Chapter 354: A Win-Win Situation

Amos raised his head and glanced at Cassius, realizing that the other man wasn't joking—he was dead serious!

The Evil Eye Fist was the most famous Covert Martial Arts sect in Wenxia County, with a history spanning several centuries. For the past fifty to sixty years, it had been part of the Eastern Nine Sects alliance, and along with the other eight sects, they had reshuffled the Eastern Covert Martial Arts world of Hongli Federation. Over the course of three generations, the Evil Eye Fist Sect had always maintained the consistency of having two skilled combat artists: an elder sect master and a new sect master. Even within the Eastern Nine Sects, it held a middle-to-advanced level of strength.

Cassius wanting to destroy the Evil Eye Fist Sect would undoubtedly be a challenge. The difficulty wasn't because Amos doubted Cassius' power—he knew firsthand the terrifying strength of the blond man after their recent battle. Cassius was on the verge of surpassing even top-tier combat artists, nearing the level of an extreme combat artist. Unless one was at the Holy Fist level, no one could truly take Cassius down.

Especially given his formidable physique and terrifying resilience, it would be much harder to kill Cassius than to defeat him. Amos calculated that if two of him fought against Cassius together, they might be able to defeat him, but to kill him? That would likely require at least three or four masters of the same level to ensure success.

This clearly showed the depth of Cassius' strength as a combat artist.

In contrast, while the Evil Eye Fist Sect had not followed the downward trend of the rest of the Covert Martial Arts world, its overall strength had merely plateaued. If Cassius were to seriously target the Evil Eye Fist Sect, they probably wouldn't be able to withstand it.

However, the Evil Eye Fist was a part of the Eastern Nine Sects. Although the sects had their own internal conflicts and rivalries, they still functioned as a collective alliance, united to protect their shared interests. If one member of the Eastern Nine Sects were destroyed, regardless of the cause, the remaining eight would likely band together to oppose Cassius. They would likely send many combat artists to maintain their image and authority.

This would represent the collective strength of most of the Eastern Covert Martial Arts world! No matter how strong Cassius was, even he couldn't fight them all off alone. He would find himself overwhelmed, facing immense troubles and being ostracized by the entire Covert Martial Arts community.

Unless...

Unless Cassius had a powerful force backing him.

For example... the Black Ops Agency.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Amos narrowed his eyes, picking up the cup of red tea from the table. He gently rubbed the rim of the porcelain cup, taking a sip of the warm tea as his mind began to process the situation.

In fact, the Black Ops Agency, as the official supernatural force of the Hongli Federation, had long been wanting to intervene in the Covert Martial Arts world. The Covert Martial Arts community was the largest gathering of supernaturals worldwide. Despite the constitution and talent requirements of Covert Martial Arts, anyone could train in it, making it a vast pool with many strong practitioners emerging over time.

Unfortunately, while the Covert Martial Arts world had a tacit understanding with the government, occasionally cooperating on certain matters, it was still highly exclusionary and resisted any government interference. The Black Ops Agency had tried multiple times over the past few decades to gain influence, but every effort had quickly failed before achieving significant results.

Thus, the Black Ops Agency and the Covert Martial Arts world maintained a strange relationship. The Agency closely monitored and collected intelligence on the Covert Martial Arts world, but couldn't take action. Meanwhile, the Covert Martial Arts world continued to operate independently, rejecting external interference.

As Amos quickly ran through this information in his mind, he immediately saw the potential. Cassius targeting the Evil Eye Fist Sect, a member of the Eastern Nine Sects, could be a golden opportunity for the Black Ops Agency to intervene in the Eastern Covert Martial Arts world. Cassius, a top-tier combat artist, was like a sharp sword that could pierce into the heart of the Covert Martial Arts world, causing chaos. The Black Ops Agency could be the hand holding that sword, taking advantage of the ensuing disorder.

Sometimes, opportunities and dangers come hand in hand. Destroying the Evil Eye Fist Sect would indeed draw the collective ire of the Eastern Nine Sects, but it could also be a chance to make a name for oneself in the Eastern Covert Martial Arts world. Though the Eastern Nine Sects officially controlled the Covert Martial Arts world, there were still forces resisting them in the shadows.

Even within the Eastern Nine Sects, there were internal conflicts and rivalries.

If, at this moment, a powerful combat artist like Cassius were to rise and challenge the authority of the Eastern Nine Sects, many smaller sects might choose to rally behind him, abandoning the Eastern Alliance and joining the opposition. Coupled with the Black Ops Agency's support, providing manpower, resources, and backing, it wasn't impossible to stage a fight against the Eastern Nine Sects.

