Chapter 456: The Black Abyss Venerable, Strikes
"Help me get to Wan Snake Island?"
Mo Yu was stunned when he heard the woman's words. Then, as realization dawned, his expression darkened.
The idea of going to Wan Snake Island was something he had only shared with a few close people. Even when speaking to the auction house maid earlier, he had only mentioned looking for information about the island.
Yet this woman, whom he had just met, was so certain he intended to go to Wan Snake Island. It was deeply strange.
Recalling the feeling of being "seen through" when he made contact with the girl earlier, Mo Yu's heart stirred in alarm.
Could she have some ability to read minds?
Seeing Mo Yu's dark expression, the girl named Shui Muxue bit her red lip, her beautiful face showing a trace of guilt. She understood her own condition well and knew she had just violated a taboo that everyone on the continent feared.
Looking at Mo Yu's displeased face, she apologized with guilt in her eyes.
"I'm truly sorry. I possess the 'Ethereal Sacred Water Body,' a pure and natural constitution that not only harmonizes with water elements but also allows me to sense some of the thoughts of people I come into contact with, through their blood.
"In our brief contact earlier, I accidentally glimpsed some of your thoughts.
"But rest assured, sir, since my strength is still weak and the contact was so brief, I only learned about your current destination, which is Wan Snake Island."
"Ethereal Sacred Water Body..." Mo Yu's silver eyes narrowed as he muttered.
He had heard of this constitution before. It was an exceptional body type for cultivating water-element Dou Qi, comparable to the Calamity Poison Body in its relation to poison elements.
However, unlike the Calamity Poison Body, which had many downsides, the Ethereal Sacred Water Body had none of those drawbacks. With proper use, becoming a Dou Zun expert with such a body wasn't difficult.
It seemed that the Yuan family's refusal to break the engagement wasn't just because they wanted to take over the Shui family, but because they coveted Shui Muxue's unique body.
"Your Shui family is already in decline, no longer one of the five great families it once was. I can get to Wan Snake Island on my own—why would I need your help?"
Hearing that Shui Muxue had only glimpsed his destination without prying deeper into his secrets, Mo Yu felt a sense of relief.
As someone reborn, Mo Yu carried many hidden secrets. If the girl had fully invaded his thoughts, he wouldn't have hesitated to deal with her ruthlessly, despite her beauty.
Of course, Mo Yu didn't fully believe her words but trusted his own judgment. He sensed that Shui Muxue only had the strength of a Dou Huang. Even with her special body, it was impossible for her to read all his thoughts in such a short time—it would be too miraculous.
Seeing Mo Yu's rejection, Shui Muxue didn't get discouraged. Instead, she shook her head and said,
"Sir, you're from outside and may not understand the situation in the Southern Sea. Do you know why the humans, the Sea Tribe, and the three great magical beast clans—though they don't interfere with each other—have divided into five great families, eight Sea Tribe branches, and three magical beast clans? It's not just for fame."
Mo Yu frowned slightly, then his eyes flashed with realization. "Is it because of Wan Snake Island?"
Shui Muxue smiled and nodded. "Indeed. Wan Snake Island has a mysterious origin, said to have existed since ancient times in the Southern Sea.
"Legend has it that the island holds not only treasures like rare pills and weapons but also powerful, ancient inheritances. Some of these inheritances come from human ancestors, while others come from powerful magical beasts...
"Both the treasures and the inheritances are highly valuable to humans, the Sea Tribe, and magical beasts alike.
"Naturally, none of these factions could claim such a treasure trove for themselves. After many years of bloody conflict, during which all sides were heavily wounded, the three major powers—humans, Sea Tribe, and magical beasts—finally came to a compromise.
"It was agreed that Wan Snake Island would open once every ten years, and only the five great human families, the eight Sea Tribe branches, and the three great magical beast clans would be allowed to send members to enter.
"Anyone outside these forces who dares to enter the island will be hunted down by a united force of the five great families, the eight Sea Tribe branches, and the three magical beast clans.
