The Bloodfiend youth was shocked by the Heavenly Lightning Sect youth's sudden arrival, but a smile quickly appeared on his face after he assessed the situation. Both their cultivations were in the Late Core Formation Realm, and all knew that on average, Forbidden Alliance cultivators were stronger in the same realm, due to their brutal upbringing and constant battles with their lives on the line.

"My luck ran out?

" The Bloodfiend youth replied with a sarcastic smile on his face.

"The only one who has run out of luck is you, who decided to throw your life away.

"

The black haired youth before him sighed, as if their verbal exchanges were exhausting. A weapon suddenly appeared in the hands of the black haired youth, who also wielded a scythe.

"Oh? A Heavenly Lightning Scrub that actually uses a scythe? Well, allow me to teach you how it's done,

" the Bloodfiend youth yelled out in an enthusiastic manner as he suddenly dashed forward.

His scythe came crashing down on the black haired youth, who raised his scythe at the last moment to block it.

Peng!

Scythes collided, and the black haired youth was knocked backwards dozens of yards, eventually slamming against the base of a thick tree. A pained expression appeared on his face, which made the Bloodfiend youths smile all the larger.

"All that talk, and you're this weak? Pathetic.

"

The Bloodfiend youth raised his scythe, and slashed it forward. A crimson scythe image pierced towards the black haired youth with great power.

Bang!

The scythe image slammed against the base of the tree, as the black haired youth just barely managed to dodge the attack in time. He returned his own scythe image towards the Bloodfiend youth, who easily blocked it.

"Weak, just weak. I've wasted enough time with you, so I'll end your miserable life now,

" the Bloodfiend youth called out as he dashed forward.

Peng!

Peng!

Peng!

Weapons continuously collided as dozens of moves were exchanged. The fight between the two youths dragged on for several minutes, with the Bloodfiend youth taking the advantage the entire time.

However, his frustration began to grow, as no matter what he did, he was unable to land the finishing blow on the Heavenly Lightning Sect youth before him. With each exchange, the boy he was fighting seemed to get stronger and stronger, eventually getting to the point where they were even in power.

"What's going on?

" the Bloodfiend youth couldn't help but call out in slight panic as he began to lose the initiative, and was eventually put on the defensive.

Bang!

A powerful scythe attack from the Heavenly Lightning Sect youth slammed onto his scythe, its power nearly overwhelming. His body was thrown back violently, eventually coming to an abrupt halt as he slammed into a boulder.

"I've gotten a pretty good look at your fighting style, both when you're on the offensive, as well as the defensive. Thanks for that,

" the Heavenly Lightning Sect youth said to him.

The Bloodfiend boy slowly stood up, a slightly pained expression lingering on his face, as he looked towards his opponent.

He was just about to reply, when his eyes went wide. The black haired youth suddenly disappeared from his sight.

Bang!

A powerful force collided onto the back of the Bloodfiend youth, and a shattering sound echoed out as an incredibly pained cry escaped his lips.

"Gahhhhh!

"

The Bloodfiend youth collapsed to the ground in agony, unable to move his legs any more.

Bang!

Another powerful blow landed on his body, this time piercing into his abdomen. The Bloodfiend youth's eyes went wide as he felt his dantian shatter within his body.

"Noooo!

"

His cries of agony rang out throughout the forest, as his body was suddenly kicked, causing him to roll over onto his back. His pained and despairing eyes looked up, and all they could see was the cold eyes of the black haired youth staring back at him.

The black haired youth suddenly took out a pill, and quickly forced it down the boy's throat. Healing properties quickly spread throughout his body, stabilizing his condition.

"Stay here for a bit. I'll be back to talk to you in a moment,

" the black haired youth said as he stood before him.

Despair washed over the Bloodfiend youth as he laid there motionlessly. One second he was fighting the youth, and the next, he was crippled. He still couldn't understand what had happened.

…

John stared at the Bloodfiend Sect youth before him, making sure his condition was stable.

'He can't run away now, so I'll return to question him a bit more later. But I have a good grasp of his fighting style now, so I think this boy will be a suitable target to begin my mission.'

John looked to the sky above, and through the thick tree canopies could see where the fighting was taking place. Powerful booms echoed throughout the surrounding land and the ground quaked violently as powerful battle arts were continuously exchanged.

"I've wasted enough time down here,

" John mused to himself as he kicked off the ground and took to the sky.

…

Bang!

Three incredibly powerful battle arts collided in the air, causing a large explosion to radiate outwards. A short distance away, many other battles could be seen taking place between the Bloodfiend Sect and Heavenly Lightning Sect.

As the large explosion faded, three cultivators were revealed. There were two Bloodfiend Sect cultivators, and one Heavenly Lightning Sect cultivator. In the near distance, many explosions continuously rocked the land as the disciples of both sects fought with their lives on the line.

Elder Rein stood there, breathing slightly heavily, as he stared at the two Bloodfiend Sect Elder's before him.

Although he was slightly stronger than the strongest Bloodfiend Sect Elder, he was outnumbered two to one. While the Middle Meridian Forging Elder was not a threat on his own, he was still strong enough to turn the tides of battle in favor of the Bloodfiend Sect.

"Where the hell is he?

" Elder Rein couldn't help but mumble under his breath.

The strongest Bloodfiend Sect Elder smiled at Elder Rein.

"All of you from the Heavenly Lightning Sect are like this. You run into battles even when the odds are against you, and end up dying as a result. Idiotic, the lot of you,

" the Bloodfiend Elder spoke out in a mocking tone.

"However, since you decided to donate your bodies and blood to us, we will humbly accept,

" the man continued, his smile growing larger by the second.

Elder Rein looked at the man with hardened eyes. He was truly at a disadvantage in this fight, and could only hold out for several more minutes while outnumbered.

"We don't have a lot of time to waste, so we'll be finishing things,

" the Middle Meridian Forging Elder commented.

He raised his weapon and prepared to slash it out once more, but his expression suddenly changed as he quickly dodged to the side. However, he was slightly too late, as a lightning beam suddenly exploded onto his shoulder.

"Gah!

"

The Elder cried out in pain, as the lightning seemed to want to destroy his body from within. He hastily sent his Qi to wash over the lingering lightning, erasing it from within his body.

"Another Elder?

" the strongest Bloodfiend Elder called out, slightly alarmed. He had not been ready for any surprise attacks, as he had not detected anyone in the Heavenly Lightning Sect group that was strong enough to concern them.

However, his expression quickly changed into one of disbelief, as well as amusement, as a Late Core Formation youth suddenly appeared next to Elder Rein.

"You're late,

" Elder Rein said to John as he stood next to him.

"Apologies. I had some business to take care of which took a bit longer than expected. But now that I'm here, let's put an end to this battle.

"

John put away his scythe and took out his battle axe. His aura suddenly exploded outwards, as he stared at the two Elder's before him.

His excitement, as well as battle intent, rose rapidly, as he was about to fight a Middle Meridian Forging Elder.