LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 106: [DD2]: 105
"Fr, Hall Master?"
Su Yu's eyes lit up. Since you said so, I won't hold back.
"Of course, I mean it. Just tell me what you want. Whether it's a fixed-mounted soul-guided cannon shell, a dragon scale, or even a rare soul bone, I can get it for you," Jing Hongchen laughed heartily, waving his hand in a grand gesture. He wasn't joking—Su Yu was a genius with twin ultimate martial souls, an unprecedented phenomenon! How could he, Jing Hongchen, be stingy? Even if Su Yu asked for an eighth-level soul tool, he wouldn't hesitate to provide it.
As the leader of Illustrious Virtue Hall, Jing Hongchen prided himself on his vision and boldness.
"The Hall Master is truly generous, but I don't need dragon scales or rare soul bones," Su Yu replied, shaking his head.
Dragon scales, rare and precious, were typically used to craft ninth-level soul tools. As for rare soul bones, anything worthy of the term would need to be of very high quality, typically from a soul beast over 50,000 years old.
But Su Yu didn't lack these things.
Dragon scales? He had as many as he wanted, all pure true dragon scales. Rare soul bones? He had several in his storage soul tool, including a torso bone from a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear and an arm bone from a Titan Giant Ape. Ordinary rare soul bones didn't even catch his eye.
"Then what do you want?"
Jing Hongchen asked curiously. If such treasures didn't interest him, what could he possibly desire?
"I want…"
Su Yu's gaze suddenly turned to Meng Hongchen. She froze, her face flushing slightly.
"I want Sister Meng…"
Mid-sentence, Su Yu paused.
Xiao Hongchen and Jing Hongchen were both stunned, their jaws practically dropping.
Xiao Hongchen stared at Su Yu in shock. You've got some nerve! Did you just say that? You actually want Meng?
Jing Hongchen was equally dumbfounded, overwhelmed by disbelief. Are young people this bold nowadays? Just outright asking for someone like this? I can't keep up with the times!
Meng Hongchen herself was even more flustered. Her beautiful eyes widened, her delicate face turning a deep red. Lowering her head, she didn't dare to look up, her heart pounding wildly.
But then Su Yu's voice came again.
"…her full-body soul tool armor."
As the words fell, Xiao Hongchen froze, Jing Hongchen froze, and even the bashful Meng Hongchen froze.
Armor?
Xiao Hongchen almost choked, barely catching his breath.
"Can you not leave us hanging like that?"
Jing Hongchen's face darkened as a wave of frustration surged through him.
Meng Hongchen, thinking she'd misheard, looked up with wide, confused eyes.
"So… he just wants my armor?"
The sense of joy she'd felt evaporated. Looking at Su Yu, her gaze became filled with grievance. This guy! Teasing me on purpose!
Su Yu's pause had taken all three of them on an emotional rollercoaster. For a moment, they all directed small complaints at him through their expressions.
"Su Yu, you really shouldn't pause like that when you're talking. It causes misunderstandings, you know?"
Jing Hongchen coughed, clearly annoyed.
"Exactly! I thought you were going to ask for Meng," Xiao Hongchen added with a roll of his eyes.
"What a letdown."
Meng Hongchen said nothing, her eyes silently accusing Su Yu. The grievance in her expression was nearly tangible.
Su Yu scratched his nose awkwardly and cleared his throat.
"Hall Master, do you think it's possible?"
Jing Hongchen shot Su Yu a glance and said, "Meng's full-body soul tool armor isn't something an ordinary soul engineer can make. It requires a high-level soul engineer to design and craft it."
"But since you've asked, it's not a problem. I'll personally design a set for you. Go get a physical assessment done later—body strength, power, and other parameters. Once I have the data, I'll tailor it for you."
A sixth-level soul tool armor set wasn't a big deal for Jing Hongchen. Even a seventh-level set wouldn't trouble him. Su Yu deserved such treatment.
"Thank you, Hall Master," Su Yu said, cupping his hands in gratitude.
He wasn't interested in ordinary soul tool armor because they were too bulky, but Meng Hongchen's sleek and elegant design caught his eye. For a boy, having a cool suit of armor wasn't just about utility—it was about the thrill of wearing it. Who could resist looking like a knight in shining armor?
"It's a small matter. Later, go with Xiao and Meng for your physical assessment," Jing Hongchen said.
"Now, let's discuss another issue."
He turned to Su Yu, saying, "As I mentioned before, you three have a heavy responsibility. Be prepared—our academy's success rests on your shoulders."
"Apart from you three, the reserve team has four other spots. Yang Xu, who reached the semifinals, will be chosen. For the remaining three, we'll select from the quarterfinalists."
"Excluding you three and Yang Xu, the remaining four are Zhou Qin, Chen Kai, Guan Bo, and Wang Dong."
"Zhou Qin, Chen Kai, and Guan Bo are all fourth-level soul engineers, while Wang Dong is a third-level control-type soul master. Who do you think should be chosen?"
Jing Hongchen looked at the three of them, seeking their input.
Xiao Hongchen shrugged casually.
"Doesn't matter to me. They're just there to fill the numbers—anyone will do."
To him, none of them were worth worrying about.
Meng Hongchen thought for a moment and said, "I'm fine with anyone. Let Su Yu decide."
She wasn't one to care about such matters. Whoever Su Yu picked, she'd go along with.
Jing Hongchen nodded and turned to Su Yu.
"It's up to you, then. As the captain of the reserve team, these people will be your teammates. Who do you think should be chosen?"
Jing Hongchen's gaze fell on Su Yu.
After pondering for a moment, Su Yu said, "Among these four people, Zhou Qin and Guan Bo are definite choices. Their cultivation levels are above 45, which makes them relatively strong.
