ushernet Chapter 153 - Third Stage of the Stone Armor Technique
Chapter 153 - Third Stage of the Stone Armor Technique
Chapter 153 - Third Stage of the Stone Armor Technique
Cassius felt his mind tremble and his eyes filled with newfound wisdom. A sense of harmony spread from his head to his limbs, like a vast spider web extended outward, and covered his skin in a thick veil.
Whether it was an illusion or reality, he couldn't tell. However, what he could tell were his muscles and bones becoming more solid, slowly trembling as some unknown change quietly took shape. Ten minutes later, the white steam encasing Cassius's head gradually dissipated, and the blood seeping from his seven orifices slowly dried up.
He opened his eyes, calm, and glanced at the upper right corner.
[Stone Armor Technique: Heavy Armor Major Culmination (Total Two Stages+)]
The words "Total Two Stages" began to blur quickly, as if shrouded in a layer of white mist. A moment later, it gradually cleared up again.
[Stone Armor Technique: Heavy Armor Major Culmination (Total Three Stages)]
The Stone Armor Technique had been upgraded from two stages to three after the Blood of the Spirit's enhancement, but the plus sign had disappeared. It must be an indication that the third stage was the Stone Armor Technique's max, as its fundamental structure could not support higher levels.
The third stage was an upgraded version of the original Stone Armor Technique and was called Rock Armor. It was divided into Rock Armor Minor Culmination and Rock Armor Major Culmination. As the names suggested, the first to third stages were Light Armor, Heavy Armor, and Rock Armor. The third stage, Rock Armor, provided a rock-solid defense.
Cassius thought for a moment as details of the Rock Armor stage surfaced in fragments in his mind. However, the details quickly became blurry, like a dream slipping away upon waking.
Due to the Blood of the Spirit, Cassius made rapid progress in his mental capabilities but that meant that after he exited this near-sage-like state of clarity, much of the information was quickly forgotten.
He immediately went to the washroom to wash the blood off his face before hurrying downstairs to ask the manor's owner, Mi An, for a pen and some paper. He returned to his room.
"Continuous blunt force strikes can effectively accelerate... The best training times are at dawn and dusk..."
Short phrases filled the yellow sheet of paper. Cassius put down the pen after recording a small portion of the information in his mind. This would be useful for training at the Rock Armor stage of his hardening Qigong, but that was something to consider in the future. He wondered if the Soul Power from Black Rain Manor could further enhance his mastery of Rock Armor...
This required further examination. Soul Power was indeed useful for accelerating techniques, but it was also a double-edged sword; carelessness could take him down a dark path. Sometimes, the issue wasn't just the technique itself but also the user's mastery of it. Cassius didn't want to cripple himself by training recklessly.
Closing the notebook, he noticed some subtle changes in the upper right corner again. The entry for "Heavy Armor Major Culmination" looked slightly blurred, as if it was about to change to "Rock Armor Minor Culmination," but in the end, it didn't, and remained clear and steady.
Cassius began to ponder. It seemed that the Blood of the Spirit not only raised the technique's upper limit but also helped to improve his mastery. This might have been because his broadened perspective allowed him to catch a glimpse of the higher levels.
There was no doubt that Cassius wasn't far from reaching the third stage, Rock Armor. With some diligent training, he might even be able to break through on his own.
After his mind gradually calmed down, he began applying a light red ointment to his injuries. It was a special healing medicine made by Mi An and was very effective for treating external wounds. He needed to soak in medicinal baths regularly to treat his internal injuries.
Cassius spread the ointment over his injuries, and a cool sensation immediately surrounded his body. After about a minute, the coolness turned into a fiery, stinging pain.
Fortunately, Cassius could endure it all. After years of the increasingly painful torment of training in Elephant Soul, his pain threshold was quite high. A little sting from an ointment wasn't a big deal.
After applying the ointment, Cassius placed a few items on the table by the window. Golden sunlight streamed through the open window, bringing with it the fresh scent of plants and trees.
He pulled out a bottle, a piece of parchment, and a shard of stone. The last item, the stone shard, was the required target for his Atonement Task, which was just to grab anything from the ruins. Once he handed it over to Black Rain Manor, the chapel would verify it.
