Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Illustrious Virtue Hall.
In a hall with a metallic design, Jing Hongchen sat at the main seat, looking at Xiao Hongchen, who stood nearby.
"Is Meng still in that listless state?"
Jing Hongchen asked.
Xiao Hongchen nodded.
"She's been like that for a while. She looks more worn out every day."
"That damned Su Yu," Xiao Hongchen muttered angrily.
"Does it take this long just to get a soul ring? We haven't heard a single word from him. When he gets back, I'm going to teach him a lesson."
The school year was almost over, and Su Yu had been gone for nearly three months just to get a soul ring. How could it take that long? He might not be too concerned about Su Yu's well-being, but his sister's worn-out state bothered him deeply.
Jing Hongchen took a calm sip of tea.
"Teach him a lesson? I'm afraid you might not be able to beat him."
These words hit a nerve, and Xiao Hongchen bristled.
"I can't beat him? How is that possible? Even though he has Ultimate Ice, he's just a Soul Elder at best. Even with a new soul ring, he'd only be a Soul Ancestor. How could he be my match?"
Xiao Hongchen boasted confidently.
"In the younger generation, I, Xiao Hongchen, am invincible!"
Jing Hongchen sighed, feeling a headache coming on. When would his grandson's arrogance subside?
Rubbing his temples, Jing Hongchen spoke evenly.
"Send some of the academy's soul engineers to investigate Su Yu's whereabouts. At the very least, confirm whether he's alive or dead. Meng can't go on like this."
His granddaughter's worn-out state caused him deep concern as her grandfather.
"I understand. I'll make sure they look into it. But, Grandpa… do you think something happened to Su Yu?"
Xiao Hongchen asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
Jing Hongchen glanced at him as if he were a naive child. Su Yu had a Rank 98 Super Douluo as a bodyguard—what danger could he possibly be in?
"Don't overthink it. Su Yu is fine; he's probably just in hiding. But have them look for him—discreetly. The Douluo Continent isn't like our Empire. We can't afford to act too arrogantly there."
"Understood," Xiao Hongchen replied.
"One more thing. Issue a notice that due to Su Yu's extended absence from the academy—a serious violation of school rules—his monthly stipend of 100,000 gold soul coins is hereby canceled," Jing Hongchen ordered. It seemed necessary to give Su Yu a warning to prevent further complacency.
"Hehe, got it. I'll go tell Director Lin right away," Xiao Hongchen said gleefully, chuckling as he ran out of the hall to find Lin Jiayi.
Watching Xiao Hongchen get so excited over something minor, Jing Hongchen sighed helplessly. How could he feel at ease handing over Illustrious Virtue Hall to this grandson in the future?
...
First-Year Dormitory Area, Dorm 212.
Wang Dong, her short pink-blue hair framing her face, stood silently in the empty dormitory. Several months had passed, and her cultivation had advanced significantly. She had reached the level of a Rank 29 Grand Soul Master, a large improvement thanks to daily hard work. Since Su Yu left, Wang Dong had cultivated even more diligently and was close to obtaining her third soul ring to become a Soul Elder.
Yet, despite this progress, Wang Dong felt little joy.
Sitting on her bed, she looked worn out, with a deep sense of loneliness in her eyes.
"It's been three months now," she murmured.
"The school year is nearly over, and you haven't sent any word."
Her voice trembled slightly, a mix of frustration, longing, and worry on her face.
"You said you'd go and come back quickly… so why is it taking this long?"
For the past two months, Wang Dong had been quietly dealing with the anxiety that had grown in Su Yu's absence. A soul ring shouldn't take this long to obtain—even if the journey was far, it shouldn't have taken more than a month.
"Did something happen to you?" she whispered.
"No, that's impossible. You're from the Ice God Palace. You can't be in danger… right?"
She shook her head firmly, denying the thought. With the Clear Sky Sect's power, finding someone shouldn't be difficult.
"Once I'm back, I'll ask my first and second uncles to send people to search for you."
"When I find you…" she muttered, fists clenched, "You're definitely getting a scolding for worrying me!"
Taking a deep breath, she continued packing her belongings for the break.
After tidying up Su Yu's side of the room—a habit she'd kept in Su Yu's absence—Wang Dong finally closed the cabinet and locked the dormitory door behind her.
Outside the academy gates, she saw a familiar figure: a large, muscular man with hair like steel needles. His rugged appearance and powerful aura made him look like a wild beast, yet his presence felt warm and reassuring.
"Second Uncle!"
Wang Dong's face broke into a smile as she rushed forward.
"Dong'er!"
Tai Tan's rugged face softened as he laughed heartily, and he embraced Wang Dong with a goofy smile that seemed out of place on someone so imposing.
Wang Dong looked up at Tai Tan.
"Second Uncle, how did you know I was on break today?" she asked, puzzled.
The academy hadn't officially started the break yet, but she had left a few days early.
