Han Wu brought out the Digital Spirit, and his Digital Sprites lined up for testing.
He started with the Pseudo-Machinedrasprite, the strongest of the group. If it could evolve once more, the upgrade would be tremendous. The Pseudo-Machinedrasprite seemed to share that sentiment. Red light flickered in its eyes, and its desire for more power was unmistakable.
The result was disappointing. The Pseudo-Machinedrasprite craved power rather than authority. Its compatibility with Authority wasn’t high enough for fusion.
Han Wu moved on to Yinglong and got the same result. Stinger and Thunder Halberd failed as well.
Unwilling to give up, Han Wu tested the Iron Abyss Bug. To his surprise, there was a reaction this time. It had actually met the compatibility threshold for Authority.
Han Wu breathed a sigh of relief. He was a little disappointed that Authority hadn’t gone to the Pseudo-Machinedrasprite, but at least it wouldn’t go to waste. Something was better than nothing.
His gaze settled on the Iron Abyss Bug. He wanted to see what the Armored Form looked like. Under his careful watch, the evolution began.
Authority landed on the Iron Abyss Bug’s massive frame and instantly dissolved into golden light that engulfed it completely. In the next instant, the Iron Abyss Bug’s form shifted. Rather than growing larger, it shrank until it measured only about two meters in length. Its appearance had changed dramatically. It no longer resembled a locust. Instead, it looked more like a type of dung beetle.
Han Wu had a bad feeling. He checked the Armored Form’s information.
[Golden Scarab (Armored Form), Skills: Sacred Carapace, Dung Ball Launch, Forced Defecation. Description: A Noble Digital Sprite with powerful defense and special abilities.]
It’s over. The Iron Abyss Bug is ruined! That was Han Wu’s first thought upon seeing the Golden Scarab’s skill set. It practically reeked.
“Maybe I should test the skills before judging it,” Han Wu muttered.
He ordered the Golden Scarab to demonstrate its skills. Sacred Carapace created a powerful energy barrier around it. Its defense was even stronger than the Iron Abyss Bug’s.
Han Wu was very satisfied with that one.
Then came Dung Ball Launch. On command, the Golden Scarab conjured a massive ball of dung twice its own size and hurled it at a rock Han Wu had designated. The ball smashed into the rock and burst apart. The rock remained completely fine. Everything within a five-meter radius, however, had turned a sickly yellow and now reeked with a stench that lingered endlessly.
Han Wu’s assessment was that the damage was low, but it yielded the maximum amount of disrespect.
The third skill was Forced Defecation. The Golden Scarab targeted Yinglong first. Yinglong’s stomach immediately churned, and it hurried off to the side to relieve itself. The effect was extremely pronounced.[1]
Han Wu then turned his attention to the Pseudo-Machinedrasprite. It’s a pure Metal Digital Sprite. Surely Forced Defecation wouldn’t work on it... right?
He was dead wrong. After the Golden Scarab used its skill, the Pseudo-Machinedrasprite expelled a pool of black oil and even started wobbling as it visibly weakened.
That gave Han Wu a new appreciation for the Golden Scarab’s capabilities. If it could make even a Microcosm mechanical entity lose control like that, then this skill was no joke. In actual combat, a well-timed Forced Defecation could be devastating. The enemy would likely not die from it, but the humiliation alone could make them wish they had.
While Han Wu was considering how best to use the Golden Scarab’s skills, a flash of golden light passed over its body. The Armored Form deactivated. Authority returned to its original state, and so did the Iron Abyss Bug.
Han Wu checked the time. The Armored Form had lasted only fifteen minutes.
That was short. Still, the skills are effective despite being disgusting. If used strategically, they can produce unexpected results in battle. In a roundabout way, it’s an increase in strength. Han Wu accepted it.
Going forward, the Iron Abyss Bug would need Authority to recharge before it could enter its Armored Form again. With its massive frame, the Iron Abyss Bug had plenty of energy to spare. Recharging it was trivial.
While Han Wu was assessing the Armored Form’s potential, the viewers watching his broadcast had completely lost it.
“I think I can smell it through the screen.”
“I can already see the future: Han Wu is going to literally beat the crap out of someone, then weaponize it.”
“Please stop. I’m about to throw up.”
“Who’s going to be the first unlucky victim? Anyone wants to place bets?”
“Some contestants are closing in on Han Wu. Think they’ll be the poor souls who get buried in it?”
***
Han Wu’s avatars were also monitoring his surroundings and relaying everything to him. Three contestants were heading his way. Based on their movements, they had locked onto Han Wu and were planning to capture him.
Han Wu found it baffling. He hadn’t provoked anyone, so why was he being targeted? Then again, if they were willing to walk right up to him, it would only be fair to show them what a formidable opponent he was.
Danger had already crept up behind him while he was thinking. A perfect Chameleonsprite had silently positioned itself behind him and was ready to launch a surprise attack.
Han Wu couldn’t see it with his own eyes, but his avatars, who were watching the broadcast from his divine realm, saw it clearly. They could even count every bump on the Chameleonsprite’s skin. Through their mental link, they relayed the information to Han Wu.
A faint smile crossed his face. He wanted to see which fool had decided to pick a fight with him.
The moment Han Wu stood up to move, the Chameleonsprite attacked. Its tongue shot toward him, coated in a sticky fluid laced with corrosive and paralytic properties. If it made contact, his protection barrier would start losing durability.
Han Wu had already prepared for that. Just as the silent tongue was about to wrap around him, Thunder Halberd received its order. It swung with full force behind Han Wu, severing the tongue cleanly. Electricity coursed through the severed tongue and numbed the Chameleonsprite. It had failed its ambush and had been badly injured for its trouble.
Unfortunately for it, Han Wu was about to make things even worse for it.
1. Poop bending! ☜