Blood-Refined Artifact? A Blessing Bestowed by the Qingyun Patriarch!

Dazhu Peak's Back Mountain.

Beside a tranquil pool.

"Sizzle—"

Ghostly Qi and Blood Qi collided without cease.

The two top-tier Artifacts, the Blood-Devouring Bead and the Soul-Capturing Rod, successfully fused together.

At that moment.

The Soul-Devouring Rod was born!

"Whoosh—"

At the same time, Ji Changfeng had his eyes tightly shut.

An indescribably profound aura filled his mind, and vast insights surfaced within his Sea of Consciousness.

Ice Heart Art: It could ward off the corrosion of baleful and vicious Qi, allowing one's mind to enter a state devoid of desire and thought, emptying everything away!!

Ji Changfeng sorted through the information in his mind.

A trace of surprise appeared in his heart.

The Ice Heart Art? It can put the mind into a state free of desire and craving?

Isn't that just Sage Mode?

Ji Changfeng could not help but complain inwardly.

But honestly.

This technique was quite useful.

In the world of Zhuxian, many powerful Artifacts carried immensely potent baleful Qi. The most representative among them was Qingyun Sect's sect-protecting treasure—the Immortal Slaying Sword!

They said only those in the Grand Purity Realm could wield the Immortal Slaying Sword.

But even someone in the legendary Grand Purity Realm could use it only two or three times at most.

Once it was used too often.

Its wielder would still be affected by the baleful Qi within the Immortal Slaying Sword.

And thus fall into a state of cultivation deviation.

Unless one had mastered the Five Volumes of the Heavenly Book.

Just like Zhang Xiaofan in the original story...

Otherwise.

The outcome awaiting them would be the same as True Master Daoxuan's—demonic corruption.

So, with this Ice Heart Art, wouldn't I be able to use the Immortal Slaying Sword as I please?!

Ji Changfeng thought to himself.

If that was the case.

Then he might as well casually become the Qingyun Sect Leader for fun.

What?

Tongtian Peak already had Xiao Yicai?

No matter.

As they said—greater ability meant greater responsibility!

When your strength and prestige reached an astonishing level.

You would not need to do anything at all; naturally, someone would propose that you become the sect leader.

What was that called?

Going with the flow?

The tide of destiny was on my side!

It was easy enough to understand when you thought about it.

By the time Xiao Yicai broke through to Upper Clarity, Ji Changfeng might already be in Grand Purity.

If Xiao Yicai refused to yield his position.

What could he use to suppress a Dazhu Peak Master in the Grand Purity Realm?

Righteous principles?

What a joke! In the Cultivation World, strength was ultimately supreme!

If your strength was insufficient.

Then obediently give up your position!

Ji Changfeng gently shook his head and stopped thinking about such things.

"Whoosh—"

With a wave of his hand, he grabbed the Soul-Devouring Rod from the ground.

He held it before his eyes and examined it carefully.

Hmm...

How should he put it?

Ordinary. Far too ordinary.

Someone who did not know better would think it was a Fire-Stirring Rod.

Ji Changfeng gently shook his head.

Then, with a casual motion, he tucked the Soul-Devouring Rod into Zhang Xiaofan's waist. He had no intention of stealing his opportunity.

It was merely a Soul-Devouring Rod.

He did not think much of it.

Besides, this thing was already Zhang Xiaofan's Blood-Refined Artifact. No one else could use it even if they wanted to.

Ji Changfeng carried Zhang Xiaofan in one hand, held Tian Ling'er in the other, and had Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey Xiaohui perched on his shoulder as he slowly made his way down the mountain...

Back at Shoujing Hall.

Du Bishu had already prepared lunch.

When he saw Ji Changfeng holding Tian Ling'er in one arm and carrying Zhang Xiaofan in the other, he thought something had happened.

"Seventh Junior Brother!"

"What happened to Little Junior Sister and Eighth Junior Brother?!"

Du Bishu's face was filled with panic.

At his shout.

Everyone on Dazhu Peak came running out.

When Su Ru saw the unconscious Tian Ling'er, she instantly panicked.

She hurried over, her elegant, pretty face full of alarm. "Changfeng, what happened to Ling'er and Little Fan?"

