Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King - [DD2]: 125

Xu Sanshi had feelings for Jiang Nannan but harbored a deep hatred for Su Yu. When he found out that Jiang Nannan and Su Yu were childhood friends, his jealousy and resentment surged to an extreme level. Now, with the chance to undermine Su Yu’s standing in Jiang Nannan’s heart, Xu Sanshi was elated. He glanced at Jiang Nannan, grinning, and said, “Since Nannan knows nothing about it, let me explain. I haven’t seen that guy’s martial soul myself, but during our fight, he showed ice-element abilities. If I’m not mistaken, his martial soul should have an ice attribute.”

Upon hearing this, Bei Bei raised an eyebrow and replied, “I’ve fought him too. He’s strong. But when I fought him, he used powerful wind-element abilities. I believe his martial soul is more likely wind-based.” Bei Bei vividly remembered Su Yu’s final, earth-shattering kick, a force like a raging gale tearing through everything, even shattering his Tyrant King Thunder Domain. He was convinced that Su Yu had wind-element abilities.

“Bei Bei says he’s wind-element, while Sanshi says he’s ice-element. So, who’s right?”

He Caitou, who had been silent, scratched his head in confusion. Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei didn’t respond; instead, their eyes turned to Dai Huabin. Among those present, only three of them had fought Su Yu. The rest of the group, aside from Dai Huabin, hadn’t given their opinions. As everyone’s gaze fell on him, Dai Huabin’s expression darkened. Should he admit that Su Yu hadn’t used any techniques but had simply defeated him with brute strength? That fight had been the greatest humiliation of his life; there was no way he’d reveal it.

“Dai Huabin, if you know something, just say it,” Bei Bei urged.

“That guy is a formidable foe we’ll face sooner or later. Pooling our knowledge might give us a better grasp of his capabilities.”

Dai Huabin’s face remained somber as he coldly replied, “What I remember is that his strength was absurdly overwhelming. And he favored despicable fighting techniques. I only lost because I wasn’t on guard.”

That was a lie. Dai Huabin would never admit to being completely overpowered. This statement was just his way of saving face while slandering Su Yu further.

“Despicable, huh? That guy does have some underhanded tricks,” Xu Sanshi added, his expression darkening as he recalled something.

“Ice element, wind element, immense strength,” Wang Yan mused. “Since all three of you fought him, these traits should be accurate. So, there are two possibilities: either he has twin martial souls, or his martial soul possesses both wind and ice attributes.”

“He can’t have twin martial souls,” Dai Huabin interjected.

“Twin martial souls are incredibly rare. How could he possibly have them?”

If Su Yu were revealed to have twin martial souls, it would imply his talent far surpassed Dai Huabin’s—a fact he refused to accept.

“Twin martial souls are indeed unlikely, but a single martial soul with dual attributes is possible,” Wang Yan explained.

“For example, Sanshi’s Mysterious Underworld Shield has both water and earth attributes. If that person could dominate you in battle, his martial soul must be extraordinary. Based on preliminary analysis, it could be a powerful top-tier martial soul, possibly even surpassing the White Tiger and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. As for his immense strength, soul beasts like apes, oxen, and bears, all have great physical power. Of course, it could also be a dragon-type martial soul. In any case, he’s a formidable opponent. Judging by his age, he’s likely around your age, so he must be in the reserve team,” Wang Yan concluded.

“In the next competition, he may be your strongest rival.”

“Hmph, we’ll defeat him,” Dai Huabin snorted, displeased by Wang Yan’s high appraisal of Su Yu.

Su Yu’s martial soul better than the White Tiger? Impossible.

After all, the White Tiger had once birthed a deity.

“No matter how strong he is, he’ll ultimately fall to us,” Xu Sanshi declared, clenching his fists with a sinister gleam in his eyes. He would never forget the humiliation Su Yu had dealt him.

“Confidence is good. Regardless of his strength, we’re students of Shrek Academy. No one can stand in our way,” Wang Yan said with a smile.

“Alright, that’s all for today. Everyone, go get some rest.”

Dai Huabin cast a hostile glance at Jiang Nannan before huffing and leaving, followed quickly by Zhu Lu. Bei Bei said nothing and left next, followed by He Caitou, who scratched his head in confusion. Xu Sanshi smirked at Jiang Nannan before departing as well.

“Let’s go. I have something to discuss with you four,” Wang Yan said to the inner court students. Chu He and the others nodded and left with Wang Yan, deep in discussion. The conference room was left with only Zhang Lexuan and Jiang Nannan. Even Ning Tian, who often addressed Jiang Nan’nan as “Sister Nannan,” hadn’t waited for her. It seemed the group had ostracized Jiang Nannan. Zhang Lexuan gave Jiang Nannan a deep look, her gaze filled with sympathy. She shook her head slightly.

What a good girl, she thought. But too impulsive, unable to keep things to herself. With a flicker in her eyes, Zhang Lexuan left the conference room, heading to another room.

As everyone departed, Jiang Nannan finally lifted her head, her face pale. She looked around the empty room, biting her lip as her eyes reddened. Then, as if making a firm decision, her gaze steadied. She clenched her fists and walked out of the conference room alone.

…

Night fell.

Su Yu, who had just finished dinner with Wang Dong’er, Meng Hongchen, and others, pushed open the door to his room. He turned on the soul-guidance lamp, the bright light illuminating the space. A small note on the floor instantly caught his attention. Picking it up, his brows furrowed.

