Returning to the Mysterious Era-Chapter 698 - God of Covert Martial Arts

As early as the fifth time-travel, Cassius had gradually gained a vague understanding of the key to merging the three fist arts while writing the Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance. Later, after experiencing it in the sixth time-travel, he had a rough plan in mind.

The union of three fist arts could be explained in two powerful concepts. The first was to unite the Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance into one. The Red Falcon Fist, Sonic Snake Fist and Waterbird Fist would be fused into one to become the complete Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance. It would become a mythical technique that surpassed first-rate Covert Martial Arts. Then, Cassius's strength would be unified. It was akin to all his strength being twisted into one rope. At that time, not to mention ordinary Ultimate Dark Forms, even the top ten Ultimate Dark Forms in the Calamity World would not be his match!

Cassius would surpass the three Southern Dipper Holy Fists, the Totem King, and other perfected beings by a whole tier. Such power was worthy to be called the King of Qi! The first concept of Three Fists as One was already formidable. However, there was one even greater coming later.

The second kind of Three Fists as One was to merge Holy Fist, Dominator Fist, and Ultimate Fist into one! The three different styles of Covert Martial Arts paths encompassed the development of the world's martial ways. All Covert Martial Arts, Secret Techniques, combat, and assassination styles could be condensed into these three paths!

When these three paths fully became one, then they would become the king of Covert Martial Arts—no, the God of Covert Martial Arts!

It sounded far more difficult but far more powerful. In Cassius's vision, the first kind was the foundation for the grander second kind. Only by uniting the Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance could he qualify to glimpse the fusion of Holy Fist, Dominator Fist, and Ultimate Fist. The two were intertwined and mutually dependent.

Based on Cassius's past experiences, the Golem's three core principles created three personas. Their resonance urged the Southern Dipper three fist arts to unite. The Southern Dipper three fist arts would then become a single inheritance, which would then push Holy Fist, Dominator Fist, and Ultimate Fist to merge.

When that happened, Cassius would be the King of Qi and the God of Covert Martial Arts!

That was the main goal, but there were other necessary conditions. He needed to deconstruct the Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance and become familiar with every framework and principle. He also needed a superhuman body capable of supporting the terrifying strength of two unions.

Luckily, Cassius had achieved, or was about to achieve, both. For example, to fully grasp the Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance, he split it apart, using the Qi Engraving Technique to turn it into the Six Southern Dipper Volumes. Though called six, in truth there were fifteen techniques.

Both the low-level and high-level had six volumes each, together with the three original fist arts. There were three tiers, like a towering tree with flourishing branches. With a strong foundation like Golem Sect spreading it, the potential became clear. Just like a seed hidden in soil, only as a tree could its patterns be seen. That was why Cassius had tirelessly expanded the sect.

Additionally, his body was now so strong that his Golem Covert Martial Arts already rivaled or exceeded those of Ultimate Dark Forms. His battle with the Totem King and Annihilation Disaster were proof of that. It was enough to withstand the first version of Three Fists as One.

However, he had to wait until his Golem Covert Martial Arts reached perfection for the second version of Three Fists as One. As for the path to perfection? It had already been carved by Humanity's Malice. The key lay in Golem Sect. That was why Cassius always watched over its growth.

***

Back on Blue Star Continent, beneath the starry night on a desolate island.

"For now, I will attempt the first version of Three Fists as One. Uniting the Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance into the ultimate Covert Martial Art..."

The wind sent white cattails flying across the plains. In a clearing, a black and a red figure sat cross-legged facing each other. The aged face of Blood Vulture Dominator Fist showed a rare emotion. His steady eyes widened, fixed on Cassius. It took him a long moment to regain his composure.

"You... your ambition is a hundredfold beyond what I thought!" He drew a deep breath as his voice quivered.

"I had guessed your first version of Three Fists as One, but I had never imagined you had an even greater second version... Holy Fist, Dominator Fist, Ultimate Fist!" Blood Vulture carefully enunciated each realm. "Once you succeed, you will be without precedent or successor... A myth of Covert Martial Arts! Or put simply, the God of Covert Martial Arts!!!"

His scalp tingled and his blood boiled. A Covert Martial Arts Practitioner pursued strength all their life. It was the same even for a Holy Fist. He was just like those pilgrims bowing to worship the sect's one and only Holy Fist. It was not exaggerated, but a pure and devout fascination.

"Cassius... If possible, you must let me witness the second version of Three Fists as One... What a truly supreme realm!" His Qi boiled like magma and his eyes lit up like torches.

Cassius slowly opened his eyes. "Of course. I too have long awaited the day..."

He glanced at the white moon, then lowered his head.

