Wang Dong'er shyly ran away, while Di Mingli strode confidently to Su Yu's side.
She held her head high, looking proud and smug as if declaring an obvious fact.
"I won," Di Mingli said, looking at Su Yu with undisguised satisfaction in her eyes.
Seeing Di Mingli's boastful demeanor, Su Yu chuckled and said, "Yes, yes, you won. You're the best."
"You're just humoring me," Di Mingli pouted, turning her head away haughtily.
She was in a great mood after openly defeating Wang Dong'er today. That woman had always targeted her, and she finally got her revenge.
The thought of Wang Dong'er having to call her "big sister" from now on made Di Mingli's lips curl up in a smile she couldn't suppress.
Since she couldn't get rid of all these messy women around Su Yu for now, being the "big sister" wasn't so bad.
Plus, Su Yu had several other women besides Wang Dong'er.
When they partially shared memories before, Di Mingli had focused most on this aspect. The memories were still fresh.
She was already plotting how to get the other women to agree to fight her like Wang Dong'er did.
When all of Su Yu's women called her "big sister" together, it would surely feel wonderful.
Su Yu had no idea Di Mingli was harboring such thoughts.
Dealing with Wang Dong'er wasn't enough - she wanted even more.
This proud little golden lion cub certainly had big ambitions.
Su Yu just smiled faintly at Di Mingli's complaints, stepping forward to gently wrap his right arm around her slender waist.
"Let's go."
Di Mingli didn't pull away but glanced thoughtfully in Lan Fozi's direction.
As they walked side by side, Di Mingli's soft voice reached Su Yu's ear: "That whale, she..."
"Don't worry, I have my plans. Besides, she's not a bad person, so there's no need for concern," Su Yu said with a smile.
Di Mingli nodded, satisfied that Su Yu knew what he was doing.
"It never hurts to be cautious. You should be more careful sometimes," Di Mingli advised.
"I know," Su Yu smiled and agreed.
Everyone returned to the hotel.
After lingering in Coastal City for two days, Su Yu was eager to leave again.
With the big competition approaching, they needed to prepare in advance.
However, for Su Yu, the competition wasn't much of a challenge - he could win it single-handedly.
But they still needed to gather a basic team, otherwise they wouldn't even qualify to participate.
This was related to his Ice God's fourth trial, so Su Yu didn't dare to be careless.
After about several days of travel, the group finally returned to the Ice God Palace.
The majestic ice and snow city deeply impressed Wang Dong'er, Lan Fozi, and the others who were seeing it for the first time.
Even though Di Mingli had glimpsed bits of the ice and snow city in Su Yu's memories before, seeing it in person still left her in awe.
Such a grand, colossal city built entirely of ice was truly breathtaking.
"Young Master!"
"Greetings, Young Master!"
...
Su Yu and his group's return was naturally noticed by Mu Wu and the others.
Over a dozen figures came forward to welcome them, each exuding an imposing aura, clearly all experts above the titled level.
Di Mingli's eyes narrowed slightly. Though instinctively wary, this was Su Yu's territory and these were his subordinates.
Di Mingli trusted Su Yu, so she naturally trusted these people wouldn't harm her.
Wang Dong'er looked around curiously, not particularly impressed by the many experts.
Cear Sky Sect also had plenty of strong cultivators. Though perhaps not as many as the Ice God Palace, she was somewhat worldly.
Only Lan Fozi's face paled as she sensed so many powerful auras.
Every expert here was at the Titled Douluo level.
Being Titled Douluo meant they could see through surface illusions.
She might be able to fool a Soul Douluo, but in front of these Titled Douluo, she had nowhere to hide.
Any one of them could likely see through her oddities.
No... not just now, they probably noticed something was off about her long ago.
Shui Linguang that had been following them was likely a Titled Douluo.
And Di Mingli had sensed something too.
Lan Fozi felt on edge. These past few days, she had been following these people around without leaving.
Besides worrying about Lan Lan, she also knew that even if she wanted to leave, it wouldn't be easy.
Now that they'd entered the Ice God Palace, she feared there was no way for her to leave.
So many Titled Douluo nearly scared her soul out of her body.
Su Yu noticed Lan Fozi's expression was off and immediately understood.
He glanced at those in front and said calmly, "You may all rise."
"Thank you, Young Master."
Just as Lan Fozi had thought, her identity was seen through by these Titled Douluo at a glance.
