I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 631: The Thing We Dream of Night and Day is Within Easy Reach for Ji Jiuwu
Previously on I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors?...
"This Ji Jiuwu acts way too cocky!"
"Right on, he's obviously despising us ordinary folks. He snagged that seed player spot only because his big brother got hurt, but he still struts around like this."
"Quanya, give this smug brat a real beating!"
Below the platform, disciples from humble backgrounds seethed with fury, eager to rush up and put Ji Jiuwu in his place personally.
In the viewing area, except for the High Priest, the Patriarch, and the handful of Nine Priests, the rest of the Long River Tribe's elders gazed at Ji Jiuwu with odd looks on their faces.
One elder turned to Ji Yuantao and remarked, "Yuantao, your kid's been gone for three years. How come he's turned so overbearing all of a sudden? Talking like that doesn't help our tribe stay united."
Ji Yuantao grinned and replied, "Elder, what if Jiuwu is just speaking plain truth? It's only that the truth stings too much for folks to swallow."
Elder: ???
Up on the stage, Quanya's face darkened severely after catching Ji Jiuwu's words. He glared icily at Ji Jiuwu and declared, "Young Master Jiuwu, sure I'm from common stock, but you can't just belittle me this way."
Ji Jiuwu chuckled at that and responded casually, "I'm not belittling you; I'm just laying out the facts. Give it everything you've got."
"Fine!"
Quanya couldn't restrain himself anymore right then. A surge of mighty blood qi burst from his frame, and his body swelled up in a flash. The resolute young man transformed instantly into a brawny powerhouse.
"Tiger Descends the Mountain!"
Quanya bellowed, launching himself skyward. He swung the axe gripped in his hand, chopping down at Ji Jiuwu from above like a falling star.
The dark axe he wielded gleamed with blinding light, so intense it rattled the soul just to behold.
In that moment, he resembled a tiger pouncing from on high, jaws wide to devour Ji Jiuwu whole.
Ji Jiuwu remained rooted in place, showing zero sign of countering.
Right when the axe neared Ji Jiuwu's scalp, a formidable aura exploded from him and shot upward piercingly.
Boom!
With a thunderous crash, Quanya got hurled back by Ji Jiuwu's erupting aura. He traced an arc through the air before slamming down hard onto the ground.
Hush fell over everything. The whole arena turned deathly still, where even the breaths of nearby cultivators rang out sharp and clear. They stood frozen like statues, dazed and slow to recover.
Ji Jiuwu ignored the crowd's shock. As a proud Nurturing God Realm cultivator facing off against a Viscera Refining Realm youngster, he didn't even need to lift a finger. If news of this spread, his Master would surely mock him.
He glanced toward the Nine Priests nearby and stated, "Grandpa Nine, go ahead and declare the match's outcome."
The Nine Priests snapped out of it and proclaimed loudly, "Ji Jiuwu takes the victory in this fight!"
His words dropped, and the audience finally stirred back to life. They watched Ji Jiuwu descend the stage leisurely, eyes wide with disbelief. How could this fellow pack such punch?
The Ji family prodigies aiming for top three or even first place this round, in particular, mentally replayed if they could mimic Ji Jiuwu—repelling Quanya with nothing but a blood qi burst.
Yet quickly, each wore a defeated expression. Their blood qi levels couldn't pull off what Ji Jiuwu achieved, knocking out Quanya with pure blood qi alone.
How had Ji Jiuwu grown this formidable in just three years away?
Down below, the commoners who'd scorned Ji Jiuwu earlier now gaped silently at his might.
In the strength-worshipping Long River Tribe, Ji Jiuwu's display cowed all his peers through sheer power.
Quanya lay there a good while before stirring awake. Hearing his friends' recap, he fixed his eyes on Ji Jiuwu in the stands and mused, "Young Master Jiuwu's strength is incredible. Once this Grand Competition wraps, I'll trail after Young Master Jiuwu to rise as a real noble!"
