could even regrow limbs if they were severed.

"This is the Profound Plamer, an Artifact on par with the Fire God Spear. It has slain numerous Outland Star River powerhouses and possesses a suppressive force against the bloodlines of the Outlander Race," explained the Nine Stars Sage, Beru, in a hushed tone, eager to ensure Yu Yuan grasped its significance.

"Within it still resides the essence of flesh and blood from various otherworldly champions, absorbed into its core. It shares certain traits with the Demon Blade and Blood Prison you acquired in the Plover Realm. The Demon Blade, voracious for flesh and even souls, is difficult to wield and can easily corrupt the wielder's heart and soul."

"The Profound Plamer is somewhat safer. As long as one practices the pure Spiritual Spell of the Profound Sky Sect, it can be harnessed."

"While the Profound Plamer's might is not overly exaggerated against your kind, the humans, its efficacy becomes remarkably pronounced when turned against the Outlanders."

Beru revealed the enigmatic nature of the Artifact.

Rong Xun from the Clouds Sect spoke in a hushed tone, "Fu Xuanwen was able to regenerate his bones and flesh, and his meridians rapidly reformed, thanks to the flesh and blood essence within the Profound Plamer. Indeed, Fu Xuanwen is capable of wielding this Artifact and unlocking its power. Moreover, the Profound Plamer houses the ultimate divine force of our sect master!"

"Yu Yuan, the Profound Plamer actually came into existence only in recent years," Xie Binn interjected, his voice low and his demeanor grave. "The Profound Plamer can draw in the flesh and blood essence of other races. Does that remind you of anything?"

"Drawing in the flesh and blood essence of other races?"

Yu Yuan was momentarily taken aback, a bolt of realization striking him, his face turning pale with shock. "The Blood God Cult!"

Xie Binn gave a subtle nod.

Cao Jiaze, Fu Xuanwen, and several other practitioners from the Profound Sky Sect also appeared somewhat uneasy after Yu Yuan mentioned the Blood God Cult.

Given that the Profound Plamer, a Divine Artifact, could siphon the flesh and blood essence of foreigners, it might well be considered a vessel of malevolence!

The Spiritual Spell of the Blood God Cult was vehemently outlawed by the five supreme entities of the vast expanses, deemed excessively brutal and ruthless.

Wasn't the Profound Plamer cut from the same cloth?

Could it be that while the Blood God Cult's blood refining techniques applied to the humans and great demons of the vast expanses were deemed demonic, the Profound Plamer's targeting of foreign races' champions couldn't be labeled as such?

Was that suddenly the hallmark of a noble path?

"I suspect the creation of the Profound Plamer owes much to the prodigy known as Cao Yi," Kin Haolong from the Silver Moon Sect scoffed. "He managed to reverse-engineer and refine Ann Jieshan of the Blood God Cult, mastering numerous secret arts in the process, and then returned to the Blood God Cult under Ann Jieshan's guise."

"He fused the Spiritual Spells of the Profound Sky Sect and the Blood God Cult. Had he not ventured into the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area midway, he might have ousted Ann Wen and become the contemporary leader of the Blood God Cult."

Kin Haolong's mockery was palpable.

Yu Yuan's expression shifted subtly.

And then, as he turned his gaze back to the Profound Plamer, it was tinged with a hint of intrigue.

He had come to understand the situation and firmly believed that Cao Yi must have played a significant role in the forging of the Profound Plamer!

This Artifact, designed to combat alien races, was surely imprinted with the Blood God Cult's unique blood patterns during its initial refinement process.

Only with such engravings could the Profound Plamer exhibit its remarkable ability to siphon the vital essence of flesh and blood from other species.

"Hehe, the Profound Sky Sect, which prides itself as one of the three great upper sects, seems to be engaged in less than honorable deeds behind closed doors," Han Dan said with a cold laugh, her eyes resting on Fu Xuanwen, whose arm had returned to normal. "The Profound Sky Sect is indeed formidable, nearly managing to absorb the universally despised Blood God Cult and aiding Hao Yu in purging its corruption!"

Cao Jiaze remained composed, offering a smile as he responded, "Whether it's him or the Profound Plamer, both are employed for the betterment of Hao Yu. What's the issue?"

Before Han Dan could counter, Cao Jiaze added, "Previously, the Blood God Cult's Spiritual Spells, the condensation of the Yin God, and the crafting of the Yang God all necessitated blood sacrifice rituals. At that time, the followers of the Blood God Cult couldn't leave Hao Yu, so the sacrifices were inevitably the people of Hao Yu, primarily those from mortal cities."

