"—This is…?"
At that moment, enlightenment suddenly struck Lu Jun. Metal Element Basic Tier Level Five: Forging – Spirit Awakening!
the Tai'e Divine Sword flickered in midair. From within the god-spirit inside came a psychic voice, emotions both intimate yet cold and merciless transmitted to him.
"This is the Spirit of the Tai'e Blade, born of the will to slaughter, devoid of emotion or knowledge, existing only for killing."
Joy arose in Lu Jun's heart. The black-gold dragon-pattern sword was now equivalent to having a mind of its own—supremely rational, with potential to grow. Ordinarily it could train and practice techniques by itself, and even create new variations based on the Metal Element.
There was no need to say more about its use in battle. He could pour the Metal Element's Star Galaxy into it, and with the Metal-spirit's will commanding the Tai'e, it could travel ten thousand li away and independently face enemies.
According to his current Metal Element combat strength, perhaps most members of the National Pavilion team could no longer even defeat a single one of his swords.
Satisfied, he nodded. For a Basic Level spell, he did not demand excessive power. In the past, he had invested the majority of his energy into developing transformations of Water Element spells. The Psychic Element's self-created spells had all depended on Ding Yumian's soul imbuement, while his other Elements had been somewhat neglected.
Now, with the Tai'e god-spirit specializing in its own domain, a large portion of the burden had been shared.
What? The spirit learns abilities that aren't even the master's? Stop joking! (self-justified)
Most importantly, as his Metal Element advanced, Lu Jun sensed the Gold Element's Star Galaxy stirring with something different, while a certain sense of incompleteness in his soul surged up.
Right—he recalled—it was somewhat like when he had first awakened the Metal Element at fifteen years old. Although he could control the stars smoothly, he lacked a natal magic tool and could not feel the flow of spellcasting.
"Wait—could it be that the Metal Element can actually possess a second natal magic weapon?!"
Lu Jun boldly speculated, unable to stop a sharp intake of breath.
The Metal Element was an entirely new magical system; whatever situations arose upon its path were completely unknown.
Since the Summoning Element could have a second natal contract, then why couldn't the Metal Element have a second natal divine weapon?
No—that was not precise. The second natal magic tool already existed… the ancient Royal Armor Robe Magic Tool!
Back then, in order to suppress this artifact, he had used the power of the Metal Element, sealing it with his own soul. Though after advancing to the Super Level it would certainly be transferred into the Necromancy Element, for now it still counted as half a natal magic tool.
Lu Jun murmured softly:
"The highest profound truth of the Metal Element lies in metallurgy and forging. Its initial Basic Level spell is also called Forging. In ancient times, it was linked to all kinds of metal weaponry; in modern times, to various metallic hot weapons. Only then did the saying of 'slaughtering with weapons of war' come to be."
The Metal Element stood as the number one in the world for offense. Yet without elemental seeds, soul seeds, or heavenly seeds like other Elements to multiply its strength; without bizarre dark matter methods like Dark Magic; and without mental realm empowerment like the Dimensional Element…
Simply collecting five special metals to craft a natal magic tool, even if it possessed five additional effects, was still far too ordinary.
It ought to be the forging of a personalized arsenal—the Tai Bai Divine Repository—capable of casting countless divine weapons. Against every kind of demon foe, he could draw forth a weapon to restrain it. For slaying dragons there would be a Dragon-Slaying Saber, for killing phoenixes a Fallen Phoenix Mace…
Similar to the Bronze and Fire King from a novel in his previous life, who in order to slay the seven Dragon Kings, forged seven treasured blades named the Seven Deadly Sins, each one restraining a different Dragon King.
Or like Emperor Shitian in Wind and Cloud, who collected seven divine swords to slay dragons.
Even an ordinary housewife preparing food uses different knives—meat cleavers, fruit knives, bone-chopping blades.
Lu Jun's thoughts turned rapidly, suppressing his excitement. For now, his Metal Element cultivation was still insufficient, and even his first divine weapon, the Tai'e Sword, had yet to be trained to its utmost. How could he speak of a second or third? Until reaching Super Level Forbidden Curse, he would not allow himself to be distracted.
After breaking through with the Metal Element, he did not immediately leave seclusion. Since Mo Fan would not finish so quickly, he immersed himself in cultivation of the Space-Time Element.
During this period, having frequently used both Summoning and Space Elements, combined with gaining the Triangular Dimensional Mirror, he had already neared the verge of breakthrough.
