Chapter 23: The Flaming Hammer

When the two great formation patterns appeared, Wu Shu was astonished to perceive their subtle shifts. He had never imagined that anyone on the Thick Earth Continent from long ago could have achieved such mastery in the art of arrays.

The resonance between the patterns inscribed on the two guardian divine beasts created spatial fluctuations. When combined, these two patterns formed a spatial array. Wu Shu knew better than anyone just how difficult spatial arrays were to master.

Once the array took shape, an irresistible pressure descended. Sensing this, the Sky-Reaching Elephant and the Heaven-Swallowing Ape bowed instinctively toward the depths of the array. A majestic voice then resonated: "Boy, you should feel honored to be a member of the Wu Clan. Little Elephant, Little Ape, leave this boy to me."

Upon hearing this voice, the Sky-Reaching Elephant’s previously pleasant mood soured instantly. Was the pressure he had felt earlier merely coming from the sleeping master? The Elephant knew this voice all too well; it belonged to Lie Yan, the spirit of the Flame Hammer, the master’s own weapon.

As a weapon spirit, Lie Yan had always been conceited. Ever since following the master, every peerless weapon forged had been shaped under its hammer. Moreover, the Flame Hammer possessed its own spirituality; any weapon tempered by it not only gained flame attributes but also became more compatible with wood and fire-elemental spirits. Consequently, Lie Yan was seen as a savior by spiritual beings seeking to break through their cultivation limits.

While Lie Yan certainly had the capital for arrogance, the Stele Spirit held it in low regard. Even though the Sky-Reaching Elephant and the Heaven-Swallowing Ape dared not challenge the weapon spirit directly, the Stele Spirit spoke in a teasing tone: "Oh? Long time no see, little Lie Yan."

"Little Lie Yan???"

The weapon spirit was slightly incensed to be addressed this way. Yet, realizing it was the "old monster" Stele Spirit, Lie Yan could only sigh, "Stele Spirit, long time no see."

The Stele Spirit tried to get chummy, saying, "Why so formal? We are all on the same side now; I have already pledged my allegiance to a master."

Wu Shu was from the Wu family, and the Stele Spirit had accompanied him to the War God Temple. This public acknowledgment of a master made their relationship clear: the Stele Spirit now had the obligation to protect Wu Shu. Without waiting for a reply, the Stele Spirit added in a deep voice, "The boy you speak of is my master."

"Oh!"

Even though it was clear the Stele Spirit was applying pressure, Lie Yan’s response was dismissive. Annoyed by this disdain, the Stele Spirit retorted, "Is he awake? Tell him that if—"

Before the Stele Spirit could deliver a threat, Wu Shu, despite his severe injuries, could no longer listen. He knew the Stele Spirit was acting out of protective instinct, but he also resented Lie Yan’s disrespect. To Wu Shu, once he recovered, there would be plenty of time to teach Lie Yan a lesson.

Noticing Wu Shu’s grave condition, Lie Yan said noncommittally, "Stele, you talk too much. If you have words for the Master, I believe you will have plenty of opportunities in the near future."

Lie Yan’s message was clear: the Stele Spirit would not be allowed into the Master’s resting place. As the Stele Spirit prepared to argue, Wu Shu intervened: "Little Spirit, stay behind and assist the Sky-Reaching Elephant and the Heaven-Swallowing Ape. For this trip, let the Night Beast accompany me."

Upon hearing this, the Stele Spirit was furious. "That coward of a donkey? Who knows where it is right now? This journey is too important—"

Before the Stele Spirit could continue its recommendation, the weapon spirit cut in, "It is decided."

"I do not agree!" the Stele Spirit roared.

Lie Yan replied coldly, "Stele Spirit, have you not realized it yet? The fact that you have known for years that the Master remains in a slumber already crossed the line in my eyes. You have a loose tongue."

The Stele Spirit was left speechless. Wu Shu realized that the place to which the array led must contain many secrets; otherwise, given the Stele Spirit’s status in the War God Temple, it would not have been barred from entry. Even more surprisingly, once Lie Yan agreed, the Night Beast magically appeared at the temple.

Seeing the beast, the Stele Spirit glared. "Hmph, just a donkey that runs faster than an ox. Nothing to be arrogant about." The Night Beast, highly intelligent, let out an angry hiss. It was bewildered—had the Stele Spirit lost its mind?

Not wanting to waste more time, Wu Shu said calmly, "Enough. It is decided. Night Beast, let us go."

Despite his heavy injuries, Wu Shu chose not to ride the Night Beast. He had his own reasons. He didn't know the relationship between the War God Temple and the Wu family, but he was deeply displeased by Lie Yan’s condescension. He didn't care about the origins of the Flame Hammer; even though the Stele Spirit had shared some of its history, Wu Shu remained unimpressed. Seniority was worthy of respect, but it was not a justification for looking down on others.

Stepping through the array, Wu Shu and the Night Beast arrived on a vast grassland. There was no sun, yet the landscape was exceptionally fresh and bright.

As Wu Shu marveled at the scene, Lie Yan said, "Boy, don't just stand there. Come and pay your respects—"

Hearing that arrogant tone again, Wu Shu interrupted coldly, "Shut up. Is 'boy' a term you are permitted to use?"

*Hmph...*

Infuriated, Lie Yan retorted, "Boy, do you know who you are talking to?"

Wu Shu still couldn't see the physical form of the Flame Hammer. The more mysterious it acted, the more he wanted to smash it. To put it bluntly, it was just a broken hammer—what was there to be so smug about?

Trying to provoke the spirit further, Wu Shu smiled with contempt. "Who am I talking to? If you hadn't reminded me, I might have forgotten that I was wasting my life talking to a broken hammer."

"What did you say?"

Wu Shu landed the final blow. "Sigh... a broken hammer is a broken hammer. Even with a spirit, even after ten thousand years, it’s still just a broken hammer."

"Insolent!"

With a roar from the Flame Hammer, a powerful gale swept across the grassland. A moment later, a young girl with a massive hammer strapped to her back appeared nearby. Wu Shu knew the spirit had manifested.

The girl was slender with fair skin and a streak of flame across her cheek. She was not repulsive; rather, her mysterious face sparked curiosity. Wu Shu remained cold. "Still defiant? It seems if I don't knock some sense into this broken hammer today, it will forget what it truly is."

The enraged spirit did not bother with words. With every step she took toward Wu Shu, a terrifying wind blade formed, rotating around her. As she took more steps, the blades grew larger and more solid.

Unexpectedly, upon her thirteenth step, a dark demonic aura spilled from her body.

"Damn it," the girl muttered. "Why is the Black Demon power appearing now? Flame Blade, suppress!"

The Flame Hammer spirit was harboring a dangerous demonic energy. To suppress it, nine of the twelve wind blades surrounding her were instantly consumed. It was a ruthless move, forcing the blades into her own body to contain the corruption.

Seeing this, Wu Shu’s desire to fight faded. The story behind the War God Temple seemed deep indeed. If even a "broken hammer" was constantly suffering from the erosion of demonic power, one could only imagine what kind of force the sleeping Master was battling within.

Once the demonic energy was suppressed, the girl looked at Wu Shu, her expression battered but her eyes firm. "Boy, don't think that because of this accident, I will let you off so easily."