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Shui Wuya released his spiritual energy to probe the area, discovering that the soul power levels of the evil soul masters in the first layer of the Slaughter Hell were all below Titled Douluo. Most of them were at the Soul Saint or Soul Douluo levels.
As they walked through the first layer, Shui Wuya noticed many skeletons and several prisoners gnawing on dead rats—the only source of food available in this harsh environment.
Soon, Shui Wuya and Shui Yanjun arrived at the second layer of the Slaughter Hell. Unlike the first layer, which held a multitude of evil soul masters, the second layer had significantly fewer prisoners. However, all of them were at the Titled Douluo level.
Shui Wuya was taken aback to find that there were as many as 40 to 50 Titled Douluos in the second layer. It was a staggering number; any faction in the outside world would find it nearly impossible to gather so many powerful individuals at once.
Upon closer inspection, Shui Wuya noticed that more than half of these Titled Douluos were affiliated with the Tang Sect. Each cell in the second layer had an iron nameplate hanging on its door.
"Remnants of Tang Sect: Tang Qingshan," read one of the nameplates as they passed by a cell.
The prisoners were heavily restrained with large steel spikes, some even nailed to the ground, rendering them completely immobile. Their wrists and ankles were shackled, and the sound of metal scraping against metal filled the air.
Shui Wuya and Shui Yanjun continued downward, passing through the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh layers. As they descended, the strength of the imprisoned evil soul masters increased while their numbers decreased.
By the time Shui Wuya reached the eighth layer, only nine figures were visible, but the spiritual pressure they emitted was immense. Of the nine, six were 98-level Super Douluos, and three were 99-level Ultimate Douluos! It was astounding to find so many powerful soul masters confined in one place.
Shui Wuya's shock grew as he recognized the identities of the three Ultimate Douluos. According to family records, one of them was Tang Qinglin, the former Tang Sect leader captured during a great battle 60 years ago, when the Shui family decimated the Tang Sect. Another, Shui Songshan, was a former traitor of the Shui family who had conspired with outsiders. The third, an enigmatic evil soul master in gray robes, was captured by a previous Shui family patriarch.
"Any one of these individuals could cause massive upheaval in the outside world," Shui Yanjun remarked, following Shui Wuya closely.
Shui Wuya quickly regained his composure. Despite the prestige and power these individuals once held, they were now helpless prisoners. The intricate formations binding them not only restricted their movements but also sealed off their soul power, leaving them in a state of perpetual torment.
After observing the eighth layer, Shui Wuya and Shui Yanjun proceeded to the ninth layer. Unlike the previous layers, there were no prisoners here. It was an expansive blood-red space, illuminated by flickering magical formations.
In the center of this layer was a brown cushion, upon which sat a figure dressed in black with gold embroidery. The man appeared to be in his mid-forties, his expression stern and commanding.
The man's gaze locked onto Shui Wuya, his eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and doubt.
"Junior Shui Yanjun greets the Prison Master," Shui Yanjun said, bowing with clasped fists. He then stepped in front of Shui Wuya and held up the Shui family patriarch's emblem.
"The current head of the Shui family is here!"
Shui Yanjun's voice rang out loud and clear as he held up the Shui family's patriarchal emblem. The aura of authority emanating from Shui Wuya, who stood behind him with his arms crossed, became unmistakable.
Seeing the emblem, the black-robed man, the Warden of Slaughter Hell, Shui Yuancheng, instantly lit up with recognition. He rose slowly to his feet, his demeanor commanding yet respectful.
"Shui Yuancheng, Prison Master of Slaughter Hell, greets the Patriarch," he said with a slight nod. Although he was a 99-level Ultimate Douluo, meaning he wasn't required to bow like the other family members, he still maintained a courteous manner.
"Shui Wuya greets you, Uncle," Shui Wuya replied, nodding respectfully. As the Warden of Slaughter Hell, Shui Yuancheng held a senior position in the Shui family hierarchy, deserving the title of "uncle."
"It's been more than ten years, and the young child I once knew has now taken on the mantle of rebuilding our family's glory. You've endured much," Shui Yuancheng said, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. The burden of leading the Shui family weighed heavily on Shui Wuyah, and it showed.
"If only I had been there when the Shui family was attacked, I could have fought alongside our family," Shui Yuancheng said, his expression turning bitter with anger. He had always regretted not being able to defend the family during that fateful battle.
"Uncle, though our family suffered greatly, nearly 200 people survived. I'm confident that with unity, we can restore the Shui family's former glory," Shui Wuya replied, explaining the current state of the family and mentioning the Ice God's hidden realm and the Ice Turtle clan.
"You're right, Wuya," Shui Yuancheng said, patting him on the shoulder. Shui Wuya's determination and unwavering spirit were reminiscent of the Shui family's legacy of resilience, which had allowed them to endure the trials of gods and their wrath.
"There's something I need to ask you," Shui Yuancheng said, his tone turning serious as his eyes scrutinized Shui Wuya.
"Please ask, Uncle," Shui Wuya replied, maintaining his composed demeanor despite feeling a tinge of curiosity about the question.
"About a thousand years ago, the first Prison Master of Slaughter Hell, Shui Tianshou, made a prophecy that an Ice God's successor would appear in Slaughter Hell after ten millennia," Shui Yuancheng said, his expression full of anticipation.
"So... are you the Ice God's successor?" he asked, his voice filled with hope.
The prophecy had been passed down through the generations among the Wardens of Slaughter Hell, almost becoming a sacred mission. Since obtaining the Ice God's legacy, this was the first time Shui Wuya had been directly asked about it.
If it were a random person, Shui Wuya wouldn't have answered, but Shui Yuancheng was both a Shui family member and the Warden of Slaughter Hell. There was no need to hide the truth from him.
"I am," Shui Wuya replied, his eyes steady as he confirmed his identity as the Ice God's successor.
Shui Wuya nodded solemnly, acknowledging his identity as the Ice God's successor. Shui Yuancheng's eyes lit up with confirmation, a hint of joy crossing his features, though he maintained a composed exterior.
"From this moment onward, I will be your protector, fully committed to helping you achieve the status of a deity," Shui Yuancheng said, his expression serious as he made his vow.
"Thank you, Uncle," Shui Wuya replied, appreciating the weight of the Warden of Slaughter Hell's promise. It wasn't every day that one of the strongest individuals in the world made such a pledge.
"Shui Wuya, the Shui family has always been an enemy of evil soul masters, capturing and suppressing them from all over the world. You could stay in Slaughter Hell to train until you master the Killing God Domain," Shui Yuancheng suggested, outlining a plan for Shui Wuya's cultivation.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, a sudden hum filled the air, followed by a surge of overwhelming killing intent. The Killing God Domain erupted from Shui Wuya, enveloping the entire area.
"I already have the Killing God Domain," Shui Wuya said with a faint smile, his casual tone contrasting with the shock reverberating in the minds of Shui Yuancheng and Shui Yanjun.
The power and intensity of the domain left them both in awe, understanding that Shui Wuya had already achieved a level of mastery that many could only dream of.