Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King

Credits: freya

It was hard to imagine such a place existed within the Star Emperor Hotel.

Even though Wang Dong'er had stayed there for over ten days, she hadn't known this place existed.

From the girl's familiarity with the area, Wang Dong'er suspected her identity and background weren't simple—she must have some connection to the Star Emperor Hotel.

While Wang Dong'er might occasionally act like an innocent deer, she wasn't stupid.

The girl gracefully took a seat, her movements natural, while the two middle-aged men behind her stood like immovable sentinels.

"Please, Wang Dong, have a seat."

The girl gestured with a calm demeanor.

Wang Dong'er didn't hesitate. She sat across from her, staring at the elegant and noble girl with her pink and blue eyes wide open.

"Would you like something to drink?" the girl asked with a gentle smile.

"No need. Just say what you want to say. I have things to do afterward," Wang Dong'er replied coldly, clearly annoyed.

The girl covered her lips and chuckled lightly.

"Wang Dong, there's no need to be so guarded. I mean no harm."

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jiu Jiu."

Wang Dong'er remained unfazed, simply staring at her.

She hadn't heard of her name before, so naturally, it didn't evoke any reaction from her.

Jiu Jiu's eyes flickered briefly. He hasn't heard of me?

Was it because his status wasn't high enough? Or… was it because he didn't know much about external affairs?

While thoughts raced through her mind, her noble and elegant smile never wavered.

"Wang Dong, I've heard you're from the Clear Sky Sect?" she finally said, easing into the main topic after much preamble.

Upon hearing this, Wang Dong'er blinked, recalling Su Yu's warning from a few days ago.

Her pink and blue eyes narrowed immediately.

Su Yu had mentioned that exposing the Clear Sky Hammer would attract attention and that someone might come looking for her in private—either from the Star Luo Empire's royal family or Shrek Academy.

From the looks of it, this person wasn't from Shrek Academy, so she must be from the Star Luo Empire's royal family.

No wonder she seemed so familiar with the Star Emperor Hotel—she was part of the royal family!

At that moment, without Su Yu by his side, Wang Dong'er had to rely on herself. Her mind cleared for once.

"And if I am?"

Wang Dong'er replied indifferently.

So what if she was from the royal family? She wouldn't be eager to curry favor.

"I'm just a bit surprised," Jiu Jiu said with a smile.

"After all, the Clear Sky Sect has remained reclusive for many years. Your appearance, Wang Dong, is quite unexpected."

"A prodigy like you, with such remarkable talent and a dual martial soul—it's truly admirable for someone so young to achieve so much."

Jiu Jiu lavished Wang Dong'er with praise, attempting to flatter her.

However, Wang Dong'er remained unmoved. She knew these were just empty words.

Sure enough, Jiu Jiu shifted gears after her compliments.

"But I must admit, I'm a bit puzzled."

"The Clear Sky Sect was once the foremost sect in the world, renowned and respected across the continent."

"With your talent and lineage, Wang Dong, I imagine any academy would welcome you with open arms, even vying for the chance to admit you."

"Even Shrek Academy, the top institution on the continent, would likely go out of its way to accommodate you."

"So why, Wang Dong, did you choose to attend the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy instead?"

"Do you think their academy surpasses ours on the Douluo Continent?"

Though her tone was gentle and refined, her words were laced with subtle sharpness, leaving Wang Dong'er feeling pressured.

Wang Dong'er frowned.

"I never said that the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy is superior to the academies on the Douluo Continent. Don't twist my words."

Even Wang Dong'er, naive as she might sometimes seem, knew this was a trap she couldn't step into.

This Jiu Jiu, though seemingly harmless, was full of tricks.

"Wang Dong, you're being too sensitive. I'm not accusing you of anything," Jiu Jiu said with a light chuckle.

"I'm simply curious."

"I just wonder—if you still hold our Douluo Continent's academies in high regard, why did you decide to attend the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy?"

"Wang Dong, could you share your reasoning with me?"

"And if I refuse to answer?"

Wang Dong'er snorted.

Jiu Jiu didn't respond. She maintained her gentle smile, but the atmosphere grew heavy.

Wang Dong'er glanced at the two middle-aged men behind her and thought again of Su Yu's warning. Taking a deep breath, she forced himself to calm down.

After a long pause, Wang Dong'er spoke in a measured tone.

