Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King

"Young Master, I have an important matter to report," Luo Yi said respectfully.

"Oh?"

Su Yu raised an eyebrow.

"An important matter? What is it?"

"This is the situation, Young Master."

Luo Yi then explained everything about Yan Shaozhe bringing Ma Xiaotao to the Ice God Palace seeking medical help.

"The guardians couldn't make a decision, so they sent me to request instructions from you, Young Master," Luo Yi added.

After hearing Luo Yi's report, Su Yu was a bit surprised.

"Seeking medical help from the Ice God Palace? That was unexpected," Su Yu said with a faint smile. Under normal circumstances, he would have instructed Lu Yuan to tell Yan Shaozhe and the others to leave. After all, he wasn't fond of Shrek Academy. However, since Yan Shaozhe was willing to offer a Dragon Pill in exchange, this changed things. Su Yu was well aware of the Dragon Pill's value.

"It seems Shrek Academy is having a tough time if they're willing to offer a Dragon Pill for Ma Xiaotao's treatment," Su Yu said, a strange smile on his face.

In the original story, Ma Xiaotao hadn't received such privileged treatment. The root of the issue was that Shrek Academy no longer had many promising young talents, which made Ma Xiaotao more important. Of course, Ma Xiaotao's talent was not to be underestimated. At nineteen years old, she was already a level sixty-seven Soul Emperor. If it weren't for the evil fire, she might have reached the Soul Sage level by now. In terms of talent, she was on par with Zhang Lexuan.

If she could receive a stroke of fortune and ascend to the pinnacle of fire, she would soar to great heights. Ma Xiaotao had a bright future—assuming the evil fire problem could be resolved. If not, the evil fire would eventually consume her, and she'd perish in self-immolation. In that case, her future would be moot.

Su Yu's mind raced as he considered his decision.

"What are your thoughts, Young Master?"

Luo Yi asked cautiously, noticing Su Yu's prolonged silence.

Su Yu glanced at Luo Yi.

"After some thought, I've decided to agree. After all, one shouldn't turn down a Dragon Pill when it's offered freely."

"Moreover, Yan Shaozhe only asked for treatment. He promised us the Dragon Pill just for agreeing to treat her—he didn't say we had to cure her," Su Yu added.

Luo Yi was stunned, his eyes wide with surprise as he looked at Su Yu. He wasn't foolish—he immediately understood Su Yu's implication. Su Yu wanted the Dragon Pill but didn't intend to fully cure Ma Xiaotao. Honestly, that was a bit underhanded.

But Luo Yi didn't dare say it aloud, especially with two major figures watching from the shadows.

"Are you thinking to yourself that I'm being underhanded?"

Su Yu asked with an expressionless face, his gaze intense.

Luo Yi hurriedly replied, "I wouldn't dare!"

"You wouldn't dare—but it doesn't mean you're not thinking it, right?"

Su Yu pressed on.

Luo Yi: "..."

"You've got quite the nerve," Su Yu said with a half-smile.

"I admit my guilt!"

Luo Yi knelt on one knee, trembling. He could almost feel the cold aura emanating from the two powerful figures lurking in the void. As a mere ninety-sixth-level Super Douluo, he couldn't possibly withstand their pressure.

"Alright, I'm just messing with you. But you're not wrong—I'm indeed being underhanded," Su Yu said, his hands behind his back.

"Still, when dealing with Shrek Academy, it's better to be underhanded."

"A Dragon Pill is valuable, but it's not enough to compare about fully curing Ma Xiaotao."

"The evil fire in Ma Xiaotao is innate, tied to her martial soul. It's not something that can be easily cured."

"It's not that the Ice God Palace lacks the means to cure her, but the things that can cure her are far more valuable than a Dragon Pill."

"Do you want me to use the seed of the Rebirth Ice Lotus to save Ma Xiaotao? Or have her be illuminated by the Ice God's Light in the Ice God Main Hall?"

"Do you understand what the Ice God Main Hall is?"

Su Yu asked.

"Or maybe you want the High Priest to personally intervene?"

"Do you think a single Dragon Pill is enough to mobilize the High Priest?"

With each sentence, Luo Yi shuddered. Yes, the Ice God Palace did have the means to cure Ma Xiaotao, but compared to those items, the Dragon Pill's value was insignificant.

"Yan Shaozhe requested treatment, so we'll provide treatment. If Ma Xiaotao's condition improves, isn't that considered treatment?"

