The speaker was Ji Qing, the deputy envoy from Newgrass City seated at the main table, with thick eyebrows and large eyes. A bluish-purple meridian coiled like a snake from his wrist to his elbow.
He looked in Mingyi's direction with undisguised contempt.
No matter what one might say about Ming Xian, he had been the champion of the Six Cities Tournament for seven consecutive years, far surpassing most people present. What could a mere woman possibly know? She was only bold enough to gossip.
Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, the woman awkwardly shook her head. "Today isn't very convenient."
"Is it inconvenient, or do you simply not know how?" he retorted bluntly, leaving no room for courtesy.
The crowd around them erupted in jeers. Ji Bozhai lifted his gaze, calmly meeting Ji Qing's eyes. "Since this esteemed official is so eager, my wife is indisposed today. Perhaps I might have the honor of sparring with you instead."
Without giving him a chance to refuse, Ji Bozhai pressed a hand against the elm low table, his snow-blue robe fluttering as he stepped into the arena.
Ji Qing's smile stiffened.
His cultivation was far inferior to Lord Zuo Ping's. Sparring with Ji Bozhai would only end in humiliation. But with Ji Bozhai already waiting in the arena, sitting idle would make him a laughingstock.
Gritting his teeth, Ji Qing reluctantly followed.
When Da Si and Bo Yuankui entered the hall, chatting amiably, they were greeted by a spectacle of swirling Essence Power—someone was sent flying past them, crashing heavily against the violet-hued domain wall.
Both men froze. It was still early; not all the guests had arrived. Why had the sparring already begun?
"Bozhai?" Da Si asked, eyeing the combatant in confusion. "Did some disagreement occur?"
Such excessive force...
Ji Bozhai wore a perfectly amiable smile as he dispersed the Nether Battle Domain and approached them, his tone gentle. "Not at all. Guests are to be treated with respect. It was merely a friendly exchange."
Who in their right mind would leave their opponent bloodied in a "friendly exchange"? Da Si wanted to smooth things over but found himself at a loss, sweating as he hastily summoned Yan Xiao to tend to Ji Qing's injuries.
Bo Yuankui studied Ji Qing's wounds, inwardly startled. Ji Bozhai's Essence Power had always been violet—so why were there traces of black energy in the injuries?
Had he truly mastered black Essence Power? Impossible. He was far too young. If that were the case, Star Yearn City would have long rivaled Sunspire City.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Da Si quickly took his seat and laughed. "As per tradition, the second day of the welcoming banquet is reserved for showcasing our city's treasures. Today shall be no exception."
This was the most anticipated segment of the banquet. The guests swiftly shifted their attention from the one-sided sparring, eagerly turning toward the entrance.
Star Yearn City had prepared two rarities, draped in red silk and slowly levitated onto the central stone platform by a Fighter's Essence Power—one large, one small, one tall, one short, both faintly glowing.
Mingyi, who had been feigning ignorance while stuffing her face, immediately looked up at the unusual sight.
"The first is the Great Star Meteorite," Da Si announced, sweeping aside the red silk to a chorus of gasps. "A unique material—malleable when shaped by hand, yet impervious to blades. It is the finest resource for forging Divine Tools."
"Such a massive piece! How many divine weapons could be crafted from this? Our Divine Artifact Hall has hope for next year."
"Star Yearn City is truly blessed. Other cities would struggle to obtain something like this."
"A gift from the heavens. What can we do? Better start bargaining."Most of the people in the arena were fixated on the Great Star Meteorite, but Situ Ling noticed that Ji Bozhai, Bo Yuankui, and even Zuo Ping were all staring at the small, still-veiled object beside it, covered in red silk.
Something the size of a palm, even if made of rarer material, couldn’t possibly be crafted into a Divine Tool. Why were they reacting like this?
Curious, Situ Ling turned to ask Mingyi, only to find her gaze even brighter than the others.
"Heaven and Earth Profound Crystal," she murmured.
Crystals were used by Fighters during cultivation, but only to store excess Essence Power. Situ Ling didn’t understand the value of this Profound Crystal, but at that moment, Bo Yuankui across from them spoke up: "By tradition, the treasures displayed at the welcoming banquet are meant to be prizes. Is Da Si truly willing to part with them?"
Da Si smiled and nodded. "Let each of you prove your worth."
In the past, he would never have dared to offer these two items. But now, with Ji Bozhai by his side, they would serve as stepping stones to elevate his fame across the six cities. Once he won them, Ji Bozhai’s reputation would spread far and wide. Even if Star Yearn City remained among the lower three cities, their lives would improve significantly.
Bo Yuankui understood his scheme, but the allure of the Great Star Meteorite and the Heaven and Earth Profound Crystal was too great for any Fighter to resist. Even knowing the odds were slim, he was determined to try.
And he wasn’t alone. Nearby, She Tianlin and Zuo Ping were also tempted, while farther away, Zheng Tiao and several other high-ranking Fighters who had sensed the Profound Crystal’s aura exchanged glances, their eyes alight with battle intent.
But this meant their opponent was no longer one another.
"What’s the second item?" someone asked.
Da Si glanced at Ji Bozhai but didn’t unveil the red silk, instead ordering the item to be taken away for safekeeping.
As if by unspoken agreement, the Fighters in attendance wasted no time—the moment the arena cleared, they leaped down one after another.
A dozen high-ranking Fighters entering the field at once made for a spectacular sight, drawing gasps from the audience. Even Shu Zhonglin, usually composed, tugged at Liang Xiuyuan’s sleeve in shock. "What’s happening? Isn’t She Tianlin the only one who can forge Divine Tools? Why are the others rushing for that meteorite?"
Liang Xiuyuan, in a foul mood these past few days, merely glanced at Ji Bozhai in the arena and muttered, "Prepare the healing herbs for him."
None of them stood a chance against Ji Bozhai in a one-on-one fight. But if they took turns, the battle wouldn’t be about raw Essence Power—it would come down to who could outlast him before he collapsed.
Mingyi frowned as she noticed Zheng Tiao, the battle-hungry fool, stepping forward to face Ji Bozhai, eager for a fight.
That man cared only for the thrill of combat, with no thought for strategy. He was the one who should have waited to reap the rewards, yet Bo Yuankui had used him as a pawn, sending him straight into the Nether Domain first.
She rubbed her temples, stealing a quick glance at Ji Bozhai before looking away.
Ji Bozhai would never surrender easily. Regardless of the two stones, maintaining his status meant winning this battle.
But his stubbornness would surely cost him.
Oh well, let him suffer. Mingyi thought. She was just a Dancing Girl, after all—hardly her place to worry over such grand matters. She’d simply enjoy the show, nibbling on snacks while waiting for the outcome.
Casually, she picked up a peanut.Zheng Tiao made his move. A powerful surge of purple Essence Power, tinged with hints of gray, stirred a chilly breeze even through the Nether Domain.
The wind pressed her stray locks against her cheeks, tickling slightly. Distracted for a moment, the peanut at the tip of her chopsticks slipped and fell back onto the plate.
OpenNovel