Returning to the Mysterious Era-Chapter 682 - Ultimate Golem Evolution: Humanity’s Malice!
The twilight sky glowed with a coppery hue. The evening glow had forged a flame-shaped cluster of orange clouds. Light poured downward, filling the open-air courtyard before them. The tiled roofs of the buildings reflected the golden light, appearing strangely resplendent and magnificent.
Yet amid this grandeur stood a black figure who seemed strangely out of place. His outline was sharp and powerful, and his aura faintly carried a sense of dominance.
"Teacher!" Phil shouted in delight, a sudden smile breaking across his face.
Behind Phil, Tifa and Milo also called out.
The three of them passed through the gate and ran toward the tall black figure, who slowly turned around. A chiseled, deep face with golden long hair falling to his shoulders greeted them. A pair of eyes like winter's cold stars took them in. His entire presence exuded an untouchable majesty.
An inexplicable aura of overwhelming strength enveloped the area. It was not deliberately released, but naturally radiated like a sense of absolute control. One's body and soul seemed about to be crushed underfoot when approaching Cassius.
The three of them walked forward. The orange sunlight outlined their muscular builds. Their skin simmered in the light, like three young leopards brimming with vitality.
They were Cassius's chosen disciples, heirs to the Wind Elephant Sect's legacy and to Instructor Lisa's Azure Wind Flow. However, Cassius would not let them just practice Wind Elephant Covert Martial Arts, for that would surely lower their potential ceiling. If Phil and the others had firm foundations in both the Wind Elephant Covert Martial Art and Azure Wind Flow, Cassius would naturally lead them to far broader realms.
He had the Six Southern Dipper Volumes, the Golem Heart Codex, and the immense troves of ancient Secret Techniques from the Golem Sect. How could his disciples’ cultivation resources be lacking?
If as disciples of the Golem Sect's master they received less than ordinary sect members, that would be a true joke. Of course, to win Cassius's full favor, it depended on how Phil and the others had performed these past six months. Only by passing his trials would they qualify to be his true disciples.
On the open ground, Phil and the others walked forward. In an instant, a hurricane erupted out of thin air, sweeping across most of the ground within a breath or two. The condensed swirling air current instantly transformed into a pale semicircular protective barrier. It enveloped Cassius's figure, blocking Phil and the others outside.
Woooo~
The raging currents, swift and sharp like blades, were enough to slice even the hardest rock in their path.
The three abruptly halted and exchanged quick glances.
"This is..."
"Teacher is testing us!"
They sensed a familiar aura from this airflow barrier. It was the principle of the Azure Wind Flow Secret Technique. Yet what once had been confined to fists had, in the terrifying hands of a grandmaster, taken a limitless form. A mere thought had elevated an ordinary Secret Technique to the realm of miracles.
In fact, if Cassius wished, the Azure Wind Flow could instantly transform into a wind dragon powerful enough to sweep through all of Baichuan City and obliterate every building with just a single finger.
"Must we unleash the same Azure Wind Flow to pass through?"
Phil tentatively extended his hand, thin streams of white air curling between his fingers. As expected, his palm slipped through the wind wall unharmed. Phil turned and exchanged glances with the other two. All three nodded, gritted their teeth, and channeled the Azure Wind Flow together, slowly forcing their bodies into the wind wall. Their energy began to drain violently.
After an unknown time, they finally reached the black figure, drenched in sweat and staggering. At this point, their bodies were nearing collapse. They panted heavily, almost exhausted.
Phil opened his sweat-blurred eyes and looked at his teacher ahead. The figure gave the faintest nod and closed his eyes.
Roar!
The sound of a raging elephant's trumpet echoed in their ears. In their daze, they seemed to witness a terrifying vision. A colossal elephant charged across the mountains, creating fierce winds in its wake. It rammed forward, its trunk sweeping wide, crushing a mountain with a single step. As the mountain exploded, their vision went black, and the three fainted.
