Chapter 84: The Missing Youth

Being anxious is one thing, but since there is already a template for how things happen, there is no need to force an atmosphere now; as long as there is a good start, subsequent developments will inevitably follow a positive trend, provided no accidents occur.

What's more, He Cai Tou has Su Yu backing him.

With such a "Crouching Dragon and Fledgling Phoenix" around, it's impossible for things to go wrong; if they do, it would only be Su himself messing up.

Looking at the brimming confidence of Su Yu, Wang Dong couldn't help but ask: "I get it, but why can't you participate in the competition with us?"

"Don't blame me for this; my dad won't let me leave the house, and I don't know when I'll be able to go out either..."

Bringing this up makes Su angry; he really doesn't know how to explain it to Wang Dong. In any case, his old man always says what he means and means what he says, and there is simply no room for negotiation regarding his being grounded.

"Alright, Wang Dong, don't make things difficult for Su Yu. After all, this is his family's decision, and we can't force anything. Since Su Yu also agrees with Master Bei Bei's tactics, let's just look forward to Su Yu being able to go out for the next battle."

In truth, having spent so much time with He Cai Tou, all he lacks is real experience. As a strategist, He Cai Tou undoubtedly has the qualifications, but although he has been through a lot, he hasn't had much actual practice, which has ultimately led to He Cai Tou remaining just a Level 4 Soul Engineer.

Among the original Seven Monsters, aside from Huo Yu Hao, the achievements of the others are not very significant; in fact, these six are undoubtedly just foils.

This day, He Cai Tou and Wang Dong both stayed at Su Yu's house. Although Wang Dong resists Soul Guidance Devices, he is still quite interested in the little gadgets Su Yu makes.

Regardless, Su's family is wealthy and influential, so he directly arranged a specific area for He Cai Tou, letting him do as he pleased and telling him to just speak up if he needed anything.

After saying that, He Cai Tou dove right in and even told Su Yu not to disturb him. Looking at the pile of blueprints on the table, He Cai Tou felt as if he had arrived in heaven.

Anyway, Su Yu doesn't care about this bit of consumption; as long as He Cai Tou doesn't blow up the house, he can make as much of a mess as he wants. Back when he first learned about Soul Guidance Devices, He Cai Tou had been very enthusiastic about answering his questions and teaching him how to craft them.

However, the thing he worried about most still happened.

In the laboratory Su Yu had designated for He Cai Tou, a sky-shattering boom erupted. He Cai Tou was blasted out of the lab, covered in soot and dirt, while thick, rolling smoke continued to pour out from inside...

Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the lab would likely need repairs again. Looking at He Cai Tou's soot-covered appearance, Su simply sent someone to take him to another location.

Talk to me about losses? I can recoup them just by crafting a few Soul Guidance Devices and selling them to others. Go on, build whatever you want...

"Do you think Brother He is really okay?" Wang Dong asked, looking at He Cai Tou's disheveled state with some concern.

"He's fine. Don't forget that Brother He is a Level 4 Soul Engineer, so just relax." Su Yu was quite calm; if he could get hurt by this, then forget about He Cai Tou wanting to find a block of tofu to smash his head against—even Fan Yu could beat him to death with a noodle.

Wang Dong curled his lips in disdain and said: "I know that, of course; I was just asking."

"Got it, got it, Class Monitor Wang, you know best." Su Yu was too lazy to call his bluff. Although he knew his old man must have discovered something, Su Yu had a premonition that he might have to stay at home for a very long time.

"Wang Dong, do you think we will win this competition?" Su Yu knew that because of his absence, Wang Dong and Huo Yu Hao lacked their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, and the variables were truly too great.

Looking at Su Yu's hesitant expression, Wang Dong also began to fill with doubt: "I don't know either, but I believe Master Bei Bei will lead us to victory."

"I hope so."

Standing on the balcony and looking at the Star Emperor Hotel in the distance, Su Yu knew that their only chance of winning was to ensure Ma Xiaotao was not hit by that Soul Guidance Device containing Darkness Power and light; otherwise, their battle was destined to be lost.

However, the only chess piece with infinite variables was not Ma Xiaotao, but Su Yu.

"Reach out your hand." Looking at Wang Dong beside him, Su Yu said calmly.

Confusion filled Wang Dong's beautiful large eyes. "Hmm? Why reach out my hand?"

Although he didn't understand it at all, his body was very honest and reached out.

