Chapter 292 - A More Violent Approach

The sun shone brightly at 8 a.m. The weather had been clear for days. Sunlight slanted through the french windows of the Tulip Antique Exhibition hall, casting a glow on the marble floor. The reflected light was subtle, blurring the outlines of a few people near the window.

This was Exhibition Hall 09, located deep within the eastern main hall. There were only five to six visitors in attendance at the moment. The sparse attendance was partly due to the hall's position and partly because the previous day's incident had made a significant impact.

Aside from those genuinely interested in the antiques, at least half of the attendees had canceled their plans to visit on the third day of the exhibition. After all, no one wanted to be unwittingly caught up in some attack, putting their safety and property at risk.

As a result, the third day had noticeably fewer attendees. Bustling halls were now much emptier, except for the areas housing the most famous antiques. Classical music echoed through the empty halls, bringing an unexpected sense of cold solitude.

"The Spiral Eye Sword," a blond youth in Exhibition Hall 09 murmured under his breath.

A long sword hung on the central wall of the hall, half bathed in sunlight, making it even more distinct. Unlike the large knight swords that could measure up to a meter and a half to two meters in length, the Spiral Eye Sword was only 1.2 meters long. It had a cross-like shape, with its blade taking on a peculiar, flame-like wavy pattern on both sides. The black edges of the blade seemed to ripple, creating a spiral illusion at first glance.

The sword's pommel bore a standard spherical ornament, intended to balance the blade. However, this sphere was shaped like an eye. Though it had been worn by time, it was still recognizable.

Two small, bladed branches extended outward from beneath the hilt, with serrated edges lining them. The subtle grooves carved into the blade made it clear that it was a deadly weapon. The sword also emitted an aura of savage bloodlust.

Cassius carefully admired the sword. Although he specialized in martial arts, it didn't stop him from appreciating the ferocity of cold weapons. After all, he had at least learned one skill, the Midak Cross Sword technique, during his last time-travel. If he really had to use it, Cassius wouldn't be inferior to swordmasters who had trained for decades.

Of course, that applied only to ordinary people. Covert Martial Arts in swordsmanship were another matter entirely. He glanced again at the Spiral Eye Sword before reading the nearby description plaque, only to find it blank. No information was provided.

Cassius headed toward the main hall. Some of the most valuable antiques were displayed in the center of the hall, surrounded by security personnel. Dressed in black, they periodically scanned the visitors with sharp eyes.

Cassius's eyes came to rest on one of the display cases. The glass box contained a palm-sized rectangular container, neither entirely metal nor entirely wood. It had a dull, metallic sheen in the light. The surface was incredibly smooth, without the slightest seam. This was the item the Blood Spirit Society was desperate to obtain: the Kupan Demon Box.

Cassius narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing the gazes cast surreptitiously at him from within the crowd. He also felt the dark aura of a few Blood Spirit Society members in the vicinity. Although the Blood Spirit Society had suffered repeated setbacks recently, with two of its vice presidents falling, their goal remained unchanged. They were determined to obtain the Kupan Demon Box, not just for its function, but because it served as a secret key.

The president of the Blood Spirit Society was determined. Even if it meant sacrificing every Blood Race member in Kura City, it would be worth it as long as he could obtain the Kupan Demon Box. Whether for personal power or the Blood Race as a whole, the president had resolved to use the Berserk Serum, regardless of the side effects.

The Dead Blood Race members sent that morning were mere observers, meant to gauge the situation within the exhibition. Even if they were discovered and killed, it wouldn't matter. The real battle would take place in the afternoon.

Cassius had no interest in dealing with these minor players. The entire morning passed without much action, aside from his occasional thoughts about whether Feng Liusi, who was meditating at the hotel, had achieved a breakthrough.

Saint Feinan was also at the hotel, leaving only Cassius to scout the Tulip Antique Exhibition. His main concern was that some powerful forces might act ahead of schedule. The situation could change in an instant, and no one could predict what might happen.

But just before noon, Cassius ran into an old acquaintance.

When they met in the corner of the corridor between the east and west halls, both individuals stopped in their tracks. The man with the black hair and handsome features, known as Black Peacock, wore glasses today. His gaze was dark and brooding.

Black Peacock's aura became inexplicably ominous as he glared at Cassius.

Cassius spoke first. "What? Didn't get enough of a beating the day before yesterday?"

A slight smile played on his lips.

