The Star Luo Continent, East Coast, Linhai City.
The massive Star Luo slowly docked at the bustling port. After experiencing a heart-stopping marine soul beast attack, everyone on board stepped onto solid ground with a surreal feeling. A grand welcoming ceremony had already been prepared at the port.
Leading the reception was a middle-aged man dressed in traditional Star Luo Empire attire, his face refined yet sharp and astute—none other than Sima Lanxiao, the Foreign Minister of the Star Luo Empire.
"Welcome! Welcome, esteemed guests from the Douluo Federation and the prodigies of Shrek Academy!"
Sima Lanxiao greeted them warmly, shaking hands with Secretary Pan Wen, Zhuo Shi, Cai Yue'er, and others, maintaining an appropriately humble demeanor.
Behind him, officials from the Star Luo Empire and representatives from the Royal Academy also bowed respectfully. However, their gazes toward the Shrek group held not only respect but also a hint of curiosity—and apprehension.
Clearly, news of the Shrek team's exploits at the Sun Moon Academy and their rumored performance at sea had already reached the Star Luo.
"After a tiring journey, please rest for a while in Linhai City. Early tomorrow morning, we will take the soul-guided train to the capital, Star Luo City. His Majesty has prepared a grand welcome ceremony for you."
Sima Lanxiao arranged everything meticulously.
Everyone complied without objection.
That evening, in the banquet hall of the most luxurious hotel in Linhai City, Sima Lanxiao once again warmly entertained the Federation delegation and Shrek Academy.
After several rounds of drinks and as the atmosphere grew livelier, Sima Lanxiao casually strolled over to Zhuo Shi and Cai Yue'er, holding a glass of wine.
"Elder Zhuo Shi, Elder Cai," Sima Lanxiao smiled amiably, "Your academy's students are truly remarkable talents; it is a blessing for the continent. It just so happens that our Star Luo Empire's triennial 'Star Luo Youth Soul Master Elite Competition' is about to begin in Star Luo City."
"This is the highest-level gathering of young talent in our empire, bringing together the best youth from across the nation. I wonder… would Shrek Academy be interested in sending representatives to participate? It would be a great opportunity for our Star Luo youngsters to witness the unparalleled brilliance of the continent's top academy."
His words were both flattering and probing.
Zhuo Shi and Cai Yue'er exchanged glances. Cultural exchange was the purpose, and participating in competitions was part of that exchange.
Zhuo Shi stroked his beard and asked gruffly, "Oh? A competition? Sounds interesting. What kind of prizes are there?"
A gleam flashed in Sima Lanxiao's eyes, recognizing their interest. He immediately dangled the bait: "The rewards are naturally generous. Champions of the team events, mech battles, and side-profession competitions will receive top-tier cultivation resources provided by the royal family. For instance, the reward for the team event is a piece of soul-refined metal for each member, while other champions will receive mechs and rare medicinal herbs."
"And the prize for the individual champion..." he deliberately paused, lowering his voice with a hint of temptation, "...is a soul bone from the royal family's collection."
"Soul bone!"
Zhuo Shi and Cai Yue'er's eyes instantly lit up.
A soul bone was an irresistible temptation for any soul master. Though soul bones could be passed down and their numbers increased, they were still carefully hoarded by soul master families.
Although the age and attributes of the soul bone offered as a prize were unknown, even a single soul bone was worth striving for, especially for Shrek's geniuses.
"Hahaha, good."
Zhuo Shi laughed loudly, "Since the Star Luo Empire has extended such a warm invitation, Shrek cannot refuse. Let our youngsters experience the strength of their Star Luo peers."
Cai Yue'er also nodded slightly, "Agreed."
Sima Lanxiao's smile widened, but inwardly, he was wary. Shrek's swift acceptance indicated absolute confidence in their students. It seemed this competition would be quite lively.
However, he had even more confidence in the eight great prodigies of his own Monster Academy, especially since the age limit for the Youth Soul Master Competition was under twenty. He didn't believe that Shrek's students, who were four or five years younger, could surpass the talents of the Monster Academy.
Sima Lanxiao hadn't concealed the age requirement, but Zhuo Shi and Cai Yue'er paid it no mind. With Gu La and Bai Yuan present, they already considered the individual championship a foregone conclusion.
Early the next morning, at the Linhai City soul-guided train station.
The streamlined, metallic-gleaming Star Luo soul-guided train lay quietly on the tracks like a silver dragon. Members of the Federation delegation, Star Luo officials, and the Shrek Academy group boarded one after another.
Gu La stood on the platform, looking at the strangely familiar scene, then glanced at Tang Wulin, who was whispering something to Xu Lizhi. His expression was peculiar, and a playful smirk curled at the corner of his lips.
"Wulin," Gu La's voice wasn't loud but clearly reached Tang Wulin's ears, "Seeing you and a soul-guided train in the same picture... I don't know why, but it gives me an ominous premonition. Do you think our journey might be going too smoothly?"
Tang Wulin was momentarily stunned, then looked at Gu La speechlessly. What strange things was this guy saying now?
Xu Lizhi, on the other hand, was completely clueless, still eagerly anticipating the unique delicacies of the Star Luo Empire.
Gu La ignored them and boarded the train directly. However, his sense of foreboding grew stronger.
Sure enough!
As the soul-guided train left Linhai City and entered a relatively desolate mountainous area, just as its speed began to increase—
Several light points appeared in the distance, against the sun, growing closer and gradually revealing wild black metal outlines.
Woo—!!!
An ear-piercing alarm suddenly blared, and the train conductor's panicked voice came over the intercom: "Enemy attack! High-energy reactions detected! All passengers prepare for impact..."
Before the sentence finished!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Several enormous soul-guided laser beams, brimming with destructive energy, struck the front, middle, and rear power cars of the train like swords of divine punishment.
A cataclysmic explosion erupted instantly, tearing, twisting, and melting the sturdy alloy carriages as if they were made of paper.
The terrifying shockwave and flames instantly engulfed those cars. The entire train, like a snake struck by a giant hammer, jolted violently. The rear half of the train derailed due to the immense inertia, flipping over and crashing into the nearby mountain wall.
Though the front half remained connected, it was severely damaged, emitting a piercing metallic grinding sound as its speed plummeted.
"Enemy attack!!"
"Protect the Secretary!"
"Save people!"
Chaos erupted instantly. Federal guard soul masters and the strong from the Star Luo Royal Academy immediately released their soul power to protect vital areas, rushing toward the carriage where the Federation delegation was located.
Zhuo Shi and Cai Yue'er reacted fastest, their powerful soul power instantly forming a protective barrier around Secretary Pan Wen and several important officials nearby. However, they did not immediately retaliate, instead scanning the chaotic battlefield with sharp eyes, clearly wanting to observe the students' response to the sudden crisis.
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