Su Yu ignored Yan Shaozhe's words.
Whether he could help or not depended on what kind of help was needed and what the reward was. It wasn't as simple as just saying he could help.
Su Yu expressionlessly gazed at the inner part of the long table, making it clear that he had no intention of responding to Yan Shaozhe.
Yan Shaozhe was helpless and could only look at Mu En.
After a brief silence, Mu En's aged voice sounded, "Young Master Su Yu, the reason we troubled you to come here today is that we have two rather unreasonable requests."
"Oh?"
Su Yu let out a short laugh, his tone playful. "Unreasonable requests? And two of them?"
"Senior Mu, your words are quite surprising."
Mu En was unbothered by Su Yu's teasing tone and replied calmly, "These two requests can only be fulfilled by you, Young Master Su Yu."
"For this matter, we must trouble you."
Su Yu didn't respond and simply played with his fingernails as if they were far more interesting than the conversation at hand.
Yan Shaozhe twitched at the corner of his mouth. Damn, this familiar feeling—it was back again.
Back then, Mu Wu was just as arrogant, and Su Yu and Mu Wu were practically carved from the same mold.
Was it safe to say that all members of the Ice God Palace were like this?
A legacy, perhaps?
But while Yan Shaozhe understood Su Yu's attitude, not everyone present did.
The middle-aged, elegant woman sitting across from Yan Shaozhe couldn't hold back and said, "Young Master Su Yu, the teacher is speaking to you. Don't you think it's rude to act this way?"
Su Yu glanced at her, wiped his hands, and said, "If I remember correctly, you're Dean Xian Lin'er, right?"
Xian Lin'er straightened her chest and said, "I am Xian Lin'er."
Su Yu glanced at her full figure and said indifferently, "I am speaking with your teacher, not with you."
"Since when was it your turn to interrupt?"
"You're not young anymore. Do you still not understand basic etiquette?"
"You… What did you say?"
Xian Lin'er exploded in anger.
Su Yu said she had no manners.
She, Xian Lin'er, had stood strong for so many years, and now a mere young brat dared to lecture her?
Even Yan Shaozhe had never spoken to her like this before.
Furious, Xian Lin'er slammed the table and glared at Su Yu.
"Lin'er, sit down."
Elder Song rebuked her sternly.
Qian Duoduo also quickly pulled her back. "Lin'er, calm down, calm down."
Xian Lin'er was still fuming and about to retort when Mu En's voice suddenly cut through her anger.
"Lin'er, sit down first."
Mu En's voice was light, but it carried immense authority.
Xian Lin'er involuntarily sat back down, though her beautiful eyes still glared fiercely at Su Yu.
"Big chest, no brains."
Su Yu curled his lips, provoking Xian Lin'er into another near-explosion.
Cai Meier said nothing, but a trace of satisfaction flickered in her eyes.
Her gaze toward Su Yu even softened.
After fighting with Xian Lin'er for so many years, this was the first time she had seen her humiliated like this.
It was as refreshing as eating ice cream on a scorching summer day—utterly satisfying.
Yan Shaozhe looked helpless, his head aching.
Xian Lin'er was as hot-tempered as ever, but this time, she had picked the wrong opponent.
Su Yu's arrogance was far beyond what ordinary people could tolerate.
Others might indulge her, but Su Yu wouldn't.
Sure enough, he had angered Xian Lin'er beyond belief.
Yet, Su Yu's status was too noble. Even if she was angry, there was nothing she could do about it.
What could they do to him?
The powerful aura lurking outside was enough to threaten the entire Sea God Pavilion.
Su Yu was not someone without backing.
Yan Shaozhe sighed in resignation.
"Lin'er was rash. Please forgive her, Young Master Su Yu."
"We have prepared compensation for your assistance."
Su Yu rubbed his hands and said, "I don't particularly lack compensation, but my abilities are limited. I truly may not be able to help."
"Young Master Su Yu, you definitely can help."
Yan Shaozhe hurriedly insisted.
Su Yu glanced at him with an indifferent expression, clearly not interested in conversing further.
Inside the long table, Mu En suddenly stood up.
His figure was slightly hunched, almost bent at a ninety-degree angle.
Seeing him stand, Yan Shaozhe immediately stepped forward to support him.
"Young Master Su Yu, could you give this old man some face and come with me to take a look?"
Su Yu's eyes flickered slightly, and he said, "Since a senior has invited me, of course, I will go."
Just as he finished speaking, a cold voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Random check-in task triggered. Check-in location: Sea God Pavilion. Detecting check-in location. Beginning check-in.]
