Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 663 The Black Sword of the Divine Spine (Seeking monthly votes!)
The weapon of that "Black Grand Duke", [Divine Spine Black Sword - Void Rift], if this sword is intact, is a weapon of "Creation" quality!

Just like the Abyss Codex he possessed—in general, a single "creation" quality item can only produce a maximum of five such items within a destiny path. These are treasures that can influence the foundation of a destiny path, the most quintessential and refined elements of that path, and an extension of that path into a deeper realm.

For example, the [Divine Spine Black Sword - Void Rift] is the divine artifact of the [Supreme] destiny of "creation" - the power it carries is to completely sever most of the spiritual connections, and "severance" is its power.

Luo Xiu had personally witnessed the immense power that the [Divine Spine Black Sword - Void Rift] had unleashed in the hands of that dark-skinned Grand Duke—a slashing wave that came from a distance of over a thousand meters directly shattered the spiritual essence of a Cardinal—"Radiant Flame Holy Cardinal" Efra, who had not yet fully recovered!
Although he is far from reaching the level of "demigod", if he can properly control and use the [Divine Spine Black Sword - Void Rift], he will gain an overwhelming advantage in strength against most of the Saints at the same level.

However—it is clear that this Divine Spine Sword is now broken in two and cannot be compared with its "creation" qualities and powers when it was intact.

It is precisely because the current [Divine Spine Black Sword - Void Rift] is broken, and the Divine Spine Black Sword presented in front of him is a broken sword, that he has the possibility of being able to control it and even reforge it to suit his own [Radiant] destiny.

According to Luo Xiu's panel detection, it, along with other top-tier imperial collections, was considered a "divinely forged" quality treasure, while the Divine Spine Broken Sword was of even higher quality, being "divinely forged+".

In Emperor Augustusville's treasury, Luo Xiu had seen dozens of treasures of "divine forging" quality, but so far, he only had a second one of "divine forging+" quality.

After Emperor Augustusville killed the Dark Duke, this broken sword was found on the battlefield, and the emperor kept it as a trophy.

As the weapon wielded by the "Black Grand Duke," the apex of the "Order of Slaughter"—the dark side of the "Supreme"—Luo Xiu had assumed that the "Supreme" would seal it away as a "forbidden" item. However, it seems that it hasn't been sealed away... At least Emperor Augustusville didn't prevent him from seeing this broken sword.

Did that emperor simply not care that he had obtained it? Or had he simply forgotten to put away the Divine Spine Black Sword...? Luo Xiu wondered. Intuitively, it was the latter, but given Emperor Augustusville's pride as a [Supreme] demigod, he might not even deign to have such thoughts about him.

Since he could see this broken sword in the Imperial Treasury, it meant that Emperor Augustusville had tacitly allowed him to take it away. Luo Xiu stared at the broken sword in front of him, then turned to look at Asleil beside him. The Sky Pillar Knight had a serious and tense expression on his face.

"Do you know what that is, Luo Xiu?"

Asriel glanced at the broken, black sword, then looked at Luo Xiu. His expression had become quite wary and serious, as if facing a formidable enemy. He said to Luo Xiu:

"On the battlefield where you and I once fought, His Majesty Emperor Augustusville defeated and killed the Dark Duke, and brought back this broken sword found on the battlefield as a treasure in His Majesty's treasury to commemorate the victory of this trial war."

“Since the Black Duke’s black sword is still kept in His Majesty’s treasury, Luo Xiu, I will not stop you from taking it away.”

“But I think it’s necessary to remind you, Luo Xiu, that this sword is dangerous—before you, His Majesty the Emperor intended to bestow this broken sword upon another Sky Pillar Knight, but that Sky Pillar Knight was unable to withstand the power contained within the sword, so the sword was sealed away again.”

“Even you—Luo Xiu. You are not even a fellow traveler on our [Supreme] path. This broken sword of the Dark Duke is of little use to you. You can only unleash a fraction of its power. I do not recommend that you choose it.”

"..."

What Asrell said to himself was the truth.

Actually, I don't plan to use the broken [Divine Spine Black Sword] directly, but rather to use it as the main material for reforging—

However, the other thing Asriel mentioned, about "bearing the power contained within this broken sword," Luo Xiu thought... it referred to the remaining power of the Dark Grand Duke, which was constantly resisting any new master being able to fully "control" it.

