The Martial Arts Arena. Dozens of martial artists of varying realms thrashed and collided within individual fighting stages, locked in fierce duels with their opponents. Strange beams of light burst forth across the arenas, slithering like spectral serpents high above the combat grounds. All manner of bizarre martial skills erupted from the contestants' hands; some techniques were so peculiar that even members of the Five Great Families watched with astonishment.

From the high tower of the Shi family. Shi Yan stood beside Shi Jian, his eyes gleaming with a strange light, his gaze restlessly sweeping across the various arenas, lingering here and there. Shi Jian, the Family Head, stood steadfastly by his side, continuously offering explanations. The moment Shi Yan displayed interest in a particular bout, Shi Jian would immediately detail the general strength of the combatants, the tier of their martial skills, and the intricacies of the engagement, instructing Shi Yan on the optimal strategy to secure the swiftest victory against such an opponent.

On the Shi tower, Shi Tie was also quietly briefing his descendants on the situation unfolding in the arenas, meticulously elucidating the various martial skills on display, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses, and advising on how to counter opponents wielding such techniques and where their vulnerabilities lay. Shi Jian and Shi Tie, as heads of their respective lineages, rarely spoke in daily life, but this occasion was special; since the commencement of the Martial Arts Gathering, these two had scarcely paused their chatter.

In a corner, Shi Dang held Shi Tianxiao back, pointing out various figures in the arena and gesturing towards Shi Tianxiao, who occasionally nodded and interjected with a question. The Shi family retainers who had arrived from other regions, along with the skilled martial artists from the collateral branches of the families, secretly observed the activity on the Shi tower. Seeing Shi Jian expending such effort to instruct Shi Yan, they were inwardly quite curious.

“Old Madman, who is that young man? Why is the Family Head so painstakingly attentive?” Kulong stood beside Han Feng, observing for a while, a quiet shock rippling through him as he pointed towards Shi Yan and inquired. Kulong was also a retainer of the Shi family, possessing the cultivation of the first level of the Nirvana realm. He had been stationed in another city previously and was unaware of Shi Yan’s affairs. Seeing Shi Jian dote on Shi Yan so much struck him as utterly strange. “That is Young Master Yan,” Han Feng replied with an indifferent expression, glancing dismissively at Kulong. “He is the young master who used to be absent often, the one fond of exploring ancient ruins everywhere. Yes, the child of Yang Hai and Miss Qing.” “No way?” Kulong looked utterly surprised, his voice laced with doubt. “Doesn't that young master never cultivate the martial path? As far as I know, he has been fiddling with all sorts of strange contraptions since childhood, never dedicating a thought to martial cultivation? Why would the Family Head favor such a fellow?” “Young Master Yan is no longer the Young Master he used to be,” Han Feng said, narrowing his eyes slightly. “If Young Master Yan asks you for a favor in the future, you best exert your full effort. It will benefit you.” Although Han Feng knew a great deal, he was tight-lipped; if not for his good relationship with Kulong, he would not have bothered offering even this small warning.

Kulong understood Han Feng’s temperament. Hearing this, he stood stunned for a long moment, only nodding lightly afterward. Though his heart remained full of questions, he realized this young master clearly held the Family Head’s favor, and he secretly resolved to find opportunities to draw closer to Shi Yan in the future. Besides Kulong, many other retainers and members of the Shi collateral lines were also quietly inquiring among themselves, seeking to understand what had gotten into Shi Jian, why he was pouring all his focus onto such an unknown youth. Soon, Shi Yan’s identity became clear. This young master, who had received no special treatment for seventeen years, suddenly became the focal point of the Shi family.

“Grandfather, is Little Yan really a martial artist now? And at the third level of the Innate Realm?” Shi Tianke stood beside Shi Tie, unable to suppress his question as he watched Shi Jian direct all his attention toward Shi Yan. Shi Tie glanced over there and nodded lightly. “That’s right. That boy Shi Yan has made us proud; he has miraculously broken through to the third level of the Innate Realm. He might even participate in this Martial Arts Gathering.” Shi Tie had been preoccupied with his three grandsons during this recent period and was not entirely clear about Shi Yan’s situation. He only knew that Shi Yan indeed possessed the family’s Martial Soul and had become a martial artist at the third level of the Innate Realm. However, he was ignorant of the strangeness surrounding Shi Yan’s Martial Soul. He felt Shi Jian’s emphasis on Shi Yan seemed a bit excessive. He didn't dwell on it, though; after all, Shi Yan was his elder brother's biological grandson, and Shi Tianxiao was proving disappointing. The sudden appearance of Shi Yan at the Innate Third Level led him to simply believe Shi Jian was overly excited. He remained unaware that Shi Yan possessed a Dual Martial Soul, and the Petrifying Martial Soul among them had miraculously advanced to its second stage.

