Thunderfists words sent a wave of shock throughout the gathered members of the Honorable Alliance. While everyone knew of the Heavenly Lightning Sect and their strength, the Starforge Clan was considered a step above them.
However, those who knew of Thunderfist and his attitude were not too surprised, namely the Elders and Sect Leaders of the other gathered Sects.
Adam's fear and panic was instantly calmed as he heard his Sect Leaders words, while John smiled as well, his confidence in Thunderfist not shaken. John's gaze shifted back to the Starforge Elder, who was staring at Thunderfist with a displeased expression.
'The Honorable Alliance must have asked for assistance from the Starforge Clan in setting up the Nullification Formation, so that must be why Kadin and the rest are allowed to join the event,' John mused. 'However, I wonder if it's truly that simple, or if the Alliance is trying to court the Starforge Clan to formally join the Alliance?'
"Do you even know the name of the brat you're defending?" the Starforge Elder replied angrily. "He's not someone who's worth becoming enemies of our Starforge Clan."
"I don't know half the names of the disciples behind me," Thunderfist replied immediately without any shame. "But that doesn't matter. If they're a disciple of my sect, they have my protection. It's as simple as that."
The Starforge Elder's anger rose as he heard Thunderfist's reply, but he had to keep his calm as there were others watching, and he had to maintain the prestige and image of the Starforge Clan.
"Its best you don't get on the wrong side of my Starforge Clan," the Elder warned. "Your Heavenly Lightning Sect may be strong, but it pales in comparison to my Starforge Clan. You would be wise to make this one concession."
"Oh? Threatening my Sect now?" Thunderfist replied, more amused than angered by the Elder's antics. "If you make a move on my sect, the entire force of the Honorable Alliance would crush down on you, and that's not something you can withstand. Your clan made the choice to stay neutral and not join the Alliance, and now you'll learn first hand that an Alliance power is untouchable by the likes of you. But even the Alliance wouldn't be needed. If you make a move on any of my disciples, my brother and I, along with his little pet, can always visit your clan and pay our respects."
The Starforge Elder narrowed his eyes upon hearing Thunderfists threat. All the powerful players on the Divine Martial Continent knew of Thunderzens 'pet', which was the incredibly powerful Lightning Dragon. Thunderzens disappearance from the Divine Martial Continent for the last few thousand years had resulted in him fading away from thought, but one mention from Thunderfist was all it took to remind the Starforge Elder of the Heavenly Lightning Sects true power.
The Starforge Clan was incredibly powerful, and even the combined might of Thunderfist, Thunderzen and the Dragon would not be able to fully destroy it. However, if they made enemies of the Heavenly Lightning Sect, the war between the two powers would be that of mutual destruction, which is what neither side wanted.
The Starforge Elder stared coldly at Thunderfist, who stood there calmly with his muscular arms still crossed over his chest. He was a full head taller than the Elder, and made sure to look down on him with amused disdain.
After a short staredown, the Elder glanced over to Adam, who stared back at the Elder now, his confidence and pride restored by Thunderfists defense of him. Adam had truly been afraid for his life now that the Starforge Clan found out about him, but with the Heavenly Lightning Sect defending him like this, he felt like he had finally found a place he could call home.
The Elder scoffed and turned around, and returned to the gathered Starforge disciples. Adam breathed out a deep sigh of relief, finally feeling free of the Starforge's scourge for once. At the same time, John watched the Elder return to the Starforge disciples, who then uttered a few words to Kadin.
A small smile appeared on Kadin's face as he listened to the Elder, who left to return to the Nullification formation quickly after. While Kadin did not turn to look at the Heavenly Lightning Sect afterwards, John could instantly tell what was most likely being discussed.
'It seems like they're going to try to target Adam within the Jade Dragon Empire lands. I'll need to make sure I stay next to him at all times in that case, at least until the situation is taken care of.'
The spectacle between the Starforge Clan and Heavenly Lightning Sect was the topic of discussion amongst the other powers, as it was quite unexpected. After the matter was taken care of, John's gaze began to roam as he inspected the disciples of the other powers. The other hottest topic of discussion amongst the disciples was the Talent Testing Step scores, namely that of Kadin and Parker, who had been the one to achieve sixteen steps.
After some inquiry, John found out that the mysterious Parker belonged to the Sunmist Sect, which was located towards the back of the group as one of the weaker sects. His gaze shifted over towards the sect, but didn't see anyone of particular note amongst the group. There was no one amongst them that had the aura of someone who could achieve sixteen steps, something which confused John slightly.
However, with the person of interest clearly not present in their group, John put the matter in the back of his mind as he began discussing various plans of what to do in the realm with the other three in his group.
After a few hours of waiting, an Elder wearing white and gold robes, the color of the Honorable Alliance, suddenly appeared before everyone.
He had a bald head and a long white beard, and his appearance was around that of a sixty year old. However, the wizened look in his eyes clearly indicated that he had lived for an incredibly long time, and had experienced many things.
The man warmly smiled as he inspected all the youths before him, and nodded his head in approval.
"Truly a group of talented youths," the man's warm voice sounded out for all to hear. "Now, I'm sure you have all been told why this realm is opening now of all times? Good. Then hear this. Grasp every opportunity within as if your life depended on it, because eventually it will."
The man's words were clearly ones of foreboding, as if something dangerous would occur in the future. However, with the shifting tides of the world as of late, everyone could see that the peace given to the world over the last few thousand years was most likely coming to an end. As such, they all needed to raise their strengths as much as possible.
The man waved his hand, and tens of thousands of talismans, brimming with powerful formation light, appeared in the sky above him. He waved his hand, and a talisman appeared before each of the disciples, who reached out and grabbed them.
"These are locational talismans. Keep it on you at all times, as when the realm is coming to an end, the Nullification Formation you see before you will wrap all who have this talisman on them with spatial powers and bring them back to this entrance. If you lose your talisman, you must come back to the entrance on foot, otherwise you may be trapped inside forever."
The man's words were clear; do not lose your talisman, or you could be doomed. All the disciples put their talismans in their spatial rings, and made a mental note to safeguard them with their lives.
Suddenly, the Nullification Formation at the valley entrance erupted with great power, and emitted a formation light that slowly ate away at the Jade Dragon Empire barrier. The barrier slowly but surely opened at the bottom, until a hole one hundred yards wide and long appeared.
"The Jade Dragon Empire lands are open.. You may now enter."