Long before dawn, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, martial artists from every corner of Heavenfall City had already converged upon the arena for the Martial Arts Tournament.

Around the central fighting stage, a hundred square meters in size, stacks of bluestone slabs were piled high. The farther these stones were from the central stage, the higher they were stacked, providing better views of the battles within.

The contingents from the Five Great Families had not yet arrived, yet the tiered stone seats specifically reserved around the arena designated for their decisive clashes were already packed tight.

Only as the sun peeked over the horizon did the groups from the Five Great Families begin to arrive from various directions across Heavenfall City.

Shi Yan, following closely behind Shi Jian, could see the dense throngs of people long before they even reached the Divine Stone Plaza.

These crowds were almost entirely composed of martial artists, the majority belonging to the Houtian or Xiantian realms, or perhaps the Renwei realm. Yet, there were also quite a few masters from the Baijie or Diwei realms present. These higher-level cultivators might not have been interested in participating in the tournament itself, but they seemed keenly invested in witnessing the direct confrontation between the Five Great Families.

On the surrounding bluestone tiers, numerous martial artists were seen earnestly engaged in hushed discussions.

Many carried heavy swords and battle-axes, emanating a rugged, formidable aura—they were likely mercenaries who had emerged from the Gloomy Forest, the Dead Marsh, or the Cloud Mist Mountain Range. They had been absent in the preceding days but had made a point of arriving early today.

When the Shi family procession appeared in the Divine Stone Plaza, the surrounding martial artists immediately began to murmur, actively clearing a path for the arriving Shi clan members.

Before the Shi family members even stepped into the central fighting arena, the gazes of the crowd shifted toward the entrance of the Divine Stone Plaza, accompanied by soft gasps of surprise.

The contingent from the Mo family arrived, led by Mo Tuo, their faces uniformly grim and cold as they advanced toward the arena.

Shi Jian let out a cold snort, his expression (composed/stern), leading his family toward the fighting stage without uttering a word.

This time, none of the leaders from the Five Great Families would observe the matches from the distant stone towers; instead, they would station themselves on the front lines, watching every minute detail within the arena from the closest possible proximity.

Designated stone platforms had already been erected at the edge of the fighting stage.

The waiting attendant, upon seeing Shi Jian approach, hurried forward with a smile, saying, "Patriarch Shi, please take your seats over here."

Shi Jian nodded once, and under the attendant’s guidance, he was led to a spot on one side of the arena, where he took a seat upon the stone benches.

Various exquisite delicacies and fine wines were promptly brought forth and placed upon a stone table beside Shi Jian for the Shi family to enjoy.

Not long after, Mo Tuo arrived and was assigned seating directly opposite the Shi family.

Once seated, Mo Tuo stared across the expanse with a cold, sinister gaze, seemingly lost in dark contemplation.

As the daylight grew slightly stronger, the contingents from the Zuo and Ling families arrived sequentially. Upon his arrival, Zuo Xu was seated next to the Shi family.

After settling in, Zuo Xu gave Shi Jian a slight nod, a silent acknowledgment that things concerning the Misty Pavilion were satisfactory, all unspoken understandings passing between them.

The Ling family, being on friendly terms with the Mo family, naturally took their place near the Mo clan’s section.

Ling Shaofeng, upon arriving, even walked over to the Mo family's area with a smile, offering a few words of solace to Mo Zhan, whose expression remained somber, and managed to exchange a brief greeting with Mo Yanyu.

The missing Mo Chaoge was Mo Zhan's biological father. Knowing his father had been abducted, Mo Zhan had been suppressing a deep, burning rage, intending to unleash bloody retribution during the Martial Arts Tournament.

When the sun climbed high in the sky, Bei Ming Shang finally appeared with the masters of the Bei Ming family, arriving fashionably late.

Bei Ming Shang maintained an indifferent demeanor, a chilling aura swirling around him. Wherever he passed, the martial artists of the Merchant Alliance respectfully yielded the path.

Behind him, Bei Ming Ce walked with an air of arrogance, flanked by the two young women, Mu Yudie and Di Yalan.

The person arranging the seating was a household servant of the Bei Ming family. Upon seeing their master’s arrival, he naturally ceded the most prestigious location, bowing and scraping as he ensured Bei Ming Shang, Bei Ming Ce, and their entourage were seated comfortably, immediately instructing subordinates to serve the finest wines and dishes.

In terms of both presentation and sheer quantity, the provisions for the Bei Ming family were clearly a notch above the other four families, vividly showcasing the Bei Ming family’s transcendent status within the Merchant Alliance.

Once the Five Great Families were seated, Bei Ming Shang paused in thought, then stated plainly, "The rules are the same as every year, so I won't elaborate much. The Martial Arts Tournament is merely a means of exchange; I hope everyone exercises restraint and, ideally, avoids fatalities."

The Patriarchs of the other four families nodded subtly.

Bei Ming Shang surveyed the surroundings, lingering his gaze on Mo Tuo and Shi Jian for a moment longer, before continuing, "As usual, challenges can be issued, and wagers can be added. Who among you wishes to commence?"

"Yuer!" Mo Tuo commanded lowly.

Mo Yanyu, standing among the Mo family ranks, was the first to step onto the stage. Her bright eyes were icy, fixed on the Shi family’s position, and she called out sharply, "Mo Yanyu of the Mo family, Xiantian Second Heaven Realm. Is there anyone willing to offer guidance?"

"Xueluo City, the Silver Sand Mine—this is the deed," Mo Tuo grunted, his face darkened.

A Mo family retainer took the deed from him and placed it upon a round platform next to the Bei Ming family’s designated seating area—these platforms had been specifically established for holding stakes.

