When the black coastline finally appeared at the edge of their vision, a deafening cheer erupted from both giant ships.
A three-month-long voyage across the distant seas—even soul masters would find it tedious.
At this moment, seeing the outline of land, the members of the Douluo Continent exchange delegation could hardly contain their excitement. The deck was filled with a long-absent atmosphere of joy.
The members of the Star Luo Continent delegation were even more thrilled.
They had finally returned to their long-lost homeland. Many had tears streaming down their faces, waving vigorously toward the distant coastline and shouting the names of their loved ones.
The Star Luo Continent had arrived!
Under the arrangements of the Star Luo Empire, the two giant ships slowly entered the harbor and docked smoothly.
Fang Yang and the others followed the main group off the Star Luo ship, curiously examining this unfamiliar continent and city.
The architectural style of the port was completely different from the Douluo Continent, full of exotic charm.
The Star Luo Empire held a grand welcome ceremony, with red carpets laid out and ceremonial cannons firing in unison. But for Shrek Academy, this was merely going through the motions.
If not for the need to preserve diplomatic face between the Sun-Moon Federation and the Star Luo Empire, they wouldn't even attend such tedious official events.
After the welcome ceremony, the two exchange delegations parted ways.
The Star Luo exchange delegation disbanded on the spot, with all members taking leave to return home. The work of the Douluo exchange delegation, however, had just begun.
On the Shrek Academy side, under Zhuo Shi's arrangements, they were divided into two teams. Wu Zhangkong led the Zero Class team, while Shen Yi was in charge of the Genius Team.
"This is our itinerary for the coming days."
Wu Zhangkong's voice was cold and clear, his expressionless face unfolding a schedule. "The first stop is Star Luo City, the capital of the Star Luo Empire. There, we will have a series of exchange matches with the Star Luo Royal Academy. After that, we will also be heading to..."
Listening to Wu Zhangkong's explanation, everyone couldn't help but feel their heads spinning.
The itinerary was packed full, with most of it being exchange matches with various academies across the Star Luo Continent. Only a small portion was free time for them to tour and sightsee.
"Teacher Wu, we finally came all the way to the Star Luo Continent—are we going to have our entire time taken up by endless matches?" Xie Xie couldn't help but complain.
"Exactly!"
Tang Wulin also chimed in, "I wanted to see more of the local customs and culture of the Star Luo Continent."
Zhang Yangzi laughed and teased, "Tang Wulin, you want to see local customs? You're clearly just thinking about the local food."
Wang Jinxi nodded at the side, expressing agreement.
Fang Yang, Gu Yue, and the others remained silent.
Gu Yue stood quietly at Fang Yang's side, her gaze thoughtfully sweeping across this unfamiliar city.
Xu Xiaoyan and Na'er curiously examined the surrounding architectural styles, whispering to each other about something.
Wu Zhangkong swept a cold glance over the complaining few: "The exchange matches are the primary purpose of this trip. If you wish to sightsee, you can arrange it during your free time."
"Alright then."
Everyone nodded helplessly.
Subsequently, under the arrangements of the Star Luo Empire, the Shrek group rested for one night.
The next day, they directly boarded the Star Luo Empire's soul guide express train, heading toward the capital of the Star Luo Empire—Star Luo City.
On the soul guide train, Sima Lanxiao, the Star Luo Empire's Minister of Foreign Affairs, appeared before Zhuo Shi.
"Your Highness Scarlet Dragon, apologies for the disturbance."
When facing Zhuo Shi, Sima Lanxiao maintained a posture of respect and humility.
Zhuo Shi nodded slightly, his tone mild: "Mr. Sima need not be so formal. Please speak your mind."
Sima Lanxiao smiled and said, "Your Highness Scarlet Dragon, we have just received news that a grand and magnificent Youth Soul Master Tournament is currently being held in the capital of the Star Luo Empire."
"I heard that the first stop of your academy's itinerary is Star Luo City. The students you have brought from Shrek Academy are all top geniuses of the younger generation. I wonder if they would be interested in participating in this Youth Soul Master Tournament?"
