Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King

Watching Yan Shaozhe and his disciple depart, Lu Yuan couldn't resist teasing, "I didn't expect he'd be willing to trade a Dragon Pill for two or three years of peace for his disciple. I can't decide whether to praise him for loving his disciple or call him a spendthrift. If Mu En knew about this, he'd probably be furious."

Shui Lingguang, standing beside him, chuckled.

"Second Brother, what do you mean by that? Are you saying what our boss charges isn't worth a Dragon Pill?"

Lu Yuan waved his hand hastily.

"I didn't mean it like that! Of course, when our boss takes action, it's worth a Dragon Pill. After all, Dragon Pills aren't that rare for us."

He smirked, adding, "There's a real Ice Dragon in front of the Ice God's main temple, after all. To us, a Dragon Pill is just a slightly more precious treasure. But for Shrek Academy, it's a different story. Knowing how stingy they are, I bet that Dragon Pill was practically scraped off Mu En's back."

"For Yan Shaozhe to exchange a Dragon Pill for a few years of peace for his disciple? I have to say, that takes guts."

"It's not about guts," Mu Wu interjected calmly.

"He had no choice. Under the heavens, where else but the Ice God Palace could suppress the evil fire?"

Mu Wu's sharp intuition saw through Yan Shaozhe's little schemes with ease.

"Besides, this man isn't as foolish as you think. He's playing the long game—for the young master."

Before Yan Shaozhe had left, he'd mentioned staying in contact and strengthening the friendship between Shrek Academy and the Ice God Palace. He'd even floated the idea of student exchanges—Shrek students studying at the Ice God Palace and vice versa. It was a clear attempt to build ties.

And the deeper reason? It was the young master.

Mu Wu told them about the young master's Ultimate Ice ability. It was clear Yan Shaozhe had set his sights on that. The man was surely targeting the young master, particularly for Ma Xiaotao's evil fire problem. Only Ultimate Ice could fully resolve it.

Even without much thought, Mu Wu had seen through the scheme. Still, he wasn't opposed. Ma Xiaotao had decent talent, and having her serve as a maid or even a concubine for the young master wouldn't be a bad arrangement.

In the end, Mu Wu politely declined Yan Shaozhe's student exchange proposal but agreed to let Ma Xiaotao return to the Ice God Palace. Yan Shaozhe's justification—that the evil fire might flare up before its time—was just an excuse.

Feigning hesitation, Mu Wu had reluctantly agreed. But it was only Ma Xiaotao; Yan Shaozhe himself? It would be better if he didn't return—his presence was rather annoying.

As for Ma Xiaotao? A mere girl was hardly a challenge. Compared to Yan Shaozhe's petty schemes, she would be no match for Mu Wu's cunning.

After listening to Mu Wu's analysis, Lu Yuan slapped his thigh indignantly. "Damn! That Yan Shaozhe is devious, trying to get something for nothing! Why doesn't he go after the High Priest instead?"

"The High Priest has Ultimate Ice too!"

Shui Lingguang's lips twitched. "The High Priest isn't as easy-going as we are. Does he have a death wish, provoking the High Priest?"

"The young master is still young, so naturally, he's targeting him," she continued.

"Despicable!"

Lu Yuan shouted angrily.

"Scheming against the young master—he's asking for trouble."

"Yan Shaozhe's little schemes won't matter in the end," Mu Wu said with a faint smile.

"It all depends on skill. Even if he manages to get close to the young master, with the young master's wisdom, he won't suffer any losses."

Mu Wu's confidence was firm. Trying to ensnare the young master with Ma Xiaotao? It was hard to say who would end up seducing whom. With Ma Xiaotao's limited intelligence, she'd likely end up counting money for the young master after being tricked.

"True, with the young master's sharp mind, who could ever take advantage of him?"

Lu Yuan said, almost smugly.

"Hmm?"

Shui Lingguang let out a soft sound, and Mu Wu's cold gaze fell on Lu Yuan. The chill of his stare made Lu Yuan's spine stiffen immediately.

"What did you say?"

"Say it again. Let me hear it."

Lu Yuan shivered, quickly backtracking.

"I meant the young master is wise and resourceful, with a flexible moral compass—he'll never suffer a loss!"

"Alright, enough. Just go to the Ice Prison for a month, and come out afterward."

Mu Wu waved his hand dismissively.

"Huh?"

Lu Yuan's face fell. That wretched place—how could anyone survive a month there? He'd barely crawl out by the end of it.

"Are you going or not?"

Mu Wu's tone grew colder.

"Or would you prefer to stay at the bottom of the Bitter Cold Lake and chat about life with the Ice Flood Dragon clan?"

A frosty smile played on Mu Wu's lips, devoid of warmth.

"I'll go! I'll go to the Ice Prison! No way am I going to the lake. The Ice Flood Dragon King would swallow me whole!"

Lu Yuan shook his head vigorously, like a rattling drum. Compared to facing the Ice Flood Dragon King, the Ice Prison suddenly seemed far more tolerable.

"Then why are you still here?"

Mu Wu raised an eyebrow, his cold gaze pressing down like a mountain.

"Serves you right for running your mouth," Shui Lingguang giggled, clearly enjoying his misfortune.

"Sigh, why can't I control my tongue? Such bad luck."

Lu Yuan sighed as he trudged away, heading reluctantly toward the Ice Prison.

