Chapter 341 - Combat Techniques Level Up

Whoosh!

Without any flashy techniques or eye-catching opening moves, Cassius simply raised the purple spear in his hand and threw it at Adam. An instant later, Adam's chest was pierced through.

It was like a knife cutting through butter. It moved like lightning, leaving no chance to dodge.

By the time Adam realized he had been struck, he was already flying backward. A spear was lodged in his broad, armor-like chest. The Roaring Sonic Gun didn't just pass straight through his body. Instead, after penetrating his body, it sent dense branches into his muscles. It frantically grew within Adam's body like the roots of a banyan tree.

A burly figure over two meters tall traced a parabolic arc in the air. Purple lines appeared on his twisted, muscular chest, resembling glowing spider webs. The lines flickered slightly, then suddenly flared brightly.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Art is an explosion. Adam, the Vice President of the Blood Spirit Society, transformed into purple fireworks in mid-air as the Reverberating Force infused into his body erupted violently. It was like hundreds of grenades detonating simultaneously. Purple light mixed with blood formed a lightning tree several meters tall.

The air shook wildly, turning into gusts that blew away sand and dust on the ground. They battered Cassius's strong chest, but couldn't shake his rock-solid physique.

A black fragment of bone the size of a baby fell from the purple light with a

thud

. It was still smoking as it rolled behind the courtyard wall.

"Again!" In the raging wind, Cassius suddenly gestured with his hand. His palms gently brushed each other before his chest, conjuring another purple spear out of thin air. The chain-like Reverberating Force coiled like a scaled serpent at the end of the spear, exuding a deadly menace.

Whoosh!

He swung his right arm, and the Roaring Sonic Gun flew straight out. It streaked through the air with a purple tail flame, smashing the courtyard wall with a whistle. It blossomed into a lightning tree in the ruins.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

In the next second, three more purple beams bombarded the area one after another. The continuous explosions felt like a barrage of rocket fire. Light and heat sparked everywhere, with rubble and bricks flying all around. The conflagration sounded like a giant roaring in madness.

Cassius slowly lowered his hands, his palms emitting wisps of white smoke as if they had been roasted. At the second stage of the Southern Dipper Sonic Snake Fist, he could fire five Roaring Sonic Guns in quick succession. Each shot was comparable to a rocket bombardment.

Moreover, the Reverberating Force within had a special effect against dark creatures. It was a move of considerable power and destructiveness. However, it had a significant consumption. Cassius's actions had nearly drained more than half of the Reverberating Force from his body's eleven acupoints. One could say the consumption was proportional to the power.

Additionally, he noticed that the Roaring Sonic Gun wasn't very stable, but perhaps that was due to his proficiency level.

If it went beyond ten meters from his body, there was a chance it would collapse and explode on its own. At fifteen meters, the self-destruct probability was fifty percent. It simply couldn't fly beyond twenty meters without exploding. It couldn't serve as a long-range method like a sniper rifle. It could only be used for mid-range or short-term bursts during sieges to cause explosive damage.

Cassius pondered for a moment, then stepped toward the building ruins. His soles left clear footprints on the layer of dust created by the brick and stone structures that had been shattered by the wild explosions.

Dozens of meters away, a pool of blood slowly wriggled like a living thing in the crevice between two buildings. It looked very weak but it was still alive.

Tap, tap, tap...

Footsteps gradually approached through the dust and mist. The blood seemed to sense something and desperately wriggled downward. Most of its body had shrunk into the crevice, leaving only a fingertip-sized tail in the open.

Tap.

But a black boot stepped on the tail, preventing further escape. The golden-haired youth bent down and slowly reached into the crevice.

The Indestructible-Rank Deadblood truly lived up to its reputation after having reached the third stage with no physical weaknesses. It had survived Cassius's five consecutive shots after taking a Berserk Serum.

Last time, Feng Liusi, Saint Feinan, and Cassius had surrounded Adam before engaging in battle. His survivability was evident. In fact, if Cassius had activated the Golem life magnetic field, it would have been much easier. But he had wanted to test the power of his newly comprehended Southern Dipper Sonic Snake Fist Secret Technique, so he didn't immediately go for the kill.

Therefore, Adam had survived. It was just as well. Cassius needed to understand many situations in the real world fifty years after the time-travel era. He needed information on the Blood Spirit Society, Gate Organization, and so on.

