Worthy of Being a Top Expert of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire!

The next moment, Hong’s Sevenfold Domain erupted in full. A golden halo expanded across the entire arena. Within this domain, he was the master of light, able to control every ray at will.

"Net of Light."

Countless hair-thin rays shot out from every direction, weaving into an enormous net in midair and tightly trapping Yin Yu. Though these rays appeared slender, they were incomparably tough. Yin Yu tried to break free, only to find that no matter how hard he struggled, the rays did not budge.

"This is…" Yin Yu stared at the rays in astonishment.

"This is merely a small bit of my understanding of the laws of light," Hong said calmly. "By altering the physical properties of light, I can preserve its speed and penetrating power while giving it the toughness and resilience of matter. This Net of Light can trap any expert below the Star-Level."

Yin Yu’s expression turned solemn. He realized that he might truly have encountered an opponent who would be difficult to defeat. Yet he did not give up. "Don’t celebrate too soon. I still have a trump card I haven’t used!"

As he spoke, Yin Yu’s body began to transform. His skin gradually took on a woody texture, while his hair turned into green vines. Most astonishingly, the energy wings on his back materialized into two enormous wooden wings covered in green leaves.

"This is my secret technique: Wood Spirit Avatar." Yin Yu’s voice became hoarse as well, carrying a woody quality. "In this state, I can completely transform myself into a wood spirit, gaining greater vitality and regenerative ability. At the same time, my control over the laws of wood will reach a whole new level."

As his words fell, the rays forming the Net of Light began to dim, as though their energy were being absorbed. At the same time, Yin Yu’s wooden body began to glow with the light energy he had absorbed.

"Your laws of light are indeed powerful, but before my Wood Spirit Avatar, they are nothing more than the finest nourishment!" Yin Yu laughed wildly.

Hong frowned slightly. This Wood Spirit Avatar had indeed taken him by surprise. However, he did not panic. Instead, a trace of interest appeared in his eyes. "Interesting. You can actually transform yourself into a wood spirit capable of absorbing light energy. That ability is indeed rare."

As Yin Yu continued absorbing the energy of the Net of Light, the rays had become nearly invisible, while his wooden body grew brighter and brighter, like a glowing humanoid tree.

"Hahaha!" Yin Yu laughed triumphantly. "Do you see? This is my true strength! Now, I’ll use your own power to defeat you!"

With that, he broke free from the now-fragile Net of Light and leaped high into the air. His wooden wings traced a graceful arc through the sky. His entire body glowed as the light energy he had absorbed transformed into his own strength.

"Wood Spirit Light Burst!"

Yin Yu’s body suddenly erupted with dazzling radiance. The light condensed into countless rays that shot toward Hong. These were no longer pure light, but special energy altered by the laws of wood. They possessed both light’s speed and penetrating power, as well as wood’s vitality and capacity for growth.

Faced with this overwhelming attack, Hong remained where he was without moving. A hint of approval flashed through his eyes. "Worthy of the Fallen Leaf Swordsman. This move is indeed exquisite. However…"

Before he finished speaking, Hong’s Sevenfold Domain suddenly changed. The originally golden halo turned pure white, appearing even purer and more powerful. At the same time, his body began to glow, its radiance brighter and purer than Yin Yu’s.

"Sevenfold Domain: Origin of Light."

Hong spoke softly, his voice calm yet containing boundless power.

The next instant, a powerful energy fluctuation erupted from Hong’s body, forming a visible shockwave that spread in every direction. When the shockwave met Yin Yu’s Wood Spirit Light Burst, an astonishing scene unfolded: the rays whose properties had been altered by the laws of wood reverted to their pure state as light the instant they touched the shockwave. Then, like obedient children returning to their parents’ embrace, they meekly returned to Hong’s side.

"H-How is this possible?" Yin Yu stared at the scene in disbelief. "I already changed the properties of those rays. They aren’t pure light anymore. How could they…"

Hong explained calmly, "Origin of Light is my deepest understanding of the laws of light. At this level, I can not only control light’s direction and intensity, but also its essence. No matter how you alter their surface properties, as long as they remain light in essence, they will always obey my command."

