[You take out the Refined Copper Sand Maraca and give it a gentle shake…]

[Accompanied by the beautiful rhythm of the rustling sound, you summon the Battle Angel – Valkyrie.]

[An exquisite long-haired girl walks forth from the void. She wears a flowing black robe, and a pair of massive refined copper wings extend from her back…]

[She kneels on one knee, gazing at you with dark golden eyes, awaiting your command…]

[You may issue various combat commands to your follower or open her panel to equip her with gear.]

Lin Xun’s eyes widened, followers could wear equipment?

Clicking on the Refined Copper Sand Maraca, a new panel option had indeed appeared.

He opened the panel.

[Follower: Battle Angel – Valkyrie]

[Partner Quality: Epic+ Grade]

[Partner Equipment: Black Linen Robe (Ruined Grade), A plain black robe made of linen, offering no defense beyond modesty.]

[Partner Skills: None (The follower’s skills will gradually awaken through combat alongside the Apostle.)]

[The Knowledge-Seeking Doll Artisan told you that the Battle Angel – Valkyrie excels in wielding all combat weapons, and the refined copper wings on her back allow her to soar through the sky.]

[The powerful vitality infused into the newly added Refined Copper Essence transformed the Battle Angel – Valkyrie from a rigid summoned creature into a follower that can wear equipment.]

[The strength of the Refined Copper Essence also elevated the Battle Angel – Valkyrie from Epic to Epic+ Grade.]

[This creation is, without a doubt, the greatest masterpiece of its lifetime.]

[It believes that the Battle Angel – Valkyrie is the most powerful doll in the world, bar none!]

[The Knowledge-Seeking Doll Artisan rubs its hands together and stretches out a large palm toward you, implying that such a world-shaking masterpiece deserves a proper token of appreciation.]

[Overjoyed Apostle, will you reward the Knowledge-Seeking Doll Artisan?]

Lin Xun let out a cold laugh.

Would you tip a dead man?

At this moment, he was still possessing the Shell of the Knowledge-Seeking Smelting Plant Owner.

He didn’t waste words with the artisan. He stripped off the Earth Giant’s Ancient Dragonfang Greatclub, Regenerating Scale Armor of the Dragon Rider, and Tiger Beast King Belt. He transferred them all at once into the Battle Angel – Valkyrie’s equipment slots.

[Your follower Battle Angel – Valkyrie has equipped Ancient Dragonfang Greatclub!]

[Your follower Battle Angel – Valkyrie has equipped Regenerating Scale Armor of the Dragon Rider!]

[Your follower Battle Angel – Valkyrie has equipped Tiger Beast King Belt!]

[Your follower Battle Angel – Valkyrie has become even more powerful!]

Lin Xun licked his lips. What better way to test a follower’s strength than offering up the Doll Artisan as a sacrifice?

He clicked the combat command without hesitation, Attack!

[The Valkyrie rose slowly. Her scaled armor gleamed under the workshop’s kerosene lamps, and the blood still clinging to the greatclub was strikingly vivid.]

[She spread her massive refined copper wings. With a single beat, she soared into the air, transforming into a dark-gold streak of light that hurtled toward the enemy!]

[The speed of the dark-gold flash was astonishing. The Knowledge-Seeking Doll Artisan widened all four eyes in terror. Before it could even raise a defense, the dark-gold light had already reached it!]

[The Ancient Dragonfang Greatclub came crashing down with terrifying force and wind pressure…]

[The Knowledge-Seeking Doll Artisan let out a shrill wail. Its head caved in from the impact, then split in two. With the greatclub’s crushing blow, it was as if a steel saw had sliced it down the middle. Its body was cleaved in half, flesh and refined copper parts flying in all directions…]

[Your follower has defeated the Knowledge-Seeking Doll Artisan. EXP greatly increased!]

[You obtained Large Brick of Ultra-Grade Refined Copper (Material) *2]

[You obtained 100,000 Spirit Essence]

[You obtained Thunder Dragon Staff-Spear +1 (Epic Weapon)]

[You obtained Doll Mechanist’s Refined Copper Giant Arm (Material) *1]

[You obtained Doll Mechanist’s Refined Copper Spider Legs (Material) *4]

[You obtained Doll Artisan’s Refined Copper Giant Arm (Material) *1]

[You obtained Doll Artisan’s Refined Copper Self-Propelled Base (Material) *1]

Lin Xun was dumbfounded.

Good grief!

