The announcement of Ji'Han's victory sent the already frenzied crowd into even more of a frenzy, making the stands filled with ten million spectators descend into chaos. Heated arguments broke out amongst the Sword-Dao Sect and Yang-Dao Sect supporters, the latter not satisfied with the outcome. Many thought this would be Jaxus' year to shine and reign supreme, but the pinnacle genius that was Ji'Han once again thwarted Jaxus' ascension to the top.
Inside the Prime Shadow's private room, the atmosphere was the complete opposite. Silence filled the room instead, as John and the others ruminated on what they had just watched.
The battle replayed in his mind, especially the unrivaled combat prowess that Ji'Han had displayed. His movement arts were supreme, faster than anything he had seen before from one his age. As for his comprehensions and battle arts, those were unlike anything John had seen in one similar to his age.
While Ji'Han was three years older than John, his comprehensions were still on a level above anyone else, including those like Jaxus. While John was confident he would reach the Dao Lord stage in some of his Dao's by that age, it was not a guaranteed thing.
'I guess that's the difference in upbringing between me and Ji'Han,' John mused silently, noting the differences in their childhoods.
Ji'Han was born into the most powerful human sect in the Nine-Dao World, and to the second in command no less. His father, the Sword-Saint, was a pinnacle cultivator standing at the very top of the martial world, and had access to all the resources available to this world.
'Ji'Han was most likely showered with cultivation resources, treasures, martial lectures and more since before he could walk. He's been given the best there is to offer, from pills to battle arts, and everything in between for as long as he's existed. The two of us couldn't be more different in these aspects.'
Ji'Han had the advantage of upbringing and cultivation time, while John had the advantage of natural talent and heaven-defying inheritances.
John's early life had been mostly wasted, as he had been unable to cultivate until he was fourteen years old. Since then, he had to scrounge his way through the martial world, clawing and grasping for every opportunity. Compared to Ji'Han, who was given nothing but the best for his entire life, he was like a peasant compared to a prince.
'I suppose it's not all bad though. I was given the Celestial Lightning Script and Immortal Asura Body immediately, so that makes up for it for the most part,' John thought. 'And if I had to choose between the two, I'd choose my life all over again. While Ji'Han may have been given everything he needed, allowing him to perfect almost every aspect of his cultivation, his perfect upbringing has pampered him too much. He's like a perfect, ornamental sword of unmatched quality, but with the blade dulled. Someone who's lived their life in luxury instead of on the edge of life and death every day like me won't be able to defeat me.'
Still, despite all this, John couldn't help but admit that Ji'Han was a pinnacle genius, one completely worthy of his title. The only other person he had ever fought who displayed this much talent and combat prowess had been Asuros, who had been raised by the Asura into a monstrous fighting weapon.
To stand amongst Asuros, and most likely even beyond him in terms of talent and combat prowess was a feat worthy of praise.
Up on the sovereign viewing platform, the Sword-Saint looked down on Ji'Han with a proud, satisfied smile on his face.
"Congratulations," the Yang-Sovereign said, drawing the Sword-Saint's eyes towards him. "Your son fought marvelously. His win was well earned."
"Thank you for your praise," the Sword-Saint said, smiling lightly. He dared not start this conversation with the Yang-Sovereign, as it could be seen as poor sportsmanship, but now that the Yang-Sovereign had brought it up, he was more than happy to talk about the fight. "Jaxus fought admirably as well. His command over the Nine-Petal Hell Lotus is incredible, and he will no doubt he a worthy rival for Ji'Han for a long time to come."
The Yang-Sovereign nodded silently, then looked at the Prime Shadow who silently say between the two of them.
"What are your thoughts on the fight?" the Yang-Sovereign asked the Prime Shadow, who had a thoughtful look on his face. The Prime Shadow looked towards the Yang-Sovereign.
"Marvelous," he replied flatly. "Both of them lived up to their expectations and exceeded them."
"Is something the matter?" the Yang-Sovereign asked. "You seem to be distracted."
"It's nothing," the Prime Shadow waved his hand dismissively. "Just some internal Guild matters that require my attention."
The Yang-Sovereign nodded, while the Sword-Saint smiled widely. The Prime Shadow noticed his smile, then scoffed. He could tell that the Sword-Saint figured his distracted expression was due to him being concerned for John's safety now that he saw Ji'Han's true potential, but the truth was far from that.
Instead of souring the mood with boastful bragging, the Sword-Saint kept his comment to himself, then stood up from his chair.
"Yang-Sovereign," he said, drawing the sovereign's attention once more. "As the host of this year's tournament, I ask your permission to make an announcement to the crowd."
