Chapter 458: Arrival at Ten Thousand Serpent Island, The Competition Begins
In a corner of Kongming Island, a massive deep-blue ship stood proudly, nearly a hundred meters long. The hull was wrapped in thick blue iron, making it appear incredibly sturdy. On its sail, a large character for "Water" fluttered in the wind. Clearly, this ship belonged to the Shui family.
The South Sea region was vast and boundless, with unpredictable weather and treacherous seas where disasters could strike at any moment. Since the number of human Dou Zun (Battle Venerate) experts in the South Sea region was limited, space wormholes were scarce. As a result, unless one was exceptionally powerful, most people relied on specially crafted giant ships to safely navigate the seas.
This particular ship, obviously part of the Shui family's fleet, still had many family members stationed on board. When Mo Yu boarded the ship with Shui Muqing and her group, they attracted some curious stares.
"Miss, Second Miss," an elderly man dressed in gray stepped forward as soon as Shui Muqing boarded. He bowed respectfully and greeted them.
"Uncle Qin, set sail for Ten Thousand Serpent Island," Shui Muqing instructed with a nod.
The elderly man paused for a moment, then nodded in response.
As Mo Yu stepped onto the ship, he curiously examined the enormous vessel, which resembled a massive beast. Coming from the northwest continent, Mo Yu was used to forests and deserts. This was his first time aboard such a large ship.
After completing his deal with the Shui family, Mo Yu had no desire to linger on Kongming Island. He was eager to head to Ten Thousand Serpent Island. Unlike other continents, the South Continent had vast oceans and lacked the convenient space wormholes of Zhongzhou. Traveling by giant ship was the only option.
Fortunately, the Shui family, though gradually declining, still held a respectable position as one of the five great families of the South Sea. This massive ship, named the "Shui Lang," was a testament to the family's lasting strength.
In the South Sea, such a large ship was like an aircraft carrier, requiring enormous financial and material resources to build. Only top-tier powers could afford such vessels.
As the ship sailed across the vast ocean, the waves roared, crashing against the hull with thunderous booms. Standing at the bow, Mo Yu gazed out at the endless horizon. The salty sea breeze whipped across his face, and the vastness of it all stirred something within him.
It had been several days since they left Kongming Island, and during that time, they had been constantly on the move, experiencing some of the strange and terrifying phenomena that made the South Sea so feared. Mo Yu gained a deeper appreciation for the unpredictable power of nature here. Fortunately, the Shui family members were experienced, and none of these natural threats had hindered their journey.
"Though there's some distance between Kongming Island and Ten Thousand Serpent Island, we left early enough that we should arrive on time," Shui Muqing explained beside Mo Yu. "Ten Thousand Serpent Island is heavily guarded by the strongest forces in the region, and it only opens once every ten years. However, there are only ten entry slots available."
"Only ten slots?" Mo Yu frowned.
The South Sea region was home to sixteen major powers, including the Eight Sea Tribes, three great sea monster families, and the five great human families. Yet, there were only ten slots, not enough for each power to claim even one.
"The sea monster families are extremely powerful despite their smaller numbers," Shui Muqing explained. "Each of the three sea monster families rivals even the strongest of the five human families, like the Xuan family. They were dissatisfied with each faction getting only one slot, so it was eventually decided that entry would be determined through combat."
"So, there's a competition for the slots?" Mo Yu's expression darkened.
If the competition involved sending top-tier experts from each power to battle, then Mo Yu's chances were slim. He only had Qingzhi with him, and they would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage against the other factions.
"No, no, nothing so violent," Shui Muqing quickly reassured him. "It's more like a tournament to determine who gets the slots. Each power sends one expert, and their strength can't exceed the Dou Zun level. The bottom six powers challenge the top ten, and if they succeed, they take one of the ten spots."
"Our family plans to send my Second Grandfather to fight. He'll do his best to secure a spot for you."
"What was your family's ranking last time?" Mo Yu asked.
Shui Muqing hesitated, her delicate face blushing slightly before she answered in a low voice, "Last place…"
Mo Yu wasn't surprised. The Shui family had been in decline for years, struggling even to maintain their position among the top five families. Naturally, they wouldn't have performed well in the tournament.
Recalling how the old man in blue robes had been forced back with a single strike from Black Abyss Venerate, Mo Yu shook his head. "No need. I'll fight in the tournament myself."
"What? You want to compete?" Shui Muqing was stunned, her face showing shock. Even the blue-robed elder, known as Second Grandfather, spoke up, "Young friend Mo Yu, do you doubt my abilities? I'm prepared to risk my life to secure a spot on Ten Thousand Serpent Island for you."
The old man's expression turned determined as he spoke. As Mo Yu was currently the Shui family's protector, the family was willing to make sacrifices for him to get the spot.
"Second Grandfather…" Shui Muxue, who had been standing nearby, also looked distraught, her beautiful eyes welling with emotion.
Mo Yu was touched by the family's willingness to sacrifice for him, but he still smiled and shook his head. "You misunderstand me, Senior. It's not that I doubt your strength. I just have more faith in my own abilities."
"Oh? Do you truly have that much confidence, young friend?" the old man asked in surprise.
Though Mo Yu had a powerful Dou Zun expert like Qingzhi at his side, the old man was skeptical of Mo Yu's own strength. Compared to the top-tier experts from other factions, Mo Yu seemed too young to compete.
"Since this concerns my entry into Ten Thousand Serpent Island, I care more about it than anyone else. Trust me, I've got this," Mo Yu said confidently.
