Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

Xilun stopped three steps away.

"You are more useful alive than dead."

Wang Huzi paused for a moment.

Xilun said calmly, "Go back and tell the people at the docks that Little Azure Dragon died at the hands of Balk, and Balk died in the sea monster's counterattack. You pirates took advantage of the chaos to loot some scrap metal and didn't see anything."

Wang Huzi's eyes flashed rapidly.

He got it.

The Golden Knight didn't want to reveal the true gains of the night.

Especially the death of Balk should not be linked to the Brotherhood too quickly.

Wang Huzi's throat bobbed.

"What if someone tells?"

Xilen glanced at his soaked boots.

Wang Huzi froze.

The water seeping from the soles of the boots suddenly turned cold, feeling like fine needles were slowly seeping into the bones along the soles of the feet.

The sensation was extremely faint, yet it made him afraid to move.

Xilun said, "The Greywater River flows into the sea, and the sea flows into the open ocean. You will have to get your hands on water eventually."

Wang Hu Zi remained silent for a few breaths, then suddenly tucked his curved sword back into his waistband.

"clear."

He spoke slowly, "I haven't seen you tonight."

Xilun turned and left.

Wang Huzi stood there until the black figure disappeared into the depths of the rain before realizing that his back was soaked with cold sweat.

In the distance, in the river bend, people were still struggling beside the overturned boat.

Wang Huzi did not rush to the rescue.

He looked down at the puddles at his feet, his eyes filled with a gloomy and complicated expression.

Pirates' lives are worthless.

But his own life is very valuable.

Before today, he thought the most dangerous things on the Greywater River were naval gunboats, third-tier powerhouses, and the nobles hiding behind the docks.

From today onwards, there will be one more name on this list.

Weston.

He spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and muttered under his breath, "Damn the Golden Knight..."

The wind and rain swept through the desolate forest.

Siren continued north along the towpath.

He didn't turn around.

A man like Wang Huzi will not easily submit, but he will remember the pain.

As long as the fear is fresh enough, the pirates will actually help him cover up some traces in the short term.

As for the future.

tell you later.

Xilun raised his hand and pressed the leather bag on his shoulder, a calm contemplation appearing in his eyes.

Balk is dead.

Little Green Dragon is dead.

The remains of the Water Spirit and the heart of the Water Beast have been obtained.

But this is not the end.

If the facilitation potion for third-order aberrants is truly as described in the formula, it requires not only the main ingredients, but also a complete set of auxiliary materials, a ritual environment, a mental stabilizing agent, and a sufficiently safe window for administration.

The Tusol family might have.

But the family wouldn't give it to him for no reason.

Even if they give it to you, they will definitely plant chains in the potion.

Siren doesn't like to entrust his life to others.

Rainwater dripped down the brim of the hat.

He looked towards the north area, his steps steady, like a knife just pulled from the bottom of the water.

When Siron returned to the Brotherhood's mansion, it was just before dawn.

The mornings in the North District are always shrouded in a layer of gray haze. Black smoke from chimneys mixes with the damp air, sewage accumulates in the cracks between the cobblestones, and early risers hunch their shoulders as they hurry toward the factory. The wheels of horse-drawn carriages roll over the mud with a dull thud.

The two gas lamps in front of the mansion were still lit.

Rod didn't sleep.

He was dressed in a dark butler's uniform, holding a pocket watch in his hand, standing in the shadows of the porch.

Seeing Xilun approaching from the street corner, he immediately closed his pocket watch and hurried forward to meet him.

"Young Master."

Rhodes's gaze swept over Xilun's hem, cuffs, and boot soles.

There was no obvious bloodstain.

But the faint smell of the river couldn't fool him.

"Prepare hot water and seal off the training shed in the backyard. Have Kusso lead two teams to circle the outer streets to check if there are any tails."

Xilun handed over the purse, "Don't open it."

Rhodes caught it with both hands, his expression slightly serious.

This bag is not heavy.

But after Xilun uttered those three words, it seemed to turn into a branding iron in Rhodes's hands.

"clear."

He didn't ask any further questions.

A good housekeeper knows when to shut up.

He walked through the foyer and went straight into the backyard.

Rain dripped from the eaves in thin lines, and the training shed still smelled of iron shot, gun oil, and leather.

Kusso quickly led his men to seal off the surrounding area, and Rod personally brought hot water, clean clothes, incense for cleansing the mind, and two bottles of tranquility potion.

Half an hour later, Celen changed his clothes and sat in front of the fireplace in his study.

The fire burned very steadily.

The rain outside the window gradually subsided, leaving only fine raindrops sliding down the glass.

The handbag was placed in the center of the desk.

Xilun unfastened the clasp and took out the items one by one, arranging them according to their level of danger and value.

The remains of the water spirit.

Green scales.

The heart of a water beast.

Easily digestible pharmaceutical formulation.

Balk's ledger.

Three bottles of untouched cleaning agents.

Two extraordinary crystal fragments.

There was also a palm-sized black iron box with the old Tusol family symbol engraved on the inside of the lid, but half of it had been scratched off with a knife.

