CHAPTER 146 - SPINE CARAPACE AND RESURRECTION ASPECTS

At Tian Wen’s request, Han Wu used Merge to create two Rank 3 Divine Aspects that had never existed before. The first was Spine Carapace, formed by merging the Spine, Thick Hide, and Hardy Aspects. Tian Wen absorbed it and gained three Divine Skills, thanks to the ample Divine Essence already within his body.

[Spine Armor: Forms a protective carapace lined with sharp spines. It offers both offensive and defensive power. The number of units covered by Spine Armor depends on the amount of Divine Points used.]

[Spine Shot: Launches a barrage of spines in a designated direction. The quantity of spines released scales with Divine Points expended.]

[Spine Forest: Summons a dense cluster of tough spines from the ground over a wide area. These spines slow enemy movement. The range of Spine Forest varies based on Divine Points invested.]

Tian Wen favored Spine Carapace for its versatility. It offered offense, defense, and crowd control through its ability to impair enemy movement. The second Divine Aspect was Resurrection, also Rank 3, formed by merging the Survival and Recovery Aspects. It granted three powerful Divine Skills: Topical Healing, Life Frenzy, and Resurrection.

[Topical Healing: Restores wounds, including lost limbs, to their original form. It cannot heal fatal injuries to vital areas like the heart or head, nor can it be used on dead targets. The healing area expands with more Divine Points used.]

[Life Frenzy: Strengthens the target’s Life Energy, enhancing both physical and mental states. The level of reinforcement depends on Divine Points applied.]

[Resurrection: Activates within five seconds after the target dies. It can only revive units, and each unit can only be resurrected once. The Divine Points required vary with the unit’s life force.]

Resurrection focused mainly on one’s own units, but its effects proved extremely powerful. Its final skill alone made it the strongest Rank 3 Divine Aspect.

Tian Wen grew incredibly powerful after acquiring numerous Divine Aspects. He had finally become a capable team player, combining strong offensive skills with exceptional Support-oriented Divine Skills. Eager to take revenge on the Divine Souls that had abducted him, he pushed to strike now that he was ready.

Naturally, Han Wu and Qin Shuang agreed. After a brief rest, they soared toward the city again. This time, though, the city’s defenses had increased dramatically in response to their previous actions. The lower-ranking Divine Souls no longer roamed freely, and the streets swarmed with patrolling Sand Golems.

“Han Wu, what’s our plan?” Qin Shuang asked instinctively, relying on him as her steadfast pillar. Tian Wen also turned to Han Wu, ready to charge forward and distract the Sand Golems if given the order. Part of him longed to test his new Divine Skills in battle.

Han Wu gave a nod. “We’ll strike and take care of the Sand Golems first.”

Qin Shuang nodded and used her Stormbringer’s Lightning Lance. White lightning crackled and surged as it concentrated in her hands. Meanwhile, the Thunder Sparrows circling above formed miniature lightning lances as well.

Before she could launch the attack, however, Han Wu stopped her. The Sand Golems could regenerate quickly, making a standard lightning assault ineffective. But Han Wu had already prepared a countermeasure. He used the Defiant Sword and channeled its trait into each of the lightning lances. Now, every one of them struck with the Defiant Sword’s force and properties.

Han Wu nodded, and Qin Shuang hurled the lance. At the same time, the Thunder Sparrows’ countless lightning lances rained down on the Sand Golems. Their sandy bodies made them immune to lightning, and they could easily repair the damage. However, the lightning lances carried the Defiant Sword’s power, dealing critical damage.

The lightning lances sank cleanly into the Sand Golems and triggered powerful explosions. Unlike before, they carried water-attribute damage rather than lightning. The Sand Golem couldn’t resist the power water attacks and perished.

The wolf-headed Divine Souls only noticed what was happening once many Sand Golems had fallen. They howled and charged toward Han Wu. Seizing the moment, Tian Wen poured a large amount of Divine Points into Spine Forest. In the next instant, sharp spines erupted from the ground, spreading over a wide area.

The wolf-headed Divine Souls, caught off guard, ran headlong into the thicket and shrieked as the spines tore into their limbs. Though they were stronger than the Sand Golems, they lacked the same regenerative power.

Qin Shuang took advantage of their surprise and spent many Divine Points to use the Divine Skill: Thunderclap. The thunderclouds swelled and spread until they blotted out half the sky. A moment later, torrents of lightning descended. Each bolt carved scorched gashes into the wolf-headed Divine Souls, burning flesh and cracking bone.

The Thunder Sparrows, adapted to life near thunderclouds, darted through the lightning strikes and attacked the wolf-headed Divine Souls. Even these formidable foes struggled to resist. Many were killed instantly, shattering into Divine Aspect fragments. The remaining wolf-headed Divine Souls were stronger, but they recognized their hopeless situation and retreated while howling in defeat.

Suddenly, the altar in the center of the city became enveloped in swirling sand as the Divine Souls howled. The sand coalesced into a fierce sandstorm, and a massive figure emerged. It was ten meters tall, held a golden lance, and had the lower body of a scorpion with a man’s upper body.

This was the city’s king and the strongest Divine Soul in the space, known as the King Scorpion. Once summoned, it roared loudly and unleashed a massive sand hurricane toward Han Wu’s group.

Han Wu reacted instantly, activating Black Dragon King Transformation to shield Qin Shuang and Tian Wen. The rest of their units were less fortunate. The sandstorm killed many Thunder Sparrows and locusts, sparing only the strongest among them.

The King Scorpion remained unsatisfied, even after slaughtering millions of units. It charged forward with terrifying speed, like a freight truck weighing hundreds of tons, barreling toward them with unstoppable force.

Han Wu glanced at his wounded units, then at the two teammates that he was protecting. There was no easy way out. Even if they escaped, the units behind them would be annihilated. He couldn’t abandon the units he had painstakingly raised. If they had to die, it wouldn’t be for nothing. He would use every ounce of strength to hold the line.

“Bloodfeast Domain, Conduitborn, and Soul Reaper!” Han Wu poured his power into the swing of his enormous scythe and struck at the King Scorpion. The desert trembled as their clash sent shockwaves through the sand.