Ranobes » Returning to the Mysterious Era » Chapter 712: An Endless Crusade, Farewell(3)
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Chapter 712: An Endless Crusade, Farewell(3)
Returning to the Mysterious Era

It was Golem Sect headquarters' open pilgrimage day once again. As usual, the visitors were not ordinary. They were the top ten of the world's current youth division combat tournament. All of them were talented fresh blood chosen from across the world who had a flair for Covert Martial Arts.

This group of young elites, along with their teachers, elders and guides, numbered forty to fifty as they walked by God's Tears Lake toward Holy Fist Mountain.

"This is our Golem Sect's Holy Fist Palace!" A sect disciple introduced proudly, as he went into detail about the mountain's origin and the legendary deeds of each Holy Fist.

The young geniuses gasped in awe. Their eyes never lost their worshipful gleam.

The entourage of various sects looked tense and worried, as Golem Sect was a holy land. Winners of tournaments and countless geniuses swarmed them like a school of fish to join. Hearing the legends of the Holy Fists made their disciples' hearts waver dangerously, since sincere admiration was the surest way to shake one's resolve. They had to guard their own talents well.

"The sect master… What a domineering figure… I wonder how legendary that battle was?" The youth champion paused at the lake with glowing eyes. He'd heard the hero's tale from his parents since his childhood so awe had been carved deep into his heart.

Simple yet shining…

"Huh? The statue's eyes… They're glowing…" The champion suddenly commented, pointing at the sect master statue. Everyone turned to look.

There, on Holy Fist Mountain, the eyes of Cassius's statue were suddenly glowing dim crimson. The light soon grew stronger until at last, two red suns shone upon the lake.

"The statue moved!!!" The youth champion's eyes bulged, his mouth agape in disbelief.

Cassius's head turned slightly, looking down at the sect. It seemed to nod ever so faintly.

Two minutes later, the whole sect boiled over. Strong figures flooded out to have a look at Holy Fist Mountain.

"Quick, summon Blood Vulture Dominator! The sect master is showing signs of return!" An elder shouted as he turned.

But at that moment, a blood-red meteor shot skyward from the lake's central forbidden isle, piercing the white clouds and into the distance.

Far away in the Arctic, the wind and snow howled across icy plains. The crimson figure descended, tracing a long arc, and Blood Vulture landed on the ice. At the center of a vast plain, a black rift appeared, widening visibly, until… Crack!

Two iron hands seized its edge and wrenched open an oval portal in the air. A moment later, a steel figure with a battle cloak fluttering from his shoulders stepped out of the darkness, his body scarred with countless marks of erosion. Above his head, the three Heaven's Eyes had swollen shut. Drops of golden tears fell from their corners.

Tap.

Cassius stood on the ice, gazing at Blood Vulture and revealing a rare smile. "I’m back!"

***

The skies were clear on May 5 in the year 62 of the common calendar as the holy ground of the Covert Martial World, the Golem Sect, welcomed back their god!

Cassius's return meant that calamity was sealed forever. The World of Calamity had been completely overturned in those sixty years. Most dark creatures had perished in the clash between calamity and Humanity's Malice. Ultimate Dark Forms had fallen and many Holy Fists had been freed, returning to rest within the sect with Cassius's help, including Sonic Snake Ultimate Fist.

Of course, the Holy Fists returned gradually. Some grievously wounded Holy Fists chose to remain in seclusion to recover. Some with lighter wounds returned earlier and roamed the world, experiencing its changes and embracing modern science. Some even sought their ancient bloodlines from a thousand years ago, aided by the sect. Others founded their own sects and contributed to the Covert Martial Art world's prosperity. They sought to keep their flame unbroken.

In short, all moved toward good. The sect discussed exploring the World of Calamity, which still held dangers and dark creatures, but were ultimately rootless remnants. They could serve as challenges for future practitioners.

By year 63, a year after returning, Cassius had walked through the places he once knew, marveling at the world's changes. He retraced his steps in full.

Beiliu City, Baichuan City, East Sea City, Ace of Spades organization, Old Man's Antique Shop… Even Fengnan University and the orphanage he grew up in. He rejuvenated and strengthened the old director who had helped him for twenty years.