"Did they think one Dragon Pill would be enough for a permanent solution and a bright future? Wishful thinking."

"If they want a full recovery, they'll have to... add more. Otherwise, there's nothing to discuss," Su Yu concluded.

"I understand now," Luo Yi said, finally grasping Su Yu's meaning—the price wasn't high enough.

"The Dragon Pill is worth our effort to treat her, but a full cure would cost extra."

"So you finally understand," Su Yu said with a faint smile, then glanced toward the void.

"Elder Mu, please come out."

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure suddenly appeared. It was none other than Baxia Douluo Douluo, Mu Wu.

"Young Master!"

Mu Wu greeted with a bow.

"Elder Mu, I'm sure you heard our conversation just now."

"I'd like you to accompany the Eighth Guardian back to the palace. The Ice God Palace holds many treasures, and Yan Shaozhe is a man prone to taking advantage of others. Don't let him set his sights on anything of ours."

"You'll return to keep him in check, and you can also assist in treating Ma Xiaotao."

"Having your assistance in exchange for a Dragon Pill is the greatest favor we can offer them," Su Yu said calmly.

"I understand," Mu Wu replied.

"Very well, I'll leave it to you then," Su Yu said, raising his hand.

Mu Wu immediately understood and, grabbing the still somewhat bewildered Luo Yi, swiftly departed.

"Do you think I'm being too underhanded here, Elder Hai?"

Su Yu asked, seemingly to no one.

A moment later, Haibodong silently appeared out of thin air.

"I think you've done well, Young Master. But there's one thing you could improve," Haibodong remarked.

Su Yu raised an eyebrow.

"Please, enlighten me."

Haibodong chuckled.

"Young Master, you've made it clear that the Dragon Pill isn't enough, and if they want a full recovery, they'll have to pay more. But I think, why not seize the opportunity and milk them for a lifetime?"

"After all, they have no other options besides coming to us. We've got them completely in our grasp," Haibodong said with a sly grin.

Hearing this, Su Yu was dumbfounded. He stared at Haibodong for a long time, unable to believe that this elder was even more scheming than he was.

"Elder Hai, you're something else!"

Su Yu gave him a thumbs-up.

Haibodong laughed heartily.

"Young Master, let's keep it low-key."

The two exchanged glances and burst out in laughter, their shared mirth full of ill intentions.

...

The cold wind howled, and snow swirled in the air. Two figures made their way through the vast snowstorm. One wore white, the other red. These two figures were Yan Shaozhe and Ma Xiaotao.

The two-day deadline had passed, and once again, Yan Shaozhe brought Ma Xiaotao to this place. Learning from their previous encounter, Yan Shaozhe didn't dare act recklessly this time. Standing on the thick snow, his clear voice rang out in the silent, desolate world.

"Yan Shaozhe of Shrek Academy, with disciple Ma Xiaotao, requests an audience!"

Empowered by his soul power, Yan Shaozhe's voice boomed like thunder, reaching far into the distance. Seemingly in response to his voice, a sky-blue barrier manifested in the swirling snow. The icy blue light emanated an intense cold, even pushing away the falling snow around it, as the vast barrier revealed its true form.

A buzzing sound filled the air as a two-meter-wide, three-meter-tall doorway appeared on the barrier. Two figures stepped out from the gateway. One of them was Lu Yuan, who had appeared previously. His large frame made him look like a small giant.

The other figure was dressed in an icy blue gown, looking as beautiful as a snow elf. Her pure and cold demeanor caused Yan Shaozhe's pupils to contract. This woman was too beautiful—almost dreamlike. Even Xian Ling'er and Cai Mei'er couldn't compare.

Yan Shaozhe had never seen such a stunning woman before and was momentarily entranced. However, with his decades of experience, he quickly regained his composure. Ma Xiaotao, on the other hand, was still mesmerized, staring at the woman without blinking.

"Xiaotao!"

Yan Shaozhe called softly, snapping her out of her daze. He cupped his hands and said, "Apologies for the rudeness. I am Yan Shaozhe, Dean of the inner court of Shrek Academy."

"I am Lu Yuan, Second Guardian of the Ice God Palace."

"And I am Shui Lingguang, Fourth Guardian of the Ice God Palace," the two introduced themselves.

It was only then that Yan Shaozhe learned Lu Yuan's name. The last time they met, Lu Yuan hadn't even bothered to give his name. This time, he introduced himself right away.

Could it be...?

Yan Shaozhe felt a surge of hope and quickly asked, "May I ask if there's been a response to my previous request?"

