Jing Hongchen let out a cold laugh and looked over at Xu Tianran. "Is this what His Highness the Crown Prince wants as well?"
Xu Tianran gave an apologetic smile and sighed, "There's nothing I can do about it. I hope you can understand, Hall Master."
Jing Hongchen replied coldly, "And what if I don't? You're so sure that the Holy Spirit Sect can win? What if they lose?"
Xu Tianran's smile faded a little. "This is also my father's will."
Jing Hongchen's expression changed. "His Majesty is gravely ill, how could he possibly…"
"If you don't believe me, you can enter the palace and see His Majesty yourself. Do you think I'd dare deceive you?" Xu Tianran said with a smile.
Jing Hongchen fell silent. He hadn't expected Xu Tianran and the others to have even convinced the Sun Moon Emperor.
What was the Emperor thinking? Was he determined to follow the Holy Spirit Sect to the bitter end? Jing Hongchen felt that this was completely unlike the Emperor's usual style.
This was the Holy Spirit Sect after all—could it be trusted so easily?
Jing Hongchen's eyes flickered. If the royal family truly was this deeply entangled with the Holy Spirit Sect, he needed to start making preparations.
But surely things hadn't gone that far yet. If they had, the Holy Spirit Sect would have already become the state religion.
It must be Xu Tianran, the Crown Prince, stirring up trouble.
In the end, Jing Hongchen focused his suspicions on Xu Tianran. This was all definitely connected to the Crown Prince.
"How have you decided, Hall Master?" Xu Tianran asked.
Jing Hongchen collected himself and said, "I will enter the palace and ask His Majesty myself."
Xu Tianran smiled and said, "Please, do as you wish."
Jing Hongchen immediately got up and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Zhongli Wu and Xu Tianran exchanged a glance, both catching a fleeting smile in each other's eyes.
"Sect Master Wu, are you certain of victory?" Xu Tianran asked after Jing Hongchen had left.
He didn't want to see Su Yu win.
"Don't worry, Your Highness. Everything is under control." Zhongli Wu replied with a chuckle.
"That young master of the Ice God Palace is quite badly injured—perhaps it will give Your Highness a pleasant surprise."
"You mean…" Xu Tianran's eyes flickered, a smile slowly spreading across his face.
Zhongli Wu smiled and nodded.
Xu Tianran's smile bloomed instantly, but standing behind him, Juzi's eyes narrowed, a trace of deep worry crossing her face.
…
Bright Moon Hotel, Sky Villa No.1
Su Yu stretched lazily on the sofa, legs crossed, completely relaxed—nothing like his earlier strained appearance.
"Su Yu, you…" Nan Qiuqiu looked astonished, and Lan Fozi's eyes were also puzzled.
Wasn't Su Yu supposed to be injured? He didn't look even a little hurt.
Wang Dong'er laughed, "As if this guy would be so easily hurt. Long Aotian isn't qualified to even scratch him, okay?"
Long Aotian's final outburst might have neared Titled Douluo level, which was indeed impressive—but only depending on his opponent.
Su Yu could go head-to-head with Tai Tan—how could he possibly get injured by Long Aotian's attack?
It was just impossible.
"So, you're saying he was faking?" Nan Qiuqiu finally caught on.
"What else?" Wang Dong'er grinned and plopped down next to Su Yu. "He was putting on a show for the Holy Spirit Sect, right?"
She blinked playfully at Su Yu.
"You're so clever, huh?" Su Yu said with a smile.
"Of course!" Wang Dong'er lifted her chin proudly.
"Xiao Yu, are you targeting the Holy Spirit Sect?" Jiang Nannan asked softly.
Su Yu smiled calmly, "The Holy Spirit Sect came all this way, how could I let them go home empty-handed?"
"What do you plan to do?" Di Mingli sat down on Su Yu's other side.
Su Yu didn't answer, just opened his hand in a gesture like he was gripping something invisible.
