Chapter 291 - Explosive Kidney Technique

Scalding heat and an indescribable sense of vitality coursed through him. Cassius could distinctly feel that things were different when he circulated the Golem Covert Martial Arts. His breathing rate, blood circulation rate, and heart rate all resonated with each other, generating a unique life magnetic field within his body.

This life magnetic field had grown especially intense after this breakthrough. It spread through his body like rippling water. It was as warm and gentle as a spring breeze. The altered magnetic field swept through every corner of his body, and concentrated on his kidneys. He could feel a faint swelling sensation, as muscle fibers twitched and caused an itch, which was soon overpowered by heat.

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Cassius had long known that practicing the Golem Covert Martial Arts would gradually cause his organs and tissues to evolve to a level of strength that surpassed human limitations. For instance, the density of his muscle fibers was three times that of an ordinary combat artist, which was a clear result of the unique nature of the Golem Covert Martial Arts.

Now, the fourth transformation was about to take place. The signs had long been quietly accumulating within him, and now, that accumulation was finally erupting and fully revealing itself.

Cassius was not about to miss this opportunity. He maintained his steady stance as he continued to circulate the Golem Covert Martial Arts within his body and allowed the life magnetic field to repeatedly wash over his cells and tissues.

The heat coursing through his body surged like tidal waves, spreading to every inch of his skin. His skin turned red all over as sweat poured down like beads, dripping from his forehead and temples onto his black training pants and soaking them through.

In the shadowy half of the room, three spots on Cassius’ waist glowed in succession, one of them dimmer than the others. But as time passed, that spot gradually brightened. It was unclear how much time had passed, but his entire body suddenly trembled, and blood flowed from his nose and mouth.

The blood was exceptionally hot and a deep crimson, completely unlike normal blood. It resembled a thick, viscous mixture of lead and mercury, exuding an inexplicable sense of purity, as if it contained immense energy. The smell of blood filled the air, swirling around the room.

Another four to five minutes passed, and Cassius slowly opened his bright eyes, stretched his shoulders. He then closed his eyes again to sense his body. His body felt more energized, as his cells brimmed with abundant energy. His muscles, bones, and blood vessels had all been further strengthened.

But what stood out most was his new kidney!

As he sensed it, his eyes opened in surprise. Its function was not at all what he had imagined! This kidney wasn’t meant to assist the others; it was designed to explode! A literal explosion inside his body.

Originally, Cassius had thought that the Three Kidneys was meant to process waste faster, enhance endocrine functions, and stabilize bodily fluids, making him more resilient to toxins and harsh environments. But this kidney didn’t have any of those functions.

It could hardly be called an organ at all. It was more like a sack full of unknown glands. Apart from its shape resembling the other two kidneys, its internal structure was completely different.

These glands were the third kidney’s true purpose. The glands contained a substance similar to adrenaline, though much more potent. Cassius called it the dark creature’s adrenaline, something that ordinary people could never use.

Even a tiny amount of this hormone could cause someone’s heart to stop and make them bleed from every orifice. Only a non-human physique could withstand it. This third kidney was full of such glands!

Cassius could detonate it, which would flood his body with all the hormones in one massive surge. In that moment, his physique would receive an extraordinary boost, with his speed, strength, and reflexes all skyrocketing to overwhelming levels.

The Golem Covert Martial Arts was a secret technique that focused entirely on physical strength. It had no frills, pushing purely for bodily strength. At the combat artist level, martial artists began to tap into Qi, a force that combined essence, energy, and spirit, which was a natural extension of the human body. Martial artists would generally lean towards training and fighting with this Qi, making physical strength less critical by comparison.

Cassius was a perfect example of this. After breaking through to the level of an experienced combat artist in Qi, he had sparred briefly with Feng Liusi. He estimated his chances of winning at around 40 to 60 percent.

The young, peak-state Blood Fist had already surpassed the realm of veteran combat artists, reached the level of a top-tier fighter, and was not far from that vague, ultimate pinnacle.

