A deafening bang boomed out within the War Palace chamber, and it shook violently from the force of the blow. The attack created a shockwave that caused the other Supreme Battle Sect members to take several steps backwards, as they were unable to resist its powerful force.
John's aura died down after his attack, as he stared at Sect Leader EarthFist with a slightly shocked expression. The Sect Leader stood there unflinchingly, not having moved even a single bit.
John's attack just now was strong enough to threaten even someone as strong as Anton, who was in the Late Heaven Tribulation Realm. Yet the man before him shrugged it off as if it were a light breeze. Clearly his power was towards the top of the Dao Transformation Realm, or even higher, to be able to shrug off a blow in such a manner.
'How strong!'
The other Supreme Battle Sect members regained their balance, and quickly looked back at John with looks of absolute shock on their faces. While they had heard the rumors of his strength, seeing and believing were two different things. They had assumed the rumors of his ability to jump an entire realm in combat were nothing more than exaggerations from the Heavenly Lightning Sect, but now they knew it was the absolute truth.
John took a few steps back after his fist attack as he stared at Sect Leader EarthFist. He shook his hands a couple of times in pain as a wry smile appeared on his face.
"What the hell is your body made of?" John couldn't help but exclaim.
The serious look on EarthFist's face quickly melted away into a large smile as he began to laugh boisterously. His laughs boomed loudly within the chamber, its power so great that it shook the floor and walls.
"Haha, it's been a long time since I've felt surprised, but boy...today you surprised me," EarthFist said loudly. His gaze shifted to Lilian who sat nearby.
"You got quite the disciple here," he said to her.
Lilian smiled ever so slightly as she nodded his head. "That we do. But I'm assuming he easily passed your trial, so isn't he also your disciple now?"
"Hahaha, that he is," EarthFist replied happily as his gaze shifted back to John. His large hand rested on John's shoulder as an approving look appeared on his face.
"You are now an official disciple of our sect," he said to John. "I'm sure you'll bring glory to our sect."
John smiled as he nodded his head, incredibly happy to have become a member of the Supreme Battle Sect.
'Now I won't have to worry about obtaining a body battle art for a long, long time.'
EarthFist's gaze shifted back to Lilian, as he spoke to her once more.
"I'm assuming he will be going to the Divine Martial Continent soon?"
"In the next few months," Lilian said as she nodded her head in confirmation.
"Good," he said as he looked back at John. "Much like the Heavenly Lightning Sect, our Supreme Battle Sect has our main sect located on the Divine Martial Continent. In fact, it's quite close to the location of the main Heavenly Lightning Sect, so you won't have trouble finding it. Make your way there when you can, and I'm sure you'll obtain even more benefits from our sect," EarthFist explained.
John nodded his head once more, as he was sure to do so. Any opportunity to obtain power and resources would be an opportunity he would not miss.
"Good, then our business here is done today," EarthFist said with a satisfied tone.
Without saying anything else, he turned and strode out of the room, quickly followed behind by the other members of the sect. John watched them leave, before he turned to Lilian who still sat on her throne.
A small smile appeared on her face as she stared at him. "It seems like you're becoming quite popular with others. Are you already bored of this sect of ours?" she teased.
John rolled his eyes at her comment and didn't bother to reply. He knew anything he said would most likely result in a beating, as he would say something sarcastic back.
John decided to switch topics, as his focus shifted to the Divine Martial Continent.
"You said we will leave for the Divine Martial Continent in several months?" John asked for clarification.
"Correct," Lilian replied. After the entrance exam for the newest class of disciples, we will leave for the Divine Martial Continent." she explained.
"Until then, be sure to raise your strength as much as possible. The Divine Martial Continent has many monstrous disciples as well. You may be undisputed here, but even you will find yourself challenged over there."
John raised one eyebrow as he heard this, but didn't argue against his master's words. She knew more about the continent than him.
'Maybe she's just saying that to scare me into raising my strength as much as possible, but I don't need any extra motivation. My motivation and desire for strength is already at the precipice of what is possible.'
John conversed with Lilian for a short while longer before leaving the War Hall, and set out to take care of everything he needed to get done in the next few months.
As he strode out of the War Hall, he was greeted by a familiar face that he had not seen in quite some time.
"You bastard," Adam exclaimed. "You returned months ago and you've yet to say hi to me? Do you not consider me your friend?"
An item suddenly appeared in John's hands as he tossed it over to Adam, who quickly caught it. It was the shrouding artifact that he had obtained in the Bloodfiend Sect, which contained a powerful shrouding formation.
Adam's eyes lit up as he quickly began to study the artifact, as John rolled his eyes at how easy it was to appease Adam.
…
Time passed by incredibly quickly, as John set out to deal with everything he needed to get done before he left for the Divine Martial Continent. During the day, he would go about helping his clan build their branch and his friends raise their power, while he would focus on cultivation at night.
During the last few months, Miko had shown up several times as well, and he and John quickly caught up on everything that had happened and also discussed their future adventures in the Divine Martial Continent.
Like this, three months passed by.
...
In a valley between two large mountains, a massive white and gold gate several hundred yards wide and tall stood, guarding its entrance for all who wished to enter. Two massive blue lightning bolts were carved into either side of the gate, and massive walls extended outwards in both directions from the gate as far as the eye could see.
A wide road led directly to the entrance of the gate, hundreds of thousands of people were gathered before the gate, with more people arriving by the minute. The crowd ranged from young teenagers to the elderly, and a boisterous atmosphere filled the crowd.
Many large and powerful beasts were seen throughout the crowd, with grand carriages attached to them. Powerful cultivators were seen guarding the carriages, and many important looking people, dressed in fine robes and surrounded by a large following were present.
Some of the cultivators were floating in the sky above the crowd, but none dared venture higher than the height of the gate itself, as doing so was considered an act of disrespect.
Towards the front of the crowd, over one hundred thousand youths, aged twelve to fifteen, gathered before the gate. Excited discussions filled this crowd, as they discussed today's event.
"I can't believe this day finally came," one youth exclaimed.
"I know. I've been looking forward to this day for so long," another replied with absolute enthusiasm.
"Do you think he will show up?" another nearby youth asked.
"Him? You mean John Fenix? No way," another youth replied. "He's the sect's number one disciple. I'm sure he has better things to do with his time."
"That's too bad," the first youth replied, slightly downcast. "Oh well, just joining the same sect as him is already exciting. If the sect can raise someone to be as powerful as him, who's to say it can't do the same for me!"
Today was the day of the Heavenly Lightning Sect's annual entrance exam, and as expected, it had drawn an incredibly large and excited crowd to its front gates. However, the crowd was many times larger than usual.
High above the crowd, two figures floated in the sky as they looked down on the crowd. John's eyes swept over everyone below as a wave of nostalgia washed through him. This is where his true journey had started, leading him to where he was today.
"Feeling nostalgic?" Lilian asked as she looked down on the crowd below.
John remained silent, but nodded his head in agreement to her words. A small smile appeared on Lilian's face as she gazed at the crowd below.
"The crowd is many times larger than ever. Obviously everyone is here because of the tales they've heard of you. It seems you've made our sect more popular than ever," Lilian said, her tone slightly teasing. "Go on, it's time to begin the entrance exams. Don't keep the eager crowd waiting."
John rolled his eyes once more as his body began to descend down to the crowd below, ready to usher in the new era of Heavenly Lightning Sect disciples.