Mingyi was a person who held grudges. Since Ji Bozhai had said he wouldn’t care about her life or death, then she wouldn’t care about his either. If he lived, he could continue to shield her; if he died, then so be it. After all, if he could die this time, he could die next time too—an unreliable backer was useless anyway.
Let him fight his own battles.
Picking up a small dish, she tilted it into her mouth for a handful of peanuts, chewing with her eyes lowered, refusing to look at the arena.
Zheng Tiao alone was already troublesome, and after him came Bo Yuankui and Zuo Ping. Ji Bozhai’s expression darkened as he hesitated for a long moment before finally summoning a Nether Domain so deep it was nearly black.
“He’s improved this fast?” Zuo Ping frowned, muttering under his breath, “Yesterday it was still pure purple.”
“You think he showed his true hand yesterday?” Bo Yuankui scoffed. “If he didn’t hold back, what would he use to deal with the Six Cities Tournament?”
Zheng Tiao had seen this exact shade of Nether Domain from Ji Bozhai during the tournament and immediately grew excited, manifesting his own purple qilin before charging at him.
Ji Bozhai focused, deflecting each of his attacks one by one. Though victory was assured, he still couldn’t avoid suffering some minor injuries.
“Zheng Tiao truly lives up to his reputation as a martial fanatic. The time he’s been gone must have been spent studying how to counter Ji Bozhai.”
“His techniques are seasoned, relying on experience. Ji Bozhai is bound to suffer a bit at his hands.”
Blood splattered, the qilin roared, and even those on the platform, like Shu Zhonglin, grew anxious. “Where are Star Yearn City’s Fighters? Are we just going to watch outsiders gang up on one of ours?”
Following his words, Mingyi glanced toward the main seats. Luo Jiaoyang and Chu He were both intently watching the fight but showed no intention of stepping in.
Knowing this was a path Da Si had paved for Ji Bozhai, it was only natural they wouldn’t interfere. There was nothing to criticize.
She withdrew her gaze and continued eating the next dish.
Zheng Tiao was defeated, and Ji Bozhai, now half-covered in wounds, calmly faced Zuo Ping.
If yesterday’s Ji Bozhai had been an insurmountable mountain to Zuo Ping, today that mountain had crumbled by half. Zuo Ping was exhilarated, immediately unleashing his ultimate move, willing to sacrifice a thousand of his own to injure eight hundred of Ji Bozhai’s.
Ji Bozhai handled it with ease, his blood-streaked profile glinting under the midday sun, eliciting a chorus of gasps from the women in the distance.
Mingyi’s lips twitched.
Even in this state, he still had to show off. Did he really think Bo Yuankui would go easy on him?
She didn’t believe Ji Bozhai would fall to Zuo Ping, but Bo Yuankui was another matter entirely. And though Zuo Ping’s moves might not secure victory, they could still leave Ji Bozhai with even more injuries. Facing Bo Yuankui in such a state wouldn’t be easy.
“Ming Guniang.” Liang Xiuyuan suddenly spoke up. “Earlier, Bozhai stepped in to protect you. Now you’re just going to sit here and watch?”
His tone was mocking, but Mingyi smiled good-naturedly. “Sir, as his sworn brother with passable Essence Power, you’re sitting here watching too. Why should a mere woman like me be in a hurry?”
“Weren’t you just spouting wisdom earlier?” He sneered. “I thought you actually knew Essence Power.”
Was he taking out his anger over Xu Tianji on her?
Mingyi tsked and shook her head. “This is the kind of brother one should have—thoughtful, reliable.”
Liang Xiuyuan’s face darkened. “You—”
Shu Zhonglin grabbed him with a headache. “I think you’ve lost your mind over that woman. At a time like this, why are you picking on Ming Guniang?”
“I just think Tianji deserves better,” Liang Xiuyuan muttered, lowering his eyes. “If she were here, she’d definitely find a way to help Bozhai, not sit here stuffing her face like this one.”"She's thinking of a way..." Mingyi raised an eyebrow, "to stand off the field and recite the Fighter Registry?"
"Mingyi!"
"I'm right here." She sneered, "With such fiery temper, Your Excellency must wield formidable moves. Why not step down and face Bo Yuankui? That might lighten Ji Bozhai's burden a little."
Liang Xiuyuan clenched his fists in anger. What woman was as sharp-tongued as her? He was, after all, a friend of Ji Bozhai's, yet she showed no restraint in offending him.
"If you can't help, then stay quiet," she said coolly, turning her gaze back to the arena. "You're disturbing his focus on sound and positioning."
Zuo Ping's wind blades swirled from all directions, too swift to evade. Ji Bozhai could only rely on his hearing to pinpoint their origin, thickening the shield on that side to conserve Essence Power as much as possible.
Just as he was about to defeat Zuo Ping, Ji Qing, still recovering from injuries, suddenly propped himself up and struck. Cyan-blue Essence Power transformed into a spear, thrusting viciously toward Ji Bozhai's undefended flank.
"Ambush!" a spectator cried out.
The shout muddled Ji Bozhai's perception of the hidden weapon's trajectory, delaying his reaction. By the time he turned and saw the spear, its tip was already inches from his lower back.
A streak of earthy-gray Essence Power flew from nowhere, smashing into the spear with such force that the razor-sharp weapon instantly dissolved into cyan-blue smoke.
Ji Bozhai froze, glancing toward Mingyi's direction.
Mingyi was engrossed in her meal, not even sparing him a glance.
Was it an illusion? Ji Bozhai shook his head and refocused on Zuo Ping.
Though despicable, Ji Qing's move didn't violate the rules—the arena was always a place where blades had no eyes. Emboldened by this, those too cowardly to enter the fray yet unwilling to let Ji Bozhai win began launching covert attacks from their seats.
"Shameless! Unworthy of being called Fighters!" Luo Jiaoyang couldn't stand it any longer. Slamming the table, he leaped into the arena, intercepting the hidden weapons aimed at Ji Bozhai.
After a moment's hesitation, Chu He followed suit.
Disliking Ji Bozhai was one thing, but this was Star Yearn City's territory—they couldn't let such underhanded tactics go unchecked.
Yet even with their assistance, they were outnumbered. Gaps in their defense inevitably appeared. In Luo Jiaoyang's momentary lapse, a violet lotus blade shot toward Ji Bozhai.
He reached out to block it, but a streak of ochre Essence Power got there first, shattering the blade into fragments.
The purple shards glittered in the sunlight. Ji Bozhai turned to Luo Jiaoyang and murmured, "Thanks."
Luo Jiaoyang flushed—it wasn't his doing—but with no time to explain, he gritted his teeth and moved to intercept another attack.
"Now this resembles a proper contest," remarked the Celestial Official beside Da Si, nodding slightly. "The Six Cities Tournament ultimately hinges on teamwork."
Da Si was pleased but harbored a tinge of regret. "Bozhai lacks experience and needs more training. Remember how the Ming family heir single-handedly defeated countless masters back in the day."
"The Ming heir was trained from childhood, while Lord Ji is self-taught—hardly a fair comparison," the Celestial Official chuckled. "But given time, he'll surely lead Star Yearn City to greatness."
A massive surge of Essence Power kicked up a whirlwind of dust, forcing spectators to shield their eyes with their sleeves. When the air cleared, Zuo Ping lay defeated.Ji Bozhai wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and faced the next opponent, his eyes gleaming with even greater interest. "Lord Bo, I await your instruction."
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