Chapter Sixty-One: The Eminence of Three Generations

The Merchant Alliance was truly bustling. The Five Great Families were still searching everywhere for a man named "Ding Yan," while the Ethereal Pavilion had also joined the fray, seeking someone named "Yang Hai." However, unlike the others, the Ethereal Pavilion offered incentives—anyone who could prove his name was Yang Hai could claim a reward of one hundred purple crystal coins at their headquarters.

With the Martial Tournament fast approaching, the flow of people into the Merchant Alliance was endless. Though the unusual actions of the Five Great Families and the Ethereal Pavilion aroused suspicion, most had come for the tournament itself.

In no time, every inn and tavern in Skyfall City was filled to capacity.

Mercenaries and warriors who roamed the Shadowy Forest, the Desolate Marshes, and the Misty Mountains were a rough and competitive lot, and they did not mellow upon entering the city. Arguments broke out frequently, escalating into violent brawls and deadly duels.

Day or night, Skyfall City never lacked for fighting men. Each morning, the street sweepers would occasionally find fresh corpses dumped in the foul ditches.

There were three days left until the Martial Tournament.

Early that morning, Zuo Xu was still resting with his eyes closed when he heard Zuo Shi calling out from outside, "Hey, old man, you’re here!"

"I’ve told you countless times, don’t call me ‘old man’ in front of people!" came Chixiao’s exasperated voice from outside.

"But you are an old man, and I’m used to calling you that. Can’t change it now," Zuo Shi replied with a mischievous laugh, showing no fear.

Zuo Xu’s spirit stirred, and he rose quickly, hurrying to the door. At last, he thought, you’ve finally arrived.

...

The Shi Family.

An old woman, her face lined with wrinkles, stood in the gravity chamber, brush in hand, adding several bold strokes to Shi Yan’s brows.

Shi Jian stood by, watching the old woman at work with silent concentration.

At length, the old woman drew back, studied Shi Yan’s face a while, and nodded in satisfaction. "Over these days, I’ve made small changes to his appearance daily. The transformation is so gradual that even those closest to him wouldn’t notice. Compared to a few months ago, he looks quite different now. No one should recognize him."

Shi Yan’s skin was now much darker, his brows thicker, and his build more robust. The sharpness once present in his features had softened, replaced by a rugged strength. Both his appearance and his bearing had changed remarkably.

Especially after returning from the Shadowy Forest, he had grown taller and more muscular. Now, with the disguise artist’s skillful handiwork, he truly seemed a different man than he had been in the forest.

Shi Jian studied Shi Yan for a moment, nodded, and said, "Not bad. There shouldn’t be any problems."

Shi Yan examined himself in a bronze mirror and found himself quite satisfied. "It’s good enough. So, is the Martial Tournament about to begin?"

"Three days left. No need to train so hard—take some time to relax," Shi Jian finally relented, then, remembering something, scowled and admonished, "But don’t get up to any mischief! Don’t think I don’t know what you and Han Zhong have been up to! If you dare waste your strength on women, I’ll skin you alive!"

"So nagging," Shi Yan replied impatiently. "I’m just going for a bath and then a drink with Han Zhong. That’s allowed, isn’t it?"

"Fine."

...

Spring Welcome Pavilion.

This was one of Skyfall City’s most famous taverns, renowned not only for its delicious fare but also for its legendary "Blazing Flame" wine.

What’s more, the Pavilion stood beside the city’s Biyue Lake. On the open third floor, one could enjoy fine food and drink while gazing at the lake’s sparkling waters—a true delight.

If one happened to have a beauty in his arms as well, then life was perfect.

However, not just anyone could ascend to the third floor. Wealth was not enough; only those with status could avoid being confined to the second. The third floor was reserved for guests from the Five Great Families—only their members could directly take seats above. Ordinary merchants were not granted such honor.

Han Zhong led Shi Yan to the Spring Welcome Pavilion. At the door, a lively, pretty girl greeted them with a beaming smile, "Master Han, upstairs, please!"

Han Zhong squinted at the girl, letting his gaze linger appreciatively. "Little Feng, you’ve grown again, haven’t you?" His eyes swept boldly across her ample chest.

"Master Han, you’re so bad, always staring at me there," the girl replied with a coy, flirtatious smile, indicating upstairs. "There are other guests above—young masters and ladies of the Mo and Ling families are all here. Just so you know."

"Doesn’t matter," Han Zhong replied, dropping the banter, and pulled Shi Yan straight up to the third floor.

"Well, well!" A tall youth in dark blue martial garb glanced sidelong at Han Zhong from a prime table and sneered, "Look who it is—a Shi Family lapdog."

Four sat at this table, facing the lake—two men and two women, all striking in appearance.

