Returning to the Mysterious Era

Chapter 316 - Embrace Of Death

"Let's hurry. The entrance to the fourth level is not far ahead..." The scaly monster spoke in a familiar tone. Its hideous appearance became even clearer as it ambled within a meter of Cassius.

It was a humanoid creature covered in blue scales resembling those of a fish or snake. Two beady eyes squeezed together like nostrils, glinting with greed. Tentacles protruded like tree roots from its back joints and drooped down. It emanated an inexplicably slimy and sticky feeling, accompanied by a foul stench of decay.

These two ugly creatures perfectly embodied Cassius's sense of disgust, like a collection of all the elements he detested.

Rottenness, stench, stickiness, slipperiness... Tentacles, scales, fish, snakes...

"That's just freaking disgusting!" Cassius couldn't hold back as he watched the scaly monster squeezing closer to him.

Bang!

The tunnel wall suddenly shattered as a muscular, veined hand grabbed a head and slammed it fiercely against the rock. It was swift and brutal. He acted decisively without the slightest hesitation.

The scaly monster's head was indeed tough. Even though it had been struck by such immense force, it only deformed slightly instead of exploding on the spot. Its limbs flailed wildly, as if still capable of resistance. When the tentacles on its back wriggled like snakes, a vein throbbed at Cassius's temple and anger surged within him.

He gripped the monster’s head forcefully. His right hand became like a mallet as the hardened muscles swelling exaggeratedly. His five fingers flexed like an eagle's talons as they dug deeper into the monster’s head. He started to slam the scaly monster's head into the wall with increasing force.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The tunnel echoed with booming sounds as dust swirled. The repeated blows on the same spot started to form a deep mold of the monster’s face on the wall.

Crack!

The scaly monster's tough neck finally collapsed under the repeated slams. The headless corpse fell to the ground, while the head remained perfectly embedded in the wall's recess.

Cassius inhaled sharply, his right palm still bearing the nauseating sliminess from earlier. His fist punched a head-sized hole in the wall, opposite the previous cavity.

Turning slightly, he saw the second scaly monster, which had impersonated Saint Feinan, frantically fleeing. The tentacles on its back flailed like a panicked, comical octopus.

Three seconds passed.

Bang!

The second head found its rightful place. Since it was forcibly pressed into the wall, the fit was excellent. It looked as if it had grown out of the tunnel wall.

"These two creatures aren't very strong fighters. They just have tough bodies and bones. Even Feng Liusi and Saint Feinan should be able to handle them alone," Cassius concluded briefly, quickly connecting the behavior of the two scaly monsters.

"An illusion?"

Earlier, the scaly monsters had clearly disguised themselves as Saint Feinan and Feng Liusi. They had even imitated their voices. They perfectly mimicked the auras that Cassius sensed. It was only when the Rune of Wisdom on his chest lit up that Cassius had seen the ugly and disgusting true forms of the impostors at a glance.

Hu...

The surrounding mist flowed as if alive. Cassius waved his hand casually, feeling something odd. However, his Golem lungs showed no reaction as he breathed in the air, indicating that the mist contained no toxins or hallucinogenic substances.

Perhaps its only function was simply to obscure vision?

He rested briefly and took out the Book of the Devil from his bosom. He quickly scanned the Ouroboros Zone of the third level of the Akaba Ruins, locating a crucial, unavoidable path. Cassius turned and disappeared into the mist.

***

A dozen minutes later, somewhere in the Ouroboros Zone...

Gray mist billowed in the tunnel. Only the white cold flames extending from the top burned quietly. A blond figure stood at an intersection, holding a map as if studying something. Not far down a passage, two steady footsteps approached.

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

The newcomers appeared—it was Feng Liusi and Saint Feinan.

"Cassius!" They seemed pleasantly surprised but had a hint of doubt in their eyes.

They stopped, and Feng Liusi said, "Five minutes ago, we also ran into a Cassius. But it was a bizarre illusion! Its true form was a humanoid creature covered in scales and tentacles. It was quite formidable in combat. After death, it dissipated into black smoke after a while..."

