Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King

"Eh?"

Meng Hongchen looked at Su Yu with a hint of confusion in her beautiful eyes. Su Yu gently brushed a strand of hair across Meng Hongchen's delicate nose and said with a smile, "I have someone protecting me at all times, silly girl."

"Did you think the Ice Gos Palace would let me run off to the Sun and Moon Empire alone and then come to the Star Luo Empire by myself too?"

"Oh, that's true!"

Meng Hongchen suddenly realized, her pretty face lighting up with understanding. That's right; Su Yu was the heir of the Ice God Palace. How could the Ice God Palace possibly feel at ease letting him roam the continent alone? If something were to happen, there would be no time for regrets. It made perfect sense for them to send strong protectors to guard him from the shadows.

"Not just me. Even Wang Dong has powerful protectors watching over him," Su Yu added with a chuckle.

"How do you know Wang Dong has protectors too?"

Meng Hongchen tilted her small face upward and asked.

"Obviously because the people protecting me and those protecting Wang Dong have crossed paths."

"Meng'er, why do I feel like you've been a bit slow lately?"

Su Yu teased as he gently poked Meng Hongchen's soft, rosy cheek with a smile. Could it be that she was so infatuated that she had lost her wits? Had she become a love-struck fool?

"Nonsense! I'm very smart!"

Meng Hongchen shot him a glare, pouting playfully. When she was with Su Yu, she simply didn't bother to think. She'd leave everything to Su Yu since he was smarter than her. Su Yu knew everything, so why should she worry? If even Su Yu couldn't think of something, then she certainly wouldn't be able to either. Meng Hongchen only wanted to enjoy being in love with Su Yu; as for everything else, she didn't care much and wasn't particularly interested. Of course, she would never admit this—she wasn't dumb, hmph!

"Ah, yes, yes, my Meng'er is the smartest," Su Yu said, laughing as he gently tapped Meng Hongchen's nose.

"Let's go ask Wang Dong and your brother if they want to go out for a stroll. The more, the merrier."

Meng Hongchen naturally had no objections. After a few invitations, Xiao Hongchen readily agreed. Wang Dong'er, though reluctant in words, eagerly followed along and stuck close to Su Yu. Their proximity left Meng Hongchen feeling too embarrassed to keep holding Su Yu's hand, while Wang Dong'er seemed completely unaware, almost brushing shoulders with Su Yu. Meng Hongchen puffed out her cheeks in silent annoyance. If she'd known, she wouldn't have brought this third wheel along! And yet, Wang Dong'er remained oblivious.

The four left the Star Emperor Hotel and strolled through the streets of Star Luo City. Their outfits caught attention everywhere they went. After all, the uniforms of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy were quite distinct from the mainstream attire of the Star Luo Empire. With the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament, Star Luo City was packed with people. Although Su Yu and his companions stood out, they didn't cause a major commotion.The group wandered through the city's attractions, visited shops, and sampled local delicacies, thoroughly enjoying themselves. At a barbecue restaurant known for its decades-long heritage and centuries of history, they sat around a table waiting for their meal. Su Yu had visited this place during a previous trip to the Star Luo Empire and remembered the taste as being quite good.

"I hope the barbecue here is decent. If it's bad, I'm not eating it," Xiao Hongchen declared nonchalantly, leaning back in his chair.

"It should be pretty good. I can already smell the aroma," Meng Hongchen said softly, her delicate nose twitching.

"This place is well-known. I've been here before, and their grilled fish is top-notch," Su Yu commented casually, taking a sip of juice.

"You've been to Star Luo City before?"

Wang Dong'er asked, her large pink-blue eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"I traveled the continent for a while before. I came to Star Luo City during that time," Su Yu explained as he set his glass down.

"Traveling the continent? How old were you then?"

Xiao Hongchen squinted at him suspiciously.

"Eight or nine, about three or four years ago," Su Yu replied. In truth, he traveled every year, but it all started when he was around eight.

"You were gutsy enough to roam the continent at eight or nine years old?"

Xiao Hongchen looked at him with a mix of amazement and disbelief. Su Yu was something else. What normal child would wander around at that age?

"You can't gain experience or keep up with the times by staying cooped up in the Ice God Palace forever. Besides, I wasn't in any real danger with someone accompanying me," Su Yu said calmly. When he traveled, Di Tian personally ensured his safety. It was as secure as it could get. Now, with Hai Bodong as his protector, his safety was just as assured. With such strong guardians, Su Yu wasn't afraid of going anywhere.

"That's different. We've never had experiences like that. Grandpa wouldn't allow it," Xiao Hongchen sighed. The idea of traveling the continent at such a young age seemed thrilling. Unfortunately, aside from Radiant City, he hadn't had the chance to visit other places. Jing Hongchen wasn't comfortable letting them roam freely.

"That's because your grandfather cares for you and doesn't want you to get into trouble," Su Yu said with a chuckle.

"The Ice God Palace isn't worried about you getting into trouble, though. It's just a difference in mindset," Xiao Hongchen remarked with a sigh.

Su Yu smiled faintly at this. Of course, their mindsets were different. Di Tian was a soul beast, while Jing Hongchen was human. How could their philosophies be the same? Jing Hongchen, as the head of the Illustrious Virtue Hall, didn't have the time to personally escort his grandchildren on travels. Would he stop researching soul tools? Neglect his duties at the academy? Jing Hongchen was far too busy for that. Di Tian, on the other hand, was Su Yu's servant, while Su Yu was his master. Whatever Su Yu wanted to do, Di Tian would have no objections. Besides, Jing Hongchen's strength was far inferior to Di Tian's. Di Tian could go anywhere; who could defeat him? But Jing Hongchen, after all, is just a Rank 9 soul engineer with a soul power level of 93. There aren't many who can surpass Jing Hongchen, but that doesn't mean none exists.

