John's calm yet firm voice reverberated over the entire stadium, silencing it for a moment as all in the crowd looked towards Alix. He was seated next to the other two Emperors, just below the VIP Elder's, Elder Praxx included, who were observing the battles.
"What? He's actually challenging Alix. Why would he do that after he saw how strong the other two Emperors are?"
"He said he was going to challenge him before the battles started. I thought he was joking, but apparently he was serious."
"He may be incredibly strong, but the Emperors are on another level. If his strength is just what he displayed earlier, I don't see how he can win."
"You're right. The strength he displayed earlier was equivalent to a top Core Disciple, but not nearly an Emperor."
The crowd instantly began to discuss John's challenge, while looking at Alix in the stands.
Alix frowned in displeasure as he saw John challenge him. He had taken it as a source of pride after the other two Emperors were challenged before him as a subtle statement that he was the strongest Emperor.
If he was weaker than the other two, surely he would have been challenged first. However, John's challenge smashed that assumption, displeasing Alix greatly.
Alix's frown quickly changed into an amused smirk as he looked down on John from above, like a king looking down on a commoner from his throne. However, now that he was challenged, he needed to heed the call.
Boom!
His aura suddenly flared outwards while still seated, as if John's very presence was insulting him. The nearby disciples, other than the other Emperors, all felt their blood run hot and their minds start to go crazy. It was as if their blood was no longer under their own control, and were completely dominated by Alix.
Just from releasing his aura, Alix was driving the other disciples to the edge of madness. His body suddenly flashed, and he quickly appeared before John, as if he had moved like a blur. The other disciples had not even seen him move, and turned their heads in shock as they noticed the source of the aura had moved to the fighting arena below.
"How fast. I didn't even see him move," a disciple couldn't help but exclaim.
"That speed was unreal. How is he so much faster than us while still in the same realm?"
Just his casual display of speed shocked all the other disciples, as they were sure he could most likely move even faster. Alix arrived before John and stared at him as if he was inspecting livestock.
There was no respect in his gaze. Instead, it only contained disdain and disgust, in that John had the gall to challenge him.
John noticed this gaze, as well as what Alix was thinking, and smirked in response.
"Does my challenge hurt your pride?" John asked in a mocking tone. "You've been an Emperor for only a few months and you act like you're an undefeatable god? You couldn't even become an Emperor before Damon died and a spot opened up. How delusional."
Alix narrowed his eyes as John uttered these words for the entire crowd to hear. Small snickers of laughter filled the crowd as many disciples couldn't help but laugh at the truth of John's words. It was true that Alix was incredibly strong, but it was also true that his arrogance had soared to incredible levels once he became an Emperor, and only after Damon's death allowed him to do so.
"I was just going to cut you down instantly with overwhelming power, so that those in the crowd see my power and know the futility of challenging me, but I've changed my mind," Alix replied in a cold tone. "First I'm going to break you, and then I'm going to torture you to the limits your body can handle, all while the entire stadium watches."
John smiled as he heard Alix's reply, as it seemed his words had cut deep into him. Alix had tried to kill him earlier, and so John was going to make sure that Alix paid for his earlier actions.
"That's a pretty good suggestion," John replied. "I think I'll do what you just said. I just hope you don't pass out on me before the deed is done."
"Courting death," Alix replied angrily through gritted teeth.
"Courting death? You literally just now said you're going to torture me to death. I think death has already been courted, has it not?" John replied in a mocking tone.
"Hahaha."
The entire crowd burst out in laughter at John's words, and the truth of them. Alix had already said John was going to die, so why would he not court death further. Alix turned slightly red at the crowd laughing at him, partly from embarrassment, but mostly from anger.
Boom!
His aura erupted out powerfully, piercing high above himself into the sky. His aura was blood red, and bathed him in a glow of red. Standing in the middle of it, Alix looked like a blood demon, frightening many in the crowd.
"How powerful," many disciples couldn't help but utter in awe.
Boom!
John's aura exploded out as well in answer, towering up high as well. His aura was red as well, but a darker crimson red, with wisps of black in it. It was just as powerful as Alix's, surprising the crowd greatly. On top of that, it had a malevolent and sinister quality that even Alix's didn't have, shocking the crowd further.
"Wow, his aura is even stronger than before," a disciple pointed out.
"It seems that even in his previous battles, John was still holding back. Maybe he can keep up with Alix."
"Who knows, but what I do know is that we're about to watch an incredible battle take place before our eyes."
The crowd broke out in clamorous discussion, while both fighters were staring at each other with hate in their eyes, ready to explode out with power at a moment's notice.
"You may begin," the Elder's words suddenly sounded out across the stadium.
Boom!