"A Divine Artifact, huh... I see."

Feng Ye's face showed no surprise at all. In fact, he'd already spotted the long blade in Lin Chuan's hand as a Divine Artifact before Lin Chuan even explained.

A Divine Artifact was special gear that channeled an Awakened's War Spirit power. When infused with their inner energy, it typically had two release states. The first was a basic release. The second fully unleashed its unique power.

Even the basic state could channel a manifested War Spirit and boost the Awakened's strength.

Awakened with weapon-type War Spirits usually sought matching Divine Artifacts. This nearly doubled their combat power.

But Divine Artifacts were only obtainable through the Overdeity—via exchanges or special tasks. Each one was incredibly precious.

Lin Chuan casually pulling one out hinted at his extraordinary background.

"Bro, using a Divine Artifact is overkill," Lin Tang said, frowning slightly.

Lin Chuan chuckled. "Relax. I won't fully release its power. I haven't even tested this thing yet. Perfect timing."

Hearing this, Feng Ye awkwardly rubbed his nose. He doubted this brother would get that chance.

"Brother Feng Ye, say 'start' when ready," Lin Chuan said excitedly. "I'm releasing my Divine Artifact now. You've got max 1.5 seconds to react." He recalled seeing a Heavenly Origin member wield this blade at his dojo long ago. One slash made the blade light vanish into nothingness, twisting space itself. The resulting energy shattered a 10cm-thick super-alloy test wall into pieces!

"Mm." Feng Ye nodded. With a flick of his right hand, a simple, unadorned brick-like object appeared.

The Lin siblings' eyes widened at the dull gray brick in his grip.

"F-Feng Ye, brother," Lin Chuan's expression turned odd as he stared at the ugly brick with zero Spirit Energy leakage. "You're not saying this is your War Spirit, are you?"

Feng Ye nodded naturally. This brick was just one form his War Spirit took. He avoided its previous form—it was too iconic. Anyone would recognize it as Night Maple's.

Hearing his confirmation, the Lin siblings were stunned.

Awakened War Spirits came in all shapes, but Lin Chuan had never seen one this unique...

Lin Tang stared blankly. "I thought a plunger War Spirit was weird. Today, I see its equal."

Feng Ye flustered. "No... mine's normal compared to a plunger. War Spirit strength isn't judged by looks. Like the Divine Realm's Warhammer Princess—her War Spirit's just an ordinary foxtail grass."

Lin Chuan recalled footage of that frail-looking girl smashing a giant Beast with an oversized foxtail grass. He felt a slight shock. Dropping his strange expression, he took a deep breath. "You're right, Brother Feng Ye. I shouldn't judge by form."

Lin Tang bit back laughter, her face flushed. Feng Ye's brick was acceptable. Facing that plunger-War Spirit guy? She'd laugh herself out of combat—and avoid him from disgust!

Feng Ye respected Lin Chuan's humility. Weighing the brick, he ensured his Spirit Energy wouldn't be lethal. "We can start. But I might hit hard. The stun skill causes side effects. Forgive me later."

"Haha. No problem. Go all out, Brother Ye. If I fail, it's my fault." Lin Chuan's eyes sharpened. His aura shifted. Spirit Energy surged in his left hand. Light flared. His War Spirit materialized—a long blade glowing with deep blue light!

As Lin Chuan ran, he pressed his War Spirit blade against the Divine Artifact. Light erupted again. The blade began merging into the artifact amid violent energy fluctuations. Full fusion would trigger its initial release and unsheathing!

But lost in the exhilarating power surge, Lin Chuan suddenly realized Feng Ye had vanished.

This startled him. Lin Tang's cry echoed: "Idiot bro, watch your back!"

Before he could turn, Feng Ye slammed the brick onto his head.

Then.

His body swayed slightly. He collapsed face-first.

The War Spirit and Divine Artifact fusion failed instantly. Light dissipated. His blade retracted into his body.

Feng Ye checked Lin Chuan's head. No wound. He sighed in relief, proud of his precise control. Grinning with white teeth, he faced Lin Tang, frozen like a puppet. "I passed, right?"

Lin Tang: "... This... this isn't even a combat skill!!!"

...