The previous Six Cities Tournament champion was Moonchase City, so five days in advance, teams from all cities would gather there.
As the tournament approached, the atmosphere in the streets was different. All the vendors were selling items needed for spectating, and the crowds were especially thick, cheering loudly as beast-drawn carriages passed by.
"Lead the way as the sun, strongest as the light—Sunspire City will win!"
"Moonchase City retains the championship!"
"Wildfires pass through winter, new grass thrives in spring—New Grass is the strongest!"
"Zai Zai! Auntie loves you!"
The last shout made everyone in the carriage cough awkwardly, all eyes turning to Ji Bozhai.
Ji Bozhai shot them a glance. "Don’t be so provincial."
He had many supporters in Star Yearn City, and quite a few had followed him here—not to mention admirers from other cities who cheered for him purely for his looks. Ah, what could he do? He didn’t want to be so conspicuous, but he couldn’t control others' mouths.
Tilting his chin toward Mingyi, he was about to say something with a smile when the carriage lurched violently forward.
Someone outside had stopped their beast-drawn carriage.
"I heard Star Yearn City has a female Fighter this year. I, Li Qing of Moonchase City, have come to see for myself!" a burly man bellowed outside.
Luo Jiaoyang steadied himself against the carriage wall and glanced at Mingyi’s male attire, puzzled. "How did he know?"
Mingyi looked outside. "Just as I briefed you on the backgrounds of Fighters from other cities, they’ve also gathered intel on us. Since I’m the Golden Hairpin Fighter personally appointed by the Minister Superior, my identity was never going to stay hidden."
Beside her, Ji Bozhai looked displeased, already rolling up his sleeve to take action. Mingyi pressed down on his wrist and turned to Fan Yao. "Li Qing specializes in brute force, which aligns with your Essence Power. You go test him."
Fan Yao’s eyes lit up, and he immediately stood to disembark.
"I came to see a woman, why’s a man stepping out?" Li Qing grumbled. But in the next moment, he felt the Nether Domain descend around him.
During the Six Cities Tournament, street duels were common, so the onlookers weren’t alarmed—if anything, they grew even more rowdy.
Among Star Yearn City’s delegation, only Ji Bozhai was widely recognized. The others were virtually unknown. Li Qing, a three-time tournament veteran, naturally looked down on a young upstart like Fan Yao and sneered, "You don’t know your limits."
Fan Yao was a little unsure himself. This guy seemed pretty strong—if he lost in public, wouldn’t it be humiliating?
Then Mingyi’s voice came from behind him: "Take a single strand of his hair, and you win."
Steadying his nerves, Fan Yao focused on his opponent’s locks.
Having a clear goal made things much easier. Gathering his power, he struck first.
A flash of purple light erupted in the street, drawing even more spectators who jostled against the carriage, making it rattle noisily.
"Such a young Fighter, holding his own against Li Qing for so many moves!"
"Both have purple Essence Power, but Li Qing is more seasoned."
"Who is this guy? From Star Yearn City?"
Fists collided, and the impact sent a numbing shock through Fan Yao’s arm. Excitement surged in him as he studied his opponent’s techniques—then mirrored them right back.
After several exchanges, Li Qing grew furious. "You—you’re stealing my secret techniques?"
Fan Yao blinked innocently. "Huh? Is that not allowed?"
Li Qing trembled with rage. Secret techniques! His family’s! And this brat had the nerve to ask if it was allowed!In that split second of vulnerability, Fan Yao seized the opportunity, hurling a surge of Essence Power that shattered his opponent's Shield and severed a lock of his flying hair.
As the strands fluttered to the ground, the match was decided.
Gasps echoed around them, but Mingyi merely smiled and called out loudly, "Fan Yao, let's go."
Her voice, clear and bright, carried the name to every ear. Fan Yao clasped his hands toward the stunned Li Qing in salute, then cheerfully boarded the carriage.
"He's really strong," Fan Yao admitted as soon as he got inside. "I only won by luck."
Mingyi shook her head. "You won because you're stronger."
Luo Jiaoyang blinked in disbelief, eyeing Fan Yao. "That was a renowned Fighter from Moonchase City. How could we possibly be stronger than them at our age?"
"Fighters aren't judged by age, but by talent and comprehension of cultivation," Mingyi corrected them. "More years might mean more experience, but never guaranteed strength."
Her words inexplicably boosted the confidence of these first-time Six Cities Tournament participants. After all, this was Ming Xian—if she said it, it must be true.
Ji Bozhai watched her with an amused smirk.
"What?" she asked coolly.
"Just thinking your master underpays you," he mused. "You've ingrained the habit of worrying about the team into your bones. Far more than just an Artifact Smith."
Mingyi chuckled. "The ones I mentored before truly couldn't be left unsupervised. But this year, I'm just a delicate Artifact Smith—you're the team leader, so take good care of me."
Artifact Smiths typically possessed weaker Essence Power than regular Fighters, making them prime targets in battles. Hence the saying: Artifact Smiths at the Six Cities Tournament are always young, because none live to grow old.
Ji Bozhai gazed at her, utterly charmed by her haughty demeanor. Unlike her previous forced pleasantries, this was her true self—regal yet bowing her head like a graceful swan, her pale neck temptingly pinchable.
But he couldn't. Before departure, Mingyi had made him promise: no romance, no intimacy—only focus on victory.
With a quiet sigh, he reluctantly averted his eyes.
Their dramatic street confrontation on their first day in Moonchase City naturally made them the talk of every teahouse and inn. Soon, envoys from Sunspire City tracked them down, cornering Mingyi at their lodgings.
"After all Sunspire's invested in you, this is how you repay us?" Mingxin glared coldly. "Coming to compete with ruined Meridians—just to humiliate us? Don't worry, you won't survive past the first round."
Mingyi scratched her brow awkwardly. "Actually... Artifact Smith competitions start on the third day."
Mingxin stiffened, flushing with anger. "A mere Artifact Smith dares act so arrogantly?"
Mingyi: "..."
She'd been folding blankets when they barged in—who was being arrogant here?
Shaking out the quilt, she sat on the bed and smiled up at them. "I'm just a woman with broken Meridians. Does Sunspire fear losing so much they'd target me?"
"What nonsense!" Wei Changsheng scoffed. "Sunspire lose? We weren't even trying when we last met. Surely you don't believe some ragtag team from backwater Star Yearn City could break into the Upper Three Cities?""There are no weak positions, only weak people." Mingyi gave them a deep look. "I'm very curious to see what results you titled Superior fighters can achieve this year."
OpenNovel