Fusion Grafted Blade Greatsword

Two blood-red sword energies splashed out from in front of Lin Luo, forming an "X" shape that pierced through the Lion Guardian's body and emerged from the other side. The immense impact directly halted it mid-air.

The Lion Guardian was fast, but Lin Luo's sword speed was even faster!

After delivering two slashes, Lin Luo spun again, immediately unleashing two more "X" shaped sword energies.

Before the Lion Guardian could even let out a scream, Lin Luo followed up with a flying kick.

It was impossible to tell how much force was behind that kick, but the Lion Guardian was sent flying back onto the giant stone again.

But... this time, Lin Luo wouldn't give it another chance to attack.

Lin Luo stomped his right foot down hard, sending the Grafted Blade Greatsword soaring over a meter high. He gripped it with his left hand and threw it along the trajectory of the Lion Guardian's retreat...

Skreeeeech...

The Grafted Blade Greatsword was so sharp, it cut through the Lion Guardian like butter, instantly burying itself within its body...

Black and red blood gushed out, and the yellowish-black island was instantly splattered with the Lion Guardian's blood.

The greatsword passed through the Lion Guardian's body and lodged itself in the giant stone, its tip fitting perfectly into a notch in the rock.

The battle was over. The Lion Guardian, pinned to the giant stone, struggled weakly. However, the piercing pain in its chest and its fading consciousness indicated...

Finally, the Lion Guardian's raised claw fell limp. Its mouth hung open, trying to roar, but no sound came out. Its massive head lolled to the side, and it lay still.

Lin Luo's expression gradually calmed as his breathing evened out...

"It seems... my strength is still too weak..."

Lin Luo glanced at the now lifeless Lion Guardian, feeling a touch of disappointment. He licked his lips, still feeling unsatisfied.

"Minions are just minions after all..."

Lin Luo shook his head, kneading his sore shoulders. He put the Corpse Mountain Blood Sea into his storage pouch.

"Well then, I'll be taking this sword..."

Lin Luo walked forward slowly, stopping before the giant stone.

"A weapon collected from Castle Morne... a vengeful sword bearing countless laments and angers... one of the legendary weapons!"

Lin Luo murmured, gripping the hilt with his right hand.

This time, he truly felt the sword.

Instantly, wails, anger, sorrow... all sorts of negative emotions enveloped Lin Luo.

Innumerable voices echoed in his mind... "Kill... kill them..."

He didn't know who "they" were, but it was undeniable that this sword was an ill-omened blade, a sword born for vengeance.

"This sword is its creation, and this sword is its destruction..."

Lin Luo sighed, reflecting that Castle Morne was born because of this sword and also destroyed because of it.

"Then, let me be the one to end it here!"

Lin Luo's right hand, gripping the hilt, exerted a sudden force. The negative whispers emanating from the Grafted Blade Greatsword instantly dissipated. Indeed, in the face of overwhelming strength, all difficulties were nothing more than paper tigers.

He pulled the greatsword free. The barbed blade was covered in the Lion Guardian's blood and shredded flesh.

Black and red blood splattered onto Lin Luo's face, but he paid it no mind.

"Hmph hmph!"

Lin Luo snorted and swung the greatsword through the air.

It was impossible to tell the power of this swing, but the blood on the sword was directly flung into the air.

Only a long streak of blood remained on the blade, while the giant stone was dotted with tiny specks – the blood that had originally clung to the sword.

The greatsword had apparently slaughtered countless lives, and a foul stench wafted from it, giving Lin Luo a chill.

"Now, I'll reforge you with Runes!"

Lin Luo planted the greatsword in front of him, and golden light began to surge from his gripping hand.

What Lin Luo intended to do was simple: to transform the power within the Grafted Blade Greatsword into pure strength, allowing him to unleash its weapon skill without borrowing the weapon itself.

This was similar to how he could transform Ashes of War, enabling him to directly use them without the weapon.

Easier said than done. Ashes of War were one thing, but this was a fully realized "legendary greatsword."

It was impossible to know how many negative emotions were contained within.

He decided to do it immediately, as it wasn't his first time. They say practice makes perfect, and Lin Luo had practiced hundreds of times.

Some swords didn't need reforging, as their weapon skills were more fitting when used with their original blades.

However, for the Grafted Blade Greatsword, its buff-type skills clearly didn't follow that logic of fittingness.

Runes surged. Although Lin Luo was Tarnished and not blessed by the Erdtree, his strength was not to be underestimated.

The Runes within him overflowed from his eyes, and a golden aura enveloped the Grafted Blade Greatsword, slowly merging into it...

At this moment... outside the city, Edgar spotted Irena and Melina, his heart filled with overwhelming joy.

"Irena!"

Edgar rushed over, his armor clinking with a crisp metallic sound from the impact.

"Fa... Father?"

Irena heard her father's voice, and the cloth covering her eyes became soaked with tears...

Irena stumbled, releasing her grip on Torrent. She hurried forward.

Seeing this, Melina patted Torrent.

Torrent understood, quickening its pace slightly. It ran to Irena's side and supported her, preventing her from falling.

Edgar quickly moved forward, supporting Irena, and cast a grateful look at Melina.

Irena hugged Edgar, and the two stood in silence, holding each other. Tears welled in Edgar's eyes, and Irena sobbed. It seemed that silence was more eloquent than words at that moment.

The father and daughter were finally reunited, and Melina showed a smile.

"As expected, Lin Luo is no ordinary Tarnished..."

Melina recalled a message left by a corpse at the Warmaster's Shack...

"Even though the guidance is broken, you must become the Elden Lord!"

"Perhaps... it will be so..."

Melina clasped her hands together, holding the necklace at her chest. Her eyes closed slightly, as if praying for something...

"Excuse me... are you the one?"

Edgar snapped back to attention and looked at Melina, asking in confusion.

"Yes, I am..."

Melina nodded lightly. She hadn't expected her next words to break his composure.

"Oh, it is you indeed. I knew it. You and Master Lin Luo are a perfect match, a true..."

"Wait..."

Melina suddenly felt something was wrong. "What are you talking about..."

"Didn't you say you were Master Lin Luo's wife?"

Edgar asked, confused.

"Master Lin Luo just said his wife would bring Irena to the city gate later... and to meet her."

"..."

Melina fell silent. A faint blush colored her face, but she quickly concealed it...

Feigning calmness, she said, "I am his sorceress..."

"Ah?"

Edgar was taken aback, then reacted. "My apologies... I was presumptuous..."

Edgar bowed slightly in apology.

"It's nothing..."

Melina replied calmly, indicating she didn't mind...

"Then... where is Lin Luo?"

"He's behind Castle Morne... tidying up. I should go with him to fight that Lion Guardian..."

Edgar's tone grew firm. Although he wasn't strong himself... he could at least be... he could at least be a meat shield!

"Mmm..."

Melina remained surprisingly silent. Was Edgar really this dense...?

"Actually... there's no need..."

Melina's lips parted slightly. "He... should have already dealt with it..."

Melina slowly put on her cloak, her slender figure gradually walking into the city