The fourth day of the Martial Arts Tournament had arrived. On this day, the participating martial artists were fiercely contending for the final top three spots.

For the top three in every rank, there were corresponding martial skills, secret treasures, and cultivation materials as rewards; anyone securing a top-three finish was guaranteed to leave with something substantial. The Five Great Families rarely stinted on prizes; they had already prepared various Profound-grade martial skills and secret treasures, alongside elixirs that could enhance Jingyuan and cultivation materials.

Early that morning, these abundant prizes were displayed on a circular platform in the center of the arena, guarded by dedicated personnel. Witnessing the prizes laid out, the martial artists exerted themselves fully in the ensuing contests.

By noon, two martial artists in the Xiantian realm had been killed outright in the arena, and a powerhouse in the Ren realm had been crippled. In the tournament, as long as one party conceded in time, the other was forbidden to continue the attack.

Therefore, as long as one did not become consumed by greed or push too hard, recognizing a losing situation and willingly admitting defeat would certainly save one's life. Those who were grievously injured or killed were all victims of hubris, believing they could still fight on and foolishly hoping to reverse the tide from a disadvantageous position, thus meeting a tragic end.

On the Shi family's viewing tower. Shi Jian watched the arena below with a faint smile playing on his lips, occasionally glancing toward the Mo family’s tower.

Each time, he noticed Mo Tuo's face turning grim, as if he had lost a son. Over the past three days, several key figures from the Mo family had mysteriously vanished one after another.

At this critical juncture of the tournament, Mo Tuo was boiling with suppressed rage. He knew who was targeting him but was powerless to act openly.

The experts under the Mo family’s banner could only search Tianyun City stealthily for Mu Xun and his group, but regrettably, they could not even find a shadow of Mu Xun, nor had Mu Xun sent any message, leaving Mo Tuo without an opportunity to negotiate. "Boy, tomorrow is the tournament for the Five Great Families.

After observing so many matches over these four days, what have you gained?" Shi Jian, feeling relaxed, glanced at Shi Yan beside him and asked casually. "Gains?" Shi Yan's expression was detached.

He nodded. "There are certainly gains, but merely watching will only yield so much.

I still prefer to lead from the front onto the battlefield, fighting a true life-or-death struggle with real weapons. Only the enlightenment gained amidst the shadow of death is the most precious wealth." Shi Jian paused, staring at him blankly for a moment before asking in surprise, "You entered the Xiantian realm in such a short time; your combat experience should be severely lacking, right?

Yet, why do I feel as if you've been through a hundred battles? Enlightenment between life and death is indeed precious, but if you get killed, all that enlightenment is useless talk." Shi Yan grinned wryly, offering no explanation.

"Oh?" Shi Jian suddenly let out a soft sound, his expression turning peculiar as he looked far toward the Mo family's tower. Two hundred meters away, on the Mo family's tower, a person whispered something into Mo Tuo's ear.

His face immediately became extremely displeased. He actually descended from the Mo family's tower and walked directly toward the Shi family's side.

On the Bei Ming family's tower, Bei Ming Shang also received news shortly after. He pondered for a moment, then descended from his tower and headed toward the Shi family’s structure as well.

In the arena, martial artists were still locked in fierce combat. The surrounding crowd of onlookers watched Bei Ming Shang and Mo Tuo approach the Shi family's tower with puzzled expressions, wondering what they were doing there at this hour.

Not long after, Mo Tuo, whose face was extremely grim, arrived first at the Shi family’s tower. Upon stepping onto the tower, Mo Tuo immediately attacked, roaring, "Shi Jian!

Where exactly is Mu Xun?" Shi Jian's face darkened, and he let out a cold snort. "How would I know where Mu Xun is?

Mo Tuo, you've asked the wrong person." "Stop playing dumb with me!" Mo Tuo’s expression was venomous. "Mu Xun is an outsider.

If your Shi family hadn't covertly provided convenience, how could my Mo family possibly locate him? Mu Xun is most likely hiding in one of your Shi family estates.

You had better tell me where he is hiding!" "Mo Tuo, the affairs of my Shi family are not for you to question!" Shi Jian retorted without courtesy. "My son, Chao Ge, disappeared suddenly last night and hasn't returned today.

It must be Mu Xun's doing! Others aside, Mu Xun dares to lay a hand on Chao Ge; I will certainly make him pay!" Mo Tuo bellowed.

