Zheng Tiao’s heart tightened as he quickly asked her, “What’s wrong?”
“It’s too dangerous. The later trials become increasingly perilous. Even Ming Yi and Ji Bozai were injured, let alone you,” she choked up. “Those in your team are used to self-preservation. If you’re seriously hurt, they won’t care for you. I want to go with you.”
“Nonsense,” Zheng Tiao shook his head. “Aside from you being from Mu Xingcheng, your Yuan Power isn’t fully cultivated yet. How could you easily participate?”
“I can forge weapons,” Xiu Yun said. “Isn’t there a trial later where six people can go? I can assist your weapon smith in repairing divine weapons.”
Although Feihua City lacked weapon smiths and her help would be valuable in repairing divine weapons faster, Zheng Tiao still refused her offer.
Xiu Yun angrily retorted, “You just don’t want to be associated with me.”
Zheng Tiao was at a loss for words. This foolish girl feared for his safety, but how could he not fear for hers, especially now that Feihua was being targeted?
Watching her run away in tears, Zheng Tiao sighed. He stretched his limbs and began preparing for tomorrow’s trial.
The Divine Weapon Hall trials had always been dominated by Chaoyang City, as Ming Xian could work as efficiently as two people, repairing his divine weapons quickly without bothering the weapon smith. But this year, Ming Xian was in Mu Xingcheng.
The courtyard housing Mu Xingcheng’s team was restless all night. First came two groups of assassins, and then a fire broke out. The upper three cities, realizing they couldn’t win, resorted to desperate measures to injure Ming Yi and Ji Bozai before the trials.
Luo Jiaoyang, fed up with the disturbances, sat at the entrance with his sword, waiting to face the next assassin. Ji Bozai, however, was in good spirits. He held Ming Yi, gently comforting her, “Sleep. If they manage to disturb you, I’ll consider it my loss.”
Ming Yi indeed fell asleep in his arms, wrapped in her clothes, her face serene and eyelashes still.
Joy nearly overflowed from Ji Bozai’s eyes. As the Underworld Domain fell, rendering futile any outside attacks, he hummed a messy tune to her, watching her breathing gradually steady.
She seemed to trust him more and more. She would fall if he let go, yet she dared to sleep deeply.
Sighing contentedly, he looked up at the chaotic scene outside.
Chaoyang City desperately wanted to prevent his victory but couldn’t kill him, likely fuming in frustration in the courtyard.
But no matter how they raged, it was useless. This championship was his to claim.
With Ming Yi present, Mu Xingcheng breezed through the Divine Weapon Hall trials they previously couldn’t even dream of attempting. Whether navigating mazes or engaging in divine weapon battles, Ming Yi’s preparations surpassed what all five of them combined could imagine. Meng Yangqiu, who had joined them, couldn’t stop praising her.
“She even brought this. As expected of Miss Ming.”
“She can repair such a large wound. As expected of Miss Ming.”
“Finding the exit so quickly. As expected of Miss Ming.”
Ji Bozai’s face darkened. “You’re too noisy.”
Meng Yangqiu innocently covered his mouth, but still muttered, “To fight alongside Miss Ming in my lifetime, I can die without regrets.”
Ming Yi laughed, patting his shoulder and handing him a divine weapon. “You won’t die. If any of you are injured in today’s trial, it’s on me.”
She had added shields to everyone’s divine weapons, making them not only offensive but also defensive. This was a breakthrough even Old Shen hadn’t achieved, and no other team would have it.
Sure enough, armed with Ming Yi’s modified weapons, the group of six was invincible. While Chaoyang City’s divine weapons could only amplify Yuan Power threefold, Ming Yi’s modifications allowed for fourfold amplification.
It could be described as overwhelming.
Watching the situation inside, Shen Tianlin couldn’t help but beam with joy.
He knew Ming Yi was the most talented. She would become an even greater weapon smith than himself.
Initially, he had felt she was somewhat shortchanged following him, as her best skill wasn’t his specialty. But now, it seemed not bad at all. Ming Yi had learned many useful things from him, even surpassing the teacher. He had a worthy successor.
“Is Master Shen happy for the fighters from another city?” Shan Er coldly interjected.
Composing himself, Shen Tianlin coughed lightly. “No.”
“Your good disciple uses your craftsmanship to defeat our Chaoyang City. Go back and ask for punishment from the Judiciary,” Shan Er said, turning away. “If this world one day falls into Mu Xingcheng’s hands, you’ll be half responsible.”
Shen Tianlin lowered his head in guilt.
But once Shan Er left, he happily looked up at Ming Yi again.
Although his Yuan Power wasn’t as strong as before, his disciple was still an ever-rising sun.
How wonderful.
Chaoyang City’s people could only watch helplessly as Mu Xingcheng reached the finish line, unable to do anything. They turned to target Feihua City instead. If Feihua City didn’t make the top three, they still had a chance at the upper three cities.
Consequently, Feihua City’s divine weapons wore down rapidly. Their accompanying weapon smith frantically tried to repair them but was targeted and attacked, too busy dodging to work effectively.
Zheng Tiao was struck on the arm, the color instantly draining from his face. Those nearby didn’t try to shield him, instead scattering to avoid attacks.
As the second strike approached in the blink of an eye, he inhaled to gather a protective shield. Unexpectedly, someone darted out beside him, raising an oddly shaped divine weapon to meet the opponent’s Yuan Power.
With a loud explosion, that person helped him up and hid in nearby bushes.
“How did you get in here?!” Zheng Tiao’s face paled completely when he recognized her.
Xiu Yun looked up, her gaze determined. “Your master allowed me to come. I’ve taken Shuang Han’s place.”
“Absurd! How could you—”
His raised voice attracted another attack their way.
Xiu Yun pulled him aside, handing him a new divine weapon. “Ming Yi knew I was coming and specially sent this. Try it out.”
Zheng Tiao took it, no longer able to worry about anything else. He shielded her behind him and faced the Chaoyang City opponents.
…
“The trial is over. Mu Xingcheng takes first place, with Xincao and Feihua close behind.”
The loud announcement echoed throughout the venue, and Mu Xingcheng’s people cheered once again.
Only the final one-on-one battle trial remained. If they were placed in the top three in this trial, they would be the overall champions. Even a top-five finish would secure them a place among the upper three cities.
After years of being looked down upon, Mu Xingcheng had finally risen!
Countless handkerchiefs and hairpins were tossed into the air. People screamed and hugged each other, some wildly waving their removed outer garments, others crying with excitement.
As soon as Ming Yi and her group exited the venue, they were surrounded by excited Mu Xingcheng citizens who lifted them and tossed them skyward.
“Ah—” Ming Yi was startled and quickly enveloped herself in a protective shield, only to find countless hands steadily supporting her as she fell.
“Thank you,” someone whispered in her ear.