Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King

"Of course, it's true. You are truly stunning today."

Su Yu smiled lightly, offering praise.

Meng Hongchen's cheeks turned slightly red. Her beautiful eyes were filled with tender affection and a hint of delight.

A woman dresses up for the one who appreciates her. Su Yu's compliment was the highest affirmation for her. Filled with joy, Meng Hongchen's heart brimmed with happiness, while Wang Dong'er pouted in discontent.

Watching Su Yu and Meng Hongchen flirt made her feel irritable. This Casanova!

"Hmph, now that everyone's here, can we go in?"

Wang Dong'er snorted, stepping between Su Yu and Meng Hongchen to separate them physically.

Meng Hongchen frowned slightly, her gaze toward Wang Dong'er tinged with dissatisfaction. After all, she and Su Yu had just begun to develop something, and now Wang Dong'er was playing the spoiler. Even though Meng Hongchen had a good temper, she couldn't help but feel a little upset.

However, in Su Yu's presence, she didn't want to show her anger. After calming her emotions, she turned to Su Yu with a charming smile.

"Shall we go in?"

Su Yu nodded and said, "Let's go in. Please lead the way."

Illustrious Virtue Hall was heavily guarded, and with Su Yu and his companions being unfamiliar faces, entering without a guide would have been nearly impossible. The security of Illustrious Virtue Hall was no joke.

Although it was attacked by the Body Sect in the original storyline, that attack was the result of careful planning over a long period. The incident didn't reflect poorly on Illustrious Virtue Hall's security but rather highlighted that even the best defenses could be breached by determined adversaries.

After all, no wall is completely impenetrable.

The group of seven began to move toward Illustrious Virtue Hall, located at the core of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy. On the surface, it appeared to be an inconspicuous building, but upon entering, its true scale was revealed to be far larger than expected.

The main areas of Illustrious Virtue Hall were all underground. Entering the modestly-sized building, which covered less than 500 square meters, Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen led Su Yu and the others through three layers of checkpoints.

Each checkpoint was guarded by soul masters and protected by specialized soul tools.

"Illustrious Virtue Hall is monitored everywhere. Every word and action may be under surveillance, so everyone should be mindful. This place is not like the outside world," Meng Hongchen explained as they walked.

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Inside, there were twenty semi-circular elevators with a metallic texture, each large enough to accommodate more than ten people. Meng Hongchen led the group into one, scanned her ID card on a soul tool, and then infused soul power into the central metal pillar. The elevator began to descend slowly.

Yang Xu and the others curiously observed everything around them, marveling at the advanced technology. Su Yu, however, remained composed, his expression calm and unsurprised.

Meng Hongchen's gaze lingered on Su Yu, and in the confined space of the elevator, she maintained a deliberate distance from the others, naturally leaning closer to Su Yu.

Su Yu steadied her, and in this intimate space, their ice-blue eyes met.

The dim white light cast soft shadows on their faces, creating a unique atmosphere. Meng Hongchen's delicate features were smooth and flawless, akin to fine jade, even at such close proximity.

As Meng Hongchen inhaled Su Yu's faint, masculine scent, her heart raced uncontrollably.

The two gazed at each other quietly, as if time had momentarily frozen.

"Ding!"

The elevator chimed softly, and the metal doors slid open. Only then did they snap back to reality. Meng Hongchen's cheeks flushed as she shyly lowered her head.

Xiao Hongchen stepped out first, followed by Wang Dong'er, who snorted in displeasure. Next were Zhou Qin and Guan Bo.

"Captain, congratulations," Yang Xu teased, winking mischievously at Su Yu before leaving.

Su Yu chuckled softly and turned to Meng Hongchen, who was looking down.

"Shall we go?"

Meng Hongchen nodded lightly, and the two exited the elevator together.

Outside the elevator was another semi-circular metal hall. Xiao Hongchen led the way, with Meng Hongchen walking alongside Su Yu, while the others followed closely behind.

