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

"Ji Jiuwu acts way too cocky!"

"Right? He obviously despises us ordinary folks. He snagged the seed spot only because his big brother got hurt, but now he's strutting around like this."

"Quanya, give this overconfident fool a brutal wakeup call!"

Below the arena, disciples from humble backgrounds seethed with fury, dying to leap onstage and deliver a sound thrashing to Ji Jiuwu right then and there.

In the viewing area, apart from the High Priest, the Patriarch, and the handful of Nine Priests, the rest of the Long River Tribe's elders eyed Ji Jiuwu with odd looks on their faces.

One elder turned to Ji Yuantao and remarked, "Yuantao, your son's been gone for three years. What's made him turn so haughty all of a sudden? Talking that way won't help foster harmony in our Long River Tribe."

Ji Yuantao grinned and replied, "Elder, could it be that Jiuwu is just laying out the plain truth? It's only that the truth stings too much for folks to swallow."

Elder: ???

Up on the platform, Quanya's face darkened intensely after catching Ji Jiuwu's words. He glared icily at Ji Jiuwu and declared, "Young Master Jiuwu, even though I come from common stock, you can't just belittle me this way."

Ji Jiuwu chuckled at that and responded coolly, "I'm not belittling you; I'm just pointing out the facts. Give it everything you've got."

"Fine!"

At that point, Quanya couldn't restrain himself anymore. A surge of mighty blood qi burst forth from within him, causing his body to swell up in an instant. The resolute young man transformed abruptly into a brawny powerhouse.

"Tiger Descends the Mountain!"

With a fierce roar, Quanya vaulted into the air. He swung the axe gripped in his hand, chopping down from above toward Ji Jiuwu.

The dark axe he wielded gleamed with brilliant light, enough to rattle the soul at a mere glance.

In a flash, he resembled a tiger pouncing from on high, jaws wide to devour Ji Jiuwu whole.

Ji Jiuwu remained rooted in place, displaying zero signs of countering.

Right when the axe neared Ji Jiuwu's skull, a tremendous aura exploded from his form and shot upward into the heavens.

Boom!

With an earth-shaking blast, Quanya got hurled backward by Ji Jiuwu's erupting aura. He traced an arc through the air before crashing hard onto the ground.

Silence. The whole arena fell deathly still, where even the breaths of nearby cultivators rang out loud and clear. They stood frozen like statues, unable to snap out of their daze for what felt like ages.

Ji Jiuwu ignored the crowd's astonishment. As a lofty Nurturing God Realm cultivator facing off against a mere Viscera Refining Realm junior, he didn't even have to lift a finger. If news of this spread, his Master would surely mock him.

He glanced over at the Nine Priests nearby and stated, "Grandpa Nine, go ahead and declare the outcome of this fight."

The Nine Priests shook off their shock and proclaimed in a booming voice, "Ji Jiuwu takes the victory in this bout!"

Once those words rang out, the audience finally stirred back to life. They watched in disbelief as Ji Jiuwu descended from the stage at a leisurely pace. How could this fellow possess such overwhelming might?

In particular, the Ji family prodigies aiming for a top-three finish or even the top spot this round started mentally replaying if they could pull off Ji Jiuwu's feat—blasting Quanya away with nothing but a blood qi surge.

Yet before long, each one wore a defeated expression. With their present blood qi levels, none of them could replicate what Ji Jiuwu achieved, overpowering Quanya purely through blood qi.

Just how had Ji Jiuwu grown this formidable during his three-year absence?

Down below the stage, the commoners who'd earlier scorned Ji Jiuwu now gaped in stunned silence at his prowess.

Within the strength-worshipping Long River Tribe, Ji Jiuwu's display subdued all his peers through sheer power.

It took Quanya quite some time to regain consciousness. After hearing his friends recount what happened, he directed his gaze at Ji Jiuwu in the stands and mused, "Young Master Jiuwu holds such incredible power. Once this Grand Competition wraps up, I'll trail after Young Master Jiuwu to rise as a genuine noble!"

The Grand Competition pressed on. Up until the top ten, Ji Jiuwu refrained from any real action. Each opponent got repelled by his blood qi blasts.

Even in the top ten clashes, Ji Jiuwu dispatched foes with one effortless strike. This staggering might left the Long River Tribe—from leaders to the lowliest—utterly astounded.

