C1240 Rod of Heavenly Justice

The Titanblade's sheath rested on his left arm, not in the palm of his hand. The imprint of the sword on his arm bone was deeply etched, with strands of crimson sword light refined into shapes resembling dragons and snakes coiling around the joints, ready to unleash their savage ferocity.

Yu Yuan was baffled by the sight.

In contrast, Cao Jiaze, who had just summoned the white jade ruler from within his robes, caught sight of the Titanblade's sheath and his eyes widened in astonishment, his face taking on a contemplative expression. "The Titanblade, its sheath..." Jiaze's handsome brows knitted together as he pondered the white jade ruler's origins and its enigmatic powers, wondering if there could be any link to the legendary Divine Sword.

Fu Xuanwen's excitement was palpable. The emergence of the white jade ruler had a remarkable effect on his arm, which had been tainted by the death aura. Flesh and sinew began to regenerate from the arm bone, with blood and spiritual energy intermingling and steadily replenishing his strength.

A cultivator in the late period of the Unbound realm, who could traverse the Star River in his true form, might not possess a physique as formidable as an archdemon of the same level, but he could still harness the copious vitality of the Profound Gate's little world to reconstruct flesh and blood with the aid of rare artifacts.

For a master of the Unbound realm like Zhongli Dapan, who excelled in physical cultivation, even severed limbs could be regrown.

"It's the Rod of Heavenly Justice, a Divine Artifact on par with the Flame Spear. This item has slain countless extraterrestrial champions and can suppress the bloodlines of the Otherkin," explained Starfallen Oracle Beru in a hushed tone, eager to ensure Yu Yuan grasped its significance.

"Within it lies the absorbed vital energy of numerous Otherkin warriors. It shares certain properties with the Baneblade and Bloodhell you acquired in Ionodios. The Baneblade, which devours both flesh and spirit, is difficult to wield and can easily corrupt the wielder's own spirit."

"The Rod of Heavenly Justice is somewhat safer. Anyone who practices the pure spells of the Ebon Star can harness its power."

"Against the humans of the Everlands, the Rod of Heavenly Justice's might won't seem overly dramatic. But when turned against the Otherkin, its effectiveness becomes starkly evident."

Beru unveiled the enigmatic nature of the Divine Artifact.

Rong Xun of the Obsidian Thunder Sect also spoke in hushed tones, "Fu Xuanwen's ability to regenerate flesh and rapidly heal his meridians is due to the vital energy within the Rod of Heavenly Justice. He can certainly wield this Divine Artifact and tap into its power. Moreover, it contains the supreme divine force of its creator!"

"Yu Yuan, the Rod of Heavenly Justice is actually a recent creation," Xie Bin interjected with a grave demeanor, speaking softly. "It can siphon the vital energy from the Otherkin. Does that trigger any associations for you?"

"Drain the vital energy of the Otherkin?"

Yu Yuan paused, a bolt of realization striking him, his face betraying his shock. "Colddeath!"

Xie Bin gave a subtle nod.

Cao Jiaze, Fu Xuanwen, and other cultivators from the Ebon Star appeared slightly uneasy after Yu Yuan uttered "Colddeath."

The Rod of Heavenly Justice, a Divine Artifact capable of extracting vital energy from the Otherkin, could indeed be viewed as a malevolent instrument!

The arcane spells of Colddeath were vehemently prohibited by the Everlands' Five Utmost Beings for their extreme cruelty.

Wasn't the Rod of Heavenly Justice similar?

Was it that the Colddeath's use of the Blood Refining Technique on the humans and archdemons of the Everlands was demonic, but the Rod of Heavenly Justice targeting the Otherkin was not?

Was it then considered part of the righteous path?

"I suspect the prodigy Cao Yi had a significant role in the creation of the Rod of Heavenly Justice," Jin Haolong of the Starmoon Sect scoffed. "He managed to reverse-refine Ann Jieshan of Colddeath and even mastered many of their arcane secrets, reclaiming his heritage within Colddeath."

"He fused the spiritual spells of Ebon Star with those of Colddeath. Had he not ventured to the Moonfall Sanctuary, he might have dethroned Ann Wen and become the contemporary leader of Colddeath."

Jin Haolong's tone was laced with derision.

Yu Yuan's expression shifted subtly.

Then, as he regarded the Rod of Heavenly Justice once more, his eyes gleamed with intrigue.

He had come to a realization and was convinced that Cao Yi must have played a significant role in forging the Rod of Heavenly Justice!

This Divine Artifact, designed specifically to counter the Otherkin, had been imprinted with a unique blood-patterned magic circle from the very start of its refinement process.

Only with this imprint could the Rod of Heavenly Justice exhibit its remarkable ability to siphon the vital energy of the Otherkin.

"Hehe, the Ebon Star, which prides itself as one of the three great upper sects, seems to be engaging in less than honorable deeds behind closed doors," Han Dan scoffed, her eyes landing on Fu Xuanwen, who had returned to her normal state. "The Ebon Star is truly formidable, almost using Cao Yi to absorb the universally despised Colddeath and cleanse the Everlands of its corruption!"

