Chapter 79: The Key to Victory

Qiannight’s fist and Zhao Junhong’s fingertips missed each other by mere centimeters—yet neither could push even an inch forward, locked in standoff across the void.

Between them floated a small orb of light. Upon closer observation, one could see a red-tinged haze filled with countless miniature primal energy explosions and silver threads rising and falling adrift. Qiannight and Zhao Jinhong stood as if two statues, rendered absolutely motionless.

The arena had already become a cacophony as the spectators—countless in number—began crying out in awe and debate. Even those distinguished guests seated upon the platforms wore startled, astonished expressions while whispering among themselves.

Though yesterday Qiannight and Song Zining’s released energy clashed as if solid objects—which caught the attention of the Duke of Guardians and some marquises and barons—the phenomenon visible here today was unmistakably real primal energy taking visible form, authentic and tangible! Though these two fighters—one ranked Level Seven, the other Level Five—could each see merely the basic forms of essence force. Neither had yet manifested innate battle posture in their power display.

A gradually hushed silence settled over the arena, for the battle of primal energy represented one of the most perilous confrontations. Neither would back down. Their full strength as well as properties like technique, ability to command, even the very endurance of mind and the tenacity of spirit—all came into play, utterly honest and unfaked.

Furthermore, both combatants were not yet warlords. To attempt outward manifestation as solid forms so carelessly further added dangerous uncertainty toward a deadly conflict outcome.

Duke of Guardians said, “Brother Wen, go oversee matters and ensure nothing untoward happens to these lads. I absolutely do not want Zhao Weihuang himself coming to my door seeking answers.”

“I, of course, understand.” Old Wen responded. Then, he leaped down from his elevated vantage point, hovering mid-air between them before settling at the center of the battlefield.

But Qiannight and Zhao Junhong had grown thoroughly impervious to external influences. Their sole concentration locked on that ever-shifting luminous sphere of battling primal energies floating steadily between.

When compared against Zhao’s famed esoteric technique called Flowing-Silver Finger Blade, Qiannight’s art—Soldier’s Onslaught Formula—proved itself quite inferior in terms of energy exposure. After all, it is unsuited to externalized deployment if not practiced through to Warlord. Qiannight, by advancing twenty-five rounds of its formula, realized his extremities now encountered significant internal pressures from the sheer amount of external release. His Dawn Essence contained no unique attribute, while conversely Zhao’s silvery Flowing Blades radiating like steel swords cut constantly through Qiannight’s form. In order to counter, his essence waves expanded both magnitude and reach, yet at terrible personal expenditure costs.

In conclusion, he could follow only one viable tactic: utilize the powerful impact force produced by Soldier’s Onslaught Formula decisively to end the match immediately! Were Zhao’s defensive stance allowed to remain unbroken momentarily longer, Qiannight’s fate was destined toward bitter defeat.

Resolute, Qiannight accelerated the formula to its zenith as his essence currents surged, relentless and like crashing tides upon their intended destroyer.

Despite having his many silver filaments blasted repeatedly in divergent directions across the battlefield by Qiannight’s pressure waves, Zhao Junhong would reestablish their presence in but instants.

Amid Qiannight’s surging tides that reached its fortieth rolling crest—his essence roared like oceans around him while thunderous echoes resounded in all directions!

Zhao felt a growing surge press down against the silver threads he’d scattered before. Several wisps broke free, floating briefly uncontrolled while another pair already fled away outrightly. Slight concern showed as his gaze sharpened upon Qiannight. *Soldiersurge King? No…this exceeds comprehension!*

In Zhao’s regard, even if Soldier King didn’t impress him overly so, at twenty-rounds deep Qiannight should still have barely rivaled secret techniques of low- to mid-tier houses within even peer level, yet clearly surpassed this!

Yet even so, Qiannight’s Onslaught still bore the fatal weakness—the more tidal power stacking he performed made his offense even sharper. Simultaneously, the endurance of further attacks dwindled with every surge.

Zhao, though, held fast. *Should I survive Qiannight’s present furious barrage and his reserves exhaust entirely, the coming tide shall sweep him into complete devastation.*

Mid-roar of that crashing sea Qiannight hurled against him, Zhao Junhong actually dared speak aloud.

