All the people of Star Yearn City held their breath as they watched the arena.
The Nether Battle Domain blocked the powerful Essence Power attacks, but those outside could still faintly sense the storm brewing within.
Zuo Ping excelled at swift assaults—his movements were lightning-fast, his Essence Power agile. To the naked eye, it was nearly impossible to discern the angle of his strikes. Yet Ji Bozhai on the opposite side didn’t even shift his feet. The wind-bladed Essence Power that landed near him dissipated into smoke.
He pinched a wisp of Essence Power between his fingers and flicked it casually. Zuo Ping instinctively raised his wind blade to block, but the Essence Power bypassed it entirely, coiling straight around his waist.
The force was far greater than a whip, nearly crushing his bones. Zuo Ping’s face paled, and he immediately transformed his wind blade into a dagger to slash at it.
Under normal circumstances, his Essence Power blade could cut through anything, including others’ Essence Power—after all, he was a high-level Fighter. But to his shock, not only did Ji Bozhai’s wispy, willow-catkin-like Essence Power remain unmoved, he even heard the sound of his own dagger’s edge chipping.
A chill ran down his spine as Zuo Ping looked up in disbelief at his opponent.
This man couldn’t be more than twenty years old. How was this possible…?
Gritting his teeth in frustration, he abruptly drew out eighty percent of his Essence Power. The faint purple hue suddenly deepened, condensing into countless steel needles that shot toward Ji Bozhai at blinding speed.
The needles were denser than rain, sending shivers down everyone’s spines. The overwhelming momentum alone was enough to unsettle the crowd. Even Yan Xiao and the others on the stands couldn’t help but rise to their feet, their eyes fixed on Ji Bozhai.
Ji Bozhai finally moved. He lifted his head, but before he could evade, he was instantly engulfed by the steel needles. The tremendous impact crashed down like a waterfall, the force so violent that the stone slabs beneath cracked with a series of sharp pops. Debris flew, and the ground trembled.
"My lord!" Xu Tianji cried out in alarm, and the crowd erupted in uproar.
"Oh no!" Xiuyun smacked Mingyi’s arm in frustration. "This fighting style is downright shameless! Lord Ji doesn’t even have room to dodge!"
Mingyi, jolted awake by her antics, couldn’t help but laugh. "If there’s no room to dodge, he can still block with a shield. Why panic?"
Xiuyun glared at her. "Easy for you to say! What shield could withstand so many attacks? Those needles are piled a whole zhang high—nothing could stop them from piercing through."
Except a black shield.
Mingyi realized that while these people placed high hopes on Ji Bozhai, they seemed to know very little about his true capabilities. Among the six cities, the number of people who stood a chance of killing Ji Bozhai could be counted on one hand. There was no need for them to act as if the sky were falling.
The nobles’ reactions were understandable, but even Yan Xiao, Liang Xiuyuan, and others closest to Ji Bozhai wore grim expressions. Shu Zhonglin even looked ready to rush into the arena to rescue him.
Shaking her head slightly, Mingyi prepared to close her eyes and go back to sleep. But as her gaze drifted, she caught sight of Situ Ling seated to the left of the main dais.
Situ Ling was the only person on the Song and Dance Stage not staring at Ji Bozhai.
His lively, smiling eyes bypassed the sea of distinguished guests, locking directly onto her. Noticing her attention, he clasped his hands together and gave her a slight nod.
Mingyi’s eyelid twitched.
Situ Ling had no Essence Power—he should be far more worried about Ji Bozhai. Why was he staring at her?Belatedly remembering she was supposed to be a devoted dancing girl deeply in love with Ji Bozhai, Mingyi stiffened, realizing she shouldn't appear so indifferent at this critical moment. She quickly returned his greeting, then continued "pretending to be strong" by glancing around, though the corners of her eyes kept "involuntarily" drifting toward Ji Bozhai.
Compared to the shallow concern displayed by others, her worry appeared far more nuanced.
Perfect. Flawless.
She mentally gave herself a thumbs-up.
"Quite adorable, isn't she?" Situ Ling remarked cheerfully to Fu Yue beside him.
Fu Yue frowned. "My lord, perhaps you should look over there first."
"What's there to see?" He pouted, displeased. "It's not like he'll die."
Fu Yue turned, about to argue otherwise, when a sudden burst of radiant light erupted behind them, causing his pupils to contract violently.
Such formidable Essence Power.
A gale whipped through the surroundings, startling birds into frantic flight. The cascading waterfall of steel needles that had been pouring downward abruptly halted midair—then reversed course, swirling upward amidst an even denser violet glow.
When the last of the needles lifted from the ground, Ji Bozhai stood unharmed within everyone's view. His crimson robes remained pristine, his protective barrier intact, with a Mystic Dragon coiled around the shield, roaring fiercely.
"..."
The Essence Power practitioners present paled.
Black Essence Power was already exceptionally rare, yet Ji Bozhai could manifest it into the form of a Mystic Dragon—so lifelike it revealed the terrifying degree of control he wielded over his power.
How could anyone hope to compete? Forget Zuo Ping—even if another Zheng Tiao were added to the fray, they'd likely still be outmatched.
Zuo Ping stared dumbfounded at the violet cascade surging toward him, face ashen.
How could this be? He was over a decade older than Ji Bozhai, had devoted himself daily to rigorous training, studied countless manuals and scriptures, and participated yearly in the Six Cities Tournament. How could he fail to so much as scratch him?
This couldn't be real. Something must be wrong.
"Lord Zuo, be careful!" Bo Yuankui couldn't help but warn—Zuo Ping's barrier wouldn't withstand that onslaught.
Yet Zuo Ping seemed utterly crushed, standing frozen as the world turned violet before him.
From the main seat, Da Si intervened just in time: "Bozhai, restraint suffices."
The raging waterfall halted abruptly an inch from Zuo Ping, then shattered with a crystalline crackle. With a flick of Ji Bozhai's hand, countless violet fragments scattered like glittering stardust across the sunlight.
The crowd marveled. Spectators from Star Yearn City eagerly reached for the shimmering lights, while those from Moonchase and Newgrass Cities sat in stunned silence.
This year's Star Yearn City wouldn't be so easily subdued.
Seated nearby, Bo Yuankui lowered his gaze.
Originally, the two cities had agreed to test Ji Bozhai's limits today. But after Zuo Ping's humiliating defeat, he certainly wouldn't step forward to share the disgrace.
Ji Bozhai hadn't been wrong—Newgrass City had always been the weakest among the Upper Three Cities, scarcely different from the lower three. Why should Moonchase, as the undisputed leader, debase itself by aligning with them?
Best to observe further.
Da Si was thoroughly pleased, his entire demeanor radiating satisfaction. Yet with outsiders present, he couldn't appear uncultivated, so he maintained his dignified bearing as he addressed Ji Bozhai: "Our guests have traveled far—a friendly spar is enough. You may return now."Ji Bozhai nodded and leisurely walked back to his seat.
As he passed by Zuo Ping, he thought for a moment and decided to offer him a way out by inviting him to sit together.
However, before he could even open his mouth, he was met with Zuo Ping's slightly sinister gaze.
OpenNovel