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Hmph." Black Peacock snorted coldly. His deep voice carried a chilling sense of menace, like an autumn wind. "You're in my way!"

"No, you're in

my

way." Cassius's gaze chilled as he looked at the man he'd beaten before. He had no patience for anyone from the Gate Organization.

The tension between them was palpable, their eyes practically igniting sparks in the air. It felt as if the very atmosphere around them had frozen.

It was as if an illusion appeared between them. Black mist swirled, forming the shape of a peacock spreading its tail, while red mist condensed into a massive blood vulture.

Tap, tap, tap... tap, tap, tap...

A series of footsteps broke the suffocating standoff. They turned to see a group of chattering young men and women walking toward the west side.

"Hmph, I hope your arrogance remains strong this afternoon. I'll pay you back a hundredfold."

Black Peacock spat out before turning on his heel and walking away. He had come to the antique exhibition alone that morning. The recently awakened Blade Demon needed rest, and Purple General remained their trump card.

Though he was being arrogant, he still feared that Cassius and his companions might attack him right there in the exhibition. After all, judging by what had happened last time, these people were perfectly capable of such impulsiveness.

The side effects of using the Secret Technique hadn't yet faded. If he were surrounded by those three again, he would certainly die. After Black Peacock left, Cassius remained where he stood, lost in thought as he watched his opponent retreat.

He rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, "Brave yet cowardly... Has the Gate organization received reinforcements? They have plenty of core members. It's not impossible for them to summon a few more. I need to be more cautious moving forward..."

Cassius could sense Black Peacock's unusual confidence, leading him to make some reasonable speculations, or perhaps inevitable conclusions. The Gate Organization clearly valued this Tulip Antique Exhibition greatly, since they had dispatched Blade Demon Garoro and Black Peacock as the main operatives.

But one was severely injured, and the other had surely paid a significant price during an ambush. How would they complete their objective now? It was certain they would call in other core members from East Sea County.

It was always better to assume the enemy was stronger than they appeared during the preparation phase.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, the temperature became increasingly scorching. The Tulip Antique Exhibition concluded by 11:00 a.m., so Cassius returned to the third floor of the Flower Season Hotel.

Just as he was about to enter his room, he sensed a powerful and oppressive aura within, like a volcano on the verge of eruption, ready to be unleashed at any moment.

Cassius's eyes flashed as he stood outside the door.

A moment later, he sensed Feng Liusi's familiar aura suddenly contract, only to explode like a spring. The sound of wind howled against the door and hissed through the cracks. There was a clattering sound inside, as if something had been knocked over by the gusts of air.

Shriek!!!

The piercing screech of a raptor suddenly echoed in Cassius's ears. His inner energy was stirred by the noise, surging uncontrollably from his pores as it seemingly responded to something nearby. Red mist began streaming out from his sleeves and collar.

This strange situation lasted for about three minutes. Cassius stood at the door the entire time, suppressing the energy within his body.

After five minutes, when he sensed the aura inside had stabilized, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. He walked into the living room and was met with the sight of a completely naked figure. The person's clothes had been shattered by the violent impact of Death's Fang Force, and key areas were obscured by the remaining Qi.

Red streams of energy swirled around the person's nose, moving with every inhale and exhale. It was clear that Feng Liusi’s body now contained an immense and terrifying power.

Cassius noticed that forty-four dark red acupoints were glowing on Feng Liusi's body like stars scattered across the heavens. They flickered in harmony, brightening and dimming in rhythm.

Each set of eleven acupoints represented a stage, signifying Feng Liusi's mastery of the Southern Dipper Red Falcon Fist. Feng Liusi had been practicing this technique for decades. He had experienced rapid breakthroughs, difficult bottlenecks, and even moments of insanity. But now, he had finally reached the fifth stage, where his Death's Fang energy had grown more refined than ever.

No longer a blurry force that pierced through the air, the energy now had a tangible presence, glowing with a blood-red brilliance. Massive amounts of violent energy were coursing through Feng Liusi's meridians, roaring through him like an unstoppable torrent. It was domineering, fierce, and powerful.

Feng Liusi instinctively extended his hand and activated the Southern Dipper Fist Technique. The Death's Fang Force in his body surged forward, forming a red chain with every eleven acupoints, wrapping and twisting around his arm.

Four tattoo-like marks had appeared underneath the skin of his right forearm. When he was still, they looked like red saw chains, but when he moved, they resembled blood-red vipers whose scales shone in the light.

