Chapter 646.5: The "Delusions" of Mortals
Bay Territory.
Underground Laboratory.
The old Swordsman listened to the shrill screams, unfazed by the horrifying scene before him, his gaze instead full of curiosity as he studied the experimental subject nearby.
With incredibly sharp senses, the old Swordsman could clearly feel the creature's brimming life force—and the chaos and distortion of its limbs and organs.
This level of power-bearing vessel was perfect for receiving the mark of a "Monster"!
At first, the old Swordsman had many different thoughts about the scene before him.
He believed Matthew had much in common with some Taoist cultivators and Qi practitioners he'd known.
In order to achieve their goals, they would stop at nothing.
But when the old Swordsman learned of the sins each experimental subject had committed, and Bay Territory's method of dealing with them, he felt a strange shift within.
He thought the approach was indeed a bit cruel, but he greatly admired and approved of Bay Territory's resolute and merciless style.
"Transparency and justice must be upheld. Not letting these criminals off the hook—this level of means is totally acceptable."
Once he'd let go of his mental burden, the old Swordsman began considering Matthew's proposal and method.
After all, keeping these guys around just to suffer endlessly wasn't very valuable.
Better to make them contribute more and atone a little extra for their sins.
However, even though the old Swordsman had accepted the method, he still had some doubts about how to carry it out.
After all, the old Swordsman was highly skilled in combat, but he had never really focused much on bodily modification.
As the old Swordsman carefully selected a suitable imprint host, the sharp screams finally faded into silence.
Matthew walked out of the surgical room nonchalantly. Noticing the Swordsman's gaze, he calmly explained:
"This batch is high-level experimental subjects. Their use is limited now—good for practice."
Faced with Matthew's calm expression, even the old Swordsman couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Suppressing the strange thoughts in his mind, he followed him into the lab.
The dark purple markings on the old Swordsman's arm were beginning to stir.
"It's sensed that its power source has been weakened and is launching its final resistance."
Matthew gauged the current strength level of the Wraith, shrugged casually, and snapped his fingers lightly. A disfigured experimental subject was ushered in.
The immobilized subject had no idea what was about to happen. Its limbs trembled involuntarily.
The old Swordsman exhaled slowly and carefully rolled up the sleeve on his other arm.
A snarling dark brown tattoo was revealed before Matthew.
It was a chubby, oddly smiling face—gentle and warm in shape, unusually friendly.
But the pair of fierce, savage eyes could actually move around like living things.
As they caught Matthew's gaze, they immediately glared back viciously.
Matthew felt a powerful burst of mental pressure hammering at his will.
Fortunately, Matthew's will was like steel. He had a literal Extraordinary Feat that allowed him to easily shrug off the gaze.
Instead, he curiously studied the bizarre face and asked softly, under the old Swordsman's stunned stare:
"What's its name? What special ability does it have?"
The old Swordsman slowly averted his gaze and answered in a slightly sorrowful tone while looking at the smiling face:
"It's called the Malicious Arhat. It triggers negative emotions—especially rage..."
"It draws power endlessly from those emotions, even from unconscious thoughts nearby..."
Matthew nodded. He understood that these kinds of unique monsters always had strange powers and stubborn vitality.
"Malicious Arhat. Evil entity. Challenge Level 25+. Status: (Sealed)."
It was almost impossible to kill such evil entities using conventional methods.
Due to certain rituals, they had fused their sins and thoughts, and by coincidence, gained divine power or divinity—becoming terrifyingly unique monsters.
Matthew didn't continue studying it. There was time later. Noticing the old Swordsman's unsettled mood, he said:
"Since it's misbehaving, let's fix that first."
"Channel the Malicious Arhat's power into the subject. Let it initiate the imprint."
Hearing this, the old Swordsman didn't hesitate. He placed a hand on the twisted subject's head.
The ferocious face of the Malicious Arhat suddenly split into a wider grin.
Its originally evil-filled eyes now gleamed with undisguised greed and malice.
Eerie gray-black aura slowly drifted from the tattoo of the Malicious Arhat and seeped into the subject's head.
Matthew could clearly "see" it—it was a special kind of mental and spiritual power.
Like a virus reproducing, it injected its "lethal gene" into another lifeform.
Thus, the subject implanted with this "seed" began to undergo "unique" transformation.
Those "seeds" were feeding on the subject's vitality.
Matthew allowed the transformation and supplied the subject with abundant nutrient fluid.
The subject's face began to change, and its aura became increasingly eerie.
Neither Matthew nor the old Swordsman flinched. They calmly observed the subject's transformation.
Eventually, the subject's face became a grinning, ferocious visage.
Its gaping mouth revealed two rows of fearsome fangs.
Gray-black light flickered constantly. The entire body of the subject began to transform.
"This is a deeper level of corruption and pollution..."
"Much of the power came from adventurers, but significant data and info were transferred from the Malicious Arhat through the connection."
"Changes in mind and soul can actually trigger intense physical transformation."
"The evil's methods of modifying flesh are truly bizarre and unique."
"..."
Listening to Matthew document the data, the old Swordsman involuntarily twitched his lips. Feeling the pressure on his arm lighten slightly, his eyes revealed a hint of joy.
He saw the subject's aura rapidly rising, and its body and face gradually morphing into that of the Malicious Arhat.
Just as the old Swordsman was about to strike, Matthew raised a hand to stop him.
Matthew saw the subject fully transformed into a "Malicious Arhat Consciousness Vessel" and felt it was quite a gain.
When the monster's challenge level broke through to level 15 and entered the Extraordinary tier—
Matthew clenched his fist. Under the old Swordsman's astonished gaze, a surge of raging thunder pierced through the subject's entire body.