Mi An narrowed his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips as he looked at Cassius. "I wouldn't mind. After all, the more people, the less risk. But it's up to you since this will affect your interests."
Outwardly, Cassius's face remained expressionless, but inwardly, he was smiling widely.
His interests? The biggest thing he was interested in was shutting down Black Rain Manor, fulfilling Twilight's lingering attachment, and then returning to reality with the power.
He had already used Black Rain Manor to enhance most of his techniques. The only ones left were the ones that carried significant risks. While he could still enhance them, albeit it being a huge risk, he didn't necessarily have to as he could simply just train harder on his own.
If the Three-Eyed Mad Lion Sect really brought the entire northern Covert Martial Arts community to East Sea County, Cassius's only concern would be the guests' overwhelming power would make them not act according to the host's plan.
However, it didn't affect his core interests. Taking down Black Rain Manor was Cassius's goal, and on that point, they were aligned. If the northern Covert Martial Arts community wanted to obtain the miraculous Soul Power, they would have to destroy Black Rain Manor.
Additionally, Cassius had some cards to play; he still had the pill that could block the manor's perception. If the northern Covert Martial Arts community really intended to attack Black Rain Manor, they'd undoubtedly need the pill to enter the isolated world of the rain.
Cassius could already picture it in his mind—a black carriage leading the way, followed by dozens of steel carriages. Tightly packed inside of it like sardines in a can would be the Covert Martial Arts experts, temporarily rendered unconscious from the pill.
Brothers, we shall take down the manor together!
At that point, Black Rain Manor would be in for a headache, with hundreds of little supermen swooping in to tear down the entire estate!
"Let's do it your way. If the Three-Eyed Mad Lion Sect can really convince the entire northern Covert Martial Arts community to come south and take on Black Rain Manor, I don't need any share of the spoils. The thing I want most is to see Black Rain Manor destroyed!" Cassius said, utterly sincere. It was absolutely true. The original owner of this body, Twilight, deeply loathed Black Rain Manor and in wanting to escape its control, it had led to this series of events in the original timeline.
"I wouldn't ask that of you. I'm just trying to give you a heads-up," Mi An said, taking a sip of tea.
"So, does this mean we've come to an initial agreement?" Cassius also took a sip of tea.
"Yes, we have." Mi An extended his calloused hand. Cassius's eyes flickered, and he smiled as he extended his. The two clasped hands in the air.
"Looking forward to working together,” they said simultaneously.
That very evening after their discussion, the manor in Mirror Lake City was empty. The servants were all given at least a month's leave, and Mi An and Duomo quickly returned to the Three-Eyed Mad Lion Sect's main headquarters. They needed to deliver this news to the sect leaders and start making plans to convince the entire northern Covert Martial Arts community. They needed as many allies on board as possible.
Meanwhile, Cassius took a train back to East Sea County in the south.
He needed to decipher the recipe on the parchment and make more pills. While there was a decent amount in the bottle, it wouldn't be enough if various sects from the northern Covert Martial Arts community joined. Cassius didn't want to waste any potential power when they launched their attack on Black Rain Manor—the more, the better.
In addition, after returning to East Sea County. he needed to make another trip to Black Rain Manor. Even if it was going to be temporary, he still had to complete the Atonement Task to maintain his status as a Hellsing. Plus, Cassius was planning on taking out a huge loan. It didn't matter if he needed it or not—he just wanted to enjoy the thrill of milking the system. After all, he would be turning against them soon.
Moreover, if everything went well, he would likely have to welcome a delegation from the northern Covert Martial Arts community. Smuggling the group into the Rainy World to witness the wonders of Black Rain Manor firsthand would be the best way to convince them. Seeing was believing, after all!
Cassius would probably have to demonstrate Soul Power in action, so everyone could see the effects. Only by bearing witness to its powerful results would those old masters truly be moved. Whether out of desire or greed, they would then participate in the takedown of Black Rain Manor.
The mysterious Black Rain Manor versus the entire northern Covert Martial Arts community of the Hongli Federation. Cassius was curious to see if it could withstand the assault!