"The reason is simple. I wanted to study soul tools. That's all."

"But as far as I know, there are academies on the Douluo Continent that also teach soul tools," Jiu Jiu replied softly, clearly unconvinced.

"If I want to learn, I want to learn from the best. Is that not allowed?"

Wang Dong'er retorted.

Jiu Jiu fell silent.

When it came to soul tools, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy was undeniably the best.

The Douluo Continent had always lagged in this field, unable to compare with the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.

But… was it just about learning soul tools?

Jiu Jiu found herself skeptical.

Her royal upbringing made her naturally suspicious, and trust didn't come easily to her.

"Wang Dong, is there any other reason?"

Jiu Jiu pressed.

Wang Dong'er froze, a figure flashing through her mind.

If there was another reason, it would be… him.

In truth, Wang Dong'er didn't have a strong preference for soul tools. She didn't hate them, but she didn't love them either.

The main reason she stayed at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy… was because of that person.

Seeing Wang Dong'er hesitate, Jiu Jiu's eyes lit up.

There was another reason!

"Wang Dong, it seems there's more to the story. Could you share it with me?"

Jiu Jiu asked again.

Wang Dong'er hesitated for a moment, thinking of that person and feeling a pang of sourness in her heart.

She had never shared her true feelings with anyone—not even that person herself.

But now, for some reason, Wang Dong'er felt an urge to let it out, to release what she had kept bottled up for so long.

"Wang Dong?"

Jiu Jiu prompted again.

With a soft sigh, Wang Dong'er finally said, "It's also… for someone."

Jiu Jiu: ??!!!

For someone?

What kind of person?

Just as Jiujiu was about to ask further, the two middle-aged men behind her suddenly grew alert.

"Who's there?"

Jiujiu froze momentarily, watching as the two men turned their sharp gazes into the distance. Moments later, the sound of approaching footsteps became increasingly clear.

Soon, a figure came into view—a young man dressed in a fitted, pale moon-white outfit, with the emblem of a soul tool master proudly displayed on his chest. This attire marked him as a student of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.

Looking closer, the young man had sharp brows and bright, star-like eyes, exuding an air of nobility. A snowflake imprint rested between his brows, adding a distinct coolness to his already striking appearance. His long white hair and icy-blue eyes made him seem almost otherworldly.

As soon as Wang Dong'er saw him, her expression lit up with joy.

"Su Yu!"

"Wang Dong, what are you doing here? I've been looking all over for you," Su Yu replied, his voice tinged with a mix of relief and reproach.

Indeed, the newcomer was none other than Su Yu. Unable to find Wang Dong'er earlier, Su Yu had swept the area with his spiritual power and located her here. Just as he suspected, Wang Dong'er had been cornered by these people.

"Why are you here?"

Wang Dong'er asked, curiosity evident on her face, but her smile betrayed her delight. Seeing Su Yu gave her an immediate sense of reassurance as if her anchor had arrived.

"How could I not come looking for you when you went missing?"

Su Yu rolled his eyes, walking up to Wang Dong'er and casually placing a hand on his head.

Wang Dong'er didn't resist, simply grinning foolishly, completely forgetting that Jiujiu and her entourage were still seated opposite her.

"Su Yu, the captain of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's preparatory team. A pleasure to meet you," Jiujiu said with a polite smile, regaining her composure after a brief moment of surprise.

Although she didn't know how Su Yu had tracked them down, his presence didn't rattle her.

"Oh? How much of a pleasure?"

Su Yu quipped casually.

Jiujiu: "..."

How was she supposed to respond to that?

"My apologies, just a joke. And you are?"

Su Yu asked, completely at ease as he took the seat beside Wang Dong'er, his demeanor utterly unreserved.

"Just call me Jiujiu," she replied sweetly.

"Jiujiu? A fine name," Su Yu remarked, crossing one leg over the other as he drummed his fingers on the chair's armrest.

"So, Princess Jiujiu, what brings you here today? Are there issues with our Wang Dong here?"

"Has he perhaps offended you in some way?"

Jiujiu's elegant gaze sharpened momentarily as she studied Su Yu. With just her name, he had already guessed her identity? This young man clearly knew far more about the Star Luo Imperial Family than Wang Dong did.