Yin Yu’s expression became exceedingly ugly. He realized that he might truly be unable to defeat the powerful opponent before him. But as a true warrior, he was unwilling to admit defeat just like that.

"Good. Very good." Yin Yu took a deep breath, a resolute look appearing on his wooden face. "Since that’s the case, then let’s settle this once and for all! I’ll give it everything I have. I hope you won’t hold back either!"

As he spoke, Yin Yu’s wooden body began undergoing another transformation. Its original green color turned gold, making it appear more noble and powerful. At the same time, the wooden wings on his back also turned golden, like the wings of a true god.

"This is my final trump card: Divine Wood Avatar." Yin Yu’s voice became even hoarser, yet it contained unparalleled power. "In this state, I’ll gain strength close to the Domain Lord Level, but the price is that I’ll fall into a prolonged period of weakness after the battle. Still, for victory, I’m willing to pay that price!"

As his words fell, the entire arena began to tremble. Countless golden vines burst out of the ground and coiled toward Hong. These vines were even more powerful than the previous Undying Vine. Not only could they absorb light energy, they could also withstand the cutting force of light.

At the same time, Yin Yu’s Sword of Life transformed into a golden Giant Sword. Its blade was carved with intricate patterns, the manifestation of the laws of wood.

"Divine Wood: Terminus Strike!"

Yin Yu roared, gripping the Giant Sword as he dove down from high above, aiming directly at Hong’s head. His speed was astonishing, nearly reaching one-tenth the speed of light. Ordinary eyes could not possibly catch his trajectory.

At the same time, those golden vines surged toward Hong from every direction, forming an airtight encirclement. It was a perfect combined attack. No matter how Hong evaded the sword strike, he would be bound by the vines; and if he focused on dealing with the vines, Yin Yu would cleave him with a single strike from above.

Even in such a desperate situation, Hong remained calm. He raised his head and looked at Yin Yu descending from the sky, a trace of approval flashing through his eyes. "Worthy of the Fallen Leaf Swordsman. This move is truly impressive. As a return gift, I’ll show you my true strength as well."

With that, Hong’s Sevenfold Domain changed once more. The pure white halo became brilliantly multicolored, like a miniature universe containing every possible spectrum. At the same time, his body began to glow, every inch of his skin seeming to be formed from pure light.

"Sevenfold Domain: Solar True Body."

Hong spoke softly, but his voice shook the entire arena as though it possessed physical form.

The next moment, an indescribable energy fluctuation erupted from Hong’s body. His body rapidly expanded, transforming into a sphere of light roughly a hundred meters in diameter, like a miniature sun. Endless light and heat radiated from it, instantly vaporizing every substance it touched.

The golden vines turned to nothingness the instant they touched the sphere of light, leaving not even a trace of ash behind. Yin Yu, descending from above, was so startled by the sudden transformation that he froze in midair. Under such intense light and heat, his Divine Wood Avatar began showing signs of cracking.

"W-What is this?" Yin Yu stared at the sphere of light in horror, feeling an unprecedented threat.

Hong’s voice came from within the sphere, no longer as calm as before, but filled with majesty and power. "This is the embodiment of my ultimate understanding of the laws of light—Solar True Body. In this state, I am light, and light is me. All laws of light are under my control."

Yin Yu hovered in midair, more and more cracks appearing across the surface of his golden Divine Wood Avatar. They were scorch marks left by the fierce light and heat. His golden Giant Sword also began to melt, starting from the tip and gradually turning into golden liquid that dripped onto the arena before instantly vaporizing.

"Impossible… This is impossible…" Yin Yu muttered, his eyes filled with disbelief. He had never seen such a powerful application of the laws of light. This had already surpassed the limits of his understanding.

In the stands, everyone held their breath as they watched the scene. Even the spectators seated farthest away could clearly feel the terrifying energy fluctuations coming from the arena.

"Is this the power of the Sevenfold Domain?" Luo Wen exclaimed, his eyes full of awe.

