Ascension of the immortal Asura

John approached the two, who seemed to not notice him at all as their focus was on each other. An amused smile clung to Zeras' face as he stared at Lilian, who he had just called his sister.

"Why do you give me such a cold look?" Zeras asked, his voice sad as if he was hurt by her words. "For over a decade I thought you were dead, but I see you here before me. I feel nothing but joy for our reunion, and yet you treat me so coldly."

"Spare your theatrics for someone else, Zeras," Lilian replied coldly, her eyes narrowed. "You are now as you were then. A snake hiding behind a mask of niceties."

A grimace appeared on Zeras' face as if he had truly been hurt by Lilians words, and he took a step backwards.

"To think my little sister would treat me so harshly," he shook his head in self-pity, but Lilians sour glare did not soften for even a moment.

"Save your false tears for someone else," Lilian spat out at Zeras. "We both know who betrayed my intentions to your father. I told no one else, so don't try to lie like the pathetic man you are."

The betrayed look on his face slowly vanished as he heard this, and a small smile appeared instead.

"Ah, to think you trusted me so much back then," Zeras said, his voice now completely different, as if the warmth had vanished and nothing but cold amusement was left. "I figured you would have told at least a few others. Alexander perhaps. Or even Lazlia," he said while shaking his head at himself, as if he were a fool to not have realized this.

"And to think you don't even consider our father to be your father anymore. You truly have changed," Zeras continued, noting the fact that Lilian mentioned 'your father' and not 'our father.'

"That miserable bastard is not my father, not anymore," Lilian replied.

"Is that so?" Zeras mused, the smile still lingering on his face as he stared at Lilian closely. "It seems like getting you to return to our Astral Empire is not going to be easy. A pity," he shook his head again.

"You intend to make me return?" Lilian scoffed, amusement in her voice. "I would like to see you try," she said as her fighting spirit ignited, as if she were ready for battle at a moments notice. However, neither took action, as they knew fighting was forbidden at the moment.

The soft sounds of footsteps entered both their ears, and they turned to look at the one approaching. Lilians cold expression softened as she saw John approach, as if his presence had melted the icy hatred she was feeling at the moment.

Meanwhile, Zeras frowned as he inspected John closely. He could immediately tell who this was, just based on his presence alone. John naturally carried himself with the confidence of a true genius, and Zeras' instincts were flaring at the moment, warning him of combat when their cultivations were normalized. It was quite bizarre, as he had never felt this way before when dealing with someone younger than him, let alone someone fifty years younger.

"The famous 'Asura' pays us a visit," Zeras said to John, but there was no warmth in his voice. "I do wish to speak with you eventually, but I am busy with family matters at the moment. Leave us," he said and flicked his wrist outwards, as if dismissing a servant.

John ignored the disrespectful words and tone, and instead smiled slightly as he stared at Zeras. He couldn't help but be impressed by what he saw and felt. Zeras was truly a genius, and even with his cultivation normalized to John's realm, John felt danger from Zeras. It was quite impressive for him to feel this way, and he could tell that Zeras' status as the number one genius under one hundred years of age was well deserved.

Zeras frowned as he saw John ignore his words and continue approaching. He was a high prince of the Astral Empire, and was used to his commands being followed at all times, even when given to people not of his empire. Most would grovel at his feet for an opportunity to serve him, yet John looked at him as if he were an idiot.

"Did you not hear me?" Zeras asked, his tone cold.

John glanced at Lilian, and saw a conflicted expression on her face. He was surprised when he saw this, as he had never seen such an unsure expression on her face before. It was always icy yet powerful, yet this was the first time he had ever seen any vulnerability on her face. It was as if she was telling him to not get involved, yet knew he would do so regardless of her instructions.

John smiled at Lilian, feeling warmth at her concern for him, even if she didn't voice that concern out loud. Zeras' frowned as he saw this smile, and glanced at Lilian for a moment before turning his gaze back to John, who stretched his arms out to the side as if welcoming the conversation to come.

"If this is a family matter then that's perfect," John said cheerily as he arrived beside Lilian and stood next to her, facing Zeras. "Any matter important to my master is important to me as well, after all."

Zeras' eyes went wide as he heard John's words, and he remained silent as if he were comprehending them for some time. Meanwhile, Lilian sighed as she heard John say this, as there was no more protecting him from the eyes of the Astral Empire. With their connection known, he had been thrown into the mess she found herself in as well. However, she did not become angry, as she knew John would say this even before he said it. In fact, it made her proud in a way, that her disciple would face the powerful Astral Empire alongside her without hesitation.

"Hahaha!"

Zeras' suddenly broke out into a fit of laughter, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world. He laughed for some time before eventually quieting down, all the while John and Lilian waited in silence.

The amused expression returned to Zeras' face as he stared at John, and then Lilian.

"It seems the heavens have entwined his and your fate together, even across lives. Even I didn't expect such a thing," Zeras said, his tone full of amusement as if the most interesting thing were happening. "Master, and lover. How exciting."

A frown appeared on Lilians face, as she didn't understand what he was getting at. John looked on with curious confusion as well, and Zeras' could tell that neither knew what he was talking about.

"You don't know?" Zeras' said, staring at Lilian. He studied her expression, and realized she was truly confused at his words. His smile widened as he realized this.

"Then why don't you have your little disciple here tell you about it," Zeras said as he shifted his gaze to John. "About her," Zeras continued.

"Her?" John asked, not understanding. However, the image of someone appeared in his mind, as it was the only other person from the Astral Empire he knew. Zeras noticed the look of realization on John's face, and nodded vigorously as if this was the most thrilling of games they were playing.

"Yes, you finally get it! Her!"

"Laia?"