The outcome of the final match was naturally in their hands.
In the past, apart from Ming Xian, they could control everyone else's rankings—giving a few extra points to some, deducting a few from others—it was all up to them. After all, the gap between superior fighters wasn't that significant; a few points, even a dozen, could easily change the outcome.
Because of this, they had always been revered and feared by the various cities, receiving lavish gifts every year and living more comfortably than even Da Si. How could they possibly bow their heads to some brat like Ji Bozhai?
Yet now, this very brat had the audacity to openly challenge them in front of so many people, even smiling as he said, "Let me show you who really decides the outcome of the final match."
The old men were furious, firmly resolved not to flip the scorecards in his favor from now on.
However, Ji Bozhai was unreasonable in his own right. The next contestant was Wei Changsheng, who barely had a chance to speak before Ji Bozhai struck. A surge of black Essence Power, swirling with a violent gale, shattered his shield on the spot. Then, under the crushing weight of overwhelming Essence Power, he was pummeled repeatedly in the chest, just like before.
Wei Changsheng didn’t even get a chance to resist. Two hits later, he was coughing up blood.
The spectators watching through the mirrors erupted in shock.
In the past, when Ming Xian took the stage, his moves were intricate—a dazzling back-and-forth that made him seem incredibly skilled. But Ji Bozhai? This was pure, one-sided brutality. No strategy, no technique, just beating his opponent until their meridians were destroyed, their mind blank, unable to even crawl away.
It didn’t matter if the old men refused to flip the scorecards—his opponent wouldn’t earn a single point anyway. At worst, they could all sit there until the end of time, as long as Sunspire City was willing to let their fighter die right there on the stage in front of everyone.
Truthfully, Sunspire City was willing, but they couldn’t bear the murmurs of the crowd. They already had a reputation for mistreating fighters; if they allowed Ji Bozhai to beat someone to death on stage now, their infamy would only worsen.
So, reluctantly, Sunspire City had no choice but to concede and have Wei Changsheng carried off.
The old men were hopping mad, cursing Ji Bozhai for breaking the rules. But all they could do was curse—there was no rule against killing an opponent in combat. As long as Ji Bozhai rendered his opponent incapable of fighting, the scores they gave were utterly meaningless.
In the head-to-head battles between cities, Sunspire City was eliminated in the second round. Though they still ranked among the Upper Three Cities, looking at the overall Six Cities Tournament, this time they weren’t just out of the top three—they were near the bottom of the lower three.
The people of Sunspire City couldn’t accept this. One by one, they rose from their seats and left without even waiting for the final results, not once looking back.
Having won two rounds, Ji Bozhai’s last opponent was Zheng Tiao.
Zheng Tiao was severely injured, but he showed no intention of surrendering. He simply grinned at Ji Bozhai and said, "Today’s a fine day. I finally get to spar with you again."
Ji Bozhai, shedding his earlier brutality, adopted a proper Combat Skill stance. "I won’t take advantage of you. Since your arm is badly injured, I’ll only use one hand. I’ll make sure you fight to your heart’s content."
"Good!"
The audience, stunned by the one-sided beatings they’d witnessed, finally got to see a proper duel.
Zheng Tiao had also suffered from the scorecards before. Now, with no need to worry about them, he threw himself wholeheartedly into the match against Ji Bozhai.
Mingyi watched him and gave a slight nod.To say Zheng Tiao was the most diligent Fighter in the Six Cities would not be an exaggeration. In just one year, he had improved tremendously, his purple Essence Power now interwoven with increasing streaks of black. His strikes were swift, his force fierce, and his techniques polished to perfection.
Ji Bozhai lacked his opponent's experience but made up for it with abundant Essence Power and lightning-fast reflexes. The two exchanged blows evenly, completing a full fifty moves.
The elder on the platform squinted and awarded Zheng Tiao one point, while Ji Bozhai remained scoreless.
"I lose," Zheng Tiao stepped back, his face lit with satisfaction. "You hit me fifty-six times. I only landed twenty-seven strikes on you." With that, he glanced at the scoreboard, scoffed, and leaped off the stage on his own.
Rubbing his sore chest and arms, Ji Bozhai turned to the ashen-faced elders on the platform and smirked. "What now? I still won."
"Victory with zero points? Preposterous!" The elders slammed the table in fury. "Aren't you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"
But the crowd below had already erupted in cheers. People from Star Yearn City began tossing handfuls of Shell Coins into the air, their banners raised high, fluttering proudly in the wind.
"They might laugh indeed," Ji Bozhai raised an eyebrow, "but certainly not at me. If you're dissatisfied, feel free to come down and challenge me yourselves."
The elders choked on his words, rising indignantly to lodge complaints with Moonchase City's officials.
Yet the outcome was already decided—protests were futile. Ji Bozhai's strength was undeniable; a rematch would only result in more injuries.
Dan Er gazed at the setting sun on the horizon, his expression cold as he listened to the cheers of Star Yearn City's citizens. With a faint sigh, he gathered his sleeves and left the venue.
"Congratulations to Star Yearn City for claiming victory in this Six Cities Tournament, with Flying Blossom City as runner-up and Moonchase City in third place."
The announcement, accompanied by the crackling of firecrackers, echoed throughout Moonchase City and even reached the Azure Cloud Realm.
The people of Star Yearn City were so exhilarated they could hardly contain themselves. Eager to deliver the joyous news, they hastily packed their belongings, wasting no time in returning home.
Mingyi shared in their happiness, but as someone passed behind her, a voice whispered, "You will pay for your actions."
Startled, she turned—only to catch the retreating backs of a few Facing Sun envoys.
A deeper unease settled in her heart, but she shook her head. If they had triumphed in the Six Cities Tournament, what was there to fear?
Qin Shangwu, breaking tradition, loaded their Flying Beast Cart with copious amounts of wine. The group began celebrating boisterously even before reaching home. Ji Bozhai tilted his head back for a swig, his eyes gleaming as he asked her, "Is it time now?"
Mingyi knew exactly what he meant and rolled her eyes. "My lord, everyone outside is praising your unmatched bravery and dashing grace. Could you perhaps postpone... other matters?"
"No." He rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice tinged with complaint. "I can't hold back."
Her ears flushed red as she averted her gaze.
When this man was aroused, he became utterly bewitching—his thin lips slightly pursed, the bridge of his strong nose faintly reddened, his eyes so mesmerizing that a single glance could pull one into an abyss.
This was hardly the place for intimacy, especially with Luo Jiaoyang across from them, slurring his words as he raised a toast."Lord Ji, Bo Zhai! Stop looking at Ming Guniang, look at me!" He was also quite drunk, shouting so boldly.
Ji Bozhai glanced at him, his gaze devoid of the tenderness he had shown Mingyi, and replied perfunctorily, "Hmm."
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