Chapter Sixty-Four: The Herbal King Mu Xun

Martial Arena.

Dozens of martial artists of varying realms clashed fiercely within the arenas, their tempers flaring, their bodies rising and falling with vigor. Strange lights burst forth, winding above the arena like ethereal serpents, weaving through the air with mesmerizing grace.

All manner of peculiar martial techniques were displayed by the contestants, some so bizarre that even members of the five great families found themselves astonished.

Upon the high tower of the Stone family, Shi Yan stood beside Shi Jian, his eyes glittering with a curious radiance as his gaze wandered from one arena to the next, lingering wherever the battles grew most intense.

Shi Jian, the family patriarch, remained at his side, offering constant explanations. Whenever Shi Yan showed interest in a particular fight, Shi Jian would promptly describe the combatants’ approximate strength, the grades of their martial arts, and the intricacies of their techniques, advising on the best strategies to secure victory against such opponents.

Elsewhere atop the tower, Shi Tie spoke quietly to his descendants, detailing the martial arts being displayed, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, and pointing out the best ways to defeat such adversaries and where their vulnerabilities lay.

Both Shi Jian and Shi Tie, usually reticent as heads of the family, were uncharacteristically talkative today. Since the beginning of the martial tournament, neither had ceased their explanations.

In one corner, Shi Dang drew Shi Tianxiao along, pointing out fighters in the arena, making observations and comments. Shi Tianxiao nodded frequently and occasionally asked questions.

Many of the Stone family’s retainers from distant cities, along with skilled members of collateral lines from other great families, watched the tower intently. Seeing Shi Jian devote himself so earnestly to instructing Shi Yan, they were quietly filled with curiosity.

“Mad old man, who is that boy? Why is the patriarch so attentive to him?” Ku Long, another Stone family retainer, stood beside Han Feng, his tone tinged with shock as he pointed at Shi Yan and inquired.

Ku Long, a Nirvana First Heaven martial artist, had long served in other cities and knew little of Shi Yan. Witnessing Shi Jian’s care for him, he found it extraordinarily strange.

“That is Young Master Yan,” Han Feng replied, his demeanor cool, glancing at Ku Long. “He’s the young master who used to wander in search of ancient ruins, rarely staying at home. The child of Yang Hai and Miss Qing.”

“Really?” Ku Long was bewildered. “I thought that young master never practiced martial arts. From what I know, he’s always tinkered with odd things, never putting any effort into martial cultivation. Why would the patriarch favor someone like him?”

“Yan is no longer who he once was,” Han Feng said, eyes narrowed slightly. “If he ever asks anything of you, you’d best give it your all—it’ll do you no harm.” Though Han Feng knew much, he kept his words guarded. Were it not for his friendship with Ku Long, he wouldn’t even have offered this hint.

Ku Long understood Han Feng’s temperament. After a moment’s stunned silence, he nodded gently.

Though his heart remained full of questions, he recognized that this young master had truly won the patriarch’s favor, and secretly resolved to find opportunities to grow closer to Shi Yan.

Besides Ku Long, many other retainers and members of the Stone family’s collateral branches quietly questioned those around them, seeking to understand why Shi Jian would invest such attention in an otherwise obscure youth.

Shi Yan’s identity soon became clear. The young master who had never received special treatment in seventeen years suddenly became the focus of the Stone family.

“Grandfather, has Xiao Yan really become a martial artist? And achieved the Innate Third Heaven realm?” Shi Tianke, standing beside Shi Tie, could no longer hold back his curiosity, seeing Shi Jian devote all his care to Shi Yan.

Shi Tie glanced over, nodded lightly. “Yes, Shi Yan has made us proud. He’s indeed mysteriously broken through to the Innate Third Heaven realm, and may even participate in this tournament.”

Shi Tie, focused lately on his three grandsons, knew little of Shi Yan’s current situation, other than that Shi Yan possessed the family’s martial soul and had reached the Innate Third Heaven realm.

Yet he did not know of the singular nature of Shi Yan’s martial soul. He found Shi Jian’s attention somewhat excessive, but thought little of it—after all, Shi Yan was his elder brother’s direct grandson. With Shi Tianxiao lacking ambition, and Shi Yan suddenly appearing with such talent, he assumed Shi Jian was simply overexcited, unaware that Shi Yan possessed dual martial souls, with the Stone Transformation martial soul already miraculously advancing to the second stage.

