"Don't look at me like that — you're scaring me."
"Scaring you? Hah! I think I've been too nice to you. Is that transmission technique of yours some kind of secret one-on-one spell?"
"Sort of… but not really. Anyway, I can't tell you."
"I don't even want to know."
"Hmph!"
The girl pouted, clearly annoyed.
The banquet ended fairly quickly. Both sides seemed to have had a pleasant exchange, though the evening banquet itself would still continue for several more hours.
Star Luo Empire Royal Palace
"He's too infuriating, Father! You have to teach him a lesson for me!"
"Nonsense," Dai Tianling said impatiently, looking at his daughter with helpless exasperation.
"You cause trouble over everything! What if this sparks a diplomatic incident? What if you start a conflict between the two nations?"
"I was wrong, Father. I won't dare to do it again." Dai Yun'er lowered her head obediently, her tone soft and remorseful.
Dai Tianling had seventeen sons — but only one daughter. He doted on her endlessly. Though Dai Yun'er was mischievous and spirited, she had always known how to win his favor. In his eyes, she was truly the apple of his eye — his most precious treasure.
"I've heard that line since you were little. 'I won't dare again,' huh? Who was it that cut Consort Zhen's hair into a half-and-half mess last month? And the month before that—no, I can't just let this slide."
Dai Yun'er's lips trembled, and her eyes grew red. "Father, don't you love me anymore?"
Since Dai Tianling's ascension to the throne, he had been hailed as a powerful ruler — diligent, decisive, and the driving force behind the empire's modernization. The centuries-old Green Skull Rebellion had been crushed nearly to extinction under his rule. Yet, no matter how commanding he was in court, he could never muster that same authority in front of his only daughter.
And this little act of hers — it worked every single time.
"Alright, alright, stop crying." Dai Tianling rubbed his temples. "I really can't do anything about you. You're truly heaven's way of keeping me humble. Fine, I won't punish you this time — but you must promise not to cause trouble again. Especially nothing that might embarrass the nation. If you do, I'll have no choice but to confine you."
"Father is the best!" she cheered happily.
Guyu followed Wu Zhangkong into the grand royal banquet hall.
He had to admit — the Star Luo Empire was rich. They'd even prepared two entire halls for this event alone.
Standing quietly in a corner, Guyu stealthily grabbed two small pastries and began nibbling on them.
The banquet had officially begun. The Emperor of the Star Luo Empire himself — dressed in royal finery — was chatting warmly with members of the visiting delegation, his Empress beside him.
The atmosphere was harmonious. Nobles of the Star Luo Empire mingled with the Douluo Continent delegates, their laughter filling the air.
Just then, gentle music began to play. Emperor Dai Tianling stepped up to one of the female delegates — a beautiful woman in her early thirties — and extended a hand with a graceful smile.
The woman was visibly surprised but quickly composed herself, accepting the invitation to dance. Together, they entered the center of the floor to open the night's first waltz.
"Fancy seeing you again!"
A cheerful voice rang suddenly beside his ear.
Guyu froze mid-bite, his expression turning wry as he turned to see Dai Yun'er standing there.
"Do you know how to dance?" she asked.
Guyu rested his chin in his palm thoughtfully — then grinned wickedly.
"I graduated as an eighth-rank dance master! Totally professional."
"Really?" Dai Yun'er looked skeptical.
"Of course! Don't believe me? Dance with me and find out."
"Hmph, very well — this princess will grace you with a dance."
"Sure, sure, Your Highness," Guyu replied, already plotting his revenge.
Dai Yun'er grabbed him by the arm, and the two stepped into the dance floor.
Guyu immediately stumbled, while Yun'er gracefully began to move with the music.
"You call yourself a dancer? Your coordination is terrible!" she teased.
"Trust me," Guyu smirked. "You'll see how good I really am in a moment."
"We'll see about that."
"Ah—ow!"
He deliberately stepped on her right skirt.
"Wait—ah! You—!!"
Then he stepped on the left side.
"You're infuriating!" Yun'er fumed, nearly bursting with anger.
"You tricked me! You don't know how to dance at all!"
"Heh, that's right. I tricked you on purpose."
"You—you! I'll kill you!"
Furious, Yun'er kicked out at him.
You're actually kicking me? Guyu thought, startled. He quickly caught her foot midair.
"Let go!"
"No way. Promise me first — no more kicking. We're in public!"
"Fine! Now let me go already!" Her face turned scarlet.
This was a disaster. With all these people around, who would believe nothing was going on between them now?
"Alright then. Just don't cause trouble again, and we'll call it even. We'll just be… friends." Guyu yawned, turned, and walked away.
"Where are you going?" Yun'er asked, still flustered.
"Back… to sleep."
"This guy…" Yun'er sighed, shaking her head.
"…He's kind of interesting."
The following days were spent waiting for the grand opening of the Star Luo Empire's Continental Youth Advanced Soul Master Tournament — one of the empire's most celebrated events, a tradition tracing back to ancient times on the Douluo Continent.
In those ancient days, the Spirit Hall, which once ruled over most of the continent's soul masters, had founded this tournament to select promising talents.
After the Spirit Hall was destroyed by Tang San and the Three Empires, soul masters gained their freedom — but the tournament tradition endured.
Following the unification of the Douluo Continent into the Federation, the competition faded there… yet on the Star Luo Continent, the event continued to flourish.
It was held once every three years in the imperial capital, Star Luo City. Any soul master under twenty years old could register — provided they had at least Rank 20 soul power and paid the registration fee.
The registration period lasted a full month.
With time, the tournament evolved into four main events:
One-on-One Duels
Two-on-Two Battles
Seven-on-Seven Team Matches
Mecha Combat Challenges
No side competitions like forging or mecha engineering were included — this was purely a contest of battle power, meant to ignite the fighting spirit of the Star Luo Empire's youth.
Any contestant who achieved a notable ranking would receive prestigious recognition — a major advantage for future studies, employment, or military service.
Among all the events, the One-on-One Duel remained the most important.
There were no restrictions — any weapons, any equipment, even mechas or soul tools were allowed…
(End of Chapter)