After a short passage, the view suddenly opened up, revealing an enormous hall that stunned everyone.

Yang Xu and the others gasped in amazement, and even Wang Dong'er's expression was filled with shock.

Su Yu looked up, his expression shifting slightly.

Before them was a vast hall so expansive it seemed to stretch endlessly. Rows of experimental tables extended as far as the eye could see, with over fifty in each row.

Each table measured five meters by three meters, and there were even more rows extending into the distance. Behind most tables were people busily working.

The immense hall, with its semi-circular dome 20 meters high, was entirely covered in metal. The heavy metallic smell and the hum of machinery filled the air, overwhelming their senses.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the temporary Illustrious Virtue Hall Check-In mission. The temporary check-in reward package has been issued. Would you like to open it?]

"Yes."

[Ding! The package has been opened. Congratulations, host, for obtaining the pseudo-Level 10 soul tool Winter's Sword.]

[Congratulations, host, for obtaining the ranked carving blade Holy Judgement.]

[Congratulations, host, for obtaining six Level 9 soul tool bombs.]

Su Yu's thoughts brightened as the cold voice echoed in his mind.

Winter's Sword, Holy Judgement carving blade, Level 9 soul tool bombs?

Each one was a treasure!

Level 9 soul tool bombs, synonymous with destruction, were the Sun Moon Empire's most terrifying weapons.

Even Titled Douluos, or even Super Douluos, would fear these weapons. Being hit by one could mean severe injury—or death.

These bombs were a cornerstone of the Sun Moon Empire's dominance, and there were likely only a few dozen in existence. Yet Su Yu had just obtained six of them.

As for the Holy Judgement carving blade, it was a rare gem highly sought after by soul engineers, akin to a divine artifact.

This particular blade was ranked eighth among the legendary carving blades—a top-tier tool even among the elite.

If news of this gets out, even Jing Hongchen might be tempted. A good carving knife is invaluable to a soul engineer.

Of course, what shocked Su Yu the most was still the Winter's Sword.

The Winter's Sword—a pseudo-rank-10 soul tool.

Currently, the highest known rank for soul tools is rank-9. The only other pseudo-rank-10 soul tool recorded so far is the Death God Pagoda, whose overwhelming power could even injure Di Tian.

Death God Douluo Ye Xishui earned her fame largely thanks to the Death God Pagoda.

At present, it remains uncertain whether the Death God Pagoda has even been completed. Yet now, Su Yu already possesses another pseudo-rank-10 soul tool.

The power of a pseudo-rank-10 soul tool is, of course, unquestionable.

The Winter's Sword will go to Elder Hai. With it, his strength will improve even further, Su Yu silently decided.

A pseudo-rank-10 soul tool is far beyond Su Yu's current abilities. A good tool should match the right user.

Since Hai Bodong is his ally, Su Yu has no qualms about helping him grow stronger. With the Winter's Sword, Hai Bodong could take on both Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao simultaneously.

Even if Mu En harnessed the power of the Golden Tree, Hai Bodong could hold his own. The stronger Hai Bodong becomes, the more confident Su Yu feels in his plans.

Su Yu carefully weighed the costs and benefits.

As long as a certain God-King doesn't drop from the heavens unexpectedly, my safety is guaranteed for now, Su Yu mused. Oh, right, that God-King is still recovering. Who knows how long he'll take to heal?

I'm far from invincible. Best to play it safe, develop quietly, and avoid unnecessary risks! Su Yu chuckled internally.

Although his forces were decent, they were nothing compared to the Divine Realm.

When it was time to lay low, Su Yu had no problem doing so. Ambition requires patience, after all.

After letting his thoughts wander for a moment, Su Yu refocused. He didn't immediately claim his rewards—this was Illustrious Virtue Hall, after all. Keeping the rewards stored within the system for now felt more prudent.

