At noon, accompanied by three blasts of the steam whistle, the two ocean liners slowly departed from the dock, gradually accelerating toward the deep sea.
The massive liners were like monsters of the sea, riding the wind and breaking the waves, advancing steadily.
Fang Yang stood on the balcony, feeling the sea breeze as bright sunlight bathed his entire body in indescribable comfort.
"This is the sea..."
He gazed at that boundless azure expanse, murmuring to himself.
"Attention everyone, attention everyone." A broadcast suddenly sounded in every cabin.
"Welcome aboard the ocean liner Star Luo. Tonight, we will hold a grand reception to welcome everyone. Please attend in formal attire. This will be a social event to promote lasting friendship between the two continents."
"A ball?"
Fang Yang's brows furrowed slightly, a sense of foreboding rising from his heart.
This kind of ball was never something he was good at dealing with.
Knock, knock.
A crisp knocking sounded.
Fang Yang opened the door to see Gu Yue, Na'er, and Xu Xiaoyan standing outside.
After he opened the door, the three naturally walked in.
Gu Yue asked: "Did you hear the broadcast?"
"Mhm, it's a social event." Fang Yang's tone was flat.
"So do you want to attend the ball?" Gu Yue looked directly into his eyes.
Fang Yang was about to refuse when he felt three gazes simultaneously focus on him.
Na'er's eyes held anticipation, Xu Xiaoyan pursed her lips in a smile, and Gu Yue had an expression that brooked no refusal.
"I... will attend."
Fang Yang reluctantly agreed, sighing inwardly: 'A warrior is not skilled at formal events…'
"Very good."
Gu Yue nodded in satisfaction, and Na'er and Xu Xiaoyan smiled at each other.
"This is the formal attire the three of us selected for you."
Gu Yue took out a neatly folded black and gold formal suit and handed it over. "Remember to attend on time tonight."
"Brother will definitely look handsome in this." Na'er added sweetly.
Xu Xiaoyan smiled in agreement, "Yeah, we looked for a long time to pick this."
"Alright."
Fang Yang accepted the attire. The fabric felt premium to the touch—it was clear they had put genuine thought into it.
"Then we'll see you at the ball."
After Gu Yue finished speaking, she led Na'er and Xu Xiaoyan out of the room.
Fang Yang looked at the formal attire in his hands and sighed lightly.
...
By evening time, the corridors of the Star Luo were already bustling.
"This young master makes his dashing entrance!"
Xie Xie, dressed in a classic black suit, white shirt, and black bow tie, struck a pose in the corridor with satisfaction.
"You?"
Le Zhengyu sneered. He wore a pristine white suit with faint golden embroidery at the collar—the clan emblem of the Holy Angel family.
He had never held any good feelings toward Fang Yang's group and directly spoke in mockery.
Xie Xie, hearing this, raised an eyebrow: "Bird-man, what are you putting on? You think wearing a white suit makes you an angel?"
"You..."
Le Zhengyu's eyes turned bloodshot, his breathing heavy as an ox.
"Xie Xie, what are you doing? Aren't you leaving?" Tang Wulin suddenly appeared, interrupting the confrontation between the two.
He wore a well-fitted black suit that made his figure appear even more upright.
This suit was something Ouyang Zixin had specially prepared for Tang Wulin after hearing about the ball.
"Goodbye bird-man, Wulin, let's go." Xie Xie said, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Tang Wulin toward the banquet hall.
"Damn it..."
Le Zhengyu gritted his teeth but reluctantly followed behind.
The grand banquet hall of the Star Luo was located on the second deck, one of the most luxurious venues on the entire ship.
The hall was decorated magnificently, with crystal chandeliers illuminating the entire space brilliantly.
The spacious hall could accommodate over a thousand people, and at this moment had already gathered dignitaries from various fields of both continents.
For this ball, the staff had removed all tables and chairs from the hall, only placing a circle of high tables around the outermost perimeter.
The tables were covered with various delicacies, drinks, and desserts—dazzling to the eye and mouth-watering.
Waiters moved through the crowd with trays, professional smiles on their faces, everywhere demonstrating the organizers' thoughtfulness.
It was evident that the Star Luo Continent people wanted to draw closer to the Douluo Continent, and this ball was an excellent opportunity.
Zhuo Shi, Shen Yi, and Wu Zhangkong appeared in the hall before the students.
Zhuo Shi wore a simple dark formal suit, appearing steady and appropriate.
Shen Yi's white hair draped behind her, her dark green eyes deep and captivating. A light green long dress set off her snow-white skin, her temperament elegant and refined.
Wu Zhangkong made his classic appearance—all white from head to toe, even his expression as cold as ever.
If not for his teacher and martial sister's requests, Wu Zhangkong would never have attended this kind of banquet.
He had never liked crowded places and was even less skilled at handling such social occasions.
"Wow, Teacher Shen is so beautiful, Teacher Wu is so handsome." Xie Xie couldn't help but exclaim upon entering the hall.
"Indeed."
Tang Wulin sincerely agreed.
"Thank you." Shen Yi responded with a smile.
There was no woman who didn't like being praised for her beauty.
And Wu Zhangkong, in just this short while, had already been approached by at least seven ladies who considered themselves not lacking in looks.
Wu Zhangkong was always very polite but refused with a cold, stern expression.
Standing there, he seemed to radiate an icy aura, yet the ladies he rejected still wouldn't move far away, stealing glances at him nearby, their eyes occasionally showing appreciation.
From appearance alone—slender figure, handsome features, long hair draped over his shoulders, his entire body emanating a cold and clear aura—Wu Zhangkong was simply impeccable.
Absolutely the image of a dream prince for women.
"So envious..."
Xie Xie looked at the scene around Wu Zhangkong and couldn't help muttering.
"What are you muttering about?" Zheng Yiran's voice suddenly sounded.
Xie Xie immediately came back to his senses and quickly turned to Zheng Yiran.
He saw her wearing a light green formal gown, the skirt blooming like flower petals—a completely different temperament from her usual self.
"Yiran, you're so beautiful..." Xie Xie looked somewhat spellbound, speaking involuntarily.
Tang Wulin beside him simply couldn't bear to watch, coughing lightly and shifting his gaze away.
Just then, he saw Senior Sister Ouyang Zixin and Martial Sister Mu Xi also enter the hall, each wearing beautiful formal gowns.
Ouyang Zixin's blue long skirt was elegant and generous, while Mu Xi's red formal attire was passionate as fire. The two immediately attracted considerable attention upon appearing.
"Senior Sister."
Tang Wulin went forward to greet her, a smile on his face.
"Wulin."
Ouyang Zixin smiled lightly, her gaze sizing him up. "Not bad, this suit fits very well. Makes you look even more handsome."
Mu Xi teased from the side: "Wulin, Zixin looked for a long time to pick this, you must cherish it well."
Tang Wulin's ears grew slightly hot. He was about to say something when he saw Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi also enter the banquet hall.
Both were in appropriate black suits, respectively accompanied by the sisters Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tian'er.
Zhou Hanyou wore a water-blue long skirt, her temperament cold and elegant as an orchid. Zhou Tian'er wore an emerald green formal gown, appearing lively and spirited.
The appearance of these two couples caused another small stir.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)