Crack!
The terrifying lightning charred it into a crisp.
Its HP hit zero instantly, and the gray-black malevolent aura was significantly weakened by the thunder.
[Ding! You killed a Malicious Arhat vessel. Gained 10,000 Fate Power.]
From the original 3,000 up to 10,000, the yield of Fate Power had increased considerably.
Matthew gave the Malicious Arhat a thumbs-up. Then, as the evil aura tried to flee and find a new host, he sent in another subject.
And so, the tireless Malicious Arhat spent its own energy to "transform" this horrifying, twisted subject.
Matthew blinked thoughtfully. Under the puzzled gaze of the old Swordsman, when the challenge level hit 16, he swiftly disposed of the subject.
Maximizing every last ounce of value!
Feeling the pressure from the Malicious Arhat decrease significantly, the old Swordsman instantly realized how effective this approach was.
Seeing more subjects brought in, the old Swordsman dropped his reservations and let the Malicious Arhat transform them one after another.
For the Malicious Arhat, constantly unleashing its power was to obtain a stronger vessel.
If it could escape the old Swordsman's grip, it was willing to pay any price.
Matthew and the old Swordsman took full advantage of this, forcing the Arhat to keep exhausting its stored power.
As for the "seeds" it planted, they carried a bit of gambling luck.
But the Malicious Arhat had nothing to lose, so it kept falling for it.
Every time Matthew "finished off" a subject, he destroyed a bit more of the Arhat's source power.
He not only gained at least 10,000 Fate Power per kill but also analyzed the essence to uncover deeper knowledge and data.
The old Swordsman felt strangely lighter. He could even sense the Malicious Arhat's weakening.
As the Arhat weakened, the old Swordsman's condition improved, and the pressure eased.
As for the corrupted "corpses," Matthew disposed of them in an eco-friendly way.
He incinerated them into ash with blazing fire.
After "purification," the ashes were fed into the elemental furnace for the final ignition.
Until the 78th subject died—
The Malicious Arhat had weakened by a full third, and its challenge level dropped to 22+.
Only then did it stop the endless cycle of "investment and sowing" with no returns.
Feeling the Arhat finally yield, the old Swordsman's face lit up with a wide smile.
Watching Matthew signal for a break, he couldn't help but quietly praise:
"Youngsters really do have sharp minds. Bold ideas too..."
Shrugging nonchalantly, Matthew gestured for the relaxed Swordsman to follow, leading him into a dining hall stocked with food.
Seeing the feast laid out, the old Swordsman didn't hold back and dug in heartily.
"You must try this crystal pork knuckle—it's made from pigs raised for a year and a half..."
"This crocodile meat's amazing. Our Bay Territory breeds swamp crocs—it's unbeatable..."
"These boneless chicken feet are even better. Sour, spicy, sweet, refreshing..."
"And don't miss the wheat ale from Bay Territory. Stronger kick, smooth and spicy..."
"..."
Matthew smiled and explained the recipes and the origin and processing of the ingredients.
At first, the old Swordsman didn't think much of it, but soon realized something unusual.
Every food Matthew described—Bay Territory had fully mastered the breeding and cultivation.
That meant Bay Territory could produce these delicacies endlessly.
And with time, their quality and taste would only improve.
The old Swordsman knew Matthew wasn't bragging—he was showing him how Bay Territory operated.
"We're very practical."
After a few rounds of drinks and dishes—
Full and satisfied, the old Swordsman put down his chopsticks and looked at the smiling Matthew, asking with interest:
"Your method's impressive. It really relieves a lot of our pressure."
"So what do you need me to do next?"
Matthew, finally getting to the real point, pointed toward a large open door and led the old Swordsman inside.
There, the old Swordsman saw four or five hundred tall, burly Dragon Warriors.
Though not very powerful, each had a shiny bald head and gave off a solid, imposing presence.
The old Swordsman could clearly sense that their bodies had undergone extensive modification.
What's more, the modifications were powerful and well-fitted, greatly enhancing their physical prowess.
But the curious part—
The old Swordsman could only sense vitality from them, with no trace of any class progression.
What did that mean?
It meant these bald giants had not yet taken a class.
They were clearly selected by Bay Territory for a purpose—to become Swordsmen.
Just then—
Matthew's crisp voice reached the old Swordsman's ears.
"Heh, they've abandoned traditional class paths to become Bay Territory's unique Professionals—Swordmasters and Monks."
Swordmasters and Monks?
The old Swordsman caught Matthew's excited look and gestured for him to continue.
"Swordmasters—specialists in sword technique."
"They focus on honing skill and strengthening willpower, mainly targeting soul-trapping and mind-based evil entities."
"They're extremely 'dedicated'—typically sealing just one evil entity or imprint."
"Monks—specialists in body refinement."
"They train their bodies to be tougher and more resilient, in order to trap flesh-type evil entities."
"They're more 'technical,' better at leveraging the power of evil to temper their own bodies."
"Of course, these two are only supplements to the full 'Swordsman Class System.'"
"Once they reach the Extraordinary tier, they can seamlessly advance into full Swordsmen..."
"Until they fully digest, absorb, and master the evil entity's power—and reach their final class evolution!"
Hearing Matthew lay it all out, the old Swordsman stared at him in disbelief. He couldn't help but lower his voice and ask:
"You mean... you want them to start sealing evil entities from the moment they become Professionals?"
What a mad idea!
What an arrogant thought!
But looking at these incredibly sturdy "mortals," the old Swordsman sensed their robust physiques, powerful vitality, and unwavering wills.
A strange feeling suddenly rose in him:
"Maybe... they really can pull it off?"
"Why can't mortals do it too?"