This follower is just too powerful.

Could she cleave Mount Hua in two with the Ancient Dragonfang Greatclub?

Now that’s what you call the aesthetics of violence!

The Knowledge-Seeking Doll Artisan dropped a whole pile of loot.

The refined copper bricks, Spirit Essence, and the Thunder Dragon Staff-Spear were all returned to their rightful owner.

The remaining items included the Doll Mechanist’s arm and spider legs, on top of that, the artisan also dropped one of its own refined copper arms and a self-propelled copper base.

[Your follower, Battle Angel – Valkyrie, defeated the enemy and soared back to your side with a flap of her wings…]

After testing the Valkyrie’s strength, Lin Xun unequipped her gear and returned it to the Earth Giant.

Thinking for a moment, he remembered a weapon in his inventory that hadn’t been equipped, Longbow of Windchant and Moonsong +5 (Rare+ Grade Weapon).

Since the Valkyrie was proficient with all combat weapons and could fly, it was perfect.

He could bring the weapon to the library to upgrade it to Epic grade, buy some arrows, and let the Valkyrie use it.

She could then fly while firing arrows, basically turning her into a high-powered floating turret.

And if close combat was needed, he could simply switch her weapon to the Thunder Dragon Staff-Spear, enabling her to fight on both land and in the air.

But before heading to the library, there was still one thing he had to do.

[You proceed down the corridor toward the next workshop…]

[A massive shadow occupies half the space of the workshop…]

[The Knowledge-Seeking Doll Mechanist is using its remaining arm to assemble a giant doll…]

Lin Xun clicked forward.

He opened his inventory and started operating.

[Would you like to gift Doll Mechanist’s Refined Copper Giant Arm to the Knowledge-Seeking Doll Mechanist?]

[Would you like to gift Doll Mechanist’s Refined Copper Spider Legs to the Knowledge-Seeking Doll Mechanist?]

[The Knowledge-Seeking Doll Mechanist accepts the arm and mechanical legs and looks at you with deep emotion…]

But he wasn’t done yet, Lin Xun continued.

[Would you like to gift Doll Artisan’s Refined Copper Giant Arm to the Knowledge-Seeking Doll Mechanist?]

[Would you like to gift Doll Artisan’s Refined Copper Self-Propelled Base to the Knowledge-Seeking Doll Mechanist?]

[The Knowledge-Seeking Doll Mechanist accepts the arm and mobile base, staring at you in disbelief…]

[The Knowledge-Seeking Doll Mechanist is deeply grateful that the True God’s Envoy returned its limbs, and even more thankful that you defeated its former colleague and brought back that colleague’s parts as well.]

Lin Xun let out a long breath, feeling mentally at ease.

After all, the Doll Mechanist had harmed itself to help him complete his task, even processed components for free.

If he didn’t return the limbs, he’d feel he owed it something.

Even if the Mechanist’s main motivation came from Lin Xun being the True God’s Envoy.

[The Knowledge-Seeking Doll Mechanist falls into contemplation. When it spots the majestic Battle Angel – Valkyrie standing beside you, its six eyes suddenly light up.]

[To repay the True God’s Envoy, it’s going to give you a surprise…]

Lin Xun blinked.

Another story event trigger?

[The Knowledge-Seeking Doll Mechanist picks up a sharp brass screwdriver, slices open its own chest, pries apart its refined copper ribs on the left side, and pulls out a pulsating dark golden light…]

[It hands this vigorously beating glow to you…]

[You obtained Doll Mechanist’s Refined Copper Heart (Special Item)]

[It begins to speak slowly, its voice turning hoarse and weak, this item will allow your doll to possess unlimited potential…]

[Though the True God’s Envoy didn’t choose its War Machine – Colossus, it hopes this doll will accompany you to the very end of the world.]

[The Knowledge-Seeking Doll Mechanist looks forward to meeting you again in the embrace of the Omniscient True Knowledge, within the boundless sea of knowledge…]

[The flesh on its Shell rapidly decays and collapses, and the refined copper limbs rust and corrode in an instant…]

[The light in the Knowledge-Seeking Doll Mechanist’s eyes fades. Its head droops, and it becomes utterly still…]

???

Lin Xun had a face full of question marks.

“Come on, I just came to repay a favor, and now you’ve made me owe you even more?”

The Doll Mechanist died on the spot after speaking, leaving behind a dashing silhouette.

Lin Xun opened his inventory to check the relic it left behind.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep