Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King

That Afternoon: The Soul Tool Arena

The massive arena was already packed with spectators. As the final match of the preparatory team selection tournament, the winner of this decisive battle would become the captain of this year's preparatory team. This also represented the highest standard among soul tool users under the age of fifteen at Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy. Naturally, countless people were eagerly awaiting this showdown.

By around 2 PM, the teachers and elders from Illustrious Virtue Hall had all taken their seats in the viewing stands. In the second row, Meng Hongchen's figure quietly appeared. Her rosy complexion indicated she had fully recovered from the morning's exertions. Not far from her sat Wang Dong'er, arms crossed and scowling, looking displeased with everyone around her. Even when Meng Hongchen greeted her, she barely acknowledged her. Meng Hongchen frowned slightly but chose not to take it personally, quietly watching the arena below.

For her, this final match was personal. One competitor was her brother; the other was the person she liked. It didn't matter to her who won or lost. She only hoped that whoever was defeated wouldn't wallow in self-pity. After all, it was just a match. That said, she did feel that Su Yu might have the upper hand.

In the third row, in a corner, Ji Juechen sat pale-faced, his hair tied back. His intense, unwavering gaze was fixed on the arena. On his lap lay a broken sword, stained with blood, quietly resting there.

"Hey, Old Ji, why are you so invested in a preparatory team match? What's so exciting about it?"

Next to Ji Juechen sat a female soul engineer in Illustrious Virtue Hall's uniform. She was about thirty years old, with a fair complexion, a well-proportioned figure, and soul power no weaker than Ji Juechen's. Her name was Jing Ziyan, one of Ji Juechen's few friends at Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.

"This match is different," Ji Juechen replied without turning his head.

"What's different? Isn't it just for show? Everyone knows the position of preparatory team captain has already been decided for Xiao Hongchen, the Hall Master's beloved grandson. And besides, that guy does have some skill. None of these kids can beat him."

Jing Ziyan leaned back lazily, assuming a comfortable position.

"No. This time, Xiao Hongchen will lose," Ji Juechen suddenly said.

"What?"

Jing Ziyan was startled.

"You're saying Xiao Hongchen will lose?"

Having not watched Su Yu's previous matches, Jing Ziyan was unaware of his capabilities. She had been resting in Illustrious Virtue Hall after overexerting herself during a recent sparring session.

Ji Juechen didn't respond, his icy and determined gaze fixed on the arena below.

Jing Ziyan's eyes wandered until they landed on the broken sword on Ji Juechen's lap. Shocked, she blurted out, "Whoa, Old Ji! What happened to your sword?"

"I lost a challenge. Someone broke it," Ji Juechen replied flatly.

"Who did you challenge? Someone strong enough to break your sword?"

Excitement flickered in Jing Ziyan's eyes. Like Ji Juechen, she was fiercely competitive, which was why the two were good friends. She was about to ask more when Ji Juechen's eyes suddenly lit up, radiating a dazzling brilliance.

"He's here!"

"Who's here?"

Jing Ziyan turned her head to look. In the arena, Xiao Hongchen and Su Yu had entered. Following Ji Juechen's fiery gaze, Jing Ziyan spotted Su Yu.

"It's him?"

In the stands, Jing Hongchen sat with his hands clasped, quietly watching the two figures in the arena. One was Su Yu, the academy's rising star, wielding the ultimate ice martial soul. The other was Xiao Hongchen, extraordinarily gifted and possessing the martial soul of the Three-Legged Golden Toad.

Jing Hongchen was also curious—who was truly stronger? Su Yu's earlier battle against Meng Hongchen had demonstrated his strength, showing he could contend with a Rank 5 soul engineer. But Xiao Hongchen wasn't Meng Hongchen. Su Yu's poison immunity had been a key factor in his victory over her. This didn't necessarily mean Su Yu could defeat Xiao Hongchen. Jing Hongchen, like the other elders, believed that Xiao Hongchen's strength was on par with Su Yu's. The outcome was uncertain until they fought.

In the arena, Su Yu and Xiao Hongchen stopped several meters apart. Facing Su Yu, Xiao Hongchen's face lit up with excitement.

"Su Yu, I've been waiting for this! Finally, we can fight. I've been looking forward to this day for a long time!"

Xiao Hongchen laughed heartily.

"Su Yu, give it your all. I'll defeat you with my own hands and prove that I am the academy's number one genius!"

Su Yu smiled faintly.

"Xiao Hongchen, as you wish. But if you want to defeat me, let's see if you have what it takes."

Their gazes locked, and an invisible tension filled the air. Two tigers cannot share one mountain. In the academy, there could only be one number one. Xiao Hongchen and Su Yu had to clash. Would Xiao Hongchen maintain his title as the top genius, or would Su Yu claim the crown? The match would reveal everything.

As the audience leaned forward in anticipation, the host's voice finally rang out.

"The final match of the preparatory team selection tournament is about to begin! The finalists are Illustrious Virtue Hall's Xiao Hongchen and Class 4 of Year 5's Su Yu. Will Xiao Hongchen seize the victory, or will Su Yu surpass him? Like you, I can't wait to find out. Without further ado, I now announce that the final match officially begins!"

