Ten days later, at the port of Tianhai City.
The massive port was bustling with activity, packed with enormous ships from all over. The air carried the salty tang of the sea breeze.
Under the guidance of two elder members, Elder Zhuo Shi and Cai Yue'er, the delegation from Shrek Academy arrived at the port.
Gu La and Bai Yuan were the first to board the ship. Their auras were solemn, starkly contrasting with the excitement of the other students.
Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Ye Xinglan, Xu Xiaoyan, Xu Lizhi, Wu Siduo, Yuanen Yehui, and Le Zhengyu followed closely behind. The faces of these young men and women radiated anticipation for the unknown journey ahead and pride in representing Shrek Academy.
These youthful faces symbolized the new brilliance of Shrek's rising generation. Dressed in the academy's signature dark green uniforms, they stood out distinctly among the crowd.
Xie Xie carried a large pack on his back, filled with various storage soul devices containing the team's training supplies, including a year's worth of concentrated physical enhancement liquid for the team members.
Shrek Academy had made an extraordinary effort this time, providing these resources without demanding any contribution points as part of the "business trip" perks. Due to the special nature of the concentrated liquid, it required specialized low-temperature storage soul devices, most of which had limited space. As a result, just the storage soul devices alone filled an entire large pack.
However, Xie Xie ran around busily, drenched in sweat, yet his face remained adorned with a smile, showing no trace of complaint.
The delegation from the Sun Moon Federation, who had been waiting there, also approached.
Leading them was Pan Wen, the Secretary-General of the Federation's Foreign Affairs Department. He was slightly plump, always wearing a professional and enthusiastic smile, but his eyes were like deep pools—impossible to fathom.
"Elder Zhuo Shi, Elder Cai, long have I heard of your greatness!"
Pan Wen enthusiastically stepped forward, shaking hands with Zhuo Shi and Cai Yue'er. His tone was warm, though laced with an almost imperceptible formality. "The young talents of Shrek Academy are truly remarkable. Having Shrek accompany us on this journey is a great honor for our Federation. This mission will undoubtedly be a resounding success!"
Zhuo Shi laughed heartily, not as cold as Cai Yue'er. He was here to give his disciples a chance to redeem themselves, so he couldn't afford to create tension right from the start.
His voice boomed like thunder: "Secretary Pan is too kind. Shrek's purpose on this trip is solely for exchange and learning, fostering friendship between the soul masters of both continents. Other matters are beyond the scope of the academy's involvement."
His words were straightforward, clearly indicating Shrek's neutral stance.
A flicker of sharpness flashed in Pan Wen's eyes, but his smile remained unchanged: "Of course, of course. Exchange and learning, strengthening friendships, are the primary objectives. Come, allow me to introduce you to our friends from the Star Luo Empire."
The delegation from the Star Luo Empire had already lined up, waiting. Leading them was an elderly man dressed in ornate court attire, exuding an air of elegance. He was the Minister of Rites of the Star Luo Empire.
Behind him stood more than a dozen students from the Star Luo Imperial Academy, dressed in deep purple uniforms with gold trim. Each of them wore expressions of arrogance, their sharp gazes scrutinizing the Shrek group. They lingered particularly on Gu La, Bai Yuan, and others, their eyes reflecting both appraisal and a hint of clear apprehension.
Evidently, news of Shrek's monster squad crushing the Sun Moon Academy had already reached the Star Luo Empire. The Eight Heavenly Kings of the Star Luo Imperial Academy were well-prepared to greet their arrival.
Pan Wen enthusiastically introduced both sides, placing particular emphasis on the status of Shrek Academy and the "extraordinary abilities" of its students.
He specifically introduced several core students of the Star Luo Imperial Academy to Gu La and others: "This is the captain of the Star Luo Imperial Academy team, Prince Dai Qingsu. His martial soul is the White Tiger, and his strength is exceptional!"
"And this is the vice-captain..."
Dai Qingsu had a handsome face, carrying the unique dignity of royalty. He gave a slight nod, his gaze sharp as lightning.
