The creature stared at John with a conflicted expression. Even with his background, he was shocked at the events that had just unfolded.
"Explain what?" John asked once again. He had just escaped another brush with death, but it seemed as though the holy aura, or man, was no longer able to help him.
"Send some soul power into the rune on your forehead," the creature instructed.
Although it had disappeared, John could still feel the rune. He did as he was instructed, and sent soul power into the rune. Upon doing so, the faded rune lit up once more, and emanated the same aura as it did before. However, other than that, he felt nothing else.
"What does this rune do?" John asked curiously.
"That rune is the signature rune of the man who just appeared. It signifies you as someone he has marked, and as such, you are not to touch. If you run into someone like me again, who targets you due to your...abilities...you can show them this rune, and they should leave you alone. Few would want to draw his wrath upon themselves. While those old enough to recognize the rune are few and far between, those who do are the ones you want to be most wary of," the creature explained.
"Oh," John replied with understanding. He was hoping it was some amazing protective ward of some sort, but it appears as if it was just an indication of his status as being important to that man.
'It seems he will no longer appear, so this should help in situations like these going forward. I'm not sure what the Immortal Asura Body is to draw the ire of this creature, but it sounds like those who know something of it will also know of the rune.'
A thought suddenly came to John.
"Wait a minute, you said that they 'should' leave me alone. Are there those who will recognize this rune and still choose to attack me?" John asked curiously.
The creature was silent for a moment before responding. "As is with all things in life, there are always exceptions. There are those who exist who would recognize the rune, and still choose to attack you. If such a thing happens, you are as good as dead. You must be careful who you show this rune to in the future, and only do so as a last resort," the creature replied.
John nodded his head in understanding.
Who are you? And how do you and the man know each other?" John asked, trying to get some more information.
"I am the guardian spirit of this temple, '' the creature replied quickly. "I was once a living creature, but my body was slain and my soul and lifeforce tied to this place. I am now tasked as its permanent overseer. As for that man, I know of him...but he does not know of me. He only appeared since I was going to kill you. He seems to be extremely weakened, but even so, he's not someone I want to offend."
The creature paused for a moment before quickly changing the subject. It was still slightly dazed by the events that had unfolded.
"Now, we shall proceed to the third trial," the creature said to John in a calm tone, as if it hadn't just tried to kill him.
John wanted to make a comment on it, but decided against such a thing. He was lucky to have gotten through this ordeal alive. He didn't want to push his luck any further.
"Normally, we would just get started on the third trial, but unfortunately there is a problem," the creature stated.
"Problem?" John asked with a slight tinge of apprehension.
"Yes...your cultivation, when compared to your age...is far too weak. As such, you are not powerful enough to pass the third trial," the creature replied.
"Huh? Come again" John couldn't help but mutter out loud. He was considered weak?
"Yes, you are far too weak. Although I have not seen you fight, based on your early Core Formation Cultivation, you will not be able to pass the third trial. The third trial is based on your bone age, and based on your fifteen years of age, your cultivation should be at the Late Meridian Forging Realm if you want to pass this trial," the creature replied.
"Late Meridian Forging? At Fifteen? How the hell is such a thing possible? No one in these lands has done anything remotely close to that," John blurted out loud. He had never heard of such a thing. Was the ancient world truly so much more impressive than the current world?
The creature stared at John for a moment, before a sigh escaped its mouth. "It seems as though this world has truly regressed since then, a pity" the creature sighed.
It's mood quickly changed though, as it once again regained its regal stature. "As the overseer of the realm, it is within my power to change the difficulty of the trial. Since you are "his" chess piece, I shall do just that. However, because you are his chess piece, while the overall power will be weaker than what it should be to give you a chance for survival, the test will not be any easier than it was for those who took this trial before you."
John sighed out in relief, but his relief stopped at the creature's next words..
"As such, your next trial is to withstand three attacks from me, without perishing."
John's eyes went wide at the trial's description. The creature found his expression amusing, and elaborated a bit more on the trial.
"I will not be attacking with my full power. This is a trial, not a death sentence. I will attack you three times, and each attack will be more powerful than the last. In between each attack, you will be allowed to rest for several hours," the creature explained.
"Okay...and how strong are your attacks going to be?" John couldn't help but ask.
The creature thought about it for a moment before responding. "Your world seems to be incredibly weak right now, but you cannot help or change that. However, this is the Divine Talent Trial, which is far more important than you could ever imagine. As such, you must display Divine Talent, regardless of the worldly circumstances. As to how strong the attacks are, you'll find out soon enough."
John frowned at the lack of information, but could do nothing about it. There was no retreating from this place, and his only way forward was to pass all the Divine Talent trials.
The creature, which was several dozen yards away from John, stood there as John got into position. He was instructed to move to the other side of the creature, so as to not be knocked off the edge behind him and fall into the endless void.
John moved into position, and steeled his mind. Both his mental and physical states were pushed to their very peaks, ready to take whatever attack was thrown at him. His battle axe appeared in his hands, giving him an even greater chance of survival.
"Wait, can I have a bit of time to prepare for the first attack?" John suddenly asked.
He had yet to use the blood essence of the Bloodfiend Sect members for body cultivation, and wanted to see if it was enough to advance to the Middle Core Formation Realm. While the process did not take all that long, absorbing that much blood essence would still take around ten minutes.
"No. However, you may rest for several hours after taking the first attack," the creature replied, squashing John's hope for a quick cultivation boost.
He frowned and wanted to argue, but decided against such actions.
'Even with the trial being a Divine Level test, I am fully confident in my battle prowess. I should be more than capable of handling the first attack, at which point I'll cultivate. Jumping realms is considered a nearly mythical feat, and so I'm sure the first attack will be at the Middle Core Formation Realm, or if I'm unlucky, the Late Core Formation Realm.'
"Have you prepared yourself?" the creature asked John.
John nodded his head and steadied his axe on his shoulder.
Supreme Battle Art!
John exploded with the strength of the Supreme Battle Art, making sure his body was powered up for the attack.
Heavenly Lightning Domain!
The Heavenly Lightning Domain sprung up around John as well, forming thirty six lightning nodes that filled the space between him and the creature.
"Hmm, not bad," the creature replied as it raised its finger. Power began to well up on its incredibly large finger for a split second before it shot out towards John.
John widened his eyes in surprise as he stared at the approaching attack. Its power was far greater than he had expected, and it reached him in nearly an instant.
'Half-Step Meridian Forging on the first attack? What the fuck is this death trial?'
John grit his teeth as he powered up even further. He would need his full strength to withstand the power of such an attack.
Immortal Asura Transformation Art!
His aura exploded out powerfully, its sinister and demonic nature spreading all throughout the area. The massive temple spirit narrowed its eyes as it stared at John, but said nothing.
John's body hit his peak state of power as the attack reached him. Eight lightning nodes lit up and fired out eight lightning attacks directly towards the approaching attack.
The lightning attacks collided on the creature's attack, causing a large explosion to radiate outwards. The attack was weakened slightly, but continued charging through the lightning directly towards John. He narrowed his eyes as he slashed his axe forward with all his might.
The might of three profound Dao's emanated from his axe.
Boom!