"Even in Central Plains, aside from the eight ancient clans and one Hall and one Tower, few would dare provoke such a powerful alliance."
Mo Yu was taken aback and gasped in shock. The five great human families, the eight Sea Tribe branches, and the three magical beast clans—this coalition represented all the powerful forces in the Southern Sea. Such a force was truly terrifying.
Even in Central Plains, aside from the strongest factions, there were few who would dare challenge this united front.
Mo Yu furrowed his brow in thought.
He was determined to go to Wan Snake Island, but entering without permission now seemed impossible. Could he really...
Seeing the change in Mo Yu's expression, Shui Muxue quickly pressed her advantage.
"If you help my Shui family through this crisis, I'll give you my family's slot for Wan Snake Island when it opens in three months. How about that?"
After speaking, Shui Muxue looked expectantly at Mo Yu.
In truth, she had withheld part of what she had sensed from Mo Yu earlier.
Though their contact had been brief, she had not only glimpsed Mo Yu's goal of reaching Wan Snake Island but also gathered that he had destroyed a powerful faction in Central Plains before coming to the Southern Sea.
Though the name of this faction was unclear, its strength seemed to rival or even surpass that of the five great families.
This information made Shui Muxue uncertain but hopeful. If this mysterious young man truly had such strength, helping her Shui family could be worth giving up the slot for Wan Snake Island.
After all, if the Shui family couldn't retain its position among the five great families, there would be no slot to give.
Hearing Shui Muxue's offer, Mo Yu stroked his chin, considering it seriously.
If forcefully entering Wan Snake Island was impossible, cooperating with one of the five great families, the eight Sea Tribe branches, or the three magical beast clans was his only option.
However, as an outsider, Mo Yu had no connections in the Southern Sea. Even if he tried to buy a slot from one of these forces, they might demand an exorbitant price.
After weighing his options, the declining Shui family seemed like a decent choice.
"Yuan Ling, my sister's engagement to you has already been annulled. Are you really going to keep pestering us?"
While Mo Yu was still pondering, a sharp voice suddenly rang out in the hall.
A graceful, seductive figure slowly approached.
As she stepped out of the shadows and into the light, the entire hall seemed to fall into a brief, stunned silence.
The woman had a tall, slender figure, her black dress exuding an air of cold elegance. Her skin was as fair as snow, and her long black hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders. Though her face was somewhat thin, it was exquisitely delicate, like a porcelain doll—captivating and enchanting.
As the woman reached Shui Muxue's side, she lifted her eyes, and her long, slightly lazy gaze revealed a subtle charm. She was stunningly beautiful, though her eyes glinted with coldness when she looked toward the Yuan family.
Behind the woman followed dozens of Shui family experts and members.
Among them were two blue-robed elders who stood closely behind the woman. While their strength wasn't quite as formidable as the gray-robed elder of the Yuan family, it was still impressive.
"It's Shui Muxing, the Shui family's eldest daughter. I didn't expect her to show up."
"Ever since the old Shui family patriarch passed away, the Shui family has relied on Shui Muxing to hold things together. Though her methods have been remarkable, even reversing the family's decline, without a Dou Zun expert, they're still at a disadvantage."
"Indeed, the Shui family is barely holding on..."
The whispers from the surrounding crowd broke Mo Yu's train of thought.
Looking at the black-dressed woman, Mo Yu recalled the white carriage he had seen yesterday. If he wasn't mistaken, this was Shui Muxing, the Shui family's eldest daughter.
As he observed the two sisters, Mo Yu couldn't help but acknowledge that they were truly stunning.
"Are you alright, Muxue?"
Shui Muxing asked as she reached her sister's side. She cast a glance at Mo Yu and Qingzhi before taking Muxue's hand.
"I'm fine, sister," Shui Muxue replied, shaking her head. She glanced at Mo Yu, about to say something, but Yuan Ling interrupted.