"Thank you for your explanation, Lord Asrell."

Luo Xiu's gaze remained fixed on the broken, black sword. After a long while, he finally asked Asriel:

"You said His Majesty the Emperor... wishes to bestow this broken sword upon which Sky Pillar Knight?"

"..."

Why did he suddenly ask that? ...Asrell thought to himself, but didn't think too much about it; this was something all the Sky Pillar Knights knew, so he answered Luo Xiu:
"His Majesty the Emperor once intended to bestow this sword upon our chief Sky Pillar Knight, His Majesty the Emperor's eldest son, Crown Prince of the Empire, Prince Lemonster."

“But Prince Lemonster… it was extremely dangerous at the time, and even His Majesty the Emperor did not discover the remaining power of the Dark Grand Duke hidden within this black sword.”

"Perhaps calling it a 'curse' would be more appropriate—the moment Prince Rammonst grasped it, the spiritual force that allowed him to control it shattered completely, and then Rammonst lost control of himself. He even wielded the broken sword and slashed at His Majesty—"

"However, His Majesty would not be injured like this. It was expected that Prince Rammonster would be controlled and dominated by this broken sword. With His Majesty's help, Prince Rammonster eventually managed to get rid of the sword. However, it was this experience that made us all realize the danger of this sword."

“That’s it, Luo Xiu—I’ve told you all this, told you about the danger of this sword. And if you still want to take it away now, I won’t stop you, but I won’t help you either—if you are dominated and controlled by this sword, no one can help you.”

"..."

Even the chief of the "Heavenly Pillar Knights" couldn't wield this sword... As he listened to Asleil say this, Luo Xiu nodded slightly, already thinking of other things.

They possess many high-quality weapons and equipment—especially those obtained from high-ranking heretics, which, to be honest, are quite loyal to their master.

Moreover, the higher the quality and the stronger the effect, the more it recognizes its master. Basically, all those who have entered the Saintly Realm above the sixth or even seventh level of Destiny will personally participate in the inscription of their commonly used weapons and equipment to make them more suitable for their own use. Conversely, it is difficult for others to use them. It's the same as a saying from my previous life—"I don't want my enemies to be able to use my gun directly when they find it"—even for Luo Xiu, his two most frequently used weapons, the [Dragon Flame Demon Sword] and the [Dragon Breath Scepter], after long-term refinement and several [Radiance] inscriptions, are basically Luo Xiu's exclusive weapons.

Thinking back, the reason why the chief of the "Sky Pillar Knights," Lemonster, could not wield the broken sword left behind by the Dark Duke was probably because his own "resistance" attribute was insufficient, thus making him unable to contend with the power left behind by the Dark Duke.

But I am different. My "resistance" attribute has already reached tens of thousands of points. Unless it's a seventh-level Destiny Warrior from [Bitter Tea] or a seventh-level Destiny Berserker from [Red Lotus], there is basically no one at the same level who can surpass me in terms of "resistance" attribute.

Luo Xiu knew he was a pure stat-obsessed player—so stat-obsessed players have their own way of playing!

"Then, let me give it a try."

Luo Xiu said with a smile.

As he spoke, he reached for the hilt of the broken sword—

"Wait, Luo...!"

Asleil's pupils contracted sharply. What he had just reminded Luo Xiu of was partly out of goodwill, not only to prevent Luo Xiu from getting involved with the "Supreme"—after all, he still owed Luo Xiu a favor. Although he had said he wouldn't help Luo Xiu if he were "controlled," Asleil knew that if such a thing really happened, he wouldn't stand idly by.

But Luo Xiu picked it up way too quickly!
Just like Demosth, another emperor's son in the late stages of dragon cancer, he was so eager when he actually saw a dragon that Asriel didn't even have time to stop him again before Luo Xiu's hand was already on the hilt of the Godspine Black Sword!

……

Click!
Crack, crack, crack!!!