Rhodes stood opposite the desk, his breath catching slightly as his gaze fell upon the water beast's heart.

The heart was placed in a transparent, sealed jar, soaking in a pale blue liquid.

Even though it had already left the body, it still slowly contracted as if it were alive, with fine lines appearing on its surface, like natural marks left by water flowing on a stone wall.

"This is……"

"One of the main ingredients for the Tier 3 Aberrant Potion."

West End Road.

Rhodes' pupils contracted.

The room fell silent.

Third order.

These two words carry completely different weight in the North District.

A second-tier extraordinary being is enough to control a street, a dock, or a medium-sized gang.

Third-order aberrant individuals can sit at the real decision-making table in most factions, and even nobles are willing to reach out to recruit them.

Xilun is now able to kill Balk and is almost invincible in the second tier.

But as long as he remains at the second level, there will always be an invisible ceiling pressing down on his head.

The Tusol family, the Whispering Choir, the Armed Insurgents, the Ironblood Society, the Black Death Cult—all the real games require a third-tier entry.

Rhodes took a deep breath.

"Is the young master preparing for a promotion?"

"That's still a long way off."

Xiren picked up the recipe.

The paper was treated with waterproof wax and had severely worn edges, indicating that it had been examined by Balk many times.

Easily digestible agents.

The name sounds mild, but it actually represents the most dangerous hurdle when a Ripper crosses the line into a Mutant.

The second-tier Ripper enhances physical strength, health, speed, and explosive power.

Those with third-order aberrations begin to experience fundamental changes in their bodies.

This change is not simply about becoming stronger, but about moving people closer to a non-human form.

The role of the medication is to give this distortion direction, controllability, and tolerability.

Without facilitating agents, forcibly breaking through will result in anything from losing control to turning into a monster.

Xiren had seen some incomplete records of the Tusol family.

Many of the losers didn't even leave their names; they were only referred to in the classified files as "Aberration No. 1" or "Out-of-Control Sample No. 3".

He didn't want to be a case study.

"The heart of the water beast is only one of the main ingredients."

Xilun pointed to the formula, "We also need seven auxiliary materials, two stabilizers, a ritual array, and a safe environment that will not be disturbed for at least three days."

Rod immediately fetched paper and pen.

Xilun read the contents of the recipe in a slow voice.

"The heart of the water beast has been obtained."

"Three bottles of dust-removing agent, used for the initial purification of deformed impurities, have been obtained."

"Blue-veined bone meal, at least twenty grams."

"Three deep-sea salt crystals."

"One bottle of active silver vine juice."

"Brain extract from sleepless individuals, half an ounce."

"Red Moon Lizard tailbone, six segments."

"The molting skin membrane, a complete sheet."

"Tranquility Potion, high purity, twelve bottles."

"Purify the mind with incense, at least twenty-four sticks."

"Psychological anchors need to be in long-term contact with the user."

Speaking of which, I once attended an extraordinary gathering where they mentioned the need for a material called the Holy Spirit Tree Root.

This recipe doesn't include it.

Do different formulas require different ingredients?

Xilun shook his head, not thinking about it further.

He felt the recipe was highly accurate, after all, Balk was willing to take such a big risk to collect the water beast's heart.

Besides, he would try to verify it himself!

As Rod wrote, his brow furrowed more and more.

Some of these materials can be purchased gradually through the black market, while others require special channels and may even involve church bans.

Brain marrow extract from insomniacs.

The molting skin membrane.

Just from the name, you know it won't be clean.

"Young Master, if we go through the family..."

Rod stopped mid-sentence.

Xilun glanced at him.

Rhodes lowered his head. "I misspoke."

The Tusol family certainly has access to these resources.

But that's where the problem lies.

What your family gives you is never free.

Xilun is now rising in the North District, mastering life magic, and has connections with Lund, the Ironblood Society, the Link family, and the Armed Riot Party.

The Tusol family's tolerance of him stemmed from both his value and their sense of control.

This balance will change once he attempts to advance to the third rank.

What will Patriarch Austin think?

What will the Third Elder, Oin, think?

What would his close associates, who always saw him as a potential threat, think?

They might administer medication.

However, certain conditions must be met after administering the medicine.

Loyalty, marriage, mission, surveillance, or some other more subtle form of bondage.

Xilun doesn't need anyone else to decide the direction of the aberration for him.

There is no need to hand over the key to the Tussor family when the promotion is at its most vulnerable.

"From today onwards, the Brotherhood will secretly gather these materials."

Xi Lun said, "Don't make all the purchases at once, don't use the same middleman, and don't let anyone see the complete formula."

"Yes."

Rod quickly wrote it down.

"Blue-veined bone powder and deep-sea salt crystals are sold through the black market by sea. Have Rena contact the middlemen on the old shipping routes; the price can be 10% higher, but it must be in batches."

"Ask the Link family for the active silver vine sap. Don't mention the potion, just say the Brotherhood needs to treat the contaminated wound."

"Red Moon Lizard tailbone, possibly available at the Moon Lake Trade Fair."

"Do not touch the skin membrane of those who are shedding their skin or the brain extract of those who are insomniac for the time being."