He was confident he could pry some useful information from Adam's mouth with the Golem life magnetic field.

Twenty minutes later, a tall, slender figure stood quietly in the open square of Shuiyun Hall. He slowly raised his hand, and gray-white powder slipped through his fingers like flowing sand.

Fifty years ago, fifty years later. The time-travel era, and the real world. Adam, the Vice President of the Blood Spirit Society, ultimately couldn't escape the fate of turning into ashes and dust. His death was swift and decisive!

Cassius even felt a bit sorry for the guy. How could he always run into him? Perhaps it was fate...

Cassius seemed to have quite a connection with the Blood Spirit Society. He sighed. Perhaps due to the intertwining of eras and people, he felt a bit sentimental and wistful.

But Cassius grinned broadly after checking his body. He had Indestructible-Rank life vibration energy, four or five Undying-Rank life vibration energies, and dozens of Decay-Rank ones.

The lowest Decay-Rank ones were useless to him but he could find a good time to reward others with them. The Undying-Rank ones were somewhat useful and could be stored for now. They were quite suitable for evolution, healing energy or simply as rewards. But the Indestructible-Rank one was an extremely precious cultivation resource for Cassius. Just one could increase his Golem Covert Martial Arts Qi Embodiment progress by a few percent.

He liked to see tangible power increases, so he used the Indestructible-Rank life vibration energy right there on the square. It was the most active, vast, and fiery one.

His breathing, heartbeat, and blood frequency finally stabilized itself. The Golem life magnetic field struck the life vibration energy from Adam, smashing it into sparks that spread throughout his internal organs, muscles, and bones.

It brought a burning sensation; his blood vessels, joints, and skin all felt a tingling soreness. A stream of alternating hot and cold air flowed through his body, darting under his skin. Cassius was already used to this. He simply opened his eyes and looked at the upper right corner, where the progress bar appeared.

[Golem Covert Martial Arts: Qi Embodiment 50.9% (Total Three Stages)]

The last digit after the decimal point began to blur and flicker, clearly indicating a gradual increase.

When that watery blur completely disappeared...

[Golem Covert Martial Arts: Qi Embodiment 50.9% (Total Three Stages)] → [Golem Covert Martial Arts: Qi Embodiment 53.5% (Total Three Stages)]

A total increase of 2.6% in skill progress, which was expected. Previously, when Cassius absorbed Indestructible-Rank life vibration energy at around 20% and 30% of Qi Embodiment, it increased by 5% and 4% respectively. On one hand, it's because the Golem Covert Martial Arts becomes harder to improve in later stages. On the other, the first absorption of Indestructible-Rank life vibration energy is the most effective, with subsequent enhancements diminishing. Now, at 50% of Qi Embodiment, absorbing the Indestructible-Rank life vibration energy for the fourth time, it was naturally not too dramatic."

Calming himself slightly, Cassius made some self-comparisons. He compared his current capabilities to those of typical veteran combat artists.

Speed: B (46) → B (25)

Strength: B (50) → B (25)

Defense: B (51) → B (25)

Qi: B (54) → B (35)

Technique: B (40) → B (20)

His Qi had slightly improved, but there was no significant change in physique for the moment. The most remarkable improvement was in technique. Originally, his technique had just been twenty. Now, it doubled all thanks to the Qi world of the Ultimate Fist in the Akaba Ruins.

Cassius had been trained and beaten by the old man for half a year. Although it was tough, he had enjoyed it immensely. After all, he was sparring with an Ultimate Fist! Even if it was just a lingering attachment of an Ultimate Fist's Qi, it was still an Ultimate Fist, an existence above combat artists!

Cassius had benefited greatly, and additionally mastered another Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance, the Southern Dipper Sonic Snake Fist for his Cold Persona. He had effectively compensated for his shortcomings in techniques and moves.

Otherwise, Cassius wouldn't have been able to, just a few days after returning to the real world from the time-travel era, comprehend a move like the Roaring Sonic Gun based on the framework of the Southern Dipper Sonic Snake Fist.

It was an accumulation. He was now fully qualified to create secret techniques and Covert Martial Arts.

Suddenly, footsteps approached rapidly from the edge of the square.

