Five days before the Six Cities Tournament, teams from all cities gathered in Zhu Yue City, the champion of the previous tournament.

As the event approached, the city streets bustled with excitement. Vendors sold tournament-related goods, and crowds cheered for passing beast carriages:

“Chao Yang City, led by the strong, will be victorious!”

“Zhu Yue City, champion once more!”

“New Grass City rises strongest after winter’s fire!”

“Zai Zai! Auntie loves you!”

The last shout made everyone in the carriage cough and look at Ji Bozai.

Ji Bozai glanced at them. “Don’t act so surprised.”

He had many supporters in Mu Xing City who had come along, not to mention admirers from other cities cheering for his beauty. He sighed inwardly, not wanting such attention but unable to control others’ enthusiasm.

He was about to say something to Ming Yi when the carriage suddenly lurched forward.

Someone had stopped their carriage outside.

“I heard Mu Xing City has a female fighter this year. I’m Li Qing from Zhu Yue City, here to broaden my horizons!” a burly man shouted.

Luo Jiaoyang steadied himself and looked at Ming Yi in her male attire, confused. “How did he know?”

Ming Yi replied, “Just as I told you about fighters from other cities, they’ve learned about us. As a Golden Hairpin Fighter appointed by the Emperor, my identity can’t be hidden.”

Ji Bozai looked displeased and was about to take action, but Ming Yi held his wrist. She turned to Fan Yao and said, “Li Qing specializes in brute force, similar to your Yuan Power. Why don’t you try?”

Fan Yao’s eyes lit up, and he stepped out of the carriage.

“I wanted to see a woman, not a man,” Li Qing grumbled. But in the next moment, he felt the Realm of Darkness descends around them.

Street fights were common during the tournament, so onlookers weren’t alarmed. They just grew more excited.

Among the Mu Xing City group, only Ji Bozai was well-known. Li Qing, a veteran of three tournaments, sneered at the young Fan Yao: “You don’t know your limits.”

Fan Yao felt uncertain. His opponent looked formidable. Would it be embarrassing to lose in public?

Ming Yi’s voice came from behind: “Take a strand of his hair to win.”

Focused on this goal, Fan Yao gathered his strength and attacked first.

Purple light flashed in the street, drawing more spectators who jostled their carriage.

“Such a young fighter, lasting so many moves against Li Qing!”

“Both use purple Yuan Power, but Li Qing seems more experienced.”

“What’s his name? From Mu Xing City?”

Their fists collided, the impact numbing Fan Yao’s arms. Excited, he observed Li Qing’s techniques and began mimicking them.

After several exchanges, Li Qing grew agitated. “Are you stealing my secret techniques?”

Fan Yao asked innocently, “Oh, am I not supposed to learn them?”

Li Qing trembled with anger. Secret techniques! His family’s! How dare you learn them!

In that moment of distraction, Fan Yao seized his chance. He unleashed a burst of Yuan Power, breaking through Li Qing’s shield and cutting off a flying strand of hair.

As the hair fell, the match was decided.

The crowd gasped. Ming Yi smiled and called out, “Fan Yao, let’s go.”

Her clear voice ensured everyone heard the name. Fan Yao bowed to the stunned Li Qing and happily returned to the carriage.

“He was really strong,” Fan Yao said as he boarded. “I only won by luck.”

Ming Yi shook her head. “You won because you’re stronger.”

Luo Jiaoyang looked at Fan Yao in disbelief. “But that was a renowned fighter from Zhu Yue City. How can we be stronger at our age?”

“A fighter’s strength isn’t determined by age, but by talent and understanding of cultivation,” Ming Yi corrected them. “More years might mean more experience, but not necessarily more strength.”

Her words boosted the confidence of the first-time participants. After all, this was Ming Yi speaking. Her words must be true.

Ji Bozai gave her an ambiguous smile.

“What is it?” she asked calmly.

“I think Master’s compensation for you is too low,” he smirked. “You’ve ingrained the habit of caring for the team. You’re far more than just an Artifact Forger.”

Ming Yi chuckled. “With my usual team, I had no choice but to worry. This year, I’m just a delicate Artifact Forger. You’re the leader, so you should take care of me more.”

Artifact Forgers typically had weaker Yuan Power than regular fighters and were often targeted first in battles. It was often said that Artifact Forgers in the Six Cities Tournament were always young because they rarely lived to old age.

Ji Bozai gazed at her, admiring her pride. This was her true self, far preferable to her previous attempts to please others. She was like an elegant swan, high and mighty yet with a lowered head. He wanted to caress her slender white neck.

But he couldn’t. Before departing, Ming Yi had made him promise: no romance or intimacy during this trip, focusing solely on winning the competition.

He sighed softly and restrained himself from looking at her further.

Their street fight on the first day in Zhu Yue City made them the talk of the town. Soon, people from Chao Yang City came looking for them, cornering Ming Yi in their inn.

“I never thought Chao Yang would produce such an ungrateful wretch,” Ming Xin glared coldly. “Your meridians are ruined, yet you still come to compete. Aren’t you just trying to shame Chao Yang? Wait and see, I won’t let you make it to the second day of competition.”

Ming Yi awkwardly scratched her eyebrow. “Um, Artifact Forgers don’t compete until the third day.”

Ming Xin was stunned, then grew angrier. “A mere Artifact Forger, how dare you be so arrogant?”

Ming Yi: “…”

She had been making her bed when these people came to cause trouble. Who was being arrogant?

Tossing aside the bedding, she sat on the edge of the bed and smiled. “I’m a woman with ruined meridians, yet you’re so concerned about me. Are you afraid of losing?”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Chao Yang City, lose?” Wei Changsheng sneered. “We weren’t even using our full strength when we met before. Don’t tell me you think a shabby team from a backwater like Mu Xing City can squeeze into the top three?”

“There are no shabby places, only shabby people,” Ming Yi looked at them deeply. “I’m also curious to see what results you esteemed and rewarded top-tier fighters will achieve this year.”