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*****
"Understood, Yan Shaozhe," he responded.
Yan Shaozhe's eyes dimmed. He had expected that Shui Wuya would not agree to release Elder Xuan, but he had to try. Unfortunately, the outcome was as he had anticipated.
Yan Shaozhe nodded in disappointment, contemplating how he should face the people at the academy.
"Hah, showing disrespect to the clan leader and still hoping for his release? If it weren't for the clan leader's benevolence, that guy would have been executed on the spot," Shui Xingtian remarked disdainfully.
His voice was low, unheard by others.
The Shui family had remained hidden for a long time, leading many to believe they wouldn't meddle in affairs on the mainland, fostering a false sense of goodwill towards them.
In reality, the Shui family's enduring power on Douluo Continent for ten thousand years was due to their ruthless resource plundering to strengthen themselves. Violence was an essential part of their methods, making them the continent's largest violent organization. Otherwise, how could they capture evil soul masters for refining?
Even defying the emperor was a capital crime, let alone showing disrespect to the Shui clan leader. Shui Wuya was already considered the most compassionate among the Shui clan leaders.
Outside the Shui family gate, a crowd had gathered.
"Didn't they say Shrek Academy had allied with the Shui family? Why is it so quiet?"
"Who would have thought Shrek would eventually come over? The Shui family is truly powerful!"
"Yes, but this also means our choice wasn't wrong."
People whispered among themselves, faces showing a mix of worry and uncertainty about the future.
Suddenly, a group of individuals in black cloaks appeared, roughly pushing through the crowd.
"Who are you? Don't push me! You..."
The man turned around and was instantly smitten by the beautiful woman's face beneath the hood. However, he failed to notice the sinister smile in her eyes.
The next moment, his body went rigid, unresponsive to his companions' shaking.
Inside the Shui family hall.
"Dean Yan, you are exceptionally talented and intelligent, a rare genius."
"Our Shui family's territory has many places suitable for your cultivation. Would you be willing to come and train with us?" Shui Wuyue's words echoed through the hall, causing a stir.
The Shui family land, blessed by the gods and personally invited by Shui Wuya, promised abundant cultivation resources. This was a privilege many prayed for but never received, yet Shui Wuya offered it so casually to Yan Shaozhe.
Shui Xingtian narrowed his eyes at Yan Shaozhe. What merits did this man have to deserve such attention from the clan leader? Could he possess a top-tier martial spirit capable of further evolution, like Xu Sanshi and Dai Yueheng?
Xu Sanshi's eyes were filled with envy. As a Shui family envoy, he could only follow the standard training procedures with Dai Yueheng and the others. The clan leader's offer of diverse training grounds was beyond his reach.
No wonder Dean Yan was so revered, even praised by Elder Xuan and Elder Mu. His father had said that Yan Shaozhe could surpass Elder Mu in his lifetime, and now it seemed it wasn't just motivational talk. It might indeed be possible since the clan leader valued him so highly.
Hearing Shui Wuyue's words, Yan Shaozhe's expression became even more complex. Only he knew that Shui Wuya's appreciation stemmed from their familiarity and a certain bond.
Shui Wuya was a person who valued emotions and loyalty.
This bond could have been nurtured if he had chosen Shui Wuya over Huo Yuhao. By now, he might have been the Shui family leader's mentor! But it was too late for regrets.
"Clan Leader Shui, this might not be appropriate," Yan Shaozhe hesitated.
Shui Wuya waved his hand dismissively. "It's settled. Take it. From now on, the relationship between the Shui family and Shrek Academy rests on you."
"Clan Leader Shui, Shrek has no ulterior motives," Yan Shaozhe broke out in a cold sweat and quickly stepped forward.
"Whether Shrek has ulterior motives or not is irrelevant to me. I care only about results. If Shrek cannot fully accept the Shui family from top to bottom, inside and out, then no matter how much you bow today, I will still annihilate Shrek."
"Should Shrek truly ally with the Shui family, and if any unsavory rumors arise, I will consider them the work of a few troublemakers trying to undermine our unity, and I will punish only the ringleaders."
Shui Wuyue leaned back in his chair, speaking calmly.
He anticipated that Shrek's submission to the Shui family would bring about many issues, so he laid everything out clearly.
Hearing these words, Yan Shaozhe finally understood that the Shui family had truly accepted him, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
Phew~
At this moment, Yan Shaozhe felt a newfound goodwill towards Shui Wuya, his face showing gratitude.
Time flew by.
He recalled the days when Shui Wuya was a student at Shrek Academy. The once-young man was now the clan leader.
Yan Shaozhe glanced at Xu Sanshi standing nearby. He knew of Xu Sanshi's victory over Bei Bei, thanks to the Shui family's training.
He wanted to give this opportunity to Bei Bei, believing Bei Bei's talent could take him further.
"Clan Leader Shui, I have an unusual request. I would like to give this opportunity to Bei Bei. Please grant my wish," Yan Shaozhe said respectfully, bowing slightly.
Shui Wuya smiled and shook his head. His voice was soft yet clear, heard by everyone present: "To my knowledge, Bei Bei is a member of the Tang Sect. Can Shrek represent the Tang Sect?"
Yan Shaozhe was taken aback and fell into a long silence.
The Tang Sect, aside from their oldest member, a soul tool teacher taken from the Sun Moon Empire, consisted entirely of young people in their teens and twenties.
Many believed they were Shrek's affiliates, but the Tang Sect was not!
Yan Shaozhe did not want the Tang Sect to become an affiliate, so this time...
"The Holy Spirit Cult requests an audience," came a loud voice from outside, interrupting his thoughts.
"Sigh," Yan Shaozhe sighed, shaking his head as he stepped aside.
"Enter," Shui Wuya said indifferently.
The sound of high heels echoed as two stunning women walked into the hall.
Their familiar faces shocked everyone!
One had silver-blue hair cascading like a waterfall, and cold blue eyes, reminiscent of blue silver grass growing in icy snow.
It was Tang Ya, the leader of the Tang Sect!
The other, with fiery red hair, exuded the aura of a titled Douluo and had an even more arrogant and fiery demeanor.
It was Ma Xiaotao, the Holy Spirit Cult's saintess.
Both women were following Zhongli Wu's orders to join the Shui family.
"Tang... Tang Ya?" Xu Sanshi exclaimed in shock.
But even more shocked was Yan Shaozhe.
"Tang Ya? Ma Xiaotao? What are you doing here?" he stood in disbelief, his pupils contracting in shock.
(End of Chapter)