But since Lan Fozi was with Su Yu, they didn't make a fuss or even give her a second look.
This surprised Lan Fozi a bit.
"I've returned this time mainly because I have business to attend to. I won't be staying for long, so there's no need for you all to crowd here. You may go, except for Mu Wu."
"Yes, Young Master!"
The group dispersed as quickly as they had gathered.
In moments, everyone but Mu Wu had vanished without a trace.
Su Yu glanced at those beside him and said with a faint smile, "Ling Guang, why don't you show Dong'er and the others around?"
"Lan Lan, take your little sister Fozi to play. Big brother has some things to do."
"Okay, okay!" Lan Lan clapped her hands and ran to Lan Fozi, excitedly saying, "Sister Fozi, come with me~"
Lan Fozi cast a surprised and doubtful look at Su Yu before being dragged away by Lan Lan.
Mu Wu watched the two girls leave and chuckled, "Young Master, that little whale seems quite wary."
"It's only natural," Su Yu smiled. If it were him coming to the den of so many unfamiliar experts while having some oddities about himself, he would be flustered too.
"Little whale?"
"What little whale?"
Wang Dong'er looked confused, not understanding what Su Yu and the others were talking about.
"Idiot," Di Mingli glanced at Wang Dong'er and muttered.
"Who are you calling an idiot?" Wang Dong'er puffed up her cheeks, her pretty pink-blue eyes widening in anger.
"Whoever speaks up, that's who," Di Mingli said coolly.
"You!" Wang Dong'er was furious. She turned to complain to Su Yu with a wronged expression, "Xiao Su, she's bullying me again."
Su Yu: "..."
You're so quick to tattle, aren't you? Why don't you just fight her yourself?
Oh, I see. You can't beat her.
Rubbing his brow, Su Yu gently soothed, "Alright, stop arguing. Mingli, you too - don't keep provoking people."
Di Mingli held her head high, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Su Yu ruffled Wang Dong'er's hair, smiling as he said, "It's not a big deal. Do you know Lan Fozi's identity?"
Wang Dong'er asked confusedly, "Isn't she just Lan Lan's sister?"
Su Yu replied meaningfully, "Then do you know Lan Lan's identity?"
"Isn't Lan Lan your sister?"
Wang Dong'er looked at Su Yu puzzled. That's how he had introduced her, after all.
Di Mingli couldn't help but purse her lips. This girl was clueless.
Su Yu pinched Wang Dong'er's cheek playfully, saying, "You're not wrong. Lan Lan is indeed my sister, but she's not my blood sister."
"Haven't you ever wondered why there are so many ice-attribute soul masters in the Ice God Palace, yet the sister I claimed isn't ice-attribute?"
"Yeah, why is that?"
This was something Wang Dong'er couldn't figure out either.
Su Yu's eyes twinkled as he prompted, "Think carefully. Do you remember that 100,000-year soul beast embryo we saw at the auction?"
"Of course, it was bought by Xiao Hongchen and the others. Later I heard the Body Sect raided Illustrious Virtue Hall and stole it..."
"That's right, the Body Sect did steal the 100,000-year soul beast embryo. But we ambushed them on the road and stole it from them in turn."
She gaped at Su Yu in shock. "A double-cross?"
Su Yu tapped her forehead lightly, chuckling, "What are you saying? This is called carrying out heaven's will."
Wang Dong'er stuck out her little tongue, then suddenly her eyes lit up as she finally put it all together. "So you mean Lan Lan is actually..."
Su Yu nodded with a smile.
"Wow... it's really true."
Wang Dong'er's eyes were full of amazement. It was hard to believe, but it was true.
"Now that you know, don't go spreading it around."
Su Yu said with a smile.
Wang Dong'er nodded quickly. She knew better than to gossip about something like this.
"But isn't it dangerous for Lan Lan to be wandering around in public like this? What if someone discovers her identity?"
Wang Dong'er immediately thought of this concern. Given Lan Lan's special status, the consequences could be unthinkable if she was found out.
"No need to worry. Lan Lan is unique - even an Ultimate Douluo couldn't discern her true identity."
This was the special nature of a Sacred Beast, like Di Mingli. Below the god level, almost no one could see through their true form.
"Then... what about Lan Fozi?"
If Lan Lan's identity was unusual, surely Lan Fozi's was too...
