The phantom-like footwork and leg techniques were entirely unexpected by the audience. Before they could even gasp, Gao Chenfei, as if possessing eyes in the back of his head, leaned forward with lightning speed.
Everyone held their breath. The countdown had just ticked down to five, meaning in another five seconds, the match would be declared a 3-3 draw, and whether there would be a tie-breaker or a rematch would depend on the chief referee's discussion.
However, Gao Chenfei didn't seem ready to give up. As his body pressed forward, he simultaneously extended his leg backward and upward, his entire form resembling a poisonous scorpion raising its claw!
This move was incredibly creative. Zhou Jun had already prepared for a draw, but unexpectedly, the opponent unleashed such a fierce and agile technique in the final five seconds. He was greatly alarmed.
Yet, Zhou Jun found it futile to dodge now. The distance was too close. As the leg swept past, his face turned pale, a faint scent of defeat in the air. Relying on pure instinct, he twisted his body, only to hear Gao Chenfei execute a forward and side roll, spinning 720 degrees in the air, his legs precisely sweeping towards Zhou Jun's head!
*Beep~*
The countdown timer had run out almost a second after the leg connected with Zhou Jun.
"Time's up! Gao Chenfei's final strike is valid. He defeats Zhou Jun 5-3!"
The referee's gaze was sharp. After double-checking the time, he announced the result with disbelief.
The audience erupted in thunderous applause. They had never imagined that the Aidos City representative team would win two consecutive bouts, instantly shifting the momentum back in their favor.
Zhou Jun touched his face, a bloodstain left by the opponent's kick. He still showed no intention of leaving the ring. Under the spotlight, Gao Chenfei was welcomed back by his teammates as a victor, while Zhou Jun stood like an abandoned cat in a dark corner.
"Zhou Jun, the match is over. We need to clear the ring, please leave."
The referee's smile was natural, but his smiling face resembled a drunkard snickering with a bottle in hand, darting through dark alleys.
*Slap!*
Smile? Even you have the gall to laugh at me!
Zhou Jun's eyes turned ferocious. He slapped the referee twice on the face!
The slaps weren't particularly loud, but as the ring was situated in the center, many people caught sight of the scene.
"Wow, is that guy a sore loser? Such poor sportsmanship."
"Right? Now he's offended the referee, his teammate Xiao Chong might have a tough time in the next match."
"Classic example of a teammate killer, tsk tsk. But, this is quite a gift for Peng Lin."
The audience merely treated this sudden incident as a flavor enhancer during the pre-match period. They didn't expect the atmosphere on the ring to become even more charged by a single remark from the referee.
"Kid, normally, I'd pin you under my shoulder and give you a proper suplex. But since you just lost, I won't make things difficult for you. As I'm in a good mood, get off quickly."
The referee was a full half-head shorter than Zhou Jun and built like a stick. There was no comparison between them. Zhou Jun was already feeling frustrated, and the referee's taunt ignited a baseless rage within him!
"You trash dare to mock me? Very well! I'd like to see if you're only good with your mouth!"
This scene of losing both face and dignity infuriated Chu Tianxiong, who was watching from below the ring. He was about to shout a warning when Zhou Jun's fist already hurtled towards the referee's face!
"Presumptuous!"
Chu Tianxiong strode onto the ring, prepared to apologize profusely. However, a scene that further disgraced him suddenly unfolded.
The moment Zhou Jun's fist neared the referee's cheek, the referee indeed moved his shoulder forward, leaning into Zhou Jun with a side step. His speed and footwork were so uncanny that even Zhou Jun couldn't react before the referee had him by the waist and crucial pressure points, sending him flying as if on a rollercoaster, with all the spectators spinning in his world!
*Bang!*
Zhou Jun crashed heavily onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. The audience immediately booed and then erupted in applause.
"Damn, this referee must be at least a black belt fifth dan!"
"A suplex, tsk tsk. Lost all five points, and in just one exchange. His skill probably rivals the coaches of the four teams!"
"Exactly, you guys think that Chu Tianxiong's face must be stinging right about now!"
The audience buzzed with discussion. As an interlude, it had become another wave of unexpected climax.
Meanwhile, Chu Tianxiong, standing on the ring, felt like he was at the eye of a storm. All the curses, taunts, and jeers converged into a massive wave, crashing towards him. He could only shamefacedly grab Zhou Jun and retreat to the Zigui City representative team area like a stray dog.
At this moment, after a brief period of cheers and celebrations, the Aidos City representative team fell into a deathly silence once more.
Shen Lan Ni was the first to speak.
"Peng Lin, your ankle is quite badly injured. Are you sure you can still fight?"
Peng Lin swaggered to his feet from his seat, deliberately lifting one foot and standing on his injured ankle. "See, Coach, I'm fine."
"Jump a couple of times."
Ren Yuanhao's gaze was sharp. How could he not see the problem?
A flicker of resolve flashed in Peng Lin's eyes. He endured pain that ordinary people could not bear and jumped forward twice, his back already soaked through with cold sweat.
"Hey, kid, you should wipe the sweat off your forehead." Yang Lingxue intended to throw a stack of tissues but grabbed a spicy stick instead and tossed it over.
"Young lady, I don't eat spicy sticks..."
Ren Yuanhao and the others burst into laughter, which eased the somber atmosphere.
After the laughter subsided, Ren Yuanhao pulled Peng Lin aside, his expression turning serious. "Kid, Xiao Chong's raw strength isn't much stronger than Zhou Jun or the others. However, if you're determined to fight him, remember one thing." He first placed the Six Qi Blood-Boosting Pill he had exchanged from the system into Peng Lin's hand, then softened his tone. "Before you have absolute certainty, try not to use your ultimate techniques or moves with high lethality."
"Why?"
"Because that guy is like Murong Fu from the Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils."
"He uses his own moves against his opponent?"
Ren Yuanhao nodded silently. "When sparring with him, try not to waste stamina in the first two rounds. You and I have seen his fighting style; you should know that this guy, after learning skills from his opponents, will have a massive outbreak in the second half of the second period and the third period. We can bet that he won't be able to replicate skills from past techniques when the opponent hasn't used powerful ultimate moves."
"This move from Big Brother is quite risky." Peng Lin swallowed the pill in one gulp, and the pain immediately receded like a tide.