Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King

Mu Wu looked at Yan Shaozhe and said calmly.

"Two or three years?"

Yan Shaozhe was taken aback. The difference was substantial. If a dragon pill could fully cure Ma Xiaotao, it would certainly be worth it. But two or three years? Wasn't that too brief?

"Only two or three years of suppression? Isn't your Ice God Palace being a bit too stingy?"

Ma Xiaotao, visibly upset, spoke up.

It was a dragon pill, after all! Ever since arriving at the Ice God Palace, she had been bottling up her frustration, but now, hearing Mu Wu's words, she couldn't hold it back anymore. Not only were the people of the Ice God Palace arrogant, but they also seemed overly greedy.

Hearing this, Mu Wu frowned slightly and replied, "Girl, do you know who I am? My willingness to intervene personally is already a show of respect to you. Your evil fire is highly unusual, and most could only suppress it temporarily. If I can suppress it for two or three years without it resurfacing, do you understand how difficult that is?"

"Remember, it's you who are seeking help from my Ice God Palace, not the other way around. If you're unwilling, you may leave. Lu Yuan, see them out!"

Mu Wu wasn't inclined to indulge Ma Xiaotao. A dragon pill was a rare treasure, but that was all it was. While Mu Wu could indeed suppress the evil fire for Ma Xiaotao, regardless of whether she was fully cured, Yan Shaozhe would still have to hand over the dragon pill. But Mu Wu disdained such behavior. These were the terms—take it or leave it.

The Ice God Palace wouldn't force anyone; everything was voluntary. They were the ones in need, not the Ice God Palace. Though a dragon pill was valuable, it wasn't irreplaceable. The Ice God Palace had countless treasures, and once the Young Master reached a certain level, he could access them, accelerating his growth. The dragon pill would be a bonus, but it wasn't essential. Mu Wu was confident in his stance. Admittedly, this might differ from Su Yu's instructions, but he believed Su Yu would support his decision. A dragon pill? Did they truly think it was priceless?

Mu Wu's words made Ma Xiaotao's blood boil. She had already been restraining her anger, and now she was livid.

"Fine, let's go, teacher. We're leaving."

Ma Xiaotao grabbed Yan Shaozhe, ready to storm out.

Yan Shaozhe was dumbfounded. Xiaotao, Xiaotao, why are you being so stubborn right now? This was just business—negotiations typically start high. There was room for discussion. But now that you've caused a scene, they may not even want to talk anymore. This girl—why does she have to be so hot-tempered?

Yan Shaozhe felt as if he had misjudged. When Ma Xiaotao remained quiet earlier, he thought she was handling things maturely. He hadn't realized she was bottling up so much frustration. In hindsight, it would have been better if she'd expressed her anger from the start. At least then, she'd only have offended Lu Yuan. Now she'd offended Mu Wu, likely leaving a poor impression of them on the entire Ice God Palace.

Before losing your temper, don't forget—we're on their territory. Why couldn't she have learned some of the best qualities of our Shrek Academy? What's wrong with being a bit tactful when necessary?

Feeling helpless, Yan Shaozhe pulled Ma Xiaotao back.

"Xiaotao, stop. Apologize to the Grand Guardian."

"Grand Guardian, she's young. Please don't take it to heart," Yan Shaozhe said with an apologetic smile.

Mu Wu responded indifferently, "I don't hold grudges against a young girl. But if you don't want treatment, then leave."

Before they could respond, Mu Wu added, "And some advice: young lady, your evil fire has already penetrated your bones. Once you break through to Soul Sage, it will consume your mind entirely. You'd best stop cultivating, and try to calm your temper. Much of your problem stems from your unruly disposition."

Already frustrated by Yan Shaozhe's scolding and the request to apologize, Ma Xiaotao was fuming. Mu Wu's words only stoked her anger further. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became waves of scorching heat radiating from her as her eyes began to glow red.

"Not good! Is her evil fire flaring up now?"

Yan Shaozhe was alarmed and quickly used his soul power to stabilize her.

Mu Wu observed the situation and immediately recognized the problem.

"This girl has been out in the freezing cold for too long, and it's aggravated her evil fire. You should know that ice and fire are mutually antagonistic. Prolonged exposure to icy environments will only agitate her evil fire further."

"If the cold here could completely overpower her evil fire, it would be fine. But the cold isn't nearly as intense as the fire within her."

"And now, with her temper flaring, it's triggered a full-blown eruption of her evil fire."

Hearing Mu Wu's explanation, Yan Shaozhe's face paled. This girl's temper!

"Grand Guardian, could you help suppress Xiaotao's evil fire?"

Yan Shaozhe asked, visibly panicked as he watched the flames intensify.

Mu Wu sighed.

"Alright, fine."

He stood up, ignoring the flames surrounding Ma Xiaotao, grabbed her arm, and dragged her outside the hut.

Under Yan Shaozhe's shocked gaze, Mu Wu tossed Ma Xiaotao into the surging, ice-blue river. Ma Xiaotao, engulfed in crimson flames, hit the icy waters, sending up a cloud of white mist. She was like a fire source, continuously releasing evil energy. But compared to the vast river, her flames were insignificant—they were quickly extinguished.

"Grand Guardian, you—!"

Yan Shaozhe exclaimed, his face turning pale.

Mu Wu replied calmly, "The Emerald River is a miraculous, icy cold water. It will temporarily suppress the evil fire within her."

Relieved, Yan Shaozhe finally breathed out.

