The vast Stone God Plaza was dead silent, the echoes of Mo Zhan's earlier taunts seemingly still lingering in the martial arena.

Shi Jian’s massive frame trembled slightly, his face ashen, his eyes blazing with an ocean of fury, wishing he could strike down Mo Zhan in the center of the ring with a single palm.

The gazes of the Bei Ming, Ling, Mo, and Zuo families all fell upon Shi Jian. Numerous martial artists surrounding the arena also looked toward the incredibly grim-faced Shi Jian with expressions bordering on pity.

At this stage, everyone could discern the malicious intent of the Mo family and understood they must have employed some unnatural means.

Yet, such was the nature of the Martial Competition: both sides utilized whatever tactics they could muster. As long as the rules of the arena were not severely violated, no one would interject, no matter how devastating the loser’s defeat.

Even the Shi family members could only muster anger now, rendered speechless. Naturally, no outsider dared to overstep.

Just then, Han Feng suddenly stepped forward from behind the Shi family contingent, carrying a small piece of paper. He approached Shi Jian and whispered, "Patriarch, someone asked me to deliver this note to you."

Shi Jian took a deep breath, repeatedly urging himself to remain calm. He took the slip of paper handed to him by Han Feng and glanced at it. His expression instantly changed!

"The Mo family warriors have consumed the Blood Origin Pills, refined by the alchemists of the Poison Dragon Valley under the Divine Favor Empire. These pills will temporarily double the Mo boy's strength for a short period! The cost is one year unable to engage in martial practice. It would be best not to continue with the subsequent matches, or defeat will still be inevitable. The elder standing next to Mo Zhan is precisely the alchemist from Poison Dragon Valley, 'Blood Hand'! Sent by Mu Xun."

Shi Jian stared at the words on the note with a darkened expression, finally understanding the trick the Mo family had pulled.

Mo Tuo, in order to deal with the Shi family, had ruthlessly attacked the third generation of the Shi family heirs, costing his own grandson a year of cultivation as payment. Shi Tianluo and Shi Tianyun were both severely injured, likely needing three to five years just to recover. Such methods were vicious!

Holding the paper, Shi Jian’s face was gloomy. He hesitated, looking at Shi Yan, unsure of what to do for a moment.

Had it not been for the note delivered by Mu Xun, Shi Jian might still have sent Shi Yan into the arena. But now that he knew the absolute truth—that Mo Zhan had definitely consumed the Blood Origin Pill, doubling his combat strength mid-fight—he dared not make a rash decision.

Mo Zhan was already at the peak of the Third Heaven Realm of the Innate stage. After consuming the pill, his strength would undoubtedly reach the Earthly rank. A martial artist of the Earthly rank possessed the potential to break through Shi Yan’s Stone Transformation Martial Soul at its second stage.

Shi Yan’s time spent immersed in the martial path was too short. Shi Jian naturally assumed Shi Yan lacked practical combat experience. Under these circumstances, Shi Yan would very likely suffer a crushing defeat. Furthermore, Shi Yan possessed dual Martial Souls; given time, he was certain to become a powerhouse comparable to Bei Ming Ce, the true hope for the Shi family’s future. If Shi Yan suffered a severe injury after this battle, not only would his path to strength be delayed, but it could also crush his spirit beyond recovery.

The more he weighed the gains and losses, the more hesitant Shi Jian became, almost entertaining the thought of forfeiting the match—even if it meant public shame—just to preserve Shi Yan.

At that very moment.

Zuo Shi approached slowly from the Zuo family side, carrying a rather large backpack.

Zuo Shi’s breathtaking figure caused a stir among the spectators both inside and outside the arena. Many gazed at her with admiration, their eyes lingering on her perfectly straight, beautiful legs.

Soon, Zuo Shi arrived at the Shi family section and stood beside Shi Jian, placing the backpack on the Shi family’s table. She spoke softly, "Grandpa Shi, my grandfather sent me to lend you the Dragon Turtle Spiritual Armor. We hope you win."