Another year later, by year 64, Cassius had witnessed his sect's rise and the Covert Martial Art world's vitality. Then, like a king surveying his realm, he chose seclusion.

A month later, Cassius emerged with a clear plan. It was time to seek Ao Yin Kalo.

"Farewell!" Cassius said as he turned decisively. With the three Heaven's Eyes at his back, he transformed into a streak of light that crossed the boundary of the Seas of Origin and plunged into endless darkness.

At the end of the Gates of Heaven, a man's figure slowly faded away.

"This is farewell…"

Returning to the Mysterious Era
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    Thus, in June of year 64, he decided not to wait for Southern Cross Holy Fist to awaken and share with him Ao Yin Kalo's methods on traveling between worlds.

    Cassius planned to search on his own and he already had a clear idea. Behind the gate in the middle of the Miracle Garden! The condition to open it was the five keystone runes and Cassius had already obtained them.

    At the end of June, in the third year after his return, Golem Sect's master once again left Golem Sect. He began searching across the world for the location of the Miracle Garden.

    Late one night in August, a tall figure in a black cloak stood upon a boundless desert at the far west of the Northern Reef Continent. The desert temperature plunged and a chilly wind drifted by. Standing atop a dune and looking out, there was an unending sea of golden sand in all four directions. Raising his head, he could see the pristine full moon. The moonlight shone softly, spreading across the entire land. Suddenly, he halted his steps.

    "I've found it… The Miracle Garden is right here."

    The figure extended his right hand and gently lifted upward.

    Boom!

    A colossal structure like an ancient palace erupted from the sand and lay on the ground. There were no signs of resistance or struggle. It seemed the Miracle Garden had sensed the Southern Dipper power upon the figure.

    Cassius lowered his hood, revealing his face. "I'm here once again…"

    He stepped forward and slowly entered the Miracle Garden. At the center stood a heavy marble door. It was a grand church-like arched doorway, with dense runes climbing the frame like snakes. It looked somewhat like the Gates of Heaven that Cassius had dealt with day and night for over sixty years.

    At the center of the door was a metal disc with a slight indentation. Five conspicuous rune emblems appeared upon it. Cassius stood before the huge door and unhesitatingly extended his palm.

    "Is the secret behind this door?"

    His palm pressed upon it, and the five keystone runes immediately shone. In an instant, the five emblems within the metal disc lit up vividly and kept flashing. Fine lines like chains extended, linking the five runes to one another. At the center of the glowing chains was a fluorescent lock.

    Suddenly, there was a click and the lock opened. With no force needed, the arched door opened on its own. Cassius stepped forward without hesitation and went inside.

    It felt like heaven and earth had flipped. He seemed to be in a trance-like sensation of moving through space. Before his eyes was a huge golden dome where dense patterns of various religious symbols, tiny characters, and runes writhed upon it like tadpoles.

    Everything under the sun and moon was engraved upon it, from flowers, birds, insects, mountains and rivers. It was remarkably similar to the Gates of Heaven.

    As Cassius turned his head, he saw three platinum portals. On the left, right, and center of the vast domed hall stood three mysterious arched doorways, almost identical to the Gates of Heaven. The only difference was that they were not hazy or illusory, but bore a tangible metal luster.

    A vast amount of information rushed into Cassius's mind as he closed his eyes.

    "This is…"

    He understood everything! The Ao Yin civilization had descended through the Gates of Heaven!

    Yes, they were doorways that led to a passage. Within the Gates of Heaven, the Sea of Qi, the Sea of Physique, and the Sea of Soul recorded all the brilliant civilization histories of the world. Similarly, other worlds also had such Gates of Heaven and seas of civilization history.

    Though they were different worlds separated by impossible distances and seemed like they would never intersect, there was one point that was entirely connected.

    Within the Seas of Origin, there was a passage, or rather a boundary. Once one crossed that boundary, they would arrive at another similar Sea. For example, if they entered from their world's Sea of Qi, they would emerge from another world's Sea of Qi. It was mysterious but wondrous.

    There were countless worlds scattered like stars, separated by infinite darkness and distant on the surface. Yet at a deeper level, they were interconnected. Like barren islands upon a vast sea that seemed isolated, the continental plates beneath them were actually connected across the entire sea.