In terms of physique, Cassius was at least fifty percent stronger than Feng Liusi. Yet, despite his many tricks, he still couldn’t win. He estimated himself to be on the threshold of top-tier fighters. It was worth noting that when he first became a combat artist, he had been able to defeat veteran combat artists. Now, despite progressing significantly in all areas and reaching the level of a veteran in Qi, he still fell short of Feng Liusi.

As he continued to ascend the path of a combat artist, the importance of physical strength diminished further, while Qi became the main focus of training. Both Feng Liusi and Saint Feinan had reminded him of this.

Cassius had always understood this, but he couldn’t help but wonder: what if his physique became so strong that it surpassed all previous records? If being fifty percent stronger wasn’t enough, what about being twice as strong? Or three times as strong? The force of a punch was the most basic and purest form of power. It had no fancy tricks; it was just pure, overwhelming strength.

While four ounces could not move a thousand pounds, what about a thousand tons? Combat between martial artists wasn’t like machinery—it couldn’t cancel out such extreme force. Even if physique was less important than Qi, it was still the second most crucial factor in battle and could be the deciding element.

Suddenly, Cassius realized he had been going down the wrong path. As a combat artist, mastering Qi, the fifth limb of the body, was vital. But the original four limbs were just as important.

His core technique, the Golem Covert Martial Arts, was all about physical training. Cassius was forever tied to bodily enhancement, while combat artists trained Qi. Why not develop both paths at the same and advance down both roads to their fullest extent?

In an instant, his thoughts became crystal clear. Ideas for techniques that combined physical strength with combat skills began to spark in his mind.

After a few minutes, Cassius started to study his body again. The third kidney that had emerged was now a new trump card for him. Its function was to unleash an explosive burst of strength, amplifying his already powerful physique. The ideal scenario was to use this in conjunction with the Golem state, which would be his most formidable form. Cassius didn’t know whether he could kill a combat artist with a single punch now, but he was eager to find out.

The Tulip Antique Exhibition auction would conclude that afternoon, so all sorts of shady figures would inevitably appear. The trio would be facing a significant challenge, and this breakthrough had bolstered Cassius’s confidence.

He reached out and pressed lightly against his burning waist. The kidney that had been altered by the Golem Covert Martial Arts Secret Technique would likely take a long time to recover once used. He then pressed a hand against his right side, feeling the steady, powerful beat of his Golem heart. This was his second life, and he hoped he wouldn’t need to rely on it in the upcoming battle.

As the light of dawn spread across the city, a faint golden hue bathed everything. Lush green plants outside the window radiated vitality. A row of gray sparrows perched on the branches, seeking mates.

A sudden bang rang out in Room 104 on the third floor of the Flower Season Hotel.

Feng Liusi had been forced back three steps by a single fist. Though it had just been a casual spar, he had almost shattered the floor beneath him. He steadied himself and looked at Cassius with a bit of surprise. "Your strength seems to have grown again. It feels like there's an obvious improvement every time we spar. What strange Covert Martial Art are you practicing...?"

Feng Liusi shook his head, lowering his arms, which were slightly numb, and noticed a red imprint on his skin.

"How's the power? That was about seventy percent." Cassius replied, pulling back his fist and opening the curtains.

Sunlight flooded the room, as a serene blue sky and white clouds appeared in the window.

"If you went all out, this physique of yours would give me quite a bit of trouble, especially with your strength. Each punch would likely leave my muscles and joints numb. Though I could neutralize some of the impact through technique, it would still leave me at a disadvantage," Feng Liusi calmly analyzed.

"Hmm." Cassius listened carefully before adding, "What if my strength doubled? Could you still block my guard with one punch?"

He casually picked up his breakfast from the table.

"Double? That wouldn’t just break my guard. My bones would likely be shattered," Feng Liusi mused. "A gap like that would create a chasm. I'd have no choice but to evade with skill and experience. Why are you asking all this?"

