Cassius’s concerns were not without reason. Training in Golem Covert Martial Arts was gradually transforming him into something inhuman. Its three basic elements resonated with each other at a special frequency, creating the Golem’s life magnetic field within his body.

However, that magnetic field wasn’t originally his own. This mutated magnetic field would gradually alter his muscle fibers, bones, and connective tissues. Even his cells and genes might be affected. Growing a few extra kidneys wouldn’t be entirely out of the realm of possibility.

Cassius palpated the area under his twelfth rib as he wondered if there was space for a few more kidneys. He didn’t feel much resistance or fear toward this mutation. After all, Cassius had once almost irreversibly transformed into a dark creature. Compared to the grotesque Golem forms he had seen in the black cocoon, looking human on the outside was already a bonus. Who would care what kind of monster lay beneath a beautiful exterior?

In fact, the transformation could be an advantage. It was like when Cassius challenged Feng Liusi in the Loka Mountains. Normal people had their hearts on the left side, but there were also those who had them on the right. However, no one had ever heard of someone having a heart on both sides. If an enemy tried to target Cassius’s vital points for a killing blow, they would likely meet a disastrous fate.

Half an hour later, the pale yellow combat hall had been cleaned of bullet casings and aerated out. The wooden gate closed, leaving Cassius sitting alone in silence.

As usual, he began practicing the Golem Breathing Technique. The unique energy that was so different from human magnetic fields enveloped his entire body like a gentle, invisible current. Cassius could feel an ache and itch spreading throughout his body, almost as if something beneath his skin was swelling, causing his muscle fibers to twitch slightly.

Since breaking through to the realm of a combat artist in the Loka Mountains, Cassius had been experiencing a period of rapid advancement. Frequent battles against opponents of the same level had also allowed him to manifest his potential even faster. However, he now felt the pace of his progress slowing down, transitioning into a more stable upward trend.

The most noticeable marker of progress was the Qi in his fist techniques. Thanks to the Killer Persona’s unparalleled compatibility with Southern Dipper Red Falcon Fist, and the episode of going berserk, Southern Dipper Red Falcon Fist naturally passed its first stage, and Death’s Fang Force advanced to the second stage.

Some unique characteristics of the Red Falcon Fist and Death’s Fang Force had also begun to reveal themselves. For instance, his hands were now displaying Death’s Fang’s distinctive passive effect. Death’s Fang Force seemed to be automatically modifying Cassius’s arms as its primary instruments of power.

The difference it had brought to his techniques was clear. Cassius’s hands could now endure about thirty percent more Death’s Fang Force without his flesh and bones crumbling. Moreover, this limit would continue to increase as Death’s Fang Force tempered the muscles and bones in his arms. It was seemingly developing in an unknown direction. It was something that even Feng Liusi had never encountered.

Moreover, Cassius’s greatest improvement during that period was undoubtedly his physical body. Over the past two to three days, he had tested that his body’s resistance against sharp and blunt objects had increased 1.3 times over. His muscle strength had improved 1.4 times over, speed 1.2 times over, and his instantaneous reflexes about 1.1 times over.

In truth, Cassius had seemed so formidable that he dared to challenge veteran combat artists not long after his breakthrough. This was largely due to his powerful physique, which gave him a high margin for error. Even if his techniques were lacking in finesse, his sheer strength and speed could compensate for it. Coupled with his regenerative endurance, he was in a position where he could overwhelm most opponents.

He had a significant advantage when facing aggressive and agile combat artists, which explained his string of victories in recent challenges. When Cassius had worked with Amos and the old butler, he had learned about their classification of B-level combatants.

There was a very simple scoring system for comparing the strength of combat artists. For a standard newly promoted combat artist, it would look something like:

Vitesse : B (15)

Force : B (15)

Défense : B (15)

Qi : B (10)

Technique : B (10)

This was an idealized model, where “B” represented a “B” level of energy. Qi included aura and willpower, and techniques encompassed Covert Martial Arts, killing moves, secret arts, and so on. Of course, in reality, there would be deviations, but this was just a rough quantification.

