The mechanical design allowed this weapon to switch seamlessly between a shield sword and a shield axe. The shield sword focused on defense, while the shield axe prioritized overwhelming power. It combined both offense and defense perfectly.
Even the small round shield could be detached, turning it into a standard knight’s one-handed sword and a small buckler. Flexibility was its core feature.
However, since this special weapon was called the Shield Lotus, its shield axe form was clearly its core.
*Whirr! Whirr!*
Beyond its shape, the sawtooth edges of the deep blue blade began to spin at high speeds. It was actually a magic chainsaw!
Samimi had seen many experts who used both magic and martial arts, but this was the first time she had seen a weapon that cultivated both magic and physical power.
It differed from her own [Enchantment]. She used magic to add elemental effects to a weapon, whereas this used magic to enhance a weapon’s physical attack power.
Even Samimi was captivated by this weapon.
Then there was the weapon’s mysterious quality.
This high-tech-looking weapon could not be a legendary Orange Weapon, yet its abilities and attributes far exceeded those of a Purple Weapon.
This was…
“What a cool weapon. I’ve never seen one that can transform,” Samimi asked curiously.
“This is a forged imitation of the Yaoguang Guild’s legendary [Sword of Inquiry], known as the [Blade of Deep Blue]. It can output 90% of a legendary weapon’s power, and in certain specific situations, it can even surpass a legendary weapon. In this environment, we are mainly dealing with thick-skinned magic monsters. As you can see, those magic sawtooth edges on the shield axe are incredibly efficient against heavy monsters with reinforced defense,” Vice President Duke explained.
“I see. I’ve learned something new again,” Samimi continued to act cute, clapping her hands.
So, it was a forged weapon—a special type of equipment between Purple and Orange. A red-labeled weapon, commonly referred to as a [Red Weapon].
[Red Weapons] were full of potential. Their base stats were similar to Purple Weapons, but they could be forged with various imaginative special abilities or even original skills.
They were highly specialized weapons that could exert power surpassing legendary Orange Weapons under specific circumstances.
‘Wait—’ Samimi noticed something, but her interest in the weapon itself was lukewarm. She was more concerned about the person behind it.
Because the core of a [Red Weapon] was undoubtedly the person who created it. Someone could actually imitate a legendary Orange Weapon? That ability defied common sense.
‘Imitating an Orange Weapon… that’s an ability that touches the very essence of the world. Orange Weapons are unique divine creations; they shouldn’t be easily copied.’
‘If it’s possible, it means the essence of that person’s power is close to that of a god. That person is the true hidden expert.’
However, Samimi didn’t ask further. Such questions would be too blatant and would surely arouse suspicion. She would keep this to herself for now. She was still young; there was no need to rush everything.
Yaoguang, the guild ranked second, should be one of the organizations calling the shots in the Sea of Ten Thousand Towers. She had already made contact with the big players of this region.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
While Samimi was deep in thought, the Shield Axe Hero, Selina, had already slaughtered all the Crystal Monsters. She swept through the field with overwhelming dominance.
The magic chainsaw of the [Blade of Deep Blue] shattered the Crystal Monsters’ bodies and blades instantly upon contact. They could not withstand its power at all. What terrifying destructive force.
The crisis was resolved in just a few rounds. Selina returned to the group, purposely standing in front of Samimi with her head held high, looking smug.
The menacing [Blade of Deep Blue] reverted to its shield sword form, and the sawtooth edges stopped spinning. Even so, it remained a dangerous weapon.
“Fine blade,” Samimi said, staring at the [Blade of Deep Blue] without giving Selina a single glance.
“What do you mean by that? Are you trying to mock me? Do you think I’m not worthy of the [Blade of Deep Blue]?” Selina was like a powder keg, exploding at the slightest touch.
Actually, her analysis was spot on. Samimi wasn’t trying to mock her; she was simply ignoring her. Samimi truly felt she wasn’t worthy of the [Blade of Deep Blue].
“Little sister, don’t be like that. Why must you keep targeting the Priestess?” Vice President Duke stepped in once more to mediate.
He didn’t know what had gotten into his sister lately. Usually, she wouldn’t give anyone the time of day, maintaining her cold persona. But today, she had spoken more than she usually did in a month.
How exactly had the Priestess offended her? Could it be because she was too beautiful? Was his sister jealous?
Thinking about it, it was quite possible. However, his sister was the guild’s belle; she wasn’t less attractive than the Priestess. At most, they were equally matched, each with her own unique charm.
But if you asked which type men preferred? He felt 80% of them would choose the gentle, kind, and smiling Priestess over his cold and prickly sister.
Samimi hid behind Vice President Duke without saying a word, acting like a delicate little bird, which immediately triggered a man’s protective instincts.
*Thump! Thump! Thump!*
Before they could continue their bickering, several more hidden doors opened automatically. Even more Crystal Monsters were coming.
Selina swung the [Blade of Deep Blue], preparing to continue the fight.
“These guys will probably keep respawning! We need to find a way to crack the labyrinth and look for a new exit,” Vice President Duke analyzed.
“Exactly. You’re absolutely right,” Samimi chimed in from behind him.
“Sister, hold them off. We’ll find the exit.” Duke felt very comfortable being complimented by Samimi. His heart felt warm, though he maintained a serious expression on the surface.
Selina brandished the [Blade of Deep Blue] and swept through the room, shattering a large number of Crystal Monsters with a single blow as she forced a path forward on her own.
The others took the opportunity to look for hidden doors, tapping their weapons against the domain walls.
*Click—*
Before long, they actually found a closed hidden door. They needed to press down on a brick mechanism to open it.
The group was about to rush inside, but at that moment, Samimi finally started her mischief.
“Watch out!” Samimi let her legs go limp and collapsed onto the floor. As she fell, she just happened to land on the brick mechanism on the floor, pushing it back in.
The hidden door slammed shut instantly, separating the party.
Duke and Selina had successfully made it through to the other side, but Samimi and Niubao were left in the original room, with a large swarm of Crystal Monsters still hunting them.
“Lady Samimi!” Just before the door closed, Duke’s heart-wrenching cry could be heard.
Quickly, Samimi stood up and brushed off her clothes. Her gentle and fragile expression vanished, replaced by a cold, calm gaze. Her tone was flat as she said, “Niubao, use striking attacks. Change to slaughter mode.”
Niubao pulled out the resistance hammer, dropped her travel backpack, and charged at full speed. She smashed the Crystal Monsters around them. Her killing efficiency was not a bit slower than that Hero.
“Wait, I didn’t get in either,” a discordant voice rang out from the side.
“Mister Strategist, you haven’t had much to say before. What are you thinking about?” Samimi wasn’t shocked. She had left her behind on purpose.
Meihua, an adventurer with an unclear title, the Strategist of the Yaoguang Guild—the big sister in the flowing robes.
She had remained silent the entire time, making people almost forget she existed.
In reality, Samimi had been watching Meihua. The more silent she was, the more Samimi felt the need to be on guard.
‘A barking dog doesn’t bite; it’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for.’
‘Someone called a Strategist certainly isn’t easy to deal with. I, Samimi, didn’t come out to roam the world based on strength alone, but on my brains.’
So, Samimi staged this little scene to split the party. Moreover, she felt that following those two siblings was a dead end. Meaningless social relationships and useless chatter would only waste her energy and time.
Enough small talk. It was time for business.
“Lady Samimi, did you do that on purpose?” Meihua asked.
“Tch, I did it on purpose. I feel like we’d never find our way out if we stayed with those siblings. Two pure dead weights—and they call themselves a Hero and a Vice President?” Samimi spread her hands and complained.
A moment later, Niubao had smashed every Crystal Monster into pieces. Her efficiency was truly no slower than the Shield Axe Hero.
“The strength of the Nun is impressive. I sensed something was off, but I didn’t expect you to be this capable,” Meihua could not help but comment upon seeing this.
“Don’t worry. Those siblings might not have brains, but their strength is decent. Nothing major should happen to them. If we can quickly solve the maze, they’ll survive,” Samimi said.
“Lady Samimi, do you have a plan?” Meihua could only ask.
“You’re a Mage, right?” Samimi asked.
“I know a thing or two,” Meihua nodded her head.
“Sense the flow of magic with your heart. You should discover something,” Samimi said.
Meihua obeyed, closing her eyes and entering a [Meditation State], feeling the magic flow in the air to her heart’s content.
She soon realized something strange. These crystal domain walls and the floor all had strong magic fluctuations. Even the shattered Crystal Monsters on the ground were driven by magic.
And all that magic was converging on one spot on the floor—a crystal floor tile.
*Rumble!*
Samimi walked over and tapped it with her divine staff. A hidden trapdoor immediately opened, revealing a tunnel leading underground.
“Is this the correct path?” Meihua asked doubtfully.
“In any case, your Vice President was definitely leading us the wrong way. Besides, with that lickspittle look on his face, I didn’t want to correct him. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings,” Samimi said.
“Lady Samimi is truly kind-hearted,” Meihua smiled.
“We Priests are all beautiful girls with hearts of gold,” Samimi replied seriously, not blushing in the slightest.
With that, she and Niubao jumped into the underground tunnel.
Meihua could only follow them down to take a look.
Soon, they arrived in another crystal space. However, they could find the correct hidden doors through the same method and continue forward.
If they took the wrong hidden door, they would be surrounded by Crystal Monsters. If they took the correct one, no Crystal Monsters would appear. It was that simple.
‘I, Samimi, am just that amazing…’
‘A kindergartner could design a better labyrinth than this author.’