Ascension of the Immortal Asura

The gasps of ten million stunned spectators resounded throughout the stadium at the shocking sight of Ishnai exploding from within. Then there was silence, as no one knew what to do or say in the moment, as the turn of events was too sudden and too shocking to process quickly.

Ishnai, the number one genius of the Mage-Dao Sect, and one of the most talented to ever come from the sect, had perished. Tens of millions of eyes stared at the Mage-Sovereign, who stood motionless in the arena, the blood and viscera of Ishnai splattered all around her. 

The Mage-Sovereign remained silent and motionless for what felt like an eternity to everyone. She then waved her hand, using her power to collect every bit of Ishnai's remains, most likely for some sort of burial later. Then she turned around to face John, an action that caused everyone to hold their breaths. 

The two locked gazes, and John felt the piercing weight of the Mage-Sovereigns gaze. He could feel her emotions through her gaze. Her shock. Her confusion. Her rage. He could feel her thinly veiled bloodlust, as if she wanted to tear him apart at a moment's notice. That was understandable, given the circumstances, although John was not concerned. With the Prime Shadow nearby, the Mage-Sovereign would have to be suicidal to take action against him.

Her eyes then became unfocused, as if she were looking at things around John, and not at him. John instantly realized what she was looking at; his Karmic threads. While he didn't know how much a Holy Manifestation cultivator could see or discern from his Karmic threads, he was certain she could see how many were connected to him, and the profundity of each thread. 

Her eyes wavered, growing wide with hidden disbelief, then returned to normal an instant later. Her gaze slightly changed at this point, one less blood-lusted, and more one…awed. 

"Such Karmic Fate…" she trailed off. The two locked eyes for a moment longer, then the Mage-Sovereign turned to leave, taking to the sky in a direction opposite the viewing platform she had come from and towards the Yang-Sphere exit.

"Wait!" a loud yell boomed through the arena, causing the Mage-Sovereign to pause and stop in the air. She turned towards the source of the voice, as did all the others in the stadium, John included.

He narrowed his eyes as he stared at the Sword-Saint, who was standing before his chair, eyes locked onto John with menace, as well as…amusement. A tinge of a smirk appeared on his face as the two locked eyes, then he shifted his gaze to look at the Mage-Sovereign, then the Yang-Sovereign to his side.

"This boy has violated the rules of the tournament. His actions have resulted in the death of his opponent, and the rules in this matter are clear. He is to be disqualified, as well as punished in a manner befitting such a grievous crime," the Sword-Saint said, a lofty look on his face as if he were the arbiter of justice for the human race.

The crowd gasped again upon hearing this, their eyes shifting between John and the three powerhouses. Was the dark horse's fate going to end like this, with a whimper instead of a bang? 

"This matter is not so simple," the Yang-Sovereign said, a thoughtful frown on his face. As if expecting such a reply, the Sword-Saint looked to the Mage-Sovereign, who still floated in the sky above the arena, her face expressionless.

"Mage-Sovereign. Surely you are in agreement that judgment must be meted out?" the Sword-Saint said, trying to get the Mage-Sovereign on his side. If he was able to do that, then John's disqualification was almost ensured. While punishing John was almost impossible with the Prime Shadow at his side, getting him disqualified was more than enough for the Sword-Saint at the moment. 

"My dearest disciple's blood has yet to cool, and yet you are trying to use her death for your own personal gain?" the Mage-Sovereign sneered sharply, her reply and viscous tone surprising the Sword-Saint, who had been expecting agreement from her.

"I'm only trying to obtain justice for your departed disciple," he replied with the sincerest tone he could muster. "Letting this boy continue to participate in the tournament after what he did is an affront to you, Ishnai, and the entire tournament!"

"Silence!" the Mage-Sovereign barked out immediately, her voice booming throughout the entire Yang-Sphere like a thunderclap. Her sudden outburst shocked everyone, as none had ever seen her react with such raw emotion, the Sword-Saint included. 

"You will speak no more of Ishnai, nor will you attempt to use her death to further your goals," the Mage-Sovereign scowled. The Sword-Saint opened his mouth to speak again, but was cut off immediately as the Mage-Sovereign continued. 

"Ishnai's death was of her own doing. She knew the risks of using another's Karmic Fate, and in the end lost her way. Not only was her death her own doing, but this boy," she said, turning her eyes downward towards John, "this boy warned her of the consequences of doing so. He took no action whatsoever during their fight, and thus cannot be found at fault for Ishnai's death. I will not sully Ishnai's death by partaking in this farcical display of yours."

An aghast expression appeared on the Sword-Saint's face, clearly not expecting this event to be turned on him in such a way, making him look like a impulsive and vindictive fool. After a moment of silence, he sat back down, burying the subject. Without the Mage-Sovereign's support, punishing John was impossible.

The Mage-Sovereign continued to stare daggers as the Sword-Saint for a short while, then shifted her gaze back down to John who had yet to move from the arena, the two locking eyes.

"Boy," she said, no respect in her tone when speaking to John. "Ishnai's death might not be your doing, but her blood is still on your hands. If you fail to win the tournament and let her death be in vain, I will seek you out, regardless of the consequences."

A sad, understanding smile appeared on John's face as he nodded towards the Mage-Sovereign in understanding. There was no doubt on his face whatsoever, a silent confirmation of the Mage-Sovereigns request.

"Good," she said, then turned and flew through the sky, disappearing from sight a moment later. Her departure once more filled the arena with a deafening silence, as no one knew what to say or do with everything they had just seen and heard. 

A short while later, the Yang-Dao Sect Elder coughed, then stepped towards John to announce the result of the battle.

"The victor, by…" he paused, not knowing how to describe the outcome while still being respectful of the Mage-Sovereign and her dead disciple. In the end, he cleared his throat and continued.

"The victor, John Fenix!"