Ascension of the immortal Asura

"So that's where you found such a heavenly battle art," Lilian said thoughtfully.

Her and John had discussed a great many things, mostly pertaining to him. His battle, his combat prowess, his inheritances had all been too profound to not ask about. Each thing he revealed in that battle had been more shocking than the last, each thing more impossible than the last.

Even for someone like Lilian, who was blessed by the heavens and had natural born inheritances others could only dream of, she was filled with burning curiosity and questions.

"And the Jade Dragon Emperor himself!" Lilian exclaimed, digesting the entire story John had told her. When he had first told her about the last few years, he had left out some details, like the Dragon-God Shift, the Jade Dragons, and the Jade Dragon Emperor.

He no longer hid the truth, as he felt there was no need to. Lilian was one of the people he could trust fully, even with his life.

Lilian slumped back in her chair, as if listening to the story had drained her of energy. Each thing John had revealed had been so shocking that even she felt exhausted from being surprised. A thoughtful look appeared on her face, and she glanced at her disciple once more.

"And what of that…Asura Transformation?" she asked curiously, "where did you receive that?"

John shook his head lightly, a wry smile appearing on his face.

"That, I cannot tell you," he replied and shrugged as if his hands were tied in the matter. "There are some secrets that I cannot tell anyone, not even you. At least not now," he added.

Lilian stared at John in silence for a moment and then nodded her head.

"Alright," she nodded. She was not upset or even disappointed. All cultivators had secrets, and keeping them that way was to be expected.

"Still, to think someone as powerful as the Jade Dragon Emperor fought against that Asura and lost," Lilian said thoughtfully, her hand on her chin. "That Asura is even more frighteningly powerful than we could have ever imagined."

John nodded his head, a serious look on his face. The Asura was no doubt one of, if not the strongest existence in the world, and was so far above John in power he couldn't even see its limits. He was still in the Heaven Tribulation Realm, and while he was about to break through to the next realm any day now, he was still far too weak to even think of fighting against such a powerful opponent.

And yet, he felt as though his time to increase his strength was running out, and quickly. The Asura had already fought against the Jade Dragon Emperor and won, so what was stopping him from targeting John next.

Lilian had told him of her father's scrying into the arena, and based on her father's connection with the Asura, it was either watching as well, or would soon find out, as the Asura's disciple, Asuros, had been slain by him.

John had no idea about the stone stele revealing his every move, as the entire world knew of him and his talent, not just the Astral Emperor.

"Since your father knows of the events, its safe to assume that the Asura already knows, or will know soon enough," John said, his mind deep in thought.

Lilian nodded in agreement.

"And for something as strong as the Asura, he won't sit idly as I grow. Even the dumbest of cultivators would be able to tell my potential based on this battle, and I imagine the Asura is thinking the same thing; I cannot be allowed to grow," John said, pausing for a moment.

"Even if he doesn't think that way, I killed his disciple," he continued. "He'll no doubt come after me, and more likely sooner rather than later."

John frowned. If the Asura came after him anytime in the next few years, he was powerless. He could have to be able to fight someone above the World Expansion Realm to even have a chance, and who knew how long that would take.

Lilian frowned as well.

"My father, Thunderzen," Lilian felt the need to clarify," and I have come up with a plan should you be targeted before you have time to grow."

"You do?" John asked, feeling hopeful.

"Yes, but this plan is most likely just as dangerous as facing the Asura himself," Lilian replied grimly. "It's filled with more unknowns than I would like to ever gamble on, but should it come to that, I am confident we will at least be able to escape the Asura. As for what happens afterwards, we'll have to wait and see."

John fell silent. For Lilian to make such a grim statement, the solution was definitely one she did not consider lightly. Still, it was better than just dying to the Asura should he come knocking in the near future.

"You want to know a secret," John said smiling, trying to wipe away the grim atmosphere.

"What?" Lilian asked curiously.

"In my battle against Asuros, that wasn't even my strongest state," John said, his smile stretching wide as if he were truly proud of himself. Lilian raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"I promise," John replied, noticing her skepticism. "I can't use it all the time, but if I were to use it on top of both my Asura Transformation and Dragon-God Shift, my power would increase several times again. I truly am a genius aren't I?" John said proudly, having no shame at all.

Lilian felt shocked to her core once more. She could tell John was not lying at all. She quickly recovered and shook her head in disbelief.

"You really are a freak," she said, then smiled. "Then I hope to one day see this power you claim to have. It should be quite interesting to witness if you are telling the truth."

"I am telling the truth," John smiled lightly, "and when you see it, I'm sure you'll be so shocked you'll be knocked off your feet, amazed at how amazing your disciple is!"