As the words echoed, Xiao Hongchen unleashed his martial soul. A flash of golden light, and a third golden leg extended from his body, glowing brilliantly. At the same time, a golden hue enveloped him entirely. With a slight crouch, his body shimmered with gold. Two yellow, two purple and one black soul ring emerged, their radiance dazzling. His slightly arched back showed golden protrusions beneath his clothes, emitting a soft golden glow. His first and third soul rings lit up as he waved his hands, scattering at least a hundred metal spheres into the air. These spheres hovered midair, encircling him. From their centers, thick metal barrels extended outward.

Su Yu chuckled softly as icy blue light spread around him. The temperature plummeted. For the first time in public, Su Yu revealed his Ice Emperor martial soul. A regal, frigid aura filled the arena, the air thick with a bone-chilling frost. From beneath Su Yu, four black soul rings emerged, their dark radiance flickering ominously.

Four ten-thousand-year soul rings.

The audience fell silent, stunned into awe. Moments later, the arena erupted with gasps of disbelief.

The appearance of four black soul rings left a profound impact. In Illustrious Virtue Hall's seating area, many members were left stunned, gasping audibly. Is this the true weight of the special privileges granted by the Hall Master? The sheer strength was undoubtedly terrifying.

At the back of the audience, Juzi opened her delicate mouth in shock, her bright eyes filled with disbelief. All-Thousand soul rings? Is this what a true genius looks like? Incredible!

In the corner of the second row, Ji Juechen's gaze burned with intensity. He could hardly contain his urge to rush into the arena and challenge Su Yu.

"This... a Soul Ancestor with all-black soul rings? What kind of monstrous talent is this?"

Jing Ziyan, sitting beside him, was also visibly shaken. It was her first time witnessing such a phenomenon.

In the front row, a group of Illustrious Virtue Hall elders was so overwhelmed that some nearly tore at their beards in excitement, gasping loudly.

"Hall Master, are you certain this prodigy belongs to our academy?"

The elders could hardly believe it. When had their academy ever produced such an extraordinary genius?

"You knew about this all along, didn't you?" one elder couldn't help but ask Jing Hongchen, seeing his composed demeanor.

Jing Hongchen maintained an air of calm authority.

"Of course, I knew. What's with all this fuss? Aren't you all esteemed figures? Must you lose your composure over something like this?"

The elders admired Jing Hongchen's restraint, awed by his poise as the Hall Master. But deep inside, even Jing Hongchen was taken aback. He had known Su Yu possessed a thousand soul rings, but he never expected Su Yu to quietly achieve all-thousand soul rings. The sheer power amplification such a configuration provided was nothing short of terrifying.

"Looks like Xiao is in real danger this time," Jing Hongchen mused inwardly. Who could have predicted Su Yu was hiding such an ace?

Xiao Hongchen, despite his usual pride, was momentarily startled by Su Yu's imposing all-black soul rings. The oppressive aura they exuded was tangible.

"Four black soul rings? Su Yu, let's see how I defeat you!"

Activating his second and fourth soul rings, Xiao Hongchen infused his cannons with golden energy. The enormous metal barrels glowed white as countless beams of energy surged forward like an unstoppable flood. The sheer power of Xiao Hongchen's soul-guided artillery would leave even a Soul Emperor with chills. He spared no effort, launching an all-out assault right from the start. The arena was filled with dazzling lights, explosions, and the overwhelming sound of their clashing abilities.

Amid the chaos, Su Yu's fourth soul ring lit up. A phoenix-shaped ice projection manifested, and icy feathers transformed into a torrential storm of frosty sword strikes that filled the arena.

"Ice Empreror's Feathers"—A 60,000-Year Spirit Ability.

This skill alone was enough to astonish everyone. A typical Soul Emperor's sixth ring was only around 20,000 years old, while Su Yu had a 60,000-year fourth-ring ability—an unheard-of phenomenon. Against such devastating force, Xiao Hongchen's artillery seemed inadequate. His attacks were steadily overwhelmed, and his defenses were pushed back step by step.

As the barrage continued, Su Yu suddenly disappeared from his position. Xiao Hongchen was momentarily confused, assuming Su Yu had run out of soul power. Relieved, Xiao prepared to conserve his soul power. However, when he tried to move, he realized his body was sluggish and unresponsive. A chill crept into his heart as he realized Su Yu's icy attacks carried a debuff. Before he could react, a sharp kick landed on his backside, sending him flying across the arena.

Before Xiao could recover, Su Yu appeared again and delivered another kick, bouncing him around the arena like a toy ball.

"Ahhh! Su Yu, this is too much! I'm getting angry—ahhh!"

Xiao's angry retorts were cut short as Su Yu silenced him with yet another strike.

After another series of kicks, Su Yu sent Xiao crashing to the ground in an ungraceful sprawl. Xiao struggled to activate his trump card, but Su Yu's first soul ring glowed brightly. In the blink of an eye, Xiao Hongchen was encased in a lifelike ice sculpture, frozen solid.

The arena fell silent, then erupted into cheers as the spectators processed the explosive conclusion. The question of who would emerge victorious had been decisively answered.