Rhodes looked up.

Xilun tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"These two items are too conspicuous. Anyone who rushes to buy them is practically telling everyone they're aiming for Tier 3."

The fireplace flames made a slight popping sound.

Suddenly, Rod asked, "What about Balk's ledger?"

Xilun picked up the secret ledger.

Balk is a knife.

A knife doesn't become sharp out of thin air.

His residence, ships, hunting plans, dust-removing agents, access to the Ironscale, and the formula for the facilitator all required money, connections, and someone to give his approval.

The ledger may not contain the real names of those behind the scenes, but it will certainly leave traces.

"Make a copy."

Xilun said, "It was originally sealed away. The copy was given to Rena, who was told to only investigate the flow of funds, not the names of the people involved."

"Only checking the money?"

People can lie, but money can't.

Rhodes nodded.

The longer he followed Xilun, the more he could sense the young master's calm demeanor.

For him, killing Balk was a momentous event, but there was no elation or boasting; only the next step, and the next step after that.

This composure is both reassuring and intimidating.

Rhodes put the ledger away and whispered, "If Balk suddenly disappears, the Tussor family might investigate."

"Make his disappearance more plausible."

Xilun leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a moment.

Despite the continuous battles, pursuits, and ambushes, even with the bloodstains healing, his spirit remained as taut as a bowstring.

"The Ironscale ship has encountered trouble, Little Azure Dragon has launched a counterattack, pirates have attacked, and Balk is missing. Ocean ports are always chaotic, so deaths are not surprising."

Luo De asked, "Will King Beard cooperate?"

Xilun opened his eyes.

"He will."

That glance was very calm.

Rhodes didn't press the matter further.

To silence a pirate captain, you need either money or fear.

The young master clearly didn't rely on money.

The rain outside the window has stopped.

Sunlight pierced through the thick clouds, illuminating the damp, grayish-white carpet in the study.

Xilun suddenly picked up the remains of the Water Spirit.

The bone was only the length of a forearm, its surface smooth and lustrous, with what appeared to be faint golden lines flowing within. When held in the hand, it gave a subtle, water-like sensation in the palm.

The water-dividing talent trembled slightly.

He could sense a faint connection between this thing and himself.

Balk wanted to use it to advance to the third tier, perhaps not only because of its material value, but also because it could influence the direction of distortion.

water.

bone.

recover.

适应。

If one chooses the aberration path related to water beasts in the future, the Water Splitting talent may become a huge help.

But Celen did not make a decision immediately.

Advancing to the third tier is not like changing clothes.

Once the body begins to degenerate, the path will leave deep marks. Rushing to take medicine will only turn a person into a slave to power.

Balk is an example.

In order to escape the fate of being used as a tool, that man plotted for a long time and was even willing to poison his companion.

But the more anxious he became, the more flaws he revealed, and in the end, he died underwater with the formula.

Xilun will not repeat the same mistake.

"Young Master."

Rod suddenly pulled a letter from the folder. "There's one more thing. The armed insurgents sent an urgent message last night. You weren't here, so I didn't open it."

Xilun took the letter.

The envelope was made of rough gray paper, with a symbol of an overlapping slanted gear and a broken gun printed on the sealing wax.

Armed insurgent party.

He took it apart.

The letter was very short.

The wording, however, was very harsh.

New General Secretary Albert Casares will arrive in the North District in three days to conduct the annual eligibility review for the fraternity's chapters.

The review covers organizational control, armed capabilities, material circulation capabilities, and emergency response capabilities.

There's one more sentence at the end.

If the standards are not met, the Armed Insurgent Party will reassess the necessity of supporting the Brotherhood.

Rhodes had obviously seen that sentence as well, and his expression turned slightly cold.

"This is a threat."

"It's a test."

Xiren placed the letter on the table. "This is also a form of making things difficult."

More than six months ago, when Albert first took office, he sent several letters, each one more effusive than the last.

Xilun responded respectfully, not out of fear, but because he did not want to be distracted during this crucial period of seclusion.

Now the other side has finally freed up their hands.

Three days later.

The timing was perfect.

With Balk dead, the ocean-going ports are bound to be in chaos, and Xilun has just experienced a high-intensity battle.

If Albert possesses some intelligence, this review may not be just a routine check.

Rod said in a deep voice, "Should we postpone it, citing illness?"

"cannot."

Xilun pressed his fingertips against the letter.

"He's been waiting for me to back down."

The new CEO needs to establish his authority.

Brotherhoods, being rapidly growing local forces that are not entirely under control, are the perfect targets.

If Silen postpones, Albert will say he has a guilty conscience.

If Siren takes a hard line, Albert will say he is unruly.

If Xilen shows weakness, Albert will take advantage of the situation.

Such a person is not necessarily stupid.

On the contrary, he may be very clear about what he is doing.

He didn't want to accept the favors left by his predecessor, Heinz.

He didn't want to let Xilun's reputation grow too great.

Therefore, he wanted to personally put pressure on this Golden Knight and change the cooperative relationship back into a superior-subordinate relationship.