Suddenly, a series of crisp breaking sounds rang out, and on Luo Xiu's fingers that were gripping the sword, dark etching patterns quickly appeared!
A distinct cracking sound then came from the Black Sword of the Divine Spine—and Luo Xiu suddenly felt as if his consciousness had been struck by a heavy blow!
The colors he could see were rapidly dimming—wisps of black mist surged upwards, like a swarm of bees whose territory had been invaded, and began to sting him relentlessly. In the midst of the surging black mist, Luo Xiu even vaguely saw the figure of the "Black Grand Duke"!

The grand duke was covered in wounds and blood, but his gaze towards me was so sinister and malicious. A smile suddenly spread across his dead face, and then a large hand reached out towards me—

--phantom!
These are all illusions—Luo Xiu knew this very well, and then he felt the dark "swarm" surging towards him, engulfing his spirituality like a black wave, invading deeper and deeper into his soul!

Meanwhile, one's consciousness is sinking deeper and deeper, the colors one can "see" are becoming increasingly dim, one's "perception" is being shut down, and one's spirituality is being invaded through cracks and then crumbles inch by inch!
It is the remaining power of "Slaying Order" from the broken sword of this [Divine Spine Black Sword]!

Indeed, the power that the Dark Duke still retained on this Divine Spine Black Sword was quite intense, but compared to the Duke's peak state in life, it was already quite calm!

And this power—the power of "domination" and "killing order" contained within it—was something that the chief "Sky Pillar Knight" Lemonster could hardly withstand, which Luo Xiu could understand.

With his "resistance" attribute reaching nearly 10,000 points, his first layer of spiritual protection was about to be completely breached. Moreover, the spiritual energy of [Radiance] driven by his high "divinity" attribute was even unable to dispel the invading murderous spiritual energy. This single contact was enough to prove the danger of this broken sword.

However, the more dangerous something is, the more powerful it often is.

Moreover, even if we take a step back and assume that the power displayed by the Divine Spine Broken Sword is dangerous and terrifying, it is still just a "fragment" of the once "Creation" quality [Divine Spine Black Sword - Void Rift] - I have been with the true "Creation" quality "Abyss Codex" for a long time and have long been accustomed to its deeper and much more terrifying influence!

……

In Asleil's eyes, he saw the hand that Luo Xiu held the Black Sword of the Divine Spine. The corrosive black lines had spread rapidly from the fingertips to the back of the hand, wrist, and now to the forearm.

The erosion was incredibly fast, and an even more terrifying surge of spiritual energy was emanating from the Divine Spine Black Sword, howling and swirling around Luo Xiu like a whirlwind, enveloping him tightly layer by layer like a wax seal!
This scene seemed familiar – back then, when Prince Lemonster, the chief of the "Sky Pillar Knights," was trying to wield the Divine Spine Black Sword, an extremely dense black mist also burst forth from that broken sword!
Then Prince Rammonster lost control, even raising his broken sword to strike Emperor Augustusville. Luo Xiu is now experiencing the same thing; perhaps the next step will be for him to lose control of himself, just like Prince Rammonster.

Cold sweat was pouring down Asleil's forehead. Now, in the entire Imperial Treasury, only he and Luo Xiu remained—if Luo Xiu lost control and was dominated by the Black Duke's [Divine Spine Black Sword], then the first person Luo Xiu would attack would be…

"..."

Having witnessed the immense power Luo Xiu displayed on the battlefield of the final battle of the Judgment War, Asriel was truly sweating bullets at the prospect of fighting Luo Xiu in a hasty manner.

However, Asriel had already subconsciously assumed a fighting stance. In his right hand, the Heavenly Law Spear, shimmering with crimson light, had condensed, and crimson flames burst forth from its blade. If things went wrong, Asriel was prepared to sever Luo Xiu's sword-wielding hand before he completely lost control!

But then—

Buzz! ! ! ! !
Suddenly, Asleil heard a loud buzzing in his ears.

As a result, an extremely strong surge of spiritual energy erupted from Luo Xiu's body—brilliant golden rays broke out from the thick black fog, cleansing the black fog and dissolving the corrosive spiritual energy surrounding them!
The power of [Radiance] was growing—and in Asriel's eyes, he also saw two golden wings, flowing with warm and holy light, suddenly unfurl from behind Luo Xiu.

—"The Incarnation of the Holy Wings!"
Luo Xiu has put himself into the state of "Incarnation of the Holy Wings"!
……

(End of this chapter)