I can receive unlimited protection; my parents handed me over to the state.

Once the decision was made, the most efficient war machine in the entire Zenith World once again began to operate frantically around Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan was sent back to Villa S-0 by Zhao Qingxuan in the most "gentle" way.

He was greeted not by cold training equipment, but by a top-of-the-line "life support tank" brimming with life energy.

He was completely immersed in a pale green, constant-temperature nutrient solution. Every drop of this solution was as valuable as gold. It could repair hidden injuries in the body at the fastest speed, replenish depleted life energy, and nourish the parched spiritual sea.

Lu Yuan closed his eyes, enjoying this rare "bathing" time, but his mind never stopped working.

He was mentally constructing the blueprint for that new weapon.

"When dealing with monsters like 'Void Nightmare' that are spiritual or energy-based entities, conventional physical and elemental damage are not very effective."

"The most effective are two kinds of power. One is an attack that acts directly on the soul. The other is a divine power that purifies and dispels."

Lu Yuan rapidly searched through his mental database.

"Materials of divine power, such as 'Holy Light Crystals' and 'Angel Feathers,' are all controlled by those charlatans in the Western Continent. Our China has very few reserves, and the quality is not high enough to forge legendary weapons."

"That leaves only the option of soul attack."

Lu Yuan quickly determined the direction.

"For a weapon to harm the soul, its material must possess the characteristic of 'spirituality,' being able to bear and transmit spiritual power."

Several suitable materials immediately came to mind.

"【Soul-Nourishing Wood】, a top-grade spiritual plant from the realm of the dead, naturally nourishes the soul. It is most suitable for making weapon hilts."

"【Styx Sand】, a special mineral from the underworld, is said to be sand dripping from the oars of soul ferrymen, possessing the properties of imprisoning and tearing souls. It can be added in small amounts to enhance the lethality of weapons."

"We still need a core. A powerful core, containing immense spiritual energy."

Lu Yuan pondered.

"I've got it!" His eyes lit up. "The 'Spiritual Core' of the 'Deep Sea Nightmare Octopus'! It's an epic-level star beast that lives at depths of ten thousand meters, naturally adept at creating illusions and mental shocks. Its core is one of the purest known crystals of spiritual energy!"

Having determined the main materials, Lu Yuan began to conceive the weapon's form and protection rules.

"Melee weapons like swords aren't very effective against 'Void Nightmare,' which are elusive and unpredictable. Ranged attacks, especially those with a lock-on effect, are the best option."

"Bow? Or crossbow?"

Lu Yuan thought for a moment and then shook his head.

"Not domineering enough. What I want to create is a weapon that can bring the word 'judgment' to life."

The outline of a weapon gradually appeared in his mind.

That was an enormous warhammer!

The hammerhead is octagonal, with different soul-suppressing runes engraved on each face. The handle is crafted from a single piece of ten-thousand-year-old soul-nourishing wood.

"Let's call it... [Soul Suppressor]."

Lu Yuan named this weapon that had not yet been born.

"As for the rules of protection..."

He began to weave the most crucial threads in his mind.

"The first layer of protection must be a core soul attack. Let's call it [Soul Impact]. Its effect is that each attack can ignore the target's physical and energy defenses and directly cause shock damage to its soul essence."

"The second layer of protection must have a control effect. 'Void Nightmare' can float and become invisible, so let's give it a [Spatial Shackles]. Once locked by this hammer, the space within a hundred meters will be frozen, leaving it with no way to escape!"

"The third layer of protection is also for the user's protection. The mental impact of 'Void Nightmare' is very strong. Although Instructor Tang has a strong will, it is still very difficult for him to withstand it. That's why a [Protective Aura] is needed. As long as he holds this warhammer, he can form a mental protective field around himself, which will make him immune to most of the negative effects on the mental level."

[Soul Impact], [Spatial Shackles], [Protective Aura].

Attack, control, defense.

The Trinity, perfect!

When the blueprint for the entire weapon was fully formed in Lu Yuan's mind, he slowly opened his eyes.

"Butler Zhao," he called softly to the air outside the medical tank.

"Yes, Mr. Lu." Zhao Qingxuan's figure appeared silently beside the medical tank, like a ghost.

