77 Chapter 77: Mu Lao's Request
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As they departed from the island, the party of nine, led by Shui Bing'er, all rode atop the massive back of the Ice Turtle.
The endless sea stretched out before them, a challenge even for titled Douluo-level experts to traverse for extended periods.
Thus, the Ice Turtle clan was the most suitable for traveling through the ocean as Soul Masters' mounts.
"Bing'er, are you confident about facing ten thousand-year soul beasts?" On the back of the Ice Turtle, a trace of worry crossed the face of the dean of the Tian Shui Academy.
The eight vice-deans accompanying him were already aware that Shui Bing'er was undergoing the Ice God's Nine Trials, and the content of the second trial was to slay ten thousand-year or older marine soul beasts.
They had offered to assist Shui Bing'er in hunting these soul beasts, only to be turned down.
"Dean, rest assured, I've already reached the sixth Soul Ring. Even a seventy-thousand-year soul beast wouldn't pose a threat to me."
"Unless I encounter a real life-threatening crisis, I ask the eight deans not to intervene in the battles between me and the soul beasts."
Shui Bing'er remained calm. Though she had just entered the level of Soul Emperor, her true combat strength far exceeded that of an ordinary Soul Emperor.
The eight people around her showed signs of shock upon hearing Shui Bing'er's claim of handling seventy-thousand-year soul beasts on her own.
Because a seventy-thousand-year soul beast corresponded to a Soul Saint powerhouse among human Soul Masters...
With the assistance of the Ice Turtle clan, finding ten-thousand-year marine soul beasts was not difficult.
Over the next three days, the Ice Turtle clan led Shui Bing'er and her companions to eight thousand-year marine soul beasts successively.
As expected, Shui Bing'er smoothly slew each of the eight thousand-year marine soul beasts!
Until the eighth marine soul beast perished, Shui Bing'er successfully completed the Ice God's second trial!
[Ice God's Second Trial Passed.]
[Reward: Soul Power level increased to level 65, all Soul Ring durations extended by 500 years!]
Since Shui Wuya had lowered the difficulty of the Ice God's second trial to the minimum, the reward Shui Bing'er received for completing the second trial was almost identical to that of the first trial.
Shui Bing'er wasn't discouraged in the least. After completing the second trial, her determination to ascend to godhood grew stronger.
...
"After that divine battle, I wonder how the Ice Turtle clan is faring. Now that I think about it, their situation probably isn't any better than ours in the Shui family."
Inside the academy room, Shui Wuya, who was practicing, thought about the fate of the Ice Turtle clan.
As a species of soul beasts with top-tier defensive capabilities, if he could retrieve them, it would undoubtedly greatly enhance the overall strength of the Shui family today.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Just as Shui Wuya was lost in thought, a series of urgent knocks on the door outside brought him back to reality.
Shui Wuya got up, opened the door, and found Yan Shaozhe outside.
"Dean Yan, what's the matter?"
As the saying goes, no news is good news, so Shui Wuya's first reaction was to think something had happened to Ma Xiaotao again.
"Mu Lao wants to see you."
To Shui Wuya's surprise, Yan Shaozhe wasn't here because of Ma Xiaotao this time.
Mu Lao?
Shui Wuya was taken aback. Since joining Shrek Academy, Mu Lao had never asked to see him alone before.
"When should I go?"
"Right now."
Yan Shaozhe's expression was quite serious, making Shui Wuya realize that Mu Lao's request was probably not simple.
Shortly after, Yan Shaozhe led Shui Wuya out of the dormitory, then grabbed him and flew straight to Sea God Island.
After a dozen breaths, Shui Wuya landed on Sea God Island and appeared directly in front of the Sea God Pavilion's gates.
A grand and ancient aura emanated from above the gate, enveloping Shui Wuya.
"Go in, Mu Lao and the priests are waiting for you." Yan Shaozhe lightly patted Shui Wuya's shoulder.
Shui Wuya nodded and strode forward. When he approached the gate, it slowly opened on its own.
In fact, this was his first time at the Sea God Pavilion.
Walking slowly through the gate, he found himself in an ancient blue hall. Mu Lao and several Sea God Pavilion priests stood up upon his arrival.
"Young friend, we meet again."
Mu Lao's gaze toward Shui Wuya was quite gentle as he addressed him as 'young friend', while the priests nodded in acknowledgment.
Seeing this, Shui Wuya remained composed. He was well aware that the reason these people were being so polite to him was mostly because he came from the Shui family.
"Greetings, Mu Lao, esteemed elders. May I ask the purpose of summoning me here today?" Shui Wuya remained composed, cutting straight to the chase and inquiring about their intentions.
"Heh heh, indeed a straightforward individual." Hearing Shui Wuya's directness, Mu Lao and the others chuckled softly before slowly approaching him.
"I won't hide it from you. There is an old injury within me, left over from my younger years, which has become a chronic ailment over the years." Mu Lao began with a hint of regret in his expression as he spoke of his own condition.
"I presume, young friend, that your origins trace back to the legendary aristocratic family, the Shui family. Am I correct?" Mu Lao's gaze fixed upon Shui Wuya.
Shui Wuya didn't respond verbally but simply nodded, acknowledging Mu Lao's assumption.
"I have a request today. I hope to obtain a healing elixir from the Shui family. If you have any requests, feel free to speak up. As long as I can fulfill them, I will do so." Mu Lao finally stated his purpose.
Upon hearing this, Shui Wuya's face showed a pensive expression, though inwardly he felt quite helpless.
Leaving aside whether he was willing to help Mu Lao, just fulfilling Mu Lao's request was something he couldn't manage at all.
The Shui family was no longer in its heyday, and they couldn't possibly have any healing elixirs available. Furthermore, as the head of the Shui family, he didn't want to get too close to the Sea God Pavilion. It was highly likely that they didn't share the same interests.
"Mu Lao, I'm sorry, but according to the rules of the Shui family, our clan's elixirs cannot be lent out." After a moment, Shui Wuya casually came up with a reason and blurted it out.
"I see." Mu Lao shook his head upon hearing this, his face showing a mixture of regret and resignation.
"In that case, I have overstepped my bounds. I hope you don't mind, young friend." Mu Lao said, glancing briefly at Yan Shaozhe behind Shui Wuya.
Yan Shaozhe promptly stepped forward and lightly patted Shui Wuya's shoulder again. "Let's go, Wuya."
Shortly after, Yan Shaozhe led Shui Wuya away from the Sea God Pavilion, leaving the priests in the hall silent and contemplative.
"Mu Lao, are we just letting him go like that?" After dozens of moments passed, Lin, one of the priests, couldn't hold back anymore and looked at Mu Lao with a hint of confusion.
"Let him go. Shui Wuya hails from an aristocratic family of utmost prestige. We can't force him." Mu Lao remained indifferent, seemingly unconcerned about Shui Wuya's refusal to exchange the elixir.
The other priests sighed in resignation, deciding to let the matter rest.
(End of Chapter)