Thor grinned, the veins faintly bulging on his muscular arms. "See? I told you Hong had nothing to worry about. This guy may have some skill, but compared to Hong, he’s still far too lacking."

Luo Feng remained silent, complex emotions flickering in his eyes. As one of the most outstanding Earthlings, he knew all too well how vast the gap was between himself and an expert like Hong. This match was a precious learning opportunity for him.

On the arena, Yin Yu’s condition worsened by the moment. His Divine Wood Avatar could no longer be maintained. Its golden outer shell continuously peeled away, exposing the original wooden body beneath, which had also begun burning under the high temperature.

"Concede, Yin Yu," Hong’s voice came from the sphere of light. "You have already shown sufficient courage and strength. There’s no need to force yourself into a dead end."

Yin Yu clenched his teeth, unwillingness written across his wooden face. "No… I haven’t given it my all yet…"

He forced himself to raise the half-melted Giant Sword, attempting one final charge at the sphere of light. But just as he took his first step, the Giant Sword completely melted into a pool of golden liquid and flowed from his hand. At the same time, his Divine Wood Avatar utterly collapsed, revealing his weakened true body within.

Yin Yu’s true body was that of an exceptionally handsome young man. His silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, and his blue eyes resembled the purest gemstones. But at that moment, his face was pale and blood flowed from the corner of his mouth. He had clearly been seriously injured.

"I concede…" Yin Yu finally spoke those words, his voice weak but resolute.

With Yin Yu’s concession, Hong’s Solar True Body also began to shrink, eventually returning to human form. He wore that plain gray robe, and the light patterns on it shone brighter than before, as though they had undergone some kind of sublimation.

"The match is over! Hong of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire wins!" the referee announced, his voice spreading throughout the entire arena through the amplification system.

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the stands. Hong’s performance had been utterly breathtaking, especially that final Solar True Body. It was the first time nearly everyone had witnessed such a powerful application of the laws of light.

"Amazing!"

"Worthy of being a top expert of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire!"

"That Solar True Body is simply unimaginable!"

Praise rose one after another, and Hong became the center of attention.

On the arena, Hong walked over to Yin Yu and extended a hand. "Your performance was excellent, especially that Divine Wood Avatar. It was truly impressive."

Yin Yu gave a bitter smile. Accepting Hong’s help, he barely managed to stand. "Compared to your Solar True Body, my abilities are still far too lacking. But today’s match has benefited me greatly. I’ll continue working hard."

Hong nodded. "I look forward to fighting you again next time."

Yin Yu returned a respectful look, then left the arena with the support of medical personnel.

Hong also turned and departed. Throughout the entire process, his expression remained calm, as though the victory just now had been nothing more than an ordinary matter to him.

When he returned to the contestants’ area, Thor immediately came forward and slapped Hong on the shoulder. "That was incredible! When did you master that Solar True Body? How come I didn’t know?"

Hong said calmly, "I only made a breakthrough recently."

Luo Feng looked deeply at Hong. "In that state, your combat strength should already be close to the Domain Lord Level, right?"

Hong nodded slightly. "Theoretically, yes. But it can only be maintained for a limited time, and the consumption is immense. I’m still far from a true Domain Lord."

Luo Wen looked at Hong with an expression of worship. "Hong, your performance was too astonishing! It is truly our honor for the Black Dragon Mountain Empire to have an expert like you!"

Hong glanced at Luo Wen, the corners of his lips rising slightly. "You have great potential as well. As long as you keep working hard, your future achievements will not be inferior to ours."

Those words filled Luo Wen with fervor, and a resolute light shone in his eyes. "I’ll definitely work hard!"

After that day’s matches ended, the Black Dragon Mountain Empire’s contestants returned to the luxurious suite assigned to them. The suite was located in the core area of the Cosmic Arena and had been specially prepared for contestants from the major empires. The entire suite was lavishly decorated without losing its taste, furnished with every kind of advanced technological equipment, and even included dedicated cultivation rooms and meditation rooms.