Lu Yuan glanced at Yan Shaozhe and said indifferently, "Your Shrek Academy has good luck. The higher-ups have agreed."

"The Grand Guardian has invited you in."

"The Grand Guardian?"

Yan Shaozhe was stunned. Could this Grand Guardian be the strongest figure in the Ice God Palace? Both of these guardians were stronger than him, and the pressure they exerted was immense. He couldn't imagine how powerful the Grand Guardian must be.

But his surprise only lasted a moment before joy filled him. Since the Ice God Palace had agreed, Ma Xiaotao could be saved.

"Thank you for your assistance," Yan Shaozhe said politely.

"Follow us," Lu Yuan said, casting a glance at Yan Shaozhe before turning to lead the way through the portal, with Shui Lingguang beside him. Yan Shaozhe quickly followed, bringing Ma Xiaotao along.

As soon as they entered, the barrier closed, and the gateway disappeared without a trace.

Once inside, the scenery changed drastically.

What lay before them was a vast, magnificent city of ice and snow. Everywhere they looked was a frozen world, with nearly everything constructed from ice.

"This is our Ice and Snow City, part of the Ice God Palace. Almost everything here, including the buildings, is made of thousand-year ice," Shui Lingguang explained, her gentle personality making her the de facto guide for the moment.

Lu Yuan, with his domineering nature, wouldn't bother to explain anything.

"Incredible!"

Yan Shaozhe marveled, genuinely amazed by what he saw.

Thousand-year ice was rare in the outside world. It was extremely hard, even tougher than iron. Moreover, cultivating near thousand-year ice helped maintain a calm mind, enhancing meditation. Although not extremely valuable, the sheer amount of it here was astounding.

An entire city made from thousand-year ice—what kind of concept was that?

Yan Shaozhe had seen many things in his life, but this scene left him speechless. It was beyond extravagant.

Previously, he had thought that Shrek Academy was the most prestigious and deep-rooted institution on the continent. But after seeing this, his confidence was nearly shattered. He stomped his foot on the ground, confirming that even the bricks used to pave the streets were made of thousand-year ice. For a moment, Yan Shaozhe was at a loss for words. He was truly stunned.

As they continued forward, a wide river came into view, with a towering ice bridge spanning it. By this point, Yan Shaozhe and Ma Xiaotao had grown numb to the sights. They walked across the bridge, but when they looked down at the flowing river below, they were struck by another shock.

"How is the river not frozen in such cold weather?"

Ma Xiaotao exclaimed in disbelief.

This was a city of ice and snow, so the temperature must be extremely low. Yet the river wasn't frozen, and its waters surged violently, which shattered her understanding of the world.

"This is Emerald Water. Even in freezing conditions, it won't solidify. Though it's flowing, it's colder than the ice around it," Shui Lingguang explained.

Yan Shaozhe glanced at the river below, sensing something amiss. "Fourth Guardian, I have a question. Is there a soul beast living in this river?"

As a Super Douluo, his senses picked up the faint presence of soul beasts in the river.

"Yes, there are hundreds of ice-attribute soul beasts living in the river, all of whom are under the protection of the Ice God," Shui Lingguang replied without hesitation—there was no need to hide anything here in the Ice God Palace.

"Soul beasts?!"

Ma Xiaotao was astonished. Did the Ice God Palace also keep soul beasts?

"Soul beasts are living beings too. The Ice God is merciful and protects all ice-attribute creatures equally," Shui Lingguang explained, noticing Ma Xiaotao's confusion.

"Just like how the Sea God protects the seas, not only the sea soul masters but also the kind sea soul beasts," Yan Shaozhe chimed in with pride, subtly indicating that Shrek Academy had also produced a god.

"Uh..."

Shui Lingguang was taken aback.

Sea soul beasts are sea soul beasts, but what did 'kind sea soul beasts' mean? This Dean of Shrek Academy seemed to have some unusual thoughts.

But Shui Lingguang wasn't one to pry into others' affairs, and since it didn't concern her, she let it go.

"It seems the Ice God is just as kind and great as our ancestor, the Sea God," Ma Xiaotao said, enlightened.

Lu Yuan, leading the way ahead, almost burst out laughing. The Sea God... kind? That was the biggest joke he'd heard in his life.

Crossing the river, they arrived at the main city of Ice and Snow City. The entire city was encircled by the river. Everything outside the river was just the outer area of the Ice God Palace.