Returning to the Mysterious Era
Chapter 524 - My Name Is Cassius

Chapter 524 - My Name Is Cassius

The Hongli Empire Covert Martial Arts community had been defeated; no they had been crushed.

Blazing Light Fist Victor and Seven Evil Stars Jed, two top-tier combat artists, had joined forces. Yet, they were still beaten and even killed by Whale King Arlington.

Jed had died outright, and the aging Victor had been frightened to death!

This dealt an undeniable blow to the reputation of the Hongli Empire Covert Martial Arts community, leaving everyone unable to lift their heads. They had fought Arlington two against one, and Arlington had even allowed them two free strikes. Yet he had shrugged off both men's killing moves.

In the end, nothing had changed. The moment Arlington made his move, the winner had been decided. He had pummeled Jed and Victor like sandbags. After a blitz of overwhelming force, it was all over.

Silence reigned in the Hongli Empire camp. Many venerable white‑haired elders were speechless, merely gazing from afar at the burly figure in the United States of Yana's ranks.

The remaining middle‑aged and younger generations clenched their fists, eyes brimming with unwillingness. They felt a pent‑up fury in their hearts that they could not vent. As hosts of the international exchange tournament, they had been thoroughly humiliated.

Not a single master within the vast Hongli Empire Covert Martial Arts community could step up to contend with Whale King Arlington. At that moment, many young prodigies felt their pride inside them shatter, giving rise to confusion and doubt.

In their minds, the Hongli Empire had always been the world's mightiest martial community, rich in experts and masters. From east to west and north to south, every region's Covert Martial Arts had its distinct traits yet was equally formidable.

Every few generations a fist technique master would appear, creating unique Secret Techniques and formidable Covert Martial Arts that continued to enrich their heritage.

Yet the facts were indisputable. Whale King Arlington from the United States of Yana had defeated all of Hongli. In an instant, sorrow, frustration, and resentment spread through the crowd. The cheers that erupted from Yana's spectators only stoked those negative feelings to their peak.

In stark contrast to Hongli's camp, the Yana's side was ecstatic. They surrounded Whale King Arlington, eyes ablaze with reverence as though beholding a deity. Arlington's victory by slaying two top-tier combat artists in succession made everyone feel proud. At the crowd's center, Arlington felt the fervent gazes from all directions worshiping him like a god.

A pleased smile tugged at his lips; his spirit was satisfied. The surging energy within him swelled sharply as his aura thickened. His strength had plainly advanced. The overflowing Qi spilled out, rolling like a wave. Those nearby were blown back outright. Some only staggered, while the weaker rolled two or three meters upon landing.

After rising, their eyes burned even hotter. Worshiping the strong and honoring strength were always the laws of Covert Martial Arts. Whale King Arlington, who had subdued the whole Hongli martial community, was now the clear number one throughout the Southern and Northern Reef Continent! If not him, who else could they idolize?

On the gentle slope, Arlington felt the bubbling fervor from his recent gain, then swept his eyes over the admiring young generation of the Yana.

At last he could not help but laugh aloud. "Taking this path was the right choice!!! Defeating more powerhouses and sweeping mighty martial communities satisfies my heart, frees my will, and grows my strength. The path of the Dominator Fist, hahaha..."

He slowly clenched a fist as big as a sandbag, bones crackling. "The Hongli Empire martial community has fallen; next stop, the Blue Star Empire! When the day comes that I defeat all top experts..."

"Dominator Fist... Dominator Fist!"

"Hmm?!" Whale King Arlington suddenly sensed something. He felt an intense gaze land on him like a thorn pricking his back. It felt as though a terrifying beast had found its prey in a dark, perilous jungle.

Its blood‑red eyes were cruel and violent.

"Who!!!" He spun and stared toward the Hongli Empire side. His eyes brimmed with ferocity, as threads of battle and killing intent entwined. His gaze crossed hundreds of meters, through the bodies of the crowd until it finally landed on a tall figure in a black trench coat.

Everything in the area seemed to blur and dim in an instant. It was as if all color faded. The blue sky, white clouds, green grass, and crowd all turned to black‑and‑white outlines.

They kept dissolving, vanishing into the air. Only that lone figure remained in the void. They were extraordinarily domineering, occupying everything, even existence itself. No matter how many handsome men, beauties, wealth, or power lay around him, one's eyes would lock on him and one's mind would be caught by his vast, mighty existence. An irresistible dominance permeated him.

"The Hongli Empire still has such a figure?" Arlington felt a twinge of dread, as rare caution appeared on his face.

He had not sensed this man's aura among Hongli's ranks before the battle. That implied two possibilities: either the man was so weak he drew no notice, or he was so strong that Arlington could not perceive his aura. Obviously, the situation was the latter.

"Interesting... interesting..." Whale King Arlington actually walked toward the Hongli Empire camp.

Spectators of Yana parted to either side, like waves split by a coral reef.

Tap, tap, tap... tap, tap, tap...

Arlington's aura of oppression grew with every step he took. Fear started to color the eyes of the Hongli spectators. Some spectators on the edge squeezed inward, not daring to meet Arlington's majesty. The formerly angry middle‑aged and young lowered their heads, fury stifled as though their spines were snapped.

Within the Star Ring Fist's small sector, Blazing Light Fist Victor trembled all over in his disciple's arms. His aged hand clutched the sect head's shirt.

