Yan Xiao: ?
He didn’t understand. It was Xu Tianji who had spoken ill, so why had Ji Bozhai shaken off the hand of a medical officer when his shoulder was still bleeding?
Moreover, Liang Xiuyuan had only grown close to Ji Bozhai because of Shu Zhonglin’s influence. How dare he say such things to him?
The Challenge Certificate was still floating in the air when Liang Xiuyuan left with Xu Tianji without even a backward glance. As they exited, he hurled a wine cup to the ground, shattering it into pieces—a clear display of his temper.
Mingyi released Ji Bozhai’s arm and bowed to him. “Forgive my presumption, my lord.”
With that, she turned back to her own table. Seeing the dishes had all been served, she motioned for Xiuyun to join her.
Xiuyun glanced between her and Ji Bozhai, whose expression had darkened abruptly, and couldn’t help but ask, “Lord Ji, would you like to eat with us?”
His eyes brightened slightly as Ji Bozhai stepped over and took a seat at their table, nodding politely to Xiuyun. “Thank you. I hadn’t quite finished eating earlier.”
Noticing Yan Xiao and Shu Zhonglin also approaching, he immediately pointed to a nearby table. “Waiter, prepare a new table for these lords—put it on my tab.”
“Right away!”
The mess was cleared, but the gazes directed at Mingyi only multiplied. She ignored them all and finally picked up a piece of roast duck to taste.
Hmm, not bad. At least this trip wasn’t a complete waste.
Ji Bozhai didn’t know what else to say, so he simply ate the roast duck with her. Seeing their hearty appetites, Xiuyun hurriedly picked up her pace as well.
Thus, their table finished eating faster than Yan Xiao’s group next door. In no time, Mingyi wiped her mouth and rose with Xiuyun. “Thank you for the hospitality. Farewell.”
Ji Bozhai remained seated, stiffly uttering an “Mm.”
Yan Xiao quickly tugged his sleeve and whispered, “Didn’t you want to bring her back? Say something!”
The hem of her green skirt had already swept past the threshold. Ji Bozhai exhaled. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I have a thousand sweet words for other girls, but with her, I feel like none of them would work—better to say nothing.”
“She doesn’t want to return with me. No matter what I say, she won’t listen. Fine. She’s just one girl. It’s not like I can’t live without her.”
Withdrawing his gaze, he stood. “It’s getting late. I’ll head to the Academicians’ Court first.”
Apart from Mingyi, he had plenty of other matters to attend to. He didn’t have time to waste on her. If she didn’t want to return, so be it. He had his own work to focus on.
The Academicians’ Court had already begun preparations for next year’s Six Cities Tournament. Star Yearn City’s current strength was considerable—at the very least, they could secure top-three placements in several matches. However, due to their decline over the past seven years, they hadn’t nurtured any outstanding Artifact Smiths. In the Divine Artifact Hall’s competition, they likely wouldn’t win a single match.
To compensate, he had to reclaim the lost advantage elsewhere.
Qin Shangwu soon noticed something was off about his disciple.
Though he trained more diligently and progressed faster with the Heaven and Earth Crystal Stone, he had become unusually sullen.
It wasn’t that he wore a perpetual scowl—his smiles were as dazzling as ever, still making the girls at the Academicians’ Court blush. He greeted others warmly during his comings and goings and even occasionally offered Luo Jiaoyang some pointers. But when sunlight fell upon him, it only touched his body, never reaching his eyes.
Qin Shangwu called him over and asked considerately, “Is something troubling you?”Ji Bozhai replied, "Star Yearn City is still one of the Lower Three Cities, and that is precisely my concern."
He wasn't wrong. As a Lower Three City, even if Da Si was slighted by envoys from other cities, there was little justice to be had—at most, they might receive two fewer Treasure Artifacts. When the Ji residence was burned down, Sunspire City's Dan Er merely came to apologize, claiming it was an accident.
What kind of accident burns down someone's house? Da Si was so furious that he sent Dan Er back to Sunspire City, leaving only She Tianlin to continue tallying the tribute.
Despite this, the people of Star Yearn City still felt aggrieved. They wanted to grow stronger, to become one of the Upper Three Cities, but the lack of Artifact Smiths in the city was a major problem.
The Six Cities Tournament not only tested individual prowess but also teamwork. Otherwise, Sunspire City, even without Ming Xian, wouldn't have been able to secure second place. But for Star Yearn City, this was a problem—aside from Ji Bozhai, their other aspects were truly lacking.
Yet, Qin Shangwu still felt puzzled. "Is that all that troubles you? Nothing else? I heard that Golden Hairpin Fighter from your residence and you—"
"I've already reported to Da Si and granted her freedom."
"Ah..." Qin Shangwu tactfully didn't press further, merely patting his shoulder. "Train well. The heights you reach will be the heights Star Yearn reaches."
"Yes."
The two walked together toward the Fighter Arena, but halfway there, someone rushed up in a panic to report, "Headmaster Qin, someone outside claims to be an Artifact Smith and requests entry into the Academicians' Court!"
Qin Shangwu jolted, immediately waving his hand. "Lead the way!"
They were in desperate need of Artifact Smiths. Could it be that the heavens were favoring Star Yearn, destined for them to win next year's tournament?
Curious, Ji Bozhai followed them out.
Their strides were swift, and as soon as they stepped through the main gate of the Academicians' Court, they spotted a carefree young master loitering outside, holding something indistinct in his hand.
"To have disturbed Headmaster Qin—my apologies." Despite his words, his demeanor remained unapologetic as he tilted his chin up. "I am Sun Liao, eldest son of the Sun family in the southern district. I've just finished crafting a Divine Tool and thought to show it to you all."
With a flick of his wrist, the object in his hand snapped open—a pure white parasol with hollow ribs concealing hidden mechanisms. With just a trace of the lowest-grade Essence Power, it could unleash damage equivalent to a Superior Fighter.
"It's called 'The Moment I Arrived.' It holds ten types of hidden weapons and five methods of deployment. Even if it's just some useless fool on the street with a shred of Essence Power, wielding this, they could escape from Ji Bozhai himself." Sun Liao demonstrated casually, pleased as the crowd's expressions shifted from shock to admiration.
"Did you craft this?" Ji Bozhai asked.
Sun Liao bristled. "If not me, then you?"
"How dare you speak to Lord Ji like that," someone scolded from the side.
Unfazed, Sun Liao retorted, "Lord Ji is formidable, but I'm one of the rare Artifact Smiths in Star Yearn City. You might find another Essence Power expert, but miss out on me, and Star Yearn will have to forfeit the Divine Artifact Hall competition for years to come."
The item was truly impressive—it was just the person holding it who seemed insufferable.
Ji Bozhai fell silent, but Qin Shangwu's eyes gleamed as he eagerly ushered Sun Liao inside. "Can you craft other things as well?"
"Certainly. Just give me an Azure Mist Robe, and I can forge a personalized Divine Tool for every Fighter in the Academicians' Court."Qin Shangwu was very excited: "First make one for Fan Yao. If it fits well, I'll immediately recruit you into the Academicians' Court."
Sun Liao snorted, lifting his chin. "Just wait. I'll make it when I get back. It'll be ready in a couple of days."
"The Academicians' Court has readily available materials and an Artifact Crafting platform," Ji Bozhai said calmly. "It's very convenient to craft artifacts here."
"What do you know!" Sun Liao snapped angrily. "Every Artifact Smith has their favorite place. I prefer my own crafting platform."
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