Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King

"You seven, stay. The rest of you who have been eliminated, go back," Xuan Zi said casually, taking a bite of a chicken leg and waving the bone in his hand. His hair was messy, and his aura exuded a sense of gloom.

Even though many core disciples were eliminated without fully understanding why, leaving them dissatisfied, no one dared to voice their objections under Xuan Zi's oppressive demeanor. One by one, under the guidance of other teachers, the eliminated disciples left quietly. Only seven people remained, led by Bei Bei, standing in a line.

"Do you know why you're staying?"

Xuan Zi tossed away the chicken bone and took a swig from the wine gourd beside him. After losing an arm, he could no longer hold both the gourd and a chicken leg simultaneously. Being left with only one hand was inconvenient. Combined with his declining strength, Xuan Zi's aura had grown even gloomier. He no longer bothered to groom himself, making his disheveled appearance even more unapproachable.

Seeing that none of the seven responded, Xuan Zi continued, "The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament is about to begin.

"This tournament is not just a simple exchange between academies across the continent. It also involves political factors. Ever since our Shrek Academy rallied the original three nations of the continent to defeat the Sun-Moon Empire, their power has significantly waned. But over the millennia, the Sun-Moon Empire has focused on developing soul tools, and their overall strength has risen steadily. Meanwhile, the three empires of the original continent remain separate, lacking unity.

"The only reason the Sun-Moon Empire hasn't dared to act is that they lack confidence. With Shrek Academy here—with us here—they don't dare to make rash moves. This is not self-aggrandizement. If the Sun-Moon Empire wants to dominate the continent, their first target isn't the Star Luo, Heaven Dou, or Dou Ling Empires. It's Shrek Academy."

"Only we can unite the three empires to resist the Sun-Moon Empire, and only we have the high-level strength to counter their top-tier soul engineers. The Sun-Moon Empire doesn't dare to test our strength through a full-scale war, so their best approach is probing—and the best way to probe is through the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament."

"Hence, in this tournament, our sole opponent is the Sun-Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. For generations, our Shrek Academy teams have defeated the Sun-Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy to claim the championship and defend Shrek's honor. I believe this time will be no different."

As Xuan Zi spoke passionately about Shrek's glory, his face lit up with excitement. Below, one of the seven, Xu Sanshi, couldn't hold back and asked, "Elder Xuan, do you want us to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament?"

Upon hearing this, the other six showed signs of excitement, with Dai Huabin clenching his fists, his face full of enthusiasm. Could the task of defending Shrek's honor fall to them? An indescribable sense of pride welled up in their hearts. To represent Shrek Academy was already an honor in itself.

"Participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament? With just you lot?"

Xuan Zi snorted.

"The age requirement for the tournament is under twenty. While you meet the age criteria, your strength is far from sufficient. This battle you just experienced was only a selection process for the reserve team. Each reserve team is chosen before the Shrek Seven Monsters of the previous generation enter the competition. With your current age, the tournament five years from now will be your stage. As for now, don't aim too high."

He continued, "Due to special circumstances, you might get a chance to perform, but your main task is to observe, gain experience, and accumulate knowledge. And even if you join the reserve team now, that doesn't guarantee you'll represent the academy in the next tournament. At the very least, you'll need to enter the inner courtyard first."

His blunt words didn't dampen their spirits. Instead, the seven remained excited. A reserve team, after all, still had the potential to represent the academy. Moreover, the next tournament would truly be their stage. Being selected as candidates for the new generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters was already the greatest honor they could achieve. This honor would stay with them for life—even the proudest Dai Huabin was full of joy at this moment.

Seeing their happiness, Xuan Zi wasn't surprised. Shrek's thousand-year legacy carried a heavy weight of honor. He took another swig from his wine gourd and said, "Your selection into the reserve team is a secret of the academy. You are forbidden from revealing it. Otherwise, you will lose your qualification."

"Starting now, you'll train with me one day a week. There's one month left before the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament. During this time, I'll have you train alongside the seven participants representing us this year. Make the most of this opportunity to improve yourselves."

"All right, dismissed."

Xuan Zi waved his hand and picked up another chicken leg to eat. The seven left, their hearts filled with excitement.

...

At the Sun-Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, Third-Year Dormitory Area.

In Room 308, Su Yu opened his eyes after a night of meditation. A glint of light flashed through his icy blue eyes. After a night of practice, his soul power had advanced slightly, bringing him closer to level 47.

"System, daily check-in!"

The first thing Su Yu did every morning was now second nature.

[Ding! Check-in complete. Congratulations, host, you've received the martial art 'Sunflower Manual.]

"...Really?"

Su Yu couldn't help but smirk at the absurdity. This system was truly getting more creative. It even managed to conjure this infamous manual. The Sunflower Manual was legendary.

"First cut yourself, then harm your enemies," Su Yu thought wryly. A true masterpiece of martial arts, yet utterly unusable for him. Still, he wouldn't mind passing it along to someone with a special need for it.

After a brief internal monologue, Su Yu got out of bed and went to the bathroom to wash up. By the time he was done, the breakfast delivery had arrived. He set out two breakfasts—his and Wang Dong'er's. Today's breakfast was as lavish as always. Notably, Wang Dong'er's meals were now at the same standard as Su Yu's, thanks to the support of Jing Hongchen, who recognized Wang Dong'er's dual martial souls. In other respects, however, Wang Dong'er's treatment was less favorable compared to Su Yu's superior talent.

After everything was ready, Su Yu glanced at Wang Dong'er, who was still sound asleep. Su Yu extended a finger, gathering icy blue light at its tip. Approaching Wang Dong'er's bed, he placed the tip lightly on the back of Wang Dong'er's neck, releasing a bit of cold energy.