After about a minute, Mu Wu waved his sleeve, and Ma Xiaotao flew out of the river. Once ablaze, she was now covered in white frost, shivering from the cold. With a simple gesture, Mu Wu stripped away the cold air from her, and her trembling gradually ceased.

Ma Xiaotao looked at Mu Wu with newfound respect, deeply impressed by his overwhelming power.

"Incredible—this Emerald River can suppress the evil fire!"

Yan Shaozhe gazed at the ice-blue waters, his eyes lighting up. If Xiaotao could soak in this river periodically, maybe we wouldn't even need the dragon pill to alleviate her condition!

Noticing the gears turning in Yan Shaozhe's head, Mu Wu knew exactly what he was thinking. Trying to get something for nothing, he thought. No wonder the Young Master had warned him about Yan Shaozhe's tendency to seek advantage at little expense.

"The Emerald River can only suppress the fire for a short time. In just a few days, the evil fire within her will flare up again. Besides, our Ice God Palace never allows outsiders to linger. You'd best not get any ideas," Mu Wu said coldly.

Freeload off the Ice God Palace? Think again.

"Grand Guardian, I wouldn't dare," Yan Shaozhe replied with a forced smile.

Mu Wu snorted and changed the subject.

"Consider this suppression of the evil fire a gift from the Ice God Palace. Now, both of you, please leave. Lu Yuan, see them off!"

"Please!"

Lu Yuan's massive figure appeared beside Yan Shaozhe, radiating immense pressure.

"Grand Guardian, surely we can discuss this further," Yan Shaozhe said, forcing an ingratiating smile. He was genuinely afraid of being thrown out. If they left now, Ma Xiaotao would be in serious trouble. Her recent flare-up of evil fire was far more severe than previous episodes.

"There's nothing more to discuss. As valuable as the dragon pill is, it can only persuade me to intervene. This girl's evil fire has penetrated her bones. It's incredibly difficult to eradicate. Even if the Young Master treated her with Ultimate ice, it would take a long and arduous process. Likely ten years of periodic suppression would be needed to fully extinguish the fire. During that time, do you think the Young Master has nothing better to do?"

"For a single dragon pill, you're asking for far too much."

Mu Wu's words made Yan Shaozhe's face darken. What do you mean, 'just a dragon pill'? Are you saying the Ice God Palace is so wealthy that a dragon pill means nothing to you?

Looking at the towering palaces in the distance, made of Ice God Crystals, he hesitated. Maybe they were that rich… Filthy rich! he cursed inwardly. He wanted to leave, but his rational mind told him he couldn't. If they left now, they might never be able to return. But still, this was infuriating!

A dragon pill for just two or three years of suppression would frustrate anyone. But after thinking it over, recalling Mu En's frequent advice to avoid being stingy, Yan Shaozhe gritted his teeth and said, "Grand Guardian, we agree. We're willing to trade the dragon pill for your assistance."

Mu En always called me stingy, but this time, I'll show my boldness, Yan Shaozhe thought, determined to prove he wasn't small-minded. (Mu En: "Seriously? I told you not to be stingy, not to become a spendthrift!")

Ma Xiaotao was stunned. Her teacher was actually willing to use the dragon pill just to suppress her evil fire for two or three years? Her heart warmed, deeply touched.

If I show my resolve, perhaps the Ice God Palace will view us differently. Trading the dragon pill might feel like a loss now, but if it earns us a friendship with them, it'll be worth it. He recalled Mu Wu mentioning the Young Master, who was about Xiaotao's age. If I can matchmake them…

Yan Shaozhe's thoughts began to spiral. With Xiaotao's looks, and if she learns to control her temper, the Young Master is bound to fall for her. Then not only will Xiaotao's problem be solved without extra cost, but Shrek Academy will also form a strong connection with the Ice God Palace. This dragon pill could turn out to be a great investment!

As Yan Shaozhe's face shifted through various expressions, Mu Wu wondered if the man was mentally unstable. He interrupted, "If you're willing to proceed, then follow me."

Mu Wu stepped back into the hut, and Yan Shaozhe quickly followed with Ma Xiaotao.

"Sit cross-legged," Mu Wu instructed, gesturing to a mat on the floor. Ma Xiaotao glanced at Yan Shaozhe, who nodded in agreement, and she sat down.

At that moment, Mu Wu's body began to emit an ice-blue light as his martial soul, the Ice River Baxia, took possession. The powerful Baxia martial soul radiated an overwhelming aura, shocking both Ma Xiaotao and Yan Shaozhe. Yan Shaozhe's expression changed drastically. As dean of Shrek Academy, he immediately recognized Mu Wu's martial soul.

Baxia! One of the nine sons of the dragon—a true dragon martial soul! Elder Xuan of Shrek Academy had a powerful martial soul too, the Godly Taotie Bull, which carried the bloodline of the gluttonous beast. But even that was inferior to the Baxia martial soul. This Grand Guardian's martial soul was incredibly powerful.

Moreover, Mu Wu's soul ring configuration was just as shocking: six black rings and three red ones, like Lu Yuan's. Does everyone in the Ice God Palace have such formidable soul rings? What kind of monstrous power do these people possess? Yan Shaozhe couldn't imagine.

Mu Wu channeled his soul power, and a dense, icy energy surged into Ma Xiaotao's body, forcefully suppressing her evil fire. After about two hours, Mu Wu emerged from the hut. The evil fire within Ma Xiaotao had been thoroughly suppressed. The icy power of the Ice River Baxia had sealed the evil fire deep within her, locking it away securely.

And, of course, Mu Wu received the dragon pill Yan Shaozhe had reluctantly promised.