Chapter Seventy-Two: Each With Their Own Schemes

The martial arena was thrown into chaos! Mo Tuo was besieged by numerous formidable opponents, while the experts Mu Xun had brought from the Valley of the Medicine King tangled with the forces of the Mo family. In the Shi family’s sector, as soon as Shi Jian and Shi Tie made their move, the Shi family’s experts immediately surged forward, joining hands with several powerhouses from the Valley of the Medicine King to encircle and suppress the Mo family.

In an instant, battle swept across the martial arena like a tide, with fierce clashes erupting everywhere. None of the warriors who had come for the grand tournament had anticipated that the event would spiral into such a violent confrontation.

As the fighting broke out, the surging waves of force within the arena clashed and intertwined, affecting many bystanders. Within mere minutes, numerous innocent warriors had been killed by the shockwaves.

Those watching from the sidelines could sit no longer. Witnessing the two great clans go to war, few dared remain to spectate, fleeing from the Divine Stone Plaza in fear that a slow escape might cost them their lives at the hands of the rampaging experts.

Like a receding tide, the masses of warriors swiftly withdrew from the Divine Stone Plaza, leaving only the members of the five great families behind.

On the side of the North Sea family, their many experts looked on coldly, observing the unfolding situation. With Beiming Shang absent, they all maintained a stance of detachment, offering no aid to any party.

Beiming Ce stood among his kin, his expression solemn, his dark eyes quietly tracking Mo Tuo amidst the siege, occasionally glancing at the Mo family members under attack from the Shi family.

“Young master, what should we do? Shall we just keep watching?” one of the Beiming family’s honored guardians quietly inquired at his side.

A glint of coldness flashed in Beiming Ce’s eyes. He answered indifferently, “This battle is not ours to join. Let them tear each other apart. Whether the Shi family falls or the Mo family is ruined, it does us no harm. We need only wait until the dust settles, then claim the defeated side’s years of foundation for ourselves. Given our influence within the Merchants’ Alliance, we stand to gain the most benefit.”

“Young master, you are wise. Shall we remain here, then?”

“No need,” Beiming Ce mused briefly, then smiled. “Let’s return. Lingering here, doing nothing, serves little purpose. Since we’re not participating, it’s better to head back and make some arrangements. Come.”

At his words, the many Beiming experts nodded in agreement. Led by Beiming Ce, they withdrew from the Divine Stone Plaza.

Thus, only the Zuo, Ling, Mo, and Shi families remained within the martial arena. Of these, the Shi and Mo families were already locked in battle, leaving only the Ling and Zuo families as observers.

At some point, Shi Dang had made his way over to the Zuo family’s sector. With a respectful bow to Zuo Xu, he said, “Uncle Zuo, in this fight, I ask that you help keep an eye on the Ling family.”

Zuo Xu sipped his tea and nodded with a smile. “Don’t worry. The Zuo and Ling families are old enemies. If the Ling family dares make a move, I promise the Zuo family will not stand by. You all may fight with all your might; as for the Ling family, leave them to us.”

“Thank you, Uncle Zuo.”

“No need for thanks. Both publicly and privately, the Zuo and Shi families are allies. Naturally, we’ll help shoulder some of the burden.” Zuo Xu waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the Shi family’s people. He asked curiously, “Where’s that rascal Shi Yan? I don’t see him anywhere.”

Shi Dang paused, glancing around to discover that Shi Yan was indeed missing. He shook his head with a wry smile. “He was just here a moment ago. No idea where he’s gone now.”

“Keep a close eye on that boy. He’s quite remarkable—he may be your family’s hope for the future. He must not come to harm,” Zuo Xu remarked meaningfully.

“Hehe, Uncle Hanfeng will keep watch over him, so you needn’t worry.”

“Very well.” Zuo Xu smiled, then glanced at Zuo Shi beside him, his expression growing a touch mischievous. “Little Shi seems to be quite concerned about your family’s Shi Yan as well.”

Shi Dang’s face lit up with delight. “Uncle Zuo, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Go ahead.” Once Shi Dang departed, Zuo Shi’s lovely face showed confusion. “Grandfather, when was I ever concerned about that guy? What nonsense are you spouting? You’re the one who told me to deliver the Dragon Turtle Spirit Armor—not because I wanted to help him. Honestly!”

“Haha, it’s all the same.” Zuo Xu seemed in good spirits, instructing his people, “We’ll stay here for now and help the Shi family keep an eye on the Ling family. If the Ling family dares make a move, we won’t be polite. Heh, after today, the balance of power within the Merchants’ Alliance may shift dramatically. We can’t let the Ling family profit from this.”