"Thanks to my ancestor's improvements, the Blood God Cult's Spiritual Spells underwent a transformation. No longer is there a need for blood sacrifices to condense the Yin God or to forge the Yang God. As a result, both the Demon Palace and the Devil Palace have welcomed them, ceasing their relentless pursuit of the Blood God Cult's followers. Surely, this is a positive development?"

"The Profound Plamer was created with the alien race in mind, serving as a sharp blade to aid Hao Yu in repelling invaders. When used for righteous purposes, it certainly cannot be labeled as a malevolent object."

He spoke with an air of nonchalance.

Han Dan found herself at a loss for words.

With a sudden rip, specks of crimson sword light burst forth from the scabbard on Yu Yuan's arm.

The crimson light scattered like pebbles into a tranquil pond, sending waves of ripples throughout the Outland Star River.

Following the emergence of the Profound Plamer, the bloodline suppression of the various alien races and the unique binding of their vital energies seemed to be effortlessly shattered.

Wei Zhuo sneered with disdain. "Nie Qingtian's Divine Sword aiding an alien race from the outer realms? Ridiculous!"

Yu Yuan's face registered shock as he squinted at the sword sheath, using his soul power to probe it. He could barely make out the sword spells etched within the sheath's inner wall, which seemed to resonate mysteriously with the sword spells embedded in his own arm bones.

Moreover, this was all because of the Profound Plamer.

He could faintly sense the presence of the sword soul.

The sword soul had become one with the Optimus Sword. After escaping the Dark Domain, it crossed the vast expanse of the Starfield to reach the Illusion Starfield, secretly making its way to the Epitaxial Realm.

It appeared they had already entered the Epitaxial Realm!

In the Illusion Starfield, the sword soul, wielding the sword, was submerged somewhere beneath the Epitaxial Realm, seemingly purifying the millennia of corruption from the Divine Sword. It was utilizing the Epitaxial Realm's hidden wonders to purge the remnants of power left by Asura King Sabonis and the Dark Domain.

The sword soul harbored a deep aversion and enmity towards the Profound Plamer.

It also sent a cryptic and somewhat chaotic thought...

"Who is Lin Xu Hai?"

Yu Yuan turned abruptly to Cao Jiaze and bellowed the question.

Cao Jiaze looked bewildered, shaking his head to show his ignorance.

Zhu Huan and Fu Xuanwen's expressions shifted subtly.

Yu Yuan's gaze swept over Rong Xun, Xie Binn, and the surrounding Yang cultivators, noting their puzzled looks. It seemed none had ever heard the name.

"I know," Beru of the Star Race declared, his expression odd as he glanced at Fu Xuanwen. "Surely you can't have forgotten the name of your own master?"

Fu Xuanwen remained silent, his expression grave.

"Lin Xu Hai was the last wielder of the Profound Plamer, his cultivation reaching the late Unrestrained Stage. He was older than Nie Qingtian and passed away earlier," Beru explained, eyeing the few elders present. "According to the Profound Sky Sect's records, he perished from demonic intrusion during his attempt to ascend to the Primordial Spirit."

"He died by the Optimus Sword!" Yu Yuan exclaimed.

Beru was initially taken aback but then had an epiphany, breaking into a sly, strange smile. "It appears that before Lin Xu Hai's tragic end, he committed numerous heinous acts that provoked the heavens, prompting Nie Qingtian to take action. His death and descent into madness might be linked to the Profound Plamer. After all, once he died, the Profound Plamer failed to find a new master."

"I intended to bring this to Cao Yi," Cao Jiaze said, looking at Fu Xuanwen.

Fu Xuanwen remained silent.

Cao Jiaze paused, then nodded, signaling his understanding.

Lin Xu Hai's traces were concealed by his sect, which surely involved dishonorable deeds. Nie Qingtian must not have forsaken Hao Yu nor embarked on the irreversible path when he executed him.

This suggests that Lin Xu Hai's demise was a consequence of his own actions, marking him as a dark blemish on the Profound Sky Sect.

So, could there be an issue with the "Profound Plamer" as well?

"Fu Xuanwen, you dare to wield the Profound Plamer; beware lest you follow in Lin Xu Hai's doomed footsteps!"

After organizing his thoughts, Beru saw the esteemed cultivator from the Profound Sky Sect still harnessing the power of the white jade ruler and couldn't help but scoff. "You're surely aware of what transpired before. Such an artifact isn't meant for just anyone to handle. The fellow named Cao Yi practices both righteous and wicked cultivation, even altering Ann Jieshan's possession. He might possess the necessary capabilities."

"And you?"

"High cultivation level and age don't guarantee an unyielding spirit, impervious to the corruption of evil. Fu Xuanwen, you'd be wise to relinquish the Profound Plamer and abandon any thoughts of using it to contend with him."

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