Returning to the Mysterious Era-Chapter 641 - Hunting At Least Two Ultimate Dark Forms
The figure streaking across the sea came into view. His muscular body was cleaving the layered wind, wide black coat snapping behind him.
"It's...Golem Sect's master!"
Though only a speck, he had a vast aura of a river that quelled even the tsunami before him. From a distant vantage point, one only saw a lone man with surging waves in his wake. It looked like a thousand troops charging behind an unmatched commander. In a blink, the black figure reached the shoreline.
And the tsunami, amassed for hundreds of kilometres like a volcanic eruption ready to engulf all, was poised to crash onto land. It would destroy every coastal pier, building and city. It would even drown hills and forests. It was a disaster no human could halt. One could well imagine that the southeastern coastal economy would suffer for some time.
Suddenly, as that tens‑of‑metres‑high, deep blue wall of water roared toward the shore, Golem Sect's master lightly stepped on the sea surface and vanished.
Brrmm...
In that instant, the entire raging sea froze as though time stood still. From above, the layered waves resembled one vast block of solid blue crystal. An immense Qi had blanketed the coast. Every wave and current was commanded by an overbearing Will.
Do not advance. Halt until collapse.
Swoo...
A flute‑like whistle seemed to sweep through the air. Suddenly, a black‑robed figure now stood silently atop the leftmost towering statue in the main arena of Golem Sect.
A cold gaze looked down from on high, slowly sweeping the venue. Kilometres away, inside the immobilised wave, came crackling sounds of a crystal shattering.
In the next second...
Rumble!
Stillness turned to motion as vast sheets of water broke in place and, seized by gravity, slammed back to the sea. The former forward momentum vanished. One could see swirling white mist over the sea and a rainbow bridge connecting to the sky. It was quite the beautiful sight.
It wasn't only one shore, but the whole southeastern coast. Sailors, fishermen and townsfolk all stared blankly at the scene. An unprecedented tsunami was about to hit them but it collapsed without any casualties, stilled by some unknown power. It was a miracle... Surely the god of the sea had shielded humanity!
After that day, tales of a sea god spread along the coast, praising his power and mercy. Crewmen would even worship him before sailing, seeking protection at sea. However, that was a story for another time. For now, that so‑called sea god appeared in the Federal Combat Championships' main arena.
The figure atop the statue drew every eye—eyes filled with worship, awe, fervour, and fulfilment! There was even a bizarre, twisted adoration which came from the musclehead martial fanatics.
Their bodies quivered; vitality surged, skin flushed, and hearts pounded hotly. Yes, the Golem Sect's master had just displayed a transcendently sacred aura. How intoxicating! Martial junkies loved themselves, muscle, and power. However, they loved the pinnacle of martial arts even more!
Cassius embodied the era's sole martial peak, the realm of the Holy Fist. How could adoration not flood forth?! Those fanatics were suppressing themselves, preventing an emotional outburst of confession toward Cassius.
Golem Sect's master, we love you!!!
That alone showed how vast a Holy Fist's influence was in the Covert Martial Arts world. It was foreseeable that after the tournament, many worldwide would flock over and the Golem Sect would undergo an unprecedented expansion.
On the great arena, Simone, who had just defeated Tsunami Blade, spun and gazed up at Cassius with fervent reverence.
"Master!"
His current top-tier combat artist strength had easily crushed Cloud Dog Fist's master Blade. And it had all stemmed from the sect master's favor! The sweeping hurricane and massive tsunami a half‑minute earlier surely related to the sect master's plan on Eternal Island.
Hunting Ultimate Dark Forms, monsters as big as mountains... What a mad plan! Yet seeing that the master had returned unscathed, it seemed like the plan had succeeded.
The tsunami was probably the fierce after‑effects of that dreadful battle. It seemed the battle could still have such an impact even from a distant place like Eternal Island. One could only imagine that the sect members would have been wiped out if they had remained there. Such was an existence atop the Covert Martial Arts path, the Holy Fist.
Simone's thoughts were distracted when he saw Cassius vanish. He turned and noticed the black‑robed figure now seated on the previously empty, specially reserved throne for the master. No other seat came close to that throne.
The deep voice rang out, breaking the arena's eerie hush.
"Continue."
At Cassius's order, the combat artist matches resumed. The latter half ran like tightly meshed gears. The rings burned with heated duels as combat artists decided victory and defeat. Compared with the youth event, these fighters truly held their sect's essences.
Many heads and elders entered, showcasing Covert Martial Arts styles from every region and seeking victory. As time passed, the bouts grew in calibre and spectacle. Later, the fighters' fierce Qi reached spectators even a hundred metres away.
However, Golem Sect's master acted. A mere tap of his finger on the table and an unseen ripple enveloped the arenas. It sealed all havoc and turbulence within like a clear dome.
