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--- Chapter 272 ---
[Name: Lightning's Omen]
[Grade: Rank 7.69 Artifact]
[Type: War Scythe]
[Innate Ability: Electromagnetic Reaper]
[Description: Lightning's Omen is the first weapon Han Yuan created for himself, and it is a prototype Divine Tool to cultivate the Thunder God's legacy. Crafted with a Quasi-Divine Metal (Heavenly Iron of Lightning), Broken Talon of Sky Reaping Dragon-Condor, and Earth Devourer's Magic Core, this war scythe possessed immense cutting force, durability, and innate power to devour metal essence and manipulate lightning force.]
---
[Electromagnetic Reaper]
[Wielding the Lightning's Omen allowed one to devour metal essences to strengthen it, manipulate the scythe's shape, but also control electro and magnetic force to a certain degree, within the presence of this prototype Divine Weapon, both metal and lightning become weaker, if not rendered useless!]
---
After creating Lightning's Omen, Han Yuan set it aside for now and pulled out some other metals. These metals were obviously much rarer than iron and held greater potential.
"Are you going to forge another artifact?" asked Queen Medusa, puzzled.
Han Yuan put on a thoughtful look. "Yes, to be honest, I was lucky when refining Lightning's Omen. But now, I don't have the same kind of focus."
"I want to see the limit of my skills."
"What I want to make is something for Qing Lin to train with, as using her martial soul is still too much for her," he explained.
"I see..." Queen Medusa nodded in understanding.
Han Yuan then selected the lightest mineral in his collection, known as Light Eaves Ore. He tapped it with his blacksmithing hammer several times while his Heavenly Flames accelerated the refinement process.
With the assistance of the Heavenly Flames (mainly Leviathan and Terra), Han Yuan completed the six types of refinements perfectly. Regardless of whether it was a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand refinements, each was 'naturally' accomplished in just a few minutes.
Unfortunately, even this newly forged metal, which had better potential than the Heavenly Iron of Lightning, also couldn't trigger the Lightning Calamity for proper ascension. In the end, he produced another Quasi-Divine Metal.
---
[Name: Sacred Feather Metal]
[Grade: Rank 6.9 (Quasi-Divine Metal)]
[Type: Refined Metal]
[Description: Sacred Feather Metal is an extraordinarily light yet durable quasi-divine metal forged from Light Eaves Ore, blessed by two Heavenly Flames, and undergone six types of refinement. Once used to refine an artifact, the artifact can become as light as a feather and possess strong wind attributes.]
---
Han Yuan sighed helplessly. "So, it wasn't entirely the material's potential that caused the issue. The laws of this world haven't truly accepted my blacksmithing achievements."
He looked down at the newly forged Quasi-Divine Metal and said, "Well, I can feel the restrictions loosening, which means that what matters most is accumulation."
"As long as I continue forging Quasi-Divine Metals, eventually, the true one will be born into this world."
"Anyway, let's turn you into something useful." Han Yuan recalled the details of Qing Lin's second martial soul, the Sword of Kusanagi, also known as the Grass-Mowing Blade.
With that in mind, Han Yuan gathered some extra materials from the Sky Poison Pearl and began refining an artifact. He fused each material carefully before shaping the hot mixture into his desired form.
A few moments later, a beautiful white-silver sword sheath made its first appearance in the world. Not only was this sword sheath extremely light and durable, but it also retained the power of wind, enabling it to absorb and release wind Dou Qi.
---
[Name: Dancing Feather]
[Grade: Rank 7.23 Artifact]
[Innate Power: Feather Wind Force]
[Type: Sword Sheath]
[Description: The Dancing Feather is a sword sheath made to contain the Sword of Kusanagi or the Grass-Mowing Blade, and crafted with Sacred Feather Metal, Incomplete Green Dragon's Scale (Half-Step Rank 9), and a Life Wind Spirit Magic Core (Half-Step Rank 9). This artifact had the power of wind, making it exceptionally lightweight and as durable as a true dragon's scale.]
---
[Feather Wind Force]
[Allow the wielder of this sword sheath to command the wind element and even gain its protection. Once one has mastered this sword, the sheath will make one's body as light as a feather, but even allow one to fly freely in the sky.]
---
Han Yuan nodded in satisfaction. This fine artifact was made for Qing Lin, as she couldn't use her martial soul yet. Given her thin and small stature, the sheath would serve perfectly as her current training sword and a self-defense weapon.
"I don't know what to say anymore..." Queen Medusa commented. "You actually used such precious materials to make a sword sheath for your younger sister."
"How doting..."
"I thought the siscon thing was a joke," she added.
"Hey, don't make fun of me," Han Yuan chuckled faintly. "I just wanted to give my sister a gift so she could protect herself."