"So?" The blond youth looked up with a smile from a dozen meters away.

"So keep your distance for now. We don't know if you're another illusion by that humanoid creature."

Saint Feinan spoke up suddenly from the side.

"Heh heh... You think I'm an illusion? I think you're the illusions." The blond youth chuckled deeply. His eyes blazed as he looked at them. "I actually have a better way to test authenticity. If you can survive my fists, you're real. Otherwise, you're fake. I think this method is great. Simple and efficient..."

As he said the word "simple," the youth suddenly vanished. By the time he said "efficient," he had appeared behind Feng Liusi and Saint Feinan like a ghost. His arms spread outward sharply, as if doing a stretching exercise.

Then they closed in with a whoosh, like terrifying hydraulic clamps.

"!!!"

Feng Liusi and Saint Feinan tried to dodge, but they were a step too slow and were forcibly pulled into an embrace of death by immense strength.

Crack, Crack...

Scales, skin, muscles, and bones all shattered together as their bodies were folded inch by inch into two pieces. When they finally fell to the ground with a thud, their original hideous forms were revealed.

Cassius stepped on a head, grinding it forcefully into the ground. He looked down at the dim Rune of Wisdom on his chest.

Cassius had encountered seven or eight such scaly monsters in the past dozen minutes. The first two times, the Rune of Wisdom had activated to allow him to see through the non-human appearances at a glance.

Later, the Rune of Wisdom lost its effect. The less than one unit of essence of calamity remaining inside was completely consumed. Hence, Cassius couldn't easily determine the identity of those approaching anymore. Moreover, these scaly monsters didn't follow a consistent pattern; they changed each time.

At first, they pretended to study a map, slowing their steps. Then, they pretended there was something strange in the tunnel, splitting up at a turn. Then, they acted as if they were following the map's directions and reached the unavoidable entrance to finally meet Cassius.

Their acting was exceptional, even setting up a backstory—crying thief to catch a thief. They claimed they had previously encountered an illusion disguised as Cassius and wanted him to prove his identity. Truly a step-by-step technique.

Fortunately, although Cassius didn't have a detective's keen observation, he was rather straightforward when situations were unclear. When in doubt, he acted directly by dishing out an iron fist.

If someone could survive his instant burst of power, they were real. If not, they were fake. This wasn't recklessness but based on Cassius's deep understanding of his companions' abilities. Feng Liusi and Saint Feinan were top-tier combat artists. How could they not take a single punch from him? Don't be ridiculous.

His actions seemed rash but were actually bold and meticulous. Cassius glanced at the two corpses on the ground before returning silently to his original spot, watching as the scaly monsters turned into black ash.

This was the unavoidable path to the entrance of the fourth level. He had rushed here at full speed, confident that he was faster than Feng Liusi and Saint Feinan. By standing guard here, he could determine if anyone approaching was real or fake with a single punch.

Time passed quietly as the white flames atop the rock wall flickered. The gray mist carried an eerie atmosphere. Perhaps it was due to being near the entrance to the fourth level, the mist here was noticeably thinner.

Five minutes later, a series of footsteps echoed in the previous tunnel. The gray mist was gently stirred by three figures. Cassius, Feng Liusi, and Saint Feinan rounded the corner and appeared on the unavoidable path. They immediately saw the figure blocking the way, golden hair fluttering like flames.

Feng Liusi's expression suddenly changed, a fierce light flashing in his eyes. He abruptly spread his hands, like the powerful wings of a soaring bird of prey. His fingers curved inward like iron claws!

Swish! Swish!

Two dazzling red arcs flashed left and right in the air. Amazingly, Feng Liusi had struck out in an instant, grabbing the two companions he'd been walking with and lifting them up.

"So, two impostors who can't even dodge my speed—die!" He lightly swiped down with all ten fingers.

The struggling "Cassius" and "Saint Feinan" widened their eyes in shock. A crack appeared on their necks as black gas gushed out.

Thud, thud...

Two bodies and two heads thudded to the ground.

