Bo Yuankui hadn't expected Ji Bozhai to last this long. Just dealing with Zheng Tiao had already drained him considerably, yet he still had the energy to provoke him now.
With a smile, Bo Yuankui cupped his hands and stepped forward. "It is I who should seek guidance from Lord Ji."
Though Bo Yuankui possessed abundant Essence Power, he was nearing fifty and lacked endurance. Against Ji Bozhai in this state, his chances of winning were much higher.
Yet suddenly, the Nether Domain before him changed.
The dark purple Nether Domain turned pure black as Ji Bozhai raised his head. A Mystic Dragon coiled out from behind him, overlooking the entire Song and Dance Stage.
The crowd erupted in astonishment, and Da Si even stood up in excitement.
"A Mystic Dragon!"
"Ji Bozhai has already attained black Essence Power at such a young age!"
"Our Star Yearn City is about to prosper, hahaha!"
Morale in Star Yearn City soared, and many Essence Power users stepped forward to guard against sneak attacks. Luo Jiaoyang and the others glanced back, unsurprised yet still filled with pride.
A Fighter with a Mystic Dragon belonged to their Star Yearn City.
However, Mingyi, watching from above, felt uneasy.
Unless absolutely necessary, Ji Bozhai wouldn't reveal his true Essence Power in such a setting—unless he was at his limit.
After two consecutive days of Essence Power depletion and facing so many formidable opponents, it was understandable if he couldn't hold on. But the current situation simply didn't allow him to lose.
Mingyi recalled past Six Cities Tournaments where she had often encountered similar situations—forcing a victory only to spend half a year recovering and suffering nightmares every night.
She hadn't expected him to walk this path too.
Lowering her eyes to sip tea, she thought, It's no big deal. As long as he doesn't die.
Yet when Bo Yuankui launched his full-force strike, Mingyi couldn't help but flick a streak of earthen-yellow Essence Power toward the stage.
Her current Essence Power was too weak to block the attack, but Bo Yuankui's inexperience left his move riddled with openings. Her strike served as a guide, showing Ji Bozhai where to strike to dismantle his opponent's assault.
Luo Jiaoyang didn't intercept the earthen-yellow Essence Power. He recognized it—imbued with the aura of Star Yearn City's Fighters and meant to aid Ji Bozhai—so he let it pass.
Ji Bozhai noticed the Essence Power too. Seeing it came from Luo Jiaoyang's direction, he focused intently before following its trajectory with an ink-black dragon.
The dragon's roar shook the heavens as it shattered Bo Yuankui's attack, reducing his protective shield to dust.
Bo Yuankui paled, immediately halting his movements and retreating to his seat with a flick of his sleeve.
"Each new generation surpasses the last. We old folks must accept our limits," he said bitterly, blood in his mouth. "I only achieved dark purple Essence Power at thirty-seven and won my first championship at forty-seven. Who knew there truly existed natural talents in this world?"
Ji Bozhai's innate talent alone was astounding, but his combat experience was equally seasoned. That counterattack couldn't have been executed without at least a decade of battle experience. Had Bo Yuankui retreated a moment later, several of his Meridians would have been destroyed.
Heart still pounding, he turned to Da Si and said deeply, "Congratulations."
These words weren't just about today's victory but also the future Six Cities Tournament.
Da Si wanted to remain modest, but his joy was too overwhelming. He couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Thank you all for your guidance. Since this is a banquet, let us sit and enjoy the wine. Come, everyone, take your seats!"The field was littered with wounded, and while Ji Bozhai had fared relatively well—his injuries overshadowed by his rising fame—the others had to grit their teeth, bleeding yet forced to return to their seats to drink and exchange pleasantries to show their magnanimity. It was truly humiliating.
Luo Jiaoyang and his companions hadn’t gained much, but they were in good spirits nonetheless. Turning to Ji Bozhai, Luo remarked, "You might not be much of a person, but your skills are impressive."
Ji Bozhai remained where he stood, offering a faint smile. "Thank you for the praise."
Sensing something amiss, Luo stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Can’t move?"
"It’ll pass soon."
"Tch." Luo scoffed. "Why push yourself? After fighting so many, even if Ming Xian were here today, he’d need to be carried off." With that, he gripped Ji Bozhai’s arm and helped him down from the platform.
Their movements were so natural that no one around noticed anything wrong. Even Da Si, seated at the head of the gathering, called out, "Bozhai, go unveil the second treasure’s red silk. Let everyone see what you’ve won."
Normally, the short distance from the platform would have been crossed in two strides. But now, Luo Jiaoyang supporting Ji Bozhai, both moved stiffly.
"Want me to go for you?"
"No need." Ji Bozhai replied leisurely. "This little distance won’t kill me."
Death wasn’t the issue—it was the agony. Luo frowned as he watched Ji Bozhai take a step, feeling the pain radiating through his meridians.
Just then, a flash of color fluttered down from the nearby seats like a butterfly, landing beside them.
Luo blinked, looking up to see Mingyi’s radiant, smiling face.
"May this humble one accompany you to see the excitement, my lord?" she asked, tilting her head.
From his seat, Liang Xiuyuan grumbled, "She was nowhere to be seen when things got rough earlier, but now she’s quick to show up."
Shu Zhonglin elbowed him and whispered, "Can’t you see Bozhai can barely stand?"
"And her tugging and dragging won’t make it any easier for him."
Mingyi’s actions indeed seemed less like support and more like clinging to Ji Bozhai’s arm, yet somehow, he stood steadier. As they moved toward the red silk, Ji Bozhai sighed apologetically to Da Si. "She’s been spoiled rotten. Please forgive her, Da Si."
At the mention of Mingyi, Da Si’s pride swelled. Turning to the assembled envoys, he said, "Gentlemen, do forgive us. This girl is Star Yearn City’s first Golden Hairpin Fighter and Bozhai’s beloved. Having her accompany him is no breach of decorum."
Golden Hairpin Fighter?
Murmurs erupted around them. "Where did a woman learn Combat Skills?"
"Combat Skills require innate meridian talent. Not just anyone can master them. Does this girl even have Fighter meridians?"
"Probably just riding on Ji Bozhai’s coattails for clout."
"If Da Si vouches for her, he must have seen her wield Essence Power."
Seizing the moment, Mingyi gently steadied Ji Bozhai in place, then raised her hand. A surge of blue Essence Power flew out, lifting the distant red silk.
"Heaven and Earth Profound Crystal!" Nearly every Fighter in the hall shot to their feet.
Though stunned by Mingyi’s display of Essence Power, the crystal’s brilliance eclipsed all else. This crystal could store vast amounts of Essence Power. With it, even if one faced a gauntlet of masters—or every Fighter in the world—victory was assured if the reserves were sufficient.
For such a treasure to land in Star Yearn City… it seemed the city’s rise was inevitable.
The buzzing chatter around them faded as Ji Bozhai leaned close to Mingyi and whispered, "Find me an excuse to leave. Now."At such a highly visible moment, what excuse could he use to leave smoothly without arousing suspicion that he was severely injured and beyond cure?
Mingyi's eyes darted around, then he suddenly covered his mouth and retched twice.