Di Mingli's beautiful eyes flashed with a hint of battle spirit.
"What should we do?" she asked again.
Su Yu gently brushed her silky golden hair. "I'll tell you when the time comes—just be ready to cooperate."
"Alright."
Di Mingli agreed readily.
"Whatever you say, Xiao Yu, we'll do." Jiang Nannan added resolutely.
"Me too."
"Same here."
…
All the girls voiced their support.
Su Yu smiled, about to speak, when there was a knock at the door.
Jiang Nannan went to open it—it was a group from Shrek Academy.
At the front was Zhang Lexuan, flanked by Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo.
As soon as Wu Ming entered, she laughed, "Su Yu, your fight was amazing!"
She was clearly in a great mood.
After the three sat down, Wu Ming gushed again: "Su Yu, that was awesome! You completely flattened the Body Sect. You're the best."
She gave Su Yu a thumbs-up.
Su Yu had made the Body Sect surrender voluntarily, which had finally relieved Wu Ming's long-standing frustration.
It was as if Su Yu had avenged Shrek Academy.
"Ming'er is just too excited, don't mind her. By the way, Su Yu, are you alright?" Han Ruoruo smiled gently with concern.
Even though Su Yu had been hiding it, the hint of weakness he'd shown hadn't escaped a perceptive eye.
Han Ruoruo was now a Soul Douluo and her spiritual power was at Titled Douluo level—her observations were keen.
She had caught the subtle strain behind Su Yu's calm exterior.
"What, Su Yu, are you hurt?" Wu Ming immediately asked, worried.
Su Yu waved it off with a smile, "Do I look injured to you?"
Wu Ming leaned over the table, scrutinizing him closely.
She looked left and right as if trying to see his pores.
"Doesn't look like it," Wu Ming said after a moment.
"See?" Su Yu shrugged. "Fighting Long Aotian isn't enough to injure me. I'm not that fragile."
"You're…" Han Ruoruo, not being stupid, realized the truth.
Su Yu just smiled.
Han Ruoruo frowned in thought, then suddenly said, "Su Yu, about Tang Ya—"
Su Yu raised his hand, cutting her off. "Sister Ruoruo, I know what I'm doing."
Han Ruoruo opened her mouth, but at Su Yu's firm look, she could only give a wry smile. "Alright."
No use saying more.
Han Ruoruo was never one to overstep.
The atmosphere grew a little heavy, so Su Yu changed the topic. "How's everyone settling into the villa? If it's not comfortable, I can arrange something else."
Zhang Lexuan replied, "It's great, very comfortable."
Wu Ming agreed, "Yeah, such a big place, just for us, it's so spacious."
Su Yu laughed, "That's good. How's everyone's recovery?"
Han Ruoruo answered, "Everyone's doing well, only Sanshi's condition is bad—the healers can't figure it out."
"Oh, that's a shame."
…
After a bit more small talk, the three left.
Coincidentally, not long after, Xu Jiujiu arrived.
She first offered congratulations—like "Congratulations on defeating the Body Sect."
Then, she suddenly changed the subject, saying she wanted to speak with Su Yu in private.
"Princess Jiujiu, everyone here is someone I trust. If you have something to say, just say it," Su Yu replied calmly.
Xu Jiujiu smiled sweetly, "Young Master Su Yu, this is extremely confidential—it's not that I don't trust everyone here, but it really shouldn't be overheard."
Su Yu curled his lips. "Then don't say it. I don't want to know."
Xu Jiujiu: "…"
Wang Dong'er covered her mouth, nearly laughing out loud.
Xu Jiujiu naturally noticed and looked a bit aggrieved.
At that moment, Snow Empress got up. "I have something to do—you all talk."
Jiang Nannan also stood. "Me too."
Lan Fozi took Lan Lan and left, "We'll go practice some more."
Di Mingli glanced at Xu Jiujiu and left without a word.
Wang Dong'er said with a grin, "Maybe I should have something to do too?"