“Tianyun, you will face Mo Zhan in this year’s tournament. Last time Tianke lost; you must not lose to Mo Zhan. Otherwise, people will think our Stone family’s third generation has no talent!” Shi Tie instructed Shi Tianyun, who stood beside him.

“I will certainly defeat Mo Zhan,” Tianyun replied confidently.

Though only nineteen, Shi Tianyun had already reached the Innate Third Heaven, the age of ambition and pride.

Before Shi Yan’s emergence, he was the pride of the Stone family’s generation, often guided personally by Shi Jian. Yet since Shi Yan’s rise, Shi Jian had paid him much less attention.

Shi Yan, over seventeen years, devoted himself to ancient texts, rarely staying at home, never cultivating martial arts, and thus never clashing with family members. Shi Tianyun had not paid him much mind.

But now, with Shi Yan’s sudden ascendance and Shi Jian’s shifting attitude, Tianyun felt uneasy.

However, with formidable opponents like the Mo and Ling families outside, and the strong bond between Shi Jian and Shi Tie, the second generation parents had long stood shoulder to shoulder against the Mo family. Thus, their generation’s relations were good, and Shi Tianyun and others often caroused with Shi Tianxiao.

Though Tianyun felt discomfort, he did not show it too fiercely, determined to prove himself in the tournament and remind Shi Jian who truly was the family’s future hope.

“Ah!” Shi Jian, in the midst of explaining a battle to Shi Yan, suddenly exclaimed, his eyes flashing as he cast his gaze towards several figures appearing beside the arena.

“Who has arrived?” Shi Yan frowned, moving closer to see in the direction Shi Jian indicated.

Seven figures strode slowly from outside the Divine Stone Plaza. The leader, about fifty, had a hooked nose and a sinister visage, wearing a coronet and a silver robe. On his left shoulder, five different herbs were embroidered.

“A Fifth Grade Spirit-level Alchemist,” Shi Yan observed, instantly recognizing the man’s identity.

Alchemy, like martial arts, was divided into five grades: Mortal, Profound, Spirit, Saint, and Divine. The alchemist Shi Yan had slain in the Dark Forest, Karu, was merely a Mortal-level practitioner, yet regarded as a treasure by the Mo family. Now, a rare Spirit-level alchemist appeared—his status must be considerable!

“That is Karu’s master, the Medicine King Mu Xun,” Shi Jian said, glancing at Shi Yan. “Mu Xun is not only a Fifth Grade Spirit-level Alchemist, but also a Nirvana Second Heaven powerhouse. The Medicine King Valley is a unique institution; it does not involve itself directly in the disputes of the various factions, yet maintains deep connections with them all…”

Few knew that Karu had died by Shi Yan’s hand, and with Shi Yan’s changed appearance, only a handful could identify him. Shi Jian was unconcerned about Mu Xun discovering Shi Yan’s identity, and instead felt a certain schadenfreude, sneering, “Mu Xun must be here for the missing map fragment. Karu entered the Dark Forest with the Mo family, so Mu Xun will certainly trouble Mo Tuo. Heh, this will be quite a show.”

“Medicine King Mu Xun!”

The martial artists near the arena quickly recognized the newcomer, exclaiming aloud and making way for him.

Many rushed forward, shouting desperately, “Medicine King, I have collected many herbs—can you please refine a pill for me? I beg of you!”

At this, the crowd outside the arena erupted, voices raised in hopes that Mu Xun might refine pills for them.

With Mu Xun’s arrival, much of the audience’s attention shifted from the battles to the alchemist himself.

On the towers of the Bei Ming, Zuo, Ling, and Mo families, many grew restless. Numerous high-ranking family experts, at the behest of their patriarchs, hurried down to invite Mu Xun to observe the tournament from their towers.

On the Stone family’s side, Shi Tie needed no prompting from Shi Jian and had already rushed down.

Suddenly, around Medicine King Mu Xun appeared the core figures of the five great families, all smiling obsequiously, hoping he would honor their towers with a visit.

“Mu Xun will likely go to the Mo family,” Shi Jian said, his face full of gloating, “but it won’t be good news for them.”

Indeed.

As Shi Jian finished speaking, Mu Xun, face grim, strode silently toward the Mo family’s tower, ignoring Mo Chaoge’s invitation and leaving him standing awkwardly aside.

Mo Chaoge dared not show anger, only managing a forced smile and bowing repeatedly as he followed.

…