Mo Tuo was besieged by numerous powerhouses, while the experts brought by Mu Xun from the Medicine King Valley were engaging the Mo family members.

On the Shi family’s side, as soon as Shi Jian and Shi Tie made their move, the Shi family experts immediately surged forward, joining forces with several masters from the Medicine King Valley to encircle and suppress the Mo clan.

For a time, the arena pulsed with surging combat, major battles erupting everywhere. None of the martial artists who had come for the Martial Arts Gathering had anticipated that the event would devolve into this situation.

As the massive battle commenced, the fierce, colliding powers within the arena impacted many onlookers. In just a few minutes, numerous innocent martial artists were killed by the residual shockwaves.

The watching martial artists could no longer sit still. Seeing the two great aristocratic families locked in war, few dared to remain as spectators. They began withdrawing from the Divine Stone Plaza, terrified of being caught and accidentally eliminated by a stray strike if they were slower than others.

The martial artists in the arena receded like a tide from the Divine Stone Plaza. Soon, the vast plaza was left occupied only by the members of the Five Great Families.

On the Bei Ming family’s side, their many masters watched the developing situation with cold detachment. Since Bei Ming Shang was absent, they adopted a purely observational stance, offering aid to neither faction.

Bei Ming Ce stood at the Bei Ming family’s section, his expression solemn. His dark eyes quietly tracked Mo Tuo, who was being besieged, and occasionally glanced toward the Mo family members under attack by the Shi family.

“Young Master, what shall we do? Should we keep watching?”

A retainer from the Bei Ming family approached Bei Ming Ce and inquired softly.

A flash of icy cold light crossed Bei Ming Ce’s eyes. He replied mildly, “Yes, we need not interfere in this conflict between them. Let the dogs tear each other apart. No matter if the Shi family loses or the Mo family is finished, it benefits us none. We only need to wait until the end to seize the accumulated legacy of the losing side. With the Bei Ming family’s influence in the Merchant Alliance, we can reap the greatest rewards.”

“The Young Master is wise. Must we remain here the entire time?”

“No need.” Bei Ming Ce pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled, “Let’s go back. Remaining here and acting completely indifferent doesn’t look right. Since we aren’t joining the fight anyway, it’s better to return and make proper arrangements. Let’s go.”

Upon hearing this, the many Bei Ming family experts nodded repeatedly. Under Bei Ming Ce’s lead, they actually withdrew from the Divine Stone Plaza.

With that, only four great families remained in the arena: the Zuo family, the Ling family, the Mo family, and the Shi family. Of these, the Shi and Mo families were already engaged in battle, leaving only the Ling and Zuo families observing.

At some unknown point, Shi Dang arrived at the Zuo family’s section and bowed to Zuo Xu, saying, “Uncle Zuo, I ask that you keep an eye on the Ling family during this battle.”

Zuo Xu sipped his tea, nodded, and replied with a smile, “Relax. My Zuo family and the Ling family are sworn enemies. If the Ling family dares to make a move, my Zuo family will certainly not stand idly by. You can fight without worrying about the Ling family’s involvement.”

“Thank you, Uncle Zuo.”

“You are too polite. Officially and personally, the Zuo family and the Shi family are allies, so naturally, we should share some of the pressure for you.” Zuo Xu waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the Shi family members. He looked puzzled. “Where is that brat Shi Yan? I don’t see him.”

Shi Dang paused, turning to look around as well. He realized Shi Yan was indeed missing and shook his head with a wry smile. “The boy was just here; I don’t know where he went now.”

“Watch that boy closely! That child is excellent and will be the future hope of your Shi family. He cannot be lost!” Zuo Xu implied something significant.

“Haha, Uncle Han Feng will keep an eye on him. Uncle Zuo need not worry.”

“Good, that’s reassuring.” Zuo Xu smiled, glancing sideways at Zuo Shi next to him, his expression somewhat peculiar. “Little Shi is also quite concerned about your Shi Yan.”

Shi Dang’s face lit up, and he nodded. “Uncle Zuo, I will go attend to my duties now.”

“Yes, you may go.”

After Shi Dang departed, a hint of confusion crossed Zuo Shi’s pretty face. “Grandfather, when was I concerned about that fellow? What nonsense are you speaking? The Dragon Turtle Spirit Armor was also your instruction for me to deliver; it wasn't because I genuinely wanted to help him. Honestly.”

“Haha, it’s all the same.” Zuo Xu seemed to be in good spirits. He instructed the Zuo family members, “We’ll stay here for now and help the Shi family watch the Ling family. If the Ling family dares to act, we shouldn't be polite either. Heh heh, after today, the situation in the Merchant Alliance might change drastically. We cannot let the Ling family take advantage.”

In the Ling family section, Patriarch Ling Jue’s brow was deeply furrowed, and he remained silent.

The many capable fighters of the Ling family stood behind Ling Jue. Seeing that he had not spoken, their faces darkened, as if silently awaiting his decision.