"I need some materials." Lu Yuan transmitted the list in his mind directly to Zhao Qingxuan through mental connection.

Zhao Qingxuan looked at the long list of materials that had suddenly appeared on his tactical tablet. Even though he was usually calm, he couldn't help but gasp.

【Ten-Thousand-Year Soul-Nourishing Wood (Legendary Grade)】

【Styx Sand (Epic)】

The Spiritual Core of the Deep-Sea Nightmare Octopus (Legendary)

【Star Soul Steel (Epic)】

……

Every material on the list is a national treasure-level strategic resource.

Especially the [Ten Thousand Year Soul-Nourishing Wood] and the [Spiritual Core of the Deep Sea Nightmare Octopus], he had only seen these two items on the highest-level strategic reserve list, and both were marked as "unique" and "unusable".

"Mr. Lu, this..." For the first time, Zhao Qingxuan's face showed a troubled expression. "These materials are far too precious, especially the first three. I'm afraid Elder Su will need to personally apply to the Supreme Committee for them..."

"Then let him apply." Lu Yuan's voice was devoid of any emotion. "Tell him that without one thing, the [Soul Suppressor] can't be created. Let him figure it out himself."

"I understand." Zhao Qingxuan took a deep breath and nodded heavily.

He immediately turned around and left the room.

He knew that a fierce battle for these top-tier materials would ensue at the highest levels.

He, on the other hand, needed to immediately arrange for manpower to transport the other available materials on the list to the Zenith World as quickly as possible.

Watching Zhao Qingxuan's departing figure, Lu Yuan closed his eyes again.

He needs rest. He needs to get himself into peak condition like never before.

The next morning.

When Lu Yuan stepped out of the medical tank, he felt as if he had been reborn.

After a full 24 hours of intensive rest, he not only fully recovered from all the previous exhaustion, but also felt that his mental and physical strength was even better than before.

He clenched his fist, feeling the abundant and surging power within him, his eyes filled with unprecedented confidence.

Zhao Qingxuan was already waiting outside the door.

"Mr. Lu, all the materials you requested have been prepared." His face showed a hint of undisguised fatigue, but his eyes were unusually excited.

"Oh? You've got them all?" Lu Yuan was somewhat surprised.

He knew how valuable the materials on that list were, and he had thought it would take at least several days of haggling to gather them all.

"Yes." Zhao Qingxuan nodded, his tone tinged with admiration. "Last night, Elder Su convened an emergency meeting of the Supreme Military Council. During the meeting, he and Chief of Logistics Zhao almost came to blows over that piece of [Ten Thousand Year Soul-Nourishing Wood]."

"In the end, it was the Commander-in-Chief of the Army who personally approved the requisition of these materials."

Zhao Qingxuan exclaimed, "You are now a true 'national treasure' of China. The entire nation's resources are being poured into your forging."

Lu Yuan felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this.

He knew how heavy that trust was.

He didn't say anything more, but just nodded heavily.

"Take me to 'Tiangong'."

……

When Lu Yuan stood once again before the enormous "Heavenly Craft" furnace, which resembled an ancient behemoth lying dormant, his state of mind was completely different from that of two days ago.

If last time, he carried a hint of nervousness about exploration and experimentation.

This time, all that remained in his heart was absolute confidence and the composure to control everything.

He was like a master painter about to unleash his brush, his mind already filled with countless landscapes.

On the operating platform, the materials this time exuded an aura completely different from that of [Phoenix Cry].

That three-meter-long, jet-black tree, exuding a warm aura, is the [Ten-Thousand-Year Soul-Nourishing Wood].

That small pile, sparkling like black diamonds yet carrying a hint of deathly stillness, was the [Styx Sand].

The most eye-catching feature is the purple heart, made of pure spiritual energy and placed in a specially made crystal container, resembling a pulsating heart. This is the spiritual core of the Deep Sea Nightmare Octopus.

"Let's begin."

Lu Yuan took a deep breath and pressed the "Tiangong" start button again.

"boom--!"

The golden divine fire blazed up once more.

This time, Lu Yuan didn't throw all the materials in at once like he did last time.

