John raised his eyebrows slightly as he took in the scene before him. After he had vanquished the Crimson Valley Sect army, he had knocked the traitor Orenn unconscious and left his fate for the Clan to decide.
After looking at Orenn, John glanced up ahead and spotted a familiar figure. He walked over and bowed his head in respect.
"Patriarch, you seem to be doing much better today," John said respectfully.
The clan Patriarch, Grayson Fenix, was seated up on a raised platform at the front of the large room. His body still seemed weak, but his complexion was fuller than the day before, and his aura much more stable.
The Patriarch smiled as he inspected John closely. "I am doing well thanks to you," he replied with a warm smile. "I never thought the savior of our clan would be a junior a dozen times younger than me, but fate is a fickle thing."
John smiled as he heard this. "I'm not the clan's savior," he replied. "I was just defending my flesh and blood, just like anyone else in the clan would."
"Everyone is here? Then let's get started" a voice from behind boomed out within the room.
Everyone turned to see their Clan Leader, Cade Fenix, stride into the room. Cade looked at his son Orenn for a moment, his eyes both angered and sad, before he strode past him and seated himself next to the Patriarch.
All eyes looked to Cade as he addressed the group of gathered Elders.
"We have survived the clan's greatest tribulation, and must now focus on rebuilding. But before that, we must deal with my traitorous son."
All eyes glanced at Orenn, before they glanced back at Cade. John walked back to where his father was and took a seat.
"We interrogated him last night, but did not find out much. He gave us no information regarding the reason for his betrayal, or if anyone else was involved with his betrayal," Cade explained.
"I have some information," John suddenly spoke up.
Everyone in the room looked to John, curious as to what he knew about Orenn.
John stood up as he addressed the gathered Fenix Clan Elders. "Orenn's betrayal is most likely linked to the Bloodfiend Sect," John started to explain.
"The Bloodfiend Sect!" several Elder's exclaimed. That name had instilled a sense of fear within them, as it was the reason for their near destruction.
"Yes. I imagine that they have given him promises of riches and power for his betrayal, just like they did for Parker," John replied.
"Parker?" Cade replied. "Parker was taken in by a Holy Land Elder, who claimed to be part of the Firelight Sect. Is this not the case?"
John raised his eyebrows as he heard this explanation.
'It seems as though the Bloodfiend Sect made up a story, as to keep the details of Parkers betrayal a secret. I suppose it makes sense.'
John shook his head as he addressed the room once more. "Parker didn't join that sect. Instead, he betrayed me in the pocket realm, forced me nearly to my death, and joined up with the Bloodfiend Sect instead," he explained.
"What?" a collective yell of surprise echoed out within the room as many Elder's stood up in shock. Parker was one of their most promising young geniuses, and such news was a complete shock. Cade Fenix raised his hand to call for order, silencing the other Elder's within the room.
"You have no idea what you're talking about," Orenn Fenix suddenly shouted out at John.
John glanced at Orenn with indifferent eyes before he addressed the group of Elders once more.
"In the pocket realm, I was surrounded by Dylan, Jason, and a few other enemies. I would have escaped, but Parker betrayed me, forcing me to enter a zone of death. His condition for his betrayal was to join the Bloodfiend Sect, which was happily accepted by Jason. Luckily I escaped the zone of death and was transported to the Holy Lands," John explained all that had happened.
His gaze locked onto the nearby Orenn. "As the father of Parker, I'm more than certain that Orenn's betrayal is linked to Parkers. They must have agreed beforehand to join the Bloodfiend Sect."
"Is this true?" Cade gazed at his son Orenn with hate filled eyes as he asked for the truth. Orenn looked at his father, and a large, sinister smile appeared on his face.
"Who knows," Orenn replied . He knew his fate was sealed, and so was keeping as much information about his son a secret, not that it mattered anyways.
"It really doesn't matter anyways," John replied. "The Bloodfiend Sect has been destroyed, and will no longer be a concern of ours."
"What?" Another collective gasp of shock filled the room as John revealed this truth.
"Are you sure of this?" Cade Fenix asked John with great concern in his voice. They were still on edge due to the Bloodfiend Sects interference, and were trying to figure out ways to deal with that threat. However, none of them could come up with a solution, other than remain under the protection of the Heavenly Lightning Sect.
"I'm more than sure," John replied calmly. "Because I was the one that destroyed them."
The room of Elder's, who were already more shocked than they had ever been, felt their shock rise even higher to levels they thought impossible. Even Barden couldn't believe what his son was saying, as it truly sounded impossible.
"How is that possible?" the Patriarch spoke up for the first time.
"Impossible!" At the same time, Orenn called out in shocked protest, unwilling to believe the words John had uttered.
"The details aren't that important, but what I said is the truth," John replied. Explaining his tribulation was more trouble than it was worth.
His calm and assured tone made everyone realize that he was telling the truth, which shocked them even further. However, such news was beyond fantastic for the Fenix Clan, causing them to breathe out a collective sigh of relief.
Even Cade and the Patriarch did so as well. "Then our greatest threat is no more," Cade said to the room. "What about Parker. Was he destroyed as well?" he asked John.
John shook his head at Cade's question. "Parker was no longer in the Bloodfiend Sect when I destroyed it. I'm not sure where he was taken, but he still lives."
"Hahahaha," Orenn started laughing maniacally at John's words. Everyone in the room looked towards him, as his laughter continued for some time. "Parker is far out of your reach. When he returns, his power will be far more than you can withstand."
John frowned at Orenn's words, as he seemed to know a bit more about Parker's fate.
"Silence, you traitorous filth" Cade shouted as he wrapped up his son with a restrictive Qi, stopping his laughter. He glanced at two nearby Elder's, and instructed them to take Orenn back to the dungeons for further interrogation.
After dealing with Orenn and finishing the discussion on his treason, the discussion turned to the rebuilding of the Fenix Clan, and how to best go about it. Upon hearing this topic brought up, John stepped forward once more and gave his suggestion.
"Why not establish a Fenix Clan branch in the Holy Lands?"