Chapter 69: Trust Me!

In the vast Divine Stone Square, silence reigned, the clamor of Mo Zhan's provocations still echoing in the arena. Shi Jian's towering figure trembled slightly, his face ashen, his eyes blazing with rage, wishing he could slap Mo Zhan to death in the center of the arena.

The gazes of the people from the Beiming, Ling, Mo, and Zuo families all fell on Shi Jian. The many martial artists around the arena looked at him with sympathetic eyes, his expression extremely grim.

No matter who it was, at this point, they could see the malicious intentions of the Mo family and knew that the Mo family must have used some abnormal means.

However, the martial arts competition was like this. Both sides used their own methods. As long as they did not seriously violate the rules of the arena, no matter how惨the loser was, no one would step forward to say anything.

Even the Shi family, at this moment, could only be angry and had nothing to say. Others naturally would not be so tactless.

At this moment, Han Feng suddenly stepped forward from behind the Shi family group, holding a small piece of paper, and came to Shi Jian's side, whispering, "Patriarch, someone asked me to give you this note."

Shi Jian took a deep breath, constantly reminding himself to stay calm. He took the note from Han Feng, glanced at it, and his expression suddenly changed!

"The Mo family's young men have all taken the Blood Essence Pill, refined by the alchemists of the Divine Empire's Poison Dragon Valley. The Blood Essence Pill can double the strength of the Mo family's young men for a short time! The cost is that they cannot practice martial arts for a year. It's best not to continue the competition, or you will suffer a crushing defeat. The old man standing next to Mo Zhan is the alchemist Blood Hand from Poison Dragon Valley! Sent by Mu Xun."

Shi Jian's face darkened as he read the note, finally understanding what the Mo family had done.

Mo Tuo, to deal with the Shi family, sacrificed his grandson's year of cultivation to launch a ruthless attack on the third generation of the Shi family, severely injuring Shi Tianluo and Shi Tianyun, who would take at least three to five years to recover. This method was extremely vicious!

Holding the note, Shi Jian's expression was gloomy, hesitating as he looked at Shi Yan, unsure of what to do.

Without the note from Mu Xun, Shi Jian might have still sent Shi Yan to the arena.

But now that he knew the truth, he knew that Mo Zhan had definitely taken the Blood Essence Pill, which would double his strength in battle. This made him hesitant to make a rash decision.

Mo Zhan was already at the Third Heaven of the Innate Realm. After taking the Blood Essence Pill, his strength would definitely reach the Human Rank. A martial artist at the Human Rank could potentially break through Shi Yan's second-stage Petrification Martial Soul.

Shi Yan's time in the martial arts world was too short, and he naturally believed that Shi Yan lacked practical combat experience.

In this situation, Shi Yan was likely to suffer a crushing defeat. Shi Yan, with his dual Martial Souls, would surely become a powerhouse on par with Beiming Ce in the future, becoming the true hope of the Shi family.

If Shi Yan suffered a crushing defeat and was severely injured in this battle, it would not only delay his path to strength but also possibly crush his spirit.

The more he weighed the pros and cons, the more hesitant Shi Jian became, almost deciding to preserve Shi Yan's safety even if it meant losing face.

At this moment,

Zuo Shi, carrying a large backpack, slowly walked over from the Zuo family's side.

Zuo Shi's captivating figure caused a stir both inside and outside the arena. Many people looked at her in amazement, their gazes lingering on her long, beautiful legs.

Soon, Zuo Shi reached the Shi family's area, stood next to Shi Jian, placed the backpack on the Shi family's table, and said softly, "Grandpa Shi, my grandfather asked me to lend you the Dragon Turtle Spirit Armor. He hopes you will win."

After speaking, Zuo Shi glanced at Shi Yan and whispered, "You have to do your best."

After saying this, Zuo Shi shrank her head and quickly walked away from the Shi family, returning to the Zuo family's crowd.

Although she was back with the Zuo family, Zuo Shi's captivating eyes continued to watch Shi Yan across the arena.

In the Shi family's area, everyone was shrouded in despair.

This was true not only for the Shi family members who did not know Shi Yan's condition but also for Han Zhong, who knew that Shi Yan had reached the Third Heaven of the Innate Realm!

Comparing a martial artist who had just broken through to the Third Heaven of the Innate Realm with Mo Zhan, who had cultivated for twenty years and had experienced many battles to reach this realm, the difference was clear.

Moreover, the Mo family had clearly used unfair means, making the gap seem insurmountable.

"Dragon Turtle Spirit Armor!"

Shi Jian's expression changed, and he felt a bit more confident. After hesitating, he handed the note from Mu Xun to Shi Yan and whispered, "Grandpa is unsure. Sigh, you decide. If you think it's too difficult, then... give up."

When he said "give up," Shi Jian looked exhausted, as if he had aged many years.

Shi Yan's expression remained calm, showing no surprise. He took the note from Shi Jian, glanced at it lightly, and his face remained as calm as ever—he had already guessed what the Mo family had done.

Without waiting for Shi Jian to speak, Shi Yan suddenly leaped, appearing in the center of the arena, and said calmly, "Shi Yan of the Shi family, Third Heaven of the Innate Realm, please instruct me!"

A wave of shock swept through the entire arena!