At these words, everyone on the Shi family’s tower looked oddly at each other, finally understanding why Mo Tuo was so furious. Mo Chao Ge was the most formidable figure among the Mo family's second generation; not only was his cultivation outstanding, but his mind was extremely agile.

Many of the Mo family's schemes and plots originated from him. Many people in the Shi family had suffered losses at his hands.

Mo Chao Ge was arguably the most capable person in the Mo family's second generation. Now that such a crucial figure was also missing, Mo Tuo could no longer remain calm and finally came forward to raise the issue.

Mu Xun is truly ruthless! Shi Yan's heart skipped a beat; he knew Mo Tuo would not let this go easily now.

"I don't know where Mu Xun is. Spend some effort to look for him yourself.

You are not welcome here," Shi Jian thought with secret delight but did not relent, responding coldly. "Patriarch Bei Ming!" Shi Tie called out softly.

Just then, Bei Ming Shang slowly walked onto the Shi family's tower. He frowned slightly as he arrived beside Shi Jian and Mo Tuo, glanced at the two of them, and said lightly, "The Martial Arts Tournament is jointly hosted by our Five Great Families.

Before the tournament concludes, I hope everyone maintains composure and refrains from causing a scene, lest the Merchant Alliance be ridiculed." "My son Chao Ge is missing!" Mo Tuo stated in a low growl. Bei Ming Shang's expression stiffened momentarily before he turned to Shi Jian and said, "Patriarch Shi, Mu Xun is an outsider after all.

Although we must treat him well while he is in our Merchant Alliance, there should be a limit. His action of abducting Mo Chao Ge is indeed somewhat excessive.

Patriarch Shi, you need to exercise a bit of restraint in this matter; do not go too far." Shi Yan’s lips curled into a cold sneer as he stared at Bei Ming Shang with icy eyes. He knew this was because the Mo family and Bei Ming Shang had a secret understanding to jointly explore the secrets of the 'Heavenly Gate,' which was why Bei Ming Shang offered verbal support to the Mo family.

Bei Ming Shang stepping forward, seemingly to play the peacemaker, was actually covertly backing the Mo family. "It's the same answer: I truly do not know where Mu Xun is!" Shi Jian was indeed tough, his face grim, still flatly denying everything.

Bei Ming Shang subtly furrowed his brow. He nodded, said no more, and stated faintly, "In any case, I hope you can remain harmonious during the tournament and not cause embarrassment to my Merchant Alliance.

You two, sort yourselves out!" "Shi Jian, if you do not send someone to notify me of Mu Xun's whereabouts tonight, don't blame my Mo family for being impolite during tomorrow's tournament! Hmph!" With that, Mo Tuo’s sinister eyes swept across the third-generation prodigies of the Shi family, like Shi Tianke and Shi Tianyun, seemingly warning them to look out for their younger kin.

"Mo Tuo, are you threatening me?" Shi Jian's expression shifted, and he sneered, "If you dare to cause trouble in tomorrow's tournament, don't blame me for being merciless!" "Think what you will! If I don't find Mu Xun tonight, just wait and see tomorrow," Mo Tuo took a deep breath, stopped speaking, turned around, and walked downstairs.

"Patriarch Shi, you must consider the bigger picture," Bei Ming Shang said lightly, shook his head, and followed Mo Tuo down the stairs. "Bang!" Shi Jian slammed a fist onto the platform of the tower.

The hard, dark-iron stone platform cracked open with a massive punch hole, and even the dozens of meters high tower shuddered violently. Everyone on the Shi family tower, young and old, clearly felt his explosive anger.

"Insolence!" Shi Jian roared, unsure whether he was directing it at Mo Tuo or Bei Ming Shang. Due to this small interlude, Shi Jian's face remained gloomy for the entire day.

When he presented the prizes to the winning martial artists at the end of the day's events, his expression was equally sour. That night.

Han Feng stood bowing before Shi Jian in the secret chamber. "Patriarch, Mo Tuo and Bei Ming Shang are pressuring us together.

What should we do?" "Ignore them," Shi Jian said, his face still grim. "Patriarch, Mo Tuo is one thing, but Bei Ming Shang..." Han Feng hesitated to finish his sentence.

"Chi Xiao is in the city. If Bei Ming Shang dares to act rashly, I will swallow my pride and ask Chi Xiao to intervene.

I don't believe Bei Ming Shang truly wants to move against our Shi family over this trivial matter of the Mo family," Shi Jian scoffed. "I understand." ...

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