Chapter 123: Wait Patiently, Do Not Alert the Enemy

Hearing this, Chu Tian and Long Tianjiao turned around and set their sights on the young man.

The young man, named Shi Hu, was dressed in flamboyant clothing and was clearly a pampered scion of some wealthy family. He was certainly not being helpful out of the kindness of his heart; he had no reason to assist two strangers. The only reason he offered to intervene was that he had taken a liking to Long Tianjiao’s beauty. Although she was wearing a floral dress that made her appear slightly rustic, even such a drab outfit could not conceal her natural grace or her alluring, curvaceous figure. In particular, when she turned around to reveal her stunning, city-toppling face, Shi Hu’s eyes lit up with predatory lust.

"You can get us inside?" Chu Tian paused for a moment before asking with a cold sneer.

He had been planning to head inside to search for Situ Deng, but since he was blocked at the entrance, he was concerned that revealing his identity would alert his enemies. If Shi Hu could get them in, it would be a significant help.

"Of course. I have extra tickets, so I can naturally bring you two in." Shi Hu spoke with a boastful tone, pulling out five tickets. Besides himself and his two attendants, he had exactly enough room for two more people.

After the tickets were verified, the arena security immediately let them through.

"My name is Shi Hu. Where are you two from?" Shi Hu introduced himself, hoping to pry into Long Tianjiao’s background. However, it was Chu Tian who answered instead of her.

"I am Chu Tian, and this is my fifth sister."

Chu Tian provided a brief introduction and then fell silent. Shi Hu had been arrogant moments before, but he was now feigning a gentle demeanor, all to curry favor with Long Tianjiao. Chu Tian did not pay him any mind; his focus remained entirely on Situ Deng and Wu Xingyan.

...

Inside the arena’s spectator stands, Chu Tian’s group followed the stairs to their seats.

"This is your first time attending a competition of this scale, right?" Shi Hu said smugly, seemingly trying to show off in front of Chu Tian. His gaze wandered intentionally or otherwise toward Long Tianjiao, taking in her exquisite profile; the more he looked, the more he wanted her. To him, if he could get his hands on such a top-tier beauty, it would be absolute heaven.

"Yes, my fifth sister and I are just here to join in the excitement," Chu Tian replied with a light laugh.

Shi Hu was even more delighted. He had been slightly worried before, but now that he believed Chu Tian and Long Tianjiao were siblings, he felt it would be much easier to pursue her.

By now, the group had reached their seats and settled down. The arena was vast, like a football stadium, and capable of holding thousands of spectators. As Shi Hu and his party sat, they cast their eyes toward the venue. In the center of the arena was a massive fighting ring, with rows of tables and chairs arranged on either side, clearly divided into Northern and Southern factions.

Chu Tian scanned the area. He did not spot Situ Deng, but he did catch sight of his eldest senior sister. She was actually here? Liu Qingxue was seated with the Wei family, side-by-side with Wei Qingqiu. Originally, Liu Qingxue had no intention of joining the fray, but upon learning that Chu Tian would be participating in the North-South Dispute, she had made a last-minute decision to join their camp. After all, the Qingxue Group was currently at the height of its influence, having not only risen to become one of the four great powerhouses of Tianmen City but also having developed a skincare product known as the Qingxue Spirit Liquid. This liquid was effective for ordinary people and highly beneficial for martial artists as well. Because of this, even as a newly emerged powerhouse, Liu Qingxue was more than qualified to attend this grand event.

Behind Wei Yuansheng sat a row of business magnates. Many of them were familiar faces to Chu Tian: Li Jiahang, Deng Yuanhai, Zhou Rengui, and others. These were the wealthiest men from various cities in Jiangnan Province who had attended the private auction previously. They had nearly fallen victim to Ma Tianxing’s schemes at that auction, and it was only due to Chu Tian’s intervention that they had survived. As local families from various Jiangnan cities, their power could not be compared to the Jinling families. This was precisely why they had submitted to Chu Tian. Having submitted, they naturally sought to understand his status. They knew of his close relationship with the Wei family, and since Chu Tian had not yet arrived, they had all gathered around the Wei family.

Since Situ Deng had yet to appear, Chu Tian was in no rush to reveal himself, lest he startle the prey.

"Old Master Wei, why hasn't Mr. Chu arrived yet?" Li Jiahang asked, his expression filled with anxious concern. They had invited Chu Tian to participate in the North-South Dispute, and he had agreed, but his continued absence made them worry that something might have gone wrong. If Chu Tian did not participate, their small families would have little chance of victory. If they lost this year’s dispute, the price they would have to pay would be immense.

"This..." Wei Yuansheng hesitated, unsure of how to reply. He had received a call from Wang Jiulong last night regarding the accident Chu Tian had encountered. However, Wang Jiulong’s phone had been destroyed, and Chu Tian had not sent any further word to the Wei family to confirm he was safe. Fearing the worst, Wei Yuansheng did not know if Chu Tian was dead or alive.

Facing the inquiries of the family heads, Wei Yuansheng was torn. If he revealed the news that Chu Tian might have been harmed, the gathering of family heads would surely fall apart. After all, they had only gathered because of Chu Tian. Without him, they would not follow Wei Yuansheng’s lead and would immediately scatter. If they could not stand united, how could they face the suppression from Jiangbei?

"Old Master Wei, we have all submitted to Mr. Chu and are in the same boat. If you have heard any news, you cannot keep it from us!"

"Old Master Wei, has something happened to Mr. Chu? You must give us an answer today."

The family heads spoke up one after another, all eyes fixed on Wei Yuansheng. But he was in a difficult position; though he knew Chu Tian had been in danger, he had no idea of the outcome. He could not contact Wang Jiulong and had no clue as to Chu Tian’s whereabouts.

"Gentlemen, I truly do not know where Mr. Chu is. If I did, why would I hide it from you?" Wei Yuansheng sighed internally; his expression did not seem feigned. At the very least, the family heads chose to believe him. They sighed to themselves and retreated to their seats.

Once the family heads had dispersed, Wei Qingqiu, who had been sitting next to Wei Yuansheng, leaned in close.

"Grandfather, I just received a message from Chu Tian," she whispered, careful not to attract any attention.