Shock. Disbelief. Silence.
These words described each and every person who had witnessed the battle, from the most lowly nobody's to some of the most powerful cultivators in the world.
There wasn't a single person who maintained their composure. It was impossible to do so. John's battle had shattered every fabric of the reality they through they knew. That reality had already been shattered by Asuros just prior, and then had been completely torn to shreds by John, much like he had done to Asuros himself.
Wide eyes turned to the side, locking gazes with those nearby, who were equally as stunned. The battle between Lilian and Zeras had been a beautiful battle of heavenly essence battle arts and genius level comprehensions.
While John also displayed genius level comprehensions, his battle was the complete opposite. It was physical, it was overwhelming, it was savage.
How could a body be that powerful? How could someone unleash a physical transformation, a body battle art, and an essence battle art, all at the same time, all powerful and profound beyond compare. It was utterly impossible! It defied the fundamental tenets of cultivation.
And yet, it had happened before their very eyes. It may be impossible for the world, but was apparently not impossible for John.
"Wooo! I never doubted you for a second!" A loud cry of elation suddenly broke the silence, coming from Caz, who felt unable to control his emotions. While John's power was far beyond anything he could have imagined, His friend had won as he had as he had expected, and had made an absolute fortune from betting on him. He had been so confident in John's victory that he had put almost all his money on him in the beginning, and had multiplied his wealth several fold as a result.
Caz' shout of joy seemed to break everyone out of their daze. A calamitous uproar of frenzied shoutin, heated discussions, and joyous cheering boomed out throughout the city, which shook from the sound alone.
The Honorable Alliance camp cheered with pride and joy, beyond elated that their representative had won in front of everyone, and in such an overwhelming fashion. Those in the Forbidden Alliance had looks of displeasure, disgust, and even anger, and they slinked away from the city as fast as they could.
Hovering in the sky behind the city, two men smiled lightly at the scene before them.
"Asura of Annihilation…no wonder he's called that," Thunderfist said with a satisfied smile on his face.
"It is indeed an apt name," Thunderzen replied, his gaze less satisfied. The whole world now knew of John's talents, and that would no doubt cause a headache in the very near future.
…
John hovered in the sky before the smattering of blood, flesh and bone that had once been Asura. The force of his attacks and the heat of his lightning had practically fused the charred pile of Asuros to the formation barrier.
Ptew!
John spat on Asuros mangled corpse, and his hatred and anger seemed to leave with that spit. Asuros was dead, his fallen family and alliance members were avenged. His death feud was over.
Weakness developed him, and he fell to the arena floor below, no longer able to support himself in the sky. He landed on his feet with a thud, but managed to stay upright.
His body ached and his head pounded with pain. He had utilized both the Asura Transformation and the Dragon-God Shift for about a minute, which had pushed his body to its limits.
He swayed with weakness, and fell down onto his knees. A soft hand caught him before he kneeled, placed on his chest, supporting him. John looked at the one who had appeared, and a smile appeared on his face.
"I hope the battle was to your satisfaction," John said to Lilian, who had appeared before the artifact spirit to support him.
After a battle like that, a display like that, kneeling was not something she would allow John to do, she thought. A genius of his level was not allowed to kneel, regardless of the reason.
Lilian studied John's face with a stern expression, as if she were trying to see into his very soul. A small smile appeared on her face a moment later.
"It was very much to my satisfaction," she said warmly.
John smiled widely, his teeth bared in a rare full smile. He felt lite, like a massive weight had fallen off his shoulders.
Flash!
The artifact spirit golem appeared beside him, both shifting their attention towards it.
"Congratulations," it said monotonously. "You have passed the final trial, and will be permitted to enter the true final area of this divine realm," it said, while John suddenly felt warm and vibrant energy flood into his body, healing his wounds, mending his slightly fractured meridians, and restoring his spent qi. It was an amazing feeling, although John still much preferred the feeling of Laia's healing more, which was far more pleasant and euphoric.
His body dantian was not replenished, as if the golem couldn't detect it. John was not surprised. It glanced at John and Lilian.
"Once you are fully healed and restored, you will be sent to the final area," it instructed.
"What's to happen to Lilian?" John asked before the golem left.
"They will remain here until you are done, and then all will be expelled to the realm entrance," the artifact spirit replied.
John nodded his head, satisfied. The golem vanished, and John and Lilian shared a glance again.
"Come. We have much to discuss," she said, waving her hand, her flying ship appearing within the arena. The two entered within, and the door closed.
The final trial was finally done. Zeras and Asuros were finally dead. It was time to rest, if for only a brief moment before the next storm arrived.
…
Silence filled the Astral Emperors throne room. He had wanted to crack a joke about Asuros' shortcomings, but had held his tongue. His instincts told him that if he did so, he would perish.
The Asura beside him remained silent, but his emotions were more than clear. Its large fanged teeth were gritted and bared, scraping loudly against each other as it grit its jaw with anger. Its sinister aura flooded the chamber, feeling suffocating to even the Astral Emperor himself.
The Astral Emperor frowned. He could tell that the Asura was about to explode with rage, and if that happened, his palace, and perhaps even his empire would be destroyed.
"Why did you care to raise a disciple?" He asked, trying to distract the Asura from his rage. "What could the boy have possibly done for you that you yourself could not have done.
The Asuras blood red eyes shifted to the Astral Emperor.
"Done for me?" The Asura snorted deeply. "He was cattle, meant to be fattened up for slaughter. His only purpose was to grow, and then be devoured by me!" It boomed, and then slammed its massive fist in rage towards the chamber floor.
The Astral Emperor's eyes went wide. He could not allow this attack to land. It would destroy everything. His power flared, and a strong astral and spatial energy appeared before the Asuras fist, and softened the blow, like a hand hitting a pillow.
The chamber shook, but it remained intact. The Astral Emperor breathed out in relief. The Asuras angry eyes snapped to him, as if he would attack him next.
"Destroying my palace does no good," the Astral Emperor said.
The Asura growled, glaring as if still deciding whether to kill the Astral Emperor or not.
"You lost your disciple, but why not take the one who had killed him," the Astral Emperor said. The Asura narrowed its eyes thoughtfully.
The Astral Emperor smiled.
"The boy clearly has Asura blood in him, and at an even higher level than your disciple. He also had dragon-blood in him it seems, which should nourish you as well. He also has Laia's soul-seed, and so killing him will return it to my daughter."
The Asuras gaze narrowed questioningly, causing the Astral Emperor to laugh wryly.
"I was going to inform you eventually," the Astral Emperor said dryly. "Regardless, killing the boy solves many problems, wouldn't you say?"
The Asura remained silent, and then he smiled. A malicious, evil smile that shook even the Astral Emperor.
"It does!" It growled, it's demonic smile widening, it's eyes burning with sinister anticipation. "It does!"
