C11 Lin Juehai Died.

Chiang Jin scanned the area but didn't recognize the newcomer.

"Though I have no idea who you are, if you're intent on killing me, be ready to face your own death," he declared coolly.

Lin Juehai bristled with rage at the comment. "For a man on the brink of death, knowing me is irrelevant. But for clarity's sake as you meet your end—Lin Fengyu was my brother!"

A gasp rippled through the crowd. "What? He killed Lin Fengyu? How dare he cross the Lin Family?"

"The Lin Family? Please. Chiang Jin is likely the Wave Submitting Sword House's latest protégé. The Lins wouldn't dare touch him without cause."

Chiang Jin tuned out the murmurs below. He scrutinized the man before him and indeed, there was a resemblance to Lin Fengyu. "I'm not sure how the Lin Family pegged me as the killer, but his presence here doesn't scare me."

Without giving Chiang Jin a chance to say more, Lin Juehai drew his sword and lunged, leaving only an afterimage in his wake.

Chiang Jin's movements were swift as he dodged backward, a sudden, sharp pain piercing his brow. He swung his sword up to block. Lin Juehai's blade missed, tracing an elegant arc as it continued its deadly dance toward Chiang Jin, meeting his sword with a resounding "Clang!"

Chiang Jin's arm went numb as if his sword had clashed with a boulder, nearly slipping from his grasp. Relying on instinct, he executed the Body Seizing Step, leaving an afterimage as he widened the gap between him and Lin Juehai.

"Such speed!"

Lin Juehai's internal strength rivaled that of Mann Jier, likely at the Acquired Peak, with combat experience that far surpassed Mann Jier's.

Three swift attacks followed in a single breath. Had Chiang Jin not perfected his movement technique with the system's help and received the premonition from his brow, he might have been dead already.

This foresight, a gift from the system, could be a powerful asset in bridging the gap in battle.

Lin Juehai paused his assault, eyeing Chiang Jin with newfound seriousness. "You're indeed the one who bested Feng Yu. You've got skill; I underestimated you."

A voice from the crowd pierced the tension. "That's Lin Juehai! Wasn't he training at the Longitudinal Star House? Why has he returned?"

"Three years of cultivation there, and he's bound to have mastered some high-level martial arts. Poor Chiang Jin, this might be the end of a genius."

"I wouldn't count Chiang Jin out just yet. He might turn this around."

"Have you lost your mind? That's Lin Juehai, a disciple of the Longitudinal Star House!"

Qin Baizhi gripped her sword tightly, her gaze locked on the unfolding battle.

"Look, Chiang Jin is making his move!"

All eyes were on the stage as Chiang Jin engaged Lin Juehai.

Lin Juehai's prowess was undeniable, surpassing even Qin Baizhi's. Rather than await his fate, Chiang Jin chose to strike first.

Unleashing every trick in his arsenal, Chiang Jin combined the Wave Submitting Sword Technique with the Wave Falling Spell, managing to hold his own against Lin Juehai momentarily.

But Lin Juehai effortlessly parried Chiang Jin's relentless assault. With Chiang Jin's internal strength no match for Lin Juehai's, it was only a matter of time before he was overpowered.

Even on the defensive, Lin Juehai found opportunities to counterattack without delivering a fatal blow.

Soon, Chiang Jin was marked with cuts, his blood running down his arm, dripping from his sword.

Lin Juehai was toying with him!

The blood made Chiang Jin's grip on his sword slippery, nearly causing it to fly from his hands.

"Is this all you've got, boy? If so, I'll send you to join my brother," Lin Juehai taunted, launching another attack.

"Wind Shattering Thrust!"

The sword sliced through the air, its piercing whistle signaling a strike that Chiang Jin, now utterly spent, couldn't hope to block.

Qin Baizhi stepped forward, her sword poised to draw, but Qin Qinggang was already in motion.

He wouldn't let a promising talent from his martial arts hall fall here.

But another figure beat him to it.

Mu Xiuzhi, a deacon of the Roc Essence Sect, intercepted Qin Qinggang before he could reach Chiang Jin.

"House Lord Qin, let the young ones settle their own battles. It's best not to interfere," he advised.

Jealousy had flared in Mu Xiuzhi at the sight of Chiang Jin's potential. Now, with Chiang Jin on the verge of defeat, Mu Xiuzhi was content to watch him fail and had no intention of letting Qin Qinggang disrupt his satisfaction.

Despite Mu Xiuzhi's youth, his talent was exceptional, rivaling that of Qin Qinggang. Qin found himself unable to break through Xiuzhi's defenses, and given the Roc Essence Sect's influence, he dared not provoke them. Regretfully, Qin had no choice but to abandon Chiang Jin and storm off in frustration.

Chiang Jin, realizing he was no match for Lin Juehai's impending attack, braced himself for a desperate move.

"System, allocate all remaining points to the Wave Falling Spell!"

Host: Chiang Jin

Level: Acquired Peak (Minor Completion)

Cultivation Method: Wave Falling Spell (18 Layered Waves)

Skills: Light Fixing Sword Technique (Mastered), Body Searching Steps (Mastered), Wave Submitting Sword Technique (Mastered)

Physique: Excellent

Insight: Excellent

Talent Points: +0

The three talent points gained from defeating Qu Xiangfei were fully invested in the Wave Falling Spell, now capable of summoning eighteen towering waves—a significant achievement. Still, it was not enough to counter Lin Juehai's technique, but Chiang Jin had no retreat.

Inhaling sharply, Chiang Jin summoned the Wave Falling Spell, the twelve waves he mustered crashing towards Lin Juehai's onslaught.

"Clang!"

The iron sword in Chiang Jin's grasp shattered.

This trusty blade, already damaged in the duel with Lin Fengyu, had finally met its end.

"Pfft!"

Lin Juehai's sword thrust through Chiang Jin's chest, exiting his back as blood dripped from the blade's tip.

Below the stage, some cheered for Lin Juehai, while others lamented the tragedy.

"What a waste, to have provoked the Lin family."

Chiang Jin refused to accept his fate. After years of being dismissed as a failure, he had never contemplated his own death. Now, with the system, his journey to power was just beginning. He was determined to survive!

With a sudden surge of will, Chiang Jin's left hand shot out, seizing Lin Juehai by the collar. The jagged edge of his broken sword swept across Lin Juehai's throat.

Warm blood splattered across Chiang Jin's face and body, mingling with his own as it pooled on the ground. Expending his last ounce of strength, Chiang Jin collapsed into the crimson puddle.

The Lin family erupted in outrage. With two heirs slain by Chiang Jin, his death was now imperative.

The Lin family patriarch charged onto the stage, heading straight for Chiang Jin. Qin Qinggang, anticipating this, intercepted the Qin family head, engaging him in battle.

Meanwhile, Qin Baizhi seized the moment to rescue Chiang Jin, whisking him away to the safety of the Wave Submitting Sword House.

Mu Xiuzhi stood by, previously justifying his non-intervention as respect for the younger generation's affairs, but now he had no such excuse. His gaze darkened ominously.

"This Chiang Jin must not be spared!"