In the Mo family section, dozens of Mo clan experts were being besieged by the forces of the Medicine King Valley and the Shi family, and their situation was becoming increasingly perilous.

Before long, Mo Chaotian suddenly broke through the encirclement and hurried to Ling Jue’s side, kneeling on one knee in panic. “Uncle Ling, I beg the Ling family to intervene! My father is being besieged by numerous masters and likely won't last long. We are being relentlessly pursued by the Medicine King Valley and the Shi family; resisting is becoming incredibly difficult. Uncle Ling, for the sake of the friendship between our two families, please help my Mo family this once. Everyone in the Mo family will forever remember your kindness.”

Ling Jue frowned, letting out a soft sigh, his face full of helplessness. “Chaotian, it’s not that I am unwilling to act, but the Zuo family has not moved yet. Once our Ling family lends aid, the Zuo family will surely rise up immediately. The reason I have delayed is that I have been helping you by watching the Zuo family!”

“But if this continues, my Mo family might not hold on!” Mo Chaotian panicked.

“The Ling family moving now will only force the Zuo family to show themselves; it is completely useless,” Ling Jue shook his head. After a moment of hesitation, he commanded, “Shao Feng! Take a few men and bring Yan Yu over here. Yan Yu is your future wife; she cannot be harmed!”

“Yes!” Ling Shaofeng shouted sharply and charged out, followed swiftly by several Ling family retainers.

“Chaotian, Yan Yu is your daughter, and she is also the Ling family’s daughter-in-law. I will help protect her. As for the rest, alas, there is truly no way to help. I can only promise you that I will prevent the Zuo family from interfering against your Mo family. That is all I can do,” Ling Jue said helplessly.

Mo Chaotian froze, looking deeply at Ling Jue. After a long pause, he turned back mournfully and returned wordlessly to the Mo family battlefield.

“Brother…” Ling Jie called out softly, slightly uneasy. “If we don’t help, the Mo family is certain to suffer heavy losses this time. Mo Tuo might even harbor resentment toward us.”

Ling Jue’s eyes were calm. He sat there, gently sipping his tea, and murmured, “Second Brother, we cannot act impulsively now. Zuo Xu will not allow us to move freely. Furthermore, the Misty Pavilion has a Celestial Realm expert; if she targets the Mo family, our Ling family might not benefit from intervening. This is also an opportunity. If Mo Zhan dies and Mo Qi is endangered, Yan Yu might be the hope of the Mo family’s third generation. Once Yan Yu becomes our Ling family’s daughter-in-law, when the Mo family is in peril, our Ling family can openly intervene and take over the Mo family’s assets. If one day Yan Yu becomes the head of the Mo family, and she is already our Ling family’s wife, hehe…”

“Brother has a magnificent plan.” Ling Jie was silent for a long moment before softly nodding. “I was being shortsighted; Brother thinks further ahead.”

“Yes, we only need to ensure Yan Yu is safe; we don’t need to concern ourselves with others.” Ling Jue looked up, narrowing his eyes slightly as he watched the battle in mid-air. “Once Yan Yu arrives, we will leave. Mo Tuo might face dire circumstances this time. Alas, who could have foreseen that the Misty Pavilion harbored a Celestial Realm expert? Brother Mo, it is not that I disregard our old ties, but your luck has truly run out.”

“Grandfather Ling! Please save my grandfather!” Mo Yan Yu was brought over. As soon as she reached the Ling family side, she immediately knelt down, two clear streams of tears tracking down her beautiful face. “If you don’t act, my grandfather won’t last much longer! Grandfather Ling, I beg you! If you intervene, I will marry Shaofeng right now!”

“Yan Yu, it’s not that I don’t want to act, but I truly cannot,” Ling Jue shook his head and stood up. “In the future, you will understand my painstaking efforts. Everything I do is for you and Shaofeng! Second Brother, take Yan Yu and go. We are heading home.”

“Mm.” Ling Jie suddenly appeared behind Mo Yan Yu, striking her shoulder with his hand. Mo Yan Yu, who had been weeping like a storm-beaten pear blossom, suddenly went limp and fainted instantly.

“Patriarch Zuo, this Martial Arts Gathering likely cannot continue. We must depart now. What about your Zuo family?” Ling Jue called out loudly toward Zuo Xu from a distance.

Zuo Xu was startled, cursing the old fox internally, but he also stood up with a hearty laugh. “We were just about to leave as well. Shall we go together?”

“Very well. I also have a few things to discuss with Patriarch Zuo. Let’s go together then,” Ling Jue replied with a smile.

In the fighting arena, the Ling and Zuo families, who had remained unmoving like mountains, now acted as if they hadn't noticed the chaos in the field. The two patriarchs walked side-by-side, leading their respective retinues of masters, heading straight out of the Divine Stone Plaza.

Inside the Divine Stone Plaza, now only the spectators who considered themselves powerful enough to withstand the residual battle tremors remained, along with the experts from the Shi family, Mo family, and Medicine King Valley who were still locked in intense engagement.

… : Seeking recommendation votes! Friends who are following along, please remember to add this to your collection~~M