The previously silent arena suddenly became noisier than a market. Many people looked at Shi Yan in surprise and confusion.

"Who is this kid? I've never heard of him in the Shi family."

"Right, he never appeared in any of the martial arts competitions. When did the Shi family have such a capable person?"

"Shi Yan, I remember. Isn't he the Shi family's young master who likes ancient literature? He never practiced martial arts. I only knew about him because he always caused trouble."

"Impossible. How could someone who never practiced martial arts reach the Third Heaven of the Innate Realm?"

"Who knows? But even if he is at the Third Heaven of the Innate Realm, so what? Mo Qi was only at the Second Heaven of the Innate Realm, yet he dealt with Shi Tianyun, who was at the Third Heaven. The result was clear. Shi Yan is probably just a sacrifice to save face for Shi Jian."

"Right, what a poor guy, sacrificed like this."

"..."

Around the arena, the voices of discussion rose and fell. No martial artist was optimistic about Shi Yan. After learning his identity, they all believed that Shi Jian had no choice but to send him out, and the result... was already determined.

At the Beiming family's side, Beiming Shang frowned slightly and turned to ask a nearby elder, "What's going on with Shi Yan? Why have we never heard of him? When did the Shi family have a young man at the Third Heaven of the Innate Realm? Did he just appear out of nowhere?"

"Lord, I don't know either. Shi Yan never had the Shi family's Martial Soul and never practiced martial arts, so we didn't waste any effort on him. Who knew he would suddenly..."

"Strange." Beiming Shang nodded, frowning but not pressing further.

Beiming Ce, however, was slightly stunned, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He stared at Shi Yan and said, "Hmm? Isn't this the kid who was drinking with Han Zhong at the Yingchun Pavilion a few days ago?"

Mu Yudie and Di Yalan also recalled and nodded gently. Di Yalan, looking at Shi Yan, who was being discussed in the arena, had a strange expression and whispered, "It's him."

"He's dead for sure." Beiming Ce shook his head, indifferent, "No matter how lucky he was before, this time, he will either die or be crippled."

Mo Tuo was also stunned for a moment, then sneered, "No matter where this brat came from, he won't have another chance to show his face."

"Shi Yan, the armor!" Shi Jian called out, his face extremely grim, pointing to the "Dragon Turtle Spirit Armor" sent by Zuo Shi, gesturing to him repeatedly.

"I don't need it." Shi Yan glanced back at Shi Jian, shook his head lightly, and then smiled at Mo Zhan, "At the Yingchun Pavilion, I said we would meet again. Now you know who I am, right?"

"I know." Mo Zhan laughed wildly, "You're just here to die! Ha, the Shi family really has no one left, sending someone who studies ancient literature! Ha, this is hilarious!"

Shi Yan did not get angry, his expression calm, standing in the arena waiting.

"Cough, Lord Shi, you can place your bets now." The official on the platform called out.

"Lord!"

"Lord!"

"Lord!"

In the Shi family's area, many of the Shi family's elders called out, shaking their heads at Shi Jian.

They had all heard of Shi Yan's deeds. Although they did not know how he reached the Third Heaven of the Innate Realm, they were sure he would lose this time, and it might be a very ugly defeat!

If they lost a large amount of betting capital in this battle, the Shi family would not only be completely defeated but might also be unable to recover!

"Brother! No!" Shi Tie, still supporting Shi Tianyun, shook his head at Shi Jian, "Brother! For such a small amount of glory, it's not worth it! Tianluo and Tianyun have already been sacrificed, don't sacrifice Shi Yan too! Let it go, brother!"

Shi Yan heard the noise behind him clearly. After a moment of thought, he turned around, looked at Shi Jian calmly, and said, "Grandpa, trust me!"

"Alright!"

Shi Jian, who was hesitating, seeing Shi Yan's calm expression, for some reason, really chose to trust him. He suddenly shouted, "Phoenix City! The management rights of this city, the Shi family will completely transfer! If the Mo family wins, the Shi family will immediately withdraw from Phoenix City!"

This statement caused another wave of shock in the arena, and people began to discuss again.

Phoenix City was a major city of the Merchant Alliance. The Shi family had operated it for decades, deeply imprinting their mark on it.

One could say that Phoenix City was the city where the Shi family's influence was the deepest. Now, Shi Jian was betting the management rights of Phoenix City. Was he crazy?

"Brother!"

"Lord!!"

The Shi family members all stood up from their seats, looking at Shi Jian in disbelief, begging him to retract his words.

"Don't try to persuade me! My mind is made up!" Shi Jian's stubbornness flared up, his face stern, "Victory or death! I'm betting everything on this!"

The people from the Beiming and Ling families were also stunned, clearly not understanding.

Zuo Xu sighed softly, "Brother Shi really has no way out this time."

"Alright!" Mo Tuo stood up suddenly, shouting, "No going back on this!"

"Take it!" Shi Jian took out the document from his inner pocket and handed it to the official, then shouted, "Mo Tuo, your bets are not enough!"

"I'll add three more mines!" Mo Tuo, with a dark face, sneered, "In a sure win, it doesn't matter how much I add. It will all be mine in the end!"

The official quickly collected the Mo family's bets and then shouted, "The competition begins!"