In the next instant, Marcus's seven-layer domain erupted in full. A vast golden radiance expanded outward, covering the entire arena. Within this domain, he was the sovereign of light itself, able to command every ray at will.
"Net of Light."
Countless strands of light as thin as hair shot out from all directions, weaving together in midair into an enormous luminous web that sealed Silverfeather inside. Though the strands looked fragile, they were incomparably resilient. Silverfeather struggled with all his might, yet no matter how much force he used, the threads did not budge.
"This is…" Silverfeather stared at the glowing web in shock.
"This is merely a small application of my understanding of the light element," Marcus said calmly. "By altering the physical properties of light, it can retain its speed and penetration while gaining the toughness and flexibility of matter. This Net of Light can restrain any opponent below the stellar level."
Silverfeather's expression darkened. He realized he might truly have encountered an opponent far stronger than himself. Still, he refused to yield.
"Do not celebrate too early," he said grimly. "I still have a final card to play!"
As he spoke, his body began to change. His skin took on a wooden grain, his hair transformed into green vines, and most astonishing of all, the energy wings on his back solidified into enormous wooden wings covered in living leaves.
"This is my secret art, Wood Spirit Manifestation," Silverfeather said, his voice turning rough, resonant with an earthy timbre. "In this state, I fully transform into a wood spirit. My vitality and recovery increase dramatically, and my control over the wood element reaches a whole new level."
As his words faded, the strands of the Net of Light began to dim, as if their energy were being drained away. At the same time, Silverfeather's wooden body started to glow, the absorbed light radiating from within him.
"Your light is powerful," Silverfeather laughed wildly, "but before my Wood Spirit Manifestation, it is nothing more than the finest nourishment!"
Marcus frowned slightly. This transformation exceeded his expectations. Yet instead of panic, interest flickered in his eyes.
"Fascinating. To turn oneself into a wood spirit capable of absorbing light is indeed rare."
As Silverfeather continued absorbing energy, the web became almost invisible, while his wooden body shone brighter and brighter, like a living tree made of light.
"Do you see this?" Silverfeather roared triumphantly. "This is my true power! Now I will defeat you using your own strength!"
With a powerful surge, he broke free of the weakened Net of Light and soared into the air. His wooden wings carved elegant arcs through the space, his entire form blazing with stolen light energy.
"Wood Spirit Lightburst!"
Silverfeather erupted in brilliance. The gathered light condensed into countless beams that shot toward Marcus. These were no longer pure light, but a hybrid force altered by the wood element, combining the speed and penetration of light with the vitality and growth of wood.
Facing the overwhelming barrage, Marcus remained motionless. A trace of admiration crossed his eyes.
"Worthy of the title Falling Leaf Swordsman. This technique is truly refined. However…"
Before he finished speaking, his domain shifted once more. The golden radiance turned pure white, pristine and overwhelming. His body began to glow even more intensely than Silverfeather's.
"Seven-Layer Domain. Origin of Light."
Marcus spoke softly, his voice calm yet carrying immense power.
A tremendous surge of energy exploded outward from his body, forming a visible shockwave. When it met Silverfeather's Wood Spirit Lightburst, an astonishing scene unfolded. The altered beams reverted instantly to pure light and obediently returned to Marcus's side, like children rushing back to their parent.
"How is this possible?" Silverfeather cried in disbelief. "I changed their nature. They are no longer pure light. How could they…"
"Origin of Light represents my deepest comprehension of the light element," Marcus replied evenly. "At this level, I control not just the direction and strength of light, but its essence. No matter how you alter its surface traits, as long as it remains light at its core, it will always answer to me."
Silverfeather's face turned ashen. He understood now that victory might truly be beyond his reach. Yet as a warrior, he refused to surrender easily.
"Very well," he said, drawing a steady breath. Determination hardened his wooden features. "Then let us settle this once and for all. I will fight with everything I have. I ask that you do the same."
His wooden body underwent another transformation. The green hue shifted to radiant gold, exuding a majestic, almost sacred presence. His wings turned golden as well, like divine appendages.
"This is my final trump card. Divine Wood Manifestation," Silverfeather declared, his voice hoarse yet filled with overwhelming force. "In this state, I gain power approaching that of a domain lord. The price is severe exhaustion afterward, but for victory, I am willing to pay it!"
The arena trembled. Golden vines burst from the ground, surging toward Marcus. These were far stronger than the earlier undying vines, capable of absorbing light and resisting its cutting force.
At the same time, Silverfeather's Life Blade transformed into a massive golden greatsword, its surface engraved with intricate patterns, a physical embodiment of the wood element.
"Divine Wood. Final Strike!"
Silverfeather roared as he dove from the sky, greatsword aimed straight at Marcus's head. His speed was astonishing, nearing a tenth of light speed, far beyond what ordinary eyes could track.
Simultaneously, the golden vines closed in from all directions, forming an airtight encirclement. It was a flawless combination attack. Evade the sword and be bound by the vines. Focus on the vines and be cleaved from above.