One of them, cold and aloof, was unmistakably Mo Yanyu. Yet she paid them no mind, her cool gaze fixed on the sunlit waters of Biyue Lake, lost in thought.

"Oh, it’s the Mo Family’s parasite. What rotten luck," Han Zhong muttered, ignoring the jibe and dragging Shi Yan to a table, shouting, "Manager Long! Four jars of ‘Blazing Flame’ and a full spread—hurry it up!"

"Right away!" came a hearty reply from the second floor.

At that moment, Mo Yanyu, who had been gazing at the lake, seemed to come to herself. She turned and regarded Han Zhong and Shi Yan with a flicker of disdain before turning back to the water, her thoughts unreadable, her expression even colder.

Opposite her sat a young man of elegant bearing, who smiled affably, chatting with the Mo family youth while covertly watching Mo Yanyu, as if trying to draw her into the conversation. But his efforts were in vain.

"Shaofeng, Yanyu’s been scolded by my father recently—she’s not in the best mood. Don’t take it personally," Mo Zhan said, clinking glasses with him. "Let’s leave her be and drink a few ourselves. The tournament’s nearly here—these are our last days to slack off. We shouldn’t shortchange ourselves."

"Brother Zhan, have you ever shortchanged yourself?" Ling Yueyue asked, her eyes dancing with mischief. "I hear you’re an expert on the ways of the ‘Spring Rain Pavilion.’ When will you take your little sister there for a look?"

"Ahem! Ahem!" Mo Zhan choked on his wine, coughing awkwardly. "Yueyue, believe me, I’m innocent! I barely know the place! I was tricked into going that one time. You must believe me!"

"Heh, who knows if that’s true," Ling Yueyue teased, though her eyes grew sharp with another meaning. "Recently, my sisters have been congratulating me, saying my fiancé has a house full of wives and concubines before even marrying me. They say I’ll have plenty of handmaidens to serve me in the future. The thought is quite delightful."

"Ahem!"

Mo Zhan’s face darkened. He glared and grunted, "Who’s been slandering me behind my back? If I find out, I’ll have their hide!"

"Enough, Yueyue," Ling Shaofeng shot his sister a stern look. "Brother Zhan is a man—some socializing is unavoidable. I trust his character!"

"Of course you do," Ling Yueyue muttered under her breath, "Everyone knows you two go together. Of course you trust him."

Mo Yanyu, hearing this, glanced at Ling Shaofeng, her brows knitting in displeasure. But she said nothing, only turning back to the lake, her face even colder.

"I’ll deal with you later," Ling Shaofeng warned his sister, then quickly changed the subject. "Brother Zhan, Shi Tianyun is also at the third stage of the Innate Realm, stronger than Shi Tianke, and he’s been training hard lately. He didn’t show up at the last tournament, but he’ll be there this time. Although you defeated Shi Tianke before, you can’t afford to be careless now."

"Don’t worry, I haven’t regarded any of the Shi Family’s third generation as worth my attention," Mo Zhan answered proudly, shooting a cold glance at Han Zhong. "Watch this—whoever faces me in the tournament will leave crippled!"

"That’s the spirit, Brother Zhan!" Ling Shaofeng laughed, raising his cup. "Come, let’s drink!"

...

"Those four are Ling Shaofeng, Ling Yueyue, Mo Zhan, and Mo Yanyu—the outstanding talents of the Mo and Ling families’ third generation, and your likely rivals in the tournament. Ling Shaofeng and Mo Yanyu are engaged, as are Mo Zhan and Ling Yueyue. Both Mo Zhan and Ling Shaofeng are at the third stage of Innate Realm, Mo Yanyu is slightly behind at the second stage," Han Zhong whispered to Shi Yan, then added, "But the one not to underestimate is Ling Yueyue! We just got word she broke through to the Human Position Realm half a year ago, making her the strongest of her generation in the Ling family. In this tournament, the Ling family might match her against Zuo Shi. They’ve invested heavily in her—bought her spirit medicines and even provided her with secret treasures for protection. Zuo Shi could be in trouble."

"Not necessarily," Shi Yan replied with a smile, glancing indifferently at Ling Yueyue. "Zuo Shi is much tougher than she is. Just watch, she’ll lose—and badly!"

Han Zhong didn’t know that Zuo Shi had acquired the Dragon Turtle Pill, the True Black Tortoise Power, and the Dragon Turtle Spirit Armor. With these advantages, she was nearly certain to win, especially since her level already surpassed Ling Yueyue’s by a margin.

"What did you just say, boy?"

At that moment, Ling Yueyue suddenly stood up and snapped, "You think I’m not as good as Zuo Shi? Did you think I wouldn’t hear you? Let me tell you, my ears are sharp! So you Shi Family people only know how to talk behind others’ backs—how despicable!"

...

PS: Here’s the second update!