Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King

Of course, Snow Empress was merely all talk when it came to her teasing. She could talk a big game, but when push came to shove, she'd falter completely. A textbook case of "I could do it too if I tried," only to end up even more awkward when trying.

When Su Yu called her a little pervert, Snow Empress immediately retorted, "Who are you calling a little pervert?"

"With a figure like yours, isn't it meant to be admired?" she continued, sounding utterly self-righteous without batting an eye.

In the past, Snow Empress would've at least pretended to deny such accusations. For instance, back in the Extreme North when she first took on her humanoid form, she'd secretly glance at Su Yu but still insist on making excuses.

But now?

After getting close to Su Yu, she dropped any pretense and stopped considering herself an outsider.

As she put it: Since Su Yu had seen everything when helping her bathe, it was only fair she got to look back—otherwise, she'd be at a loss.

Her reasoning was so brazenly logical that it even made Su Yu chuckle.

"So, it's my fault for having a good figure?" Su Yu asked, stepping closer to the bed with a bemused smile.

"Exactly. It's all your fault," Snow Empress replied matter-of-factly.

Su Yu couldn't help but laugh. He reached out and gently tapped her nose. "You've stopped pretending entirely now, haven't you?"

"If people found out the mighty Snow Empress, ranked third among all soul beasts, spends her days peeking at a fourteen-year-old boy, don't you think they'd be dumbfounded?"

"What reputation would you have left then?"

Snow Empress wasn't fazed at all. She smiled mischievously. "What Snow Empress? I'm just a three-year-old girl now. How could a child possibly have bad intentions?"

As she spoke, she even batted her large, innocent eyes in an attempt to look pure.

Su Yu's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "And if I told you that Ice Empress can see everything you're doing right now, what would you do?"

Snow Empress froze, her smile stiffening slightly. "Didn't you say you blocked Icey's sensory connection to the outside world for the sake of privacy?"

"I re-enabled it. Surprise!" Su Yu teased, raising an eyebrow.

Snow Empress's expression darkened as she glared at him, gritting her teeth. "What a delightful surprise, indeed."

Without another word, she pounced on Su Yu, scratching and biting in mock anger.

Su Yu didn't resist, letting her vent as he watched her antics with amusement.

Despite her efforts, Snow Empress, newly strengthened after consuming the whale glue, still couldn't do much to him. But with Su Yu's cooperation, she managed to wrestle him down, though she ended up panting from the exertion.

Sitting on his stomach, her tiny legs stomped and bounced in frustration, as though venting her fury.

Given Su Yu's current physical strength, her actions felt more like a tickling massage than anything else.

He simply chuckled as he watched her vent. Once she was tired, he scooped her up and held her in his arms.

"How are you so adorable?" Su Yu teased, planting a light kiss on her delicate face.

Snow Empress pushed his face away, pouting. "You're the adorable one! Your whole family is adorable!"

She especially disliked being called adorable. Though her body was small, her mind was fully mature!

Still grinning, Su Yu studied her doll-like face and replied playfully, "Oh, are you upset now?"

"Just teasing you! How could I let anyone else see our little moments?" he added, his tone soft.

Snow Empress went silent for a moment before muttering, "… So you tricked me again, huh?"

Despite falling for his tricks time and again, she still couldn't help but get duped. Was it because he was such a convincing liar, or was it her lack of judgment?

No, no—it was Su Yu's fault for being so sly and manipulative. It had nothing to do with her being naive.

Snow Empress thought to herself, quietly seething.

Seeing her adorable yet annoyed expression, Su Yu's heart melted.

You know, raising her from a tiny figure like this gave their bond a unique flavor.

He couldn't help but wonder how Snow Empress would transition from this cute little bundle to her eventual form as a stunning, regal goddess.

This is the essence of true grooming!

That thought flitted through his mind as he gently pinched her cheeks and said softly, "You've been through a lot these past few days. Sorry, I didn't let you stretch your legs sooner."

He was, of course, referring to their recent time traveling with the Shrek Academy group. Since unnecessary attention could lead to complications, Su Yu kept Snow Empress in the storage pouch.

Hearing this, Snow Empress pouted. "You say that now. I thought you'd forgotten about me, busy fawning over those women in Shrek Academy!"

"What nonsense are you thinking?" Su Yu replied with a chuckle.

"And why did you insist on coming to Shrek Academy, anyway? This place doesn't feel right."

"What's wrong with it?"

"I don't know, I just don't like it," Snow Empress muttered.

Su Yu grinned. "Honestly, I don't like it much either. I guess we're quite in sync."

Snow Empress rolled her eyes. "Don't lump me in with you. Tell me, what's your real reason for coming here?"

"Surely you're not smitten with the female students, are you?"

Su Yu raised an eyebrow and teased, "What if I am? What's it to you? Are you jealous?"

"Jealous, my foot! As if you're worthy of me!" Snow Empress retorted, crossing her arms with a haughty expression.

"Oh?" Su Yu smirked. "Care to reconsider your words? Last chance."

He reached toward her waist and gave a playful tickle, making Snow Empress burst into laughter.

Her laugh was crisp and clear, like the gentle babble of a mountain stream.

"Stop… Stop it, you jerk!" she giggled, squirming as she tried to fend him off.

Though laughing uncontrollably, she still threw out threats. "Just wait! When I grow up, I'll teach you a lesson!"

Su Yu grinned. "By the time you've grown, I'll already be invincible. And then, I'll bring you back as my… wife!"

Snow Empress froze for a moment, then huffed indignantly. "So that's your plan, huh? I knew you were up to no good, you scoundrel!"

Despite her words, she didn't seem particularly resistant. Even as Su Yu held her, she didn't push him away—an unspoken acknowledgment in itself.