"So, you're a royal princess," Wang Dong'er murmured, finally piecing things together. She had guessed that Jiujiu was from the royal family but hadn't realized she was an actual princess.

Based on the snippets of information Su Yu had occasionally shared before, the Star Luo Imperial Princess should be none other than the emperor's younger sister.

"You flatter me, but I'm just an ordinary princess," Jiujiu replied with a modest smile.

"Ordinary? Princess Jiujiu, you're too humble. Not many 'ordinary' princesses walk around with two Soul Douluo-level guards, wouldn't you agree?"

Su Yu commented, his tone tinged with amusement.

The moment he spoke, Jiujiu's expression stiffened, and even the two soul masters standing behind her were visibly startled.

This young man had seen through their strength at a glance?

Jiujiu's demeanor shifted subtly, her expression becoming more serious as she appraised Su Yu anew. No wonder this person had risen to become the captain of the Sun Moon Academy's preparatory team—he was no ordinary individual.

"Su Yu, your perception is truly extraordinary," Jiujiu said, her smile carrying a trace of respect.

"You flatter me, Princess. It's just a minor skill," Su Yu replied humbly.

"If I may ask, which family in the Sun Moon Empire does Su Yu hail from? With such exceptional talent, your lineage must be remarkable," Jiujiu asked, probing gently for information.

Su Yu chuckled heartily.

"Ah, you're mistaken, Princess. I'm no noble of the Sun Moon Empire. I'm but an insignificant figure from the Heavenly Soul Empire."

Jiujiu: ???

Jiujiu: (!)

She was utterly stunned.

Su Yu wasn't from the Sun Moon Empire but the Heavenly Soul Empire?

How could someone from the Heavenly Soul Empire become the captain of the Sun Moon Academy's preparatory team?

This revelation left Jiujiu momentarily speechless. She glanced back and forth between Wang Dong'er and Su Yu, quickly forming a startling conclusion—Wang Dong'er seemed to follow Su Yu's lead entirely.

In their interactions, it was clear Su Yu held an undeniable position of authority.

Her thoughts raced as she tried to decipher Su Yu's background. Surely he wasn't telling the truth about being a "nobody." That was absurd. But no matter how much she wracked her brain, she couldn't pinpoint which force he might belong to.

"Don't tell me... you're also from the Clear Sky Sect?"

Jiujiu ventured tentatively.

Su Yu nearly burst out laughing.

"Princess, you've misunderstood. I'm not from the Clear Sky Sect."

Jiujiu scrutinized his expression and realized her guess was incorrect. But if he wasn't from the Clear Sky Sect, then where could he possibly be from?

Su Yu's sudden appearance had thoroughly muddied the waters. What initially seemed like a straightforward situation—Clear Sky Sect disciples studying at the Sun Moon Academy—had now become far more convoluted.

Could it be that not only the Clear Sky Sect, but other factions as well, had thrown their lot in with the Sun Moon Empire?

Desperate for clarity, Jiujiu rephrased her earlier question.

Su Yu responded with a faint smile.

"Of course, it's to study soul tools. The Sun Moon Academy leads the world in this field. If one wants to learn, why not learn from the best?"

Jiujiu: ...

That reason again?

She might have believed it when Wang Dong'er said it, but now that Su Yu was parroting the same excuse, her skepticism grew.

"Su Yu, is that all there is to it?"

Jiujiu pressed.

"What else could there be? Isn't the purpose of attending an academy to study? Or do you have some other grand conspiracy in mind?"

Su Yu asked, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

"Perhaps it's simply hard for others to believe," Jiujiu replied.

"Or perhaps you're just overthinking it," Su Yu shot back.

"Can't we simply be students seeking knowledge at the Sun Moon Academy?"

Jiujiu's eyes narrowed slightly, her smile now carefully measured. "Naturally, that's possible. But one shouldn't forget their roots, wouldn't you agree?"

"I couldn't agree more," Su Yu replied smoothly.

"After all, the goal of learning is to give back and contribute to one's homeland."

"Su Yu, such a noble sentiment. If everyone had your level of awareness, the empire would undoubtedly prosper," Jiujiu said with a "sweet" smile.

"You flatter me, Princess. It's simply the duty of a loyal citizen," Su Yu responded with an equally "sincere" smile.

The two continued to exchange pleasantries, their expressions polished and cordial, as if they were lifelong friends.