Large chunks of rubble suddenly shattered. The previously impenetrable outer layer now crumbled as easily as a biscuit. What was revealed inside was a massive battle-axe taller than a man. Judging by its handle design, it was originally meant to be a one-handed hand-axe.
However, its enormous size made two-handed use feel completely natural. The entire axe surface was covered in a strange grayish substance, resembling a freshly unearthed relic with what appeared to be a layer of rust-like oxidation.
Yet the moment the great axe emerged, it shot straight toward the sky as if trying to escape Lu Ce's control. "Oh?!" On the other side, the princess controlled by the Chosen of Lust immediately brightened her gaze.
This was originally a divine weapon she had obtained by chance, intending to claim it as her own by cleansing it with her divine power in the future. After nurturing it by her side for so long, she never expected this guy to actually break the seal?
Good, good. This saved her the effort. With a wave of her hand, under the powerful pull of divine power, the great axe now glowing with Lu Ce's golden light began to be enveloped in pink, moving toward her.
The tremendous pulling force made Lu Ce's right arm tense straight, his currently unmatched strength causing his tendons and bones to emit cracking sounds!
"Humph!"
Without wasting words, Lu Ce's expression turned fierce as he exerted force with one hand, firmly gripping the axe handle. With a powerful twist, golden light surged upward.
Your power is divine? Does that make mine inferior?
The golden light erupted upward, instantly enveloping the axe and completely erasing the pink hue! The golden battle-axe vibrated at high frequency, producing a tremendous buzzing sound that seemed to purify the surrounding air.
Then, the axe's color fully stabilized, turning into the brightest gold identical to the Arrogance mask's hue. Suddenly, the game's voice echoed in Lu Ce's mind, surprising even him.
This time, it was content he'd never heard before:
[Detected a divine weapon with compatible aura. Proceed with exclusive weapon binding?]
[If bound, the Extreme Path Battle-Axe will become Arrogance's exclusive weapon, fully unlocking the Arrogance module after the game.]
[Normal usage will yield legendary weapon power. When empowered by Arrogance, it will reach Broken Divine Weapon level!]
[Note: Once bound, the exclusive weapon cannot be changed unless completely annihilated.]
"Hmm?"
Lu Ce was momentarily surprised. This was the first time he learned his masks could have exclusive weapon bindings... This didn't seem right - did normal sequence weapons have so many undeveloped functions?
But now wasn't the time to ponder this. The great axe that had seemed about to fly away suddenly calmed in midair. The originally heavy weapon now felt significantly lighter in Lu Ce's grasp.
It was that perfect, comfortable weight - as if custom-made for him. Testing the axe's heft, Lu Ce felt extremely satisfied. This thing seemed to share some connection or bond with his Arrogance mask, fitting perfectly.
"Agree!"
After his confirmation, the Extreme Path Battle-Axe officially bound to him. Lu Ce tested its substantial weight, yet found it moved as naturally as his own limb.
"Excellent..."
Swinging the great axe, Lu Ce praised. When empowered by Arrogance, it could unleash Broken Divine Weapon power...
First, he didn't know what a Broken Divine Weapon was - the weapon classification system didn't seem to have a "Divine Weapon" tier. Moreover... broken? Where was this thing broken? The entire axe looked like a pure gold artwork - how was it "broken"?!
"Don't worry. With me, you don't need to care about being broken or not. You'll be the strongest divine weapon!"
He ran his other hand along the blade, feeling its world-cleaving power as he spoke, almost comforting the weapon. Then, without warning - zero-frame startup!
His right arm carved a perfect arc through the air, the massive blade tearing through the sky as it launched a slash toward the fire dragon above. The golden energy blade carrying terrifying power had practically materialized, shooting straight toward Sun.
Sun had no time to react. The fire dragon was bisected midair! Or rather, split by the axe - the overwhelming power left Sun no opportunity to counter.
The energy-formed dragon exploded in midair, its lower half scattering as fiery rain while the upper portion shrank and transformed back into a flaming humanoid figure.
The three-meter-tall flaming figure suddenly coughed blood, the crimson lost in the fire's glow as it stared in shock at the figure below wielding the great axe single-handedly.
"What... what new treasure did you acquire now?!"
Lu Ce ignored him completely. In the blink of an eye after striking the sky, the axe already swung sideways! Rather than pursuing Sun, he delivered a terrifying surprise attack straight at the "princess."
The "princess" had just been shocked by losing control of the weapon when this power came rushing at her. Both hands swept forward - the nearly gathered power giving her confidence in her strength.
BOOM!
Energy gales fluttered like butterfly wings, colliding with and dissipating the golden axe blade in midair. The mutual annihilation of energies produced a thunderous explosion.
The palace roof finally gave way completely. The jade floors shattered entirely as the entire level collapsed, everyone falling through to the floor below.
Pink divine power erupted, pulverizing all objects in the surrounding space and clearing a new battlefield. Their battle had literally flattened an entire palace level!
The "princess" looked up grimly at the golden figure. So... this thing's true form was a battle-axe? But how did he take it? And how could he wield a divine weapon? Did he truly have that qualification?
Unless... a new god she didn't recognize had appeared? This couldn't be happening!
"You—"
Before she could finish, Lu Ce spoke first:
"You thought your pathetic divine power could steal what's mine? The audacity is impressive - just not the strength to back it up."
Chosen of Lust: "......"
Wait, wasn't this originally my possession? Who's stealing from whom here!