On the Ling family’s side, their head Ling Jue’s brow was deeply furrowed, his lips sealed. The many experts of the Ling family stood behind him, their faces tense as they waited in silence for his decision.

Meanwhile, the Mo family’s contingent, dozens of their best warriors, were being assailed by the Valley of the Medicine King and the Shi family, their situation growing ever bleaker.

Before long, Mo Chaotian suddenly broke through the encirclement and hurried to Ling Jue’s side, kneeling on one knee in panic. “Uncle Ling, please, the Ling family must intervene! My father is beset by countless enemies and cannot hold out much longer. We are being relentlessly pursued by the Medicine King Valley and the Shi family—it’s becoming impossible to withstand. Uncle Ling, for the sake of our families’ long-standing friendship, please help us. The entire Mo family will be eternally grateful.”

Ling Jue’s brows knitted tighter, and he sighed helplessly. “Chaotian, it’s not that I don’t wish to help, but the Zuo family hasn’t made a move yet. If we intervene, they’ll immediately rise as well. My inaction is precisely to keep the Zuo family in check for you.”

“But if this continues, the Mo family can’t hold out!” Mo Chaotian cried in alarm.

“If the Ling family acts now, it will only force the Zuo family’s hand—nothing will be solved.” Ling Jue shook his head, then hesitated before barking, “Shaofeng! Take some men and fetch Yan Yu. She’s your future wife—she must not come to harm!”

“Yes!” Ling Shaofeng responded sharply, dashing out as several Ling family guardians hurried after him.

“Chaotian, Yan Yu is your daughter and also the Ling family’s future daughter-in-law. I will ensure her safety, but as for the rest, I truly cannot help. All I can promise is that the Zuo family will not interfere against you. That is the most I can do,” Ling Jue said with regret.

Mo Chaotian stared blankly for a moment, casting a long, sorrowful look at Ling Jue. At length, he turned away in anguish, returning wordlessly to the Mo family’s embattled ranks.

“Brother…” Ling Jie called softly, a touch of pity in his voice. “If we don’t help, the Mo family will certainly suffer heavy losses. Mo Tuo might even hold a grudge against us.”

Ling Jue’s eyes were calm as he sipped his tea. “Second brother, we can’t afford to be impulsive now. Zuo Xu won’t let us act. Furthermore, the Misty Pavilion has a Heaven-ranked expert. If she targets the Mo family and we intervene, we may not fare well. Besides, this is an opportunity—Mo Zhan is dead, Mo Qi is in danger, and Yan Yu may be the Mo family’s only hope for the third generation. If she becomes our daughter-in-law, when the Mo family is at its weakest, the Ling family can openly claim their assets. Should Yan Yu one day lead the Mo family while married into ours—well…”

“Brother, you’re a master strategist,” Ling Jie said after a long pause. “I hadn’t thought it through, but you see the bigger picture.”

“We need only safeguard Yan Yu. The rest is of no concern to us.” Ling Jue looked up, eyes narrowing as he watched the battle in the sky. “Once Yan Yu is here, we’ll head back. Mo Tuo may not survive this day. Who could have predicted that the Misty Pavilion would hide a Heaven-ranked expert? Brother Mo, it’s not that I forgot our friendship—you were simply unlucky.”

“Grandfather Ling! Please, save my grandfather!” Yan Yu, having been brought over, immediately dropped to her knees before the Ling family, tears streaming down her beautiful face. “If you don’t help, my grandfather won’t last! Grandfather Ling, I beg you! I’ll marry Shaofeng right now if you’ll intervene!”

“Yan Yu, it isn’t that I don’t want to help—I simply cannot.” Ling Jue shook his head and rose to his feet. “You’ll understand my intentions in time. Everything I do is for you and Shaofeng. Second brother, take Yan Yu—we’re going home.”

“Alright.” Ling Jie suddenly appeared behind Yan Yu, and with a tap, the weeping Yan Yu collapsed into unconsciousness.

“Master Zuo, it seems the tournament cannot continue. We’re heading back now; what about your family?” Ling Jue called across to Zuo Xu.

Zuo Xu started, quietly cursing the old fox, but then rose with a genial smile. “We were just about to leave as well. Shall we go together?”

“Gladly. I wanted to speak with you anyway. Let’s go,” Ling Jue replied with a laugh.

And so, at this critical moment, the previously unmovable Ling and Zuo families departed side by side, their leaders and elite warriors heading straight out of the Divine Stone Plaza, as if oblivious to the chaos left behind.

Inside the plaza, only a handful of bystanders—those confident in their strength and unafraid of the battle’s aftermath—remained, along with the experts of the Shi and Mo families and the Valley of the Medicine King, still fiercely locked in combat.

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