Swallowing the Stars: Heart of the Martial God

Chapter 221 Whose sky is this! This law cannot be desecrated in the slightest!

"Cao Benqi, you wait!" Lord Youhou gritted his teeth, his consciousness immediately connecting to the virtual universe.

He had already returned the forbidden artifact bestowed upon him by Emperor Yan when he went to the Miluo Secret Realm before; otherwise, he wouldn't have had to suffer this humiliation today.

That forbidden artifact was given to him as a weapon to aid him in his mission to the human race; it wasn't a gift to him for nothing, and he wasn't a disciple of the Yan Emperor.

"Uncle-Master! Cao Benqi forcibly stole my treasure from the Primordial Star and even tried to kill me to silence me!"

His teacher, the Lord of Darkness, was unable to intervene, and the Lord of Chaos City had just gone to the Cosmic Sea, so he could only turn to this uncle-master for help.
Chaos City, deep within the Chaos Ruins.

Time and space seem to stand still here, with only the chaotic airflow flowing slowly like an eternal breath.

The Lord of Ice Peaks sat cross-legged in the void, emanating a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine, as he deeply comprehended a secret technique.

Suddenly, his tightly closed eyes snapped open, and two tangible, ice-blue divine lights shot out. The chilling killing intent contained within them instantly froze the surrounding chaotic airflow, turning it into countless tiny ice crystals that fell down in a flurry.

The temperature of the entire Chaos Ruins suddenly dropped to a terrifying level where even immortal gods could not survive.

"Cao—Ben—Qi!" The three words seemed to be squeezed out from the depths of ancient ice, the voice of the Ice Peak Lord was deep and full of oppression, "How dare you be so insolent?!"

His consciousness had just exited the virtual universe when he heard the distress message from Lord Youhou and the clear images of the battle.

Cao Benqi's frenzied attacks, the terrifying scene of the Flaming Divine Halberd repeatedly striking the silver-white palace, pierced his consciousness like ice spikes.

To use such a cruel act against one's own clansmen, especially against Marquis You, has crossed his bottom line.

The Dark Senior Brother entrusted Youhou to his care. If anything were to happen to him, how could he explain it to the Dark Senior Brother? How could he explain it to his suppressed teacher?

"I'm coming right now!" Without the slightest hesitation, the true form of the Ice Peak Lord vanished from Chaos City and returned to the primordial universe.

The next moment, a blue rainbow light that tore through the starry sky instantly traversed a distance of tens of thousands of light-years, speeding towards the direction of the primordial star.

While traveling, his cold voice also reached out to the Chaos City Lord through the virtual universe: "Senior brother, Cao Benqi of the Giant Axe Arena attacked Youhou with deadly intent on the Primordial Star and forcibly seized his treasure. The evidence is conclusive!"

In the virtual universe of Thunder Island, the Chaos City Lord, residing in the Chaos Temple, slowly opened his eyes. A trace of solemnity flashed in his deep pupils, which seemed to contain the birth and death of the universe.

He lightly tapped the air with his fingertip, and countless streams of information swept by, instantly revealing the whole picture.

"Alas..." A barely audible sigh echoed in the temple.

This matter is indeed extremely difficult to handle.

This is not a simple skirmish, but a battle between the two supreme powers, the Giant Axe Arena and the Virtual Universe Company, whose rulers are the masters of the universe.

If not handled properly, it could sow the seeds of division within the human race's upper echelons.

His gaze seemed to pierce through endless time and space, landing on Cao Benqi.

He was well aware of this junior's exceptional talent and proud spirit.

Although he has been far surpassed by Ling Xuan among the "Four Great Geniuses", his potential is still among the top of the human race. He is the only one in the race besides Ling Xuan who has the best chance of reaching the level of the strongest in the universe.

For this reason, over the years, despite Cao Benqi's numerous misdeeds and increasingly eccentric behavior, both he and the founder of the Giant Axe have held a sliver of "cherishing talent" in their hearts, raising the issue high and then gently lowering it again, unwilling to impose a truly severe punishment, always hoping that he would come to his senses.