Ji Jiuwu claimed the championship, and the Patriarch proceeded to reveal the prizes. His declaration boomed across the square.

"The Grand Competition concludes here. Besides the cultivation slot at the Water God Tribe awarded to second-place Ji Jinwu, all remaining prizes stay unchanged."

The moment this was declared, murmurs erupted throughout the crowd.

"Patriarch, that prize setup seems too biased. Sure, Young Master Jiuwu's cocky, but his strength is real. Why keep someone like him from representing our Long River Tribe at the Water God Tribe for training?"

"Plus, Young Master Jiuwu is the Patriarch's own grandson. How can we allow such partiality?"

"..."

Ji Jinwu stood there in shock as well. He hadn't anticipated the coveted slot dropping into his lap. He advanced and voiced, "Patriarch, I can't accept this slot."

The Patriarch smiled at his words and explained, "Jinwu, I understand your feelings. But Jiuwu's already training beneath a Martial God. Heading to the Water God Tribe for cultivation isn't an option for him. If you think you've wronged Jiuwu, then train diligently to show you won't disappoint the tribe's hopes."

"What?"

Ji Jinwu hadn't imagined the dream he chased lay right at Ji Jiuwu's fingertips. Was the divide between us truly this vast?

"Very well, the Grand Competition wraps up now. Any of you gentlemen object?"

After wrapping up his speech, the Patriarch swept his eyes over the assembly.

"No objections here."

The group chorused together.

...

With the Grand Competition drawing to a close, Ji Jiuwu earned his place as a Young Patriarch contender in the Long River Tribe. In that role, he gained the right to select personal aides, claim a Stone Mansion for himself, and hold territory along with slaves.

Ji Jiuwu paid little mind to such perks and left everything for his mother to manage.

On that day, as Ji Jiuwu practiced cultivation at home, a servant girl approached him and said politely, "Young Master Jiuwu, the Madam requests your presence in the front yard."

"Got it."

Ji Jiuwu acknowledged her, rose to his feet, and headed to the front yard. Upon reaching it, he found seven or eight young men already standing there in patient silence. Each brimmed with resolve, striking poses that screamed their intent to claim an attendant position.

Ji's mother noticed her son's arrival and commented, "Son, plenty want to serve as your attendants. I've picked eight promising lads from the City Guard. By the customs, you get to select four out of these."

Ji Jiuwu listened and replied with respect, "Thanks for the effort, Mother. Still, I don't need that many. My Master prefers peace, so I'll take just two to accompany me."

His statement instantly made the eight youths tense up with anxiety. To them, Ji Jiuwu stood as the prime candidate for Young Patriarch. Letting this chance slip meant they'd never ascend to nobility in their lives.

Ji Jiuwu surveyed the group and spotted a known face right away. He grinned and noted, "Quanya, fancy seeing you again."

"Quanya greets Young Master Jiuwu. I gave offense to Young Master Jiuwu before, and I beg your pardon, Young Master."

With that said, Quanya bowed his head low, avoiding Ji Jiuwu's eyes, terrified the Young Master hadn't forgotten that day's clash.

Noticing Quanya's demeanor, Ji Jiuwu smiled and assured, "No need to tense up like that. I don't bear grudges. Your showing back then was decent enough. If you want to join me, you're in as the first."

"My gratitude, Young Master Jiuwu."

Quanya replied, dropping to one knee in salute to Ji Jiuwu, his features alight with adoration.

The other seven eyed Quanya with jealousy, inwardly vowing: Such a generous young master. I have to snag a spot as his attendant.

Ji Jiuwu shifted his attention to the remaining seven and said flatly, "Start by introducing yourselves, then each land a punch on me. If it impresses me, you're accepted."

"Our thanks, Young Master."

The seven chimed in together. They hadn't foreseen such a straightforward test from Young Master Jiuwu, and they resolved to shine.

Shortly after, the evaluation wrapped up. Ji Jiuwu stated coolly, "You seven all failed my test. You're dismissed."

At his words, the seven faces twisted in disbelief. One mustered the nerve to inquire, "Young Master, could you explain why?"

Ji Jiuwu replied evenly, "In your punches, I caught flickers of doubt in your gazes. Anyone who wavers on a simple strike isn't fit to stand by my side."

Those words hit, and the seven hung their heads in embarrassment...

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