Having spoken, Zuo Shi then turned to glance at Shi Yan and murmured, "You need to do well, okay?"

Once finished, Zuo Shi tucked her head slightly and quickly moved away from the Shi family area, returning to the Zuo family crowd. Even though she had rejoined her own people, her captivating, bright eyes remained fixed across the arena on Shi Yan.

A layer of despair settled over everyone at the Shi family table. This included the Shi family members who were unaware of Shi Yan's condition, and even Han Zhong, who knew Shi Yan had broken through to the Third Heaven Realm of the Innate stage!

A martial artist who had just broken through to the Third Heaven Realm of the Innate stage, compared against Mo Zhan who had cultivated diligently for twenty years, reaching this level step by step and surviving countless battles—the gap in strength was glaringly obvious. Moreover, the Mo family had clearly used foul means, making the disparity seem like an impassable gulf.

"The Dragon Turtle Spiritual Armor!" Shi Jian’s expression shifted, a sliver of confidence entering his heart. After a moment of hesitation, he handed the note sent by Mu Xun to Shi Yan and whispered, "Grandfather isn't sure anymore. Ah, you decide. If you feel it’s too difficult, then... give up." The word "give up" sounded like a profound exhaustion from Shi Jian, as if he had aged many years in an instant.

Shi Yan’s expression remained detached. He showed little surprise from beginning to end. He took the note from Shi Jian and merely scanned it lightly, his face as placid as an old well—he had already suspected the Mo family’s machinations.

Without waiting for Shi Jian to speak, Shi Yan suddenly leaped, landing directly in the center of the martial arena, and stated calmly, "Shi Yan of the Shi Family, Third Heaven Realm of the Innate stage. I await your guidance!"

The entire venue erupted into an uproar!

The silent martial arena suddenly became louder than a bustling marketplace, with many staring at Shi Yan in astonishment and confusion.

"Who is this kid? I haven't heard of anyone named this in the Shi family?"

"Right, this guy never showed up in any previous Martial Competitions! When did the Shi family acquire such a talent?"

"...Shi Yan, I know him. Isn't he that young master from the Shi family who was obsessed with ancient texts? I only know of him because he was always causing trouble; he never practiced martial arts."

"Impossible, right? Someone who never practices martial arts achieving the Third Heaven Realm of the Innate stage?"

"Who knows? But even if he is at the Third Heaven Realm of the Innate stage, so what? Mo Qi was only at the Second Heaven Realm of the Innate stage, and look what happened to Shi Tianyun. This Shi Yan fellow is probably someone Shi Jian sent out to die because he couldn't afford to lose face."

"Yeah, sigh. What a poor kid, being sacrificed like this."

The sounds of discussion rose and fell around the arena. Not a single martial artist held hope for Shi Yan. Once they learned his identity, they unanimously assumed Shi Jian was forced by necessity to send him out, and the outcome was already sealed.

Over at the Bei Ming family section, Bei Ming Shang frowned slightly and turned to ask an attendant beside him, "What is the deal with Shi Yan? Why is there no prior intelligence on him? When did the Shi family produce a kid at the Third Heaven Realm of the Innate stage? Did he materialize out of thin air?"

"Patriarch, this subordinate is also unaware. Because Shi Yan lacked a Shi family Martial Soul since childhood and never practiced martial arts, we never wasted energy investigating him. Who knew, who knew he would suddenly..."

"There's something odd," Bei Ming Shang nodded, frowning but deciding not to press further.

Bei Ming Ce, however, blinked in surprise. A flash of astonishment crossed his eyes as he stared at Shi Yan, then he suddenly realized, "Eh? Isn't this the young man drinking with Han Zhong at the Spring Welcome Pavilion a few days ago?"

