When the enemy youths had entered the final trial area, no one had figured out how they had done so. John assumed they most likely had a way out of it, but once they entered the temple realm, there was no leaving it.
While he didn’t know of the teleportation formation or the fact that it was destroyed, he correctly assumed that the enemy youths only entered the final temple realm because they had no other choice.
‘If their means of escape was located where they entered the realm, they would have never entered the final temple. Since they did, it means that either this was their planned way of leaving the realm, or something went wrong with their original plan.
In regards to entering the realm in the first place, such a thing was thought impossible by the Honorable Alliance. As such, the only one I can think of who is above the alliances realm of knowledge is the Asura. He most likely planned this whole thing, but for some reason it went awry. If I had to guess, I’d say the Jade Dragon Emperor had a part in it, as the timing would make sense.
The Asura and these enemy powers were most likely allied somehow, but I doubt that will be the case anymore. Almost all of their most talented youths are already dead, which is something that they will not accept. I imagine their alliance was already quite flimsy from the start as there’s no way people like them can trust another, so this outcome will probably fracture that alliance.
The Jade Dragon Emperor dominated the old world, and the Asura is supposedly even stronger than him. Based on the legends of the Jade Dragon Emperor had his full might, he could sweep over this world unmatched, and so the Asura should have been able to do the same already. The fact that the Asura has not done so before now means it was already greatly weakened to a point that it was not ensured of victory, and the recent battle with the Jade Dragon Emperor should have made that situation even worse for it.
I’m sure Asuros’ mission into the realm was related to the Asuras recovery. In our battle, he kept staring at the ancient dragon corpse, and did so again right before he fled. If I had to guess, there was something on the dragon that the Asura needed, most likely to do with recovering its power.
With the Asura most likely injured and in recovery due to the Jade Dragon Emperor, he would need to employ the help of others to find and capture me before he recovers. The three enemy powers would have been the most natural choice, but that won’t be the case anymore.
With all this in mind, I should have a bit of time until the Asura starts to look for me. The only question is how long. I could have months or years, but I have no way of knowing for sure. It’s probably on the longer side due to its previous injuries.’
While his guess was not entirely accurate, John was able to figure out much of what had happened based on the information he already knew. While he couldn’t be one hundred percent sure, he was relatively certain of his guesses.
“And who are you to order us?” The leading Elder asked coldly, his words snapping John out of his thoughts. “Oh I see, you are the ones who sent these youths into the realm to slaughter ours,” he growled angrily.
The man leading the unknown group frowned at the Elders words, and gazed at the group of thirty youths with disappointed anger. He could tell that the best had not escaped.
“If you know who we are, you know it would be wise to oblige,” the man barked back coldly.
“This defensive formation ensures our safety within,” the alliance elder replied, “you have no power to make demands here.”
While the group outside the formation was stronger, the formidable formations set up before the realm had opened had been done for situations like this. Even the powerful group of enemy leaders had to stay cautious around it.
The unknown man grit his teeth in frustration, and gazed at the thirty youths for a moment before gazing back at the alliance elders.
“I am willing to negotiate for their release,” the man replied, indicating that he was willing to pay a price. The elders expressions lit up slightly, and they gathered together for a moment to discuss.
“Fine, a bargain then,” the leading elder replied after his discussion with the other elders. “What will you offer for these youths of yours?”
“I am willing to offer-“
“Gahhhh!”
A pained cry boomed out, interrupting the man. Everyone looked over towards the sound, and their eyes widened as they spotted John holding the severed arm of one of the youths, who had been the one to scream out in pain.
“What’s the meaning of this?” both the alliance elder and enemy elder asked angrily. John gazed at the enemy elder for a moment before his gaze shifted towards the nearby alliance elder.
“I already told you what’s going to happen to these youths,” John replied calmly. “These youths are not your concern. Besides, every single person in the Forbidden Alliance only cares about themselves. They would never be willing to accept a losing trade, and so whatever deal you agree to, our Alliance will be on the losing end.”
“You….who do you think you are!” The alliance elder boomed out angrily, incensed at such disrespect from an alliance disciple.
Ignoring the elder, John gazed to the side and spotted Adam, and gestured for him to approach. Adam did so, and John raised an eyebrow in surprise as he watched Kadin follow closely behind with his head down, like that of a servant.
John stared at Kadin for a moment as the two arrived, and could clearly tell that Adam had placed some sort of slave-contact on Kadins soul. He nodded in approval at Adams actions.
“So much for a genius’s pride,” John mocked Kadin, who didn’t say anything back as if he could only speak when instructed to, before he gazed back at Adam.
“I’ll ask for details about this later, but for now, would you be able to make a formation that blocks sight and divine sense around this area…namely from the eyes of that man and those behind him?” John asked as he glanced at the distant man.
“Normally no. That man is very powerful…but this formation around us already in place and with Kadins help, I should be able to. Why?” Adam replied.
“Because I want those who were wronged to take their revenge, but they won’t do so with the enemy elders watching, as they’ll be scared of retaliation,” John explained his thoughts.
“Ah. Sure, I’ll get to work right away,” Adam replied.
“That won’t be necessary,” a nearby alliance youth replied after listening to their conversation. John glanced over to the youth, and raised an eyebrow in surprise as he saw the angered yet resolved faces of many of the youths in the crowd.
“You showed me what true strength is, and hiding in fear will never allow me to follow in your footsteps,” the youth replied firmly as his gaze shifted towards one of the enemy youths.
“That bastard killed my sister, and if I didn’t take this opportunity for revenge, then she died for nothing. I’m done being scared, and I’m done being intimidated. Only by following your ways will I be able to obtain the strength to protect those around me. I may die this way, but you’ve shown me that this is the only true way forward in the cultivation world” the youth continued as he began to walk over towards the enemy youth.
John was surprised to hear such words from the youth, but nodded his head in approval.
“This is the way a cultivator should act,” he replied with approval.
As if stirred by the words of the youth, many other youths started to walk over to the enemy youths, their intentions clear. The enemy youths began to beg for mercy, but those pleas fell on deaf ears.
“Stop this instant,” the alliance Elder boomed out, his rage fully ignited, “or I’ll make you all stop!”
The youths paused for a moment, but noticed John slowly approach the Elder and stand firmly between them and the elder
“You can all continue. I’ll ensure your safety,” John said loudly as he gazed defiantly at the elder before him.
“You’ve clearly gone mad. As if they would believe such a preposterous thing,” the elder replied with cold anger, but that anger was replaced with surprise as the youths confined to approach the enemy youths, almost as if they believed John’s words.
Cried pains flooded the area as the youths began to vent their frustrations, and avenge their fallen friend and family.
“Impudence!” The elder roared. His face scrunched up as his anger set him over the edge, and he flashed towards John to end this matter swiftly.
A small smirk appeared on John’s face as his Qi began to circulate, but he stopped as an old man suddenly appeared before him and the elder, and stopped the elders fist with a single finger.
The elderly man had a long gray beard, and many wrinkles around his eyes, revealing his long age.
“Now, now. Surely you weren’t about to attack one of our disciples, Elder Wenge,” the old man chastised the elder, who quickly retreated in fear and bowed his head in respect.
“Alliance Head!” The elder called out respectfully, before gesturing towards John. “This child was about to-“
“I know what he was doing,” the elderly man replied before shifting his gaze towards John. He inspected him for a moment before a small smile appeared on his face.
“The young truly are bold,” the elderly man said to John. “But perhaps boldness is what our alliance needs most at the moment. You may continue.”