Not many people in the entire Neoverse could match up to Highsage Wudi, and within the Arbitration World, only the Chief Justice of the Interstellar Supreme Court could possibly keep Highsage Wudi under control.
Lu Yin had previously heard about Highsage Wudi from Highsage Shenwei, but Lu Yin only had a vague impression of his senior disciple. Still, from what Lu Yin had observed, Highsage Wudi was comparable to Yuan Shi at the very least.
Highsage Wudi laughed and nodded as he patted Lu Yin on the shoulder. “Let’s go! I’ll take you to see the Chief Justice. I’m positive that you aren’t being controlled by the Neohuman Alliance, but we’ll still need the Chief Justice to make the decision.”
Lu Yin nodded and followed Highsage Wudi.
He felt less worried with Highsage Wudi’s presence.
Since one of the Hall of Honor’s nine overseers was from the Daynight clan, Lu Yin knew that he had an enemy within the Hall of Honor. However, the overseers only handled administrative duties, and they did not actually control the Hall of Honor.
The nine overseers definitely would not be able to affect the Chief Justice’s decision.
For a long time, Lu Yin had been in awe of the Interstellar Supreme Court’s Chief Justice, especially after Lu Yin had Pilfered the blood-red bell. For many nights, Lu Yin had been plagued by nightmares of the Chief Justice chasing after him, and that dream still terrified Lu Yin.
He grew incredibly nervous the moment he thought about meeting the Chief Justice.
He hoped that nobody was aware that he had stolen that blood-red bell.
Lu Yin was surprised to learn that he needed to stand on a set of scales; he had never seen anyone stand on scales while being judged.
There were two sides of the scale; one represented life and the other death. After the Chief Justice’s decision was made, the scales would tilt to the corresponding side. Not everybody had the right to be judged with these scales.
There were many stars scattered throughout the Interstellar Supreme Court, but there were only a few scales, and thus, only certain people were qualified to be judged with these scales. Generally, most people would only receive an instant judgment and would never even approach this area.
Lu Yin was still young, and he should not have qualified to be judged by the Chief Justice himself, but Lu Yin was Yuan Shi’s Chosen, and Eversky Island was also behind him. However, the most important detail was that Lu Yin was the master of the entire Outerverse.
Just the fact that he had subdued the Outerverse was enough to get the Chief Justice involved.
The Outerverse was a massive portion of the Human Domain, and thus, the ruler of the Outerverse could only be judged by the Chief Justice himself.
Those in attendance to witness the proceedings included Highsage Wudi, Mu En, and two other Judicial Commissioners: the Calm of Despair and the Shadow of Death.
Lu Yin looked at the Calm of Despair curiously. He was a solemn middle aged man with a slightly haggard look. This Judicial Commissioner supported the Daynight clan, and Lu Yin had heard that this Judicial Commissioner brought despair to everybody, and everyone who mentioned him feared him.
As for the Shadow of Death, Lu Yin had encountered this commissioner during the battle against the Sixth Mainland in the Cosmic Sea. At that time, the Shadow of Death had appeared with a blood-red bell. There were rumors that he was the most senior of the three Judicial Commissioners and that he was even on par with the Chief Justice himself.
Lu Yin’s gaze drew the attention of the Calm of Despair. He turned to smile at Lu Yin and even nodded in a friendly manner.
Lu Yin bowed in return, but he only grew more wary of the man.
“The court convenes.” The Chief Justice’s voice rang out, but Lu Yin could not see the Chief Justice anywhere.
The three Judicial Commissioners were all accustomed to this, as the Chief Justice did not normally show himself.
Highsage Wudi was equally unfazed, as he had witnessed these trials before.
But Lu Yin was extremely nervous. Although he knew that he was not being controlled by death energy, it was still true that he had cultivated with death energy. Thus, he had no idea how the Chief Justice would rule. However, Lu Yin had no choice in the matter. He had to go through this trial simply because his strength was lacking.
At this time, the person whom Lu Yin wished would appear the most was Mr. Mu. Master, ah, Master. You’ve been gone for so long! It’s time for you to show up and support your disciple.
