Sect Leader Thunderzen's eyebrows raised slightly at John's request. "You want to take this matter into your own hands?"
John nodded his head in confirmation. Hunter had targeted him, and so John had to personally repay the favor. If he had not been strong enough in their first fight, both John and Adam would have died, and he would never forgive such a thing.
"Sect Leader, what is going on?" Elder Wren suddenly asked.
While he knew his disciple could be trouble at times, he truly believed his disciple when he said John had targeted him. That was why he had come here with such fire, intent on eliminating those who would target Hunter.
He had raised Hunter from when he was a small boy, and considered him to almost be like a son to him. He was panicking now, as he could tell that the situation was not good for Hunter at the moment.
However, the Sect Leader ignored Elder Wren, as he considered John's proposal. Normally, such a situation would be handled by the Enforcement Hall, and he deferred such decisions to them.
His gaze turned towards Elder Ragur, who stood there silently. As a Heaven Tribulation Elder now, Elder Ragur's status had skyrocketed, and he was now one of the main Elder's in charge of all things related to Enforcement Hall matters.
Elder Ragur paused for a moment and looked towards John, who stood there with absolute confidence. His gaze returned to the Sect Leader, and he nodded his head in affirmation.
"Then it's settled. I approve of the Life and Death duel," Sect Leader Thunderzen stated loudly for all to hear.
A thunderous uproar immediately exploded out within the crowd.
"A Life and Death Duel? How long has it been since the last one?"
"I'm not sure, but this battle should be incredible. It's between two of the most promising first years in our sect."
"I wonder who will win. Let's go to the Life and Death martial arena immediately."
Life and Death duels were always completed in the Life and Death Martial Arena, in order to contain the battle and minimize destruction to the surroundings.
"There's no need for the arena," John suddenly stated out loud. "This won't be a fight, but an execution."
Hunter's panicked face darkened at such a comment. Even though he was in a serious situation, he would never allow himself to be spoken down to like this.
The crowd became shocked at John's overbearing comments, and their gazes fell onto the Sect Leader. Sect Leader Thunderzen wore a small smile on his face, becoming more and more approving of John's attitude.
"Then let the fight take place here," Thunderzen replied.
The courtyard in which John and the others stood was massive, and there was easily enough place for a Core Formation battle to take place. Not only that, but with the Sect Leader present, he alone was able to easily negate any collateral damage to the surroundings.
The crowd once more exploded into an excited uproar, ready to see the fight unfold before them.
"Sect Leader, I implore you to change your mind," Elder Wren pleaded towards the Sect Leader.
"He has broken the rules of the sect, and must be punished accordingly," Thunderzen replied, his gaze unflinching.
"Don't worry, if Hunter can kill me, then I am fine with letting him live and go free," John suddenly stated.
Everyone in the crowd, as well as the Elder and Sect Leader, looked towards John with mixed expressions of either surprise or confusion.
However, only John knew his reason for such a request. He had no intention of losing this battle, and knew Hunter's life was coming to an end. However, killing Hunter, who had no hope of surviving after the fight brought John no satisfaction.
On the other hand, giving Hunter the hope of freedom, before crushing those hopes completely, was what John wanted. He wanted to shatter Hunter completely, in both body and mind.
Sect Leader Thunderzen paused for a moment before nodding his head. "It shall be as you say. If you are to lose, Hunter will have his freedom. While he will be exiled from the Sect, he will not be executed."
Hunter's eyes instantly brightened, going from the depths of hopelessness to elated happiness.
"That was the dumbest thing you could have said," Hunter suddenly replied to John, his confidence once more restored. "I get to kill you, and I get to live. What a day this will be."
He had made great improvements in the past month while waiting for John to leave the mysterious lands, and was ready to show those improvements today. While he would be forced out of the Sect afterwards, he would have his life, and his revenge.
John stood there with a relaxed face, unconcerned with Hunter's provocative words. Despite having no blood essence or body Qi, John was unconcerned with Hunter. His strength had improved leaps and bounds since they last fought.
Even by only using his essence Qi, and the natural strength of his body, John was more than confident in crushing Hunter.
