"Aaaaah!"

Noktox looked to the colorless sky and wildly roared, his muscles becoming bigger to the point that they ripped his cotton clothes, showcasing his massive and impressive body. The golden flames died down but his aura increased by several folds, even his eyes started emitting a red luster as if he was enraged.

'They didn't lie when they said that body cultivators are just muscle-heads.'

"Master, it's because they focus more on strength than any proper education but… don't you prefer simple-minded people."

'You bet I do!'

After his overbearing and brief transformation, Noktox took large strides toward the humanoid cat. His feet left deep marks on the metallic ground, which is not easily damaged but ended up being treated like sand under the lion's feet. Arthur got on all fours, let out an unintentional hiss before charging at the opponent, leaving a trail of fading stars behind him.

Noktox clenched his fist and punched the incoming parasite while loudly shouting. Unfortunately, his fist went through the cat, which was nothing but an after-image, however, despite his failed attack, the lion beastmen didn't seem troubled as he violently banged his left foot on the ground, causing a golden circle to appear around him and instantly combust.

This area of effect spell forced Arthur of his momentary stealth and revealed his location to Noktox, who wasted no time and used his long tail to attack. The long tail wrapped around Arthur's ankle and slammed his body on the ground right in front of the lion.

The large beastmen was about to kick the parasite but leg went through the latter again but this time it wasn't an afterimage but a clone created at the very last second. It was a shadow clone meant to divert Noktox's attention and it replaced Arthur right after he was slammed onto the ground.

Like a ghost, a humanoid cat appeared from Noktox's side and slammed him with an illusory bronze platform. The first strike only caused the lion to groan, however, Arthur didn't stop and repeatedly used the platform until the target fell on the ground. Instead of finishing him off, Arthur retreated to a safe distance, unwilling to risk it as he knew Noktox isn't easily defeated, especially after he just empowered himself.

Not only did he have ridiculous defense, but his attack power is also extremely high. Just his tail was easily about to fling his body like a rag and decrease 10% of his health bar.

*****

"How do you know so much about parasites?" Arthur asked his copy, Claud Venice.

It was during the long training session he went through right after his fight against the Divine Beasts. When Claud took hold of his copy, he showed him how a parasite should fight, how to change bodies at the very last second, and choose the right ones depending on the situation and the enemies.

"I've never been a parasite but I've spent a great deal of my life researching them. Knowledge exceeds everything, and after being inside of you, I'm more or less adapted to the parasitic abilities hence my fighting style."

"I still don't understand how you choose the perfect host in a chaotic battle. I've possessed hundreds of thousands of bodies and each has their unique abilities."

"Yes, that is true and that is why I said knowledge is important. You need to study everything you possessed, even the weakest ones but they can also be beneficial. A worm can defeat a drake and a cat can defeat a lion, you just need to know how to efficiently use the hosts. Rather than trying to force yourself to understand skills and races, why don't you try feeling it?"

"Feeling it? How so?"

"When you possess a Naga, for example, you're supposed to become a Naga, not pretend to be one, after all, you're no shapeshifter. If this or that host was strong before you possess it, you need to be able to demonstrate the same amount of firepower when you're in control, if not more. In my opinion and after enough calculations, I've concluded that parasites are naturally more suited for long-range combat but that doesn't mean they don't excel in close range. In your case, if you don't screw anything up, you can even face a body cultivator thanks to your stats."

"How am I supposed to face them?"

The Prophecy Holder shrugged his shoulder and nonchalantly said: "Obviously by using their bane."

******

'This should be enough testing.'

Arthur glanced at the overbearing tiger coming toward him. The cat appearance vanished and its place was a creepy wraith that was missing its lower body. Although not many people are aware of it, most body cultivators are bad at mental and soul-attacks, moreover, only a few of them that wield special equipment can touch spiritual things like ghosts or wraiths.

The parasite was going to push his transforming ability to the limit and properly beat Noktox in a melee-combat. The wraith form will allow him to avoid any physical damage while the cat form will inflict damage upon the lion beastmen.

The enemy leapt at Arthur, using his large feet to feet the wraith, however, he just passed through Arthur, who quickly returned to being a cat and landed on top of the lion. Sharp claws dug deep into the back of Noktox, who jumped in the air then used a wind skill to step on the air and push his body, precisely his back, on the ground in order to get rid of the clingy parasite.

Unfortunately, the cat slipped through at the very last second and before it landed on the ground, it became a grotesque wraith floating in the air. For the next several minutes, Arthur used this dirty tactic and managed to injure Noktox and push him to the limit.

At some point, the beastmen knew that he won't be able to win at this rate so he stopped attacking and said:

"I admit that you're fast but do you dare confront my attack head-on?"

Still in the wraith appearance, Arthur spun in the air as if he was taunting the lion:

"Why would I do that?"

"To see who's stronger, of course! I use my strongest technique and you use yours."

For some time, Arthur remained silent so Noktox thought that his proposal was rejected, however, it didn't seem to be the case as Arthur returned to his human appearance, an innocent smile plastered on his face.

"Alright, go for it."

Hearing this, the lion beastmen burst out in laughter, uncaring about his body, which was covered in all kinds of injuries, whether it"s slash marks, bruises, or holes. He took a deep breath, faced the motionless Arthur, and raised his fist, which was accumulating all the golden fire inside Noktox.

After three seconds, a shiny golden flame enveloped his fist, the lion was sweating and panting heavily as it seemed to have exhausted his energy. Nonetheless, he charged at Arthur while pulling his hand and readying to perform the Godly Punch, which was affecting the surrounding.

The metallic ground started cracking and the air became tempestuous before the attack was even unleashed. Arthur stood rooted to the ground, not preparing any skill or even crossing his arms to defend.

When Noktox was upon him and the fist was about to hit his body, his figure blurred for a split and by the next second, Noktox's figure was sent flying to the back like a kite. When he landed on the ground far away, he seemed to be unconscious and his whole arm was filled with cuts.