Chapter 543 - One Against Four? I Like Those Odds!

The air around an active volcano was always blistering, and all the more so when molten lava was streaming down its flanks. The scorching river could reach up to a thousand degrees Celsius. This molten rock was certainly hotter than any ordinary lava.

The air quivered with waves of heat, blurring everyone's vision. In contrast, the volcano before them glowed crimson as though it had been laced with iron. Jets of searing smoke hissed from jagged fissures in the slope.

Although the combat artists had cloaked every inch of their bodies in Qi for protection, one slip into the lava would drain their Qi at a terrifying rate. Heat still seeped through their Qi cloak, just more slowly. Anyone hoping to bathe in lava while wrapped in Qi would need a body of truly inhuman resilience. Otherwise, the "bath" would end rather prematurely.

Halfway up, the squad leapt and twisted through cracks in the rock. Even the steep slope could not hinder them. A single jump carried one combat artist from a rocky nub to a higher ledge with crisp precision.

Whoosh!

Scalding white steam burst from a crack and engulfed a passing combat artist. Half a second later, the combat artist shot out and rejoined the party.

After a brief moment, he warned, "The steam from these seams is blistering. Half a heartbeat just cost me a chunk of Qi. A few more blasts and we'll be forced to rest right here. Stay sharp and dodge every jet ..."

The group instantly grew more cautious as their climb slowed a touch. Roughly ten minutes later, they neared the summit.

A relatively flat terrace indented the mountain’s peak. At first glance, Cassius noticed traces of human carving around the peak. On closer look, he discovered much more.

There were faded rock murals with pigments mottled beyond recognition, broken statues piled in corners, and unmistakable stonework that hinted at a very ancient ruin. It seemed like the ruin of all ruins.

Cassius studied the blurred lines carved on a boulder ahead. The style resembled that of the Ao Yin Ruins. More precisely, it resembled the Rune of Wisdom. He had long wondered whether the Runes of Wisdom and Life, the Ao Yin Ruins, and the Southern Dipper lineage all belonged to a single era. Were they from one ancient age?

After several time-travels, Cassius had formed a few suspicions. He suspected the Rune of Wisdom and Rune of Life pre-dated the Southern Dipper lineage perhaps even so far back as some barbaric, cannibalistic times. The Ao Yin Ruins and others might have been built during the Southern Dipper's ancient days.

In any case, the shrouded history was anything but simple. It bristled with tangled chains of cause and effect. Cassius dearly wished to question a Southern Dipper Holy Fist about it. What exactly was the Aoyin civilization? A mighty human empire brought about from the Southern Dipper's birth? Or was it from an even more primitive era, a mystery from elsewhere?

His thoughts whirled, but he reined his mind in. He shook his head and set off toward the far edge of the ruin. The other combat artists followed swiftly behind him.

Crack!

A black boot crushed crimson rock underfoot. A figure in a fitted white coat halted at the ruin's edge, where an upward path lay. He had blood-red hair braided behind his head and razor-sharp eyebrows.

His beauty was almost androgynous, with a pale crimson wing marking the right side of his face. Holy Fist Demon Phoenix—what luck to meet him here!

Cassius paused for a second. His blue eyes narrowed when he realised that the Gate Organization coveted this ruin too. Cassius had heard Feng Liusi's old tales during the fourth time-travel. He had said that the Gate Organization had landed on the Eternal Archipelago and tried to enter the ancient ruin. It seems like they had likely known the site's location for quite some time.

"Phoenix? What a coincidence, meeting you again. You only managed to spirit Arlington away last time, yet you dare stand before me now ..." Cassius bared a savage smile, his Qi surging so thick it seemed to freeze the air.

In less time than it took to blink, his body rose like a colossal statue. The sheer domination he radiated compelled instinctive reverence.

Ever since he had defeated Whale King Arlington at the exchange tournament, Cassius had become the Covert Martial Arts world's sole overlord. Even the four zealous commanders of the Treatment Ward dared not stand too close to him anymore, since their bodies quivered with a fear beyond their control everytime they neared him. It was as if their lives, bodies, and strength was akin to a fish laid upon the board beneath Cassius's knife.

Thus, when Cassius let his Qi burst forth, the many combat artists behind him visibly recoiled away. They sprang back, continually seeking distance before any hint of safety returned.

Elders and sect masters stared at Cassius with horror and awe. It had only been a few days, but his Qi had grown even more terrifying! Was a Holy Fist about to rise in this era? No—a Dominator Fist!

Cassius’s Qi locked squarely onto Holy Fist Demon Phoenix.

"Have you decided how you want to die?" His deep voice rang like a judgement being pronounced.

However, Demon Phoenix spun on his heel and fled without the least hesitation. His reaction was so swift that the Covert Martial Practitioners saw his face one second and the back of his head the next.

Demon Phoenix said not a word as he launched his gliding technique, each toe-tap sending him streaking away. His speed climbed until he shot off like a meteor.

Damn! He had only planned to scout ahead, not send himself to die!

When Demon Phoenix had first revealed himself, he had only shown open malice toward Cassius because he was backed by four extreme combat artists. Now that he was alone, he had no capital for provocation. So he chose cowardice without shame, discarding even the dignity of a deputy leader. Face was worth less than life.