He stood up, feeling slightly intrigued by his newfound strength.

"Congratulations," Cassius said sincerely as he stepped forward.

"Hahaha..." Feng Liusi burst into laughter, genuinely happy. He was about to say something more but suddenly felt a chill across his body. He quickly realized he was still naked. He turned toward the wardrobe to fetch some clothes.

"I'll put something on first, then—" A loud noise interrupted his words.

Crash!

As soon as Feng Liusi touched the wardrobe, the entire heavy wooden structure collapsed instantly with a series of groans, unable to bear the weight any longer.

Cassius casually caught a piece of the shattered wood flying through the air. As he squeezed it between his fingers, he realized it felt soft and crumbly, like sawdust. He rubbed it between his fingers, and the wood fragments fell apart like grains of sand.

The once sturdy wood had been completely decomposed and torn apart. Some invisible force had destroyed its entire structure in an instant.

Cassius raised an eyebrow and, without saying a word, yanked the metal doorknob from the wardrobe door. He tossed it casually toward Feng Liusi, who caught it effortlessly. There wasn't the slightest sign of force used.

But when he opened his palm, the metal knob quietly disintegrated into tiny silver particles, no larger than grains of dust, as if they had been slowly shaved down by a blade.

"..."

Fifteen minutes later, Feng Liusi, now dressed in clean clothes, looked at Cassius.

"I've just made a breakthrough. Come spar with me so I can get used to it."

"Sorry, my stomach hurts. I need to use the restroom," Cassius replied expressionlessly, turning to push open the half-closed door.

"What about Saint Feinan..." Feng Liusi turned.

"Ah, I'm feeling hungry. I'll be back before the auction at one this afternoon." Saint Feinan had already disappeared.

Feng Liusi sat down, feeling somewhat frustrated. He probably shouldn't have shaken hands with Cassius earlier. The fifth stage of Death's Fang energy was as vicious as a school of piranhas. Though he had done his best to suppress it, Cassius’s right hand had had half its flesh torn apart.

It should be noted that Cassius' muscle density was three times that of a combat artist's. His hand was tougher and more flexible than steel. Neither bullets nor small explosions could penetrate it.

Luckily, Cassius had an excellent healing ability thanks to his mastery of the Golem Covert Martial Arts, combined with his training in the Southern Dipper Red Falcon Fist and Death's Fang Force, which had counteracted the damage.

His hand had quickly healed; however, after that, Cassius outright refused Feng Liusi's request for a sparring session, citing that it would be foolish to reduce their combat strength before a real fight.

"Sigh, those two idiots won't help me. Looks like I'll have to try my hand with the Gate Organization or the Blood Spirit Society..." Feng Liusi murmured to himself as he lounged in his chair, half of his body bathed in sunlight. His right forearm still bore eerie, sinister blood-red tattoos.

Time passed quickly, until the afternoon auction of the Tulip Antique Exhibition began.

It was held in the same venue, but not in the exhibition hall this time. Instead, it took place in the building's front hall, which had been arranged like a tiered lecture hall, capable of accommodating quite a few bidders.

Cassius and his companions sat in a secluded corner, sensing the faint but palpable tension and danger simmering beneath the surface of the crowd. Though outwardly calm, dark undercurrents swirled beneath the surface. The long dormant volcano was about to erupt.

Rows of black chairs surrounded the center of the hall. At the far end of the hall, a curved platform was elevated slightly above the floor. Several auction staff members, all dressed in black suits, were busy preparing for the event.

Behind the scenes, numerous antiques, organized and categorized by number, were arranged for easy transport.

As time ticked by, the auction officially began.

The public face of the Tulip Antique Exhibition took the stage for a brief speech. He spoke for about two minutes before stepping down to the sound of enthusiastic applause.

Amid the waves of clapping, Cassius glanced at Feng Liusi beside him and whispered, "What do you think? Can the money we've prepared outbid the Gate Organization or the Blood Spirit Society? That sword looks promising. Maybe we could bid on it, but all I care about is getting the demon box..."

Feng Liusi remained silent for a long while before finally looking at Cassius with a strange expression. "What are you talking about?"

"Hmm?" Cassius raised an eyebrow.

"I don't have any money. I prefer more...violent methods," Feng Liusi replied, his gaze shifting slightly toward the auction platform.

Cassius was speechless for a moment. "When did you become like this?"

Feng Liusi chuckled. "I learned it from you."