Above the collapsed three, a low, muffled voice resounded faintly. "Not bad. Both in physique and spirit, you barely passed..."
***
When Phil and the others awoke, they found themselves in a strange room. The room was spacious, simple, and plain. Dim morning light streamed in through the wide open window, clearly showing it was already morning.
"This... where is this?"
Phil frowned in confusion, stepped forward, and pushed the door open. Tifa and Milo followed closely behind him. They found themselves in a vast courtyard, filled with private training equipment bearing clear signs of intensive use.
Phil closely examined a two-meter-tall alloy iron dummy. Its waist and abdomen bore three deep fist marks that had pierced clean through. The smooth outlines suggested they had been blasted through at tremendous speed.
"Tsk, even if I trained for another half year, I still couldn't do that." Phil shook his head and left the courtyard with the other two.
To their surprise, a burly man in a combat suit with the Golem insignia stood at the gate. He immediately began to introduce himself.
"You three, the Sect Master asked me to wait for you here... My name is Simone, though they call me Demon Dog Simone in the Eastern Covert Martial Arts world. I am an elder of the Golem Sect, and also the chief leader in charge of expanding our sect into the island nations of the southeastern seas. You three, follow me..."
Simone turned and began to walk away. Phil and the others followed with heavy steps. Their hearts pounded wildly and hot blood surged inexplicably. Though they did not yet fully understand the situation, Phil faintly realized that a door to a new dawn was opening before them.
They could roughly guess from the information provided by the man that the Sect Master of Golem Sect must be referring to their teacher!
The Golem Sect's influence had grown vast. Even a single elder could command great fame in the Eastern Covert Martial Arts world. Moreover, the sect seemed intent on vigorous expansion. Mention of the southeastern nations suggested that the Golem Sect might be a global force.
The three were no fools. Their previous unease transformed into exhilaration. It seemed, perhaps, maybe... Their teacher's background was far greater than they had imagined?
The sprawling headquarters of Golem Sect lay in the suburbs of East Sea City. Phil's group of four walked in, witnessing many shocking sights. Massive armor-clad statues towered like guardians in corners of buildings. They almost seemed alive, and would surely crush invading enemies into a pulp. An oppressive aura of danger lingered heavily around them.
Countless Golem Sect disciples sparred fiercely in the training grounds without holding back. Some, who arduously practiced the Golem Heart Codex, possessed bodies of extreme toughness. When they charged, they collided with the force of crashing meteors.
Others performed the Six Southern Dipper Volumes where their movements were shrouded in fierce phantoms. Their lethal assassination techniques struck like the life-and-death clashes of venomous snakes in the jungle. Each disciple radiated a dangerous aura filled with martial spirit, eyes brimming with ferocity.
In addition, when the four passed through a special area, Phil and the others saw some bizarre beings. These were evil species suffused with darkness and the essence of calamity! Their forms were ugly and twisted, the kind of monsters that ordinary people could only see in nightmares. Yet here, at the Golem Sect headquarters, these monsters seemed to have suffered unbearable torture and interrogation. Each one was flayed and lacerated, dying a grotesque death.
They could hear the shrill howls of monsters and strange pleas for mercy from some cells. They were mixed with low human male voices that were laughing gleefully. It made one suspect a band of pervertic madmen was applying torture within.
The three found everything hard to accept, while Simone remained impassive, clearly immune to such sights. As they left that special area, they breathed a sigh of relief with slightly pale faces. Phil seemed to understand why Simone was guiding them. It was to familiarize them with the Golem Sect's situation, including the sect's cultivation scenes, methods of operation, and primary enemies... After all, they were the Golem Sect's master's disciples.
If they could not even accept it, it would not do. They saw yet more formidable Covert Martial Arts Practitioners flashing through the huge gate on missions, and processions of Covert Martial Arts lineages from across the world arriving as if on pilgrimage. Finally, the trio exited the Golem Sect headquarters from the back gate and made their way to the nearby shores of God's Tears Lake.