Just as Feng Liusi looked up, he saw the blond youth suddenly spring forward. His soles hissed against the ground, leaving two black scorch marks. His momentum was fierce and swift.

His entire being radiated an unstoppable, domineering aura. His body soared into the air, right foot spinning like a top. As the toe grazed the wall, it drew a blur of sparks. This attack was nearly full strength—absolutely real!

"Good lad! Thinking the same as me! Hahaha..." Feng Liusi laughed loudly. His legs suddenly trembled as he propelled himself forward like a spring-loaded projectile. Displaying astonishing flexibility and explosive power, he took a few quick steps and spun into a sweeping kick.

His long leg became an iron whip, striking fiercely.

Boom!

First, an explosive sound.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Then came the crackling of firecrackers. Two blurred figures rapidly exchanged blows, like a pair of elephants rampaging through the tunnel. Hoarse bird cries faintly echoed during the clash.

Boom!

Two straight punches collided heavily in mid-air. Feng Liusi and Cassius each retreated several steps—one flexing his fingers, the other rubbing his wrist. Then they exchanged smiles.

And so, two figures stood side by side on the unavoidable path.

Another four or five minutes passed, and all was quiet around them. Only the almost tangible mist flowed over the cave walls, making a rustling sound like gravel rubbing together.

Tap, tap, tap...

The footsteps of one person gradually approached from the distant tunnel. A long-haired man rounded the corner, holding a map. He was handsome and had an elegant demeanor. It was Saint Feinan.

When he reached the unavoidable path, he noticed Feng Liusi and Cassius leaning against the tunnel walls like guardians. Saint Feinan walked over quickly without the slightest sense of caution, looking puzzled as he said, "Half an hour ago, did you..."

Whoosh!

The blond figure, arms crossed and leaning against the wall, moved in an instant. His attack was explosive, accelerating like a cannonball. Muscles contracted and expanded as his entire arm swung out, tearing through the air with a whistling whoosh.

The swing was like a javelin, fiercely piercing toward its prey!

"You!" A trace of astonishment flashed across Saint Feinan's face. He never expected Cassius to attack outright. Hastily, he threw a punch to block.

The two collided, but Cassius's punch was too fierce and powerful, instantly breaking through Saint Feinan's guard. The remaining force struck his chest. Saint Feinan grunted as he flew backward. He spun in midair until he landed and stumbled back several steps.

"Cassius, are you crazy? Why did you suddenly attack me?" His agitated tone carried a hint of anger.

Opposite him, the two figures remained calm. Cassius, who had thrown the punch, turned and looked at Feng Liusi leaning against the wall.

"He couldn't take the hit. It must be a scaly monster in disguise."

"Agreed," Feng Liusi straightened up. "Then let's kill it..."

His words were brief but laden with intense killing intent. He was like a butcher in a slaughterhouse, his heart unmoved as he raised and lowered the knife.

Buzz...

As the two figures walked slowly through the mist, dangerous red Qi emanated from their bodies. Their faces were steely, eyes locked onto the uncomfortable Saint Feinan not far away.

Their boiling murderous intent surged like roaring waves.

"What the hell is a scaly monster? What illusion?" Saint Feinan involuntarily stepped back two paces. Though he didn't know what was wrong with Cassius and Feng Liusi, he was ready to flee immediately. He drew the Spiral-Eye Sword from his back, which instantly activated. Its outline swirled with black wave-like flames.

"Hmm? An ancient martial treasure?" Feng Liusi raised an eyebrow.

"Spiral-Eye Sword? So it's really him? Impossible. Then how did he fail to take my punch just now!" Cassius didn't believe it. He advanced directly into close combat. "Stop pretending, you ugly thing..."

Bang!

Fist and sword shadows flashed and vanished.

Two minutes later, Cassius awkwardly pressed both hands against Saint Feinan's back, transmitting life vibration energy to heal his external injuries.

He recalled their earlier conversation.

"How did you not manage to take that punch from me?"

"I used my sword."

"Then, why didn't you fight back with the sword..."

"Did you give me time to draw it?"

"Fuck!"