Chapter 219: Testimony

Luo Tianjiao looked over. She saw a young man even younger than herself and couldn't help but laugh mockingly.

"What kind of joke are you playing?" she scoffed. "A mere boy, barely out of puberty, can guide you? Or even make your cultivation technique undergo a qualitative change in such a short time? You're practically insulting my intelligence!"

She bowed to the referee and said, "It's obvious that Yan Yuqing can't even explain the changes in her cultivation technique. I strongly suspect she resorted to some illicit methods."

The referee's expression turned serious. Yan Yuqing's claim about her 'martial uncle' was indeed hard to believe. That young man must be an observer from an outer sect, right? Judging by his age, how many years could he have been cultivating martial arts? It would be impressive enough if he simply understood his own cultivation technique. How could he possibly guide others?

"Yan Yuqing, this referee now has doubts about your performance," the referee declared. "If you cannot provide a reasonable explanation, your results will be invalidated. As a punishment, you will also be disqualified from participating in the beast tide defense."

Yan Yuqing gave a bitter smile. Not to mention others doubting her, she herself found the reason hard to believe. She had merely shown her cultivation technique to her martial uncle, and he had grasped its essence and guided her after just a cup of tea. Who would believe that story if she told it?

"Referee, it's true," Yan Yuqing said helplessly.

The referee frowned, his expression growing increasingly stern, and he admonished, "If you continue to be so stubborn, don't blame me for petitioning the Sect Master to carry out the aforementioned punishments on you!"

From the stands, Jiang Fan felt a bit helpless. He had thought a quiet word of guidance to Yan Yuqing would suffice. He hadn't expected to have to step forward and testify for her. With a soft sigh, he rose and approached the arena. He bowed to the referee, and also to the Supreme Sect Master and the elders present.

"I am Jiang Fan, and I am indeed Yan Yuqing's martial uncle," he announced. "It was I who guided her cultivation technique just now. Please do not misunderstand her."

Seeing Jiang Fan actually step onto the stage to testify, both the disciples and the elders showed looks of skepticism.

"Does he really dare to get on stage and give false testimony?""In front of the Supreme Sect Master and the elders?""Does he think we're easily fooled?"No one believed it could be true.

Luo Tianjiao, who had been defeated, was even more disbelieving and sneered, "What nerve! To win a smile from Yan Yuqing, he dares to openly deceive our Supreme Sect Master and elders! I have to say, Yan Yuqing really knows how to charm people. Has she completely ensnared your soul?"

Jiang Fan frowned. He had seen people who couldn't accept defeat, but never someone who couldn't accept defeat to this extent. If she lost, she lost. Why resort to such slander? What purpose did it serve besides showcasing her malice and narrow-mindedness?

Yan Yuqing bit her lip and hastily retorted, "What nonsense are you spouting? This is my martial uncle! If you're not convinced, I'll fight you again!" She almost wished she had lost to Luo Tianjiao, knowing it would cause so much trouble.

Jiang Fan, however, waved his hand to stop her from speaking further. "She wasn't looking for a reasonable discussion in the first place, so what good would it do to say more to her?" He then looked at the referee and said, "Referee, everything I just said is true. If you don't believe it, you can verify it at any time."

The method of verification was, of course, simple. It involved Jiang Fan demonstrating Yan Yuqing's "Cloud Net Palm" technique. If his demonstration was more profound than Yan Yuqing's, then it would be sufficient proof that he was qualified to guide her.

The referee cast an inquiring glance at the Supreme Sect Master. The latter nodded slightly. As the Sect Master, he could neither tolerate a disciple cheating at an important event nor arbitrarily wrong a disciple who performed exceptionally well. Verifying Jiang Fan's palm technique was undoubtedly the most appropriate course of action.

Receiving permission, the referee said, "Very well, then please demonstrate Yan Yuqing's palm technique publicly. Let's see if you are truly qualified to guide her advancement." He cleared the space, allowing Jiang Fan room to perform.

Whether it was the Supreme Sect Master, the elders, or the disciples, all eyes were on Jiang Fan. Though there were many gazes, aside from Cheng Xiaoleng and Chai Yingrong, who had witnessed it firsthand, not a single pair of eyes believed him.

Jiang Fan readily channeled a bit of spiritual energy. He began to execute the "Cloud Net Palm" publicly.

"Ice-Fire Dual!"

With a single palm strike, two opposing forces of palm energy intertwined and struck the air in front of him. *Pfft!* The air was struck, producing a sharp, explosive sound.

The referee's eyelids twitched. The power of this move was far greater than when Yan Yuqing performed it. If Yan Yuqing had possessed such a refined technique, Luo Tianjiao would have been utterly defeated many moves earlier. The observing Supreme Sect Master and the elders showed looks of astonishment. They nodded in succession, acknowledging Jiang Fan's qualification to guide.

The disciples also revealed a hint of surprise. "This guy actually truly masters the 'Cloud Net Palm'.""But isn't this cultivation technique only practiced by Yan Yuqing? Why does he also know it?""Oh, I understand. Since this person is Yan Yuqing's martial uncle, perhaps he was the one who gave her this technique."

With that realization, everyone suddenly understood. They no longer had any doubts about Yan Yuqing's explanation. Instead, they began to point fingers at Luo Tianjiao, who couldn't accept defeat.

"While I can understand Luo Tianjiao's feelings, accusing someone of cheating simply because you lost is a bit much.""Accusing her of cheating is one thing, but to also insult Yan Yuqing by claiming she enticed someone to lie with her...""Her character, tsk!""Such a person is best avoided; it's better to stay far away from her."

Luo Tianjiao was both anxious and angry. Her attempt to question Yan Yuqing had failed, and instead, she had incurred the disciples' resentment. She glared angrily at Jiang Fan and said, "You only know that one move! Can that really prove you guided Yan Yuqing?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Yuqing grew increasingly agitated. Would Luo Tianjiao never stop? However, it was true that Jiang Fan had only comprehended that one move so far. How could Jiang Fan prove himself now?

"Luo Tianjiao, don't go too far," Yan Yuqing said impatiently. "If you really can't let go of this ranking, I'll concede defeat and let you have it!"

Luo Tianjiao snorted coldly, "So you're admitting to cheating? Referee, you heard her! Yan Yuqing admits she's shameless and cheated!"

Jiang Fan was getting tired of this woman. She was endless! He might as well make her shut up completely!

"Who said I only know one move?"

While the two were bickering, he had already comprehended the remaining content of the cultivation technique. He immediately began to demonstrate it on the spot.

"Second Form: Sun and Moon Radiance!""Third Form: Autumn and Summer United!""Fourth Form: Ten Thousand Laws Return to One!"

After he performed all four forms, the others didn't feel anything particularly unusual. Because, according to their analysis, this "Cloud Net Palm" technique was originally passed down by Jiang Fan to Yan Yuqing. It was nothing surprising for him to know the complete set. However, only Yan Yuqing knew that, an hour ago, Jiang Fan had only just begun to read through this cultivation technique. And before she had entered the arena, he had only comprehended the first form. Yet, in the time it took for a single spar, he had grasped the remaining three forms? This... what kind of heaven-defying comprehension was this?

Luo Tianjiao was humiliated again and gnashed her teeth in anger: "Are you deliberately trying to spite me?"

Even the referee couldn't bear it anymore. He sternly declared, "Luo Tianjiao, that's enough! Get down from here and stop disrupting the grand competition!"

However, Luo Tianjiao remained standing. Enraged, she pointed at Jiang Fan and said, "The friendly match is about to begin. Do you dare to fight me?"