Staring at the two beautiful sisters, Yuan Ling's eyes flashed with a heated glint before he spoke with a cold smile.
"Heh, the Shui family really is something, Shui Muxing. Do you truly believe that after your father's death, the Shui family can restore its former glory?
"Without the Yuan family's support, many families would love to take your place among the five great families. It takes more than ancestral glory to maintain such a position!"
By the end of his words, Yuan Ling's tone had grown cold and sinister.
Hearing Yuan Ling's disrespect, Shui Muxing's delicate face darkened with anger. Yet, despite her fury, she had no response.
The Shui family had always been the weakest of the five great families. Before, her father's presence had allowed them to hold onto their position, but after his death, the family had no Dou Zun expert left, making them vulnerable to other factions.
The position of the five great families was coveted, especially because it granted access to Wan Snake Island. Many families had their sights set on this opportunity.
Previously, with the Yuan family's support, the Shui family had managed to survive. But the Yuan family's ambitions had become clear—they wanted to swallow the Shui family whole, making the situation even more precarious.
Shui Muxing had always prided herself on being as capable as any man, but the burden of managing the family during this time had worn her down.
Cough "Miss Shui Muxing, some things can't be taken back once said. Backing out of this marriage makes it hard for the Yuan family to save face. Besides, a marriage alliance with our family would benefit the Shui family greatly."
The gray-robed elder from the Yuan family, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
"We have orders from the family head today. Shui Muxue will come with us. Don't make things difficult for me."
Hearing this, Shui Muxing's expression changed. Her eyes flickered with apprehension as she glanced at the gray-robed elder.
"To think that even the Yuan family's second master, Black Abyss Venerable, has personally come. The Yuan family must hold the Shui family in high regard.
"A marriage alliance with the Yuan family might solve our immediate crisis, but afterward, the Shui family would essentially cease to exist. Moreover, my sister has the rare Ethereal Sacred Water Body, which is likely why your Yuan family is so eager to take her.
"I won't allow it. The Shui family may be struggling, but we're not so easily destroyed. If it comes to it, we'll fight to the death rather than hand her over!"
"Fight to the death? When Shui Pohu was alive, you might've been able to say that. But you, a mere girl, are far too overconfident."
The gray-robed elder shook his head and took a step forward.
As his foot touched the ground, an overwhelming aura, like the depths of an abyss, suddenly filled the hall. The pressure was so intense that some of the weaker Shui family members turned pale.
"Muxing, Muxue, run! We'll hold him off!"
At that moment, the two blue-robed elders behind Shui Muxing stepped forward, resolute in their decision to stand between the sisters and the gray-robed elder.
"Two mere Eight-Star Dou Zongs? You're courting death!"
The gray-robed elder sneered coldly, swinging his right hand. A terrifying force, like a crack in space, shot toward the two blue-robed elders.
Under the impact of this terrifying power, the two blue-robed elders spat out blood and were sent flying like ragdolls.
"Second Uncle! Third Uncle!"
The Shui sisters turned pale, rushing to help the fallen elders.
"Don't waste your efforts."
The gray-robed elder shook his head and was about to strike again when a cold voice suddenly rang out.
"Ice Rock!"
At the moment the gray-robed elder unleashed his aura, a figure in white suddenly appeared in front of the Shui sisters. He stomped on the ground, and an invisible chill spread rapidly from beneath his feet.
At the same time, a vast aura surged forth, countering the gray-robed elder's overwhelming pressure.
The figure, naturally, was Qingzhi. His gaze locked onto the gray-robed elder as the two prepared to face off.
"A Dou Zun?"
The sudden appearance of Qingzhi caught the gray-robed elder off guard, and his expression shifted.
Behind Qingzhi, Mo Yu slowly stepped forward.
After casting a brief glance at the Yuan family, Mo Yu shook his head and turned to Shui Muxue.
"What you said earlier—does it still stand?"
(End of Chapter)
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