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*****
"The Ice God left a decree before ascending in ancient times: when the Shui family reappears in the future, amidst an era of great strife, they must not instigate slaughter and only kill the main culprits. This is the Ice God's promise to all his followers."
As Shui Wuyá pondered, the ancient Ice Turtle continued speaking, recounting the Ice God's words from years past.
"Given this, in our campaign to unify the continent, the Shui family will only eliminate the rebel leaders and will not hold others accountable."
After several moments of contemplation, Shui Wuyá finally made his decision.
---
At the entrance of the Shui family's secret realm.
When Shui Jiangnan arrived with the Shui family's guards and the Enforcers' Hall personnel, thousands of external soul masters began the Shui family assessment in full swing.
Soul masters like Dai Yueheng and Xu Sanshi, who were already eligible to train with the Shui family, were tested on their innate talents under the supervision of the Shui family guards.
Meanwhile, rogue soul masters from outside underwent comprehensive assessments under the scrutiny of the Enforcers' Hall.
For the external soul masters, those above level 70 had to undergo combat assessments, while those below level 70 participated in comprehensive evaluations, as per Shui Wuyá's prior regulations.
"The 278th examinee, Ji Juechen, your opponent is a level 73 enforcer from the Enforcers' Hall."
Halfway through the assessments, the enforcer announced Ji Juechen's name.
Ji Juechen stepped out from the crowd and entered a temporary arena set up by the Enforcers' Hall, where a Shui family member in a black coat was already waiting.
"Please, instruct me."
Ji Juechen cupped his fists and bowed to his opponent before drawing his level-eight soul tool, the Sword of Judgment. At the same time, he unleashed his level 73 Soul Saint power.
Seeing this, the Shui family Soul Saint responsible for Ji Juechen's assessment didn't hesitate.
The Shui family Soul Saint also unleashed his level 73 Soul Saint power, and the battle began.
Ji Juechen, hailing from the Sun Moon Empire and renowned among the younger generation, drew significant attention to his assessment.
For a moment, the sound of clashing swords and intense combat echoed in everyone's ears.
After about fifteen minutes, Ji Juechen's assessment lasted significantly longer than others. As expected, he was ultimately defeated.
"Even Ji Juechen lost? I heard he's ranked among the top ten young experts in the Sun Moon Empire!"
"Be content. Ji Juechen lasted a full quarter-hour against that Shui family expert. The previous two hundred or so didn't even last a hundred moves."
"That's true. The Shui family's strength far exceeds our expectations."
As Ji Juechen was defeated, the soul masters watching began to discuss fervently.
Soon after, the enforcer's voice rang out again.
"Ji Juechen, from the Sun Moon Empire, level 73 soul power, lower-tier talent in cultivation, mid-upper-tier comprehension in swordsmanship. He is eligible to train with the Shui family!"
The enforcer's announcement shocked everyone present once more.
"Among our generation, Ji Juechen is a rare talent in swordsmanship. Even so, his swordsmanship talent is only mid-upper-tier?"
"I wonder if the Shui family is intentionally making things difficult for us."
Despite the various discussions, the enforcer remained calm.
"This talent rating is based on the Shui family's standards. Swordsmanship talent is rare among ordinary soul masters. Ji Juechen's achievement of mid-upper-tier talent is quite impressive."
The enforcer's words carried a hint of praise.
"Thank you for your praise, elder."
Ji Juechen, having stepped down from the arena, approached the assessor and bowed respectfully. He did not join in the surrounding discussions, for he alone could sense the Shui family expert's profound talent in swordsmanship during their battle.
"Even so, are those who gain entry to train with the Shui family truly superior to us?" Many who had lost their chance to train with the Shui family gathered, their faces showing clear discontent. They had come from all corners of the continent, only to find themselves unable to even enter the Shui family's gates—a fact they found hard to accept.
"Rules are rules," the assessor said coldly. At that moment, several young figures emerged from within the Shui family's gates. The assessor immediately recognized them as outstanding disciples or clan members sent by various major powers in recent times.
These individuals had already begun their training with the Shui family and had just been notified to come to the gate for talent assessments.
"You two, come here," the assessor commanded, singling out two young women who promptly stepped forward. Moments later, they stood before the assessor as members of the Enforcers' Hall began their talent evaluations.
After several breaths, the assessments concluded, and the assessor announced the results.
"Mo Xinyan, Holy Maiden of the Tianshui Sect, level 63 soul power, Ice Luan martial spirit, mid-tier cultivation talent, top-tier ice attribute talent."
"Nan Qiuqiu, Holy Maiden of the Earth Dragon Sect, level 64 soul power, Triangular Earth Dragon martial spirit, mid-tier cultivation talent, top-tier earth dragon attribute talent."
As these words fell on the ears of the surrounding soul masters, the noisy discussions quieted considerably. The results were clear: the talents from various major powers who had gained entry to train with the Shui family were significantly more gifted than the rogue soul masters.
Those who previously thought Xu Sanshi and others had gotten into the Shui family through backdoor means wisely held their tongues. The facts spoke for themselves. Continuing to cause a scene would likely only provoke the Shui family's ire.
Meanwhile, Dai Yueheng was undergoing his talent assessment. As the large instrument emitted a glow that enveloped him, his Evil-Eyed White Tiger martial spirit possessed him, and he instinctively looked skyward, letting out a roar.
"Roar!"
Everyone present was drawn to this roar, but the truly shocking scene was just beginning. Following Dai Yueheng's roar, a thunderous tiger's roar echoed from within the Shui family's enormous Soul Spirit Mountain.
"Roar!"
The assessor and Shui Jiangnan, captain of the guards, both turned pale upon hearing this roar. Each of them instinctively unleashed their Title Douluo-level power and looked gravely towards the Soul Spirit Mountain.
At that moment, a three-meter-tall white tiger soul spirit emerged from the mountain. With each step it took, waves of soul power rippled out, enveloping Dai Yueheng.
(End of this chapter)