"Perhaps someone was just trying to scare you." Mingyi tilted her head to listen but heard no knocking. She patted Xiuyun's shoulder reassuringly, "Relax, we're in the main city after all. They wouldn't dare—"
Before she could finish, an explosive collision of Essence Power erupted outside with a deafening boom, immediately muffled by the Nether Domain's barrier.
Xiuyun instantly hid behind Mingyi, trembling. "Run! Quick, let's run!"
Though startled, Mingyi found the situation odd. If someone were attacking, the Essence Power should have struck her door directly, not clashed midair.
The commotion sounded more like a fight had broken out right outside her doorstep.
Curious, she approached the door and cracked it open slightly.
On the wide bluestone path outside, a violet Nether Domain shimmered. Within its confines, Luo Jiaoyang was engaged in a fierce battle with several unfamiliar Fighters, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Mingyi: ?
Weren't they supposed to be here to challenge her?
Xiuyun peered out, equally puzzled. "Huh? Aren't those from the Xu family? After Xu Tianji was punished by the Empress because of you, the entire Xu family suffered repercussions. They must have come today to teach you a lesson—why are they fighting Luo Jiaoyang instead?"
A few other Fighters stood nearby, watching the spectacle.
"Miss Ming." Chu He stepped forward with an apologetic bow. "We had a sparring session at the Academicians' Court today. Our mentors said we lacked real combat experience, so we came here seeking worthy opponents. We hope you'll forgive the intrusion."
"..." How resourceful of them—to know her place would attract plenty of Fighters.
Noticing their fresh bruises, Mingyi offered polite sympathy. "Your dedication to the city's defense is admirable. Having you assist me is naturally welcome."
Rubbing the bruise on his lip, Chu He looked sheepish. Fan Yao, standing beside him, blurted out, "Dedication? More like Ji Bozhai deliberately targeted our faces. Of all places to hit..."
Hearing that name after so long gave Mingyi pause, but she chose not to inquire further.
Soon, Luo Jiaoyang finished off the Xu family Fighters and stomped over, grumbling. "Damn Ji Bozhai—he went too hard on us. Normally, I'd have handled these guys much faster."
Spotting Mingyi, he blinked in surprise. "Miss Ming? What are you doing here?"
She smiled faintly. "Haven't you heard the rumors? About how Lord Ji abandoned me?"
"We heard, but didn't believe it." Luo Jiaoyang scratched his head. "Though now that he's cut ties with you, why force us to come here specifically?"
"Nothing surprising. He knows my place draws plenty of Fighters—perfect for your training." Mingyi chuckled. "Let me fetch you some chairs."
"Much obliged."
The three sat bewildered outside Mingyi's courtyard, issuing Challenge Certificates to any approaching Fighters.
Amused, Mingyi turned away, pulling the equally baffled Xiuyun along as she returned to forging her Divine Tool.
Xiuyun gaped at the scene. "These elite Fighters... are acting as your guards?"
"Mutual benefit, nothing more. Don't make it sound like I have some powerful backer." Mingyi snorted, pouring molten soft iron into a prepared mold.
Xiuyun's attention shifted to her work. "What's this?"
"An ordinary Divine Tool for low-level Essence Power users to escape danger. Called 'One Tree of Splendor.'" Mingyi explained while shaping the metal. "With minimal Essence Power, it creates a massive canopy of poisonous thorns—big enough to block pursuers."Xiuyun widened her eyes in shock. "Y-you... you can forge Divine Tools?"
"Of course." Mingyi counted the molds for several parts. If she made this batch all at once, she should earn enough to buy some decent meals.
She turned around and was startled by Xiuyun's astonished expression, finding it both amusing and exasperating. "Why are you making that face?"
"Divine Tools!" Xiuyun's eyes reddened. "Our Divine Artifact Hall in Star Yearn City has been in decline for years. You see three or five top-tier Fighters emerging annually, but not a single Divine Artisan. Even a low-grade Divine Tool can sell for a thousand Shell Coins here in Star Yearn!"
Mingyi choked on her own saliva. "H-how much?"
"A thousand Shell Coins—scarce in the market, with people clamoring to buy them."
"..." These things were practically worthless in Sunspire City, fetching at most fifty Shell Coins. She had chosen this craft precisely because it was easy and allowed mass production, just to earn enough for a few good meals.
But Star Yearn was this desperate for Divine Tools?
Glancing down at her molds, Mingyi suddenly felt a surge of motivation.
Star Yearn lacked Divine Artisans, so raw materials were cheap, but the finished products were precious—a veritable goldmine.
With this, how could she not make a fortune?
Noticing her sudden excitement, Xiuyun caught on and asked eagerly, "Can you teach me too?"
"You're a noblewoman—why would you want to learn this?" Mingyi was puzzled. "Are you short on money?"
"I am." Xiuyun drooped her head. "I want to go to Flying Blossom City, but my family won’t allow it. If I insist, I’ll have to cut ties with them and save up for a beast-drawn carriage myself."
A carriage capable of crossing the Azure Clouds was far too expensive—her personal savings couldn’t cover it.
Mingyi paused, raising an eyebrow. "Why do you want to go to Flying Blossom City?"
"To find someone..." Xiuyun mumbled vaguely, her cheeks flushing suspiciously.
Understanding dawned on Mingyi, and she generously said, "I can teach you, but you’ll have to help me out. Also, this skill isn’t to be shared—if you stay with me, you can’t associate with Xu Tianji anymore."
"I hardly interact with her anyway. I’m always the one seeking her out, and she barely acknowledges me. The only time she needs me is when the Academicians' Court opens." Xiuyun muttered gloomily. "It never mattered before, but now that I have a place I want to go, I don’t want to waste my days like this anymore."
The best outcome for an Iris Girl was to marry a Fighter, but what they didn’t say was that most Iris Girls ended up failing to secure a Fighter and hastily marrying commoners.
Not that commoners were bad, but most of them considered Iris Girls "impure" and unworthy of them. Even while squandering their wives' dowries, they wouldn’t treat them well.
She didn’t want to live like that.
Mingyi pinched Xiuyun’s woeful little face. "You’re pretty, and I like you. So from now on, you’ll stick with me."
Xiuyun’s eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Really."
With a cheer, Xiuyun immediately dashed out the door.
An hour later, she returned with her small bundle and bedding, efficiently settling into the guest room next to Mingyi’s.
Having another person in the courtyard added liveliness, and Mingyi thought it was nice—no more loneliness.
Ji Bozhai must have thought the same, because his courtyard now housed over a dozen people, a lively chorus of chattering voices. At nightfall, they even lined up in two rows at the crossroads, each holding a lantern to welcome him home.Yet, walking amidst the clusters of lantern lights, he still felt restless.
He didn't know where this restlessness came from. Beating up other Fighters didn't ease it, nor did the many people at home, nor even the lavish feast of rare delicacies he had for dinner.
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