Looking around, he noticed Yang Xu and the others still immersed in shock. The sheer scale of this place was undeniably overwhelming.

Meng Hongchen glanced at Su Yu. Seeing his composed expression, she smiled sweetly and began explaining:

"This is the central base for soul tool production within Illustrious Virtue Hall. Its area is massive—at least half the size of the entire Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy above ground."

"There are 5,000 experimental workbenches here. The ones hidden in the shadows at the back are unoccupied because no one is conducting research there."

"Essentially, the strongest soul engineers in the Sun-Moon Empire work here. Beyond this public base, there are many private laboratories. To qualify for one, a soul engineer must be at least rank 8 or higher."

Meng Hongchen's introduction brought the others out of their daze. They listened attentively, eager to absorb any information about this legendary hall.

"Our main goal here is to learn how to use soul tools and practice cooperating with the official team members," she continued.

"This time, Senior Ma will be leading the team, and he'll be responsible for teaching us.

"All right, let's head down."

With that, MengHongchen took the lead. Su Yu walked beside her as the group navigated the hall.

Inside, countless soul engineers were engrossed in their research, seemingly oblivious to Su Yu's group.

Soon, Meng Hongchen led them to a specific area where Su Yu spotted several familiar faces: Mi Jia, Lin Xi, Chen An, Xiao Xiafeng, and… Ma Rulong, the team captain.

Gathered here were the core members of the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy's representative team.

As Su Yu's group approached, Ma Rulong and the others paused their work, turning their attention toward them. Zhou Qin and Guan Bo visibly tensed under the collective gaze of so many senior members, their nerves clearly showing.

However, Ma Rulong and the others didn't dwell on them for long. Their eyes quickly settled on Su Yu.

After witnessing Su Yu's decisive victory over Xiao Hongchen in the reserve team's final match, these people developed a solid understanding of his strength. Even the notoriously arrogant Xiao Xiafeng had to acknowledge Su Yu's capabilities.

Su Yu had earned his place as someone worthy of special treatment.

"Welcome, Su Yu"

Ma Rulong greeted Su Yu warmly.

Previously, he had already been quite amicable toward Su Yu. But after witnessing his abilities firsthand, his attitude had grown even friendlier. Ma Rulong wasn't one to make enemies with someone destined to rise. Why create unnecessary conflict when cooperation is an option?

"Yes, it's my first time in Illustrious Virtue Hall. I'll be relying on you, Senior Ma, and everyone else for guidance."

Su Yu cupped his fists politely, displaying a respectful demeanor.

As long as no one provoked him—and if they weren't destined adversaries—Su Yu's attitude generally remained cordial. Arrogance and rudeness only served to isolate oneself.

"Haha, no problem, no problem," Ma Rulong chuckled. The others, including Mi Jia, responded with friendly smiles. Though Su Yu was strong, he didn't exude arrogance, making him seem approachable.

"Senior Ma, when will we begin our lessons?"

Su Yu asked, getting straight to the point after the pleasantries.

After all, they were here to learn, not socialize.

"Haha, don't worry. Elder Ma will arrive shortly. Your main focus will be on learning how to use soul tools and gaining practical experience," Ma Rulong explained.

"Additionally, we'll arrange some matches to practice teamwork."

"The coordination between you, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen with the rest of the team is particularly important."

Ma Rulong's words carried a clear meaning. Su Yu, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen were stronger than all the other official team members except for him. Their synergy with the team was vital for success.

This was the lineup Jing Hongchen envisioned for ultimately securing the championship.

"I see. But does Illustrious Virtue Hall have a place suitable for matches underground?"

Su Yu asked curiously. Fights are usually better held outdoors, after all.

"You'll find out soon enough," Ma Rulong replied cryptically, smiling knowingly.

Su Yu's eyes gleamed with interest. Could Illustrious Virtue Hall truly have constructed a combat arena underground? If so, the investment must have been astronomical!