The stunned crowd of the Fenix Clan and Crimson Valley Sect below watched as they witnessed the impossible happen.
A Meridian Forging youth had successfully slain a powerful Heaven Tribulation Elder. Even watching it happen before their very eyes, they still couldn't comprehend how such a thing was possible.
After a moment of stunned silence, the Fenix Clan below erupted into an absolute frenzy. Their impassioned shouts to John above reverberated across the land.
"John! John! John!"
"Young Master! Young Master! Young Master!"
"Our Young Master is Mighty! Our Young Master is Invincible!"
The nearby Crimson Valley Sect, who had yet to flee, looked on at the scene with a mix of panic and hate.
High above, John's aura began to fade as he undid his Immortal Asura Transformation Art, as well as his activated Limiter of Pain.
A wave of thick fatigue washed through him as he swayed momentarily in the sky before catching himself. His essence Qi was mostly drained after unleashed all those attacks, and his body was wracked with intense pain for fighting in his transformed state for so long.
'It seems like the more I advance the Asura Transformation Art, the more powerful it becomes, but the more damage it does to my body when I utilize it. Not only that, but my new ability to unleash tribulation lightning is also quite devastating on my combat potential. I'll need to be more careful when using these two arts in the future.'
However, everything he had utilized was needed to slay an opponent a full realm above his own, and one that was in the Heaven Tribulation Realm. Pain and fatigue was more than a worthwhile cost for eliminating such a powerful opponent. However, John knew that if he had to go up against another Heaven Tribulation opponent at this time, he would not have the strength to do so.
After taking note of his body's condition, John glanced down to his clan below. A sigh of relief escaped his mouth as he assessed the situation.
'Good. It seems my battle did not reach the clan grounds below.'
John glanced towards the nearby Crimson Valley Sect, and was surprised that they had not attempted to flee yet. His gaze locked with Warren Gildar's, who was staring at John with hate in his eyes.
However, there was only hate, and not fear, surprising John slightly. He had displayed power far beyond what the Crimson Valley Sect was capable of fighting against, and had slain their powerful Bloodfiend protector.
'Interesting,' John mused. 'He must have someone even more powerful to rely on if he still has this much confidence. I'm sure that person will reveal themselves soon. When that happens, my master can join in on the fun as well.'
After glancing at the Crimson Valley Sect, John flew towards his father below. He quickly landed before him and Cade Fenix, who looked at John with a mix of pride and surprise. After a moment of pause, Barden bounded forward and embraced John tightly.
"Welcome home son. You've made us all so incredibly proud."
John embraced his father as well, as a wave of emotion washed over him. After a full year of being away from his home and worrying for them everyday, he was finally home. The rest of the Fenix Clan kept their distance as they watched the emotional reunion between father and son.
Instead they embraced each other in cheerful happiness, beyond elated that the war that had nearly claimed all their lives was finally over.
"We live. The young master saved us!"
"The Fenix Clan is eternal! The heavens watch over us!"
Many similar cries of joy boomed out, as a sense of salvation and victory swept through the crowd.
After a lengthy embrace, John parted from his father, and a slightly sad look appeared on his face as he glanced around at the destruction of his clan. Barden noticed John's look, and shook his head at him.
"Do not blame yourself for this," Barden said to John.
"The Bloodfiend Sect started this assault because of me," John replied emotionally, a tinge of guilt in his voice.
"While that may be true, they would have started this war eventually regardless for the pocket realm. You cannot put the blame for this on your shoulder," Barden replied.
John remained silent for a moment before he nodded his head. His eyes scanned the nearby Fenix Clan members, seemingly searching for someone. Barden smiled as he saw this.
"Your mother is fine. She is in the central clan hall, sheltering herself with the rest of the clan from this battle," Barden said to John.
John breathed out a sigh of relief upon hearing this, and his gaze turned to the nearby Patriarch, who was resting in his Grandfather's arms. Blood soaked his robes fully, and his breathing was incredibly ragged as he was barely holding on.
John walked forward and kneeled before the Fenix Clan Patriarch, as a medicinal pill appeared in his hands. Its medicinal fragrance was intense, and everyone nearby could easily tell that it was an incredibly valuable and potent pill, far greater than anything they could obtain.
John gave the pill to his grandfather Cade. "Here, give him this."
Cade accepted the pill and immediately gave it to the Patriarch, his father. The pill instantly started to work its magic, and before long, color once again returned to the Patriarch's face. His breathing evened out, and his condition stabilized, causing everyone nearby to breathe out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, John," Cade said to John emotionally.
John nodded his head as he stood up and turned around. His gaze locked onto the Crimson Valley Sect, who were still looking on at the Fenix Clan.
"Something's not right," Barden said as he stood beside John. "You would expect them to flee after your victory, but they're staying there, seemingly waiting for something."
John nodded his head in agreement at his fathers assessment. "They most likely have an even stronger helper, far beyond my ability to fight against," John replied calmly.
A surprised look appeared on Barden's face, but he could tell that his son seemed to be perfectly at ease. A small smile appeared on his face as he looked back at the distant Crimson Valley Sect.
"Then I look forward to seeing how you will get out of this situation," Barden said as he patted his son on his shoulder.
As if summoned on cue, a powerful voice suddenly boomed out from above.
"What's this? I leave for a short moment to handle my own business and this is the scene I come back to?"
The voice contained quite a bit of bloodlust and malice, and was targeted towards the Fenix Clan.. In the distance, Warren Gildar smiled as his assurance had finally arrived.