"This guy—he's straightforward but loyal. He's completely devoted to the young master," Shui Lingguang said with a touch of sympathy, despite her earlier laughter.

"Of course, I know that," Mu Wu replied seriously.

"But a master is a master, and a servant is a servant. The young master is not someone to joke about, even unintentionally. As subordinates, we must always know our place. The young master may poke fun at himself, but we cannot afford to show any disrespect."

"I understand," Shui Lingguang nodded, her expression turning solemn.

"Good. In the coming days, things will be tough for you. Sister Xiao is getting on in years, and we can't trouble her too much. Of the rest of us, you're the strongest."

Mu Wu's tone softened slightly as he continued, "You'll need to watch over the household while I return to the young master's side."

"I understand. Leave it to me," Shui Lingguang replied firmly.

"I trust you. Here, take this."

Mu Wu produced an ice-blue orb, its chilling aura spreading through the air like a winter storm.

"This is…"

Shui Lingguang's eyes widened in shock.

"Big Brother, this…"

"This is the Ice God Orb. With it, you can wield the power of the Ice God. In the Ice God's domain, even an Ultimate Douluo would retreat before its might."

Mu Wu's voice grew serious as he handed the orb to Shui Lingguang. "With it, I trust you'll be able to protect the Ice God Palace."

The Ice God Orb was no ordinary treasure; it was the Ice God Palace's ultimate artifact, capable of commanding the very essence of ice and snow on a massive scale. It also held a profound secret about the Ice God Palace. That Mu Wu would entrust it to her was almost unthinkable.

"Big Brother, this is your sacred duty. You're supposed to pass this on to the young master. How can I take it? This responsibility is too heavy!" Shui Lingguang hesitated, her hands trembling as she resisted accepting the orb.

"The Ice God Orb is important, but the Ice God Palace is even more so," Mu Wu said firmly, his gaze shifting toward the temple.

"The most important thing is there. Do you understand?"

Shui Lingguang fell silent, her trembling hands finally closing around the Ice God Orb.

"Big Brother, I understand. I will protect the Ice God Orb and the Ice God Palace."

"Good. I trust you."

Mu Wu patted her shoulder lightly.

"I'm leaving everything here to you. I must report back to the young master."

"Big Brother, when will the young master return? We've all been waiting for his return," Shui Lingguang called out, unable to hide her longing.

Mu Wu glanced back with a knowing smile.

"Are you that eager?"

"…Of course not," she replied quickly, though her flustered tone betrayed her.

"Haha, the young master will return when the time is right. For now, focus on guarding the Ice God Palace."

Laughing, Mu Wu's figure flashed and disappeared into the sky.

Shui Lingguang watched him vanish, her jade-like hands tightening around the Ice God Orb.

She would protect the Ice God Palace. She must!

...

At the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, in the Soul Tool Testing Arena, the fourth day of the preparatory team selection tournament was underway.

After three days of fierce competition, the top thirty-two had been decided. Today's matches would reduce that number to sixteen.

By this point, every competitor was formidable. The weakest among them were Soul Elders with three soul rings. Most of the top thirty-two were fourth-year students, with a few fifth-years scattered in. Nearly all the third-years had been eliminated—save for one, Wang Dong'er.

At just twelve years old, Wang Dong'er's impressive performance had caught the attention of many teachers.

Now, Su Yu, Meng Hongchen, and others watched from the stands as the matches continued. Meng Hongchen, her wine-red hair cascading over her shoulders, sat gracefully beside Su Yu, her jade-like features calm yet captivating.

While Su Yu focused on the arena, Meng Hongchen's gaze lingered on him.

Soon, the announcer's voice rang out: "Next, we will have Wang Dong from Class 6 of the third year facing off against Qiu Yu from Class 7 of the fourth year. Both competitors, please enter the arena!"

Hearing this, Su Yu's attention sharpened. "Wang Dong is up," he said softly.

Meng Hongchen shifted her gaze to the arena, where two figures stepped forward. Wang Dong'er immediately released her martial soul, the Bright Goddess Butterfly. Three soul rings—yellow, purple, and purple—appeared beneath her, radiating a strong aura of light.

His opponent, Qiu Yu, wielded a fire-red greatsword and wore simple armor, far inferior to that of more advanced Soul Engineers.

"He's a close-combat Soul Engineer. It looks like Wang Dong has a good chance of winning," Meng Hongchen commented, leaning slightly toward Su Yu.

Her clean, refreshing fragrance wafted through the air, but Su Yu remained composed.

"Wang Dong does indeed have an advantage. A close-combat Soul Engineer is an unfortunate matchup for him. A ranged fighter would stand a better chance."

As expected, the battle unfolded swiftly, with Wang Dong'er suppressing her opponent.

Meng Hongchen tilted her head toward Su Yu.

"Sister Meng, I remember you're also a close-combat Soul Engineer, right?"

"I'm not entirely one," she replied with a soft smile.

"My martial soul is better suited for control, but my close-combat skills aren't too bad."

Su Yu smiled.

"I'd love to see your strength sometime."

Meng Hongchen's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"You want to spar? Sure. But your Ultimate Ice might counter me. That wouldn't be fair."

"It wouldn't be fair if I relied on attributes. I'm more interested in your close-combat skills," Su Yu said.

Meng Hongchen smiled sweetly.

"Alright, but let's leave martial souls out of it. My Red Eyed Ice Toad's cold poison might be dangerous for a spar."