Light Fortress Chapter 1696 - 373: That Person

However, this incident was far from over. As long as Xie Zheng didn’t release the young man's hand, the matter would certainly continue.

"Winning or losing... is it truly that important?" A voice, tinged with bewilderment and confusion, resonated across the dojo. These words came from Xie Zheng himself.

He turned his head, met Qi He's gaze, and slowly articulated, "You mentioned the Changye law earlier... that Transcendents require approval before utilizing Taboo Seals, correct?"

The instant he finished speaking, a series of rumbling sounds erupted behind Xie Zheng. Several dark Black Holes materialized, and amidst flashing arcs, one Taboo Seal after another began to take shape within these rifts. The Rotating Thunder Drum, the Thunder Shock Hammer, and the Black Thunder Wings became visible.

"Weren't you always curious about what I do during my secluded training at the dojo?" Xie Zheng inquired, his expression impassive. "Let me tell you, I've been occupied with creating 'Taboo Seals'! Qi He, the Judgement Institute permits one challenge annually, and the challenger cannot be refused. I have decided to challenge you now!"

"???" Qi He's shock was palpable upon witnessing the Taboo Seals manifesting one by one within the dojo.

The creation of Seals is an extraordinarily intricate process, demanding extremely stringent conditions. This craft is typically the domain of large corporations and prominent families. Nevertheless, a select few independently master a forging inheritance for Seals. The most renowned example is found in Qiaxike Town on the North Continent, a place rumored to house Divine Craftsmen in every household.

It was now clear why Mu Qingyang had wanted to introduce Xie Zheng to Changye! He apparently possessed an exceptionally rare forging inheritance of Seals!

What astonished Qi He even further was Xie Zheng's proactive decision to challenge him!

Once his declaration was made, Xie Zheng gestured towards the void. With two explosive cracking sounds, wings adorned with crackling lightning arcs split apart. One ensnared Liu Quan, while the other captured Huyan Yu, whisking these two unsuspecting youths far away. Subsequently, the entire dojo began to tremble. As Xie Zheng continued to gesture, ten arenas rose from the ground, shifted, and collided, ultimately assembling into a unified structure amidst the rumbling.

In the ensuing moment, Xie Zheng seized the Thunder Shock Hammer and forcefully struck the Thunder Drum. Instantly, arcs of light erupted. These were indeed Taboo Seals, and though they consumed his spiritual power at a rapid rate, their effect was terrifying. The instant the hammer descended, overwhelming Thunder Light coalesced, followed the sonic wave, and shot directly towards Qi He!

The Great Achievement Domain of [Purgatory] suddenly manifested!

Qi He reacted with swiftness, entering an elemental state. In the next moment, the lightning arc pierced his chest. While in an elemental state, such physical damage could be completely circumvented. However, this hammer strike was not solely a physical assault!

It carried a spiritual attack as well!

"Pfft!" Qi He's face drained of color by three shades. He expelled a mouthful of fresh blood. Due to his elementalization, what was spat out was a fragment of molten rock, which proceeded to scorch a hole directly through the arena floor!

"You're insane! Fighting in this kind of setting?!" Qi He's heart was overwhelmed with a mixture of anger and fear. It had been said that Xie Zheng held the lowest rank, but with this single move, he understood. Xie Zheng's lowest rank was solely because he never initiated challenges! This individual's strength was formidable!

Before he could finish his thought, Xie Zheng declared, "Changye champions public challenges. According to the law, I did not utilize my challenge qualification from last year, therefore I am fully entitled to initiate a challenge at this precise moment..."

Xie Zheng raised the Thunder Shock Hammer and stated coldly, "Consequently, I am engaging you in combat!"

"Boom!" The Thunder Drum unleashed a second bolt of lightning!

Qi He attempted to evade, but Xie Zheng's Taboo Seals proved too formidable. While he could escape physical harm through elementalization, evasion of the spiritual attack was impossible. The resounding sound waves washed over him, compelling him to spew out another large quantity of lava.

Observing the unfolding situation from outside the arena, Huyan Bo could no longer remain passive. Furrowing his brows, he intended to step onto the stage to intervene.

However, a hand extended, halting his advance. "Mr. Huyan, according to Changye law... this is a challenge duel between Judges. You have no authority to interfere," Du Wei stated softly. "But there is one matter I must clarify: beyond legal constraints, I personally harbor a strong aversion to interference."

"Mr. Du Wei," Huyan Bo ground out through clenched teeth, glancing towards the spectators' area. "Today is the recruitment trial day. Two Judges are engaging in a duel... isn't that somewhat absurd?"

"It is indeed quite absurd," Du Wei replied impassively. "At the very least, I didn't anticipate that having tea with you this afternoon would lead to me being brought out here as a scapegoat."Huyan Bo inhaled deeply, his voice calm as he spoke. "Mr. Du Wei, I should be direct. With the current [Confluence], Jiuning District is on the brink of significant transformation." Du Wei feigned ignorance. "I'm not sure I follow your meaning." "The Huyan Family was once unremarkable, but that has changed. Mr. Gu himself has decreed that soon, our family will ascend to the upper echelons of Jiuning, becoming the Gu Family's most esteemed subordinate clan." Huyan Bo continued, his tone measured. "Regarding the recent 'Grand Judge' controversy, you are surely aware. The highly respected 'First Judge' Mr. Zhou E, who shares an exceptionally close bond with Judge Qi He as his senior brother, has been apprned of the happenings at this dojo. He is currently en route from the headquarters and will arrive shortly." A realization dawned on Du Wei. The purpose of Huyan Bo's visit to Changye was far more significant than merely bringing his son to the recruitment trial.