    However, attempting to traverse the Seas of Origin to another world would be a random and chaotic process. The Ao Yin civilization could lock onto the aura of calamity and proceed toward the coordinates of a world ravaged by calamity to go to the place they intended.

    "So the Ao Yin civilization descended upon the world in this way… Each Gate of Heaven is a portal to another world with human civilization. Perhaps calamity… also spread in this way?"

    Cassius shook his head, suppressing the surge of emotion in his heart. He remained silent for a long time in the golden dome, until he finally took a step. With a single palm, he pushed upon a Gate of Heaven and gently opened it.

    Swishhhh…

    An endless wind of civilization history rushed upon him. The Sea of Origin, transparent and limpid with a faint golden gleam, appeared before his eyes.

    Whoosh…

    His black figure traced a long arc of descent. At last, his toe tapped upon the endless surface of the sea. Looking afar, it was a flat, boundless expanse of water.

    Rumble!

    Suddenly, a colossal entity charged skyward from the surface. It was a tightly shut eye, the manifestation of the concept of Humanity's Malice. It was mastered by Cassius and wielded with near-perfection.

    The enormous eye was half immersed in the Sea of Origin and half above the water surface, faintly emitting a mysterious golden light. It gave the distinct feeling of a sunrise slowly emerging from the horizon.

    The moment the eye appeared, Cassius sensed something.

    "Hm?"

    He suddenly thrust out his hand and pressed his palm upon the gigantic pupil. His acute perception increased ten thousandfold, and the range of resonance expanded rapidly. Gradually, it encompassed the entire Sea of Origin and reached an unknown place.

    It was… the Sea of Origin from another world!!!

    Within it, Cassius vaguely sensed the concept of Humanity's Malice. Though faint, there was a thin thread stirring. A bold conjecture instantly arose in his heart.

    Afterward, Cassius continued sensing the Sea of Origin for a long while. This time, he confirmed all he could.

    Around this Sea of Origin, at least four or five Seas of Origin of other worlds had the concept of Humanity's Malice. That concept was like a bright beacon that was able to direct Cassius in the darkness. In other words, he could determine which world he would head to.

    All of this was merely a byproduct of Cassius igniting his world's concept of Humanity's Malice. It was similar to how pollution in the ocean would spread. If this Sea of Origin were connected to other Seas of Origin, that "pollution" would flow into the other oceans.

    The concept of Humanity's Malice mastered by Cassius could be considered a severe pollutant. It drifted across Seas of Origin, traversing layers of darkness. Over the span of more than half a century, it had reached other worlds. Wherever there were humans, Humanity's Malice would exist!

    It merely lies hidden, accumulating in secret, awaiting the spark of resonance. Cassius's mastery of Humanity's Malice was without a doubt that spark. He was the instigator of the pollution and could naturally perceive where it had spread.

    Cassius scanned world after world and suddenly discovered one whose Sea of Origin was the most majestic and terrifying. That world astonishingly possessed both the aura of calamity and the Southern Dipper aura. Not to mention, the Ao Yin civilization and other Ultimate Dark Forms…

    Furthermore, within that Sea of Origin, there was yet another aura that was no weaker than calamity or the Southern Dipper! Moreover, that aura actually brought a sense of danger even to Cassius, who had effectively become the God of the Covert Martial Arts. Although separated by the boundary of endless darkness, that feeling was unmistakable. One thing was certain and it was that the world had powerhouses comparable to Cassius!

    Cassius felt a long-lost excitement and curiosity. "A brand new world? Hehehe… I have long awaited this!"

    He took a deep breath, feeling his blood which had not boiled for over sixty years once again becoming hot, little by little.

    "A new journey… Only by going into the action can I feel alive!"

    Upon the water, Cassius slowly turned his head. His gaze was deep, as if piercing thousands of miles to sweep over all beings of the surface world. All the many emotions and experiences he had were firmly etched into his heart.

    "Farewell!" Cassius said as he turned decisively. With the three Heaven's Eyes at his back, he transformed into a streak of light that crossed the boundary of the Seas of Origin and plunged into endless darkness.

    At the end of the Gates of Heaven, a man's figure slowly faded away.

    "This is farewell…"
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