The next instant, a powder-blue gemstone appeared in Wang Dong's hand. Looking at that powder-blue ring flashing with a powder-blue gemstone, the pale blue gem shimmered with a gorgeous halo under the sunlight, its dazzling brilliance making Wang Dong's heart ripple.

"Su Yu, you, you..." A faint blush appeared on Wang Dong's handsome face.

Looking at the exquisite ring and the heart-rippling gemstone, Wang Dong spoke incoherently: "You, you, when did you, I..."

"Don't think too much; I just feel this suits you well. It's something similar to the Space Treasure Starlight Sapphire, just not as rare. It's a gift for you; remember to keep it safe." Su Xinyuan had tossed this to him, saying it wasn't anything precious, but he didn't forget to add that he should remember to give it to his daughter-in-law.

In any case, that old guy had never been reliable in front of Su Yu. The only time Su left a deep impression on him was when his parents were arguing; neither would yield, and they smashed pots, pans, and everything else one by one...

In the end, they were both stubborn as mules and refused to bow their heads, forcing Su Yu to act as a messenger. They were truly hot-tempered, each one suffering for the sake of their pride.

"What, you don't like it? If you don't like it, I'll take it back." As he spoke, Su Yu reached out to take it back.

Wang Dong grabbed it first and said with a blushing face: "How can you take back something you've given away? Now this thing is mine, and I can do whatever I want with it."

He picked up the ring and put it directly on the middle finger of his left hand without a word, a smug smile spreading across his lips.

Looking at Wang Dong's appearance, Su Yu just smiled and said: "What are you smiling at? Aren't you ashamed, being a big boy? Even though you look like a little girl, you're still a boy."

"Pfft, I'm not listening to your nonsense. Now I, Wang Dong, announce that from now on, this lord will cover you. If you have any problems, just tell me, and this lord will definitely help you solve them." After finishing, he proudly puffed out his small chest, holding Su Yu's palm as if to show off.

"Understood, Lord Wang, as you say." Su Yu looked toward the Star Emperor Hotel in the distance; his thoughts were long gone from this tournament.

Even if they won, so what? If they lost, so what? In truth, Su Yu had long since stopped caring...

With the ring in hand, it fit snugly on Wang Dong's left middle finger. At this moment, Su Yu's words from that day couldn't help but surface in Wang Dong's mind.

I only care about you, so I believe, Wang Dong, you will not change; you will always just be you. That is how it is now, and it will not change in the future...

Thinking of this, Wang Dong subconsciously touched the center of his brow, a fleeting trace of sorrow appearing in his eyes.

Holding Wang Dong's hand, Su Yu said: "What are you thinking about, so intently?"

"Nothing..."

"I don't believe you. You must be hiding something from me. Tell me quickly, have you fallen for some other girl..."

"Hahaha, stop tickling me, help, hahaha..."

The originally harmonious scene suddenly changed; one second they were laughing and talking, the next they were fighting and playing. Never mind the servants, even Su Xinyuan, who was observing from the shadows, revealed a meaningful smile...

…………

The sky had grown dark. Wang Dong wanted to stay and keep Su Yu company, but Su Yu told them to prepare for tomorrow's battle and did not let Wang Dong stay.

Watching the backs of Wang Dong and He Cai Tou as they walked away, Su couldn't help but sigh.

"The person is quite good, it's just a pity he can't be with her, right."

"Yeah, sigh, what a pity..."

"If only you could go out, how good that would be. Nothing else matters; that kid with the powder-blue hair is the only one that matters."

"Right, right, right, how did you know... holy crap..."

As he spoke, Su suddenly felt that this voice was incredibly familiar, identical to his old man's voice.

Turning his head, he discovered Su Xinyuan standing beside him, not knowing when he had arrived. At this moment, Su Yu felt that if his old man claimed he had no cultivation, Su Yu would never believe it even if he died; the man had appeared behind him without a sound, and he hadn't noticed a thing.

If you tell me you have no cultivation, I won't believe it even if I die!

"Speak, what kind of little girl is worth you giving away my treasures?" Su Xinyuan looked at Su Yu with a mischievous grin and spoke.

"What little girl? Why is it that I'm surrounded by boys? Where would a little girl come from?" Su Yu was still playing dumb; as long as he wasn't caught in the act, he wouldn't admit to anything.