If luck favored them, this could even lead to a power balance within the Eastern Covert Martial Arts world, with two major factions vying for control. The Black Ops Agency would then have achieved its goal of influencing the Covert Martial Arts world.

This way, the Agency could gain access to a large number of mid-to-high-level fighters. If they maintained a good relationship with Cassius, they could even recruit Covert Martial Arts experts for important missions. Especially in the six counties of the East, they would essentially have a back garden to operate in freely.

With the support of the Covert Martial Arts world, the supernatural community would naturally fall in line.

Amos, as the experienced administrator of the Black Ops Agency, still retained his sharp mind even in his younger, more arrogant state. Just from Cassius' intent, he had already deduced various future possibilities and how the Black Ops Agency might benefit from them.

This was the thinking of a truly qualified administrator.

"Evil Eye Fist... I've encountered their Covert Martial Arts before. They pose no threat to me. I could destroy them with a flip of my hand!" Cassius sneered cruelly. "As for the potential reactions from the Eastern Nine Sects, I've anticipated them. I'm not afraid of them..."

"I've been waiting to test the Covert Martial Arts of these Nine Sects for a long time."

His expression turned cold once again, his eyes as dark as ink.

A true combat artist never fears battle. The more they fight, the faster they improve. Every clash with an equal-level opponent—every punch, every kick—serves as nourishment. Every wound inflicted, every life taken, only strengthens their fist techniques, transforming their willpower.

Cassius' desire to wipe out the Evil Eye Fist wasn't just because of Feng Liusi; it was also an opportunity to refine his own combat techniques. While he was skilled, his techniques weren't a major strength compared to his powerful physique and Qi.

Of course, Cassius couldn't be blamed for this. After all, he had only been training in Covert Martial Arts for a few years. Even with frequent battles, he couldn't yet match the experience of fist masters who had been honing their techniques for decades.

So, Cassius planned to do what he did during his previous time-travel attempt: challenge all the Covert Martial Arts sects in Wenxia County that had combat artists. However, this time, it wouldn't just be limited to Wenxia County; he intended to expand his challenge to include the entire Covert Martial Arts community in the Eastern Covert Martial Arts world. Using them as stepping stones, he would hone his fist techniques and trigger the resonance state between the two Southern Dipper Covert Martial Arts styles he had inherited.

In doing so, his body's acupoints would break through quickly during combat.

It's important to note that there was a precedent for this. Before Cassius challenged the Covert Martial Arts sects in Wenxia County, his Southern Dipper Red Falcon Fist had only opened four acupoints. After completing the challenge, he had directly advanced to the second stage with eleven acupoints.

His rapid progress was proof that improving through battle was the correct path.

Even though back then, he had the advantage of just starting his training, there was the unexpected factor of going mad in his cultivation. But now, Cassius had the amplification of the resonance from two Southern Dipper fist techniques, so the circumstances were not too different.

Perhaps that period of rapid advancement could happen again in the real world.

This was all part of enhancing his own strength.

As for why Cassius had openly declared to the Black Ops Agency's administrator that he intended to wipe out the Evil Eye Fist Sect, there were naturally other reasons behind it.

Amos had already guessed these intentions.

The Black Ops Agency wanted to use Cassius as a wedge to drive into the Eastern Covert Martial Arts world. Cassius himself wanted to be that wedge too.

He had just completed the gate-opening ritual for his physique, and his Golem Qi had surged, allowing him to create more demon seeds and develop a powerhouse. It would be a shame not to decisively exploit this unique advantage.

After all, his potential for growth was impressive, and his foundation for improvement was strong.

If he could cooperate with the Black Ops Agency at this time and gain the support of official power, his force might truly soar to new heights. Expanding his power would also benefit Cassius himself, giving him more resources to face the mysterious Gate organization.

As for whether the Black Ops Agency might betray him after, Cassius wasn't worried. All such concerns stemmed from a lack of strength. As long as his power was sufficient, everything would remain calm. No underhanded tactics would ever be put on the table.

Cassius had confidence that he could maintain a relatively good cooperative relationship with the Black Ops Agency and not just be used as a pawn.

With his time-traveling ability, Cassius considered himself a chess player.

And not just any chess player—one with a cheat.

Now that he had resolved the downside of the Shadow Demons, he was already planning to gather a large number of legendary antiques with lingering attachments, using time-travel to further enhance his strength.

This way, he could firmly establish himself in the real world where undercurrents surged.