Su Yu's body stiffened slightly. A check-in mission?
His eyes flickered—whatever Mu En wanted him to see was problematic.
While thoughts raced through his mind, Su Yu maintained a calm expression.
Mu En chuckled and said, "Young Master Su Yu, please follow me."
Yan Shaozhe supported Mu En as they walked inside.
Su Yu stood up, smiled at Zhang Lexuan, glanced at the others, and then followed behind Yan Shaozhe and Mu En, heading upstairs.
"Damn it!"
"Damn it!"
"He's just the Young Master of the Ice God Palace. What's so great about him? How dare he humiliate me like this!"
The moment Su Yu's figure disappeared, Xian Lin'er, who had been holding back, finally erupted in fury.
It was infuriating.
She had never suffered such humiliation in her entire life.
A mere brat who hadn't even grown all his hair dared to lecture her?
Did she, Xian Lin'er, not deserve respect?
The most infuriating part was Su Yu saying she had a "big chest, no brains."
She was well-endowed, sure—but how was she brainless?
Was she not intelligent enough?
Xian Lin'er was fuming.
Cai Meier chuckled lightly and said, "Lin'er, dear sister, anger harms the body."
"Besides, he is the Young Master of the Ice God Palace. That's quite a big deal."
"Even we have to treat him with respect."
"Lin'er, you should be careful with your words. He's just upstairs—he might still hear you."
"If you stir up trouble, it won't end well."
Cai Meier's tone was laced with mockery, almost rubbing the insult in Xian Lin'er's face.
Xian Lin'er glared at her and snapped, "Cai Meier, what do you mean by that?"
"Are you accusing me?"
Cai Meier smiled slightly. "Sister, I wouldn't dare accuse you. I'm merely thinking of the academy."
"The academy is still relying on him. Lin'er, you wouldn't want our plans to fall apart because of you, would you?"
"You—"
Xian Lin'er was fuming but found herself at a loss for words.
Cai Meier's words had successfully restrained her.
This time, with Cai Meier throwing such a big accusation, Xian Lin'er had no way to refute it.
Seeing that Xian Lin'er was at a loss for words, Cai Meier decided to stop while she was ahead. After all, Elder Song was still Xian Lin'er's mother, so she couldn't get too carried away.
"By the way, Lexuan, does Su Yu have feelings for you?"
A flash of inspiration struck Cai Meier's mind, and she suddenly turned to Zhang Lexuan.
The other elders also looked at Zhang Lexuan in unison.
Su Yu showed indifference to all of them but only smiled at Zhang Lexuan. This alone explained a lot.
Being stared at by so many pairs of eyes all of a sudden, Zhang Lexuan was startled. Her delicate face changed slightly as she asked in surprise, "W-what's wrong?"
Cai Meier smiled and said, "Lexuan, don't be nervous. It's not a bad thing."
"I'm just asking, does Su Yu like you?"
A flicker of confusion crossed Zhang Lexuan's eyes as she pretended to be clueless. "N-no way, right?"
"Isn't the academy trying to set him up with Xiaotao?"
"How could he possibly like me?"
Cai Meier shook her head with a smile. "In terms of charm, Xiaotao is no match for you. A cunning little rascal like Su Yu would prefer a gentle older sister type like you."
Zhang Lexuan asked in confusion, "Dean Cai, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Cai Meier continued with a smile, "Lexuan, are you interested in an older-woman-younger-man relationship?"
"Huh?"
Zhang Lexuan was truly stunned—completely shocked.
The other elders also had subtle expressions, but none of them objected.
Cai Meier pressed on, "You should love him, guide him, and make him more attached to the academy."
Zhang Lexuan frowned.
It wasn't that she was unwilling, but she wanted to figure out what exactly Cai Meier was plotting.
She was already Su Yu's person, and having a romantic relationship with him was something she was already doing.
She just didn't understand what Cai Meier was up to.
Was this a sudden scheme that arose after noticing Su Yu's different attitude toward her?
Seeing that Zhang Lexuan remained silent, Cai Meier shook her head and said, "Lexuan, if you don't want to, just forget I said anything."
Zhang Lexuan was too important to Shrek Academy, so Cai Meier naturally wouldn't force her.
After a moment of silence, Zhang Lexuan asked, "Wasn't the academy planning to pair him with Xiaotao?"
"What do you mean by this?"
Cai Meier replied, "Judging by the situation, Xiaotao doesn't have a high chance of success. Su Yu doesn't seem to like her personality."
"We have no choice but to find another way."
"If you don't want to, we could also let Ruoruo and the others try."