By 5:30 p.m., the combat artist event had reached its final stage. Demon Dog Simone too faced a fierce struggle! Though he was top‑tier, others of equal rank were present. Those fighters possessed a deep foundation and decades of experience.
Simone had to give his all or be utterly defeated. Luckily, he was young and he dared to risk his life more than the elders. That aggressive, frenzied style let him defeat foe after foe.
In the final bout, his foe was a western Hongli Federation top-tier combat artist, famed as a fist technique master. Simone used every trick yet couldn't corner him. With no choice, he went berserk, employing a mutual destruction technique. However, it only wounded his opponent.
Then the top-tier combat artist yielded, allowing Simone the win. If Simone, as Golem Sect's representative, won, there would be more than one slot for the tournament's prize. As runner‑up, he would secure a prize as well.
The title of champion held little weight next to that reward. The prize was a hundred times more vital. Since he had it in his pocket, why risk severe injury for mere honor? Given the youngster's self‑destructive frenzy, he may end up grievously wounded. There was no need to pay heavy wounds for vainglory.
In his youth, he might have fought on. However, after tempering through the years, he understood that one step back opens boundless skies.
You're happy, I'm happy, everyone's happy!
At last, Simone claimed victory. Though it was less honourable, it mattered not. Did all those elders join truly for the champion title? Those once‑renowned geezers had emerged for Holy Fist guidance, nothing else.
A blood‑covered Simone stood as the host proclaimed him the final victor. Beside him, the runner‑up elder beamed in joy. Facing the envious stares of strangers, friends, and even old rivals, he stepped forward, helped Simone down, showing goodwill. He praised Simone's promising future and fierce strength.
On October 7, the Federal Combat Championships ended in perfect fashion. Many sects worldwide stayed, either invited or seeking exchange. Most sects gradually returned home, carrying news of the tournament back to their community. It was superb publicity!
The name Golem Sect resounded not only through the Hongli Federation but the entire world! Every Covert Martial Arts practitioner learned of the sect and that a Holy Fist dwelt within!
Naturally, zealous seekers and elder combat artists flocked toward Golem Sect. They treated it as a holy land, hoping to glimpse the martial peak. Meanwhile, Golem Sect Martial Halls grew and faced many changes. Many ordinary folk, knowingly or not, learned combat moves and began to enter the Covert Martial Arts world. It was foreseeable that expanding abroad would be easy for Golem Sect since many obstacles and surprises were already cleared.
On October 10 at, three days had passed since the tournament ended. During this time, even sect members were barred from God's Tears Lake as a special rhythmic energy rippled across the water.
On the night of October 10, at about 11 p.m., the lake suddenly blazed with light, like the sun was illuminating it. It lasted but an instant before darkness returned. However, four figures, young and old, now stood on the lake. No sooner had they appeared than they sat cross‑legged. With their eyes shut, they seemed to enter a mysterious epiphany.
For three whole days, the four had sensed countless Covert Martial Arts techniques and styles as boundless as the sea within Cassius's Qi World. Such rich insight was equivalent to a combat artist roaming the world for a century.
Furthermore, that was only the added benefit. More importantly, each one's path had become clear through three days of continuous exposure to that Qi. They now knew how to proceed, the next steps, how to face setbacks, and how to break through as clear as day. It was nothing less a Covert Martial Arts Practitioner’s greatest treasure!
Unsurprisingly, upon leaving the Qi World, they broke through in reality. Magic Mirror Kara and Broken Moonlight Dragon crossed the pugilist threshold and became new combat artists. With more Qi tempering, they would soon become veteran combat artists.
The runner‑up elder wept with joy as the robust aura of an extreme combat artist expanded from his chest, sweeping out decay and foul Qi. He was visibly younger and his white hair had darkened. His eyes shone brightly like his inner demons had vanished.
As for Demon Dog Simone, he sat between top-tier and extreme combat artist, lacking only Qi accumulation. His insight had stepped past top-tier combat artist into the extreme combat artist realm.
At dawn, they awoke and saw Cassius seated motionless at the lake's centre like a divine statue. They dared not speak loudly, tiptoeing to the edge with respectful and grateful expressions. They took boats away, not wishing to disturb the sect master's cultivation.
When God's Tears Lake fell quiet again, only one figure remained. Cassius slowly opened his eyes, aura compressed to the utmost. In these three days, he had grown more adept with the Holy Fist state and his Ultimate Dark Form physique. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
Thus, he could enter the World of Calamity straightaway and hunt at will!
A voice, holy yet savage, echoed over the lake.
"I need at least two Ultimate Dark Forms to satiate me. If there's more... hehehe, of course I won't refuse!"