As they discussed, plates of barbecue were served one after another—grilled vegetables, corn, lamb leg, beef skewers, pork belly, chicken, fish, and even brain matter, filling the entire table.

"Today, I'll see for myself if this grilled fish you speak of is truly that good."

Xiao Hongchen picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks, tasted it, and his eyes lit up instantly.

"Wow, not bad at all!"

After exclaiming, he quickly grabbed another piece. The grilled fish here wasn't made with small fish but rather large ones. While small fish are known for their tenderness, large fish offer a richer flavor. The group ate and chatted, enjoying the lively atmosphere.

After finishing the barbecue, they wandered around Star Luo City, only returning to the Star Lou Hotel as the sunset. Coincidentally, just as Su Yu and his companions arrived at the top floor, they encountered a group of teenagers and young adults emerging from the conference room. There were about seven of them, all dressed in dark green uniforms. On their chests was a round, chubby creature emblem—none other than the emblem of Shrek Academy. Their identity was immediately clear: the Shrek Academy team.

It turned out that after resting for two days at the military camp, the Shrek group had rushed to Star Luo City and had just completed their registration for the competition. The two groups found themselves face-to-face in the hallway, and the atmosphere grew tense.

"Shrek Academy?"

"Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy?"

Two voices spoke almost simultaneously. Both academies were instantly recognizable: Shrek Academy with its green uniforms and monster emblem, and the Sun Moon Academy with its emblem featuring stars and moons. The Sun Moon emblem's stars represented the rank of the soul engineer: one star for Rank 1, five stars for Rank 5, and so on. As for Shrek Academy, their decades-old tradition of green uniforms and a monster badge was unmistakable.

"It's you!!!"

"Him?"

"It's him!!!"

"Xiao… Xiao Yu?"

Different voices rang out from the Shrek team, but all of them looked toward Su Yu. Dai Huabin, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan all recognized him. Among the four, two had unresolved grievances with Su Yu.

"Damn, it's you! I've been looking for you for a long time," Dai Huabin growled like a tiger ready to pounce. He had remembered this face for four whole years, his desire for revenge burning fiercely. Now, finally, fate had brought them together again.

"Do you know them?"

Xiao Hongchen nudged Su Yu.

"Not really. Who knows which corner they crawled out of," Su Yu replied casually, shrugging indifferently. Dai Huabin might remember him, but Su Yu had no recollection of Dai Huabin. To him, Dai Huabin was no more than an irrelevant passerby.

"Scoundrel! You humiliated me in Star Luo City, and I'll never forget it! How dare you pretend not to know me?"

"You think you can escape justice by feigning ignorance? This time, I'll make you beg for mercy to settle this grudge!"

Dai Huabin roared, unable to contain his fury.

"Star Luo City?"

Su Yu thought for a moment and then said, "Oh, I remember now. You're from the White Tiger Duke's household."

"Hmph, that's right. I'm Dai Huabin, the second son of the White Tiger Duke. You finally remember, don't you?"

A smirk appeared on Su Yu's face.

"Ah, so it's you. I was wondering who it could be. Turns out it's a little nobody."

"Back then, when you groveled and begged me for mercy, you didn't seem nearly as arrogant as you are now."

"You!"

Dai Huabin was livid.

"When did I ever grovel?"

"Don't waste your words. Do you dare face me in a duel?"

Su Yu smirked.

"You? You're not worth my time."

As his gaze swept across the seven Shrek students, he recognized four familiar faces.

"Brother Bei, we meet again."

Bei Bei's expression turned grim as he recognized Su Yu.

"You... are part of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy team?"

The memory of Su Yu defeating him effortlessly was still fresh in Bei Bei's mind. Back then, even after activating his Bright Holy Dragon bloodline and using his Tyrant's Thunder Domain, he had stood no chance against Su Yu, who didn't even need to use his martial soul. And now, this formidable opponent was a member of their rival team.

"Brother Bei is with Shrek Academy, so why can't I be with the Sun Moon team?"

Su Yu asked with a smile.

"I've always been interested in your Bright Holy Dragon. Perhaps we'll get a chance to face off again?"

"I think we will," Bei Bei said, his face darkening.

"Good. I look forward to it. It's been over a year; I'd love to see how much you've improved."

"You won't be disappointed," Bei Bei replied coldly.

"I hope not."

Su Yu's eyes moved to Xu Sanshi, who had been glaring at him with intense hatred since the moment he appeared. Among those present, Xu Sanshi had an even bigger grudge against Su Yu than Dai Huabin did.

"Ah, isn't this Xu the Turtle from the Mysterious Underworld Sect? How's your rear? Has it healed?"

"When I saw you last, you were in such agony—crying and screaming. It was truly heartbreaking to witness."

Xu Sanshi clenched his fists, his face dark with rage.

"Thanks to you, I've fully recovered. Don't worry; I'll return this 'favor' someday."

"That depends on whether you're capable," Su Yu chuckled.

"Back then, it was your lack of ability that got you into that mess in the first place, wasn't it?"

Xu Sanshi gave a cold, humorless laugh, the hatred in his eyes nearly palpable. It was clear: given the chance, he wouldn't hesitate to strike at Su Yu. But Su Yu paid him no mind. To Su Yu, Xu Sanshi was just a minor nuisance, as insignificant as an ant.