The Sky River Divine Iron, also known as the Sea Calming Divine Needle, the Ruyi Rod, the Sky River Ding Di Shen Zhen Tie, the Ling Yang Rod, and so on, has a myriad of names.
However, its most famous moniker is undoubtedly the Ruyi Golden Cudgel.
This Ruyi Golden Cudgel belonged to the Monkey King of later generations, who wielded it to traverse heavens and earth, achieving legendary feats.
What makes the Ruyi Golden Cudgel most remarkable is its ability to change size at will, conforming to its owner's desires.
It is worth noting that other divine treasures wielded by immortals can also enlarge, shrink, or multiply themselves through magical power.
Take, for instance, the Measuring Heaven Ruler that currently floats in the air. If Xu Fang willed it and channeled his magic, it could grow immensely larger, striking even greater terror into the hearts of the demons.
But the Ruyi Golden Cudgel is different. It can transform without the need for magical incantation, responding to its owner's thoughts to grow or shrink, hence its name, Ruyi.
Xu Fang, reading the description of this great rod, felt it was likely the Ruyi Golden Cudgel.
Yet, he dared not conclude with certainty and found himself in doubt.
"According to my recollection, wasn't the Ruyi Golden Cudgel forged by Grand Supreme Elder Laozi? Why does this one appear to be naturally formed?"
The Ruyi Golden Cudgel is said to have been crafted by Grand Supreme Elder Laozi, who even inscribed its name as a mark of authenticity.
Now, holding this suspected Ruyi Golden Cudgel, Xu Fang found himself torn between reality and memory, unsure which to believe.
"Forget it, excessive deliberation leads nowhere. I must verify."
After a period of internal conflict, Xu Fang realized that dwelling on it was fruitless. He then channeled a stream of magic into the iron rod.
The magic flowed into the rod, quickly establishing a link, and a continuous stream of power began to enter it.
Shortly after, having preliminarily refined the iron rod, Xu Fang could barely contain his eagerness.
"Ruyi, Ruyi, as my heart desires, grow larger!"
As Xu Fang's words fell, the iron rod in his hand flew out, and in an instant, it began to grow at a visible rate.
Before long, it had become colossal and continued to expand.
The demons below, being pursued by the four dragon brothers, were awestruck by this towering pillar.
Seeing the iron rod still growing, Xu Fang shifted his intent slightly.
Indeed, the rod's expansion halted abruptly.
With another subtle thought, the rod began to shrink rapidly, soon becoming as small as a needle, landing in Xu Fang's palm.
After this test, Xu Fang was finally certain.
"It is indeed the Ruyi Golden Cudgel!"
Xu Fang shook his head. It seemed the reputation of Grand Supreme Elder Laozi as the foremost artifact refiner in heaven and earth was somewhat exaggerated. This Ruyi Golden Cudgel was not forged by him; perhaps it was merely processed.
Or perhaps, there was no processing at all, only the inscription of a few characters, and it was presented as a product of Laozi.
Otherwise, how could the Ruyi Golden Cudgel have appeared before Taiqing Taishang even had this incarnation of Grand Supreme Elder Laozi?
"Alright, from now on, you shall be called the Ruyi Golden Cudgel!"
Xu Fang looked at the iron rod, now the size of a needle, and officially bestowed its name.
Glancing back at the chat group, he saw that the name Ruyi Golden Cudgel had indeed replaced the name of the nameless great rod.
Just as Xu Fang was about to exit the chat group, a prompt sound echoed.
"Ding!"
"The Ruyi Golden Cudgel requests to join the chat group and become a formal member. Does the group leader approve?"
Xu Fang smiled, immensely pleased.
He had been contemplating whether to have his new artifact verified as a formal member, and unexpectedly, this fellow was so proactive as to apply himself.
Xu Fang, having already intended this, immediately approved the Ruyi Golden Cudgel's request.
Following Xu Fang's approval, a notification sounded within the chat group.
"Ding!"
"The group leader has approved the Ruyi Golden Cudgel's join request. The Ruyi Golden Cudgel is now a formal member of the chat group!"
This announcement caused the long-dormant chat group to erupt in excitement.
[Taiji Diagram: Group Leader! The Group Leader has finally appeared!]
[Pangu Banner: Group Leader, look at me, look at me! I am the Pangu Banner!]
[Chaos Bell: Although I truly wish not to acknowledge these two, I must say, Group Leader, I, like them, was formed from the Heaven-Opening Axe, and I am very powerful!]
[Creation Jade Butterfly: Group Leader, do you need insights into the Great Dao? I am the Creation Jade Butterfly, and I represent the Great Dao!]
[Enlightenment Tea Tree: While I may not be as formidable as the Creation Jade Butterfly, I can also help the Group Leader enhance his comprehension and advance his cultivation!]
[God-Slaying Spear: Group Leader, do you yearn to conquer the world? I possess boundless killing intent and can lend you my strength!]
The artifacts in the group were all speaking up, showcasing their strengths and advantages.
Their objective was simple: to gain the Group Leader's attention.
In their eyes, someone who could unite the consciousness of so many artifacts must be an immensely powerful being.
If they could earn his favor, with a person wielding a divine artifact and an artifact benefiting from a person's power, wouldn't it be a formidable alliance, capable of traversing any realm in the boundless Great Desolation?
Furthermore, based on their assumptions, this Group Leader was likely not an inhabitant of the Great Desolation, but a cross-world magnate.
If this were the case, and they managed to capture his attention, perhaps they might even have the opportunity to follow him to the myriad worlds!
Therefore, they all spoke out, striving to attract the Group Leader's notice.
Xu Fang, as the Group Leader, seeing the artifacts' enthusiasm, became even more resolute in his decision not to speak rashly.
Judging by their demeanor, these fellows harbored many imaginings about the chat group leader.
If he were to speak abruptly and shatter these illusions, he might not be able to control these artifacts.
Thus, he decided to refrain from speaking unless absolutely necessary, waiting until he had devised a strategy before making a grand entrance and astonishing them all.
While Xu Fang could put aside the artifacts' eagerness and ignore them, the newly joined Ruyi Golden Cudgel could not hold back and immediately spoke.
[Ruyi Golden Cudgel: Hold on, hold on! That's enough! I understand that the Group Leader is an unimaginable powerhouse, and I comprehend everyone's desire to ascend, but let's take things one step at a time. Shouldn't you welcome me first?]
The Ruyi Golden Cudgel felt exasperated. It had watched the messages flying back and forth in the chat group but couldn't interject. Finally, it had achieved the opportunity to join.
Yet, these artifacts ignored it, all flocking to flatter the Group Leader. It was previously called the nameless great rod, but nameless didn't mean nonexistent, did it?