Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King-Chapter 253: [DD2]:

However, Yan Shaozhe still didn't fully understand Mu En. This old relic—how could the conditions he offered be as simple as they seemed on the surface?

Su Yu smiled playfully, grasping the deeper meaning behind Mu En's words.

Training in the Sea God's Pavilion for a year?

Wasn't that just a disguised way of keeping him at Shrek Academy for a year?

A whole year—more than enough time to accomplish whatever was intended.

This old fox, Mu En, was paving the way for his plans.

Whether he wanted to pair him up with Ma Xiaotao or had some other goals, keeping Su Yu at the academy would already be half the battle won.

As for training in the Sea God's Pavilion for a year, so what?

To Shrek Academy, it was nothing—completely inconsequential.

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This old guy was scheming.

Tapping his fingers lightly on the table, Su Yu decisively rejected Mu En.

"Old man Mu, I appreciate your kindness, but I'm not interested in training in the Sea God's Pavilion."

"Besides, I'm quite busy and can't stay here for too long."

Su Yu's response was straightforward.

Hearing this, Mu En let out a faint sigh. It was unclear if he was simply disappointed that his plan hadn't worked out.

His aged voice echoed, "Is that so? What a pity."

"Alright then, let this old man change the offer—aside from Sovereign Descent, I'll also give you two soul bones. What do you think?"

Su Yu feigned curiosity and asked, "What kind of soul bones?"

"And what level are they?"

Mu En smiled. "Soul bones infused with dragon lineage, over ten thousand years old. How about that?"

"Ten thousand years? That's too low. I wouldn't even want them if you gave them to me for free. The minimum should be fifty thousand years."

"Then fifty thousand years it is—two pieces for you."

Mu En agreed without the slightest hesitation.

Yan Shaozhe secretly clicked his tongue in astonishment. He wanted to interject but ultimately held back.

In his heart, he was already wincing in pain.

Soul bones related to dragons were never cheap.

And these were at least fifty thousand years old.

For the teacher to casually throw out two of them—this was all money.

So much money!

The thought of so much wealth slipping away made Yan Shaozhe incredibly distressed.

It reminded him of how Su Yu had previously tricked him out of a Bright Flame Bird soul bone.

That was also a good soul bone!

No, the more he thought about it, the more painful it became.

Hiss—what a loss!

Yan Shaozhe's face was filled with anguish.

Su Yu raised an eyebrow, looking at Mu En with some surprise.

So Shrek Academy did have some foundation after all—two dragon soul bones, handed over so casually.

Even though he didn't particularly care about the soul bones, that didn't mean he didn't understand their value.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Su Yu said, "I heard that your esteemed academy has cultivation insights left behind by an extreme wind attribute soul master?"

Yan Shaozhe finally couldn't hold back and protested, "Young Master Su Yu, isn't this enough? We've already given quite a lot!"

Su Yu smiled leisurely. "Dean Yan, look at you, getting all anxious."

"Negotiating business is all about asking for the sky. We're still in talks, aren't we?"

Yan Shaozhe huffed, "But your asking price is way too steep—I can't sit still anymore."

"Shrek Academy's money doesn't grow on trees, you know!"

"Oh? Then I have something to say about that. This bloodline confrontation is quite perilous."

"What if my grand guardian is injured by the Taotie bloodline and suffers damage to his bloodline?"

"Can you afford that kind of risk?"

Yan Shaozhe: "…"

Risk?

What risk?!

Even at his peak, Elder Xuan wasn't a match for Mu Wu.

Now, in his half-dead state, where would he even get the ability to injure Mu Wu?

If you want to extort us, just say so outright!

Yan Shaozhe inwardly cursed, his face twisted in agony.

Mu En sighed helplessly and said, "Fine, I'll throw in the extreme wind attribute soul master's cultivation insights as well."

"That should be enough, right?"

Recalling the aura of surpassing limits that he had sensed from Su Yu before, Mu En took another step back.

To be honest, Su Yu's demands had already exceeded his expectations.

But circumstances had changed—Su Yu was now someone he had to treat with greater caution.

Seeing Mu En nod, Su Yu grinned and rubbed his hands together. "Now that's more like it."

Yan Shaozhe turned his head away, feeling like he was bleeding inside.

Just for one move from Mu Wu, they had to pay such a hefty price.

This little brat knew how to extort people!

And the worst part? It had to be Mu Wu, and Su Yu's background was too strong.