"Rimudong City, operating rights for East Gate Street!" Shi Jian also snorted, retrieving three sheets of yellow paper from a brocade pouch before him and handing them to the attendant beside him.

Once those three sheets of yellow paper were also placed on the round platform, Shi Jian stated calmly, "Tianluo, you go."

Shi Tianluo started slightly, then ascended the fighting stage, stating respectfully, "Shi Tianluo of the Shi family, Xiantian Second Heaven Realm. I request instruction!"

"Mo Yanyu of the Mo family! Shi Tianluo of the Shi family! Both are in the Xiantian Second Heaven Realm. Have the two Patriarchs decided on the match?" The lean attendant stood beside the round platform and boomed his announcement.

After seeing Mo Tuo and Shi Jian both nod lightly, he declared, "Very well, the match begins!"

"Chii-chii-chii!"

Streaks of azure electric light suddenly erupted from Mo Yanyu’s ten fingers, the bolts wriggling like spiritual snakes as they gradually thickened before her. In an instant, Mo Yanyu seemed to be encircled by lightning.

The azure lightning, as thick as fingers, grew ever longer until they intertwined, coalescing into a five-meter-long lightning whip. Once solidified, the whip was as thick as an arm, its electric glow dazzling, with intense currents sparking and spitting fire within its coils.

"Snap! Snap!"

Mo Yanyu cracked the whip. The lightning whip surged like an electric dragon, accompanied by deafening crackles, violently whipping towards Shi Tianluo.

"Chii-chii-chii!"

Electric light streaked through the air, emitting strange sounds, and wisps of current scattered outward, causing the expressions of many martial artists to shift subtly as they instinctively condensed their essence to defend themselves.

Shi Tianluo's skin had already turned ashen-white; the Shi family's Petrifying Martial Soul was fully prepared. Seeing the lightning whip lash toward him, Shi Tianluo’s expression became solemn. He suddenly roared, and a fierce momentum, like that of a towering mountain, burst forth from his body.

"Crag Stance!"

Shi Tianluo stood unmovable, his legs seemingly driven deep into the earth. Once petrified, his physical defense far surpassed that of ordinary men, and without a hint of fear, he reached out to grasp the incoming lightning whip.

"Chii-chii!"

As soon as Shi Tianluo reached out, the lightning whip coiled around his left forearm. A shocking current violently erupted from the whip, surging directly toward Shi Tianluo's body.

"Hooowl!"

Shi Tianluo roared in fury. His essence, empowered by the Petrifying Martial Soul, rolled through his body like a torrent, rapidly flooding into his left arm, forcibly suppressing the invading lightning current.

Relying on the strength of his Petrifying Martial Soul, although Shi Tianluo felt numb all over, he suffered no major setback. Grasping the lightning whip, he charged toward Mo Yanyu with rapid, fierce momentum, like a massive boulder plummeting from the heavens, full of overwhelming power.

The Shi family's Petrifying Martial Soul excelled in close combat; once a Shi family member closed the distance, their opponent’s nightmare would begin.

However, unexpectedly, Mo Yanyu, with one hand still entangled with the lightning whip, showed no intention of evading as Shi Tianluo charged. A strange expression even flitted across her beautiful face.

In a single instant, Mo Yanyu, whose complexion had been ruddy moments before, turned deathly pale, as if stricken by a terminal illness, completely drained of color. At that precise moment, the flow rate of essence within her body instantly increased by more than threefold! Her innate potential seemed to be fully unlocked at once!

"Not good!" Shi Yan inwardly exclaimed, his heart sinking. He knew Shi Tianluo was about to suffer. This Mo Yanyu, despite only possessing the cultivation of Xiantian Second Heaven, had undergone such a massive surge in essence—it was as if she had suddenly gained power that did not originally belong to her! The essence within her body at this moment was likely far richer than that of an average Xiantian Third Heaven martial artist! This advantage was sufficient to negate any advantage offered by Shi Tianluo’s Petrifying Martial Soul!

Indeed!

As Shi Tianluo rushed next to Mo Yanyu, before he could unleash a sharp counterattack, a series of "Azure Arc Crescent Slashes" burst forth from her other hand. Each "Azure Arc Crescent Slash," massive as a circular disk, possessed more than three times the power it exhibited when she fought Shi Yan! Seven consecutive "Azure Arc Crescent Slashes" erupted simultaneously from her free hand, moving so swiftly that Shi Tianluo had no chance to evade.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

All seven Azure Arc Crescent Slashes struck Shi Tianluo squarely on the chest, blasting him violently backward! The force of these seven slashes was already beyond what the first stage of the Petrifying Martial Soul could withstand. While still airborne, blood sprayed from Shi Tianluo’s body.

"Bang!"

Shi Tianluo’s body crashed three meters in front of Shi Jian, blood pouring from his chest, his eyes unfocused—clearly suffering a severe injury.

"Save him!"

Shi Jian’s eyes seemed ready to spit fire. After roaring the command, his imposing frame trembled slightly.

Several Shi family retainers, who had been standing by in readiness, rushed forward in a fluster, carrying Shi Tianluo away. They hurriedly administered pills and busied themselves with his treatment.

Shi Tie’s ten fingers were driven deep into the stone bench. He sat there, motionless, his eyes filled with boundless resentment, staring fixedly at Mo Tuo in the distance.

Mo Tuo, equally radiating killing intent, locked gazes with Shi Tie.

"Mo Yanyu wins! The wagers revert to the Mo family. The next match may proceed," came the emotionless, procedural voice of the attendant from beside the round platform.

...

: There will be another chapter tonight, but it might be slightly delayed. .M