As Pan Wen spoke, his words seemed to carry a subtle undertone, as if subtly suggesting that the students from both sides could "exchange more frequently."
Gu La calmly met Dai Qingsu's gaze, his expression as calm as still water. Bai Yuan's lips curled into a faint, barely noticeable smirk. Tang Wulin and the others, however, looked on with curiosity and fighting spirit, their eyes tinged with disdain and superiority.
This was naturally noticed by the members of the Star Luo Royal Academy team, but no one showed it openly in front of Secretary Pan of the Sun Moon Federation.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the three groups boarded the colossal vessel for this voyage—the top-tier soul-guided seafaring ship belonging to the Sun Moon Federation, the "Star Luo."
The Star Luo was immense, resembling a moving steel island, equipped with the most advanced soul-guided propulsion and defense systems.
Not long after boarding, the voyage began. The massive Star Luo cut through the azure waves, heading toward the vast expanse of the Star Luo Sea.
Inside the ship, designated areas were arranged for rest and interaction.
As the host, Pan Wen organized an informal exchange meeting to allow the three groups of students to become acquainted. He warmly greeted everyone before excusing himself shortly after.
Without restraint, the students from the Star Luo Imperial Academy gathered together, eyeing the relatively plain dark green uniforms of the Shrek group. A few couldn't help but snicker quietly.
"Tsk, this is the legendary number one academy on the continent? Their uniforms are so… tacky."
"Yeah, the color is ugly, and the style is outdated. Compared to our royal purple and gold uniforms, they're way behind!"
"I heard they got crushed at the Sun Moon Royal Academy last time. Turns out they're just a bunch of relics, completely out of touch with the times."
"Keep it down… But yeah, they don't look very impressive…"
Though their voices were soft, everyone present was a soul master, and their hearing was acute.
The faces of the Shrek group darkened.
Tang Wulin frowned deeply, Gu Yue's eyes turned slightly cold, and Ye Xinglan tightened her grip on her sword hilt. Zhuo Shi and Cai Yue'er furrowed their brows slightly, but as elders, they refrained from reacting.
Pan Wen held a glass of red wine, gently swirling it, seemingly oblivious to the murmurs. He continued to smile warmly, inviting everyone to enjoy tea.
At this moment, a voice with exaggerated theatrical flair rang out:
"Oh my, dear friends from Star Luo, you're mistaken."
Le Zhengyu stepped forward, sporting his somewhat flamboyant smile. He elegantly adjusted the collar of his own dark green uniform.
"This isn't just any ordinary green—it's the green of the 'Everlasting Ivy'! It symbolizes how Shrek Academy has endured through countless trials and tribulations, remaining vibrant and unyielding for ten thousand years! Do you understand what historical depth means? Do you know what understated luxury is?"
He spread his hands, feigning deep sorrow: "And then look at your outfits… Tsk tsk, purple and gold? Vulgar! So vulgar! It's like… like…"
He deliberately drew out his words, his gaze sweeping over a particularly short and haughty male student from the Star Luo group. "It's like those gilded eggplants in our academy's cafeteria, painted gold to seem fancy but still stunted in growth."
"Pfft!" From the Shrek side, Xu Lizhi was the first to burst out laughing. Tang Wulin and the others couldn't help but chuckle either. Le Zhengyu's sharp tongue truly knew no bounds when it came to insults.
"You!"
The short boy targeted by Le Zhengyu instantly flushed red, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
His name was Hu An, and his martial soul was the "Venom Fang Weasel." He was naturally sullen and quick-tempered, and being called short was his biggest sore spot.
"Bastard! How dare you insult the Star Luo Imperial Academy?!" He shot up abruptly, his soul power surging as a toxic mist with a sickly sweet smell began to emanate faintly!
"Insult?" Le Zhengyu feigned innocence. "I'm merely stating an objective fact about color aesthetics. Are you saying that the Star Luo Empire can't handle the truth? Or perhaps…"
His gaze suddenly sharpened, exuding the unique pressure of his Holy Angel martial soul. "Do you want to fight?"
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