Several days quickly passed.
Inside the room, a crystalline triangular prism floated above Lu Jun's head, radiating mysterious dimensional energy. Around him, space rippled with silver waves, while his aura steadily grew stronger.
Yet as he was absorbed in cultivation, a ray of swordlight nearby quivered, then slipped out through the crack of the window.
The god-spirit of the Tai'e Sword had unexpectedly taken the sword and flown off by itself, destination unknown.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
After a few days, Lu Jun's Space Element finally reached its limit. With a loud bang, the vast and majestic dark-silver star river in his spiritual world expanded, shattering a layer of light membrane. Magic energy surged violently, strengthening by more than double.
High-Tier level 2 breakthrough in the Space Element—Blink's distance increased again, and now he could even take others with him in instant movement.
Lu Jun opened his eyes. His pupils had turned pure silver, flowing with divine radiance, giving him an extraordinary aura.
"All five elements have reached High-Tier level 2."
He stretched lazily, feeling pleased.
But then, Lu Jun suddenly felt something missing. He frowned, checking himself, scanning the six elemental star rivers in his spiritual world over and over. His expression stiffened, until finally he realized what was gone.
The platinum star river of the Metal Element was dim and dull. Its center was completely empty. The 343 stars, along with the suppressed Tai'a Sword Seal, had vanished.
What the hell—where did my gigantic divine sword go?!
Luckily, Lu Jun had a natural connection with it. He quickly activated Soul Lock Thousand Miles, peering across space to locate the Tai'a Sword.
And what he saw left him completely stunned.
Along the nearby coast, corpses lay in the millions. The shore and sea had been dyed a bright scarlet, transformed into a slaughterhouse. Severed limbs of sea monsters were scattered everywhere. The stench of blood mixed with the reek of seafood filled the heavens.
Massive corpses floated on the sea's surface, covered with crisscrossing scars and bloody holes—all clearly left by sharp blades. Some had been slain with a single strike to the throat, others pierced through by a colossal weapon.
Suspended in the air above was a familiar black-gold dragon-patterned sword. Surrounded by mountains of corpses and seas of blood, it stood like a throne of carnage. Vast killing intent and baleful qi spread from it, the divine sword actively devouring, refining itself, and sharpening its murderous will until it became even more terrifying.
To anyone looking, it was no longer a divine sword, but a peerless demonic blade. Once unsheathed, it would bring calamity upon all living things.
Mages with weak willpower didn't even dare to glance at it. One look, and their minds would be crushed by the intent to kill, plunging them into illusions—ghosts weeping, gods howling, storms of blood and slaughter—leaving their souls torn apart and their minds deranged.
Lu Jun's mouth hung open. He had no words.
"You, come back."
After a long silence, he gathered himself and sent a thought to summon the Sword Spirit of Tai'a.
Whoosh! The Sword God Tai'a was very obedient. At its master's call, it abandoned the calamity energy it had yet to absorb and instantly returned.
Inside the hotel room, a streak of sword light appeared quietly. Endless baleful qi instantly poured out, filling the entire room. The aura made all life tremble, while the sharp metallic energy almost collapsed the building under its weight.
Lu Jun quickly willed the Tai'a Sword to restrain its murderous force.
Soon after, the Sword Spirit of Tai'a transmitted its voice directly into his mind: "Does Master require me to face an enemy?"
At those words, Lu Jun felt the sword's soaring battle spirit, its ruthless and cold thirst for killing. He could only remain silent.
After a moment, he asked, "Why did you leave on your own? You've been slaughtering for days."
The Tai'a Sword expressed a faint trace of confusion. Its cold emotions carried its reply: "I do not know. Slaughter is beneficial to growth… Most likely, not long after Master began cultivating, I had already started."
Lu Jun was left speechless. Was this the sword spirit's instinctive behavior? Wait a second—are swords really this competitive?!
He rubbed his forehead and said, "Forget it, just stay with me. From now on, without my permission, you are not allowed to leave on your own."
The Tai'a Sword quivered gently in the air, acknowledging, before transforming into a streak of sword light and merging back into his brow.
Buzz… Yet as the life-bound artifact returned to rest within the platinum star river, the Sword Seal continued to exhale sharp platinum sword light, causing the platinum river to expand slightly.
At the same time, the Tai'a Sword released over a thousand servant-rank remnant souls and more than a hundred warrior-rank remnant souls.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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