A mix of Sword Intent and Metal attribute immortal Qi rose from Lin Mu's sword as the skill activated.
A pillar of light rose up from Lin Mu's slash, quickly transforming into a pine tree. Its trunk rapidly grew, while branches extended from it. The branches then sprouted twigs and leaves that all locked the body of Chang Fa within them.
The Pine Tree was incredibly tough and no matter how much Chang Fa struggled, he couldn't free his body. Even when using his tough hair, he was unable to wiggle out of it.
The branches and twigs of the Pine Tree were criss-crossing, tangling with the hair while the leaves locked it in place.
"How can this be?!" Chang Fa shouted in protest.
He had thought that his victory was close and yet, the odds had been turned with just a single slash from Lin Mu.
'Had he always been playing with me from the start!?' Chang Fa couldn't help but wonder.
He had many ambitions and thoughts. He had come to the Tournament of the Four Guardian beasts so that he could let his clan rise to glory. But now it seemed like his plan was going to end before it even began.
Chang Fa's eyes were bloodshot while he struggled to push back against the yellow pine tree. And yet, he was overpowered with ease. He looked at the person who was behind it all and suddenly found him standing next to him.
"Huh, what?" Chang Fa could swear Lin Mu was on the other end of the ring just a couple of seconds ago.
"Are you unwilling?" Lin Mu questioned.
Chang Fa didn't answer right away, thinking that this was Lin Mu's way of mocking him.
"Hmm, your gaze is enough of an answer." Lin Mu said before doing something that shocked Chang Fa.
"What is he doing?" The people sitting in the audience couldn't figure out Lin Mu's actions either.
Even the referee narrowed his eyes, finding Lin Mu's actions strange, suspicious even. But before he could act, he saw something stunning.
"He… he left the ring!" someone in the audience shouted.
Everyone watched as both Chang Fa and Lin Mu were now standing outside the ring. Just a few moments ago, Lin Mu had held onto Chang Fa and had been carried out of the ring along with him.
This had left everyone dumbstruck, and they couldn't figure out why he had done so.
"Who left first?"
"Wasn't it Chang Fa?"
"No, it was both of them together."
Now they couldn't help but figure out how the winner would be decided.
Chang Fa who was confused by Lin Mu's actions, couldn't help but finally speak.
"W-Why… Why would you…" Chang Fa found it hard to speak.
"Do you not wish to let your clan's techniques be praised? Do you not wish to show the world that your clan is strong, too?" Lin Mu questioned the man instead.
His word struck right on the mark as Chang Fa gulped audibly.
"I… I do. But this… I've lost… rightfully too." Chang Fa admitted.
"It would be a shame to see your journey end this fast. You were grossly mismatched, if I am to say so." Lin Mu replied. "If it were someone else, you were quite likely to prevail." He said before looking towards the referee.
"Elder, this should be a draw, right? If I remember the rules correctly?" Lin Mu asked out loud.
Before the tournament, Lin Mu had spent some time learning about the rules and intricacies of the tournament. After all, he never knew when he would have to play them according to his advantage or bend a disadvantageous situation to his benefit using the rules.
What he was doing right now was shocking, but still within the purview of the rules. Even if it might be considered very reckless.
"You are right. If both the contestants leave the ring, the match is considered a draw." The Referee confirmed.
"WHAT!"
"Is he giving up on the match!?"
"NO WAY!! NO WAY AT ALL!"
"Why would someone throw away a clear win like that?"
The people in the audience were baffled at Lin Mu's action.
But Lin Mu didn't care about that. Instead, he simply nodded his head.
The Referee saw this and decided to go with what Lin Mu was wishing for. "Very well, then. This shall be a draw." He declared, "There is no winner for this match."
A mix of shock and awe could be heard coming from the audience, as they couldn't believe their eyes and ears.
~SHUA~
Lin Mu paid no heed to it and simply dispelled the sword skill, freeing Chang Fa.
Chang Fa too reeled his hair, returning it to its meter tall pillar form. His hat automatically appeared to cover it and he composed himself.
Having done this, he said in a low voice. "Chang Fa shall not forget this grace. A debt has been sown and shall be repaid."
"Just show me a good fight and consider it repaid." Lin Mu said before returning to his seat.
Along the way, there were hundreds of eyes looking at him.
With his shocking actions, Lin Mu had all but sealed his image in the eyes of the audience. It could be said that there would be plenty of people now wondering who he was and trying to learn more about it. The bookies would be doing the same and one could imagine that Lin Mu's betting rates would rise.
After all, there weren't many that knew Lin Mu had been invited by the Crown Prince himself before. If they knew, the shock would have been a lot greater.
Chang Fa was left standing in his position for a few seconds before he let out a long sigh.
'I was mistaken this time… there are indeed honorable people left.' Chang Fa thought to himself as he walked to his seat.
Lin Mu too sat back down, picking up Little Shrubby and placing him on his lap.