"Sure, as long as you are happy..." Queen Medusa rolled her eyes. Even so, she felt a mix of emotions when she looked at the Dancing Feather.
Noticing her expression, Han Yuan said, "If you want an artifact, just say it. Don't be shy."
"W-Who said I want your artifact, hmph? This queen doesn't need things like artifacts to be strong," Queen Medusa stammered, hurriedly making an excuse.
"Alright, alright, don't be tsundere. It doesn't suit you." Han Yuan smiled and prepared to forge another artifact.
Despite her words, Queen Medusa's body betrayed her. Her eyes couldn't leave the anvil where Han Yuan started working on another piece.
"This is the last Magical Beast's bone I have," he said, showing her two palm bones—one silver and the other gold.
Queen Medusa's eyes gleamed slightly. "They aren't bad..."
Han Yuan smirked, "Of course, they aren't bad. Adding a suitable magic core to this artifact will enhance your battle power further, for example, with this Rank 8 Gilded Clawed Serpent's magic core, serpent-related Dou Qi will synergize more smoothly."
After following nearly the same refining procedure, Han Yuan slowly crafted a tailor-made artifact for Queen Medusa—a pair of brass knuckles!
It was funny how he chose this design, knowing how straightforward and physical Queen Medusa's combat style was. Initially, he had thought of making hard knuckle gloves or even gauntlets, but the former required special materials, while the latter was too bulky.
Han Yuan couldn't wait to see a regal, nearly succubus-like Queen Medusa using these brass knuckles in battle, imagining her taking down enemies left and right.
'That would be an amusing sight. I can't wait, hahaha!'
"You can name them," Han Yuan said, trying not to laugh as he handed the still-warm artifacts to the queen of the snake people.
"Let's call them Twin Dusters." Sure enough, Queen Medusa didn't dislike the gift. She stared at the brass knuckles with an excited light in her eyes, even smiling as she tried them on.
---
[Name: Twin Dusters]
[Grade: Rank 7.42 Artifact]
[Innate Power: Shadow and Light Bite]
[Description: A pair of knuckle dusters made from precious Quasi-Divine Metal (Yin-Yang Light Ore), Shadow Divine Ape's Palm Bones, and Gilded Clawed Serpent's Magic Core, making it an artifact with a rare light and shadow attribute. Not only light, once worn pair, these knuckle dusters could enhance their wielder's physical prowess greatly and produce 'shadow' strikes.]
---
[Shadow and Light Bite]
[Every time the wielder of these knuckle dusters threw a punch, a shadow of a giant maw would manifest and bombard the enemy like an invisible attack. They also weaken the perception of light and shadow in the surrounding area.]
---
After Queen Medusa threw a few lightning-fast jabs and hooks, causing several giant maws of snakes to appear from thin air. They are invisible to the naked eye, but not to Han Yuan's. She suddenly giggled in satisfaction and hugged Han Yuan tightly, pressing her body against him.
'Whoa, whoa, don't get carried away, Han Yuan! Stay focused, my little brother!' he thought, caught off guard by Queen Medusa's pleasant scent and the softness of her body.
"Han Yuan, thank you," said Queen Medusa, pecking his cheek gently before retreating away in embarrassment.
'Ah, I actually made a move on him.'
'How shameless of me...'
'How sinful...'
'Medusa, he is only twelve.'
'B-But twelve is just a number.'
"..."
Han Yuan rubbed his cheek in disbelief and gazed at the disappearing silhouette with a helpless chuckle, "Oh, well, I guess I can take that as my reward."
Thankfully, both Han Yuan and Queen Medusa were within a barrier, so other people couldn't see what they did inside. In fact, if Queen Medusa were much bolder, they wouldn't get caught.
Of course, that is a big IF!
At the end of the day, Queen Medusa still has shame, and so does Han Yuan.
Han Yuan broke the barrier and saw Qing Lin still training her breathing technique. "Qing Lin, come here."
"Hmm, what's the matter, Big Brother?" Qing Lin huffed, walking to his side.
Han Yuan ruffled the girl's hair, "Here, take this sword sheath. You can use it as a training sword, and even protect yourself if you use its ability to control wind."
Qing Lin's eyes sparked as she took the Dancing Feather and swung it around in wonder, "So light! It looks heavy, but it's as light as a feather in my hand!"
"It looks good, too."
"Do you like it?" asked Han Yuan.
Qing Lin beamed in return, "Hehe, I love it!"
Seeing Qing Lin like this reminded Han Yuan of back in the day when only he and Xiao Yixian were in this house. He recalled Xiao Yixian's complex emotions when he introduced Qing Lin and thought, 'I should spend more time with her later.'