The Lord of Chaos City rubbed his temples, a hint of helplessness flashing across his face.

“Fine,” he muttered to himself, as if he had made a decision, “Let Giant Axe and Ling Xuan gnaw on this tough nut.”

One of them is the head of a family, and the other is the Heavenly Emperor Yan; they have to give my Virtual Universe Company an explanation.

Once he made up his mind, he no longer hesitated.

He sent an email to Ling Xuan, detailing the events and attaching some video evidence sent by the Lord of Ice Peak.

This is not just a notification, but a gesture, indicating Virtual Universe's position on this matter.

……

The Heavenly Court Headquarters, the Lingxiao Palace.

Ling Xuan sat high on the Heavenly Emperor's throne, surrounded by the Daoist principles of law, as if he himself were the center of the universe's laws.

He had just finished a deep-level cultivation session, and the grand image of the birth and death of the universe still lingered in his eyes.

Upon receiving the email from the Lord of Chaos City, he opened it immediately.

"Heh," a soft snort echoed in the empty hall. "I thought that, given his increasingly arrogant nature, he would attack his teacher, Lord Lanzang, first. If that were the case, I could have killed him on the spot, and that old fellow Zuoshanke wouldn't have had anything to say. Perhaps that old fellow would even have personally cleaned up his own sect... What a pity, what a pity."

He shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of mockery, "This time, it was Marquis You who got beaten up."

His gaze gradually sharpened, like a divine sword drawn from its sheath, radiating a chilling light.

"However, this is enough. My Heavenly Court has just been established and needs to establish its authority. This Cao Benqi dares to openly disregard the laws I have set, forcibly seize the treasures of his own kind, and even attempt to kill to silence them... This trend must not be allowed to continue!"

A sharp and incomparable killing intent flashed in the depths of his eyes, like a destructive meteor streaking across the starry sky.

He was carefully weighing whether to seize this golden opportunity to completely eliminate this increasingly out-of-control "genius" who would sooner or later become a disaster.

But reason quickly prevailed.

“Difficult…” He shook his head slightly.

According to the Heavenly Court Laws that he personally promulgated, although Cao Benqi's actions were wicked, he ultimately did not cause the demise of his clan, so his crime did not warrant death.

From a personal perspective, considering the overall interests of the race, a fourth-order universe lord with the potential to become the strongest in the universe would never be subject to the extreme punishment of the Giant Axe Founder and the Chaos City Lord.

"If the punishment is too severe, given his narrow-minded, arrogant nature and inability to tolerate the slightest grievance, I'm afraid... he might betray the human race, just like in the original story."

That would be a major scandal within the human race.

"The most crucial issue still lies with... the Mountain-Sitting Guest." Ling Xuan's gaze deepened, turning towards the direction of the cosmic sea, as if trying to pierce through multiple dimensions to see the Mountain-Sitting Guest hidden behind the scenes.

Despite his assessment based on various pieces of information, he was over 70% certain that, under the suppression of the primordial cosmic will, the Mountain Dweller would not dare to completely break ties with Ling Xuan in the face of the potential and strength he had just displayed.

However, he dared not gamble, nor was he willing to gamble. The vision, trump cards, and profound thoughts of a god-king who once stood at the pinnacle of the Origin Continent were far beyond his current ability to fully fathom.

Perhaps what he considers a miracle in the primordial universe is, in the eyes of the Mountain Dweller, merely "acceptable" on the vast and boundless continent of origin.

The disparity between his strength and vision made it difficult for him to fully grasp the true psychological bottom line of this "God King".

"Regardless," Ling Xuan abruptly rose from his throne, his movement causing the entire Lingxiao Palace to tremble slightly. The surrounding laws and Daoist auras surged forth, displaying the majesty of an unparalleled supreme being. "I must personally attend to this matter!"