He first threw the epic-grade [Star Soul Steel] into the furnace.

Then, he carefully used his mental energy to wrap around three grains of [Styx Sand] and picked them up.

"The soul-tearing property of Styx Sand is too overpowered; adding too much will affect the weapon's stability. Three grains are enough."

He precisely incorporated three grains of Styx Sand into the melting Star Soul Steel.

Then, he looked at the purple spiritual core.

This is the most crucial and also the most dangerous step in this forging process.

The spiritual core is a pure energy body. Once subjected to a violent impact or comes into contact with incompatible energy, it will immediately explode. Its power is enough to blast the entire "Heavenly Craft" furnace into pieces.

Lu Yuan closed his eyes, and his immense spiritual power, like countless finest spider silks, slowly enveloped the purple core.

He didn't use brute force, but rather a method of "assimilation".

He simulated the energy fluctuation frequency of the spiritual core, disguising his own spiritual power as energy of the same origin, and then, little by little, infiltrated it.

This process requires extreme focus and meticulous control.

The slightest mistake could lead to utter ruin.

Inside the control room, Su Lie and the others were on tenterhooks.

They watched Lu Yuan's actions nervously through a backup small monitoring device.

When they saw that Lu Yuan dared to directly use his mental power to contact the raging mental core, Tang Long broke out in a cold sweat.

"This kid is playing with fire!"

Time passed, second by second.

Fine beads of sweat also appeared on Lu Yuan's forehead.

Finally, after nearly half an hour of "infiltration," the previously restless purple core completely quieted down. It seemed to have accepted Lu Yuan's mental power and regarded him as a part of itself.

"It's a success!"

Lu Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.

Without hesitation, he threw the purple core, which he had already "tamed," into the furnace!

"Buzz—!"

The moment the spiritual core came into contact with the Star Soul Steel liquid fused with Styx Sand, an incomparably powerful spiritual storm erupted from the furnace!

But this time, Lu Yuan was prepared.

He let out a low shout, and his prepared mental energy transformed into an invisible net, instantly binding the mental storm firmly within the furnace. Then, he forcibly pushed it back into the molten metal!

"Melt it for me!"

Fusion!

Shaping!

The whole process was smooth and seamless!

This time, Lu Yuan didn't make himself look so pathetic as he had last time.

Every movement he made was filled with the demeanor and composure of a master.

In less than three hours, the prototype of an enormous warhammer was gradually taking shape in the furnace.

The warhammer's head was a menacing octagon, its entire body displaying a deep, dark purple hue that seemed to devour light. The handle, constructed from a single piece of the "Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Soul-Nourishing Wood," had naturally formed black patterns that perfectly complemented the hammerhead, exuding an ancient and mysterious beauty.

"The final step: protection!"

Lu Yuan's eyes narrowed, and he placed both hands on the cold furnace wall of the "Heavenly Craft" furnace at the same time.

His immense spiritual power, carrying his domineering and unparalleled will, surged in once again!

"First layer of protection—[Soul Impact]!"

"The second layer of protection—[Spatial Shackles]!"

"The third layer of protection—[Aura of Protection]!"

Three mysterious runes, each representing a different rule, were imprinted onto the massive warhammer under his will!

"boom--!"

The moment the third layer of protection was completed, a deep, muffled bell, seemingly emanating from the deepest hell, suddenly resounded throughout the entire underground space!

The bell tolled, but there was no sound.

But everyone who heard it felt as if their soul had been struck hard by an invisible giant hammer!

Inside the control room, Tang Long and Zhao Qingxuan both let out a muffled groan, their faces instantly turning deathly pale.

Even Su Lie swayed, a look of horror flashing in his eyes.

Only Yan Ji, having just completed the initial fusion with [Feng Ming], whose soul and fire power were now united, was barely unaffected.

"This is..." Su Lie steadied himself, staring at the massive warhammer slowly rising from the furnace on the monitor screen, his voice filled with disbelief, "A...area attack targeting the soul?"

At this moment, Lu Yuan also felt as if his head had been hit hard, and he was a little dazed, but he did not faint like last time.

He simply shook his head, looked at the near-perfect masterpiece before him, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

【Guardian】

Become!