To them, women were like stains. If Mingyi were to wear the Azure Mist Robe, would the noble families of the city have to step down from their carriages to bow and exchange pleasantries with a woman? That would be utterly absurd.
The students, having cooled from their initial joy of gaining an Artifact Smith, frowned at Mingyi, lamenting her gender yet still coveting her skills.
Qin Shangwu rubbed the embroidery on his robe, visibly troubled, and remained silent for a long while.
Mingyi, however, was unbothered. She waved her hand dismissively. "Though I can't enter the Academicians' Court, I can still craft Divine Tools. Selling to Sun Liao is selling, and selling to the Academicians' Court is also selling. As long as you can afford it, I can forge any Divine Tool you desire."
Her words were both audacious and carefree, which amused Qin Shangwu. "If I wanted something even more formidable than the Divine Tool of Sunspire City's heir, could you forge it?"
"I can, but it won't be cheap." Mingyi clasped her hands behind her back. "Artifact Crafting consumes vast amounts of Essence Power and mental energy. Let me lay out the prices upfront: ordinary Divine Tools range from one thousand to five thousand, finely crafted ones cost two hundred thousand, and top-tier masterpieces go for a million. As for the kind you just mentioned—surpassing Sunspire City—five million, no bargaining."
Divine Tools were consumables, needing replacement every few years. While the prices were fair, the cost of participating in the Six Cities Tournament with such expenses would be exorbitant.
Qin Shangwu frowned. "Let me think about it."
"There's a second option." Mingyi held up two fingers. "If Star Yearn City's Flying Beast Cart can transport me and my friends to other cities at any time, I'll charge only one-fifth the price for all Divine Tools, with free repairs included."
The students erupted in murmurs, while Qin Shangwu beamed. "Excellent, excellent! That's perfect! Our inner court has Flying Beast Carts reserved for the Six Cities Tournament. You may use them."
Buying a cart outright was too expensive and risked exposing their movements, not to mention the hassle of maintaining the beasts. Using their carts would conceal their tracks from Dan Er and eliminate other complications.
Mingyi nodded in satisfaction, and Qin Shangwu, equally pleased, gestured to a nearby courtyard. "With your skills, it's unsafe to live outside. Here, no one can touch you. Do as you please."
Ji Bozhai arrived just in time to hear this and pursed his lips, glancing at Mingyi.
Back at the Sun residence, she had seemed inclined to return with him. Surely she wouldn’t change her mind now...
"Sounds good." Mingyi smiled. "I'll fetch my friends from the Situ residence and settle here. As for meals and daily necessities—"
"Same as the other students," Qin Shangwu declared with a wave.
Ji Bozhai's expression darkened.
Mingyi cheerfully left to retrieve her companions, while Qin Shangwu, overjoyed, turned around only to find his beloved disciple looming behind him with a stormy expression.
Startled, he scrutinized him. "What's wrong?"
"Why keep her in the Academicians’ Court?" His voice was low. "It's sweltering in summer and freezing in winter—far less comfortable than my estate."
"But it's safe here."
"She's a woman. With so many men around, it's inconvenient."
"But it's safe here..."
"She knows nothing about this place."
"But it's safe here!"
A vein throbbed at Ji Bozhai's temple. "Master, could you say something else?"Qin Shangwu patted his shoulder. "Every participant in the Six Cities Tournament must be specially protected by Star Yearn City. Your Essence Power is strong enough that you fear nothing, which is why I permitted you to return to your residence. But Mingyi is a woman with no family here—remaining in the Academicians' Court is safest for her."
"Your residence may be comfortable, but you might grow weary and abandon her. The Academicians' Court won't. As long as she can craft artifacts, they'll support her for life."
Ji Bozhai: "..."
The logic was sound, but why did those words irritate him so much? Who said anything about abandoning her? He'd just... been momentarily angry.
Come to think of it, he still hadn't explained to Mingyi why he'd driven her out that day. Judging by her cheerful demeanor earlier, she probably wouldn't return with him now—her interactions at the Situ residence were likely just pretense.
Affecting nonchalance, Ji Bozhai shrugged. "If that's the case, this disciple won't worry about her anymore. My concern was mainly to avoid Da Si's censure."
Qin Shangwu gave him a sidelong glance before nodding. "Very well. You bear heavy responsibilities and shouldn't be distracted by romantic entanglements. Since you usually stay at your residence and new members have joined the Academicians' Court, we'll reassign your courtyard. Luo Jiaoyang can move in."
Ji Bozhai fell silent. Only after walking some distance did he speak again. "Luo Jiaoyang is lazy by nature. Without supervision in a separate courtyard, his training will suffer. He should continue sharing with Chu He."
Some distance away, Luo Jiaoyang sneezed.
Rubbing his nose in puzzlement, he glanced back before continuing to trail Mingyi. "I want my Divine Tool in red. It's prettier."
Mingyi walked toward the Situ residence under his escort. "Red is Sunspire City's customary color. Deep blue suits Star Yearn City better."
"There are rules about this? I never knew." Luo Jiaoyang scratched his head, grinning. "But finally we have an Artifact Smith! Old Weng in the inner court took half a year to forge one Divine Tool—I couldn't stand the wait."
Training an Artifact Smith required massive investment. Star Yearn City's lack was understandable.
Understanding didn't mean she'd help cultivate their smiths, though. She was from Sunspire City. While Sunspire had wronged her, she'd never aid its destruction—she'd built that city with her own hands.
She didn't have long to live anyway. Taking Star Yearn's money to help them reach the Upper Three Cities would suffice. The rest wasn't her concern.
Humming, Mingyi returned to the Situ residence to fetch Xiuyun.
Situ Ling had already returned from the Hall of Judgment, beaming as he greeted her, his canine teeth peeking. "Thank you for your help, elder sister. That villain Sun got his just deserts, and Lord Qian kept his position."
He stepped aside, gesturing toward the dining table. "I prepared a feast for you, freshly delivered from Flower Branch Pavilion."
Mingyi's eyes lit up as she surveyed the lavish spread of delicacies—clearly no expense had been spared.
Xiuyun sat beside her, smiling. "I've packed all our belongings. Young master said this meal serves as our farewell."
"Thank you."
Situ Ling took his seat, swinging his legs. "Though the Academicians' Court is extremely secure, not all its members are amiable. I may not be able to assist you further, elder sister. Please take care."Back in the Academicians' Court of Sunspire City, she had been a top-tier Fighter whom no one dared provoke, living an untroubled life. But now, not only had she become an Artifact Smith, but she was also a woman—she was bound to face harassment.
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