ushernet Chapter 256 - Cool Blonde Lady
Chapter 256 - Cool Blonde Lady
Chapter 256 - Cool Blonde Lady
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:
Speed: B (15)
Strength: B (15)
Defense: 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:
Speed: B (25)
Strength: B (25)
Defense: B (25)
"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.
"Mister, can you move a bit? Thanks..." The young man squeezed out of his seat and into the aisle, still holding his black suitcase.
Instantly, he felt better, like the cold had left him. He glanced at Cassius and noticed two empty seats by the window. Slowly, he made his way over.
"Miss, could you let me sit inside, please?" He quickly reconsidered his words; speaking this way to a pretty woman was a bit abrupt. He added, "The seat I was in was a bit too cold, and there are two empty spots here..."
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the cool-looking blonde woman next to him shift slightly, making room for him to pass through.
He quickly hefted up his suitcase with a smile and slid into his seat, happily beginning his second leg of the journey. Lawrence silently swore to himself that he had never experienced such torment on a journey in his twenty-seven years of life. Could you imagine the feeling of being watched by a wild beast so intensely that it grips your heart?
That invisible spider didn't attack, but spun its unbreakable web, slowly wrapping him into a cocoon. Lawrence wasn't sure how much time had passed when a hand suddenly rested on his shoulder. He raised his head mechanically when a deep voice rang out in his ear.
"Hey, kid. We've arrived." In his daze, Lawrence looked over, only to see a slender, blond-haired figure walking confidently down the aisle.