"Come on, you! You talk too much." Snow Empress pulled Wang Dong'er away, who winked at Su Yu.
In a flash, all the girls had left.
Watching them go, Xu Jiujiu pursed her lips and smiled, "Young Master Su Yu, you're really blessed, so many beautiful confidantes, and all so considerate."
Su Yu said irritably, "Princess Jiujiu, just say what you want. Don't play games."
Xu Jiujiu smoothed her hair and gently said, "Just call me Jiujiu. 'Princess' makes us sound like strangers."
Before Su Yu could respond, she continued, "We've known each other for so long—if nothing else, we're friends, right? No need to act like strangers."
Su Yu frowned. "Whatever. Say what you want. If you don't, I'm not interested."
"Don't be so impatient," Xu Jiujiu pouted, giving Su Yu a white-eyed look. "Su Yu, can I call you Xiao Yu?"
Su Yu replied expressionlessly, "Don't call me that."
Xiao Yu? The nerve!
Not just anyone was allowed to call him that.
"Alright, alright, I'll call you Su Yu."
Then, with a mysterious air, Xu Jiujiu said, "There's something I want to invite you to join. Are you interested?"
Su Yu raised an eyebrow. "What is it?
Assassinate Xu Tianran?
Or bomb Radiant City?"
Xu Jiujiu jumped in shock, looking as if she'd seen a ghost. "You…how did you know?"
Su Yu replied casually, "I know what I need to know."
Xu Jiujiu didn't believe it, seriously suspecting there was an Ice God Palace spy among them, or maybe the Heavenly Soul Empire had been infiltrated.
How else could Su Yu know something so secret?
Seeing Xu Jiujiu's expression, Su Yu knew what she was thinking, but couldn't be bothered to explain.
When Su Yu said nothing, Xu Jiujiu bit her lip. "Don't you have anything to say to me?"
Xu Jiujiu felt a little hurt. Star Luo Empire was always friendly—even enthusiastic—towards the Ice God Palace.
Yet Su Yu had planted spies in their midst? She couldn't accept it.
"What do I need to say?" Su Yu countered.
Xu Jiujiu bit her lip tightly. The princess known for her wisdom and strength now looked almost fragile, on the verge of tears.
Su Yu ignored her. He wouldn't be swayed by a woman's tears—especially not Xu Jiujiu's.
If she were this delicate, she wouldn't be Xu Jiujiu.
She stared at Su Yu for a long time, but seeing no reaction, she felt a bit discouraged.
Was this man so heartless?
She felt all her usual tricks were useless against him.
Sniffling, she asked in a wounded tone, "Will you join us?"
Su Yu rolled his eyes. "Do you think I have nothing better to do than help you mess around?"
"How is this messing around?" Xu Jiujiu protested anxiously. "Xu Tianran is extremely dangerous. If he ascends the throne, he'll build up his armies and attack our Douluo Continent."
"Su Yu, you're a part of the continent too. Can you bear to watch our people die in war?"
Xu Jiujiu and the others had researched this. The Sun Moon Emperor was gravely ill and posed little threat now.
Among the remaining princes, only Xu Tianran was a hardliner.
If he became Emperor, it would be a huge threat to both Star Luo and Heavenly Soul Empires.
So, they had come up with this plan to neutralize the threat early.
But even with both empires working together, their chances in Radiant City weren't very high.
That's why she wanted to recruit Su Yu. With the Ice God Palace's power, killing Xu Tianran would be easy.
Of course, she also thought of persuading Su Yu with righteousness.
But she didn't understand Su Yu—she didn't know the kind of person he was.
"I can bear it," Su Yu answered calmly, without even blinking.
Xu Jiujiu: "…"
She doubted her ears. "What…what did you say?"
Su Yu glanced at her, "I said, I can bear it."
Xu Jiujiu fell silent.
How could anyone say such a thing so calmly?
She realized she had miscalculated again.