Light Fortress Chapter 1693 - 372: Taboo Seal

Liu Quan’s movements were noticeably swifter than his opponent’s. Yet, like a slick, oiled rodent, his adversary seemed to anticipate his every move through spiritual power, making him impossibly elusive despite every effort to land a hit!

This frustrating stalemate caused Qi He’s brows to knit together.

Conversely, Xie Zheng observed the unfolding scene with a wide, amused grin.

Typically, the clashes of the Initial Stage Transcendent realm proved rather unengaging. The limited power at this stage, coupled with the confined trial arena, made exciting combat a rarity. However, this particular duel was a notable exception.

"Fleeing aimlessly, missing the true objective," Qi He remarked with a poker face.

In his estimation, Liu Quan’s desperate evasion was utterly futile. Huyan Yu had already established a crushing superiority in strength. Where, after all, could Liu Quan possibly run to?

The recruitment trial was not solely about outright victory or defeat. With a Judge presiding, the emphasis was naturally placed on the quality of combat performance. He found this young man's fighting style deeply unappealing.

On the other side, Xie Zheng’s fascination grew with every passing moment. "Tsk, this kid is quite something," he mused.

Boom!

Just as vexation began to overwhelm Huyan Yu.

Liu Quan ceased his frantic retreat. While it was still a cannon fist strike, the execution was considerably less hurried this time. Perhaps sensing the futility of the imminent blow, Huyan Yu lowered his guard, conserving his strength.

This conservation directly translated to a reduction in his aggressive speed. However, Liu Quan, positioned at the ring's edge with a pronounced limp, fixed his gaze upon the now-slower Huyan Yu, patiently awaiting this precise opportunity.

Unbeknownst to any observer, he had achieved a breakthrough, mastering the rhythm of his breathing technique and beginning to wield his spiritual power with newfound efficacy. To surmount an opponent like Huyan Yu, a decisive spiritual attack was paramount.

This was the moment—

"Buzz!"

A piercing tendril of Spirit shot forth, invading Huyan Yu’s consciousness. The young man in the white training attire suddenly contorted his face in pain, his punching velocity diminishing drastically.

"Ah..."

Huyan Yu emitted a low, pained groan, feeling as though his mind was being assaulted by countless searing needles.

Seizing the opening, Liu Quan ducked beneath Huyan Yu’s wild swing and delivered a powerful blow to his opponent’s abdomen.

Bang!

As an Initial Stage Transcendent, the effects of [Moonlight] were insufficient to render his entire body as resilient as iron. The impact caused Huyan Yu to recoil, coughing violently.

Liu Quan wisely refrained from pressing his advantage. He retreated immediately after the strike, acutely aware of the immense difficulty of the ongoing battle. However, with his spiritual attack having landed successfully, the tide of fortune had undeniably turned in his favor!

As anticipated.

While the punch alone couldn’t completely incapacitate Huyan Yu, it ignited a blazing fury within him.

"Aaaah!"

Huyan Yu’s pent-up rage, desperately seeking an outlet, surged, rendering him even more ferocious. He roared, head thrown back, his bloodshot eyes fixing intently on Liu Quan. The snow-white wristband adorning his arm began to emit a chilling, whistling sound.

Suddenly, the entire arena was swept by powerful gusts of wind. Liu Quan, who had already retreated to the center of the ring, felt a jolt of alarm, as if invisible hands were relentlessly shoving him forward.

Boom!

In the next heartbeat, Huyan Yu materialized directly before him. This punch, imbued with the devastating might of the Taboo Seal, struck with such blinding speed that escape was impossible. In a flash, with his nerves stretched to their absolute limit, the young man drew a folding knife from his waist.

Slash!

The folding knife was a glossy, obsidian black. When infused with Spirit, it pulsed with an ominous, dark luminescence. The very fabric of space seemed to fracture in the wake of the blade’s passage.

The tempestuous winds conjured by Huyan Yu’s wristband swirled and attempted to ensnare the black folding knife, but the weapon sliced through the gale as effortlessly as a skiff through calm waters.

The instant the folding knife appeared.

A collective gasp rippled through the assembled spectators.

From his position in the deputy’s seat, Xie Zheng narrowed his eyes, the smirk on his face replaced by a look of grave seriousness.

Meanwhile, the main judge’s seat remained conspicuously vacant.

The violent winds onstage shattered and evaporated in an instant. Simultaneously, Huyan Yu’s fist and Liu Quan’s hand, gripping the black folding knife, were firmly seized.

Qi He materialized with breathtaking speed, positioning himself between the two young combatants. He directed his gaze not towards Huyan Yu, but intently at Liu Quan, who had brandished the folding knife and channeled Spirit into it.

The Judge’s imposing domain descended upon the arena. Qi He’s technique, [Purgatory], normally a fiery expanse, now lent a chilling resonance to his voice, sending shivers down the spines of all present.

"A Taboo Seal radiating an aura of ruin, pregnant with ill omens..." Each word was delivered with the weight of both an interrogation and a final judgment.

He inquired, his expression unreadable.

"Liu Quan, you are but an orphan from Qing River District. From whence did you obtain such a sinister artifact?"

......(PS: The writing for this Chapter, exceeding the usual length by 1.5 times, thus required additional composition time. Given the recent trend of transitional chapters, I intend to continue crafting longer installments to enhance the reader's engagement. Should only one chapter be released in the evening, rest assured it will be of this extended length or greater.)