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Shui Wuya gazed at the elderly man before him, frail and aged, with a sense of deep emotion.
Originally, there were supposed to be seven elders in the Ice Palace. However, sixteen years ago, during the Great Divine War, all but Shui Canglan perished while supporting the Shui family. For sixteen years, Shui Canglan had guarded the Ice Palace alone.
"No need for formalities, Uncle."
Water Wuya nodded, then began to recount everything that had happened in the outside world over the years to Shui Canglan.
After about a quarter of an hour, Shui Canglan had a general understanding of the current state of the continent and the Shui family's situation.
"The decline of the Shui family to this point is partially my responsibility. If anyone in the world wishes to target the Shui family, I will not shirk my duty."
Shui Canglan's face was solemn.
As a member of the Shui family, he naturally hoped to see the Shui family regain its former glory.
After he finished speaking, Shui Canglan suddenly waved his hand, and a shimmering blue orb appeared in midair.
"As I suspected, Wuya, you carry the legacy of the Ice God's Nine Trials. This artifact is the Ice God's legacy; you must keep it safe."
Shui Canglan then explained the origin of the blue orb.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Shui Wuya did not hesitate. With a flick of his sleeve, he stored the blue orb in his soul-guided storage ring.
At that moment, in front of the Ice Palace, an unexpected green light burst from a crystalline ice pillar.
"Buzz!—"
As the green light flickered, a humming sound emanated from within the ice pillar.
Shui Canglan was the first to react. He gently tapped the ground with his staff, and a blue ripple instantly spread out.
When the ripple touched the ice pillar, the intense green light transformed into a phantom silhouette.
"Old Seven, long time no see. How have you been?"
The phantom figure bowed slightly to Shui Canglan, then turned its gaze to Water Wuya, a hint of confusion visible on its indistinct face.
"Feng Jitian, this is the current patriarch of the Shui family."
Shui Canglan's expression remained as calm as a still lake, but his words carried an undeniable authority.
Hearing this, the phantom figure paused, clearly taken aback, but quickly recovered and bowed to Shui Wuya as Shui Canglan instructed.
"I am Feng Jitian, the Grand Elder of the Feng family. Greetings to the Shui family patriarch."
Feng Jitian's tone was respectful, showing no disdain despite Shui Wuya's youthful appearance.
The Shui family patriarch must be capable of wielding the Ice God's secret techniques, making him as powerful as any elder, capable of annihilating enemies effortlessly.
"No need for such formality, Grand Elder."
Shui Wuya nodded in return. Even without Shui Canglan's explanation, he could tell that this phantom, Feng Jitian, was the Grand Elder of the Feng family, another of the ultimate clans.
Since the establishment of the Ice Palace, the four ultimate clans—Shui, Feng, Huo, and Lei—had maintained communication through this place.
"Centuries have passed in the blink of an eye. I have heard that the Shui family is about to reemerge. Is this true?"
Feng Jitian's tone was solemn, yet it carried a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
"Yes, in three months, the Shui family will reappear in the world."
Shui Wuya nodded slightly, his face betraying no emotion. The original six-month period was now less than three months away.
Upon hearing Shui Wuya's confirmation, Feng Jitian's phantom figure trembled visibly.
"May I ask, Patriarch Shui, if this reemergence of the Shui family is the legendary third coming?"
Feng Jitian, struggling to suppress his excitement, spoke again, his voice now tinged with eagerness.
However, Shui Wuya did not immediately respond to this question.
The so-called "third coming" is a legend passed down within the four ultimate clans over ten thousand years.
According to this legend, when the Shui family emerges for the third time, unprecedented celestial phenomena will occur, sparking a cataclysmic upheaval. At that time, the existing order will be shattered, deities will be dethroned, and the very fabric of the world will be irrevocably altered. The four ultimate clans have kept this legend hidden for millennia.
"Whether the legend is true or not, time will reveal."
After several moments, Shui Wuya responded, not directly confirming the legend of the third coming.
Shui Wuya had limited knowledge of the other three ultimate clans' strengths, as they had remained mostly hidden over the millennia. He could only infer from historical records that the other three clans were likely as powerful as Shrek Academy and the True Body Sect. However, even these estimates were based on information that was centuries old.
"Buzz!—"
"Buzz!—"
As the atmosphere in the Ice Palace grew tense, two more ice pillars next to the Feng family's pillar suddenly emitted a humming sound simultaneously.
Seeing this, Shui Canglan tapped his staff on the ground, and as the blue ripple spread out and touched the three pillars, two more phantom figures materialized in the hall.
"Yu Zhenting, greetings to the Seventh Elder."
"Huo Qingshuang, greetings to the Seventh Elder."
As the two new phantoms took shape, they bowed to Shui Canglan.
As before, Shui Canglan introduced Shui Wuya to the newly appeared phantoms.
"This is Shui Wuya, the current patriarch of the Shui family."
The two figures, Yu Zhenting and Huo Qingshuang, straightened and turned their attention to Shui Wuya, each showing respect befitting his position.
The significance of the gathering was not lost on anyone present. The once-hidden power of the four ultimate clans was beginning to reveal itself, and the ancient legends were on the verge of becoming reality.
Yu Zhenting and Huo Qingshuang immediately turned and respectfully saluted Shui Wuya, introducing themselves as they did so.
"Grand Elder of the Lei family, Lei Zhenting, greets the Shui family patriarch."
"Grand Elder of the Huo family, Huo Qingshuang, greets the Shui family patriarch."
Both of them showed the same level of respect as Feng Jitian had earlier.
With this, the four ultimate elemental clans were fully assembled in the Ice Palace! From their voices alone, Shui Wuya deduced that Huo Qingshuang was likely a woman.
"No need for such formality," Shui Wuya nodded slightly in return, while inwardly he had already guessed the reason for the appearance of the other two ultimate clans.
They were here to inquire about the Shui family's reemergence.
"I understand why you have come. The reemergence of the Shui family is certain. You are welcome to attend the Shui family's reemergence ceremony. All questions will be answered then."
Before the other two Grand Elders could ask their questions, Shui Wuya preemptively responded, avoiding repeated inquiries.
Huo Qingshuang and Lei Zhenting hesitated, but seeing Feng Jitian, who held a similar rank, remain silent, they refrained from asking further questions.
They realized that Feng Jitian had already asked the same questions they had in mind and had not received an answer.
"We will promptly relay this information back to our clans and discuss attending the Shui family's reemergence ceremony."
Finally, the three Grand Elders bowed deeply to Shui Wuya and swiftly vanished from the Ice Palace.
(End of Chapter)