Light Fortress Chapter 1697 - 373: That Person

Amidst the continent's unification, subordinate families jockeyed for prominence. The Huyan Family, clearly favored by higher powers, was poised for a rapid ascent.

Bolstered by this backing,

Huyan Bo journeyed to Changye, seeking to secure maximum advantages for his clan, or more accurately... a formidable patron.

The patron he ultimately targeted was not Qi He, but rather Zhou E.

His strategy involved allowing his son to join Qi He’s sect as a means to get closer to Zhou E.

Grasping this intricate plan, Du Wei chuckled.

"Even if Zhou E were to appear, it would make no difference,"

he stated with composure. "Rules are binding. The contest between Xie Zheng and Qi He is a permitted challenge within the Judgement Institute's framework... Moreover, the position of Grand Judge remains unfilled. Should that individual desire the seat, Zhou E would be insignificant by comparison."

That individual.

These three words instantly silenced Huyan Bo.

Though Du Wei's assessment was harsh, Huyan Bo could offer no rebuttal—for it spoke the unvarnished truth.

If that particular person aspired to become Grand Judge, who would dare oppose him? Who even possessed the qualifications to do so?

"Do not forget, he still draws breath and has indeed returned to Changye."

Du Wei's expression held a sliver of mockery as he continued, "While Mr. Xiao Gu typically prefers quietude among the deceased, who can say if he might grow restless and venture out, perhaps taking a stroll near the Judgement Institute's headquarters... After all, it was once his domain."

Huyan Bo opened his mouth, but deliberation kept his words confined.

Just then, a measured voice emerged from behind Du Wei.

"Vice Chairman Du Wei, could such a remarkable coincidence truly exist in this world?"

"From my understanding, Mr. Xiao Gu has never shown the slightest interest in the Judgement Institute's affairs, nor has he ever set foot within its gates."

A figure materialized as if from thin air, clad in the distinctive black robes of a Judge, still trailed by the biting wind and scattered autumn leaves, evidently having hurried from afar upon hearing the news.

"Zhou E."

Du Wei narrowed his eyes at the man now beside him. "As the First Judge, your presence is indeed striking... Had the Huyan Family Master not spoken, I would have been unaware you were on the verge of assuming the title of 'Grand Judge'."

"..."

Zhou E remained silent for a beat, his gaze sweeping coldly over Huyan Bo.

He then calmly remarked, "The matter of becoming Grand Judge is merely conjecture. However, if the collective sentiment favors me, it is not a responsibility I would refuse."

"Hmph."

Du Wei couldn't suppress a derisive scoff. "Would you dare voice such a sentiment in the presence of Mr. Xiao Gu?"

Zhou E met his gaze, his silence stretching once more.

His attention shifted to the dojo, and he declared with indifference, "And why would I not dare?"

With that pronouncement, Zhou E advanced.

Du Wei reached out again, attempting to halt his progress.

But this time, his efforts were in vain.

Zhou E had already mastered two domains, and in that instant, his form dissolved into fluid motion, effortlessly evading Du Wei's grasp.

In the subsequent moment, Zhou E stood poised above the dojo, thunder crashing on one flank and a fiery abyss raging on the other.

The spectacle clearly indicated Xie Zheng held the upper hand.

The Black Thunder Wings had rejoined Xie Zheng, and armed with three Taboo Seals, he had rendered Qi He utterly vulnerable, forcing him into a purely defensive posture, absorbing relentless assaults!

However, Zhou E's sudden arrival instantly reversed the tide of battle.

"Senior Brother... Senior Brother!"

Qi He, his body infused with flame and his lungs filled with blood he had repeatedly coughed, felt a surge of relief as Zhou E positioned himself as a shield. Xie Zheng's onslaught had been overwhelmingly fierce and unyielding; he could endure no longer!

In a true melee, even facing a Titled Judge within the top five would be a challenge, yet Xie Zheng's might rivaled theirs!

This contest was proving impossibly difficult; conceding now would spell utter humiliation.

Therefore, teeth gritted, he bore the pain and urgently signaled Zhou E for aid!

"Enough."

Zhou E offered a solemn nod to his junior brother, then casually extended a hand to intercept the dark lightning emanating from the Sky Shattering Hammer.