"Disciple, look for me... is Arlington heading our way?" Victor's aged voice quavered.

Why had Arlington come again, and with such a dreadful look of imposing judgment? Had his ruse been exposed? Had Arlington found out? Was he coming to unmask his feigned death and slap his old face? Or more extremely, was he about to kill him outright this time?

Victor shuddered with cold dread. Youngsters had no virtue, bullying an eighty‑five‑year‑old senior! Utterly indecent! Was pretending death not enough? Must they expose him and grind his old bones underfoot?

Following his teacher's wish, the Star Ring Fist sect master looked up. He saw to his shock that Whale King Arlington was indeed looking their way. Moreover, Arlington was walking straight over, like a sturdy ship breaking ice.

The many Hongli sects dared not stop him. They let Arlington, drenched in oppressive aura, advance.

"Teacher, he's coming. Arlington is coming." The sect master reported truthfully.

"What!?" Victor jerked, nearly fainting from terror.

It was the worst case; Arlington truly was coming for him. He was finished!

Tap, tap, tap... the heavy steps kept continuing.

Victor's shut eyelids twitched as he chanted inwardly like an ostrich, You can't see me, you can't see me.

He was nervous to death, back drenched in cold sweat, withered muscles taut like a compressed spring. Whether by that mantra's effect or not, Arlington ultimately did not enter Star Ring Fist's zone.

Instead he stopped next door at Golem Sect's station, where five men in matching black robes stood. Four of them had powerful auras as they stood in front of the last one like a wall, matching Arlington's force. Air currents collided ceaselessly.

Whirling vortices spread layer by layer, whipping up dust.

"Move aside." Arlington's voice was low and firm, as though issuing an irrefutable order.

However, the Treatment Ward's four commanders showed no fear or intent to yield. Instead, their auras flared like rising flames. Their fierce eyes locked on Arlington, ready to strike at any moment.

So long as the director backed them, none of the four feared anything; they dared fight and kill anyone!

Even facing Whale King Arlington, who had just slain two top-tier combat artists, they would charge together at one word from the director. They would use sharp claws and madness to bite off a chunk of his flesh!

They were blocking a tiger, but they were standing in front of a dragon!

"Stand down. Let him approach." Cassius's cool voice rang out.

The four commanders' eyes flickered; they each stepped aside a few paces, opening a path down the middle.

Arlington smiled; no one had ever put on airs before him like this. From the tone, it sounded as if he were here to court a king.

Arlington's aura chilled and deepened, exuding a subtle danger. Yet when his gaze fell on Cassius, his aura inevitably stalled and his eyes widened.

"The Soul-Blood Covert Box!"

"How can it be?!" He was incredulous, his expression slipping. "How could the First General King's Soul-Blood Covert Box be in your hands?"

Opposite him, Cassius toyed with the little box, slowly lifting his head. He had been compiling the Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance recently and had had no time to study the box that the First General King left behind.

Thus, he had idly examined it during the conference's final bout. The result matched his earlier hasty conclusion. It was a treasure yet also an evil object. Though useless to him, it could aid those who sought shortcuts and crooked ways.

On the slope at Golem Sect's viewing area, Cassius listened to Arlington's questions and shook his head lightly.

"How could his Soul-Blood Covert Box be in my hands? Heh, isn't it obvious?" A sudden smile appeared on his face. It was strangely cold and wicked. "The answer is simple. I killed him."

Cassius lifted the wooden casket, weighing it gently in his palm. "This is an evil thing that can draw on the blood of the strong. It was a pity not a scrap of flesh remained when the First General King died. Otherwise, I might have had it sip one drop of essence blood and tested it on someone..."

Looing at Cassius's smile, Arlington felt like a man‑eating beast lurked beneath that handsome face. He had slain an extreme combat artist, yet spoke about it as blandly as slaughtering livestock, as though it were the most natural fact.

He had been an extreme combat artist! How many existed in the whole world?

"You truly killed the First General King?!" Arlington was seventy percent convinced; the Soul-Blood Covert Box was the First General King's core treasure.

Unless he died, it would never fall to another. However, Arlington still asked again in disbelief.

"Yes, he's dead." Cassius stated the fact, his sapphire eyes meeting Arlington's. "Before dying he even left last words about you. Want to hear? I still remember."

Arlington’s eyes narrowed. "What last words?"

Cassius smirked. "'Damn Arlington, even as a ghost I won't spare you.'"

At first, Arlington could not believe his ears, then he frowned. He recalled that one night he had casually told the First General King to wipe out Golem Sect while hunting.

And the man before him was Golem Sect's leader! So had he inadvertently caused the First General King's death, making him throw eggs against a rock?

Could it be... ah... that really hadn't been Arlington's intent...

Arlington's expression grew odd. Embarrassment, regret, and a trace of guilt welled up.

At once, the thought of avenging the First General King rose within him.

His jet‑black eyes sharpened again as he asked, "Are you of the Hongli Empire martial community?"

"More or less."

"You're from Golem Sect, in the realm of an extreme combat artist?"

"Isn't that self‑evident?"

"Will you accept my challenge, mysterious strong one of Hongli? If I win, give me the First General King's Soul-Blood Covert Box."

"Agreed."

After the brief exchange Arlington drew a deep breath. "Strong one, state your name."

Cassius's face was expressionless as he enunciated slowly,

"My name is Cassius, the man who will defeat you..."