The Yang-Sovereign studied him for a second, then nodded in approval. The Sword-Saint gave his thanks, then shot the Prime Shadow one last look of haughty satisfaction before taking to the air.
His actions were noticed by the crowd, which quickly died down as the Sword-Saint landed on the arena below, landing next to his son. The Sword-Saint was a pinnacle figure on the Nine-Dao World, his power legendary, his existence nearly mythical.
While John despised the man, to the rest of the world, the Sword-Saint had a nearly god-like status, as proven by his presence alone drawing the attention of the ten million in the stadium. He placed his hand on his son's shoulder, a proud, satisfied look on his face, before he looked outwards towards the expansive crowd encircling the arena.
"The fight between my son Ji'Han, and his long-time and worthy rival Jaxus, was a battle I'm sure none of us will ever forget for as long as we live," he said, his words stirring the crowd into applause once more. He waited for the applause to die down before he continued, then said some words of praise to Jaxus, who stood nearby.
Jaxus accepted the praise as well as he could given his defeat, then soared through the air a moment later, disappearing into one of the countless tunnels leading into the stadium's interiors.
"To celebrate this year's historic Three Dao Tournament, I am formally announcing the engagement ceremony between my son and his wife-to-be, Lilian Celestria!" he exclaimed loudly and proudly, gesturing towards Lilian who sat on her seat high above on the viewing platform.
The crowd was stunned for a second, then burst into thunderous applause, as the exciting fight was immediately followed up by a stunning announcement of immense importance. The pinnacle genius of the human race was getting married, with his own father, the Sword-Saint, announcing it first to this crowd. The Sword-Saint then made a hand gesture for her to come down to the arena.
Sitting high above, Lilian wore an indifferent, almost bored expression on her face. She completely ignored the looks of the millions looking at her, as if she were not at the center of a million gazes. She completely ignored the Sword-Saint's gesture, remaining seated with complete indifference.
The crowd noticed this with questioning looks, while the Sword-Saint chuckled lightly, not wanting to cause a scene.
"The engagement ceremony will take place a week after the tournament concludes, in the heart of the Sword-Dao Sect. It is with great pleasure that I announce to everyone here that the ceremony is open to everyone, regardless of status or power!"
The Sword-Saint's surprising announcement was followed by an even bigger surprise; that the engagement ceremony was an open ceremony. Such an event would no doubt be attended by even more people than the Three Dao Tournament, as there was limited seating for the tournament, but not for a ceremony such as this one.
The crowd burst into thunderous applause and excitement, with millions of conversations breaking out regarding the sudden and shocking announcement. A wide smile appeared on the Sword-Saint's face as he basked in the attention for both him and his son, while Ji'Han stood there with a rather indifferent expression on his face. The crowd continued to cheer for several minutes while the Sword-Saint allowed the praise and applause to continue, which finally died down quickly and without warning.
The Sword-Saint frowned, then turned his head to the side, following the eyes of the crowd. He spotted John descending through the sky towards the arena, who landed close by a few seconds later. The two exchanged heated glares for a short while before John shot a quick glance at Ji'Han, then back at the Sword-Saint.
"Unless I'm mistaken," he said, his voice loud for the entire stadium to hear. "Isn't there a bet of some sorts in place between you and Ji'Han's wife to be?"
The Sword-Saint's frown deepened upon hearing this.
"There is indeed a wager between me and Lilian," the Sword-Saint replied, unable to dodge the question.
"That the victor of the Three-Dao Tournament will win her hand in marriage, am I correct?" John asked while smirking.
"Correct," the Sword-Saint nodded, then smiled confidently. "And based on what we just saw, it's quite clear to me, yourself, and everyone watching that Ji'Han's victory is inevitable. Why? Are you claiming that you will be victorious instead?"
John's smirk widened into a large grin as he turned to look at Lilian high above. The two exchanged a quick glance, both having amusement in their eyes. He then looked back at the Sword-Saint, then nodded confidently.
"Naturally," John replied calmly and succinctly, his words shocking the crowd. While they knew he was strong, his opponent would be Ji'Han, who had just put on a heaven-defying performance.
The Sword-Saint frowned as he heard this, then opened his mouth to reply. A loud, boisterous laughter interrupted him before he could.
"Hahahahaha, as expected of a fellow lightning cultivator. Bold and confident," the boisterous voice said, each word cracking through the stadium like a thunderclap.
Boom!
A beam of lightning slammed into the arena, shaking everything for a moment before the flash faded away, revealing Araxus standing nearby, a large grin on his face.
"But you'll have to get through me first, and I can assure you that won't be an easy task," he said with fiery passion as lightning flickered over his skin and within his eyes. "You better come at me with everything you have, or I will be the one claiming the tournament and the girl in the end!"
