Chapter 618: Chapter 618

At the head of the group, Shadow Crane turned to look his way and stood silent for a moment.

"...Everyone, I must relay some unfortunate news. Eye Devil Carlos was confirmed dead three minutes ago."

At those words, uproar swept through the Gate Organization's ranks. Carlos's subordinate faction in particular had expressions of utter disbelief. The three remaining General Kings stared at one another, eyes wide.

"How is that possible?"

"No way, absolutely not!"

Some simply could not accept it, murmuring in blank denial. Find the newest release on novｅlfire.net

"It's true," Shadow Crane sighed, then said, "I was there. I saw with my own eyes as Eye Devil was killed in a single move..."

"Then why didn't you stop that person?! Did you just stand by and watch Lord Eye Devil die?" One of Carlos's loyal subordinates shouted in rage. Blinded by anger, he actually dared to question the First General King. He even dropped all honorifics.

Shadow Crane shook his head calmly, merely stating the facts. His face was grave, and there was a trace of dread in his eyes. "It wasn't that I refused, I simply couldn't. The combat artist's move was too swift and explosive. I drove him back, thinking Eye Devil was safe. However, in that same split-second, Eye Devil was felled by a single punch..."

"Who was that person?!" Death Scythe barked from the shadows. "To kill Eye Devil, even though he was without the Spiral-Eye Sword, is no simple feat! People like that are few in the entire world..."

"It was Simone," Shadow Crane answered quietly, "You heard correctly. Thunder Dog Simone, the prospect Eye Devil tried to recruit during the exchange tournament months ago. Formerly the first core disciple of Cloud Dog Fist, he has since turned to the Golem Sect. He broke through to the combat artist realm with the sect's aid, and by some unknown means, he wielded power equal to a top-tier combat artist in the earlier fight. Eye Devil Carlos, locked in combat with him, was ultimately pierced through the heart by a single fist..."

Shadow Crane paused, then warned. "Judging by his appearance after, he may have borrowed someone else's strength. Otherwise, there's no explaining how a new combat artist like Simone could kill Eye Devil Carlos. Hence I suspect a hidden powerhouse of the Covert Martial Arts world stands behind the Golem Sect. That person's might likely rivals Holy Fist Evil Heart and reaches the pinnacle of ultimate combat artists. The Golem Sect's elites we've seen may all be disciples of that hidden master..."

Based on what information they had, Shadow Crane's assessment sounded reasonable. After all, who would imagine Cassius was an outright cheat? He had leaped from top-tier combat artist to Dominator Fist in such a short span. That was even more absurd than the world-spanning Gate Organization being wiped out overnight after ten thousand years of power!

It should have been impossible. Of course, the analogy underscored how vast and mighty the Gate Organization truly was. Even the sudden fall of one General King could never imperil the entire organization.

"Everyone, stay calm," Shadow Crane said to those around him. "We are not without recourse. Before planning this operation at Black Rain Manor, Holy Fist Evil Heart had already given me a fallback plan."

As he spoke, he drew a crystal disc from his breast pocket and crushed it without hesitation. An eerie ripple coursed through his surroundings.

Outside the Rainy World and beyond the Anta Mountains, two coffins buried in soil instantly exploded, spraying black mud. Two figures radiating dense malice laden with calamity strode slowly through the woods. A dreadful Qi burst forth, sending birds and beasts fleeing over a wide area. Those were two extreme combat artists!

It seemed the Gate Organization's necro-revival techniques had never been abandoned. The organization had prepared thoroughly for this Black Rain Manor operation. Naturally, ordinary members and even other General Kings were unaware of the full extent of their preparation.

Only the First General King, whose status faintly matched Holy Fist Evil Heart, held this trump card. He would wield it only when the moment of crisis required it. Moreover, now was almost certainly that pivotal time.

How could the Gate Organization possibly lose with two extreme combat artists? Thus, brimming with confidence, the Gate Organization's entire force charged into the depths of Black Rain Manor. They made a beeline for the Baptism Chapel.

A tin-can Decaying Knight crashed heavily to the ground, black water gushing from its joints. The Gate Organization troops swept forward swiftly, pooling their strength as one. They sensed top factions from other directions were racing toward the manor too.

Frankly, the sight of the giant hand dragging a second Black Rain Manor from the sky was like a myth. Yet precisely because it seemed like a myth, they subconsciously assumed it wasn't done by a person. Rather, it must be the manor's own transformation. A special revival of Black Rain Manor itself, no? Not a projection of Black Rain Manor revived, but its true body manifesting!

They felt was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. If they could locate the power source of the giant hand, they might be able to seize control of the second manor hanging in the sky!

Greed spread in their hearts. This even sparked a deadly race amongst the factions. Each aimed to hamper the others and claim first prize.

Thus, numerous forces reached the circular perimeter outside the Baptism Chapel. The Gate Organization arrived first, ready to sprint straight at the chapel. However, an invisible, crushing pressure descended, freezing most members where they stood!

At the front, the four General Kings snapped their heads up, staring into the distance. There, a statue-like crimson figure stood atop the meteorite like the sole monarch upon a throne. Faint raptor cries circled him, and an utterly domineering Qi whirled about.

At that moment, the crimson light dimmed and the figure slowly turned his head.

Shadow Crane recognized him at once. "Golem Sect's master!!!"

He had long watched the Eastern Covert Martial Arts scene and so knew well who Eye Devil had been defeated by.

"How can this be!? He was only top-tier before... No, he's been hiding his strength! The Golem Sect's master has been concealing his strength all along! Simone's burst of strength must also have been granted by him! Too deep, hidden far too deep!" Shadow Crane staggered, his gaze flicking back to the giant hand.

"To think something of this magnitude was actually made by a person! Golem Sect's master Cassius has reached the legendary Holy Fist realm!"

"This... wait! I only just notified those two lords a few minutes ago... If they come now, won't they be walking... right into a trap?!"