Swish...

Fifteen manuals appeared, encircling Cassius in a ring. Each floated in the air like crimson, white, and violet glass carvings faintly surrounded by the illusion of a constellation.

The Southern Dipper system split by the Qi Engraving Technique was all present. Today, these fifteen manuals would reunite!

"Blood Vulture, take some space. I'm starting!" Cassius murmured, not raising his head. Blood Vulture vanished instantly, reappearing dozens of miles away. He would patrol from the sky. With his strength, he would deter all foes like a guardian dragon!

Cassius took a deep breath as he brought his palms together. After seconds of silence, demonic flame engulfed him. When it faded, a human-sized Golem appeared. It had contoured steel armor and was wreathed in black fire. His black cloak swept the ground with domineering might. Before the union of three fist arts, he needed a strong body.

The black flame burned on the silver armor in a thin layer. Two red lights shone under his serpentine helmet.

"Step by step, from weakest to strongest, I'll fully digest the Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance."

The metal hand seized the first manual ringed by flame. It was the Fire Stone Fist trained by ascetics during his fifth time-travel. It was one of the lower level Six Southern Dipper Volumes.

"I'll start with this one."

Crunch!

Cassius opened his mouth and ate the Fire Stone Fist manual bite by bite. It looked like red glass and crunched like gems when eaten. Cassius chewed and swallowed. He would literally "digest" the Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance. After he ate his way around the ring, his divine art would be complete!

Boom!

His body exploded like a nuclear reactor while he was digesting. He pressed a hand against his chest and activated the rune. The Rune of Wisdom, which had been restored after many time-travels, would be used again! Only this time, it was for an unprecedented evolution, so much that the rune might take a millennia to recover. Only by overclocking the rune could Cassius achieve what he wanted.

Ding.

Cassius looked to his upper right vision where an ouroboros symbol floated: .

The symbol was the blood chalice brewing Blood of the Spirit. It drew upon the essence of calamity and brewed Blood of the Spirit. Cassius had amassed boundless essence of calamity across the many time-travels and killings.

Rune of Wisdom : N

It was dense and endless. How much Blood of the Spirit could it brew? No one could know!

"With this Blood of the Spirit and the rune's overload, let the Southern Dipper's three fist arts become the myth of Covert Martial Arts!"

Cassius bowed his head, activating the rune. Dense red patterns filled his vision layer upon layer, turning it blood-red. The ouroboros spun on his chest, dripping out Blood of the Spirit.

Drip... patter... splash!

First, it was a drop, then a stream, then a waterfall, and finally, a mighty river!

The Blood of the Spirit surged, making even Cassius tremble.

Roar!

His Will burst out like a dragon lunging at the sky, shaking heaven and earth. Clouds over hundreds of kilometers away were drawn in, creating a drizzle. A huge white ring of clouds rotated above, its hollow center framing the full moon.

Moonlight fell upon Cassius like a pillar.

Ding ding ding...

Violet stars lit steadily on his body. The Fire Stone Fist, inheriting the Sonic Snake Fist's explosive trait, lit up several stars of the Star Python Constellation after being consumed.

"Yes, a fine start..."

His visor glowed red, absorbing the Fire Stone Fist's essence and turning it into sand to lay the foundation of a great hall under construction. His Southern Dipper strength and understanding was shattered and rebuilt into something greater. After a long time, the wind and rain ceased.

Finally, Fire Stone Fist's essence was fully consumed.

The iron hand reached out again, seizing another glassy manual. It was the Azure Wind Fist!

Crunch.

Yet another manual vanished into his mouth. He looked like a demon devouring stars. Several crimson acupoints lit on his body. Each low-level manual lit acupoints of different colors on him. The Rune of Wisdom on his chest spun, extracting endless Blood of the Spirit as fuel.

As time passed, his Will shook the island for hundreds of miles. Storms lashed the ground and evaporated away. Thunder roared and winds howled. There was hail, heat waves, tornadoes, and downpours. It was an impossible phenomenon.

Luckily, the island was remote and rarely visited. Otherwise, unimaginable losses would have occurred. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The seated Golem’s eyes snapped open as it exhaled.

Ding!

The sixty-sixth star lit up. There were currently twenty-two of each crimson, violet, and white star lit up. The lower levels of the Six Southern Dipper Volumes had all been devoured. The foundation stage of Three Fists as One was complete!

Boom!

A terrifying Southern Dipper aura burst skyward, piercing the stratosphere as if declaring the descent of the King of Qi!

At the same time, in a far northern abyss, a mighty Will quaked.

"Who is it?! Who is breaking this world's limits?! This aura, this power... It is already a step beyond perfection!!"