If his current combat power wasn't enough to be a top-tier combat artist, then he'd become an extreme combat artist!

If that wasn't enough, he'd become a Holy Fist!

He believed that with his unparalleled talent and constitution, far exceeding that of ordinary people, his willpower, and the blood and sweat he'd shed along the way, he could reach the pinnacle of Covert Martial Arts.

Not to mention, his time-traveling ability offered him some additional assistance.

He was certain that he could stand at the top of the Covert Martial Arts world, turning the tides with a wave of his hand!

In the living room, the two men sipped tea as they exchanged their opinions.

There were no cryptic riddles; they spoke frankly and openly. The essence of the discussion was sincerity—how should they proceed? How should support be provided? Both Cassius and Amos laid it all out clearly.

Though both of them might have had deeper motives and potential benefits in mind, there were no traps in the specifics of their cooperation.

They maintained a certain level of harmony and friendliness.

After all, both Amos and Cassius had the ability to flip the table and go solo if necessary. It would just be far more difficult.

Working together would eliminate many obstacles and challenges.

It was a win-win situation, benefiting both of their core interests.

So, the negotiation went smoothly. Cassius and Amos talked until midnight, still full of energy.

The red tea in the living room teapot had been changed four or five times.

Each of them stated their key demands, and they reached a framework for cooperation, with the details to be worked out later.

Afterward, Amos began telling Cassius about the Saint Ice Sect.

This was a unique sect from Laurent County, located in the northern part of the Hongli Federation, in a remote and frigid area. Due to the harsh environment, the number of disciples in the Saint Ice Sect had always been low.

At its peak, there were only around fifty or sixty members.

At its weakest, there were as few as one or two disciples.

The combat artist Saint Feinan, whom Cassius had mentioned earlier, had been recorded by the Black Ops Agency, and as the administrator, Amos had seen those records. Saint Feinan was a veteran combat artist who had trained in the Sacred Ice Ten Thousand Cold True Art. He was elusive and not very active in the Covert Martial Arts world.

So, there wasn't much detailed information about him.

Amos shared some of what he knew, much of which Cassius already understood, as he had once been in close contact with Saint Feinan. However, one piece of information caught Cassius's attention—Saint Feinan's fate.

According to the records, Saint Feinan didn't die of old age or in battle; he simply disappeared. He vanished in the icy pass of the Montu Mountain range. This disappearance was rumored in the secret manual of the Sacred Ice Ten Thousand Cold True Art from the Saint Ice Sect. This ancient martial art had been passed down for over a thousand years, long before the imperial era.

However, the Sacred Ice Ten Thousand Cold True Art was incomplete, missing a crucial part. The secret manual stated that the lost portion of the technique was located in the far north, beyond the icy pass of the Montu Mountains. After mastering the art to the highest level, Saint Feinan ventured into the far north to search for that one-in-a-million path.

As for whether he lived or died, it was likely the latter. After Saint Feinan's disappearance, he was never seen again, leaving no trace.

The Black Ops Agency had learned of this due to its involvement in an operation related to the Gate organization in Laurent County.

Amos didn't tell Cassius much about that particular operation.

"Disappeared after entering the far north, huh?"

Cassius made a mental note and then recalled what Amos had said earlier about the current state of the Saint Ice Sect. Like many other Covert Martial Arts sects, the sect had declined. Although it hadn't disappeared like the Red Falcon Fist, it only had a handful of members left. This was part of the overall weakening trend in the Covert Martial Arts world.

Additionally, the conditions required to train in the Sacred Ice Ten Thousand Cold True Art were incredibly harsh. The sect's decline was foreseeable.

"These days, there should already be relatively affordable and complete refrigeration technology. There's no need to rely on natural cold environments anymore. The Saint Ice Sect could try training in an ice storage facility..."

Cassius let his thoughts wander. After a moment, his gaze sharpened again, and he exchanged a few more words with Amos. With that, their conversation came to an end.

Amos quickly left the meeting hall, disappearing into the darkness.

He had to return to Benny Street to avoid causing further panic among the Black Ops Agency officials. Cassius, meanwhile, slowly returned to his room. He pulled a bloodstained secret manual from his chest.

The cold moonlight streamed through the French windows at an angle.

The room remained dim, as no lights had been turned on.

Sitting cross-legged on the carpet was a blond youth, and to his left was a black shadow that looked exactly like him. The shadow had a manual in front of it, slightly damaged, with creased edges.

In the gentle moonlight, four large characters were faintly visible on the cover:

"The Black Demon's Hand"!