[DD2]: 360

"From your family background and abilities, you are undoubtedly outstanding. Among the younger generation, it would be hard to find a second person who could match your performance."

"From this perspective, Dong'er indeed has good taste, and you're worthy of her."

"But..."

Niu Tian paused, staring intently at Su Yu, and said, "Dong'er's feelings for you are beyond question. She loves you deeply."

"But what about you?"

"How much sincerity do you have for Dong'er?"

Su Yu lifted his head, meeting Niu Tian's sharp gaze. With calm composure, he replied, "My feelings for Dong'er are, of course, genuine. Otherwise, I wouldn't have personally come to the Clear Sky Sect. Does the Sect Master not agree?"

Niu Tian nodded slightly. "This act indeed shows that Dong'er holds a place in your heart, but it's not enough."

"Then, according to the Sect Master, what would be enough?" Su Yu asked.

Niu Tian replied without hesitation, "If it required you to die for Dong'er, would you be willing?"

Su Yu smiled faintly. "That would not be difficult. If one day my death could save her life, I would do so without hesitation."

Wang Dong'er grew anxious and quickly tugged on Su Yu's arm. "Su Yu, don't say such things. I don't want you to die!"

Su Yu patted Wang Dong'er's hand gently and gave her a faint smile.

He wasn't joking.

Though Su Yu had a dark side, wasn't considered a good person, and was undeniably a bit of a playboy, he genuinely cared for every girl he recognized as important in his heart.

For any girl he sincerely loved, he was willing to sacrifice himself.

Though Su Yu was deeply afraid of death, there were times when some things were simply more important than life itself.

These girls were willing to risk their lives for him—why wouldn't he do the same for them?

Love, after all, is mutual.

Niu Tian looked at Su Yu's smile and his unwavering response. He couldn't help but feel some admiration for the young man.

However, Niu Tian's stance didn't soften. "Words alone lack conviction. It's easy to say things, but actions are what matter."

Su Yu narrowed his eyes. "Then, Sect Master, how would you suggest I prove my sincerity?"

Niu Tian looked at Su Yu with an inscrutable expression. "True love is pure and cannot tolerate impurities."

"You claim to love Dong'er, but your personal life is... problematic."

"You don't just have Dong'er as a girlfriend, do you?"

Su Yu didn't deny it. "And what of it?"

Niu Tian's voice turned cold. "If you have other girlfriends, how can you possibly devote yourself fully to Dong'er?"

"If you truly love Dong'er, you should cut ties with the other women immediately."

"If you can do this, I will approve of your relationship with Dong'er. More than that, the Clear Sky Sect will fully support you in the future. What do you say?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Su Yu waved his hand and firmly refused, "That is impossible!"

Niu Tian scrutinized Su Yu, his expression darkening. "Are you truly so resolute in rejecting this?"

"Do you realize that by doing so, I will never agree to you being with Dong'er?"

Su Yu's tone turned colder as well. "If the Sect Master insists on this, then I'm afraid I have no choice but to offend you."

"If you won't approve, I'll simply elope with Dong'er in secret."

"Either way, Dong'er is mine. No one can stop me."

Wang Dong'er's heart skipped a beat as she watched the tense confrontation between Su Yu and Niu Tian. She was terrified they might start fighting.

One was the person she loved most, and the other was her Uncle. If they came to blows, she wouldn't know what to do.

At the same time, her heart felt a sweet warmth. Su Yu's unwavering declaration that he would fight for her made her heart flutter, her face blushing with shyness.

"Hey, you brat! How dare you speak to my brother like that?"

"Big Brother, let me teach this arrogant kid a lesson!"

"How dare he act so insolent in our Clear Sky Sect? He must be crazy!"

Tai Tan suddenly jumped into the fray, baring his teeth at Su Yu. He felt like he had finally found an opportunity—a legitimate excuse to beat Su Yu to a pulp.

But to Tai Tan's surprise, Niu Tian shot him a glare. "Get back."

"Oh."

Tai Tan shrank back, rubbing his neck awkwardly. Though he didn't quite understand, he obediently retreated.

Tai Tan feared nothing and no one—except his big brother.

After silencing Tai Tan, Niu Tian turned back to Su Yu, his voice cold. "Do you even understand what you're saying? Do you think the Clear Sky Sect is so easily bullied?"

Su Yu didn't back down. "The Ice God Palace isn't so easily trifled with either."

The two locked eyes, neither willing to yield.