With a monopoly and a powerful backing, Shrek Academy could only beg.

Sigh—this feeling was truly unbearable.

"Now, onto the second matter—it concerns Xiaotao."

"Su Yu, you're aware of Xiaotao's situation. We'll have to trouble you again."

Mu En continued.

Su Yu blinked—Ma Xiaotao?

Ma Xiaotao was different from Xuanzi.

Even if Xuanzi was healed, with his damaged foundation, he could never reach Rank 98 Super Douluo again.

To be honest, Su Yu didn't even take him seriously.

Even if he recovered—so what? He posed no real threat.

But Ma Xiaotao was different.

If her evil fire problem was resolved, wouldn't she soar to new heights?

Ma Xiaotao's natural talent wasn't inferior to Zhang Lexuan's.

She had the potential to reach the ultimate douluo.

Though she still needed time to grow, Su Yu didn't want to see another rising star from Shrek Academy.

Hearing Mu En's request, Su Yu instinctively wanted to refuse.

Noticing Su Yu's indifferent expression, Yan Shaozhe immediately sensed something was wrong.

He hurriedly said, "Young Master Su Yu, you and Xiaotao have known each other for a long time."

"You should know that she has deep feelings for you."

"You've been apart for two years, and she's missed you all this time."

"I've never seen Xiaotao care about any man this much—her feelings for you run deep!"

"She has only ever liked you her whole life! You wouldn't bear to see her suffer from the evil fire, would you?"

"Young Master Su Yu, if you agree, I'm willing to betroth Xiaotao to you immediately. You can take her home today."

Su Yu: "…"

Mu En: "…"

Zhang Lexuan: "…"

…

Even Mu En was stunned by Yan Shaozhe's words.

Shaozhe… Shaozhe… you're overdoing it!

Are you sure you're talking about Xiaotao?

Zhang Lexuan's expression also turned strange.

She could believe that Xiaotao liked Su Yu.

With Xiaotao's competitive nature, it was normal for her to develop feelings after repeatedly losing to him.

After all, Su Yu had top-tier talent, background, and looks—it was completely reasonable for Xiaotao to like him.

But what Yan Shaozhe was saying was simply too ridiculous.

"Deeply devoted?"

Did he dare to say that?

Zhang Lexuan felt that if anyone was deeply devoted, it would be her.

She had firmly set her heart on Xiao Yu—she was the one truly deeply devoted.

As for Xiao Tao?

Zhang Lexuan subtly shook her head. If Xiaotao were really that devoted, Su Yu wouldn't have treated her with such indifference.

Though Su Yu was cunning, he was also a gentle person when it came to true feelings.

The reason he was so indifferent to Xiaotao, even dismissive, was that he simply didn't feel anything for her.

Yan Shaozhe's words were pure nonsense.

Sure enough, after hearing him speak, the veins on Su Yu's forehead twitched.

Xiaotao was head over heels for him?

Xiaotao was deeply devoted?

Xiaotao missed him every day and longed for him every night?

Are you sure you're talking about Xiaotao?

Su Yu was utterly speechless.

If that were the case, he'd wash his hair standing on his head.

And then the final part—offering to marry Xiaotao off to him and letting him take her home today.

Yan Shaozhe, Yan Shaozhe, your abacus beads are practically bouncing off my face!

If he took Xiaotao back, wouldn't his harem explode?

He had no interest in entertaining this crazy woman.

Xiaotao might be fun to mess with, but taking her in? Absolutely not.

Living with such a hot-tempered woman every day would probably shorten his lifespan by ten years.

Rubbing his temples, Su Yu said impatiently, "Dean Yan, speak properly. If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll walk out of here right now."

"Hey, hey, Su Yu, no need to get agitated!" Yan Shaozhe quickly said.

Su Yu rolled his eyes. "You're talking nonsense. I know Miss Xiaotao well enough, and I didn't see any of what you're describing."

"Ahem, I might have added some artistic embellishments, but Xiaotao does like you," Yan Shaozhe coughed, feeling a little guilty.

Su Yu stretched lazily. "I'm not bragging, but there are plenty of people who like me. Miss Xiaotao isn't exactly special."

"Dean Yan, just say what you want. Don't try to cozy up to me."

Yan Shaozhe sighed helplessly. "Su Yu, are you really this heartless? You're just going to watch Xiaotao walk down a dark path?"

