Martial arts have become extinct worldwide, yet I am forced to have a large family.

"Still not giving up?" Caesar spoke softly, with a hint of condescending pity:

"Even if you know who the leaker is, what can you do about it?"

"You can no longer change anything, nor can you... change your fate from now on."

As it spoke, the sixth-realm space-type demon let out another low growl, and the surrounding scenery instantly distorted and blurred before becoming clear again.

Another space transfer has been completed.

Yang Xian felt waves of cramping pain coming from his abdomen, and every breath aggravated his wound, but he stubbornly refused to utter another groan of pain.

"What will you do to me next?" His voice was hoarse. "I think, as an experimental subject about to be studied, I at least have the right to know my fate, right?"

"Of course, I always respect every research subject." Caesar shrugged.

"Your future is simple: you will spend the rest of your life on our testing platform."

"Contribute every inch of your body's value to the future of humanity."

He paused, as if he had thought of something interesting.

"To be honest, our original plan was just to invite another test subject back for a visit. But compared to you, she still falls a little short. You... are the perfect one!"

Another test subject...

Yang Xian thought for a moment, then blurted out, "You mean... Bai Chuyi?"

"Heh, you are indeed very clever," Caesar admitted without any attempt to hide it.

The original plan for security was indeed simply to kidnap Bai Chuyi, who had a special physique, from Principal Huang.

But a month ago, through a special channel, they unexpectedly learned the shocking secret that Yang Xian was able to ignore the "curse of martial arts extinction".

The value of this news far surpasses that of Bai Chuyi!

As a result, the entire plan was immediately overturned and started over.

The Glory Society spared no expense, utilizing its long-hidden informants in China and even capturing an extremely rare sixth-realm spatial-type monster, all to ensure the success of this operation.

"However, you've reminded me..." Caesar's gaze returned to Yang Xian, now tinged with sarcasm:

"As experimental subjects, all you need to do is keep them alive so we can conduct our research..."

"There's absolutely no need to have such great strength."

Before he finished speaking, Caesar's dagger reappeared, this time aimed at Yang Xian's joints and vital points in his dantian.

He intends to cripple Yang Xian's cultivation!

"Pfft!"

The first cut precisely pierced Yang Xian's shoulder blade, the tip of the blade twisting and crushing bones and meridians.

A sharp pain instantly swept through Yang Xian's body. His body trembled violently, veins bulged on his forehead, and large beads of sweat rolled down his face.

But he clenched his teeth tightly, refusing to let a single sound escape his throat.

"Oh?" Caesar raised an eyebrow in surprise. "To be able to endure such pain, you truly deserve to be the perfect test subject the organization has chosen. I hope you can maintain this backbone in the future."

"Fuck you..." Yang Xian finally couldn't hold back his urge to curse, "If I even flinch in pain today, I'll acknowledge you as my father!"

"You have guts! I admire you!" Caesar laughed even more heartily.

Elena, standing to the side, watched the bloody and cruel scene unfold before her, her body trembling uncontrollably, her lips drained of color from fear.

She was afraid, genuinely terrified.

But at the same time, a strange sense of admiration was growing wildly in my heart.

Although she had not personally experienced how painful the process of a cripple's cultivation was, she had seen detailed records of it in the sect's scriptures.

That was torture powerful enough to break any ascetic!

But Yang Xian, a young Chinese man of similar age, was still able to curse loudly even after taking the first knife wound.

This willpower has surpassed the scope of her comprehension.

Immediately following was a deep sense of regret and helplessness.

Such extraordinary talent and unwavering will should have allowed her to shine the brightest on the path of martial arts.

But after today, he will be completely useless.

With its foundation so severely damaged, even if it manages to escape by chance and is healed with countless rare and precious herbs, it will likely be difficult to return to its former peak.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

After an unknown amount of time, Caesar finally stopped what he was doing.

At this moment, Yang Xian lay on the ground covered in blood, his limbs twisted at an eerie angle, his dantian completely destroyed, and he could no longer feel the slightest flow of true essence.

They can't even move a finger.

"Sir, should we also..." the subordinate asked cautiously.

Elena closed her eyes in despair.

Is it finally my turn?

The scene of Yang Xian being tortured was still vivid in her mind; the muffled sound of bones breaking made her heart clench with each one.

Although the knives didn't fall on her body, the mental torment she endured was just as unbearable.

Despite her fear, she couldn't afford to disgrace the Exorcism Cult. "Bring it on! I won't utter a sound!"

"No need." Caesar took out a clean white handkerchief and slowly wiped his hands.

"We're not some heinous villains."

"We are all part of humanity and are all contributing to the fight against the invasion of monsters. There is no need to go too far."

He gave Elena a gentle smile.

"Miss, please rest assured, I will personally send someone to take you back safely in a few days."

"Yes! You are absolutely right, sir! You are so kind!" The Chinese subordinate quickly bowed and echoed.

Damn, this smiling tiger is so unpredictable and terrifying!

He mentally groaned, "Being with this bunch of lunatics is like constantly teetering on the brink of death!"

In reality, the reason Caesar didn't touch Elena was simply because she was one of the key bargaining chips in the deal between the Glory Society and the Exorcism Cult.

If you damage your chips, you won't get a good price for them!

……

After the final spatial transfer, the surrounding environment finally stabilized.

The group arrived at a secret outpost built inside a mountain. The surrounding area was made of cold metal walls, giving it a high-tech feel.

A dozen or so men in grey robes were already waiting there. When they saw Caesar appear, they immediately bowed.

"grown ups!"

"Prepare to activate the long-distance teleportation array!" Caesar ordered without a word of preamble. "We must get our distinguished guests away safely before those old fogies in Southsea City can react!"

With Yang Xian successfully led out of the city, only the final and simplest step remained in the entire plan.

That is to activate the large teleportation array that was prepared in advance and teleport Yang Xian to a place completely outside the territory of the South China Sea City.

By then, the sky will be high and the sea wide, and even if the higher-ups of Nanhai City wanted to find him, they would have nowhere to go.

Moreover, the spatial rift defense line of South Sea City is now in dire need of action, and they dare not, nor do they have any spare manpower to send out in pursuit.

Everything is already set in stone!

"Mr. Yang Xian!"

Elena, bound to the ground by vines, struggled to move closer to Yang Xian, pleading, "Hang in there! Someone will come to rescue us, you have to hold on!"

Yang Xian opened his mouth with difficulty, and a faint breath escaped from his chapped lips: "I...I'm fine."

That casual "It's okay" completely shattered Elena's mental defenses, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

fine?

How could nothing be wrong!

His body was pierced, his cultivation was destroyed, and he was tortured beyond recognition. Now he barely has the strength to speak.

Even at this point, he was still trying to comfort himself.

This Chinese man, who was just brimming with confidence on the ring, effortlessly thwarted his strongest attack with a mere wave of his hand...

How could he... how could he be treated like this!