As someone once said, all the sorrows in this world stem from a lack of sufficient power.
By the same token, as long as the price is right, there is nothing in this world that cannot be sold.
Shui Bing'er was undoubtedly top-tier in both aptitude and martial soul. Naturally, the Water family intended to keep this prized asset within their own ranks—only seeking a son-in-law, never considering an external marriage alliance.
However, all of this hinged on Shui Bing'er's ability to bring substantial returns to the Water family.
Upon learning that the Medical Alliance already had the backing of four Title Douluo-level members, Shui Rou'er had entertained thoughts of marrying Shui Bing'er to Ye Wen, thereby securing a permanent bond with the future leader of the Medical Alliance.
But Shui Rou'er quickly dismissed the idea.
After all, Ye Wen's family situation was no longer a secret, and the news of his five fiancées had already spread far and wide.
A moment's reflection revealed the glaring issue.
Huo Yu'er—the granddaughter of what was once an ordinary baron. However, after her battle with Dugu Bo, her status as a future Title Douluo was firmly established. While her innate talent might have been exaggerated (given that she awakened her martial soul at home), she had posed as a work-study student for a time. Even so, her current soul power level was undoubtedly at least innate soul power level 9 or even 10. With the backing of the Medical Alliance, she was destined to become a Title Douluo.
Xiao Wu—her family background was unclear, but there was no doubt that she possessed full innate soul power. With the support of the Medical Alliance, she too was guaranteed to become a Title Douluo.
Dugu Yan—her grandfather, Dugu Bo, was her strongest backing.
Ye Lingling—there was little to say about her. She hailed from an ancient family with a super healing martial soul and now had a Title Douluo grandfather.
Ning Rongrong—there was no need to elaborate further. Backed by the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects, though she wouldn't reach Title Douluo status herself, she was certain to reach level 79 as an auxiliary system powerhouse. More importantly, she was aligned with the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, a top-tier faction with two Super Douluos.
Thinking about how these paragons of talent were all aligned with Ye Wen, Shui Rou'er realized that this young man's future was anything but ordinary. His highest achievements would certainly surpass the title of mere Medical Alliance leader.
And then she turned her gaze back to her own granddaughter.
Sigh…
Upon comparison, Shui Rou'er realized that although her granddaughter was undeniably beautiful, she paled in comparison to Ye Wen's five fiancées—not only in appearance but also in cultivation potential.
After all, even Xiao Wu, who came from the weakest background, was now a super Soul Elder with an extraordinary configuration of soul rings: two yellow, one purple, and one black.
Thus, Shui Rou'er came to a realization:
The threshold for marrying into Ye Wen's family was at least becoming a Title Douluo!
Hmm…
Though the combined strength of the Water, Fire, and Wind families could rival one of the Lower Four Sects, they lacked confidence when it came to facing Title Douluos.
Furthermore, after hearing Ye Wen's explanation of the Leader Token, Shui Rou'er realized that even if she married her granddaughter off to him, it would be like pouring water into a sieve. Even if Shui Bing'er became a Title Douluo in the future, their family still wouldn't secure a position among the core families of the Medical Alliance.
In the end, though Shui Rou'er felt some regret at not being able to ascend to greatness in one fell swoop, she concluded that becoming one of the ten core families of the top-tier Medical Alliance was far more important than her current dissatisfaction.
Ultimately, Shui Rou'er decided to keep Shui Bing'er within the family.
With a gentle pat on Shui Bing'er's head, Shui Rou'er said affectionately, "Don't worry, little Bing'er. You are the future head of the Water family. Your grandmother would never part with you. However, the Douluo Continent is on the verge of great change, and we must seek refuge within the Medical Alliance. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Unlike other sects, the Medical Alliance is neutral and composed of soul masters with diverse martial souls. We won't face exclusion or be used as pawns.
However, little Bing'er, you must train harder. In the world of Douluo, everything else is secondary—true strength is the only measure of whether a soul master family can endure and prosper."
Perhaps because of her age, Shui Rou'er spoke at length, but Shui Bing'er listened intently. At least her greatest fear—being forced to marry a man she didn't love—hadn't come to pass.
Still, Shui Bing'er couldn't bring herself to feel happy. Shui Rou'er had spoken to her about the core families of the Medical Alliance.
Upon hearing that there were only ten slots, though it was uncertain whether the Medical Alliance could truly fill them all, Shui Rou'er earnestly drilled into Shui Bing'er the importance of breaking through to Title Douluo status as soon as possible to elevate their family's standing.
Shui Bing'er, unlike most teenagers in their rebellious phase, listened quietly. Ever since awakening her Ice Phoenix martial soul, she had understood her destiny.
---
The next day, the major factions received intelligence that was expected yet slightly surprising.
The Water family had joined the Medical Alliance, and with them, their allied families—the Fire and Wind families—had joined as well.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye sighed deeply.
Although Crown Prince Xue Qinghe was highly capable, in Emperor Xue Ye's eyes, he still fell short in terms of cultivation talent and other abilities.
"Alas, if only Ye Wen were my son," Xue Ye lamented.
This was both a lament for the current state of the Tian Dou Empire and a sorrow that another promising talent had slipped from his grasp.
What angered Xue Ye the most, however, was that the Medical Alliance was a neutral force. It couldn't be manipulated like the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
It was like a lustful man seeing a stunning beauty clad in impenetrable armor—frustrating and maddening.
Qian Renxue naturally received this intelligence as well, but she said nothing. The admiration in her eyes grew more pronounced. If only Ye Wen weren't already engaged to several women, she truly believed this boy would be worthy of her.
Though she couldn't claim all of Ye Wen's loyalty, Qian Renxue fully resolved to recruit him. If she succeeded, it would mean bringing the entire Medical Alliance under the Spirit Hall's influence.
The thought of the people of Tian Dou and Xing Luo believing the Medical Alliance to be neutral, only for it to stab them in the back, filled Qian Renxue with delight, and she chuckled softly to herself.
The joining of the Water, Fire, and Wind families to the Medical Alliance was but a minor episode in the grand scheme of the Soul Master Tournament. The tournament proceeded as scheduled.
As for Shrek Academy, there was no need to elaborate. Though Tang San no longer had the advantage of immortal herbs, his Tang Sect techniques allowed him to defeat other academies consecutively. However, he met his match against Chi Huo and Tianshui.
There was no helping it—his elemental disadvantage was clear.
In the end, Chi Huo fell due to insufficient martial soul strength, but Tianshui, with its top-tier Ice Phoenix martial soul, utterly crushed Shrek.
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