Crack!

The thunderous energy that had overwhelmed Qi He was effortlessly negated by Zhou E.

"Junior Brother Xie Zheng, this challenge initiated by the Changye Judge... was it not rather impulsive?"

Zhou E tilted his head, addressing Xie Zheng who hovered in mid-air, wielding his hammer amidst the thunderous display. He spoke deliberately, "This engagement today seems quite preposterous. Let us conclude it here."

"Conclude?"

Xie Zheng inquired calmly, "Should this not be a decision Qi He himself makes? If he admits defeat, I shall naturally cease."

A frown creased Zhou E's brow.

His intervention was intended to halt this preposterous duel. If Qi He were to concede, what purpose would his own appearance serve?

"It is abundantly clear you are here to show favoritism,"

Xie Zheng retorted with a sneer. "Earlier, you relentlessly insisted on upholding Changye's statutes. Why then are you now disregarding them yourselves?"

With that, his hammer was raised once more.

Boom!

Zhou E nonchalantly extended his hand again, effortlessly nullifying the lightning bolts generated by the Sky Shattering Hammer.

"If Junior Brother Xie Zheng remains steadfast in his conviction... then Zhou E has naught to say. With so many present at the dojo today, private combat cannot simply be permitted."

His voice turned stern, declaring, "If you do not cease, do not blame me for showing no mercy!"

Two Great Achievement Domains unfurled, descending upon the skies above the dojo.

Xie Zheng let out a groan, a crushing pressure bearing down on him.

It wasn't just him;

Even beyond the arena, Huyan Bo and Du Wei felt the oppressive domain pressure emanating from the First Judge.

Zhou E stood merely a breath away from a Titled breakthrough; this proximity fueled his confidence in assuming the role of Grand Judge—

He was a mere step from receiving his Titled honor from the federation!

The convergence of two water-element Great Achievement Domains descended, causing the very fabric of time and space within the dojo to feel as though it had frozen.

Du Wei instinctively moved to intervene, but Huyan Bo raised a hand, halting him.

Zhou E gestured, and a multitude of droplets, drawn from the dojo's ceiling, coalesced. They transformed into Water Swords, arrayed ominously above Xie Zheng.

A mere flick of his wrist, and these Water Swords would rain down.

Xie Zheng’s might was undeniable, and his Taboo Seals were formidable... yet, regrettably, they fell incredibly short when pitted against someone like Zhou E, who was poised on the brink of Titled Fourth Rank.

Just as Zhou E prepared to make his move.

"Hmm?"

His brow furrowed as a sudden chill permeated the air. The Water Swords suspended overhead within the dojo began to freeze inexplicably...

The water element possessed the inherent capability to transmute into ice.

With but a thought, these Water Swords could become Ice Swords in mere seconds.

However, Zhou E had not willed such a transformation.

He immediately sensed that something was profoundly wrong; this was a clear indication of his domain being suppressed. The water element was solidifying into ice uncontrollably due to a more potent domain encroaching upon his own, and its intrinsic attribute was ice!

The Water Swords were morphing into Ice Swords.

Yet, the menacing pressure of these Ice Swords was directed not at Xie Zheng, who hung suspended, awaiting descent, but squarely at Zhou E and Qi He.

"Senior Brother, this does not feel right..."

Qi He also perceived a disturbing anomaly within his own domain. The [Purgatory] fire, which had once completely engulfed the dojo’s arena, inexplicably began to tremble, waver, and shudder.

It was as if a more dominant domain was spreading, overwhelming his fire-element domain!

Witnessing the formation of the Ice Swords, Qi He’s heart plummeted.

Both his and his Senior Brother’s domains had been overshadowed?

Wait!

Ice element, fire element... Across the entirety of the Five Continents, only one individual possessed two diametrically opposed Great Achievement Domains simultaneously!

Qi He knew that extraordinarily powerful individual resided in Changye.

Beads of sweat erupted across his forehead.

Could it truly be mere coincidence that this person was present here?!

...

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(This marks a significant Chapter update, thank you for your patience! Kindly lend your support with monthly votes! Though only two Chapters are released today, their combined word count is equivalent to four standard Chapters~)