Light Fortress Chapter 1691 - 372: Taboo Seal

"A genius who appears once in a decade from the Huyan Family in Jiuning District, Huyan Yu, wielding the rare [Moonlight] ability and excelling in offense."

The arena’s top four matches are currently in their preparation phase.

Down below the spectators’ stands, two Judges keenly observe the upcoming duel between Huyan Yu and Liu Quan.

Qi He, who rarely speaks first, voices his opinion, stating, "Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Huyan Yu is poised to claim the championship in this recruitment trial."

His gaze lingers on Huyan Yu, filled with undisguised admiration.

Since breaking into the top sixteen, his opponents have grown significantly stronger, yet Huyan Yu’s performance in each successive battle has only intensified, surpassing all prior displays!

Truly, a prodigious talent hard to come by!

"The [Moonlight] ability proves to be exceptionally rare, indeed."

Xie Zheng, appraising Huyan Yu clad in his white training attire, remarks with a composed demeanor.

The zenith for [Moonlight] abilities lies at the A-level, with a cultivation path fraught with immense challenges. However, upon reaching maturity, its potential is undeniably immense.

A greatly renowned cultivator of [Moonlight] once graced Changye City—Gu Lushen.

Naturally, not every wielder of a [Moonlight] ability can ascend to the heights achieved by Gu Lushen.

He had meticulously followed every bout of this recruitment trial, acknowledging Huyan Yu’s formidable combat prowess, which clearly outmatched the other trial participants. Yet, Huyan Yu’s fighting style struck him as excessively brutal; while acceptable in the earlier rounds, after the top sixteen, each of Huyan Yu’s adversaries suffered devastating defeats.

Xie Zheng tilts his head, inquiring, "So, this is the prodigy you intend to select? It seems you already have someone in mind."

"Something along those lines," Qi He replies evenly.

"The Huyan Family is a mid-tier family within Jiuning District, and their patriarch had given me prior notice…"

This very heads-up was the reason Qi He made a special trip to the recruitment trial today.

The five paramount families stand as titans, yet the East Continent is vast, and the world does not exclusively belong to the Gu, Bai, Gong, Mu, and Li clans. Numerous affiliated families flourish in Jiangbei District, with the Huyan Family being one such entity, linked to the Gong Family and recognized as a distinguished lineage in Jiuning District.

However, given Qi He’s current standing, he has no need to depend on any family beyond the top five.

As a respected Judge of Changye.

Even should he depart from the three academies now, he could live in comfort and ascend to the ancestral halls of the five great families, serving as either a tribute elder or an external elder.

The preliminary notification from the Huyan Family was merely a courteous gesture, a dispensable personal exchange.

His attendance at the dojo today was solely to gauge the caliber of talent possessed by this so-called exceptional seed from the Huyan Family. Should their strength prove insufficient, he would not squander his dojo’s disciple recruitment slot for the sake of said courtesy.

But now, he perceives Huyan Yu’s performance as exceeding his initial expectations.

Indeed, a candidate brimming with promise.

"I shall take Huyan Yu as my disciple."

Noticing Xie Zheng’s gaze also fixed upon the stage, Qi He slowly declares, "I have an understanding with the Huyan Family… so, Junior Brother Xie Zheng, I must ask you not to interfere."

Within the Judgement Institute, status is determined by power; while the two largest factions have long since dissolved… intricate master-disciple relationships persist.

Even without being from the same Sect or having any daily interactions, they address each other as senior and junior brothers as a fundamental sign of respect.

"Rest assured, I will not be selecting Huyan Yu."

With a wave of his hand and a smile, Xie Zheng responds, "My interest lies with another participant."

Xie Zheng has no close confidants within the Judgement Institute.

This is primarily because his manner of speech… lacks both politeness and tact.

Upon hearing this, Qi He’s brow furrows. What is the meaning behind ‘rest assured, I will not be selecting Huyan Yu’? It sounded as if he were a merchant inspecting goods, deeming Huyan Yu the inferior choice!

Nonetheless.

It is a fortunate turn of events that Xie Zheng is not vying for the same candidate. Confronting an individual from the Judgement Institute unexpectedly today, any potential dispute would indeed prove troublesome. No one relishes trouble, and Qi He is no exception.

After confirming the absence of any conflicts or disagreements, he suppresses his internal dissatisfaction and offers a smile. "That young man, Liu Quan, his spiritual power is quite remarkable; reaching the top four is an impressive feat, marking him as a dark horse. For him to have caught your attention signifies great fortune."

This statement serves a dual purpose: offering congratulations and attempting to diffuse the tension in the air.

"Brother Qi He," Xie Zheng replies, shaking his head upon hearing this,

"You misunderstand; he is not a man of great fortune…"

"???" Qi He’s smile falters noticeably on his face.

"How should I put this to you… the young man is entwined by dark threads…"

Xie Zheng frowns, carefully selecting his words as he attempts to articulate his observation clearly. However, even as he begins to speak, Qi He cuts him off abruptly.

"Enough, since I don’t understand, there’s no need for you to say more and waste your breath."

Qi He withdrew his gaze, his expression stern. What was intended as a congratulatory remark turned awkward, as Xie Zheng was truly a strange individual, completely lacking in basic conversational manners.

He genuinely wished to avoid further interaction with Xie Zheng.

"Indeed."

This interruption did not cause Xie Zheng any discomfort. Instead, upon hearing Qi He's words, he seriously nodded in agreement.

'What an impolite person!'

Qi He longed to conclude the trial immediately and put as much distance between himself and Xie Zheng as possible.

...

...

"Jiuning, Huyan Yu."

"Qing River, Liu Quan."

On the arena, the two young men, adhering to the duel protocols of Changye, first declared their names and offered a bow to each other before commencing their fight.

However, after their identities were revealed, neither participant made a move to strike first.

Huyan Yu retrieved a white strip of cloth from his waist, fashioning it into a headband. He cast a sidelong glance towards the judging stand, observed Judge Qi He's appreciative look directed his way, and then took a deep breath.