Ascension of the immortal Asura

Surprise appeared on John's face. That was the question he was going to ask, but didn't think he was seen through so perfectly. The Grand Abbot always seemed to know what he was thinking. It was a stifling feeling.

"Are you truly so surprised that we would allow her to attempt obtaining the seed?" the Grand Abbot asked John, noticing the surprise on his face.

"Well, sort of," John replied truthfully. "I didn't know if there would be exceptions made for someone who did not come first in the realm trials," John clarified. The Divine Source Monastery seemed to be quite strict, and so he was almost sure an exception would not be made. But much to surprise, it had already been made before he asked.

The Grand Abbot took another sip of his tea, savoring the taste for a short moment, then placed the cup down.

"The Divine Source Monastery has a very specific mission," the Grand Abbot said. "Guard the World Dimension Seed. Ensure only the worthy can attempt to obtain it. That is our true purpose on this world, and is one of the three core missions of the Divine Source Monastery at large," he added.

The answer filled John with so many questions, but he remained silent, as he could tell the Grand Abbot had more to say.

"Ensuring the safety of the World Seed. Ensuring the sanctity of the World Void. That is our purpose here. In any other trial, your master would have no doubt placed first, and would have proven herself worthy to obtain the world seed. Unfortunately for her, you were here as well this time, but perhaps that is also her blessing.

While I'm not certain, I'm quite confident that even your master would not have been able to obtain the World Seed you obtained. It was as if it was waiting for you and only you, and no one else was worthy," the Grand Abbot said, staring at John questioningly.

John had revealed himself to be from another world, yet had lived long enough on this world to be recognized by the World Dimension Seed. He had obtained the seed without struggle, as if the Seed wanted to be with him and only him. It defied all common logic, and filled the Grand Abbot with many questions.

John chuckled wryly and shrugged. He couldn't reveal the truth of his past.

The Grand Abbot stared at him silently for some time, and then continued, putting the questions he had aside.

"Your master proved herself more than worthy to attempt to claim the seed, and although it is quite unorthodox for us to allow her to obtain it, I have decided to make an exception this time. After all, one who holds an Empyrean Dao Name has already been blessed and accepted by the heavens. Who am I to judge their worthiness if the heavens have already deemed them worthy?" the Grand Abbot said calmly.

"An Empyrean Dao Name?" John asked. It was the first time he heard the term.

The Grand Abbot waved his hand dismissively, as if John's question was not important.

"As such, your master will have her chance to obtain the new World Dimension Seed," the Grand Abbot continued. "While it will not be as booneful to her as it was to you, it will still be an absolutely immense source of help in her future should she obtain it."

The Grand Abbot fell silent and sipped more tea, while John sat there thoughtfully. With the matter of his master resolved, he wanted to ask the other questions he had on his mind.

"Earlier, you mentioned protecting the seed was the Divine Source Monasteries mission, on this world, specifically. Does that imply that there are other worlds the Divine Source Monastery exists on?" John asked.

He knew there were other worlds, but didn't know anything else. It seemed as though the Grand Abbot might have some answers regarding that, and he wanted to know everything he could about the universe outside his own world.

"Curious about the world outside this world?" the Grand Abbot asked amusingly, to which John nodded his head firmly.

A thoughtful look appeared on the Grand Abbot's face.

"There are other worlds," the Grand Abbot confirmed. "More worlds than can be counted."

The answer stunned John.

"There's that many?" he asked. "How do you get to the other worlds? Can you travel to other worlds? Are you from another world as well?"

A barrage of questions spewed out of his mouth, no longer able to contain the questions burning his mind.

The Grand Abbot raised his hand, as if to cut John off. John fell silent.

"Too much information is not always a good thing," the Grand Abbot said calmly. "You still have many things to accomplish on this world, do you not?" he asked.

John was slightly taken aback. Did the Grand Abbot know about the Asura?

John nodded his head.

"I do."

"Then do not concern yourself with distracting thoughts, and only focus on the here and now, until you have dealt with the here and now," the Grand Abbot said.

John fell silent. It was not what he wanted to hear, but he knew pestering the Grand Abbot about the truth would not work either. His mind raced with other questions, and then he focused on one. His firm gaze locked with the Grand Abbot's calm gaze.

"Do you know about the Asura?" John asked, getting straight to the point.

"I do," the Grand Abbot replied calmly, as if he were expecting the question. John was both surprised and not surprised at the same time.

"How long have you known about it?" John asked.

"Since the beginning," the Grand Abbot said, his voice still calm, continuing on. John's eyes widened as he listened to the Grand Abbot speak. "When the golden tempest fades and the blooddrop's fall, eight stars shall illuminate the world, announcing his arrival for all: the Asura of Annihilation."

"How do you know about the prophecy?" John asked, his voice dazed.

Only him and a few others knew about it. And he was sure Sect Leader Thunderzen did not tell anyone else, as it was too dangerous to spread.

"How do I know about it?" the Grand Abbot smiled. "My master was the one who wrote it in the first place."