The day before the Six Cities Tournament, Qin Shangwu gathered them together. Though his expression was somewhat reluctant, he still handed each of them a portrait.
"These are the heirs of each city. Study their features carefully," he said, averting his gaze. "If you encounter them, don't let them live. The Grand Assembly will reward you handsomely."
Luo Jiaoyang and the others were baffled. They took the portraits and muttered, "Don't let them live? The heirs of the major cities are all formidable. It's more about whether we can survive ourselves."
Ji Bozhai glanced at the people in the portraits, then looked at Mingyi.
Mingyi seemed unfazed by such matters, not even raising an eyebrow. After scanning all the portraits, she set them aside.
Qin Shangwu sighed as he looked at her. "I know this request is difficult for you. If you can't kill them, it's fine. I'll explain it to the Minister Superior."
"Explain?" Mingyi shook her head. "The Six Cities Tournament is the perfect opportunity for each city to eliminate the heirs of their rivals. Once successful, even the strongest city will decline year by year, just like Star Yearn City seven or eight years ago. The kill order from the Minister Superior is mandatory for everyone. If you don't give it your all, you'll be held accountable."
Chu He straightened up upon hearing this. "There's such a thing?"
"This is absurd. We're just here to compete..."
"Don't think it's unreasonable. Even if you don't kill others, the opposing teams will surely go all out to take Ji Bozhai's life during the competition," Mingyi said, shaking her head. "This is something everyone knows, but your training has always been pure, so Headmaster Qin feared you might not accept it."
Ji Bozhai closed the portraits. "No big deal. We'll act according to circumstances."
Luo Jiaoyang and the others also came around. "On the battlefield, blades and arrows are blind. We'll see when the time comes."
Qin Shangwu was moved. He had always thought Mingyi's special status meant she wasn't truly part of Star Yearn City and might not be so obedient. Yet, she understood his position, making him feel somewhat petty.
With a sigh, he grew serious again. "This journey is fraught with danger. Be careful. We have three or four reserve Fighters. If you can't hold on, retreat."
"Yes."
On the day the silver disk hung high over Moonchase City, the Six Cities Tournament finally arrived.
On the first day, Divine Tools weren't needed, so the Artifact Smiths didn't take the field. Mingyi sat with Qin Shangwu in the spectator stands, watching as the vast Nether Domain slowly descended, enveloping an entire small mountain ahead.
The tournament grounds were vast, impossible to see entirely with the naked eye. Special Fighters used the refraction of the Nether Domain Wall to create six massive mirrors, each focusing on the participants from one city.
Initially, the spectator stands around the first three mirrors were the most crowded, as they showcased the Upper Three Cities, whose Fighters always drew more attention. But when Ji Bozhai's face appeared on the sixth mirror, Mingyi noticed more and more people sitting around her.
Mostly women and noble ladies.
"What a handsome Fighter. I didn't believe it when others said someone could rival the moon's brilliance."
"His name is Ji Bozhai, from Star Yearn City. They say he wields black Essence Power and can already manifest a Familiar."
"How impressive."Inside the testing grounds, shielded by the Nether Domain, one could neither hear nor see the outside. Yet for some reason, as the crowd murmured, Ji Bozhai seemed to sense something and suddenly glanced at the Nether Domain Wall reflecting his image.
His star-like eyes were deep, his thin lips pressed tightly together, the tense contours of his face exuding a hint of solemnity.
Mingyi twitched her lips and couldn’t help rolling her eyes.
Today was a one-on-one duel. Though fewer in number, it was still quite dangerous. Yet here he was, still finding time to fuss over his looks.
However, that single glance of his sent the previously reserved noble ladies into a frenzy. Someone shouted, "Zai Zai! Zai Zai will surely win!"
"Zai Zai is peerless in the world!"
"Zai Zai, you are your auntie’s precious darling!"
The cheers were so loud that they drew frequent glances from the surrounding seats.
"Did Star Yearn City send so many people?" Bo Yuankui asked in confusion.
Someone nearby answered with a bitter smile, "No, those are noble spectators from various cities here to watch the excitement."
Bo Yuankui: "..."
It was customary for people from each city to support their own Fighters. This Ji Bozhai was truly hate-inducing.
Not just his face, but his strength as well. Originally, today’s duel shouldn’t have required his participation, but since he had actively chosen to join this round, the others from different cities would undoubtedly gang up on him first.
Bo Yuankui wasn’t wrong. On the mirrors, the participants from other cities refrained from attacking each other, all holding their breath to sense Essence Power as they closed in on Ji Bozhai’s direction.
"He’s about to be surrounded," Fan Yao watched with concern. "Why isn’t he even trying to hide? He’s just wandering through the woods."
Chu He glanced at the other mirrors and mused, "Perhaps he doesn’t consider those people worth his attention."
For the first match of the first day, the other cities had sent their weakest team members. Naturally, Ji Bozhai wouldn’t take them seriously. But even ants could bring down an elephant—if those five truly encircled him, he’d be in real danger.
Mingyi held her breath, watching as Ji Bozhai suddenly halted mid-stride.
Someone was approaching from his left front, and another from his right rear.
Fighters didn’t need to engage in close combat; they could strike from ten zhang away. The moment positions were set, three mirrors simultaneously emitted purple light, all converging toward Ji Bozhai.
The sixth mirror was engulfed in purple light, obscuring the view. The spectators outside grew anxious, rising onto their tiptoes.
"Where is he? Where’s Zai Zai?"
"Ganging up on him with so much purple Essence Power—how unfair!"
"More purple Essence Power is flying toward him."
"Zai Zai, run!"
Mingyi was tense at first, but when purple light also erupted from Ji Bozhai’s position, she relaxed, leaning back into the Grand Tutor Chair with a chuckle. "How sneaky."
Qin Shangwu caught on as well, both chiding and proud. "Who taught him to be so clever?"
Mingyi smiled and nodded. "A good mentor’s doing."
"Not at all, not at all."
Watching these two chat so casually, Luo Jiaoyang scratched his head in agitation. "How can he possibly fight off so many purple Essence Power Fighters? Explain it properly!"
Mingyi tilted her chin toward the sixth mirror.
True, it was flooded with purple Essence Power—but that energy was radiating outward, precisely countering several incoming attacks.Concealing one's Essence Power is something many Fighters are unwilling to learn. After all, they've spent half their lives cultivating just to reach the blue or purple levels—colors that showcase their strength. There's no reason to hide such achievements, making the skill seem utterly useless.
Unfortunately, there are those in this world whose Essence Power colors transcend the standard seven hues, leaving them no choice but to learn it.
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