Returning to the Mysterious Era-Chapter 328 - Covert Martial Arts Is The True Path (1)

Cassius didn't want to waste any more time. He went straight to knock on the door of the adjacent room.

"Who is it?" came a voice from inside.

"It's me."

The door creaked open and a man wearing a black tailcoat and a top hat stepped out. One could see a table laid out with metal playing cards and finger-thick long spikes, tools suitable for psychokinesis that were likely being maintained, behind him.

"Master Wind Elephant?" Bass looked uncertainly at Cassius. The man before him both resembled and didn't resemble Cassius; his height and appearance had changed somewhat, even his demeanor was different.

"It's me," Cassius said as he walked in.

Bass hesitated for a moment, then turned to close the door. He asked in confusion, "Your appearance, and your height, how come..."

"A breakthrough in strength can naturally bring some changes," Cassius replied calmly. He didn't need to prove himself to his subordinates. His gaze shifted to the custom-made metal tools on the table as he walked over.

"Then... congratulations on your breakthrough, Master," Bass said.

Although puzzled by Cassius's changes, Bass felt a strong sense of familiarity, so he did not doubt his identity. Since Cassius had come to see him, he probably had something to discuss.

Bass took the initiative to ask. "Master, is there something you need from me..."

Crack... crack... crack...

A harsh sound of metal tearing interrupted his words. Bass turned to see Cassius picking up the stack of metal playing cards on the table. His five fingers exerted slight force, and the hard alloy bent and deformed inch by inch. In just a few twists, the stack was kneaded into a ball.

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"..." Bass opened his mouth but couldn't speak. These metal playing cards were specially made of alloys that were both hard and tough. Even using all his strength, Bass couldn't bend a single card, let alone an entire stack of dozens.

As he pondered, a sharp gaze met his. Bass looked into deep blue-black eyes that were like a bottomless abyss.

"Bass, you're a neo-human who naturally possesses psychokinesis. Ordinary humans are like rabbits before you. Psychokinesis to accelerate metal cards, balls, spikes—it's like carrying a powerful handgun, but far more convenient and concealed. Very useful..." Cassius paused, then sat boldly on the nearby sofa. As he leaned back with arms folded, he radiated an oppressive aura.

His eyes had a bewitching allure. "But that's all there is to it..."

Bass instinctively wanted to refute him but lacked confidence, knowing that Cassius was right. Though psychokinesis sounded impressive, its destructive power was merely comparable to a handgun. Perhaps he was more formidable than top marksmen, but that's about it. If a dozen people suddenly opened fire, Bass could be killed outright.

Of course, if he struck first, that squad might be silently eliminated. It was a typical case of high offense and low defense.

"I'll make you some tea," Bass offered.

Standing there silently wasn't appropriate, so he took a metal tea canister from the shelf, scooped some tea leaves into a pot, added hot water, and somehow found some milk. He set it aside to add it for flavor later.

Cassius watched him putter around and continued, "It's not that I look down on you neo-humans. It's just the truth. You arrogantly call yourselves neo-humans, born with powers beyond ordinary people, as if above humanity. But in reality, this power's upper limit is too low."

"Neo-humans categorize strength into Class A, B, C, and D. You're Class C while Shockwave was Class A. That Silver Gun Soro we met previously was also Class A. Even then, they still couldn't beat me. At that time, I had just reached the peak of pugilist and grasped a hardening Qigong. Even at that meager level of strength, all the members of White Skull together couldn't defeat me. There were even three or four members in Class A, I believe."

Cassius's tone was steady, without a hint of mockery. He was merely stating a harsh fact.

"By my standards, your so-called Class A neo-humans are only at the pugilist level, between first and second accelerated blood flow node. Perhaps only the legendary Class S reaches the third node and sits at the peak of pugilist. However, from what you've told me, there are no publicly recognized Class S neo-humans." He smiled slightly as he continued.

"You've been on the wrong path all along. All that psychokinesis and absurd abilities is nonsense. The human body is the most powerful and wondrous existence. In my view, ignoring the grand path for twisted shortcuts is utterly misguided.

"Bass, listen carefully. I cultivate the path of Covert Martial Arts. First is the ordinary human level, amateur and professional. The Hongli Federation's five stages fall within these levels; the peak of these five stages is equivalent to mid-level professional. Next is a major stage that clearly surpasses human limits, pugilist.

"Once you’re in the initial phases of grasping the core principles of Covert Martial Arts, you can use Secret Techniques to temper the body. You can use your mind to sense and control your blood circulation, also known as accelerated blood flow. The human body has three nodes and each breakthrough allows blood flow to accelerate onefold. Fully unlocking them enables instant bursts, accelerating blood flow by up to fourfold," Cassius said as he accepted a cup of tea handed to him.