The scales remained still, and the three Judicial Commissioners all grew solemn. Highsage Wudi looked up at the point in front of the scales, which was the Chief Justice’s spot. The space might look empty, but Highsage Wudi knew that the Chief Justice was staring at Lu Yin.
To be honest, Highsage Wudi was not very confident about Lu Yin’s situation. Highsage Wudi was quite familiar with the Neohuman Alliance’s methods, so how could Lu Yin have managed to escape so easily after being captured by Shaman God? It was also possible that Lu Yin himself was unaware that he was being controlled.
Eversky Island felt apologetic towards Lu Yin, and had they known that the Neohuman Alliance would strike during the most recent Astral Tower, they would have told Lu Yin the truth. In that case, at least he might have had a chance to touch the golden platform and escape with the others and avoid being captured.
This trial was a mental struggle, and Lu Yin stopped breathing while his fate was being decided.
After a while, the Chief Justice’s voice rang out. “Judgment!”
The three Judicial Commissioners and Highsage Wudi all stared intently at Lu Yin, only to see his body move due to an unseen force that shifted him towards one end of the scales: life.
Lu Yin was completely unable to control his body, so he was thoroughly relieved to discover that he had been moved to the side representing his survival.
Highsage Wudi also sighed with relief, overjoyed at the outcome.
Mu En smiled and nodded.
The Shadow of Death remained expressionless, much like a shadow, but the Calm of Despair behaved differently.
Desperate, Mu Tianlun’s eyes flickered over to the Chief Justice’s position.
“He is not being controlled, but he has cultivated with death energy. I hope that you will be able to maintain your heart and not be controlled by the death energy. This power is neither good nor evil, but it can easily influence people and guide them towards death. This power is that of darkness,” the Chief Justice spoke in a low voice after delivering his verdict.
Lu Yin’s heart lurched. Sure enough, the Chief Justice had noticed that Lu Yin had cultivated with death energy. Everything about Lu Yin had been laid bare before the Chief Justice, but fortunately, the Chief Justice was open-minded. Lu Yin did not hesitate in the slightest to bow to the Chief Justice. “Thank you, Chief Justice, for the reminder.”
Highsage Wudi looked over at Lu Yin in surprise; this kid had cultivated with death energy? Highsage Wudi had not been able to sense it at all. Wasn’t the ability to cultivate with death energy unique to the Specter Clan? How could a normal person cultivate it?
Mu En stared at Lu Yin with the same confusion.
Mu Tianlun opened his mouth. “Chief Justice, using death energy is a cultivation method that belongs to the Specter Clan. Anyone who cultivates death energy, even if they are not initially controlled, will be suppressed by a Specter clan member that has a stronger cultivation or purer energy.”
Lu Yin’s eyes grew cold as he turned to stare at Mu Tianlun.
Mu Tianlun continued to show a gentle smile, and he even turned around to look at Lu Yin.
Lu Yin clenched his fists. This was someone who used his words to kill without ever seeing blood.
“Mu Tianlun, the Chief Justice has already delivered his verdict. Are you challenging the Chief Justice’s decision?” Highsage Wudi shouted sternly as he stared at Mu Tianlun.
Mu Tianlun laughed. “I would not dare to be so bold. Highsage Wudi understands death energy, and you should understand if what I’m saying is true or not. Death energy is easily suppressed, and it is easy to control other practitioners as long as one’s mastery of it is greater. Even if he is not controlled at the moment, that does not mean that he will never be controlled.”
Highsage Wudi wanted to retort, but he was unable to do so as Mu Yianlun’s words were impossible to refute. The difference between those with greater and lesser mastery was too distinct, and once a person was suppressed, the death energy in their body would be easily manipulated. At that time, even if they did not lose their mind, all was still lost.
Highsage Wudi helplessly looked back at Lu Yin.
Lu Yin was thinking about how he could explain his immunity to being suppressed by the death energy when the Chief Justice spoke up. “The death energy that this child cultivates cannot be suppressed, and he will not be controlled by them.”
Mu Tianlun was shocked, as he had not expected that reply from the Chief Justice.
