"How dare you touch me, I'll teach you a lesson for your loose tongue!" Hu An was furious. His figure shot forward with incredible speed, his five fingers forming claws that glowed with an eerie blue light. A pungent, toxic wind accompanied his strike as he aimed directly for Le Zhengyu's face! He attacked without hesitation!
"Be careful, it's poisonous!" Xu Xiaoyan exclaimed.
Le Zhengyu didn't dodge or evade; instead, a mocking smile appeared on his face.
"Holy Light Illumination!"
Buzz! A solid shield of pure and holy light instantly materialized in front of him.
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!
Hu An's venomous claws struck the Holy Light Shield, emitting a piercing sound like cold water hitting hot iron. The poison was rapidly purified and evaporated by the holy light, releasing wisps of green smoke. The shield remained completely unshaken.
"What?!" Hu An's expression changed drastically. His venomous claws had been effortlessly blocked? Moreover, the holy light made him feel extremely uncomfortable, as if he had encountered his natural nemesis!
"Is that all you've got?" Le Zhengyu's voice dripped with mockery. His eyes narrowed. "Holy Light, Purification."
Boom!
The light-formed shield suddenly shifted shape, erupting into intense brilliance. Like a miniature sun exploding, pure holy purification energy spread out like a shockwave!
"Ahh—!"
Hu An let out a blood-curdling scream! The toxic mist surrounding his body melted away like snow under sunlight. He was violently hurled backward by the powerful holy shockwave, crashing into the distant cabin wall before sliding down. His entire body was charred black, smoking faintly, clearly suffering from severe burns. He lost the ability to fight in an instant.
The entire process was lightning-fast. From Hu An's sudden attack to being blasted away by Le Zhengyu's Holy Light Purification, only two or three seconds had passed.
The cabin fell into complete silence.
The students from the Star Luo Imperial Academy were visibly shaken, their gazes now filled with shock and apprehension as they looked at Le Zhengyu.
Even Dai Qingsu and others wore solemn expressions. After this brief exchange, who would have expected that this seemingly glib-tongued individual possessed such overwhelming strength? The holy light attribute he wielded carried significant suppression power against any non-light-based soul power!
Pan Wen's smile remained bright, but internally, he felt disdain for the outdated aristocratic system. Maintaining a neutral facade, he quickly stepped in to mediate:
"Oh dear, young people should spar lightly, lightly. It's just a friendly exchange. Hu An was too impulsive, and Le Zhengyu's strength is extraordinary—no wonder he's one of Shrek's elites. Everyone, let's calm down and prioritize harmony, harmony."
Le Zhengyu casually flipped his hair, dismissing the holy light, and returned to his carefree demeanor, as if the person who had just acted wasn't him:
"Secretary Pan is right, harmony brings prosperity. However, if anyone else dares to speak ill again, I'll gladly engage them in a discussion."
He smiled brightly, his gaze sweeping across the Star Luo group, lingering particularly on Dai Qingsu and others.
The Star Luo students' faces turned pale, but no one dared to provoke further. Le Zhengyu's combination of strength and sharp words had delivered a strong warning.
Gu La watched everything calmly, his eyes deep with thought.
He couldn't understand.
The reason the Star Luo Continent hadn't been invaded was entirely due to the covert intervention of Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect. How did they have the audacity to challenge Shrek Academy?
After pondering for a moment, Gu La arrived at an answer. This inglorious act of relying on others for survival wouldn't be something the Star Luo upper echelons would boast about, so it was normal for some students to remain unaware.
"That explains it."
"What explains it?"
Tang Wulin cast a curious glance.
Gu La shrugged: "I said it's not surprising that ugly people often cause trouble."
Everyone chuckled along politely. The laughter echoed far, but the Star Luo Imperial Battle Team pretended not to hear, hastening their departure.
As they chatted, the Shrek group returned to their rooms to change into formal attire.
Tang Wulin opened his suitcase, only to find it filled entirely with dark green school uniforms and a few casual outfits. Only then did he belatedly realize that no one had reminded him to prepare formal banquet attire before departure!
He scratched his head in frustration. Gu Yue? He instinctively thought of her but immediately dismissed the idea with a bitter smile. Their relationship was lukewarm at best—how could she possibly have prepared this for him?
With no other choice, he sought out Xu Lizhi, who also looked bewildered.
"Lizhi, do you have a suit?"
Xu Lizhi shook his head blankly, patting his round belly: "I only brought a few regular clothes and… uh, some loose ones."
His physique required custom-made suits, which would cost an exorbitant amount. Rather than spend that money, he preferred indulging in delicious food to satisfy his appetite.
Thus, when the banquet hall doors reopened, amidst a sea of tuxedos and flowing dresses, two striking figures stood out in dark green—Tang Wulin and Xu Lizhi, awkwardly entering in their Shrek uniforms.
The Star Luo ship's banquet hall was brilliantly lit, its crystal chandeliers refracting dazzling light, illuminating the velvet-carpeted hall as if it were daytime.
Melodious orchestral music flowed through the air, mingling with the aroma of gourmet dishes and expensive perfumes.
Elite souls and high society members from both Douluo and Star Luo continents, dressed in luxurious attire, exchanged pleasantries over glasses of champagne. Despite the socialite atmosphere, the pair's conspicuous appearance attracted little mockery but even fewer interactions.
However, unexpectedly, Tang Wulin's awkwardness didn't last long.
His physique, tempered by the Golden Dragon King's bloodline, gave him a towering, pine-like posture, a handsome and resolute face, and an aura of youthful vigor exuding from his sharp eyebrows and bright eyes.
Even wearing the mismatched school uniform, his unique charm and striking appearance drew the attention of many noble ladies and aristocratic maidens present, like a magnet.