With a thought, from the depths of the temple, the Nine Nether Blood Sea clone, radiating endless life force, stepped out and silently took over the throne from the original.

Ling Xuan's true form transformed into an invisible wave, instantly merging into space and teleporting towards the Primordial Star.

"Puff." Ling Xuan called out calmly as they sped through the crowd.

"Master! What are your orders?" The intelligent life form Puff's intelligent voice immediately rang out, with a hint of excitement. She sensed the unusually solemn aura emanating from her master.

"Immediately locate the precise number of the original star where Cao Benqi and the Lord of Youhou are currently located," Ling Xuan's command was concise and clear.

"Master, are you... are you coming in person?" Puff's voice trembled slightly with excitement.

She knew that now that the Heavenly Court had just been established, all forces were secretly watching.

The significance of Emperor Yan personally taking action to uphold the law for the first time was immense!
"Hmph," Ling Xuan let out a cold snort, a sound that seemed to contain the chill of a cosmic ice age, which spread through his divine sense. "Some people think that my Heavenly Court's laws are just empty words on paper, and some people think that my blade, Ling Xuan's blade, is no longer sharp. They dare to extend their claws to their own kind and trample on the rules I have set without any restraint!"

"I must teach them a lesson—what rules are! What reverence is! I want the whole universe to know that those who violate the laws of Heaven will be punished, no matter how strong or how close they are! Today, I will use Cao Benqi as a ready example to tell everyone whose Heaven this is! This law cannot be desecrated in the slightest!"

"Yes, Master," Puff replied, and soon she sent the original star number where Cao Benqi and the others were located to Ling Xuan.

Beyond the primordial stars, in the starry sky.

The figure of the Ice Peak Lord stepped out of the void, about to enter the Primordial Star, but was blocked by a gentle yet powerful aura.

"Bingfeng, why the rush?"

The figure of the Lord of Lan Cang appeared in the starry sky. This veteran universe master of the Giant Axe Arena was none other than Cao Benqi's teacher.

"Lan Zang, are you going to protect your wicked disciple?" The Ice Peak Lord's voice was icy. "Cao Benqi forcibly seized a treasure from his own clan and then tried to kill him to silence him; this is a capital offense!"

The two's conversation, amplified by divine power, was clearly transmitted to the primordial star below, and Cao Benqi, who was attacking the palace, naturally heard it as well.

"We are all fellow human beings, why ruin our harmony?" Lord Lan Cang sighed. "Cao Benqi is young and impetuous, and acted rashly. I will give you an explanation for this matter and ensure he receives the punishment he deserves."

The Lord of Ice Peaks sneered: "Young and impetuous? He's lived for tens of millions of epochs and still young? Lan Zang, do you even believe that yourself?"

His gaze swept over Lord Lan Cang like a blade: "When has your Giant Axe Arena ever truly punished Cao Benqi for his actions over the years? Relying on your status as the Lord of the Universe, you always raise the issue high and then let it fall leniently! Today he dares to forcibly seize a treasure of his own race, tomorrow he dares to betray humanity!"

Lord Lan Cang's expression turned somewhat grim: "Bingfeng, your words are excessive. Although Cao Benqi has some personality issues, his loyalty to the human race is beyond question. This time, he was simply moved by the allure of the treasure and acted impulsively."

"A moment of confusion?" The Lord of Ice Peak's voice grew even colder. "My junior brother, the Lord of Darkness, is not in the Primal Universe; his identity is special, and it's inconvenient for him to appear. Youhou is someone I've watched grow up. If I let you get away with this today, how can I, the Lord of Ice Peak, face my senior brother? How can I face our suppressed teacher?"

The two divine powers clashed secretly in the starry sky. Although they did not actually fight, the terrifying aura caused the entire starry sky to tremble slightly.

On the original star below, Cao Benqi heard the conversation between the two, and the anger in his heart burned even more fiercely.

Cao Benqi's achievements today are due to his own talent and hard work!
Why should others lift it high and then gently put it down?

