"Feixue!!!"
However, while others could not tell, the Ximen Clan Head recognized the scream. The moment he heard Ximen Feixue's anguished cry, he knew it was his son.
Taking a closer look, he was even more alarmed. Disregarding the formation entirely, he launched himself into the sky and swept Ximen Feixue into his arms.
"Feixue, what happened? Who injured you so severely?" The Ximen Clan Head stared at his son, torn between fury and anguish—though what overwhelmed him most was heartache.
Ximen Feixue was the most exceptional genius the Ximen Imperial Clan had produced in tens of thousands of years, and the son he doted on most. He had always treasured Ximen Feixue as though he were a precious jewel.
In truth, the reason he harbored such deep hatred toward Chu Feng was precisely because Chu Feng had humiliated his son in public.
Now, seeing his son beaten to such a state, how could he not rage?
"Father, your son has disappointed you. To think I'd be the first one eliminated." Ximen Feixue forced a bitter smile. He felt too ashamed to face his father.
"Eliminated?" The Ximen Clan Head froze for a moment, then erupted in fury. His voice, several times more deafening than a thunderclap, boomed down toward the fortress below. "Why was my son eliminated?!!?"
The moment that voice rang out, many present hastily clapped their hands over their ears—it was simply too piercing.
"Eliminated? How could he be eliminated?"
Though the sound was painful, people had heard every word clearly. Ximen Feixue had been eliminated.
"Ximen Feixue violated the rules. Before the competition even began, he provoked others, insulted them, and forced them into combat with him. According to the rules, I had no choice but to eliminate him."
From within the fortress came the man's voice—louder still than the Ximen Clan Head's, yet while it resounded far and wide, it harmed no one.
"Remarkable." Everyone's hearts jolted. With just a single sentence, they understood that the man inside the fortress possessed a cultivation that far surpassed the Ximen Clan Head's.
"If elimination is elimination, then why was my son gravely injured?" the Ximen Clan Head demanded once more.
"Your son was not wounded by me. He provoked Chu Feng, and Chu Feng is the one who injured him." The man's voice echoed from within the fortress again.
"What? It was Chu Feng?"
"Does that mean Ximen Feixue was eliminated because he provoked Chu Feng?"
"Good heavens—provoking Chu Feng and getting eliminated would be bad enough, but he also ended up beaten half to death by the man?"
People had heard every word the fortress master said. In an instant, many could not help but secretly smirk.
This really was quite the humiliation.
"Chu Feng. It's that Chu Feng again." Upon hearing Chu Feng's name, the Ximen Clan Head's veins bulged with rage, and a vast killing intent surged through his eyes.
"Ugh—" Just then, Ximen Feixue suddenly opened his mouth wide, and with a muffled splurt, a great mouthful of blood sprayed forth.
Caught off guard, the blood splattered directly across the Ximen Clan Head's face and body.
"Feixue, what's wrong?" Drenched in his own son's blood, the Ximen Clan Head showed not a trace of anger—only deep worry.
He realized that no matter how severe Ximen Feixue's previous injuries had been, they were at least external. But after vomiting this blood, Ximen Feixue's entire aura had become terribly weak. These were internal wounds.
"Father… your son is incompetent. The Celestial Immortal Sword has been seized by that Chu Feng."
"It no longer belongs to me." Ximen Feixue managed a bitter smile, and his eyes radiated an utter sense of loss.
He had not merely lost this battle—he had lost it completely and thoroughly. It was nothing short of total devastation.
"Did I hear that right? Ximen Feixue's Celestial Immortal Sword was taken by Chu Feng? And Chu Feng severed his bond with the sword? That's why Ximen Feixue vomited blood?"
"But from the looks of it, the fight between Ximen Feixue and Chu Feng must have just ended. The sword must have been taken only moments ago."
"Mother of mercy—what kind of monster is this Chu Feng? How can he be so powerful? To be able, in such a…"