"Clear the way," an Elder suddenly stated, moving the crowd back away from the fighting area. A clearing was soon created, leaving only John, Hunter, the two Elders, and the Sect Leader standing there.
Elder Ragur patted John on the shoulders and gave him a small smile, before walking off. He said no words, because he had complete confidence in John. He would be able to talk to him after the fight.
At the same time, Elder Wren, unable to change the course of events, gave Hunter some words of encouragement before stepping aside.
Thunderzen looked at both John and Hunter before speaking to them. "This fight will only end with one of your lives being taken. You may begin."
His body suddenly vanished, and he instantly appeared at the top of the steps of the Heavenly Lightning Palace which overlooked the courtyard below.
"Haha, now that it's gone this far, you only have yourself to blame," Hunter stated while laughing like a maniac.
His aura exploded outwards, revealing that he was now in the Middle Core Formation Realm. Not only that, but he was towards the peak of this minor realm, showing the great improvements he had made since he last fought John.
The soul banner hunter used suddenly appeared in his hands, filled with malevolent energy. All those in the crowd narrowed their eyes as they stared at the banner. They could all tell how many lives had been sacrificed to it, and they pulled their faces in disgust.
"My Soul Stealing Banner is even stronger than the last time we fought, and so am I. Prepare to give me your life," Hunter said to John, confidence clear on his face.
Soul wraiths suddenly pierced out towards John, flooding the area and entering his body. They began to attack his soul from within, seeking to destroy it. However, with his cultivation raised to the Core Formation Realm, John's soul was strengthened greatly as well. He ignored the pain in his soul and mind, focusing only on his prey before him.
John casually looked towards Hunter, and slowly raised his finger. Lightning began to build up on it, quickly reaching an incredibly dense and profound level.
"How can an early Core Formation youth generate such power?" a shocked crowd member mumbled out. Those nearby all nodded their heads in agreement, as they could tell John's essence power was far beyond what an Early Core Formation youth should be capable of.
Sect Leader Thunderzen narrowed his eyes as he stared at John, and slight surprise could even be seen, as well as a hopeful anticipation.
"It appears that he may truly be the one we have been looking for," Thuderzen mumbled out loud.
Boom!
An incredible lightning beam exploded out from John's fingers, as he unleashed his strongest Lightning Ruin.
"What?" Hunter exclaimed in shock, as the power of John's casual lightning attack was far beyond his expectations. It was more akin to a Late Core Formation attack, and was not something he could take head on without taking damage.
Boom!
John's lightning slammed against Hunter's soul banner before he could react, and Hunter was blown backwards like a cannonball, unable to resist the power of John's simple attack. The banner flew out of his hands, and Hunter did his best to stabilize himself.
After flying backwards for a short moment, Hunter stabilized the tumbling blood and Qi within his body and regained his balance. He looked back towards John's last position as his eyes went wide.
John stood directly before him, his speed shocking all as he appeared next to Hunter in an instant.
An incredibly powerful battle axe appeared in his hands, as his cold gaze pierced down on Hunter, as if he was cutting down nothing more than a momentary nuisance. Three profound Dao's began to emanate from the axe, as John suddenly cleaved it down with all his might.
Hunter grit his teeth, and summoned his Core Formation Grade sword. His sword slashed out with all his might in an attempt to parry John's battle axe, as it was too late to dodge.
Bang!
Shattered metal fragments flew out in all directions, as John's battle axe completely shattered Hunter's sword in half. It continued cleaving towards his body, unimpeded.
Hunter's eyes went wide with panic and fear, as the battle axe reached his body. It was too late to do anything.
Che!
The crowd grimaced as John's battle axe completed its arc, slamming into the ground behind Hunter. The earth shattered beneath the force of the axe, upheaving earth and dust, obscuring the vision of all.
After a short while, the cloud of dust began to fade, slowly revealing the scene within. John stood there triumphantly, staring down at the bisected body before him. In just two casual moves, John had killed Hunter, whose lifeless eyes now stared eternally at the sky above, fear and regret forever etched on his face.