As the competition reached its climax, the other teams’ craftsmen struggled under concentrated attacks. Most were carried off the field, unable to even protect themselves, let alone repair divine artifacts. Only Ming Yi stood out, not only defending herself but also counterattacking between repairs. She even broke one of Ming Xin’s legs from Chaoyang City. Her exquisite crafting skills and decisive actions thrilled the audience.
Though not from Mu Xing City, Ming Yi’s dedication deserved gratitude. Knowing her fondness for gold and silver jewelry, the women removed their hairpins and earrings, filling her pockets until they weighed her down.
“I can’t accept these,” she said, torn between laughter and tears.
“Take them, you’ve earned it,” several elegant ladies insisted joyfully. “When you return to Mu Xing City, there will be more rewards. These are just a token of our appreciation.”
“Yes, you’re on your own now. You need something to fall back on,” they added, ushering her back to the resting quarters and closing the door, as if afraid she might return the gifts.
Ming Yi sighed and turned to find Qin Shangwu standing dazed in the courtyard.
“Master, what’s wrong?” she asked anxiously. “Has Fang Yao and the others’ condition worsened?”
“No, they’re recovering well,” Qin Shangwu took a deep breath. “It’s just… it’s been so many years since I’ve heard ‘Congratulations to Mu Xing City’ from the main stage.”
Mu Xing City had always been the weakest of the six cities, enduring humiliation during tributes and being disregarded at invitational events. Their people were often looked down upon in other cities. Who could have imagined their team would win five consecutive days of competition?
Only one day remained. If Bo Zai could win that final match, they would be among the top three cities—perhaps even the champions.
Qin Shangwu’s fingers trembled with excitement.
Ming Yi watched him, feeling this was the proper reaction to victory. Winning should bring such joy and excitement, but she hadn’t seen people smile at her like this in a long time. Chaoyang City won too often, yet still not enough. Even when she took first place, those around her remained indifferent, even pointing out her shortcomings.
But the people of Mu Xing City made her want to smile along with them.
“Yes, good times are coming,” she grinned.
The final match proved even more challenging than before. Though only one person competed, five more elders joined as spectators. This match required hitting ten points on the opponent’s body: four on limbs, three on the chest and abdomen, one on the back, and two on the head. Striking a vital point counted as two points, while limbs counted as one.
When movements were too fast to determine hits, the elders would judge.
Unlike previous team matches, this one tested pure Yuan Power strength and endurance. Ji Bozai naturally became the center of attention, surrounded by a crowd before even entering the arena.
Ming Yi, eyeing the elders, frowned and advised Ji Bozai, “You must keep your composure today.”
Ji Bozai followed her gaze and narrowed his eyes. “Why are they all from the top three cities?”
“That’s the rule. You’ll need to exert more effort.”
The challenge lay not only in the arena battle but also in the politicking between cities. In the past, even if Ming Yi struck her opponent twenty times, the elders might only count fifteen, claiming the speed made it unclear and that no one could verify her hits.
Ming Yi’s strategy had been to strike as many times as possible, ensuring victory even if they halved her score. But Ji Bozai… Ming Yi felt his temperament was volatile and easily angered. If provoked into losing his cool, he might expose weaknesses. She doubted he’d be willing to use her simple tactic.
Her guess proved correct. In the first match against Li Qing from Zhu Yue City, Ji Bozai struck his opponent seventeen times across various body parts. The elders below slowly turned the scoreboard to “Seven.”
Meng Yangqiu watched from below, amused. “What’s this? A hundred points would eliminate an opponent, but at this rate, doesn’t Lord Ji need to strike two hundred times to win?”
“They’ve gone blind,” Luo Jiaoyang spat.
Even for high-level fighters, landing hits was challenging. With such unfair judging, Ji Bozai might win but be too exhausted for the next round.
Ming Yi’s heart raced as she focused intently on Ji Bozai in the arena.
Li Qing’s brute force made the fight difficult. Worse, he kept running his mouth, glancing at the scoreboard and chuckling, “Only seven points? Looks like we have a long fight ahead.”
Ji Bozai looked at the score, his expression darkening.
“What, you green little novice, already angry?” Li Qing laughed. “These are the rules. Even if Ming Xian were here, the score would determine the winner. They say you have seven points, so seven it is.”
As he finished speaking, black Yuan Power struck the point on his head. The pain stunned him, forcing him back two steps, speechless.
Ji Bozai sneered and struck again, piercing Li Qing’s shield and hitting his chest.
The immense force slammed into his ribs, cracking bone and striking his beating heart.
Li Qing tasted blood, flying backward three zhang and collapsing, unable to rise.
Ji Bozai stood beside him, eyes fixed on the Zhu Yue City elder. He then began methodically striking the target points on Li Qing’s body.
A punch to the abdomen made Li Qing cough blood.
The elder on the platform trembled but didn’t flip the scorecard.
Ji Bozai smiled, gathering black Yuan Power for another fierce blow to Li Qing’s brow.
Li Qing lost consciousness.
The elder, seeing Ji Bozai’s challenging gaze, trembled with anger. He reluctantly flipped the two-point card but then refused to look at Ji Bozai.
Undeterred, Ji Bozai formed his Yuan Power into a sword and aimed for Li Qing’s heart.
“Stop! The match is decided. Come down,” Bo Yuanku intervened, saying awkwardly, “Li Qing can no longer fight. We concede.”
“Lord Bo!” the elder on the platform protested.
“Do you want to see someone die here?” Bo Yuanku raged. “Losing to a superior opponent isn’t shameful, but being a sore loser is!”
He then had people carry Li Qing off the stage.
Ji Bozai rubbed his wrist and turned to the elders with a wry smile. “Do you gentlemen think you hold the final say in this match?”
The elders glared at him, their eyes filled with both wariness and contempt.