A veteran combat artist, on the other hand, would look like this:

Vitesse : B (25)

Force : B (25)

Défense : B (25)

Qi : B (35)

Technique : B (25)

Cassius, however, was an anomaly.

Vitesse : B (40)

Force : B (40)

Défense : B (45)

Qi : B (20)

Technique : B (15)

If it were represented in a six-point hexagonal chart, his physical attributes would stand out. He could completely overshadow both new and veteran combat artists with plenty of room to spare.

After all, when Cassius had challenged Feng Liusi before becoming a combat artist, the Blood Fist had already been impressed by his immense strength. Now that he had become a combat artist, his physique had naturally grown even stronger.

If not for the explosive increase in a Covert Martial Artist’s destructive power upon breaking through to combat artist, even veteran combat artists would find it hard to inflict even minor injuries on Cassius.

Since his kidneys were already showing signs of mutation, it was likely that his physical body would undergo even further development after the transformation.

It seemed that Cassius was now on a somewhat unbalanced path to becoming stronger, but there was no other choice. He couldn’t stop and wait for his weaker attributes to catch up. He could only continue to reinforce his strengths and build them up. That way, he would still be able to forge forward with sheer brute force.

Of course, he had a faint premonition. If he wanted his Qi and technique to catch up with his rapidly growing physical strength, he would likely have to rely on the three core principles and the mysterious Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance. Cassius wasn’t sure what kind of path he was on, but he hoped the road didn’t end in a dead end.

As his thoughts drifted, his daily training of Golem Covert Martial Arts drew to a close. Cassius opened his eyes, breathing heavily. He was drenched in sweat. Just as he was about to exhale and conclude his session, he noticed a faint black mist lingering on his arm.

He raised his hand slightly, and the mist dispersed instantly. It was likely that this black mist was made of impurities from his body. When he first began practicing Golem Covert Martial Arts, he had often expelled such black filth, though it had since stopped. Now it was appearing again in the form of mist. It was likely a sign that his kidneys were about to undergo another mutation.

In the afternoon, Feng Liusi brought crucial information.

The three sat casually in a lounge. Cassius and Saint Feinan were drinking tea, while Feng Liusi seemed deep in thought. He rubbed his chin where his beard used to be, realized he had shaved it off, and slapped his thigh with his hand.

Pa.

“What are you doing slapping your own leg?” Saint Feinan shot him an annoyed glance. He gracefully blew on his hot cup before sipping his tea. His breath carried a hint of icy mist, quickly cooling the tea to the perfect temperature. Satisfied, Saint Feinan took a sip and nodded in approval.

Next to him, Cassius’s tea was just as hot, but since he had just finished his training, he was too thirsty to care. He gulped it down like a beast, quickly draining half the teapot. The hot water entered his stomach, but Cassius didn’t feel anything.

He suddenly realized that his stomach might be mutating too? Cassius turned to Saint Feinan, who was sipping his tea, and asked if he could chill his tea for him with his icy breath. Cassius wanted to see if ice-cold water would make a difference.

Just as the two were bickering over the proper temperature of tea, Feng Liusi finally spoke, “I just received news that the Tulip Antique Exhibition in Kura City of East Sea County was attacked last night by an unknown force. One-third of the defense personnel from Cloud Dog Fist were lost.”

He paused briefly before continuing, “And it seems this unknown force is not affiliated with the Gate Organization…”

“So, in other words, another player has entered the scene,” Cassius remarked while sipping his now-iced tea.

Feng Liusi nodded. “Yes, and for reasons unknown. We don’t know whether they were provoked or if this is part of a trap. This morning, the Tulip Antique Exhibition unveiled another extremely valuable relic: the Kupan Demon Box, an artifact of the legends.”

He explained, “It’s said to contain an aura of misfortune that brings calamity to all who possess it. Every one of its previous owners has met a terrible fate. So far, no one has found a way to open the box, which is made of an unknown material.”

“Hm, that sounds intriguing, but what does it have to do with us? The Kupan Demon Box doesn’t seem to be from the ancient ruins, right?” Cassius shrugged, his focus elsewhere.