“A truly impressive display. But allow to demonstrate to you, *Flowing Light in Splendor*!”

From chest outwards, point by point lit upon Zhang’s form—all primal nodes alighting as brilliant gem-like crystal flares bursting outward radiated silver brilliance.

One!

Two.

Three…

Four.

Five!

Qiannight’s eyes narrowed. Zhao indeed honored their pact after all this time.

Upon the dais, Bo of Huayang exclaimed loudly amidst nods, “Whoever would expect Zhao household’s second son to manifest Flowing-Silver blades among essential cores! To possess superior talent isn’t so impressive—but the dedication behind developing this feat truly warrants highest commendation!”

Beside him, Changping Bo agreed, “Indeed so rare to have this kind of innate giftedness—yet choose restraint, rather than racing toward higher status. Instead allowing skill to march hand-in-hand with cultivation strength. To possess so unshakeable a foundation? And the discipline behind such self-restraint? Upon entering a true Warlord status his progression is assured to soar without restraint.”

Meanwhile Guo of Weiguo pondered pensively, “Might have heard once Zhao Junhong, not considered outstanding among this younger Zhaogene Generation?”

Changping nodded. “Among these four公子 (junzi ‘prineling’) known as Zhao’s young prodigies: Zheng(Heroism in Battle), Li(Accurate Governance), Zhaoguang (Ruling Brightness), the House’s current second son only holds middling prominence. Forefront surely must be *Zhao Jundu*, whose reputation accompanied past Royal Spring Hunts.”

Marquis Huayang interjected, “I personally once met Zhao household’s fourth scion, Zhao Jundu, whose talents shine so dazzling as if celestial lightning. Had it weren’t not been another Zhao scion called Zhao Ruoxi, this household’s reputation alone could scarcely contain both of him within one family. Looking across all noble houses, seldom found someone able competing equally beside Zhao Jundu.”

Mulling quietly over Weiguok’s murmurs he added,“Zhang Jundu…and Zhao Ruxi. Hmph! Within this decade Zhao clan surely shall rise beyond measure.”

But such topic too volatile even the peer barons dared not lightly interject further. On platform a quiet moment passed as attention refocused downward upon the ongoing clash below.

When all five of Zhao Junhong’s primal core points ignited simultaneously, each core emitted an exuding silver essence line of razor-sharp precision. Five Flowing-Silver swords flew directly toward Qiannight!

Suddenly enroute the five blades altered paths. One by one they bent sideways, entering directly that swirling ball midway through their clash. Penetrating within—what was previously a muted and near-silent battle within now sang forth piercing blade-song.

Then, a sudden shift: Qiannight felt his body inexplicably empty—like incorrectly applied force—making the chest cavity strangely suffused. Just where previously wave barriers of incredible firm resilience existed before his advancing fist, they began dissolving into crumbling snow and dust. Flowing blades newly introduced cut unendingly through, shredding his essence away into obliteration while the existing silver threads only grew stronger and tougher—not dispersing. Instead, they appeared now ever nearer to knitting an interlaced net.

Unknown to him exactly what changes these silver strings signaled; he recognized one inescapable truth. Zhao Junhong’s defenses were proving more impervious still—as if enduring sea reefs endlessly washed over without budge nor retreat, even returning waves might eventually crash back!

But adversity only ignited Qiannight further. With sheer determination he roared—pushing the Soldiersurge Onslaught beyond limits once more—the next rolling tide erupting far stronger.

Round Thirty-one.

Round Thirty-Two.

Rapidly now it reached thirty-five surges within moments!

Qiannight’s aura blazed now in rippling crimson waves—manifestly forming endless tides reaching outward limitlessly while the roaring thunder previously heard now fell utterly to mute.

At precisely when tidal power built to a full thirty-fifth round, Zhao’s chest felt a sudden constricting pressure. Like some mountain of towering sea surges descended down directly before his field of vision, bearing inescapably forward with all power toward crushing destruction!

Maintaining solemn focus, he forcibly cooled his composure. By all indication, Qiannight exceeded beyond that thirty-rotation boundary. As even previously mentioned when discussing Qiannight’s combat approach with Song Zining’s presence once—his overwhelming, power-smashing tactics remained virtually unstoppable. His only recourse now relied on unbreakable tenacity: the power once released would not easily abate and could only proceed full force forward.