Zhang Lexuan's frown deepened.
So you people just won't stop, huh?
You just love sending women to Su Yu, don't you?
Can't you think of any other way to build connections besides using women?
Always offering women—why don't you go yourself?
For the sake of their interests, Shrek Academy really would do anything.
She hesitated before saying, "Dean Cai, hasn't Elder Mu already asked Su Yu for help? Is this still necessary?"
Cai Meier smiled. "Asking is one thing, but there's no guarantee of success."
"Even if Su Yu agrees to help, it is still necessary to build a closer relationship with him."
"Given the academy's current situation, forming an alliance with the Ice God Palace would be extremely beneficial."
So, after all, it still comes down to playing the old matchmaking game?
Zhang Lexuan saw through Shrek Academy's intentions.
She put on a troubled expression and said, "Dean Cai, let me think about it."
"Of course, no rush," Cai Meier chuckled.
The other elders also spoke reassuringly, appearing all friendly and kind.
...
Following Yan Shaozhe and Mu En, Su Yu entered a room.
This room was filled with an incredibly dense golden light, and the power of light almost became tangible.
Inside, there was a large bed, and on it lay a figure.
Golden chains formed from the power of light bound the figure tightly, suppressing them completely.
Su Yu took one glance at the severed arm and instantly confirmed the person's identity.
However, he still feigned confusion and looked at Mu En.
Mu En gazed at the figure on the bed with a trace of sorrow in his aged eyes and said, "This is Xuan Zi, known across the continent as the Gluttonous Douluo."
Su Yu pretended to be shocked. "Gluttonous Douluo? This person is Gluttonous Douluo?"
"Why has he ended up like this?"
His acting was flawless—no one could see through it.
Mu En sighed and said, "It's a long story."
"Then make it short," Su Yu interrupted, raising his hand.
Mu En looked at Su Yu for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "Su Yu, may I call you by your name?"
Su Yu shrugged. "Of course. Then I'll call you Old Man Mu."
Yan Shaozhe's face changed as he reminded, "Su Yu, Elder Mu is of great seniority, you shouldn't—"
"Ah, calling me Old Man Mu isn't bad at all. It sounds quite affectionate. Besides, I really am an old man," Mu En said cheerfully.
Su Yu gave him a deep look.
Although they stood on opposite sides, he had to admit that Mu En was a man of great skill.
He knew when to advance and when to retreat—a truly formidable figure.
Among the three Ultimate Douluos, his strength might be the weakest, but his intelligence was the highest.
Long Xiaoyao might be powerful, but in terms of strategy, he was far behind Mu En.
"Su Yu, let me tell you a story," Mu En said, then recounted the entire process of Xuan Zi's injury and his descent into madness.
"Possessed by inner demons?"
Su Yu stepped forward, examining Xuan Zi.
In the center of Xuan Zi's forehead was a dark red mark, exuding an evil aura.
Su Yu instantly felt an instinctive sense of disgust and rejection.
Whether it was his cultivation technique or his martial soul, he despised this kind of evil energy.
"If his madness isn't treated properly, Xuan Zi's Gluttonous bloodline could be completely corrupted, turning him into an evil soul master," Mu En explained.
Su Yu nodded. "With Gluttonous Douluo's strength, if he loses control, the consequences will be unimaginable."
"Exactly," Yan Shaozhe sighed.
Su Yu's expression grew serious. "So, I believe that for the safety of the continent, we should eliminate the danger before it grows."
Mu En: "???"
Yan Shaozhe: "???"
What are you trying to do?
Su Yu said sternly, "I understand that you both have deep feelings for Gluttonous Douluo, but there's no other way. Once someone becomes an evil soul master, they can never be redeemed."
"For the sake of peace, we must send Senior Xuan Zi off."
"I know you two can't bring yourselves to do it, so I'll do it for you."
With that, Su Yu pulled out his weapon, Iron Horse Glacier, and prepared to hack Xuan Zi into pieces.
Yan Shaozhe immediately lunged forward and hugged Su Yu tightly, panicking. "Su Yu, calm down! Calm down!"
"Elder Xuan can still be saved!"
"How?"
"Dean Yan, I understand your feelings, but the safety of the continent comes first. We have no choice but to sacrifice Senior Xuan Zi."
Su Yu's expression was righteous.
Mu En: "…"
Yan Shaozhe: "…"
Yan Shaozhe refused to let go of Su Yu no matter what, tightening his grip even more.
Su Yu struggled, but Yan Shaozhe's face turned red as he strained to hold him back.
Su Yu's strength was far greater than he had imagined.