"I had a breakthrough yesterday and gained a new trump card. Its effect is roughly what I just described." Cassius didn’t hold back, revealing his advancement.

He wasn’t foolish; their final battle was nigh, so why would he keep things secret from his teammates? Hiding his strength only to show off at the last minute? Knowing each other's strengths was key to victory. If Feng Liusi or Saint Feinan made wrong decisions because they weren’t aware of Cassius’s capabilities, that would be a disaster.

Besides, this was the era of time-travel. Cassius wasn’t concerned about his secrets leaking out. He’d already told Feng Liusi and Saint Feinan about his life vibration energy, so why be cautious about an explosive one-time trump card?

"Can it really double your strength?" Feng Liusi was slightly taken aback. If that was true, their upcoming battle would become significantly easier. Feng Liusi was on the verge of his own breakthrough, and Cassius's news gave him even more confidence for the afternoon.

Cassius nodded as golden sunlight lit him up from behind. "Absolutely. So, if anything unexpected happens, don’t hold back. Feel free to remind me. I’m always prepared to explode and catch our opponents off guard."

"Got it." Feng Liusi smiled confidently. The anxiety in Saint Feinan's heart also dissipated considerably.

***

Choo~~

The distant sound of a train whistle echoed through the station. A boxy train clattered down the tracks, its brown-yellow body swaying slightly as it slowed to a halt amidst clouds of white steam.

When the doors opened, a black leather shoe stepped out with a sharp click on the hard platform surface. A tall, slender man, dressed simply in casual pants and a white shirt, stepped down onto the platform. The top button of his shirt was undone, revealing his muscular chest.

The man carried nothing with him except a purple ring on his finger. His face was strikingly handsome, with slightly curled hair, but his expression betrayed a strange, languid fatigue.

His weary gaze scanned the platform until it found a man in a suit leaning on a cane almost hidden in the shadows. Their eyes met, and the man in the suit slowly approached, stopping five meters from the train doors.

"It’s been a while... Purple General."

***

Meanwhile, at the not-yet-begun Tulip Antique Exhibition.

A black car leisurely made its way down the street, entering the newly restored square. None of the patrolling security guards stopped it. Ten seconds later, the car came to a halt in the open space.

Inside the exhibition hall, an elderly man with white hair, dressed in training attire, stepped out, followed by the core disciples of the Cloud Dog sect.

The car door opened with a click.

Amidst the respectful greetings of "Sect Master", a gray-haired man stepped out of he car. He was powerfully built, with his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing bronzed muscles. His bulging arms bore faint, visible veins, like concrete pillars.

His commanding gaze swept over everyone present as he spoke in a slow, measured tone, "I am very disappointed in you. Especially you... Oro."

The old man’s eyelids twitched, but he remained silent.

The sect master continued, "From now on, I will handle everything. Once this is over, you will report to the main sect for punishment."

"Yes." The old man didn’t dare to defy him.

***

At the same time, in a villa near the antique exhibition.

A man dressed in a black tailcoat stood on the third-floor balcony, sipping red wine. His fingers gently swirled the thick liquid, which churned like blood.

It didn’t look like alcohol at all, but more like blood.

The man seemed lost in thought, standing there quietly for a long while. He suddenly spoke to the air, "No changes to the plan. We must secure the Kupan Demon Box this afternoon."

"Yes," came many replies from the shadows.

"Strange... Why do I feel uneasy? Could it be that I’m scared just because those two fools died?" The man muttered to himself, his lips stained the color of fresh blood from the wine.

He stood in place, pondering for a moment longer, before pulling out a vial from his coat. Unlike Vice President Adam’s thumb-sized bottle, the one in his hand was as thick as half a wrist.

The liquid inside was so dark it was almost black. It radiated a sense of danger and eerie allure, like a potion capable of intoxicating any who beheld it.

The man gently tapped the vial, listening to the liquid slosh inside, and inexplicably smiled. No one could stop him from obtaining what he wanted. Since the Cloud Dog Sect had thwarted him so many times, he would kill them all.