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As the night passed, the Earth Dragon Sect's challenge tournament proceeded as planned. Thanks to overnight repairs, the massive cold wave's effects vanished with visible speed.
At Nan Shuishui's invitation, Shui Wuya observed the entire tournament. After hours of competition, the results were unsurprising.
"The champion of this tournament: Nan Qiuqiu! The runner-up: Nan Yunsheng, and the third place: Nan Xiaoguang!"
"Congratulations to the champions of the tournament. Each of you will receive a soul bone: 60,000 years, 40,000 years, and 20,000 years respectively. Additionally, you have earned the right to train with the Shui family!"
Hovering above the sacred grounds of the Earth Dragon Sect, Sect Master Nan Shuishui announced the results, revealing that the winners were the Earth Dragon Sect's Holy Maiden and two young soul masters.
As her gaze swept over the three victors, especially lingering on Nan Qiuqiu, her eyes were filled with pride.
"Long live the Sect Master!"
"Long live the Shui family!"
"Long live the Clan Leader!"
Thousands of Earth Dragon Sect elders and disciples erupted in cheers. Although most had lost their chance to train with the Shui family, it didn't diminish their admiration for the powerful Shui family.
The next day, following a grand farewell ceremony, Shui Wuya departed the Earth Dragon Sect, accompanied by the three selected disciples.
However, their destination was not the Tianshui Sect, but the Shui family.
"Xinyan, return to the Tianshui Sect and inform Mo Lihai, Xu Mo, and Ling Suihan that from now on, they have the authority to conduct campaigns and crush any rebellious forces in the name of the Shui family. They can act without seeking further permission."
After leaving the Earth Dragon Sect's gates, Shui Wuya looked at Mo Xinyan at a fork in the plains and granted the three subsidiary forces their most desired right.
Hearing this, Mo Xinyan was stunned, then overwhelmed with excitement, her whole body trembling.
"Thank you, Clan Leader, for granting us this authority!"
Mo Xinyan knelt and bowed her head, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Rise. The three sects have always been loyal and diligent. This Clan Leader will not disappoint you."
Shui Wuya smiled slightly, lifting Mo Xinyan with a gentle force.
He had always noticed the Tianshui Sect's unwavering loyalty and diligence. During this trip to the Earth Dragon Sect, Mo Xinyan had served him attentively, leading him to grant the three sects the right to conduct campaigns, a privilege that had allowed the Shui family's previous two emergences over the thousands of years to stand out.
After a moment, Shui Wuya turned his gaze to Xu Sanshi, a playful smile in his eyes.
"Xu Sanshi, do you know why the first-generation Xuanming Sect Master became an Ultimate Douluo and led the Xuanshui Sect to greatness?"
Shui Wuya asked.
"Yes, the first-generation ancestor of the Xuanming Sect was favored by the Shui family and trained with them. With their help, he awakened the Golden Xuanwu martial spirit, eventually becoming an Ultimate Douluo!"
Xu Sanshi responded immediately, though puzzled by Shui Wuya's question. Mentioning the first ancestor of the Xuanming Sect, his face showed pride, reflecting the recorded history.
However, Shui Wuya's face suddenly showed disdain after Xu Sanshi finished speaking.
"Golden Xuanwu? Hmph, that was just the product of the first awakening of the Xuanming Turtle Shield. If Xu Yetian had tried to achieve the ultimate with the Golden Xuanwu, it would have been a fool's dream."
Shui Wuyai shook his head slowly.
Hearing this, Xu Sanshi was shocked. Xu Yetian was the first ancestor of the Xuanming Sect. Could there be some hidden truth behind this?
While Xu Sanshi was still reeling, Shui Wuya continued speaking.
"Six thousand seven hundred years ago, Xu Yetian was helped by our ancestors to undergo a second awakening of the Xuanming Turtle Shield, evolving it into the Sacred Xuanwu. This is the true reason for the Xuanming Sect's rise!"
Shui Wuya's words were like thunder, revealing the truth from 6,700 years ago.
Hearing this, Xu Sanshi's shock reached its peak.
"Damn it, old man! Why didn't you ever tell me about this? No wonder you were so insistent on sending me to the Shui family. There's another layer to this!"
Xu Sanshi thought to himself.
At that moment, Shui Wuya's figure flickered and suddenly appeared in front of Xu Sanshi.
Shui Wuya activated his Ice Phoenix martial spirit, extending two fingers from his right hand, gathering an exceptionally pure extreme ice force far beyond ordinary ice martial spirits. He then placed his finger on Xu Sanshi's forehead, letting the ice force flow into him.
Instantly, a water-blue light erupted from Xu Sanshi's forehead, radiating in all directions. An icy storm rose around him, enveloping him completely.
"Woooo!~"
The next moment, Xu Sanshi's Xuanming Turtle Shield martial spirit was triggered, and behind him, a phantom that was neither turtle nor snake appeared. It lifted its head towards the sky, emitting a series of low, resonant sounds.
Three seconds passed, and the extreme ice force fused directly with the Xuanming Turtle Shield. Xu Sanshi's pupils suddenly emitted two intense beams of golden light!
Under the onlookers' gazes, the originally black-green exterior of the Xuanming Turtle Shield gradually turned into a pale gold color, and its size increased from one zhang to three zhang!
"This is… the Golden Xuanwu?!"
Standing in the center of the icy storm, Xu Sanshi observed the changes in his martial spirit with a look of ecstasy on his face.
Moments later, as the ice and snow dissipated, Xu Sanshi, whose martial spirit had successfully awakened, knelt down before Shui Wuya with a thud.
"Clan Leader, I will remember your great kindness for my entire life. I will serve the Shui family with utmost loyalty, even at the cost of my life!"
The onlookers were stunned into silence by the scene unfolding before them, especially the three disciples from the Earth Dragon Sect who had just left the sect.
Having not yet entered the Shui family, they were already witnessing the enormous benefits bestowed upon those who served the Shui family. This filled them with shock and an intense desire to join the Shui family, stirring a fervent admiration within them.
"Sanshi, do you remember the request you made to me earlier? I now agree to it. I will give the Tang Sect another chance. You shall return to Shrek Academy and ascertain Shrek Academy's true stance."
"Remember, this is their only chance."
After Xu Sanshi stood up, Shui Wuya spoke again, reminiscing about the days when Xu Sanshi used to follow him and call him brother.
Indeed, it had been several years.
Shui Wuya felt a surge of sentiment. Originally, he had no intention of sparing the Tang Sect, as they had once been mortal enemies of the Shui family.
But now, all because of Xu Sanshi's earlier brotherly plea, he decided to grant the Tang Sect this grace.
"Once you've completed the task, you can return to the Shui family. I will personally assist you in your second martial spirit awakening!"
Xu Sanshi's shock and gratitude had not yet subsided when Shui Wuya spoke again. As his words fell, a spatial passage suddenly appeared before Shui Wuya.
Before long, Shui Wuya departed with the three Earth Dragon Sect disciples, and the Tianshui Sect members followed suit, heading back to their sect.
Xu Sanshi was left standing alone, clenching his fists, standing still for a long time.
After a long while, Xu Sanshi suddenly knelt down again, facing the extreme northern land, and heavily bowed his head.
"Thank you… Clan Leader!"
(End of this chapter)