“Tianyun, you should be the one facing Mo Zhan in this year’s Martial Arts Gathering. Tianke lost last time; you cannot lose to Mo Zhan this time, or people will say my Shi family has no successors in the third generation!” Shi Tie cautioned Shi Tianyun beside him. “Yes, I will definitely defeat Mo Zhan,” Shi Tianyun replied confidently. Shi Tianyun was only nineteen this year but had already reached the third level of the Innate Realm—the age of pure, vigorous spirit. Before Shi Yan’s emergence, he was the pride of the Shi family’s current generation, and Shi Jian often personally visited to guide his martial training. But due to Shi Yan’s sudden appearance, Shi Jian had paid him little mind recently. For seventeen years, Shi Yan had dedicated his energy to deciphering ancient texts, rarely spending much time at home. Since he did not cultivate martial arts, he never clashed with anyone in the family; thus, Shi Tianyun had paid him little attention. Now, however, with Shi Yan’s sudden ascent, Shi Jian’s attitude had undergone a drastic shift, which made Shi Tianyun feel uncomfortable. Yet, given that the Shi family faced formidable external enemies like the Mo and Ling families, and Shi Jian and Shi Tie maintained an excellent brotherly bond, with the parents of the second generation also working side-by-side against the Mo family for years, the relationships within their own generation were generally good. Shi Tianyun and the others were often taken out for revelry by Shi Tianxiao. So, while Shi Tianyun felt unease, he didn't express intense agitation. He merely intended to prove himself at the Martial Arts Gathering to make Shi Jian understand who truly represented the Shi family’s hope for the future.

“Huh!” Shi Jian, who was explaining a battle to Shi Yan, suddenly exclaimed, his eyes flashing with sharp divine light as he abruptly fixed his gaze on several figures who had suddenly appeared near the arena. “Who has arrived?” Shi Yan frowned, leaning closer to look in the direction Shi Jian was gazing. A group of seven people slowly walked in from outside the Divine Stone Plaza. The leader appeared to be around fifty years old, possessing an aquiline nose and a sinister countenance. He wore a hair coronet and an ornate silver robe, embroidered on the left shoulder of which were five distinct medicinal herbs. “A Spirit-grade Fifth-Rank Alchemist,” Shi Yan identified the person with a mere glance. Alchemists, like martial skills, were divided into five tiers: Mortal, Profound, Spirit, Saint, and Divine. The Karu he had slain in the Gloomy Forest was merely a Mortal-grade alchemist, yet the Mo family treasured him. This arriving alchemist was a rare Spirit-grade master, meaning his status was certainly not low! “That is Karu’s master, Medicine King Mu Xun,” Shi Jian glanced at Shi Yan. “Mu Xun is not only a Spirit-grade Fifth-Rank Alchemist but also an expert at the second level of the Nirvana Realm. Medicine King Valley is a peculiar organization; while it refrains from engaging in the disputes of various powers, it maintains intricate connections with them all…” The fact that Karu died by Shi Yan’s hand was known to very few. Now that Shi Yan had altered his appearance, only a handful of people recognized him. Shi Jian was not worried that Mu Xun would find Shi Yan; instead, he felt a perverse sense of schadenfreude, sneering, “Mu Xun is likely here searching for the stolen fragmented map. Karu entered the Gloomy Forest alongside members of the Mo family, so Mu Xun will surely cause trouble for Mo Tuo. Heh, this is going to be good entertainment.” “Medicine King Mu Xun!” The martial artists near the arena soon recognized the identity of the newcomer. Cries of shock erupted as they voluntarily cleared a path for Mu Xun. Many other warriors rushed forward, clamoring loudly, “Medicine King, I have collected many herbs! Can you please refine a pill for me! I beg you!” At these words, the crowd of martial artists outside the arena boiled over, all shouting, hoping Mu Xun would concoct a single pill for them. With Mu Xun’s arrival, much of the attention shifted away from the arena battles and focused on him. On the high towers of the Bei Ming, Zuo, Ling, and Mo families, many people could no longer sit still. Several high-ranking experts from the major families, acting under their respective heads' direction, swiftly descended from their towers, hurrying to Mu Xun’s side to invite him to observe the Martial Arts Gathering from their platforms.

On the Shi family’s side, Shi Tie, without waiting for Shi Jian’s instruction, also rushed down early. Suddenly, the core figures of the Five Great Families materialized around Medicine King Mu Xun, all wearing ingratiating smiles, hoping Mu Xun would deign to grace their high towers with his presence. “Mu Xun will probably go to the Mo family,” Shi Jian chuckled, a look of malicious glee on his face. “But nothing good will come of it for you.” Indeed. As Shi Jian finished speaking, they watched Mu Xun walk toward the Mo family’s stone tower with a grim expression, uttering not a single word. He completely ignored Mo Chaoge, who had come forward to greet him, leaving Mo Chaoge hanging. Mo Chaoge dared not show anger, continuing to smile obsequiously and bowing low as he followed.