"Teacher Lan Zang, why waste words with him!" Cao Benqi's voice came from the Primal Star, filled with undisguised arrogance. "The people from the Virtual Universe Company have always been haughty and look down on our Giant Axe Arena. Since he wants to fight, then let's fight!"

Cao Benqi stood proudly in the void, holding the Flaming Divine Halberd, showing no regard whatsoever for the Lord of Ice Peak.

In his view, although the Lord of Ice Peak was a veteran universe lord, he himself was a fourth-order universe lord and possessed a supreme treasure like the Flame God Halberd, so he might not necessarily lose!

"Arrogant!" The Lord of Ice Peak's eyes flashed with cold light, and the entire starry sky seemed to feel his anger.

Centered on him, countless ice crystals condensed out of thin air. These ice crystals were not simple ice blocks, but crystals containing the primordial ice laws of the universe. Each one was as heavy as a star.

The temperature plummeted at an alarming rate, distant nebulae began to freeze, and even the light distorted in the chill.

"It seems you've grown too easily, to the point that you've lost yourself!" The Ice Peak Lord's voice was like the clash of ancient ice, crisp and cold.

Seeing this, the Lord of Lancang knew the situation was beyond repair. He stepped back slightly, drawing an invisible boundary in the starry sky, and said in a deep voice, "Benqi, immediately apologize to the Lord of Ice Peak! Come with me to the Giant Axe Arena to receive your punishment!"

"Apologize?" Cao Benqi sneered, the Flaming Divine Halberd in his hand erupting with dazzling golden divine flames. "Those people from the Virtual Universe Company stole my treasure, and you want me to apologize? Teacher Lanzang, if you're afraid, just watch from the sidelines. Today, I'll let the entire universe know that I, Cao Benqi, fear no one!"

With that, he abruptly pointed the Flaming Divine Halberd at the Ice Peak Lord in the starry sky, the flames erupting from the halberd's tip evaporating all the cosmic dust in its path: "Ice Peak Lord, I've long wanted to experience your superior skills. Come on!"

At this moment, the entire starry sky seemed to be divided into two worlds. On one side was the Frost Realm where the Ice Peak Lord resided, where the stars were dim, everything was frozen, and even spacetime became viscous; on the other side was the Flame Kingdom where Cao Benqi resided, where golden divine flames burned fiercely, scorching and distorting the void.

"Arrogant! Since you remain so stubborn, I will teach you a lesson on behalf of Lan Zang and Giant Axe."

The Lord of Ice Peaks slowly raised his right hand, and a long sword, crystal clear and seemingly carved from ten thousand years of mysterious ice, appeared in his hand.

The sword exudes a chilling aura that sends shivers down one's spine, and a blue gemstone, seemingly capable of freezing time and space, is inlaid at the hilt.

This is his most prized treasure – the Ice Peak Sword.

The moment the sword was drawn, the temperature of the entire starry sky plummeted again, as if it had instantly entered an ice age, and the entire spacetime was frozen solid.

"Nine Suns Burn the World!"

Cao Benqi took the initiative and immediately used his strongest innate secret technique!
This was the only move he could use to fight the Lord of Ice Peaks; he hadn't even comprehended the fourth-tier secret technique on the Flame God Halberd and couldn't activate it.

He gripped the Flame God Halberd with both hands, and the divine power within his body surged forth like a volcanic eruption.

In an instant, nine enormous fireballs, each over a million kilometers in diameter, coalesced behind him, each radiating light billions of times brighter than a star.

These nine fireballs were not simply aggregates of energy; they were arranged in a mysterious formation, generating a wondrous resonance among themselves. Wherever they passed, the space was not torn apart, but directly evaporated by the high temperature, revealing the chaotic void beneath.

Nine suns shone brightly in the sky, illuminating the entire star field in a golden hue.

Even the Lord of Lancang, who was watching from afar, couldn't help but be slightly moved. With the enhancement of the Flame God Halberd, the power of this attack was close to that of a fifth-order secret technique.

(End of this chapter)