"Ahhh!"

Wang Dong'er woke up with a scream that echoed like a pig being slaughtered.

"Su Yu!"

Wang Dong'er glared, her small pink-and-blue eyes practically shooting flames. She had been in the middle of a sweet dream, only to be rudely awakened by Su Yu's bizarre methods. Needless to say, her morning temper flared. That kind of bone-chilling cold was truly refreshing and mind-clearing.

"I'm going to fight you!"

The more Wang Dong'er thought about it, the angrier she got. She was ready to challenge Su Yu to a one-on-one duel. But with just one hand, Su Yu easily subdued her.

"All right, we need to head to Illustrious Virtue Hall today. If you don't get up now, we'll be late. How is that my fault?"

Su Yu held Wang Dong'er's head down with one hand, and a single sentence calmed her down. Today marked the first day the reserve team would enter Illustrious Virtue Hall to train alongside the main team. As a member of the reserve team, Wang Dong'er couldn't afford to miss it.

"But you can't wake me up like that! Do you know what it's like to be frozen awake?"

Wang Dong'er pouted, a hint of grievance in her voice. That deep, penetrating cold was no different from having ice cubes stuffed into your clothes in the dead of winter. It was unbearable.

"But it was effective, wasn't it? Look, one wake-up call and you're wide awake. Do you still want to sleep now?"

Su Yu said with a teasing smile.

"Hmph, just wait until I get the chance. I'll make sure you experience this too!"

Wang Dong'er snorted, stomped off a few steps, then turned back and stomped on Su Yu's foot before heading into the bathroom to freshen up.

Su Yu chuckled and began enjoying his breakfast. After finishing his meal, he casually flipped through a book while waiting for Wang Dong'er. Once Wang Dong'er finished her breakfast and got ready, the two of them set off for Illustrious Virtue Hall. This sacred site of the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, revered by soul engineers across the continent, was finally within their reach.

[Ding! A temporary check-in task has been issued: Check-in location—Illustrious Virtue Hall. Check-in time—within one day.]

Sure enough, the system's voice echoed in Su Yu's mind, filling him with delight. As expected, Illustrious Virtue Hall held opportunities for rewards. Now the question was, what kind of rewards could he earn this time? Su Yu couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.

When Su Yu and Wang Dong'er arrived at Illustrious Virtue Hall, there were already a few figures outside the grand entrance. Three fourth-level soul engineers stood there. Their aura was noticeably less refined than that of the Illustrious Virtue Hall members. There was a youthful immaturity about them, indicating that they still lacked the polish of true experts.

The three lined up obediently outside the door, their demeanor making it clear to anyone that they were newcomers. Seasoned veterans wouldn't act so prim and proper. Su Yu recognized these three immediately. After all, he had selected them himself.

They were Zhou Qin, Guan Bo, and Yang Xu. Among them, Yang Xu was the strongest—a fourth-level soul engineer and a Level 47 Soul Elder, even higher than Su Yu by one level. Zhou Qin and Guan Bo were also formidable, both with Level 45 soul power and fourth-level soul engineer status.

When they saw Su Yu and Wang Dong'er approach, the three greeted him in unison, "Captain!"

Su Yu had earned their respect through his real strength, having defeated both Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen to claim the reserve team championship. These three were top-tier students, but they deeply admired Su Yu. When someone is only slightly better than you, you might feel jealous. But when someone is far superior, all you feel is admiration. Admiring the strong is human nature. For Yang Xu and the others, Su Yu was a figure far beyond their reach.

"You guys arrived pretty early, huh?"

Su Yu said with a faint smile.

Yang Xu grinned.

"This is a rare opportunity to enter Illustrious Virtue Hall. Who wouldn't want to come early?"

Guan Bo and Zhou Qin nodded enthusiastically. After all, this was Illustrious Virtue Hall. Su Yu smiled but said nothing. He fully understood their eagerness. For soul engineers, Illustrious Virtue Hall was indeed a sacred place. He was curious to see what it looked like inside.

"Looks like you're all quite punctual," a playful voice came from behind.

Su Yu turned to see Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen approaching together. Xiao Hongchen still carried that slightly arrogant and dramatic demeanor, while Meng Hongchen exuded youthful vitality and an indescribable elegance. Upon seeing Su Yu, Meng Hongchen smiled warmly, like blooming spring flowers—radiant and captivating.

"Senior Xiao Hongchen, Senior Meng Hongchen," Yang Xu and the others greeted respectfully.

Unlike Su Yu, they couldn't afford to be casual. Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen held extremely high status in the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy. Despite their young age, they were already members of Illustrious Virtue Hall, and other students always treated them with deference. Xiao Hongchen's arrogance wasn't unwarranted; he had the credentials to back it up.

Xiao Hongchen waved dismissively at their greetings, while Meng Hongchen returned a gentle smile and nodded before walking up to Su Yu. With her wine-red hair flowing loosely and dressed in the Illustrious Virtue Hall uniform, Meng Hongchen looked radiant today. Her fair, makeup-free face glowed like polished jade, delicate and charming.

"Meng'er, you look beautiful today," Su Yu complimented after a glance.

The more time he spent with Meng Hongchen, the more he admired her. She had a remarkable sense of propriety. Though slightly proud by nature, she was always gentle and considerate in front of him. Few men could resist a beautiful, gentle, and sweet-natured girl, and Su Yu was no exception. Even with his high standards, he had to admit Meng Hongchen struck a chord with him. Especially since she treated him so well.

"R-Really?"

Meng Hongchen's face reddened slightly, but inwardly she felt a surge of joy. Su Yu complimented her! It was the first time he'd called her beautiful. Her efforts to dress up today hadn't been in vain. She felt a sweet satisfaction bubble up inside as she thought about it.