After a bit more teasing, Su Yu carried Snow Empress to the window to take in the view.

From the top floor of Starlight Hotel, they had an expansive panorama of the surrounding area.

Snow Empress clung to Su Yu's neck and murmured, "You humans know how to enjoy life."

"Everything you do, you make sure it's designed to perfection."

"Life is meant to be savored," Su Yu replied with a faint smile. "So when the opportunity arises, why not indulge?"

"Life is about enjoying the moment."

"So that's your excuse for chasing after women everywhere?" Snow Empress blinked her large eyes, looking curious.

Su Yu flashed a teasing smile. "Are you trying to keep me in check before you've even officially joined the family?"

Snow Empress slapped him lightly, her tone was haughty. "As if I'd bother! I'm just feeling bad for the Great Sovereign."

Su Yu chuckled, leaving it at that. Sure, whatever you say.

After a moment of enjoying the view, Snow Empress grew bored and climbed back onto the bed, insisting that Su Yu tell her a story.

Naturally, Su Yu obliged, tweaking some of the novels he had read in his previous life to suit her.

Snow Empress listened, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're just making things up. There's no way anyone could be that powerful."

The stories weren't even that wild by Su Yu's standards, but Snow Empress remained skeptical, deeming them too ridiculous to be true. Su Yu could only shrug and say, "Whatever makes you happy."

After dinner, Su Yu felt restless. Holding Snow Empress, he decided to explore the nightlife of Shrek City.

At night, the city seemed even livelier. Crowds filled the streets, and the bustling atmosphere was infectious.

Snow Empress clung tightly to Su Yu's collar, her small body pressed against his chest, as if afraid of brushing up against others.

As the Snow Maiden, she was innately particular about cleanliness and disliked physical contact with strangers. Su Yu was the only exception to this rule.

Although Snow Empress often bickered with Su Yu, she barely spared others a glance. Her arrogance wasn't a façade—it was ingrained in her very being.

A soul beast ranked third on the Fierce Beast leaderboard couldn't possibly be a simple, cute, and easygoing creature.

As Su Yu wandered through the streets, he found himself in Shrek City's busiest district near the East Gate, where the academy was located.

Despite the late hour, the streets were as bright as day, lined with shops, performers, and street vendors.

Su Yu noticed many Shrek Academy students in their distinctive uniforms, laughing and chatting as they strolled.

As he followed the crowd, Su Yu caught the scent of something delicious. His attention shifted, and he realized he'd wandered into the food street.

The sides of the road were packed with stalls serving all kinds of snacks, the mingling aromas tempting and mouthwatering.

Despite having just eaten, Su Yu felt his appetite resurface.

Sure, the Starshine Hotel's meals were top-notch, but street food had a unique charm that couldn't be replicated. It was full of the warmth and energy of everyday life.

It had been a long time since Su Yu had indulged in something like this.

"Xue'er, are you hungry?"

"Tell me what you want to eat, and I'll buy it for you," Su Yu offered a playful smile on his lips.

Snow Empress shot him a sidelong glance. "Just admit you're the one who wants to eat. Don't act like you're doing it for me." She saw right through him.

"Xue'er, can't you play along just once?" Su Yu sighed in mock defeat.

"Nope." Snow Empress lifted her chin, her small face radiating pride.

With a faint humph, Su Yu carried her through the food stalls, sampling dishes that caught his eye.

Within a short time, he had eaten at over twenty vendors, leaving Snow Empress stunned.

"Your martial soul isn't a pig, so how can you eat this much?" Snow Empress stared at him, bewildered, her expression resembling someone looking at a bottomless pit.

Su Yu wiped his slightly greasy mouth with a napkin, offering no explanation.

With his current physique, the food he consumed was digested almost instantly. If he wanted, he could easily eat an entire cow without issue.

The two continued their stroll, though Su Yu slowed down, only stopping at stalls with particularly tempting offerings.

Eventually, they reached the end of the food street, where Su Yu noticed a long line at a small stall in the corner.

Curious, he approached and saw a young man skillfully grilling fish at the stand. The aroma was intoxicating, and despite the slow pace, the crowd seemed willing to wait.

The sight of the young man's face made Su Yu's expression twitch.

"Huo... Huo Yuhao?"

The boy manning the stall was none other than Huo Yuhao, someone Su Yu had met briefly in the Great Star Dou Forest.

"Is he back to his old trade?" Su Yu muttered, intrigued.

Unable to resist, Su Yu carried Snow Empress closer to the stall. It wasn't large, but the line stretched to dozens of people, mostly Shrek Academy students in their recognizable uniforms.

The scent of grilled fish filled the air, and those already eating nearby seemed thoroughly engrossed in their meals.

Su Yu's striking appearance naturally drew attention. His unique aura made him stand out, and he quickly became the center of whispers among the students.

Many of the female students' eyes lit up upon spotting him—a tall, handsome stranger with a charismatic air, carrying an adorable little girl. The sight was both unique and appealing.

Even the male students couldn't help but glance his way, though their expressions were more puzzled than anything else.

Su Yu smiled lightly and addressed the crowd, "Would anyone be willing to give up their spot? I'll pay 100 gold soul coins. My little sister wants to try the grilled fish."

His words immediately caught everyone's attention.

One hundred gold soul coins?!

To put that into perspective, a single grilled fish only cost five copper coins. A single gold soul coin equaled one hundred copper coins. So one hundred gold soul coins was an astronomical offer for a mere grilled fish.

PS: Yuhao became a high school dropout and is now selling grilled fish. Did he quit being a soul master? Poor guy. Well, at least Su Yu takes revenge on Yuhao's behalf.