After a long pause, Niu Tian withdrew his gaze, letting out a sigh. "Kid, I'm trying to look out for you. If you truly want to be with Dong'er, you must sever your ties with the others."

"Otherwise, you'll face consequences you cannot bear. Do you even know who stands behind Dong'er?"

Su Yu smirked. "I don't need to know. But Sect Master, do you know who stands behind me?"

Niu Tian's eyes flickered as he stared at the mark on Su Yu's forehead. "Do you think the person behind you is invincible?"

"She may not be invincible," Su Yu replied confidently, "but she's more than capable of protecting me."

Somewhere in the heavens, a certain proud deity clapped her hands in delight. "Well said, you finally said something sensible!"

"Yes, don't back down. Go for it!"

"It's just a little punk. Do you think this goddess would be afraid of him?"

"Don't hesitate—just take his daughter and run. Go for it!"

For once, this proud deity was pleased to see Su Yu say something she approved of.

"You're quite confident, Su Yu," Niu Tian said meaningfully.

Su Yu chuckled lightly. "You flatter me, Sect Master. It's just youthful arrogance."

"Being too arrogant at a young age can lead to trouble," Niu Tian replied, his gaze steady.

Su Yu met his gaze with equal determination. "If a young man isn't bold, can he even call himself young?"

"Haha, you're much bolder than he was in his youth," Niu Tian said with a faint smile.

Su Yu shrugged. "The waves of the river push forward, leaving the old waves to crash on the shore. Naturally, each generation surpasses the last."

"You're quite immodest."

"I'm just honest."

"Haha."

"Haha~"

Their verbal sparring left Wang Dong'er sweating nervously. She worried they might come to blows—the tension was palpable.

"You're bold and arrogant, kid. In the future, you'll likely suffer for it. I just hope that when the time comes, you'll still have the courage you showed today," Niu Tian said with a meaningful tone.

"In the future, the entire world will bow before me. Sect Master, if you've never reached my heights, how can you understand the view from where I stand?" Su Yu said, his tone proud and aloof.

"Hahaha! Well said, young master. Well said!"

A voice echoed from the skies, and a figure appeared in the hall after just a few flashes.

Hai Bodong, clad in a flowing blue robe with white hair cascading over his shoulders, exuded an icy and commanding presence as he entered, his aura filling the room.

Upon seeing Hai Bodong, Tai Tan instinctively took two steps back and covered his face.

But a moment later, he glanced at Niu Tian and puffed out his chest again.

With his big brother here, what was there to fear?

Hai Bodong didn't even spare Tai Tan a glance. He looked at Su Yu with admiration. "Young Master, your words were brilliant."

"With your unparalleled talent, no one in the future will be able to match your achievements."

"Only you understand me, Elder Hai," Su Yu said with a light smile.

"Hahaha~"

 Haibo Dong laughed heartily while stroking his beard.

Niu Tian wore a peculiar expression on his face. As expected, all the people from the Ice God Palace were similarly shameless—it seemed to run in their bloodline.

Although, compared to the achievements of someone at the same age, that guy was far inferior to Su Yu.

 But the times had changed. Were these two so confident?

Feeling a bit speechless, Niu Tian looked at Haibo Dong, cupped his hands, and said, "This must be the Ice Emperor, correct? As expected, your reputation is well-deserved."

Haibo Dong turned around and looked at Niu Tian, his gaze carrying less of the usual disdain.

"The Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect? Truly extraordinary. Your level is even slightly higher than mine. But unfortunately for you, you're still no match for me."

In Haibo Dong's eyes, the Clear Sky Sect Master before him had a cultivation level that was even higher than that of Long Xiaoyao back in the day.

If measured by the three major levels set by the Young Master—Quasi-Divine, Half-Divine, and Divine—this person was already at the Quasi-Divine level, and he had even made considerable progress within that stage.

 Compared to Haibo Dong's current state, this person was indeed a step ahead.

But, alas, even a Quasi-Divine being was no match for him.

It had been nearly two years since then, and his strength had recovered further.

 If he were to encounter those two Ultimate Douluos again, he could even defeat them effortlessly without sustaining any injuries.

The Young Master always compared him to Di Tian, saying they were about the same.

 But Haibo Dong believed that Di Tian wasn't his match either.

At this moment, Haibo Dong's confidence was through the roof.

"Arrogant!"

Tai Tan roared, "Hai Bodong, stop making such outrageous claims! My elder brother is invincible!"

Niu Tian: "…"

 This foolish younger brother… truly hopeless.