"As for Chen Kai and Wang Dong, if I had to choose, I'd pick Wang Dong."
"Why?"
Jing Hongchen asked.
"The reason is simple!"
Su Yu raised two fingers and said, "There are two main points.
"First, Wang Dong is still very young. He's only 12, while Chen Kai is already 15. Right now, Chen Kai's level is higher, but five years from now, I can guarantee that Wang Dong will far surpass him."
"Second, Wang Dong has better talent. He possesses twin martial souls. Both the Bright Goddess Butterfly and the Clear Sky Hammer are top-tier martial souls."
"With two top-tier martial souls, Wang Dong's future is much brighter."
"Our academy aims to nurture students with potential, doesn't it? And since this is the reserve team—not all of them will need to participate—its primary purpose is to gain experience, right?"
"If it's about gaining experience, why not choose someone with strong talent and potential instead of someone mediocre? After all, the competition in five years will be the true stage for the reserve team. With Wang Dong's talent, how much could he grow in five years?"
"Chen Kai might be stronger than Wang Dong now, but that's all there is to it. His strength won't be enough to determine the outcome of a competition. It's obvious, isn't it?"
"Besides, if they were to fight now, it's not certain that Chen Kai would even win against Wang Dong."
"So, all things considered, for the last slot, I choose Wang Dong."
Su Yu made his decision based on potential, and his conclusion was to pick Wang Dong.
After a moment of contemplation, Jing Hongchen nodded slowly.
"What you said makes sense. Let's go with your plan. You're the captain of the reserve team, so from now on, all matters concerning the reserve team will be under your control. This hall master won't interfere anymore."
Jing Hongchen handed over the reserve team to Su Yu entirely, including the authority to make all decisions about personnel. In other words, Su Yu now had full command over the reserve team.
"Does this mean we also have to listen to Su Yu?"
Xiao Hongchen asked incredulously, pointing at himself.
"Are you part of the reserve team?"
Jing Hongchen looked at his foolish grandson with a hint of exasperation.
"Of course!"
Xiao Hongchen replied.
"If that's the case, then why ask?"
Jing Hongchen said gruffly. His silly grandson needed someone to keep him in check, and who better than Su Yu?
"No, I—"
Xiao Hongchen tried to argue but was immediately interrupted by Jing Hongchen.
"Enough. From now on, in the reserve team, you do whatever Su Yu says. If you dare disobey, this hall master permits Su Yu to discipline you."
Turning to Su Yu, Jing Hongchen added, "Su Yu, don't hold back."
Xiao Hongchen: "..."
You are my grandfather, huh?
"Hall master, isn't this a bit much?"
Su Yu said, feigning hesitation.
"After all, Xiao Hongchen is the young master of Illustrious Virtue Hall."
"In the academy, he's the young master of Illustrious Virtue Hall, but in the reserve team, he's just another member. I know what you're concerned about, but there's no need. Say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done—just don't cripple or kill him."
Jing Hongchen waved dismissively.
Teaching his grandson-in-law to discipline his grandson? That was nothing to worry about in his eyes.
"Very well, I'll accept the responsibility," Su Yu said, feigning reluctance. He turned to Xiao Hongchen with a slight smile.
"Brother Xiao, I'll be counting on your guidance."
Seeing Su Yu's smile, Xiao Hongchen shivered. It was over for him. His peaceful days were gone. Who knew what Su Yu might do to him? His future looked bleak. He wanted to resist, but he wasn't Su Yu's match at all.
Grandpa, you've set your grandson up for disaster.
But Jing Hongchen didn't care about Xiao Hongchen's thoughts. Turning to Su Yu, he said, "In two days, the reserve team will start integrating with the official team. You'll need to learn to coordinate and practice tactics with the official team. After all, your final opponent will be Shrek Academy, and they can't be underestimated.
"Shrek Academy has been the arch-rival of our Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy for generations."
Mentioning Shrek Academy, Jing Hongchen's tone turned somber. Over the past few millennia, they had never won against Shrek Academy even once. That wretched academy was infuriatingly resilient, with a solid foundation and exceptional students.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. Beating Shrek Academy is a given," Xiao Hongchen said confidently, puffing out his chest. It seemed he never lost his spirit, always bouncing back like an indomitable cockroach.
Jing Hongchen ignored him completely and looked at Su Yu instead.
"Do you have confidence?"
Su Yu smiled faintly, his voice calm but resolute.
"Shrek Academy? They're nothing worth mentioning."
To him, the Shrek Academy team posed no real threat.
"If you're confident, then this hall master can rest easy. I look forward to your victory."
Jing Hongchen laughed heartily. If Su Yu had confidence, then so did he. After all, Su Yu wasn't Xiao Hongchen—he had never failed to deliver on a promise.
"That's enough for today. Xiao, Meng, take Su Yu for a physical evaluation and report the data to me afterward. I'll use the data to design your battle armor."
Jing Hongchen waved them off. The three exchanged glances, excused themselves, and left together.
As soon as they exited the office and stepped out of the teaching building, Su Yu noticed a shadowy figure lurking nearby. Stopping in his tracks, he said calmly, "Why are you hiding? I already saw you. Come out."
After a brief pause, a figure stepped out from the corner.
It was Wang Dong'er, pouting with a reluctant expression, looking like a pitiful, lonely puppy.
"Wang Dong?"
Meng Hongchen was surprised. She hadn't noticed Wang Dong'er following them.
Su Yu sighed lightly, stepped forward, and pinched Wang Dong's cheek. "If you're going to follow us, just do it openly. Why sneak around like that?"
"It's not sneaky!"
Wang Dong'er turned her head away, pouting even more. It was clear she still felt upset, perhaps even a little left out.
Su Yu rubbed his temples helplessly.
"You... Do you think I don't know what's on your mind?"