The exchange tournament had made Demon Phoenix aware of his true strength. He simply could not beat Cassius and had almost been killed. A second bout would end the same!

In that crisis, he had used a Ring of Calamity to call an avatar of Xiadu, yet Cassius had survived intact and now stood in front of him. What a monster! He needed a whole gang against such a beast!

Whizz!

A dark-red streak flashed across the path at breakneck speed, followed closely by a black figure. Cassius’s strength powered his speed with unbelievable ferocity. His soles struck the ground so hard that the mountain shuddered each time he landed.

The two figures skimmed across several hundred meters in an instant. The slopes of the mountain were covered in long-cooled volcanic rocks with many grotesquely jagged formations due to weathering. Thin puffs of vapor drifted from the cracks.

The Gate Organization's second party was climbing up that slope. They were led by the coalition gathered expressly to battle Cassius! This included Whale King Arlington, reborn after utter defeat, Lava Shaman blessed by the Totem King, and Armor Ghoul, the revived former deputy leader of the Gate Organization. Adding Holy Fist Demon Phoenix, they numbered four extreme combat artists.

It was the fiercest lineup in the world and it had been forged for one purpose: to slay Cassius!

A Golem... Surely it was a demon in their eyes. Indeed, Cassius looked nothing like a righteous hero, and more resembled a villain born of darkness. He was perhaps even darker than their own forces. Creatures of shadow could not be slain by light; only deeper, stronger shadows could devour them. That was why the Gate Organization feared him. Until he died, they would know no peace!

Boom, boom, boom! Boom, boom, boom!

The sound of thunderous impacts raced down the slope. It seemed like a boulder gathering speed as it fell.

Bang, bang, bang! Bang-bang-bang ...

Some rocks burst to black powder while others, though they were three or four meters tall, were hurled away whole. They tumbled down and were smashed to fragments. It was as if a titanic bulldozer was flattening the volcano.

"What's happening?!"

"Some island hazard? Stay alert!"

"What's charging at us? Everyone brace yourselves!" The seven General Kings barked out orders. Their energy flared as their arms tensed for imminent combat.

"Phoenix's wings! That's his gliding technique!"

"It's the deputy leader!"

"Damn! Something's chasing the deputy leader hard!"

As the rumble neared, they finally saw part of the picture. The deputy leader Holy Fist Demon Phoenix was hurtling downward at full speed, his wings now a deep metallic black-crimson. The hue signalled that his gliding Secret Technique was being driven to the limit.

Behind him, a figure smashed everything in its path as it pursued him. Whirlwinds and dust plumes speared skyward as though some colossal beast was pursuing its prey.

"What could it be? Even the deputy leader, an extreme combat artist, is fleeing in such disorder! Does the archipelago hide danger of this scale?" The Second General King clenched his fists, secretly alarmed.

"It's him!" The burly black-clad figure ahead spoke.

Whale King Arlington's face tightened, a searing memory flickering in his eyes. He raised his right hand to his left shoulder as though recalling his bitter defeat a week before.

"This time, I will defeat you!" Arlington's eyes suddenly turned deep blue as oceans swirled within them.

A massive whale surged within that sea, sending rolling towering waves forward. It leaped up amid the raging waves! It burst from Arlington's gaze, riding the wind as it swelled.

Beside him, Lava Shaman, garbed in primal vestments, grew excited.

He felt the sun etched on his chest screaming in hunger:

Kill him, kill him! Slay that man!

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"This is the great Totem King's decree. I will fulfill it at any cost! I'll give my all even if it burns me to death!" Lava Shaman's upper garments burst into violent flames, baring his skinny frame.

The golden sun totem over his heart blazed hotter and brighter. Glowing lines extending from the sun started to crawl across his body. He seemed like a living engraving of the midday sun.

"The volcano is my domain! I shall end that man myself!" Lava Shaman roared.

Gold and blue Qi billowed without limit, warping the very surroundings.

"Armor Ghoul! The foe is upon us, what are you waiting for?!" Demon Phoenix, still a crimson comet, shouted as he dove down.

Cra-cra-crack...

Instantly, the cloaked and silent Armor Ghoul began to move. His aura blew his garments away, revealing a burly armored form. Layered dragon scales overlapped in cruel arcs to make a jet-black heavy armor!

It gleamed with sinister matte curves under the sunlight. On closer inspection, one could see that the armor was not metal but solid Qi! It exuded a chilling aura.

Clack!

Armor Ghoul pressed his gauntlets together with a screech of steel. He lowered his head, as though in silent homage.

Whoom...

Behind him, a ghoul dropped from the sky and merged with him. A frigid Qi erupted from him, mountain-deep and abyss-wide.

"Now the tide has turned!

Hahaha...

" Demon Phoenix streaked toward them, laughing wildly as he spun.

He planted his feet between the other three. He spread his arms and golden-red wings of a phoenix enfolded him.

"Today you escape no more, Cassius!"

A vortex of dark crimson Qi raged around Demon Phoenix. However, his face changed when Cassius showed no intent of halting before a lineup of four peak combat artists.

Instead, he stamped down once, making the ridge thunder. Then he rocketed forward!

Whoosh!

A feral beast streaked down the mountain. At last, its bloody fangs flashed into view.

"One against four?

Hahahaha

! I like those odds!!!"