Upon hearing this, Zhuo Shi responded without hesitation, speaking lightly: "I appreciate Mr. Sima's kind intentions, but we are only here for exchanges; there is no need to participate."
Sima Lanxiao was not discouraged and continued to persuade: "Your Highness Scarlet Dragon, actually, it wouldn't be troublesome. I believe in the abilities of the Shrek Academy students. They wouldn't need to participate in the preliminary rounds at all and could directly enter the elimination rounds."
"This won't take up too much time, and we can absolutely guarantee their safety!"
Zhuo Shi glanced at Sima Lanxiao, his tone still indifferent: "I have never worried about that."
Sima Lanxiao was stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted, his eyes shifting slightly. "Then may I ask what concerns Your Highness Scarlet Dragon might have?"
Zhuo Shi let out a light chuckle. "If the champion's prize is a soul bone, I might consider letting my students participate."
"A soul bone?!"
Sima Lanxiao's expression suddenly changed. He naturally understood what these two words represented.
Spirit bones—the universally acknowledged treasures of the soul master world. They could greatly enhance a soul master's strength and even grant special soul skills.
To this day, whether on the Douluo Continent or the Star Luo Continent, the rarity of soul bones has only increased.
They only come from soul beasts, but the probability of their appearance is extremely slim—less than one in ten thousand.
Only hundred-thousand-year soul beasts will inevitably produce a soul bone upon death.
On the Douluo Continent, due to the long-term hunting by human soul masters and environmental changes, soul beasts have declined. Obtaining a soul bone is incredibly difficult.
Although the situation on the Star Luo Continent differs from the Douluo Continent, the preciousness of soul bones is in no way inferior.
"Your Highness Scarlet Dragon, to be frank with you," Sima Lanxiao explained in detail, "the full name of our tournament is the All-Continent Youth High-Level Soul Master Elite Tournament."
"It includes multiple types of competitions, including individual matches, team matches, mecha matches, and a series of other events."
"As for the soul bone reward you mentioned, because it is so precious, only the final champion of the individual competition can receive a soul bone reward."
"For other types of competitions, the champion reward for the team competition is one piece of soul-forged metal per person. The champion reward for the mecha competition is a black-grade mecha. Therefore, there is only one soul bone reward. You see..."
A flash of surprise passed through Zhuo Shi's eyes. The Star Luo Empire indeed possessed profound foundations, actually able to produce a soul bone as a prize.
He pressed further without showing any emotion: "That sounds good. But the value of the rewards for your different competitions seems to vary considerably?"
While soul-forged metal, mechas, and heavenly materials and earthly treasures were all good, their preciousness still differed significantly compared to soul bones.
Sima Lanxiao hurriedly added an explanation: "The reason the individual competition reward is so generous is because our one-on-one matches are called the Unlimited Challenge Tournament."
"As the name suggests, competitors are allowed to use any means—mechas, battle armors, martial souls, and soul tools are all permitted without restriction. Because of this... the risks are extremely high, and participants must sign a life-and-death agreement."
This was completely different from the mainstream competition system on the Douluo Continent. On the Douluo Continent, the seven-on-seven team battle emphasizing team coordination and tactics was the core.
On the Star Luo Continent, however, there was clearly a greater emphasis on extreme individual strength and comprehensive combat ability.
"What are the participation restrictions?" Zhuo Shi's tone was flat, revealing no joy or anger.
Sima Lanxiao's heart rejoiced, knowing the other party was already tempted. "Under twenty years old. Other than that, there are almost no restrictions. Especially for the distinguished guests from Shrek Academy."
"Good." Zhuo Shi's answer was extremely concise—only one word.
The soul guide train continued forward. Fang Yang and the others tasted the cuisine of the Star Luo Empire and admired the scenery constantly flashing past the window.
The development level of the Star Luo Continent was clearly inferior to that of the Douluo Continent.
Outside the window, primitive jungles and clear lakes occasionally flashed by. Flocks of birds could occasionally be seen in the sky.
Such a natural environment put Fang Yang and the others in a relaxed and comfortable state of mind.
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