Zheng Tiao's heart tightened as he quickly asked her, "What's wrong?"

"It's too dangerous. The later rounds of the competition get even more perilous. Even Mingyi and Ji Bozhai got injured, let alone you." Her voice choked with sobs. "Those people in your team are only good at saving their own skins. If you're seriously hurt, they won’t care about you. I want to go with you."

"Nonsense." Zheng Tiao shook his head. "Not to mention you're from Star Yearn City, your Essence Power hasn’t even been properly cultivated yet. How could you just step onto the field?"

"I can craft artifacts," Xiuyun insisted. "Isn’t there a round later where six people can participate? I can follow your Artifact Smiths and help repair the Divine Tools."

Flying Blossom City was indeed short on Artifact Smiths. If she could go, their Divine Tools could be repaired faster—it would be a great help. But Zheng Tiao still refused her.

Xiuyun grew furious. "You just don’t want to be associated with me."

Zheng Tiao: "..."

He opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say. This silly girl was afraid he’d get hurt, but wasn’t he just as afraid for her? Especially now that Flying Blossom was already being targeted—she absolutely couldn’t go.

Watching her run off in tears, Zheng Tiao sighed. He stretched his limbs and began preparing for the next day’s competition.

In previous years, the Divine Artifact Hall’s competition had always been dominated by Sunspire City. After all, Ming Xian alone could do the work of two people—when his Divine Tools broke, he never needed to trouble the Artifact Smiths, fixing them himself swiftly and flawlessly. But this year, Ming Xian was in Star Yearn City.

The courtyard where Star Yearn City’s delegation stayed was anything but peaceful that night. First, two waves of assassins arrived, then a fire broke out. Knowing they couldn’t win fair and square, the Upper Three Cities had resorted to every underhanded tactic to ensure Mingyi and Ji Bozhai would be injured beforehand.

Luo Jiaoyang was so fed up that he simply sat by the door with his sword, waiting for the next assassin to come and fight. Ji Bozhai, however, was in high spirits. Cradling Mingyi in his arms, he murmured soothingly, "Go to sleep. If they manage to disturb you, I’ll admit defeat."

Mingyi truly fell asleep in his embrace, wrapped in her clothes, her face serene, her eyelashes perfectly still.

Ji Bozhai’s eyes brimmed with amusement. With the Nether Domain activated, no matter how much noise those outside made, it was useless. He hummed a nonsensical tune to himself, watching as her breathing gradually steadied.

She seemed to trust him more and more—if he let go, she’d fall, yet she still dared to sleep so deeply.

With a satisfied sigh, he lifted his gaze to the chaotic scene outside.

Sunspire City really didn’t want him to win, but they couldn’t kill him either. They were probably stomping around their courtyard in frustration.

But no matter how much they stomped, it wouldn’t change a thing. He was determined to take the championship.

With Mingyi by his side, Star Yearn City was advancing smoothly through the Divine Artifact Hall’s competition—something they wouldn’t have even dreamed of in the past. Whether it was navigating mazes or Divine Tool battles, Mingyi’s preparations surpassed anything the five of them could have imagined. She had everything covered. Meng Yangqiu, who had joined them, couldn’t stop praising her along the way.

"She even brought this? Truly worthy of Ming Guniang."

"Such a large tear can still be repaired? Truly worthy of Ming Guniang."

"She found the exit so quickly? Truly worthy of Ming Guniang."

Ji Bozhai’s expression darkened. "You’re too noisy."

Meng Yangqiu innocently covered his mouth but still couldn’t resist muttering, "To think I’d get to fight alongside Ming Guniang in this lifetime—I can die without regrets."Mingyi chuckled, patting his shoulder as she handed him a Divine Tool. "You won't die. If any of you get injured in today's match, I'll take full responsibility."

She had added Shields to each Divine Tool—capable of both offense and defense—a breakthrough even Old She hadn't achieved yet. No other team on the field would have such an advantage.

True enough, armed with Mingyi's Divine Tools, the six of them swept through every battle undefeated. While Sunspire City's Divine Tools could only amplify Essence Power threefold, Mingyi's modified versions achieved a fourfold amplification.

To call it a crushing victory would be an understatement.

Watching from outside, She Tianlin couldn't suppress his delight.

He had always known Mingyi was the most talented. She would surpass him as an Artifact Smith.

At first, he had thought it a pity that she trained under him, since her strongest Combat Skill wasn't his specialty. But now, it seemed perfect—she had learned so much from him, even surpassing her master. His legacy was secure.

"Master She, are you celebrating for the Fighters of another city?" Dan Er's voice was icy.

She Tianlin schooled his expression and coughed lightly. "No."

"Your prized disciple, using your craft to defeat our people from Sunspire City. You should return and plead guilty before the Minister Superior." Dan Er rose, flicking his sleeve. "If Star Yearn City ever seizes power in this world, you'll bear half the blame."

She Tianlin bowed his head in remorse.

But once Dan Er left, he happily looked up again to watch Mingyi.

Though her Essence Power wasn't as formidable as before, his disciple remained an eternal Facing Sun.

How wonderful.

The people of Sunspire City could only watch helplessly as Star Yearn City advanced to the finish line. With no other options, they turned their aggression toward Flying Blossom City. As long as Flying Blossom didn't make the top three, Sunspire still had a chance to remain among the Upper Three Cities.

Soon, the Divine Tools in the hands of Flying Blossom's team wore down rapidly. Their accompanying Artifact Smiths scrambled to repair them but were deliberately targeted, forced to dodge attacks with no time to work.

Zheng Tiao took a hit to his arm, his face paling instantly. Those beside him didn't even try to shield him, scattering instead to evade.

As a second strike loomed, he inhaled, gathering his Shield—only for someone to dart out from the side, wielding a strangely shaped Divine Tool that collided with the incoming Essence Power.

A deafening explosion rang out before the stranger hauled him into the nearby bushes.

"How did you sneak in here?!" Zheng Tiao's face drained of the last trace of color as he recognized the face.

Xiuyun met his gaze firmly. "Your master permitted me to come. I replaced Frostblade's position."

"Ridiculous! How could you—"

His raised voice drew another attack.

Xiuyun yanked him aside and thrust a new Divine Tool into his hands. "Mingyi knew I was coming and gave this to me. Try it."

Zheng Tiao took it, too desperate to argue, and shielded her as he faced the Sunspire City opponents.

...

"The match concludes—Star Yearn City claims first place, followed by New Grass and Flying Blossom."

The announcement echoed across the arena, and Star Yearn's team erupted in cheers once more.

Only one final solo match remained. As long as they placed within the top three, they would secure overall victory. Even a top-five finish would guarantee their position among the Upper Three Cities.

After years of being looked down upon, Star Yearn City had finally risen.Countless handkerchiefs and hairpins were tossed into the air as the crowd screamed and embraced each other. Some wildly swung their coats, while others clutched their heads and wept in excitement.

The moment Mingyi and the others stepped out of the venue, they were surrounded by an exhilarated crowd from Star Yearn City, lifted up, and thrown into the air.

"Ah—" Mingyi was startled and quickly wrapped herself in a Shield, only to find countless hands catching her steadily as she descended.

"Thank you," someone whispered in her ear.