Chapter 854 - Invictum
The Grand War Games ended with the arena’s destruction. Han Wu had fought through the qualifiers and knockout rounds to claim first place and secure a seat among the Three Armies.
The award ceremony took place before every member of the War Faction. Han Wu stepped onto the podium while War Faction members stood on both sides, most of them belonging to the War Families.
Despite their best efforts to stop him, the War Families had ultimately failed. A non-War Family member claiming a Three Armies seat was a humiliating blow to their collective pride. Still, no matter how bitter they felt, none of them dared voice their opposition. Iron Wall Liu Jincheng was a living example.
His combined strength had once ranked in the War Faction’s top ten, yet Han Wu had completely broken him. No one knew how long it would take Liu Jincheng to rebuild his units or how many resources the process would consume. The situation was truly pitiful. At the very least, he was still alive, even if his spirit had been crushed.
Ignoring the members’ glares, Han Wu stood on the podium and waited for Zhong Heng to present his reward.
Zhong Heng truly didn’t want to hand the Three Armies title to Han Wu, but he couldn’t break his word. The entire Divine Civilization was watching. If he refused to grant Han Wu the title and resources today, the War Faction’s war-hungry members would overthrow him tomorrow. His position as the War God King would change hands.
Whether he liked it or not, the title had to be awarded. With a hint of resignation, Zhong Heng led the other two Three Armies members onto the stage to present Han Wu’s reward. It was a scroll.
The scroll contained a method known as Formation Might. It resembled Divine Authority, but its principle was completely different. Divine Authority originated from a God’s Divine Aspect and was a power unique to Gods.
Formation Might, however, focused on units, or more precisely, the armies composed of units. Within an army, each unit’s aura was like a drop of water. When countless drops gathered together, they formed rivers, lakes, and even oceans. The fusion of all those auras produced Formation Might, which some also referred to as military pressure.
Han Wu had witnessed Formation Might’s power before. The Butcher had used his units’ Formation Might to withstand World fighters. Liu Jincheng had also commanded his units to condense Formation Might into meteorites to attack Han Wu.
At its core, Formation Might was about combining small forces into something far greater. It was exactly what Han Wu needed. He happily accepted the scroll.
Pious then stepped forward with another item: a blank waist token forged from an unidentifiable material.
Pious explained, “Han Wu, as a member of the Three Armies, you need to establish your title. Some people base their title on nicknames, such as Liu Jincheng’s title, Iron Wall.
“Others base them on their combat style, like the Butcher, whose approach to war was slaughtering entire cities. Some allow the General’s Token to absorb their energy and determine the title on its own, like mine. My title is Pious.
“Now it’s your turn. Which method would you prefer? Choose carefully. This title will define both your reputation and the power attached to it.”
Han Wu considered his combat characteristics and fighting style. Names like Locust Plague and Demon King surfaced in mind, but none of them felt right.
“Forget it. I’ll let the General’s Token decide,” he said.
Pious nodded and showed Han Wu how to connect with the General’s Token and allow it to absorb his energy. Soon, the token reacted and started drawing large amounts of energy from Han Wu.
Han Wu felt his Divine Aspects, Divine Authority, and even Divine Jurisdictions contributing portions of their energy to the token. The diverse energies merged within it and slowly condensed into one word that appeared across its surface.
“Han Wu, display your General’s Token to all War Faction members!” Zhong Heng commanded.
Han Wu hadn’t yet looked at his own title. He raised the token high for everyone to see. Around him, every member craned their necks to read the word on it: Invictum![1]
As one of the War Faction’s Three Armies, Han Wu’s title was now Invictum.
Once the title fully formed, Han Wu felt a special energy envelop him. After sensing it, a pleased look crossed his face.
This was the effect of Invictum. It granted Han Wu a passive state where as long as he won a battle, he would siphon a portion of the enemy’s fortune and apply it to himself or his units. This effect could stack without limit.
The drawback was that Han Wu could never lose. A single defeat would drain all of the accumulated fortune at once.
Han Wu smiled at this drawback. Losing means losing everything? Then I simply have to keep winning!
Just as the crowd was celebrating the birth of a new member of the Three Armies, Evilspawn walked forward, completely oblivious to the atmosphere. “I want your blade. Hand it over!”
Evilspawn’s approach to life was simple: save time and speak directly.[2]
Han Wu stared at him in disbelief. Who would walk up to someone and demand their World-rank Divine Weapon for no reason? Was this fellow serious?
When Han Wu didn’t respond, Evilspawn bared his teeth. “Give me your blade. Now.”
Han Wu turned to Zhong Heng with visible confusion. His eyes were practically asking Zhong Heng, “What is this about?”
Zhong Heng looked like he wanted to bury his face in his hands. He had known Evilspawn was reckless, but he hadn’t expected this level of recklessness.
Han Wu’s celebration hadn’t even ended, and Evilspawn was already demanding Han Wu’s Divine Weapon. Zhong Heng wanted to smack Evilspawn across the head and send him to cool off somewhere.
Evilspawn, however, couldn’t care less. When Han Wu refused to comply, he threatened directly, “Give me your blade. If you don’t, I’ll beat you up.”
Han Wu finally understood. Evilspawn was nothing more than a bully. He took whatever he wanted, and if someone refused, he would use force. Zhong Heng clearly had no intention of reining him in.
Fine. If they don’t deal with it, I will handle it myself. Han Wu cracked his neck, and his joints popped audibly. “You want my World-rank Divine Weapon?”
Evilspawn nodded eagerly. “Hurry up and give it to me. If you don’t, I’ll invade your divine realm and take it myself!”
That only excited Han Wu further. “You want to invade my divine realm? Then what are you waiting for? Come on. I’ll open the gates for you myself!”
Evilspawn was reckless enough to pull out an Invasion Card on the spot.
Seeing another fight about to erupt, Zhong Heng intervened quickly. He shoved Evilspawn aside, stepped between them, and tried to placate Han Wu.
Pious cooperated by blocking Evilspawn and quietly scolding him. “Are you stupid? Did you forget the Butcher died at his hands?”
Evilspawn was unconvinced. “I’m stronger than the Butcher. I’m not afraid! Let me through.”
Pious nearly blacked out from sheer frustration. Why would that man not listen?
For a brief moment, Pious genuinely considered stepping aside and letting Evilspawn fight Han Wu. If the fool got himself killed, so be it. However, considering the War Faction’s reputation, they could not exactly hold another Grand War Games so soon after the previous one. Thus, Pious held his ground.
Meanwhile, Zhong Heng was telling Han Wu not to take Evilspawn’s behavior to heart. While speaking, he tapped the side of his own head to indicate that Evilspawn was mentally lacking. He had been that way since childhood.
As a courtesy to Zhong Heng, Han Wu let the matter go before turning and leaving.
1. Meaning always victorious ☜
2. Why use more words when fewer do the trick? Return to monke ☜