Zhao reacted quickly. His essence cores erupted once again with another wave of Flowing-Silver Sword Qi from each, interweaving a lattice barrier directly against the impending tidal cataclysm.

Another eruption of stunned uproars spread across the arena platform. Some even stood in awe upon their stands! Even prior challengers defeated previously by Zhao Junhong, even Kiki herself, accepted at this point Zhao had never employed real force—his previous triumphs bore not single bit of accidental fortune.

Yet amid all else, Qiannight harbored no other conflicting thoughts. Fully unleashing Soldiersurge, now beyond reserves, he let loose every iota of his accumulated strength.

Then surged: The thirty-Sixth Tide!

Before even launching his onslaught he sensed something deeply strange. Something deep within himself just…emptied. As if missing but one final droplet—the culmination never reached completion, incomplete and stalled.

Suddenly—near that organ his essence revolved about silently—golden vital aura began trembling wildly! The entire mass slumbering beside his normal vital Qi alongside dark-purple Qi, awakened. Infusing that last flickering golden energy essence with final desperate strength, they subsequently all reduced more than one half, growing drastically weakened and retreating within.

That golden pulse quaked furiously, soon vibrating near harmony with his dawning essence energy. Then in a blinding detonation, they shattered completely into countless golden specks of brilliance and launched forward joining that final undulating essence surge.

Before him, the crimson misty veil surrounding Qiannight shuddered—succeeding waves of golden flicker lit in sequence, floating among them, each shining and flickering out briefly before returning. Then his aura itself began brightening, like early rosy hues in dawn’s first light!

Each Flowing Silver Sword webbing Zhao Junhong cast disintegrating before the force, severed silver threads scattering wildly—without means to regroup. Across Juhong’s full consciousness now remained only blinding red light—as if the edge of being consumed within that light itself—barely reflexive Zhao lit forth his sixth essence node! The crystal flaring silver as yet another Flowing Blade formed mid-air. Yet in an unstoppable fashion—this final tide engulfed the nascent sword beam in an instant—as it advanced straight through without obstruction.

Already having sensed something awry mid-stall the moment those golden motes flared amidst battle, Manager Wen had swiftly descended down midair. Now he swept his hand—arresting the great surge of collapsing surge waves.

Still—the proximity of the duelists proved too tight before intervention succeeded completely; part of QIannight’s wave passed into Zhao’s chest and caused a stifled yell as a blast flung him backward through the air before finally being thrown bodily outside the fighting circle boundaries.

Standing unmoving now, Qiannight observed his current overseer—old Master Wen—struggling to suppress the final still-dissolving remnants of essence force rolling off himself, barely abated. Around them—the afterglows of rosy light dimmed. Yet those floating golden sparks still blinked on and off amidst its remnants.

Silence blanketed all for just a moment.

Then a deafening crescendo filled the stadium—like rolling oceans or resounding mounts crying back with unified roar! Even upon that grand stand, several lords forgot decorum, crying joyfully aloud, “*FirstLight Unveiling!! Such is indeed ‘FirstLight Unveiling!!’*”

Though already informed regarding this phenomenon, Guo of Weiguo still displayed visible emotion seeing first-hand proof manifest here at last within battle.

According to legend, ‘*Firstlight Unveiling*’ represented a rare essence affinity far more aligned closely to the dawning side than to any other variant. Its pure nature rendered it almost immune against suppression from most exotic energies. Very few exceptions remained, perhaps including only the dark-aligned opposite, *Evernight Abyss* — the absolute pole representing Evernight’s shadow itself.

Thus—*Dawn Awakened Flame of Enlightenment*, and *Twilight’s Dark Embraced Depth of Annihilation* became respective apex powers for both the forces of perpetual light and ceaseless black night. Distinctly opposed, yes—yet none could easily assert one stronger than the other.

Since Qiannight wielded *Sunrising Unveiling*, the fact that Zhao Junhong eventually displayed his full six nodes of refined Flowing-Silver Sword Qi—meant clearly he held back previously until now maintaining himself equal strictly with Qiannight.

The Huayang Bo was the one to strike first hands in applause exclaiming, “Zhao Weihuang sired scions displaying character both firm and upright—a future destined to grandeur!”