Chapter 230: Undercurrents Stirring

Join my patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel along with weekly chapters mass release:

patreon.com/ZeroMoney

I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated. 

******

Shui Jiangnan glanced at Dai Yueheng, his expression as calm and unwavering as a still lake.

"By the order of the patriarch, even soul masters who have already been granted the qualification to train within the Shui family must undergo a talent assessment. The results of this assessment will not strip you of your original qualification. The Shui family will cultivate each individual based on their unique talents as determined by the assessment."

As Shui Jiangnan explained, a dozen Shui family guards brought out a large soul guidance apparatus and placed it beneath the stone gate leading into the Shui family domain.

Upon hearing this, the crowd's confusion dissipated, and the slight worry that had begun to form in their hearts vanished. Since this special assessment wouldn't revoke their entry qualifications, undergoing it posed no problem.

Meanwhile, within the Shui family patriarch's hall, a serious meeting was taking place.

Patriarch Shui Wuya, Grand Elder Shui Yanjun, Supreme Elder Shui Zongnan, Head of the Intelligence Hall Shui Xingtian, Head of the Soul Guidance Hall Han Feng, and several other powerful members of the Shui family were present.

"Over the past month, a total of four hundred and thirty-seven forces have declared their allegiance to the Shui family. Among them, five are first-tier forces, and eighteen are second-tier forces..."

At this moment, Shui Xingtian, as the head of the Intelligence Hall, was reporting the progress of the Shui family's unification of the continent over the past month to the gathered members in the hall.

After his report, Shui Wuya and the others nodded slightly in approval.

Clearly, although some forces on the continent had yet to submit to the Shui family, the majority had made wise choices. This was no small feat.

"Uncle, how is the expansion of the Shui family's territory?"

After Shui Xingtian's report, Shui Wuya turned his gaze to Shui Zongnan.

As one of the Supreme Elders of the Shui family and a ninety-eighth level powerhouse, Shui Zongnan had been overseeing the expansion of the Shui family's territory.

"During this period, the Shui family has completely taken over the extreme north. More than twenty ten-thousand-year soul beasts have submitted to our clan. Additionally, the Tianshui Sect, the Xuanming Sect, and the Ling family are rapidly expanding their territories outside to prepare for our clan's occupation."

Shui Zongnan reported the progress of the territory expansion to Shui Wuya, but then a hint of hesitation appeared on his face.

"Uncle, speak freely."

Shui Wuya noticed Shui Zongnan's hesitation and smiled as he encouraged him to speak.

"Patriarch, there are now over a thousand soul masters from external forces seeking to train within the Shui family. Although many of them have decent talent, they fall short compared to our clan members."

"If these people remain within our clan, they might drag down the overall cultivation level of our clan."

Shui Zongnan expressed his concerns about the external soul masters, clearly worried.

However, Shui Wuya waved his hand dismissively, showing no sign of concern.

"The Shui family has abundant resources. Our clan members have access to various spiritual medicines from a young age, which naturally accelerates their growth compared to those outside."

"Many of these external soul masters, despite not having access to such spiritual aids during their training, have still reached their current level of cultivation. This alone proves their talents are far from ordinary."

Shui Wuya smiled as he explained the reason to everyone present.

Upon hearing his explanation, a look of understanding spread across the faces of those in the hall.

However, before they could fully process his words, Shui Wuya said something that left everyone in shock.

"I have decided to restart the Envoy Sequence."

A moment later, Shui Wuya spoke with a serious expression.

The crowd was stunned, recalling the first time the Shui family had emerged 6,700 years ago and initiated the Envoy Sequence.

The Envoy Sequence refers to the Shui family's patriarch selecting a group of talented and powerful soul masters from those training with the Shui family to serve as envoys.

Back then, the first-generation patriarch of the Xuanming Sect, Xu Yetian, was the third envoy in that sequence!

"Patriarch, you are wise!"

"Patriarch, you are wise!"

"Patriarch, you are wise!"

Once everyone recovered from their initial shock, they all expressed their support for Shui Wuya's decision.

However, the hall's jubilant atmosphere did not last long. A member of the Intelligence Hall suddenly rushed in, looking anxious.

"Urgent report from Sect Leader Mo Lihai of the Tianshui Sect!"

The messenger fell to his knees in the center of the hall, holding up a scroll bearing the Tianshui Sect's emblem.

Everyone, including Shui Wuya, immediately focused their attention.

"Read it."

Shui Wuya commanded in a deep voice.

The messenger promptly opened the scroll and read its contents aloud.

"From Mo Lihai, Sect Leader of the Tianshui Sect, reporting to the supreme sect. Recently, our spies have discovered that several factions on the continent, including the Dou Ling Empire and the Sun Moon Empire, have secretly allied to form a force intent on resisting the Shui family..."

As the messenger's words echoed through the hall, a collective sense of killing intent arose among the gathered members, some of whom erupted with overwhelming rage.

"It has been confirmed that Shrek Academy has not yet joined this resistance, though their relationship with the opposing forces remains unclear."

The messenger read the final sentence from the scroll.

"These insolent fools! I request permission to lead the Law Enforcement Hall to crush this rebellion!"

The head of the Law Enforcement Hall stood up in fury, kneeling before Shui Wuya to request permission to quell the resistance.

Shui Wuya raised an eyebrow.

He had given the continent a final month to reconsider, and now, instead of submitting, these factions had chosen to unite against him.

His anger surged. Though he was not a bloodthirsty person, the unification of the continent could not be delayed indefinitely.

Just as Shui Wuya was about to approve the Law Enforcement Hall's expedition, an ancient voice emanated from the 800,000-year-old Ice Turtle Ancestor, who had taken human form and sat in the hall.

"Patriarch, ten thousand years ago, the Ice God unified the continent and became the master of countless living beings. Today, although our clan aims to reunify the continent, we must not let a moment's anger cause rivers of blood."

The Ice Turtle Ancestor, appearing as an elderly man, spoke in a calm, icy tone that instantly quelled Shui Wuya's anger.

Shui Wuya regained his composure, reflecting on the elder's words, and felt a sudden clarity.

"Thank you for your guidance."

Shui Wuya nodded slightly towards the Ice Turtle Ancestor, his mind settling as he made a new decision.

(End of the chapter)