Seeing Mo Yu's unwavering confidence, the Shui sisters and the old man exchanged glances before reluctantly agreeing to let Mo Yu compete. After all, by their agreement, the spot on Ten Thousand Serpent Island was his, so he had the final say.
"Every time the tournament opens, countless experts gather. It's quite a grand event in the South Sea," Shui Muqing explained once the decision was made. "Those who compete are typically the strongest from each faction, and many are well-known across the South Sea."
"I guess I'll be the exception," Mo Yu joked. He had no reputation in the South Sea at all, being an unknown newcomer.
"That might change after the tournament," Shui Muxue teased with a smile as she joined them.
She had learned enough from observing Mo Yu to know that his victory over Ice River Valley hadn't been a fluke. His personal strength was formidable, and she had a feeling that Mo Yu might just turn out to be the dark horse of this tournament.
Mo Yu smiled back. "Are there any particularly troublesome experts among the top ten factions?"
"Of course," Shui Muqing said, her expression turning serious. "The three sea monster families are especially powerful. They always dominate the top five, with only the Xuan family and the Scaled Armor branch of the Sea Tribe able to compete with them."
"I see," Mo Yu nodded, impressed by the strength of the sea monster families. The South Sea really did belong to the ocean creatures, and their power was unmatched.
"So, I suggest you challenge the Luo family, which is ranked tenth. The one defending their spot this time should be Luo Batian, the Fourth Elder of the Luo family. He's a peak eight-star Dou Zong expert and was my Second Grandfather's original target," Shui Muqing advised.
She was curious about what gave this young man, who was around her age, the confidence to take on some of the most renowned experts in the South Sea.
Mo Yu nodded casually. With his current strength, he wasn't too concerned about facing anyone below the Dou Zun level.
"What about the Two-headed Dragon Prince?" Mo Yu suddenly remembered the name mentioned by Yuanling and asked curiously.
"The Dragon Prince…" Shui Muqing's expression became a bit awkward, and she smiled bitterly. "The Two-headed Dragon family is the strongest of the three sea monster families. It's said that their bloodline contains traces of dragon blood, making them quite noble. Last time, the Dragon Prince took first place in the tournament. He's the son of the Two-headed Dragon clan leader and the strongest of his generation, on par with some of the older powerhouses."
"Ten years ago, the Dragon Prince was defending their position. Back then, he was only an eight-star Dou Zong, but he was considered invincible below the Dou Zun level. His reputation in the South Sea is unmatched."
"Invincible below the Dou Zun level…" Mo Yu smirked. A person with such a fearsome reputation surely had the skills to back it up. He wondered how things would go if they ever met in the tournament.
"Now, the Dragon Prince is likely on the verge of becoming a Dou Zun himself. As a magical beast, he's also trained his physical body to an incredible degree. Recently, rumors have circulated that he nearly defeated a Dou Zun expert from Zhongzhou in a fight," Shui Muqing said.
Her expression shifted to one of concern as she glanced at Mo Yu. "The Dragon Prince has taken an interest in me in the past. If you run into him, I suggest you avoid him."
"Avoid him?" Mo Yu smiled faintly. While the Dragon Prince might be tough, Mo Yu wasn't one to back down easily.
"The other two sea monster families, the Xuan family, and the Scaled Armor branch are also formidable. Let's hope we don't run into them either," Shui Muqing sighed.
As Shui Muqing continued explaining, Mo Yu remained calm, his gaze distant as he looked out over the sea. Dark clouds were gathering on the horizon, and a storm seemed to be brewing.
After about a month of sailing, Mo Yu began to notice that the surrounding sea had grown much busier. Ships from all directions were converging on a single point, creating a grand and awe-inspiring sight.
"We've arrived at Ten Thousand Serpent Island," Shui Muqing and Shui Muxue stood at the bow of the ship, their eyes filled with joy as they looked at the vast landmass in the distance.
Mo Yu looked up and saw a massive island looming ahead. The so-called "island" was enormous, so large that even with countless ships gathered around it, the waters didn't seem crowded at all.
"That's the Shui family's ship."
"The ladies at the bow must be the Shui sisters, right? They're real beauties."
"I heard that Yuanling from the Yuan family went to propose to the Shui family recently, but he came back empty-handed."
"Oh? The Shui family's in decline. How did they manage to turn Yuanling away?"
"Apparently, they hired some help…"
As Shui Muqing's ship approached Ten Thousand Serpent Island, many eyes turned toward them, and murmurs spread through the crowd.
Hearing the chatter, Shui Muqing's eyebrows knitted slightly, but with a wave of her hand, the ship sailed swiftly toward the Shui family's dock. There, several Shui family guards were already waiting for them.
"Mo Yu, let's go," Shui Muqing called out before leaping gracefully onto the dock.
Mo Yu, along with Qingzhi, Shui Muxue, and several Shui family members, followed closely behind her.
"Miss, you're finally here!"
As soon as Shui Muqing landed, several young members of the Shui family rushed forward to greet her. It was clear that Shui Muqing held a high status within the family.
She nodded in acknowledgment before turning to a middle-aged man approaching from the distance. "Uncle Shui Ling."
The middle-aged man greeted her with a nod, but as he came closer, Mo Yu noticed that his expression was unusually grim, his fists clenched tightly, and his eyes filled with barely restrained anger.
"What happened, Uncle Shui Ling?" Shui Muqing asked, sensing that something was wrong.
"Miss, our camp on Ten Thousand Serpent Island… has been taken over by force!" the man said through gritted teeth.
(End of Chapter)
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