Cassius was clear about his current goal. He wanted to witness the wonders of the Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance. Magical antiques or millennia-old treasures held no appeal for him. No legendary antiques or artifacts in the time-travel era could provide him with the lingering attachment energy he sought.

Snap.

Feng Liusi suddenly snapped his fingers as he turned to Cassius. “It actually does matter to us. The Tulip Antique Exhibition has claimed that a parchment lies inside the Kupan Demon Box. It could be a map, a journal, or maybe even a secret martial art technique…who knows…” Feng Liusi tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

“But the key is, the exhibition traced the origin of the box. It’s believed to have come from a hidden ancient ruin,” he added.

“Now that’s interesting.” Cassius raised an eyebrow, as his interest in the Kupan Demon Box was finally piqued.

“Forget about Red Falcon Fist for now, let those kids handle it. We’ll head straight for East Sea County. We can’t wait any longer,” Feng Liusi suddenly stood up, his gaze slowly sweeping over Cassius and Saint Feinan.

***

The next day, three men sat in the last row of the third-to-last carriage on the train from Beiliu County to East Sea County. They wore matching black outfits, sunglasses, and hats, like they were members of some gang.

The light-yellow wooden train car had rows of three seats, much like desks in a classroom. Although Cassius, Saint Feinan, and Feng Liusi were in the same row, they weren’t on the same bench. Cassius sat on the right near the aisle, while Saint Feinan and Feng Liusi sat on the left side. A rather tense young man sat between them, holding a black suitcase on his lap.

The train rocked and rattled as it moved, but after a while, the ride became smoother, and it sped forward at a steady pace. The young man shivered slightly as he held the suitcase on his knees. After hesitating for a moment, he turned to Saint Feinan and said, “Excuse me… uh, brother. Could you help me close the window? The wind is a bit chilly.”

The young man saw Saint Feinan freeze for a moment, but he still smiled gracefully, nodded, and turned to close the window.

Two minutes later, the young man started to shift uneasily. His back felt strangely cold, and chilly air seemed to be creeping over his skin, making his hair stand on end. He looked around, puzzled, and noticed that most of the windows were closed. It was still sunny outside, so why was it so cold?

Another two minutes passed, and the young man couldn’t take it anymore. His face had turned pale from the cold, and he was gritting his teeth. He was on the verge of shivering.

“Monsieur, pouvez-vous bouger un peu ? Merci…” Le jeune homme s’est dégagé de son siège et s’est dirigé vers l’allée, toujours tenant sa valise noire.

Instantanément, il s’est senti mieux, comme si le froid l’avait quitté. Il a jeté un coup d’œil à Cassius et a remarqué deux sièges vides près de la fenêtre. Lentement, il s’est dirigé vers eux.

“Mademoiselle, pourriez-vous me laisser m’asseoir à l’intérieur, s’il vous plaît ?” Il a rapidement reconsidéré ses paroles ; parler ainsi à une jolie femme était un peu brusque. Il a ajouté : “Le siège où j’étais était un peu trop froid, et il y a deux places libres ici…”

Dès qu’il a fini de parler, il a vu la blonde aux allures froides à côté de lui se déplacer légèrement, lui faisant de la place pour passer.

Il a rapidement soulevé sa valise avec un sourire et s’est glissé dans son siège, heureux de commencer sa deuxième partie du voyage. Lawrence jura silencieusement qu’il n’avait jamais connu de tels tourments lors d’un voyage au cours de ses vingt-sept années de vie. Pouvez-vous imaginer le sentiment d’être observé par une bête sauvage avec une telle intensité qu’elle vous saisit le cœur ?

Cet invisible araignée n’a pas attaqué, mais a tissé sa toile infranchissable, l’enveloppant lentement dans un cocon. Lawrence n’était pas sûr du temps qui s’était écoulé lorsqu’une main s’est soudainement posée sur son épaule. Il a levé la tête mécaniquement lorsqu’une voix grave a résonné à son oreille.

“Hé, gamin. Nous sommes arrivés.” Dans son étourdissement, Lawrence a regardé, pour voir une silhouette mince aux cheveux blonds marcher avec assurance le long de l’allée.