"Master Wind Elephant, most of the Duststorm members have been dealt with. Some middle-level cadres chose to surrender and have been captured by us." White Bird was covered in blood and torn clothes. However, he wasn't seriously injured.

Cassius snapped back to reality and nodded slightly. Suddenly, he extended his palm and gently patted White Bird's shoulder. "Well done. I don't need to tell you what's next. Proceed according to plan..."

"Go on, clean up the aftermath inside and outside Shuiyun Hall..." Cassius watched calmly as White Bird departed.

Though he had called it a plan, it was actually quite simple. He needed to lure the Ace of Spades' Leader and Deputy Leader, those two old guys, to Fengnan City, and eliminate all hidden dangers once and for all.

What happened at Shuiyun Hall was significant, and the destruction of Duststorm was no small matter either. The Two Jokers would most likely come.

Later, he would have Ray from the Psychokinesis Association secretly add fuel to the fire. The Black Joker would surely not suspect anything and eagerly jump into the trap. If the Black Joker stepped into the light, would the Red Joker be far behind?

Cassius was calculating in his mind, but his thoughts drifted to another matter. He had forced some information concerning the Gate Organization out of Adam. It was also quite fresh, considering it happened just today.

Over half an hour ago, Adam had met with a core member of the Gate Organization cloaked in a black robe named Jilan. His intention was somewhat strange. He wanted detailed information on the population density distribution of cities in Beiliu County, including ratios of men and women, ages, and health conditions.

As a dark creature group that had long entrenched in Beiliu County, the Blood Spirit Society had naturally analyzed the tastiness of their food. Perhaps they had done so at a greater level of detail than the official data of the Hongli Federation. After all, they were the real predators.

The event seemed ordinary, but Adam's speculation and Cassius's associations made it unusual. According to Adam, the core members of the Gate Organization all held secrets. Every so often, their strength would significantly increase out of nowhere. Adam, as a Dead Blood and Deputy Leader of the Blood Spirit Society for many years, had gradually noticed a few clues. Since the Gate Organization's core members had often come to Beiliu County to visit the Blood Spirit Society with whom they had cooperated before, Adam had a vague suspicion.

Perhaps the secrets held by the Gate Organization's core members were related to the information about population density they've always been requesting?

Of course, this was just a guess and didn't represent the actual facts. However, it gave Cassius some inspiration.

Gate Organization, core members, Threefold Gate...

Their purpose in collecting Gate Fragments might be simply about getting stronger? The Gate Fragments could make them stronger! So what means and methods did they employ to become stronger?

Cassius kept pondering.

They had captured Black Peacock and Purple General, two core members of the Gate Organization in his last time-travel. They had revealed some useful information, but didn't disclose the most critical content. He wasn't sure if it was to save their lives or for other reasons.

Some of the information Black Peacock had volunteered was useful for the current situation. First was the identification of core members of the Gate Organization: one was the Devil's Eye mark branded on the right shoulder through special energy; the second was the Blue Tear Eye and Fragment Exploration Compass personally made by the organization's leader, Xiadu.

The third was the Gate Fragments. The core members of the Gate Organization generally relied on these three features to confirm each other's identities. Since the Gate Organization was actually quite loose and mysterious, its members were not just in the Hongli Federation but also in the other two major powers and even across the world.

Some members might never meet each other while others would conceal their identities due to their status, hiding their whereabouts.

So sometimes, when undertaking a large mission, the Gate Organization members temporarily gathered from a large nearby area might not know each other. The only person they all knew was the leader.

The man called Xiadu...

Cassius stood in place, thinking carefully.

First, the person with the Devil's Eye mark on their shoulder. He could control his muscles and use bruises and veins to create a similar visual effect. Unless it was touched or examined closely, it would be hard to distinguish.

Second, the Blue Tear Eye and Exploration Compass. He had just taken out Peacock two days ago and had acquired those items.

Third, the Gate Fragment. Coincidentally, he happened to have one.

Didn’t that mean he was a genuine core member of the Gate Organization?!

He just needed a codename. Wind Elephant? No, no, Peacock—it'll be Peacock.

Gate Organization, core member, Peacock Cassius, done.

Now he could go and fool people.

As luck would have it, there was a core member of the Gate Organization named Jilan staying in Fengnan City. Exchanging information and bonding among companions should be quite normal, right?

And so...