Yet even in this moment of apparent doom, Marcus remained calm. He lifted his gaze toward the descending Silverfeather, admiration flickering in his eyes.
"Worthy indeed of the Falling Leaf Swordsman. This technique leaves a deep impression. In return, I will show you my true strength."
His seven-layer domain transformed once more. The pure white glow blossomed into a spectrum of colors, like a miniature cosmos containing every wavelength of light. His body radiated brilliance, as if every inch of him were formed from pure light.
"Seven-Layer Domain. Solar True Form."
His voice resonated through the arena with tangible force.
A terrifying surge of energy erupted. Marcus's body expanded rapidly, becoming a blazing sphere of light nearly a hundred meters across, resembling a miniature sun. Boundless light and heat poured outward, vaporizing everything they touched.
The golden vines vanished the instant they met the radiance, leaving no trace behind. Silverfeather froze midair, his Divine Wood Manifestation beginning to crack under the overwhelming light and heat.
"What is this?" Silverfeather cried, terror flooding his eyes.
From within the blazing sphere came Marcus's voice, no longer merely calm, but majestic and absolute.
"This is the culmination of my understanding of the light element. Solar True Form. In this state, I am light, and light is me. All light obeys my will."
Suspended in midair, Silverfeather's golden form fractured further, scorched by unbearable heat. His greatsword melted from the tip downward, turning into golden liquid that dripped onto the arena floor and evaporated instantly.
"This cannot be…" Silverfeather murmured, disbelief overwhelming him. Such mastery of light was beyond anything he had ever imagined.
The entire audience held its breath. Even spectators far from the arena could feel the terrifying energy radiating outward.
"So this is the power of a seven-layer domain?" Rowan whispered in awe.
Thor grinned broadly, veins standing out along his arms. "I told you. Marcus had nothing to worry about. This guy has skill, but compared to Marcus, the gap is enormous."
Logan remained silent, complex emotions flickering in his eyes. As one of Earth's elites, he understood just how vast the distance was between himself and a warrior like Marcus. This battle was a priceless lesson.
On the arena floor, Silverfeather's condition worsened rapidly. His Divine Wood Manifestation could no longer hold. The golden shell peeled away, revealing the original wooden body beneath, which began to burn under the intense heat.
"Yield, Silverfeather," Marcus's voice echoed from the solar sphere. "You have shown enough courage and strength. There is no need to push yourself further."
Silverfeather clenched his teeth, defiance still burning in his eyes. "No… I am not finished yet…"
He raised the half-melted greatsword, attempting a final charge. But the blade liquefied completely, flowing from his grasp. At the same time, his Divine Wood Manifestation collapsed entirely, revealing his true form.
Silverfeather's true body was that of a handsome young man, silver hair cascading like a waterfall, blue eyes as clear as gemstones. Now his face was pale, blood at the corner of his lips, his injuries severe.
"I concede," he said at last, his voice weak but resolute.
With his surrender, Marcus's Solar True Form shrank, restoring him to human shape. He stood once more in his simple gray robe, the light patterns woven into it now brighter than before, as if refined by battle.
"The match is over," the referee announced. "Victory goes to Marcus of Black Dragon Mountain!"
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the arena. Marcus's performance had been overwhelming, especially the Solar True Form, a display of light mastery few had ever witnessed.
"Incredible!"
"Worthy of being a top expert of Black Dragon Mountain!"
"That Solar True Form was beyond belief!"
Praise echoed endlessly as Marcus became the center of attention.
On the arena floor, Marcus approached Silverfeather and extended a hand. "You fought brilliantly, especially the Divine Wood Manifestation. It left a strong impression."
Silverfeather accepted the help with a wry smile. "Compared to your Solar True Form, my abilities still fall far short. But this battle taught me a great deal. I will continue to improve."
"I look forward to our next encounter," Marcus said with a nod.
Silverfeather returned a respectful look and departed the arena with the help of medical staff.
Marcus turned and left as well, his expression calm throughout, as though the victory were nothing out of the ordinary.
Back at the competitors' seats, Thor immediately rushed over, slapping Marcus on the shoulder. "That was incredible! When did you master Solar True Form? Why did I never know?"
"I only made a breakthrough recently," Marcus replied lightly.
Logan studied him intently. "In that state, your combat power should be close to that of a domain lord, right?"
"In theory," Marcus said. "But the duration is short, and the cost is immense. Against a true domain lord, the gap remains significant."
Rowan gazed at him with open admiration. "Marcus, your performance was astonishing. Having someone like you is truly an honor."
Marcus smiled faintly at Rowan. "You have great potential as well. Keep working hard, and your future achievements will not be inferior to ours."
Rowan felt his blood surge with renewed determination. "I will not disappoint you."
After the day's matches concluded, the Black Dragon Mountain team returned to their assigned luxury suite within the core of the cosmic arena complex. Designed specifically for elite competitors, it combined elegance with advanced technology, complete with dedicated training and meditation chambers, offering a moment of quiet after the storm of battle.