Cao Jiaze remained composed and replied with a smile, "Whether it's him or the Rod of Heavenly Justice, both serve to improve the Everlands. What's the issue?"

Before Han Dan could counter, Cao Jiaze added, "Previously, the Colddeath's spells, the condensation of the Lunar Spirit, and the crafting of the Solar Spirit all necessitated a blood sacrifice ritual. Back then, the followers of the Colddeath couldn't leave the Everlands, so the blood sacrifices were drawn from its inhabitants, often from mortal cities."

"Thanks to my ancestor's innovations, the Colddeath's spells were reborn, no longer requiring blood sacrifices to condense the Lunar Spirit or forge the Solar Spirit Body. As a result, the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep have welcomed them, ceasing their relentless pursuit and execution of the Colddeath's disciples. Isn't that a positive development?"

"The Rod of Heavenly Justice was crafted to aid the Everlands in repelling extraterrestrial threats. Naturally, it should not be labeled as a malevolent object."

He spoke with an air of nonchalance.

Han Dan was left without a comeback.

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

The crimson light rippled through the Star River like pebbles cast into a tranquil pond.

Once the Rod of Heavenly Justice made its appearance, it seemed to effortlessly break through the suppression and unique sealing of the Otherkin's bloodlines and vitality.

"How ludicrous that Nie Qingtian's Divine Sword is aiding the extraterrestrial Otherkin!" Wei Zhuo let out a derisive laugh.

Yu Yuan's expression was one of utter astonishment as he squinted at the sword sheath. With his Soul Power, he could faintly discern the sword spells etched within the sheath's inner wall, which were mysteriously interacting with similar inscriptions in his arm bone.

Moreover, this was all triggered by the Rod of Heavenly Justice.

He could also sense the elusive presence of the sword spirit.

The sword spirit had become one with the Titanblade. Having escaped the Dark Realm, it soared across the vast expanse of space to reach the Kuvrepros and then stealthily made its way to Zekrica.

It appeared to have already entered Zekrica!

Within the Kuvrepros, the sword spirit wielded the blade, submerged somewhere beneath Zekrica, seemingly purifying the Divine Sword of millennia of corruption. It harnessed the concealed wonders of Zekrica to cleanse the remnants of psionic power left by the Blood King Sabonis and the Dark Realm.

The sword spirit harbored a deep loathing and enmity toward the Rod of Heavenly Justice.

It even transmitted a somewhat disordered and cryptic message.

"Who is Lin Xuhai?"

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

Cao Jiaze wore a look of confusion and shook his head, indicating his ignorance.

Zhu Huan and Fu Xuanwen's expressions shifted subtly.

Yu Yuan then surveyed Rong Xun, Xie Bin, and the surrounding Solar Spirit Cultivators, noting their puzzled looks, as if the name was foreign to them.

"I know."

Beru, a venerable and mighty extraterrestrial warrior of the Starborn, cast a peculiar glance at Fu Xuanwen. "Surely you haven't forgotten your Master's name, have you?"

Fu Xuanwen's expression grew stern, but he remained silent.

"Lin Xuhai was the final custodian of the Rod of Heavenly Justice, with a cultivation level in the late Unbound Stage, even older than Nie Qingtian, and he passed away earlier," Beru explained, eyeing the elderly men present. "According to Ebon Star's records, he perished from Qi deviation during an attempt to ascend to the primordial spirit."

"He met his end by the Titanblade!" Yu Yuan exclaimed.

Beru was initially taken aback, but then a realization dawned on him. He broke into a twisted grin, "It appears that Lin Xuhai committed many deeds that provoked the ire of the heavens before his demise, prompting Nie Qingtian to strike him down. Lin Xuhai's death and descent into madness might be linked to the Rod of Heavenly Justice. After all, once he perished, the Rod failed to find a new master."

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

Fu Xuanwen remained silent.

Cao Jiaze paused, then nodded, signaling his understanding.

The sect had erased all evidence of Lin Xuhai's existence, which surely pertained to dishonorable acts. Nie Qingtian must not have forsaken the Everlands nor embarked on a point of no return when he executed him.

This suggests that Lin Xuhai's fate was a direct result of his own actions, marking him as a dark blemish on the Ebon Star.

So, could there be an issue with the Rod of Heavenly Justice as well?

"Fu Xuanwen, should you dare to wield the Rod of Heavenly Justice, beware lest you follow in Lin Xuhai's doomed footsteps!"

Once Beru had collected his thoughts, he noticed the Ebon Star cultivator still channeling the power of the white jade ruler and scoffed, "You're surely aware of the past events. Such a high-caliber artifact isn't meant for just anyone's use. The man known as Cao Yi practices both righteous and nefarious arts. He even managed to alter Ann Jieshan's spirit possession. He might have the capacity for it."

"But you? That's far from certain."

"High cultivation level and age don't guarantee a heart steadfast as stone, impervious to the corruption of evil. Fu Xuanwen, you'd do well to relinquish the Rod of Heavenly Justice and abandon any thoughts of leveraging it to contend with him."

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