Tian Buyi's face darkened. "Old Seven, what happened?"

"Master, Mistress, don't worry. Senior Sister and Little Fan only fainted temporarily." After calming them, Ji Changfeng explained:

"Earlier, Senior Sister, Little Fan, and I went to the Back Mountain to do our lessons..."

He carefully recounted everything.

Naturally, he concealed the matter of the Blood-Devouring Bead.

This thing involved Divine Monk Puzhi of Tianyin Temple, and it also involved the lives of over a hundred households in Caomiao Village. There was simply no way to explain it clearly in a short while...

Better to keep it hidden for now.

He could reveal it later when there was an opportunity.

"So you're saying this rod became Old Eight's Blood-Refined Artifact?!"

Tian Buyi pulled the Soul-Devouring Rod from Zhang Xiaofan's waist and carefully inspected it, his face dark.

"Yes." Ji Changfeng nodded slightly.

He noticed the disdain on Tian Buyi's face and explained:

"Master, don't look down on this rod. It has quite an origin."

"Hmm? What origin could it possibly have? Tell me in detail." Tian Buyi looked surprised.

He truly could not see what was so remarkable about this Fire-Stirring Rod.

The surrounding senior brothers also gathered around.

Ji Changfeng smiled faintly and said:

"The ancient book Ten Chapters of Exotic Treasures once recorded this: 'There is strange iron in the heavens, fallen into the Nine Netherworlds. The ghostfires of the underworld burn yin spirits and fierce souls to refine it. After a thousand years, it turns red; after another thousand years, it takes shape; after another thousand years, it gathers Ghostly Qi; after yet another thousand years, it gains the power to capture souls.'"

"Little Fan's Blood-Refined Artifact is the legendary Soul-Capturing Rod, formed only after four thousand years!"

"Furthermore, I have another suspicion."

"Could this Soul-Capturing Rod have been transplanted here by one of Dazhu Peak's Patriarchs!?"

Ji Changfeng had grounds for this speculation.

Do not forget.

Qingyun Sect's Immortal Slaying Sword Formation had a Heavenly Secret Seal buried beneath each of its seven peaks. The Heavenly Secret Seals were a type of sealing technique that gathered all the vicious Qi, baleful Qi, and spiritual Qi of the seven peaks.

Once activated.

Their power was unmatched!

Therefore, the Soul-Capturing Rod in Dazhu Peak's Back Mountain might truly have been transplanted by one of Dazhu Peak's Patriarchs, or perhaps by True Master Qingye of Qingyun Sect...

At those words, Tian Buyi's gaze flickered slightly.

He looked at the Soul-Devouring Rod in his hand and ultimately decided to discuss it with his sect leader senior brother.

Whether it was a Blood-Refined Artifact or a matter concerning the Qingyun Patriarch, neither was something he could decide on his own...

Better to leave this matter to his sect leader senior brother.

With that thought, Tian Buyi looked toward Su Ru. "Junior Sister, you all eat first. I'll make a trip to Tongtian Peak..."

"Alright." Su Ru nodded gently.

After confirming that Tian Ling'er had merely fainted.

The panic in her heart gradually subsided.

"Whoosh—"

Tian Buyi summoned his immortal sword, Crimson Flame, and immediately flew toward Tongtian Peak on his sword.

Seeing this, Ji Changfeng was relieved.

Dao Xuan definitely knew about the Heavenly Secret Seals.

As long as Tian Buyi mentioned "Patriarch," the other man would surely understand...

Therefore.

This matter would soon be resolved.

Sure enough.

Tian Buyi returned from Tongtian Peak in less than half an hour.

When he returned.

He was still holding the Soul-Devouring Rod.

"Buyi, what did Sect Leader Senior Brother say?"

Su Ru quickly asked.

Tian Buyi said calmly, "It has been confirmed. The Soul-Capturing Rod was indeed left behind by our Qingyun Patriarch. Since Old Eight happened to 'subdue' it by chance..."

"Then it can be considered his blessing."

What Blood-Refined Artifact?

I don't know anything about that!

This was clearly a blessing bestowed by our Qingyun Patriarch!