"You're right, she's the same. But she's not the same type as Lan Lan. There is a risk of exposure if she wanders around."
Su Yu explained.
"What should we do then?"
Wang Dong'er asked anxiously.
Seeing her reaction, Su Yu teased, "Dong'er, Lan Fozi is a different species. Don't you have any unsavory thoughts?"
Wang Dong'er quickly said, "What are you talking about? Lan Fozi is my friend. How could I have designs on her?"
"And you guys better not have any ideas either!"
Di Mingli snorted lightly, seemingly disdainful. This Wang Dong'er, who did she think she was looking down on?
Su Yu waved his hand, smiling, "Dong'er, don't underestimate people. We wouldn't have those kinds of thoughts."
"You know my standards."
Wang Dong'er froze for a moment, then relaxed as she remembered Su Yu's incredible soul ring configuration.
That's right, Su Yu probably wouldn't even be interested.
If Su Yu coveted such things, Lan Lan probably wouldn't have had the chance to be born at all.
If Su Yu had no designs for Lan Lan, there was certainly no need to worry about Lan Fozi.
"Then what about Lan Fozi's safety?"
Wang Dong'er raised a topic of concern. Lan Lan wouldn't be exposed, but Lan Fozi could be.
If she was discovered one day, Lan Fozi would be in real danger.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it."
Su Yu said.
Wang Dong'er finally relaxed, hugging Su Yu's arm with a radiant smile. "I knew I could count on you."
When it mattered, Su Yu was the one to rely on.
"How nauseating."
Di Mingli shot them a look of disgust.
"Me being affectionate with Xiao Su is none of your business!"
Wang Dong'er said angrily.
"Call me big sister!"
Di Mingli said coolly.
"You...!"
Wang Dong'er's face flushed red with anger.
"Alright, alright, stop squabbling. How old are you to still be bickering like this?"
"It's your first time here too. Why don't you let Lingguang show you around?"
"No way, I want to stay with you."
Wang Dong'er clung to Su Yu's arm.
"Same here."
Di Mingli said concisely.
Su Yu shook his head helplessly. "Fine then, you can come with me. But remember, no causing trouble."
After this warning, Su Yu led the two women into the Ice and Snow City.
Starting from the huge ice bridge, Wang Dong'er's eyes were dazzled by everything along the way.
Di Mingli's beautiful eyes sparkled. In the ice-blue river, she sensed the auras of many soul beasts.
As they walked, Su Yu would occasionally explain things to the two women.
Soon, they arrived at a palace. In front of it stood several familiar figures.
The Ice Empress stood in the center, with Jiang Nannan and Ling Luozhen on either side.
Wang Dong'er's eyes widened as she looked at the two somewhat familiar figures, exclaiming in surprise, "Aren't they from Shrek Academy?"
Wang Dong'er's main impression of Jiang Nannan was from the previous tournament.
At that time, Jiang Nannan was a member of Shrek Academy's reserve team.
As for Ling Luozhen, wasn't she from the inner court?
Besides being an official team member in the last tournament, Wang Dong'er had seen her at Shrek Academy before.
"They were indeed from Shrek Academy, but now they're both members of our Ice God Palace."
"This is Ling Luozhen. You're not unfamiliar with her, Dong'er, so I won't say much. This is Jiang Nannan. Her martial soul is the Soft Bone Rabbit. She's currently a level sixty... five Soul Emperor."
"Sister Nannan, you've made progress again."
Before he left, Jiang Nannan was a level sixty-four Soul Emperor. Now she had broken through to level sixty-five.
Jiang Nannan smiled bashfully.
Su Yu smiled slightly and said, "Actually, Sister Nannan and I are old acquaintances. We've known each other since we were little."
"Shortly after the last Soul Dueling Tournament ended, Sister Nannan joined the Ice God Palace. She's now Lingguang's disciple."
This was the first time Wang Dong'er had heard such inside information. Her gaze towards Jiang Nannan changed.
Knowing each other since childhood - wasn't that like childhood sweethearts?
Wang Dong'er didn't dare to be negligent. She quickly extended her hand, saying, "Hello, I'm Wang Dong'er. You can just call me Dong'er."
"Hello Dong'er, I'm Jiang Nannan."
Jiang Nannan also greeted her kindly.
"Then I'll call you Sister Nannan."
Wang Dong'er said with a grin. If Su Yu called her Sister Nannan, of course, she would follow suit.