"Hehe, Second Uncle just wanted to see Dong'er, so I came a few days ahead," Tai Tan chuckled, giving an excuse.
In truth, he had been waiting there all along. Tai Tan wasn't exactly lying, but if Wang Dong had looked closely, she might have noticed that Tai Tan's eyes were a bit evasive. However, Wang Dong's mind was preoccupied with Su Yu, and she paid it no mind.
"Oh, I see. Second Uncle, let's hurry back. I miss First Uncle too," Wang Dong said, grabbing Tai Tan's arm.
"Alright, let's go!"
"Dong'er, hop on my back!"
Tai Tan said, bending down slightly.
"Hehe, okay!"
Wang Dong giggled and jumped onto Tai Tan's back. Tai Tan straightened up, gave a subtle look of disdain in a certain direction, then leaped into the sky, disappearing into the clouds.
Once they had gone, a figure emerged from a hidden spot—it was Jing Hongchen. He watched the place where Tai Tan had vanished, gritting his teeth.
"Hmph, damned gorilla," he muttered. With a cold snort, Jing Hongchen's figure flickered and vanished as well.
...
A towering, solitary peak reached into the clouds!
Atop this high peak, hidden deep in the clouds, stood a grand castle built from massive stones—simple yet imposing. This was the Clear Sky Sect, the sect of the Clear Sky Clan, hidden in the misty mountains.
Suddenly, two figures descended slowly from the clouds before the Clear Sky Fortress. One was large and rugged like a gorilla, while the other, dressed in male attire, had a delicate, refined beauty.
"Dong'er, we've arrived!"
The two figures were, of course, Tai Tan and Wang Dong. After leaving the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, they returned directly to the Clear Sky Sect. With Tai Tan's strength, the journey had been swift.
"Mm!"
Wang Dong, visibly excited, jumped off Tai Tan's back and skipped into the Clear Sky Fortress.
Tai Tan scratched his head and grinned, following close behind her. Niu Tian had sensed their arrival and was already walking out of the hall.
"First Uncle!"
Seeing the white-robed middle-aged man, Wang Dong cheered and threw herself into his arms.
Niu Tian chuckled and patted Wang Dong's head.
"Dong'er, you're back! How was life at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy?" he asked warmly.
"I'm getting used to it. I made a really good friend who's helped me a lot. I'm already at rank twenty-nine now, and I've moved up to third grade!" Wang Dong shared, brimming with pride.
Niu Tian's gentle smile made everyone feel as though they were basking in a spring breeze.
"Our Dong'er is amazing. I always knew you were the best," he praised warmly.
But to his surprise, Wang Dong shook her head.
"First Uncle, I met someone impressive, someone truly exceptional. He has an Ultimate Ice Martial Soul, and even though he's my age, his soul power has already reached rank forty. He's incredibly talented with soul tools too—in just eight months, he became a fourth-level Soul Engineer. I've never met anyone so outstanding before."
Thinking of that person, admiration flashed in Wang Dong's eyes. He was the only peer Wang Dong truly respected.
"Oh? Is that so? There's a young person like that?"
Niu Tian raised an eyebrow, surprised. It wasn't often that someone earned such high praise from their family's little princess.
But he didn't dwell on it too much; after all, he didn't believe anyone on the continent could rival Dong'er's talent. After all, Dong'er was… well, special.
"Yes, and he's also my roommate—the one who's helped me a lot."
"Oh, right, First Uncle, could I ask you a favor?"
Wang Dong's tone shifted, and she looked up with a pleading expression.
"What's this about asking for a favor? If Dong'er needs something, just say it," Niu Tian replied with a smile.
"First Uncle, could you ask the sect to help me find someone? He's been missing for a long time, and I'm really worried about him."
Wang Dong's face fell, clearly troubled by the lack of news about Su Yu.
"Alright, no problem. Go find the chief elder and make the arrangements yourself."
Niu Tian waved a hand dismissively.
"I knew First Uncle was the best!"
Wang Dong beamed, then dashed off into the depths of the Clear Sky Fortress with a skip in her step.
Once Wang Dong was out of sight, Niu Tian turned to Tai Tan, his expression becoming serious.
"Alright, tell me what's going on."
"Going on with what?"
Tai Tan scratched his head, feigning confusion.
"Tell me more about the boy Dong'er was talking about," Niu Tian said, giving Tai Tan a pointed look before turning to walk back into the hall. Tai Tan hurriedly followed.
Niu Tian took his seat in the main hall, his green eyes fixed on Tai Tan.
"Well, start talking."
Tai Tan scratched his head before starting to explain everything.
"So, the person Dong'er is worried about and the friend he mentioned are the same?"
Niu Tian asked.
Tai Tan nodded.
"Yes. Dong'er only got close to that boy at the academy. But then that boy left to obtain a soul ring and left Dong'er at the academy alone for months, making her worry for so long. If I ever see that kid, I'll give him a good smack," Tai Tan said, clearly frustrated.