Hai Bodong glanced at Tai Tan and said indifferently, "Little monkey, are you itching for a beating again?"

Tai Tan shrank back, trying to sound tough while lacking confidence: "Hai Bodong, what are you trying to do? This is the Clear Sky Sect!"

Hai Bodong curled his lips. "Little monkey, stop overreacting. I wouldn't stoop so low as to cause trouble in your Clear Sky Sect."

"After all, this is the Young Mistress's family. I'll give you some face."

Wang Dong'er's delicate face turned slightly red. Young Mistress?

 Was he referring to her?

 Did this mean the Ice God Palace acknowledged her?

Wang Dong'er glanced at Su Yu, her heart feeling sweet and warm.

"Alright, alright, stop arguing, all of you," Niu Tian said, waving his hand.

 He turned to Su Yu and said, "Young man, you're very confident. Confidence is a good thing."

"You're so adamant about not abandoning other women. I suppose this means you wouldn't abandon Dong'er either?"

Su Yu was momentarily stunned. "Sect Master, were you deliberately asking me those questions earlier?"

Niu Tian raised an eyebrow. "You already guessed, didn't you? Why pretend otherwise?"

Su Yu composed himself, smiling silently.

Niu Tian sighed. "When it comes to cunning and scheming, ten Dong'ers wouldn't match up to you. Every move you make is calculated. Dong'er is so simple and innocent; I'm truly afraid you'll bully her."

Su Yu smiled. "Precisely because Dong'er is so pure, I like her all the more. Otherwise, what do you think, Sect Master?"

"Haha, so it's because you're so manipulative that you dislike others who are the same as you."

Su Yu chuckled softly but didn't deny it.

Niu Tian shook his head. "I initially invited you here to offer some advice, but now I see it's unnecessary."

"Dong'er likes you, and you're someone who doesn't follow traditional rules. I couldn't stop this even if I wanted to."

"But let me just say this—you'd better not have too many women. It won't do you any good."

Su Yu chuckled lightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Niu Tian glanced at him and could tell that Su Yu hadn't taken his words to heart at all. He sighed, a trace of complexity flashing in his eyes.

The figure in the heavens above wasn't someone who followed the rules either.

 Su Yu might be confident for now, but he would suffer for it in the future.

Moreover, Niu Tian worried that if Su Yu had too many women, the love left for Wang Dong'er would be too little.

 But Wang Dong'er was resolute, and Su Yu was a rulebreaker through and through. There was no forcing him.

Shaking his head, Niu Tian decided not to concern himself further.

Adjusting his thoughts, he looked at the mark on Su Yu's forehead and asked, "Su Yu, if I'm not mistaken, you've already begun the God Trial, haven't you?"

Su Yu nodded. Such a thing couldn't be hidden from someone like Niu Tian.

"Nine Trials to become a god. You've already stepped onto the divine path. From this perspective, you do have some reason to be proud."

"But remember, there's always someone stronger, and the heavens are limitless. Even if you become a god, it doesn't mean you'll be invincible."

"What level have you reached now? Would you be willing to spar with Tai Tan?"

"With your confidence, I'd like to see if you're capable of protecting Dong'er in the future."

Niu Tian's words were straightforward.

Tai Tan's eyes lit up. His elder brother's setup was brilliant.

He immediately stepped forward, issuing a challenge. "Su Yu, do you dare spar with me?"

"Don't worry—I'll only use thirty percent of my strength." Tai Tan held up three fingers, speaking with a booming voice.

Su Yu glanced at Tai Tan and responded calmly, "It would be an honor to spar with a master like you, Tai Tan. However, you should probably use your full strength. I think I'm fairly capable."

Tai Tan pounded his chest and waved him off. "No need! I'll only use thirty percent!"

Su Yu shook his head. This guy was just asking for a beating.

 If that was the case, then don't blame him for being impolite.

Right now, even Su Yu felt that his strength was terrifyingly overwhelming!

"Since it's decided, let's take this outside. There's more space out there for you to go all out," Niu Tian suggested.

The group headed outside the castle. The vast sea of clouds churned, and the mist beneath their feet gave the sensation of flying through the heavens.

Tai Tan leaned out, beckoning. "Kid, come on!"

"With pleasure," Su Yu replied, stepping forward.

Wang Dong'er quickly ran out, standing in front of Tai Tan. She placed her hands on her hips, her delicate face puffed up, trying to look fierce but only managing to seem adorably feisty.

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