The Grand Competition pressed on. Ji Jiuwu held back until the top ten rankings. Each bout, he flung foes aside with his blood qi.
Even in the top ten clashes, Ji Jiuwu crushed opponents in one strike. This overwhelming might stunned the Long River Tribe from leaders to the lowliest member.
Ji Jiuwu claimed the championship, and the Patriarch started revealing the prizes. His voice boomed across the square.
"The Grand Competition concludes now. The cultivation slot at the Water God Tribe goes to second place, Ji Jinwu, while all other prizes stay unchanged."
The announcement sparked instant buzz among the crowd.
"Patriarch, this prize setup's too biased. Young Master Jiuwu might be haughty, but his power's real. Why bar someone like him from heading to the Water God Tribe for our Long River Tribe?"
"Plus, Young Master Jiuwu's the Patriarch's own grandson. How's this fair at all?"
"..."
Ji Jinwu froze on the spot too. He never dreamed the slot he'd coveted would land in his lap. He advanced and spoke, "Patriarch, I can't accept this slot."
The Patriarch smiled at his words and said, "Jinwu, I get what you're thinking. But Jiuwu's already training under a Martial God. He can't head to the Water God Tribe. If you feel bad about Jiuwu, just train diligently to show you haven't let the tribe down."
"What?"
Ji Jinwu hadn't imagined the dream he'd chased lay right there for Ji Jiuwu's taking. Was the difference between us truly this vast?
"Okay, the Grand Competition's over. Any disagreements, gentlemen?"
The Patriarch wrapped up and eyed the gathering.
"None here."
All chorused together.
...
With the Grand Competition finished, Ji Jiuwu earned a spot as Young Patriarch candidate for the Long River Tribe. As such, he could select attendants, claim a Stone Mansion, and hold lands with slaves.
Ji Jiuwu brushed off these perks and left them to his mother.
That afternoon, as Ji Jiuwu practiced at home, a servant girl approached and bowed, "Young Master Jiuwu, Madam calls you to the front yard."
"Got it."
Ji Jiuwu acknowledged, rose, and headed frontward. Reaching the yard, he found seven or eight young men waiting in silence. Each brimmed with resolve, ready to seize an attendant role.
Ji’s mother spotted her son and explained, "Son, lots want to serve you. I've picked eight from the City Guard youths. By custom, choose four of them."
Ji Jiuwu nodded politely and said, "Thanks for the effort, Mother. But I don't need so many. Master prefers peace, so I'll take just two to accompany me."
His statement made the eight youths tense up visibly. To them, Ji Jiuwu seemed the prime shot at Young Patriarch. Missing this chance meant no nobility ever.
Ji Jiuwu eyed the group and soon spotted a known face. He grinned and noted, "Quanya, fancy seeing you here again."
"Quanya greets Young Master Jiuwu. I slighted you before, Young Master—please pardon me."
Finishing, Quanya bowed his head, avoiding Ji Jiuwu's gaze, worried the Young Master harbored that day's grudge.
Ji Jiuwu noted his unease and assured with a smile, "No need to fret like that. I'm not the grudge-holding type. You did decently back then. If you want to join me, you're in."
"My gratitude, Young Master Jiuwu."
Quanya replied, dropping to one knee in salute, his features alight with admiration.
The other seven watched Quanya jealously, hearts whispering: Such a generous young master. I have to make his service.
Ji Jiuwu shifted to the remaining seven and said coolly, "State your names first, then each land a punch on me. Impress me with it, and you're hired."
"Many thanks, Young Master."
The seven voiced as one. They hadn't figured Young Master Jiuwu's test would be this straightforward, vowing to shine.
Shortly after, the trial wrapped. Ji Jiuwu declared flatly, "You seven all failed. Leave now."
At that, shock etched their faces. One mustered nerve to inquire, "Young Master, could you explain why?"
Ji Jiuwu replied evenly, "Your punches carried doubt in your eyes. Anyone who wavers on a simple strike isn't fit to trail me."
Those words hit, and the seven hung their heads in embarrassment...
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