Mu Yudie and Di Yalan recalled as well, nodding slightly. Di Yalan gazed across the arena at the heavily scrutinized Shi Yan, her beautiful face showing a strange expression. She whispered, "It is him."

"He’s done for," Bei Ming Ce shook his head dismissively. "No matter how lucky he's been before, running into Mo Zhan this time means death or severe crippling."

Mo Tuo was momentarily stunned, then sneered coldly, "No matter where this brat crawled out from, he won't get another chance to see the light of day."

"Shi Yan, the item!" Over at the Shi family area, Shi Jian hissed, his face extremely strained, pointing toward the "Dragon Turtle Spiritual Armor" Zuo Shi had delivered, repeatedly signaling him.

"No need," Shi Yan glanced back at Shi Jian, shook his head lightly, then smiled at Mo Zhan, "At the Spring Welcome Pavilion, I said we would meet again. Do you know who I am now?"

"I know," Mo Zhan roared with laughter. "You're just here to die! Hahaha, the Shi family truly has no one left if they send out a boy who studies ancient texts! Hahahaha, this is hilarious!"

Shi Yan remained unperturbed, his demeanor indifferent as he waited in the martial arena.

"Ahem, Patriarch Shi, you may present the wager," the person in charge on the circular platform called out loudly.

"Patriarch!"

"Patriarch!"

"Patriarch!"

The numerous retainers of the Shi family all shouted from their seats, looking at Shi Jian and shaking their heads repeatedly. They had all heard of Shi Yan’s history. Though they didn't know how he reached the Third Heaven Realm of the Innate stage, they were certain Shi Yan was destined to lose this match, and perhaps lose very badly! If they wagered the Shi family's substantial assets on this fight, they wouldn't just be defeated; they might never recover!

"Big Brother! You cannot!" Shi Tie, still supporting Shi Tianyun with one hand, watched Shi Jian and shook his head frantically. "Big Brother! It’s not worth it for a little bit of glory! Tianluo and Tianyun are already lost; we cannot sacrifice Shi Yan too! Let it go, Big Brother!"

Shi Yan heard the clamor behind him clearly. After a moment of thought, he turned back and looked calmly at Shi Jian. "Grandfather, trust me!"

"Fine!"

Shi Jian, who had been wrestling with indecision, saw the self-possessed look on Shi Yan's face and, for some unknown reason, chose to believe him. He suddenly roared, "Phoenix City! My Shi family will relinquish all management rights to this city! If the Mo family wins, my Shi family will immediately withdraw from Phoenix City!"

This declaration sent another massive wave of shock through the crowd, prompting renewed discussion. Phoenix City was a major city under the Merchant Alliance. The Shi family had managed it for decades, embedding their mark deeply into its structure. Phoenix City was arguably the city where the Shi family held the deepest influence. For Shi Jian to put its management rights up as a grand gamble—was he insane?

"Big Brother!"

"Patriarch!!"

All the Shi family members stood up from their seats, staring at Shi Jian in utter disbelief, begging him to retract his statement.

"Stop trying to persuade me! My mind is made up!" Shi Jian's stubborn streak flared up. He glared coldly, "Success or death! I’m betting on this one!"

The members of the Bei Ming and Ling families were also astonished, clearly not understanding his reasoning.

Zuo Xu paused, then sighed softly, whispering, "Patriarch Shi has truly reached a point of no return this time."

"Good!" Mo Tuo suddenly stood up and shouted, "No going back on your word!"

"Take it!" Shi Jian pulled a written document from his inner pocket and handed it to the official who came to collect it, then snapped at Mo Tuo, "Mo Tuo, your wager isn't enough yet!"

"I'll add three more mines!" Mo Tuo replied with a dark expression and a cold sneer. "It doesn't matter how much we add to a sure win. In the end, it all belongs to the Mo family!"

Soon, the official collected the Mo family’s wager as well, then roared sharply, "The match begins!"

:Please recommend tickets, everyone help out~~~M