They boarded a boat that moved without wind, as it drifted toward the isle at the lake's heart. Though seemingly without propulsion, the wooden boat was very steady and surprisingly swift. The four reached the island in the blink of an eye.
A familiar figure was waiting there.
"Teacher!" The three called out again, but now with a touch of awe.
Their awe came from the strange scenes they had just witnessed along the way. When brushing past those Covert Martial Arts lineages that had come to the Golem Sect headquarters in pilgrimage, Phil had overheard that the Golem Sect was now the world's undisputed number one Covert Martial Arts sect. Its influence extended into every nation.
Experts were as numerous as clouds within the sect and manuals piled up like mountains. Most importantly, the founder who arose out of nowhere was the only Holy Fist of the era!
He was unrivaled across the world, invincible wherever he went. He was the modern era's sole Holy Fist. A terrifying reputation and a transcendent status instantly made the three feel an enormous distance from Cassius.
On the island, Cassius looked at his three disciples and said little. He merely pointed into the distance at a strange alloy structure that looked like an ancient altar. The Six Southern Dipper Volumes and the Golem Heart Codex floated quietly there, their surfaces wreathed in gorgeous starlight and demonic flame.
"Go, my disciples. Go seize a brand new, formidable power... An age of chaos is about to rise." Cassius seemed both admonishing them and muttering to himself.
He lifted his head to look at the sky, his gaze piercing the clouds and reaching a deeper stratum of the world. There, accumulating undercurrents surged, waiting only for the right moment to become a tsunami!
The three began receiving their inheritance on the island, coming into contact with the latest versions of the Six Southern Dipper Volumes and the Golem Heart Codex. Meanwhile, Cassius and Simone conversed, part of it concerning Princess Katie. After joining the Golem Sect, Princess Katie had been taught by Simone.
Her results were remarkable in just a short time. She no longer looked thin and weak but lithe and powerful. Of course, not to the point of a muscle barbie.
As her physique strengthened, Princess Katie's spirit grew as well, becoming tougher and more assertive. She discussed her intention to return and vie for the throne by pummeling those old men and opposition forces to their knees and throwing them into prison with Simone. She would control the Yale Kingdom, welcome the Golem Sect's reforms, drive out the Ripple Order, and turn to the development of Covert Martial Arts!
Simone had no objection, since he felt that it was an advantageous approach. Taking the opportunity of escorting the trio to the island, he reported this matter to Cassius and outlined the plan for the coming period.
At the island's edge, Simone spoke while Cassius listened. At one point, Simone saw Cassius suddenly shake his head.
"Your plan is good. It is gradual and stable... But time waits for no man." Cassius turned, his eyes like a black pool.
"Simone, I want you to unify the voice of the Covert Martial Arts world as much as possible in a short time. I want you to go beyond the Hongli Federation. Other nations' Covert Martial Arts worlds must also receive our resolute will. As for dissenters and troublemakers, take teams to erase them. The statue legion at headquarters is at your disposal..."
"Sect Master, that... isn't that..." Simone's eyes widened in astonishment. That seemed a bit extreme.
"Carry out the order." Cassius glanced at Simone again, eyes filled with coldness.
"Yes!" Simone dropped to one knee, striking the ground with his fist. He expressed his absolute resolve to execute Cassius's command.
"Go." Cassius turned away from Simone and walked toward the isle's center.
Moments later, he stopped and looked at the nearby altar. Phil and the others were shrouded in black demonic flames. A book encased by a heavy shell of both bone and steel floated quietly, locked in place.
Cassius's gaze flickered as he looked at the Golem Heart Codex. He had concluded his sixth time-travel and, with the Golem Covert Martial Arts at ninety percent completion, rewritten the Golem Heart Codex for the sect to cultivate. Cassius was feeling a mutation coming in the Golem Covert Martial Arts.
It was something that appeared only when nearing perfection. This was the most evil of all beings, the demon amongst demons.
The ultimate evolution of the Golem Covert Martial Arts: Humanity's Malice!
