The rusty Cyan Frost Sword in Chu Linfeng's hand suddenly burst into a dazzling Sword Aura, a result of the Star Power being infused within.
A tornado-like Sword Qi instantly appeared before the referee.
Wind-Rolling Clouds, the Seventh Form of the Wind Chasing Sword Technique, extracted more than half of Chu Linfeng's Star Power, making him feel a sense of weakness.
This was his only dependable move. If this move failed to kill or severely injure his opponent, then what awaited him might be the fate of death.
The referee, having just unleashed a powerful strike, hadn't had time to turn around when Chu Linfeng's attack arrived.
Never in a million years did he expect that Chu Linfeng could counterattack while dodging.
An unprecedented sense of crisis filled his heart, "What kind of Martial Skill is this, with such immense power?"
At this moment, he couldn't afford the luxury of thought as the massive attack power of Wind-Rolling Clouds instantly swept up the Cyan Spirit Stone on the ground, rolling toward him.
There wasn't enough time to dodge the move; the only option was to confront it head-on, hastily swinging a sword and retreating rapidly.
The power of a Mid Profound Tier Martial Skill wasn't that simple. The sword he swung did nothing to stop the tornado-like Sword Qi, which engulfed him in an instant.
"Ah!" A voice escaped his mouth, filled with either pain or astonishment.
The force swept him into the air, and about five seconds later, the referee who'd been swept into the air fell back down, marking the end of Chu Linfeng's attack.
The air was thick with smoke, making it impossible to see clearly. Chu Linfeng stood quietly to the side, watching the scene unfold with a grave mind.
Everyone was shocked, seeing such a powerful Martial Skill for the first time, especially coming from a young man once deemed a waste.
On the viewing platform, Sima Jingyi's face also showed surprise, discernible despite the veil covering it.
Chu Yuanba's shock was more profound than anyone's, as this wasn't a Martial Skill possessed by the family. In his understanding, the most powerful Martial Skill the family owned was the Profound Tier Lower Grade Martial Skill he was practicing.
"Where did Feng'er's Martial Skill come from? Could it be obtained from the Second Layer of the Library Pavilion? Impossible, there shouldn't be such a Martial Skill on the Second Layer. I need to ask him when I have time."
As the smoke cleared, the crowd could see the situation on the platform clearly. It could hardly be called a platform anymore, as it was utterly destroyed.
On the ground lay a person, bloodied all over, with barely any clothes left, motionless.
"He defeated a master at the Ninth Level of the Black Tortoise Realm. Is this real? It's incredible!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.
"This kid is heaven-defying! Even someone at the Ninth Layer of Black Tortoise Realm isn't his match, yet he is said to be at the Fifth Layer. It's unbelievable."
Chu Linfeng's actions made such a commotion that spectators from other groups began to flock to his platform, creating an overcrowded scene.
Chu Linfeng slowly walked over to the referee and looked at him closely, while the referee's eyes, filled with unwillingness and disbelief, met his gaze.
At this moment, the voice of Sword Spirit Yue'er emerged, "You've really done it this time; this man's internal organs are completely shattered. It's a miracle he held on this long.
Revealing your strength prematurely isn't wise. You have to know that there are many more powerful than him keep your actions in mind."
"I, Chu Linfeng, am not afraid of trouble. Let them keep notice if they want!"
"What is this Martial Skill? Why... why is it so powerful?" the referee asked with difficulty.
Chu Linfeng knew this was the biggest question in the man's heart before he died. If he didn't answer, the man might not be able to die in peace.
"Mid Profound Tier Martial Skill, Wind Chasing Sword Technique!" His voice wasn't loud, perhaps only enough for the man to hear, as Chu Linfeng wanted to avoid causing further uproar.
The middle-aged man revealed a faint bitter smile on his pale face, "You… you weren't injured before… how come… how are you unharmed now?"
"Do you really want to know?"
The referee nodded, trying to speak, but another mouthful of blood spilled out, indicating he wouldn't last much longer.
Chu Linfeng glanced at him, frowning slightly. He decided to tell him, so he could die without regrets.
"My previous injuries were all staged. Even the blood at the corner of my mouth was caused by forcibly reversing the Spiritual Power in my body to create an illusion.
I wanted you to think that I was truly injured, and seriously so, making you believe I wasn't your match and letting your guard down.
My goal was to unleash my most powerful attack when you thought I was certainly going to die under your strike.
To catch you off guard, so even if you didn't die, I could severely injure you."
After hearing Chu Linfeng's words, the blood in the referee's mouth flowed out uncontrollably, clearly aware he'd fallen into this guy's trap and ended up in such a state.
"You… you… such a deep schemer! I…"
Before finishing his sentence, he'd lost the breath of life, and Chu Linfeng stood silently there, his eyes turned toward the VIP seats.
Having caused such a significant incident, someone needed to clean up the mess. Whether or not he could enter the finals required someone to speak, and that person was Sima Jingyi, who was hosting this family contest.
Sima Jingyi also directed her gaze toward Chu Linfeng, and their eyes met once more, a never-before-felt feeling of a racing heart arose within them.
Chu Linfeng was like a mystery she couldn't decipher; according to the records, he was only at the Fifth Level of Black Tortoise Realm, yet he had defeated a master at the Ninth Level.
It was something hard for anyone to accept. Although Sima Jingyi didn't know much about Chu Linfeng, her curiosity was piqued.
Someone thought of as a waste dared to uphold justice on the streets; such a person had to be either a true waste or a heaven-defying existence.
Chu Linfeng's gaze did not leave Sima Jingyi's eyes; he liked this feeling, though he couldn't explain why, finding it deeply satisfying.
At that moment, Sima Jingyi stood up, her voice as clear as silver bells, "This year's family contest has been full of surprises, with Chu Linfeng defeating the Ninth Layer Black Tortoise master referee.
I announce that the other competitors in his group need not compete; he is the first to advance in his group. If any family members are unconvinced, they can challenge a Ninth Layer Black Tortoise.
Should anyone succeed, they will replace Chu Linfeng and advance as the top of the third group.
Although slaying a referee cost the City Lord's Mansion a master, I will not punish him, but instead, commend him because he is from our Liuyun City, a pride of Liuyun City."
Sima Jingyi's words were met with roaring applause, and Chu Linfeng's name etched itself into everyone's heart.
Liu Yuankai and his son were infuriated, having hoped to eliminate this guy through the family contest, only to see him eliminate a Ninth Layer Black Tortoise master. As it turned out, man proposes, heaven disposes.
In the crowd, a veiled woman, much like Sima Jingyi, trembled upon hearing the news, "I thought I was progressing quickly, Linfeng, but it seems you're even faster!"
Chu Linfeng stood there dumbfounded, finding it difficult to accept the outcome...
PS: Pleading for support and votes, also praying for my mother's swift recovery!