"Beyond that is the fourth stage, combat artist. This level is when humans transcend physical limits and move towards more profound realms. Their destructive power is comparable to a volley of rockets—weak ones can demolish a building; strong ones can destroy entire city blocks.

"And there's more! The fifth stage of Covert Martial Arts!" Cassius paused, sipping from a white porcelain cup of milk tea. It had a rich aroma, and the taste was remarkably smooth.

He set down the cup, his eyelids drooping slightly. "Holy Fist, Dominator Fist, Ultimate Fist... A practitioner can use their Qi to influence the entire world, disturbing the local environment, manipulating weather and climate."

The bottom of the cup clinked on the table. Cassius looked at the somewhat nervous Bass across from him. "I'm telling you this because I appreciate you. The world is full of undercurrents. Danger can appear at any time. I’m planning to build a vast force as my intelligence network. But first, I will be taking control of Ace of Spades.

"You are one of the few subordinates I trust and value. I need you to help me control Ace of Spades and act as my representative. As for how the organization operates, those originally in that position will teach you..." Cassius toyed with the metal ball in his hand, smoothing out its edges with every squeeze.

Being a visible leader wasn’t ideal. No matter how low-key he was, other forces would take notice. It was best to hide in the shadows and quietly extend his net across the entire underworld.

Gulp.

Bass swallowed his tea, feeling a bit uneasy. Cassius's talk of powerful Covert Martial Arts had birthed a strong desire in him. In fact, Bass had long harbored such thoughts. Cassius had seemed like a deity during the events in Anta Mountains as he crushed White Skull with his fists.

Cassius possessed a higher, more formidable path to power. Now, Cassius was telling him all this and laying out specific plans. Could it be that he wanted...

"Bass, you're too weak right now," Cassius observed his anxious demeanor, the metal ball spinning between his fingers. "So, I intend to impart real power to you..."

Snap.

Bass's hand shook as he was slowly setting down the porcelain cup. The bottom of the cup hit the table with a clear sound. He looked up sharply, his eyes lighting up. Bass opened his mouth, wanting to speak but momentarily at a loss.

"Are... are you serious? But... but I'm already over thirty. Isn't Covert Martial Arts like the Federation's combat moves, where starting younger yields better results? I'm nearly middle-aged! Can I still start training now?" Bass asked.

He deeply craved Covert Martial Arts. He had lived in a dark and chaotic circle when he had grown up among neo-humans. Every time a large amount of Pure Black Demonic Water appeared, it caused regional turmoil and slaughter. One couldn't survive without strength.

Bass's obsession with pursuing power had been ingrained in him since he was a child, and was second only to survival. Cassius's invincible display in the Anta Mountains had left a deep impression on him. If he could wield such strength, wouldn't that mean...

He couldn't help but daydream.

"Age isn't an issue. The Covert Martial Arts I practice can be learned even by those in their seventies or eighties. It doesn't require the step-by-step approach of ordinary Covert Martial Arts and saves a lot of unnecessary time," Cassius said, picking up the cup. His Golem Seed was miraculous and possessed abilities beyond conventional Covert Martial Arts.

The Golem Breathing Technique allowed one to use the Golem Seed to activate the Golem life magnetic field, which would generate a condensed version of the Golem Covert Martial Arts' training effects. One could nourish and strengthen the body without precious herbs until they surpassed human limits. Of course, combining it with medicinal baths would accelerate the process.

Moreover, if Cassius wished, he could even empower his subordinates directly by using life vibration energy. However, that method wasn't suitable for widespread use. Not only was life vibration energy a scarce resource, this shortcut approach was problematic. Not everyone was a prodigy like Cassius. Without strong martial aptitude and will, rapid enhancement would only produce hollow strength. Cassius didn't have energy to waste, so it was best used as a reward.

Those who performed well could receive a regular portion. This way, Cassius could firmly control his subordinates, both physically and mentally, and use them as resources against the Gate Organization in the future.

This covered physical strength enhancement and combat techniques. In fact, Covert Martial Arts Practitioners who were combat artists could create their own techniques. As a top-tier combat artist, Cassius had mastered two Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritances and fought over a dozen combat artists. Creating a formidable killing technique was simple; he could base it on the Southern Dipper Sonic Snake Fist and Southern Dipper Red Falcon Fist.

As long as he simplified and extracted the key essences for his subordinates, he could create an assassination fist that was perfect for those lurking in the shadows.