As he spoke, Su Xinyuan pulled out his belt and pointed it at Su Yu, saying, "You even dare to fool your own father? If you don't talk today, see if I don't beat you to death, you brat. Giving away such precious treasures just like that—are you going to talk or not?"

Looking at his father holding the Seven Wolves belt, Su Yu subconsciously took a few steps back.

Damn it, don't do this! Your son just picked out a daughter-in-law for you, and you're already about to stage a scene of 'fatherly kindness and filial piety'!

"Can't you just talk things out properly..." Looking at Su Xinyuan's fierce and menacing expression, Su Yu subconsciously began to retreat.

Because he couldn't be sure if Su Xinyuan, failing to catch him, would tell Old Chen to pin him down, and then proceed with the 'sword in a kind father's hand, slashing at the filial son.' The father sees the son isn't cold yet, so he pulls out the Seven Wolves...

"Fine, you won't talk, right? Old Chen, tie this brat up for me." Su Xinyuan never failed to disappoint Su Yu when he spoke.

The next instant, a blur passed before Su Yu's eyes, and he was grabbed by Old Chen, completely unable to resist.

Three-Ring against Seven-Ring, what was I thinking...

Looking at Su Yu's hopeless expression, Su Xinyuan sat down on the sofa and said, "I know you're stubborn, but that's fine, I'll say it."

"What, you'll say it?!" Hearing Su Xinyuan's words, Su Yu widened his eyes, looking at Su Xinyuan in utter disbelief.

Su Xinyuan crossed his legs, leaned back on the sofa, and said, "Others might not know, but your father here knows everything. Name: Wang Dong. Age: twelve. Martial soul: Radiant Goddess Butterfly. Should you say the rest, or should I?"

"What? There's more?" Su Yu wanted to know exactly how much Su Xinyuan knew.

Su Xinyuan waved his hand and said, "Old Chen, put Yu'er down."

After Su Yu was put down, Su Xinyuan calmly picked up the tea on the table and slowly said, "Would a martial soul like the Radiant Goddess Butterfly appear on a boy? Although your father is not a Soul Master, your father is not a fool!"

Slap!

Su Xinyuan slammed a palm onto the table, making Su Yu tremble all over. Damn, he even knew this? What else did his own father not know?

"I know you're wondering how I know, but I won't tell you now. You'll find out eventually. Old Chen, take Su Yu and follow me."

After saying this, Su Xinyuan led Su Yu to a room that had been sealed for a long time.

"Do you know where this is?" Su Xinyuan opened the bronze door that had been sealed for who knows how long.

The copper rings vibrated, and a large amount of dust was shaken off the door. Behind the door, it wasn't as magnificent as Su Yu had imagined; there was only a plain, unremarkable passageway.

This passageway was surprisingly long; it took Old Chen, a Seven-ring Soul Saint, an hour of flying at full speed with Su Xinyuan and Su Yu to reach the end.

The tunnel was full of intersections, making Su Yu feel dizzy just looking at them. It wasn't until they landed that Su Yu suddenly realized where they were.

After a series of identity verifications, Su Yu finally reached the final destination.

"Go in." Su Xinyuan's voice came from behind Su Yu.

"Dad, can I not go in?" Looking at Su Xinyuan's kind smile, Su Yu felt an instinctive resistance in his heart.

Su Xinyuan kicked Su Yu in the butt, "Stop dawdling, I told you to go, so go."

Su Yu helplessly placed his jade token into the slot. After a tremor, behind this door was actually a Soul Guidance Device factory similar to Mingde Hall!

It was just that the scale was nowhere near Mingde Hall's, and even the Soul Engineers here were at most Level 6 Soul Masters.

By comparison, it was quite shabby. As soon as they saw Su Yu arrive, everyone stepped forward to salute, "Greetings, Young Master!"

"Rise. You must be the Soul Guidance research personnel of our Su Family, right? The things you are researching now must be the blueprints my dad gave you?"

Looking at the large pile of scrapped parts, defective products, and half-finished items on the tables, Su Yu knew there must be a bottleneck in their research; otherwise, Su Xinyuan would never have brought him here.

"The Young Master is truly brilliant. After the Master handed these blueprints to us for research, we found that no matter how we tried to manufacture them, we couldn't create the Soul Guidance Device on the blueprints. So we had to request the Master to bring the designer of the blueprints here. We never expected that these blueprints actually came from the Young Master's own hand. We are truly filled with admiration."