"She can't live without you!"

Su Yu: "…"

He glanced at Yan Shaozhe before turning and walking away.

"Hey, don't go! Don't go! I won't say any more!"

Yan Shaozhe quickly rushed forward to stop him, speaking in a good-natured tone until Su Yu finally sat back down.

Seeing Su Yu settle in again, Yan Shaozhe sighed in relief, though he also felt a bit helpless.

It seemed like trying to cozy up to him was a lost cause.

He had originally hoped to push Xiaotao onto Su Yu in the process, but Su Yu wasn't falling for it at all.

Did Su Yu dislike Xiaotao that much?

Xiaotao wasn't bad, was she?

He didn't get it.

If it were him when he was young, he would have accepted this kind of good deal without hesitation.

Who would refuse a stunning beauty?

Su Yu must not be normal.

Yan Shaozhe thought to himself.

"Shaozhe, sit down," Mu En finally spoke.

Yan Shaozhe immediately sat up straight.

Mu En's voice sounded again. "Su Yu, you understand the situation."

"Shaozhe is anxious, but some of what he said is true."

"Xiaotao does need your help."

"Saying she can't live without you isn't entirely wrong."

"Xiaotao has a bad temper, we know that. We're not expecting you to like her."

"But she's still young—she has a bright future ahead of her. Can you help her?"

"Consider it a favor to this old man."

Su Yu remained unmoved.

A favor?

If you were as healthy as Long Xiaoyao, then maybe I'd consider it.

Crossing his arms, Su Yu said flatly, "Old Mu, it's not that I'm heartless or willing to see Miss Xiaotao fall to ruin."

"But I just can't help. Her problem is too severe, and it's not something that can be solved overnight."

"I don't have the time."

"Su Yu, we're willing to compensate you," Cai Meier said softly.

Su Yu shook his head. "This has nothing to do with compensation. Do you think I care about your measly offerings?"

"Xiaotao's evil fire originates from her martial soul and is deeply rooted."

"At least ten years—ten years at a minimum."

"During these ten years, she would need to have her evil fire suppressed with ultimate ice every few months, without interruption."

"Only then could it be completely eradicated."

"To be blunt, I just don't have the time."

Yan Shaozhe fell silent. Cai Meier opened her mouth but had nothing to say.

The elders looked at one another, and their thoughts varied.

Yan Shaozhe gritted his teeth. "Then let Xiaotao follow you. Wherever you go in the next ten years, she'll go with you."

"You can treat her as a subordinate or a lackey—she'll obey your every command. You can assign her any task you want."

"My only request is that you help her suppress her evil fire when needed. Is that acceptable?"

With those words, Yan Shaozhe was essentially offering Xiaotao to Su Yu for ten years.

Ten years as a servant?

More or less.

The elders thought he was crazy.

But they had to admit—it was a feasible solution.

Ten years as a servant in exchange for purification of the evil fire… It was worth it.

"Dean Yan, you must be joking. I don't like having people following me around," Su Yu refused.

Yan Shaozhe grew anxious. "Su Yu, won't you give us even a sliver of a chance? I'm begging you, okay?"

"You like soul bones, right? I can give you another one."

"I only have one disciple—Xiaotao."

Yan Shaozhe's words were filled with sincerity, his deep concern for Xiaotao evident.

Su Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Yan Shaozhe might have had his flaws, but when it came to Xiaotao, his care was genuine.

But Su Yu's heart had long since turned cold.

Outside of a few select people, it was difficult to move him.

No matter how real Yan Shaozhe's concern for Xiaotao was, it wouldn't change Su Yu's decision.

Just then, Zhang Lexuan suddenly, ever so lightly, kicked Su Yu under the table.

Su Yu immediately frowned.

What was Zhang Lexuan up to?

Was she trying to get him to save Xiaotao?

Impossible. She knew his mindset too well.

With her personality, she shouldn't be interfering with his decisions.

Su Yu was puzzled.

Did Zhang Lexuan have some other plan?

Thoughts raced through his mind, and Su Yu casually said, "This is a big decision—I need to think about it."

Yan Shaozhe grew nervous. "Consideration" was often a polite way of saying "no."

But Su Yu's expression was firm, giving him no room to argue.

Yan Shaozhe opened his mouth but eventually said, "Then please think it over carefully. I'll be waiting for your answer."

Su Yu responded casually, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then—finally—the familiar, cold voice echoed in his mind.