Soon, several elegantly dressed young women approached with curious and shy smiles.
"Esteemed sir from Shrek, may I invite you for a dance?"
"Your uniform… has a distinctive style, highlighting your exceptional heroism!"
"Is this your first visit to Star Luo? Could you share some interesting tales from the Douluo continent?"
Tang Wulin was flustered by the sudden warmth, his cheeks turning slightly red. He instinctively glanced at Xu Lizhi beside him.
However, the moment he was surrounded, Xu Lizhi, with a somewhat "tragic" expression, quietly slipped away toward the fragrant buffet area.
"Sigh, Wulin is indeed popular… Only food never abandons me…"
Xu Lizhi channeled his sorrow into appetite, grabbing a large plate and beginning to devour exquisite pastries, roasted meats, and seafood.
He tried to mask his "loneliness" by indulging in food. His chubby figure stood out in the buffet area, appearing focused yet… pitiful.
Meanwhile.
Gu La hadn't brought a suit either. But with a mere thought, his consciousness entered the system space.
"Customize a black suit."
Points -20
Instantly, a perfectly tailored, luxuriously understated black suit, devoid of any brand logos, appeared in his hands.
Once donned, the suit accentuated his tall, slender frame. His deep black eyes, under the lights, seemed even more mysterious, radiating an aura of control and nobility.
Bai Yuan wore a deep brown, fitted hunting-style suit that complemented his steady and heavy presence.
Ye Xinglan opted for a sleek silver-gray women's suit, paired with her sharp gaze, exuding a unique cold elegance and warrior spirit.
Xu Xiaoyan wore a knee-length aqua-blue dress, appearing fresh and adorable.
When Gu La entered the banquet hall, he immediately drew numerous gazes. His presence was uniquely commanding, blending seamlessly with the environment while maintaining a sense of detachment.
At this moment, a cold white figure approached him—it was Gu Yue.
She had changed out of her usual Shrek gown into a simple yet elegant off-shoulder white evening dress.
The skirt flowed like moonlight, outlining her delicate waist and graceful collarbone. Her silver hair was tied up, revealing a swan-like neck. Already stunning, she now exuded an icy allure that took one's breath away.
She walked up to Gu La, extending her gloved hand, her voice as clear as a spring: "Gu La, may I have this dance?"
A playful glint flashed in Gu La's eyes. Without hesitation, he naturally took her cool hand, placing the other on her slender yet resilient waist, and stepped onto the dance floor. Both were top-tier in appearance and bearing, instantly becoming the center of attention.
However, despite their seemingly intimate dance, there was no trace of romantic tension between them. The melodious music masked their silent exchange of telepathic words.
Gu Yue: "Your purpose in coming to Star Luo is far from simple. Is it for the Dragon Valley? Or has the Star Luo royal family promised you something?"
Gu La chuckled softly, his hand gently kneading the curve of her waist: "Likewise, Silver Dragon King. Venturing deep into enemy territory, surely you're not here for sightseeing. Are you searching for lost dragon remains? Or… assessing whether Star Luo holds any useful forces?"
Gu Yue's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. The sensation on her waist made her uncomfortable, and she shot Gu La a cold glare, only to receive a more brazen raised eyebrow in return. She suppressed the urge to swat his mischievous hand away.
Her voice grew colder: "Enough talk. Na'er… When will you finally grant her freedom?"
Gu La's movements didn't stop. As if admiring a work of art, his sharp gaze pierced through everything: "Grant her freedom? And then what? Let you absorb her and erase her consciousness completely?"
Gu Yue fell silent. Complex emotions swirled in her purple eyes—struggle, pain, and an unwavering determination. She stubbornly stared at Gu La, as if trying to find answers in his gaze.
Looking into her eyes, Gu La's movements softened, carrying a strange sense of comfort as he gently rubbed her slim waist.
Leaning close to her ear, his warm breath brushed against her sensitive lobe. His voice was low and carried an undeniable certainty:
"I've told you before. Give me time. I'll find a way to allow both of you to exist independently, without merging, as true, separate individuals."
Gu Yue's body trembled slightly. She had heard this before but never truly believed it. Without merging? Was that even possible? The splitting of the Silver Dragon King's essence was already a massive risk and source of pain.
She stared into Gu La's deep eyes, which seemed devoid of deceit, exuding an unfathomable confidence. For the first time, a faint glimmer of hope—so faint she barely dared to acknowledge it herself—rose within her.
"You'd better not be lying to me," Gu Yue finally transmitted coldly, her gaze still wary.
"Time will prove everything." Gu La smiled faintly, guiding her through an elegant spin.
As the music ended, they parted.
Gu Yue cast a deep look at Gu La before turning and walking away, her white dress trailing behind her in a cold arc. She headed straight to her room.
Her thoughts were stirred by Gu La's words, and she needed solitude to calm herself.
Gu La watched her retreating figure, his eyes deep and contemplative.
One of his purposes in coming to Star Luo was indeed the Dragon Valley. It held countless dragon remains and dragon soul crystals, imbued with the purest Dragon-type energy.
He needed to find special materials to stabilize soul essences and strengthen life imprints, preparing for the eventual separation of Gu Yue and Na'er into fully independent entities capable of evolving to higher levels. But this goal, for now, he couldn't reveal to her.
After all, obtaining resources from dead kin—even knowing those remains would eventually be exploited by others—might not be something Gu Yue could accept.
Just as he set down his wine glass, intending to check on Xu Lizhi's culinary conquests and sample some foreign delicacies, a curious yet pure gaze blocked his path.
Ye Xinglan.
Dressed in a gray women's suit, her posture as upright as a sword, her clear eyes met Gu La's without hesitation. "Gu La, may I have this dance? And… ask you a few questions about swordsmanship and growing stronger?"
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