"You must have resorted to some underhanded methods," Zuo Ping glared at him intently. "Let me guess—poison? Or perhaps some powerful Divine Tools and Crystals?"
His voice was loud, his malice undisguised.
The people of Star Yearn City around them grew furious. "What do you mean by that? Star Yearn City has no poison!"
"Exactly. If poison could be so effective, why would anyone bother cultivating?"
"Everyone knows Star Yearn City has been impoverished for over a decade—where would we get Divine Tools or Crystals?"
The crowd seethed with anger, but Zuo Ping paid no heed. Seeing Ji Bozhai remain silent, his expression grew even more excited. "Hit the mark, didn't I? I've seen plenty of frauds like you, thinking some cheap tricks can surpass your predecessors—what a joke!"
"The bloodline of Star Yearn City is inferior. You'll always remain among the lower cities."
Xiuyun, enraged, snatched a bowl from the table and hurled it at him. "You're the inferior one!"
Her action seemed to inspire the crowd. In an instant, a flurry of bowls, chopsticks, half-eaten pastries, and cabbage stalks dripping with sauce flew toward Zuo Ping.
Zuo Ping sneered, flicking his hand to release a surge of Essence Power, smashing all the dishes to the ground in a shattered mess.
His retaliation only fueled the crowd's fury. People grabbed whatever was on the table and hurled it with all their might. Mingyi watched as Xiuyun threw her chopsticks, then her soup spoon, followed by her braised beef and lotus pastries. When she ran out of things to throw, she eyed the ornaments in her hair.
"Not those!" Mingyi quickly clutched the golden hairpins and pearls. "They're expensive!"
Xiuyun stamped her foot in frustration, stood up, and flung the cushion she'd been sitting on at Zuo Ping.
"What a bunch of hysterical lowlifes," Zuo Ping deflected the objects effortlessly, his mocking gaze deepening. "Is this all you've got?"
Ji Bozhai watched him calmly, waiting until his laughter subsided before speaking softly, "Your talent is too weak. No matter how hard you train, you'll only ever be a mediocre Essence Power user. You really shouldn't have come to see me today."
The smirk on Zuo Ping's face faded bit by bit, his eyes darkening. "What did you say?"
"You're over a decade older than me, yet your Essence Power is only at the violet stage—and a pale violet at that, impure in hue. Your control is weak too; you can only manifest simple weapon forms like blades or needles." Ji Bozhai patted his shoulder sympathetically. "Seeing me must be painful for you, isn't it?"
Veins of rage crept into Zuo Ping's eyes, his face contorted with fury. "Ji Bozhai—"
"I've never even used a decent Divine Tool, let alone seen Crystals above amethyst grade." Ji Bozhai sighed, lowering his gaze. "If I had those things, maybe I wouldn't be so weak now."
Mingyi, listening from afar, choked on her own saliva.
This man's words were downright venomous.
Someone as narrow-minded as Zuo Ping couldn't withstand such provocation. He immediately raised his hand to strike, but before he could act, Ji Bozhai's Essence Power descended like a mountain, crushing him and rendering his own power useless.
"Sir, let it go," someone from Newgrass City stepped in to mediate, half-supporting, half-dragging Zuo Ping back to his seat. "We still have tribute to collect."
At the mention of this, Zuo Ping's expression finally improved slightly, reminding him that he was still a representative of the Upper Three Cities—while Ji Bozhai, no matter how formidable, remained part of the lower cities.Taking a deep breath and raising his chin, Zuo Ping was about to speak when Ji Bozhai interjected, "Indeed, collecting tribute is crucial—after all, it's the last time."
"..." The chopsticks in his hand snapped in two with a sharp crack.
Bo Yuankui smoothly defused the tension: "Why haven't the people from Sunspire City arrived yet?"
Gritting his teeth, Zuo Ping replied reluctantly, "They said they were delayed by some matter and will arrive later."
Bo Yuankui nodded, then turned his head with a mocking chuckle. "In previous years, Sunspire City always took first place, so waiting for them was understandable. But this year, the top spot has changed hands. Who would have thought the envoys from Sunspire City would still put on such airs?"
The crowd listened in silence, realizing that even among the Upper Three Cities, relations weren't exactly harmonious.
Still, Sunspire City had held the top position for years—this year was just a rare misstep. Though they might mock, when the envoys from Sunspire City finally stepped onto the Song and Dance Stage, everyone at the main table instinctively rose to their feet.
Da Si and Zuo Ping stood naturally, while Bo Yuankui, halfway up, remembered he was this year's champion and sat back down with a cold expression.
Xu Tianji was slightly surprised when he saw the newcomer. "It's actually him?"
Ji Bozhai looked up and caught sight of a black robe embroidered with silver threads depicting countless beasts sweeping past his vision, floating gracefully to the seats reserved for the Upper Three Cities.
"That's Dan Er, the Beast Master of Sunspire City," Xu Tianji quickly whispered to him, regaining his composure. "This man excels at taming beasts and operates both as an official and a merchant. Many of the high-quality Following Beasts in the six major cities come from him."
Dan Er rarely made public appearances even in Sunspire City—no one expected him to come as an envoy to Star Yearn City.
Ji Bozhai nodded indifferently, paying little attention. His Following Beasts were all picked up randomly from the streets, so he had little interest in beast taming.
However, the moment Dan Er took his seat, his gaze locked directly onto Ji Bozhai. "I arrived at an unfortunate time—has Lord Ji already demonstrated his skills?"
"He has, and it was quite impressive," Bo Yuankui chimed in.
Had anyone else from Sunspire City come, he would have mocked them without hesitation. But since it was Dan Er, Bo Yuankui felt it wouldn't hurt to show some respect—after all, he still needed a high-quality Following Beast and had to rely on this man.
"Oh?" Dan Er smiled faintly before sighing. "I wonder if I might still have the honor of witnessing it."
Da Si glanced at Ji Bozhai, ready to accept on his behalf—this was, after all, an envoy from Sunspire City. But before he could speak, Ji Bozhai replied coolly, "Star Yearn City has been short on food for days to prepare the tribute. I'm too hungry to muster any strength—please forgive me, my lord."
What nonsense was this? A whole spread of food lay right in front of him.
Zuo Ping sneered, about to expose the lie, when Dan Er spoke first. "No matter. If you're willing to spar with my Following Beast for ten moves, Star Yearn City's tribute to Sunspire City this year can be halved compared to last year."
The entire hall erupted in murmurs.
Half the tribute—that was an unimaginable amount, just for Ji Bozhai to exchange a few moves?
Hadn't Zuo Ping just hit the jackpot?
"Is he out of his mind? Even without offering tribute, he could easily find another chance to spar with Lord Ji," Xiuyun muttered under her breath.
Mingyi had been fully alert since Dan Er's appearance and was now struggling to tear off a suitable piece of gauze from her underskirt to use as a veil.
Damn it all—why did it have to be Dan Er of all people?She wasn't afraid of Dan Er—after all, they'd already met, and Dan Er knew her current situation. But still, but—
"Old She, can I make this decision?" Dan Er turned to look at the person walking beside him.
The man gave an affirmative grunt, his salt-and-pepper hair fluttering slightly in the wind.
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