“Reckless!” he muttered after reading it. Whatever was written on the note caused Su Yu’s expression to turn grim.

“She’s still too naïve,” he sighed. With a swift motion, he clenched his right hand, crumbling the note into powder. He tossed it into the nearby trash can and entered his room.

Moments later, there was a knock at the door. A small head peeked in, revealing Meng Hongchen’s sparkling blue eyes. Seeing her, Su Yu’s face softened into a smile.

“Come in, Meng’er.”

Meng Hongchen entered the room with a radiant smile, her joy lighting up her delicate features as if sweeping away all worries. She gracefully closed the door behind her, her movements light and filled with excitement. Like a homing swallow, she leaped gently toward Su Yu. He reached out to catch her, his gaze softening with a hint of indulgence. He had anticipated Meng Hongchen’s visit and had purposely left the door unlatched.

Outside the room, Wang Dong’er stood fuming, stomping her foot in frustration.

“I was here first! This is so unfair!”

For the first time, Wang Dong’er regretted her decision to disguise herself as a boy. If Su Yu had seen her true appearance, he wouldn’t have fallen for Meng Hongchen, right? Wait, maybe not. Wang Dong’er suddenly recalled Su Yu’s penchant for “having it all.”

Who’s to say he wouldn’t want both her and Meng Hongchen at the same time?

“Dream on! As if I’d let you live such a lavish life!” she muttered, clenching her small fists in annoyance. Staring at the tightly shut door, Wang Dong’er grew increasingly irritated. Deciding she’d had enough, she turned and left in a huff. Out of sight, out of mind. Besides, getting there first didn’t mean victory.

“I won’t lose to Meng Hongchen,” she reassured herself, slamming her room door shut with a force that made the entire corridor quake.

Meanwhile, in Su Yu’s room, the atmosphere between him and Meng Hongchen grew warmer and more intimate. They inched closer until Su Yu, gazing at her flawless beauty, felt a stirring in his heart. Leaning in, he gently captured her lips.

…

Close to midnight, a slender figure quietly slipped out of a room at the Star Emperor Hotel, moving swiftly and silently through the corridors. Her pace was so quick that she vanished in a flash. A faint sigh echoed in the darkness. A graceful silhouette materialized.

“That child doesn’t know how to keep a low profile. If not for my spiritual power shielding her, she would’ve been discovered long ago,” the figure murmured, shaking her head before vanishing into the night.

At midnight, Su Yu, who had been meditating, opened his eyes. Meng Hongchen had left earlier. Although their relationship had grown increasingly close, they hadn’t reached the point of staying overnight together. They were both still young, and Su Yu wasn’t someone driven purely by impulse. At just under sixteen years old, Meng Hongchen was too young for anything untoward. Su Yu was determined to respect her and wait for the right time. While he knew she wouldn’t refuse him, he valued her too much to take advantage of her devotion. His care for Meng Hongchen came not from self-restraint alone but from the deep affection he felt for her. Protecting those he loved was his way of expressing his commitment.

After slipping on his shoes, Su Yu moved like a shadow and ascended to the hotel’s rooftop.

At this hour, Star Luo City was cloaked in darkness. Unlike Radiant City, which bustled even at night, most streets here were dim, with only a few flickering lights. The rooftop was shrouded in darkness, save for the faint outline of a slender figure in the distance. Su Yu’s movements were swift and silent, appearing on the rooftop like a phantom.

“You shouldn’t be seeking me out at this hour,” he said coolly. The figure turned, her thin frame looking fragile against the chill night breeze. The clouds parted slightly, allowing the moon to cast a soft glow over the world. In its light, Su Yu saw her face clearly: a breathtakingly beautiful young woman with flowing golden curls and flawless features. Her watery eyes carried a tinge of sorrow, and her delicate demeanor seemed designed to evoke a man’s protective instincts. Her beauty was unparalleled—surpassing even that of Meng Hongchen.

Her figure, tall and curvaceous, boasted a slender waist, shapely hips, and long, perfectly toned legs. The only person matching such a description at the Star Emperor Hotel was Jiang Nannan, the Outer Court’s renowned beauty. Jiang Nannan turned to face Su Yu, her eyes moist and her voice trembling with emotion.

“Xiao Yu!”

Her voice, filled with longing, struck a chord deep within Su Yu, dismantling his icy façade.

“Sister Nannan…” he replied softly, his tone tinged with helplessness and nostalgia. Hearing this, tears began streaming down Jiang Nannan’s face. Her vulnerability made Su Yu feel both distressed and exasperated. Shaking his head, he stepped closer, pulling out a tissue. “Come now, Sister Nannan. Don’t cry. Anyone seeing this might think I bullied you.”

With a light chuckle, Su Yu wiped away her tears.

The two had known each other since childhood, their bond closer than most. Jiang Nannan had been one of Su Yu’s few companions before his martial soul awakened. Her kindness and the good nature of her family had made her a cherished part of his life. Though Su Yu had always been selective in his relationships, Jiang Nannan and her mother had earned his loyalty. His warmth and care were reserved for those close to him. While he didn’t seek to save the world or carry lofty ideals, he prioritized protecting those he held dear. This pragmatic approach defined his character—compassionate to friends but distant toward strangers. And Jiang Nannan was firmly among those he would always care for.