Just at this moment, a clear and crisp voice suddenly rang out behind the two of them.
"Are you the students from Shrek Academy?"
Fang Yang and Gu Yue turned simultaneously. A young girl dressed in a golden palace gown stood not far away.
She appeared to be fifteen or sixteen years old, with skin fair as snow and features delicate as a painting. Her lively eyes carried a hint of curiosity and mischief.
This was precisely Dai Yun'er, who had just argued with the Star Luo Emperor in his private chambers.
"I'm Dai Yun'er."
The girl raised her chin slightly, her gaze lingering on Fang Yang for a moment, a flash of amazement passing through her eyes.
The youth before her stood tall and straight, his face handsome and striking. Especially those deep eyes of his aroused curiosity involuntarily.
"Fang Yang, greetings to Your Highness the Princess."
Fang Yang spoke indifferently, his tone flat and unwavering, seemingly unconcerned with the other's noble status.
Gu Yue stood quietly at the side, her eyes sweeping indifferently over Dai Yun'er, her expression showing no fluctuation whatsoever.
"Oh?"
Dai Yun'er raised an eyebrow lightly, her tone carrying a hint of playfulness, "You actually recognize me?"
"The Princess Yun of the Star Luo Empire—who doesn't know her, who doesn't recognize her?" Fang Yang's tone remained indifferent.
A flash of surprise passed through Dai Yun'er's eyes.
She had seen too many reactions from people upon learning her identity—fear, flattery, or deliberate distance—yet she had never encountered such calm treatment before.
This composure instead made her more interested in the youth before her.
"I've heard that the students of Shrek Academy are all favored children of heaven."
Dai Yun'er deliberately elongated her tone, her gaze flowing over Fang Yang, "Seeing you today, it truly lives up to its reputation."
"Your Highness overpraises me."
Fang Yang responded indifferently, "May I ask if there is something you need from me?"
Gu Yue remained silent, simply listening quietly to the conversation between the two, her gaze thoughtful.
"Yes, I naturally have business." Dai Yun'er nodded lightly, a flash of cunning light passing through her eyes.
She was well aware that her father intended to marry her to Long Yue, but that rugged man was truly difficult for her to accept.
In Dai Yun'er's heart, Long Yue had always been merely an elder brother worthy of respect, never anything more.
Yet this student from Shrek Academy before her made her eyes brighten.
Not only was his appearance outstanding, but that unhurried bearing was even more impressive.
"Um, may I ask if you are participating in the individual competition of this tournament?" Dai Yun'er had something to ask for, and her tone unconsciously softened somewhat.
"Yes."
Fang Yang answered concisely.
He already understood clearly in his heart. The Star Luo imperial family had a tradition of betrothal at fifteen years of age. In the original story, Dai Yun'er had also made such arrangements.
However, in the Star Luo Empire, a princess's marriage could never be decided by herself.
"Then... do you have confidence in winning the championship?" Dai Yun'er pressed on, her eyes flickering with expectant light.
"Naturally."
Fang Yang smiled indifferently, his tone carrying unquestionable confidence.
"That's wonderful! You absolutely must win the championship!"
Dai Yun'er waved her sleeves excitedly, and when she turned to leave, her eyes carried joy difficult to conceal.
In this world that revered the strong, outstanding people always attracted the attention of the opposite sex.
Dai Yun'er had already made up her mind. When Fang Yang won the championship, she would declare before the envoys of both nations that she favored him.
According to Star Luo imperial family rules, a princess selecting a prince consort at a formal occasion was one of her few privileges.
At that time, even her father could not forcibly oppose it under the watchful eyes of the public.
Suddenly, a resonant voice transmitted over, "Who said they would definitely win the championship?"
The banquet attendees turned toward the sound. A group of people was slowly entering from outside.
All wore dark red fitted garments, with a black pattern embroidered on their chests.
The pattern appeared somewhat strange—circular overall, but open on one side like a massive mouth revealing sharp fangs, an appearance of ferocious majesty.
"The people from Monster Academy have arrived," someone in the crowd whispered softly.
The arrivals were none other than Long Yue, the leading figure of the Star Luo Empire's younger generation.
Long Yue's gaze locked directly onto Fang Yang, carrying undisguised scrutiny.
He had happened to pass by just now and overheard the conversation between Dai Yun'er and Fang Yang.
Especially Dai Yun'er's delighted tone made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
Fang Yang calmly met Long Yue's gaze, speaking neither servilely nor overbearingly: "It was I who said it."
Long Yue snorted with laughter, striding forward to stand before Fang Yang, the two separated by mere feet: "What bold words. Are all Shrek Academy people this arrogant?"
"Whether it's arrogance or not, the competition ground will naturally reveal the answer." Fang Yang's tone remained calm.
Gu Yue imperceptibly moved a step closer to Fang Yang.
This subtle movement did not escape Long Yue's eyes. His gaze lingered on Gu Yue for a moment, a flash of amazement passing through his eyes, but he quickly returned his attention to Fang Yang.
"Do you know this is the Star Luo Empire, not your Douluo Continent?"
Long Yue's voice lowered somewhat, "Speaking big words here comes with a price."
Seeing the situation, Dai Yun'er hurriedly returned, stepping between the two: "Brother Long Yue, what are you doing? Fang Yang is my guest!"
Seeing Dai Yun'er defending Fang Yang, Long Yue felt even more displeased.
He suppressed his anger, his tone easing slightly: "Yun'er, I merely wanted to remind this friend from Shrek that competitions in the Star Luo Empire are no child's play."
"That is precisely what I wanted to say."
Fang Yang suddenly spoke, "I hope the competitors from the Star Luo Empire will not disappoint me."
The air seemed to freeze at this moment.
Long Yue's eyes instantly turned dark red. In that instant of color change, the air throughout the entire banquet hall seemed to become violent.
Many people around subconsciously retreated backward, all with faces full of shock.
A strange light flashed through Fang Yang's pitch-black pupils.
Invisible and colorless flames danced in the depths of his pupils, like a pair of golden eyes that would never extinguish.
The two stared at each other for a moment, as if invisible forces were violently clashing in the air.
"Monster Academy, Long Yue! Everyone calls me Madman Long!"
Long Yue suddenly burst into laughter, though his laughter carried a hint of coldness, "I look forward to meeting you on the competition ground. At that time, I hope you can still maintain this confidence."
Fang Yang smiled indifferently and spoke: "Shrek Academy, Spirit Pagoda's Fang Yang."
"Very good."
Long Yue looked deeply at Fang Yang one more time, then turned and led the Monster Academy people away.
Though this unexpected confrontation temporarily subsided, everyone understood that the true contest would unfold on the competition ground.
"Boss, you just let him go like that?" one of the Monster Academy people asked in a low voice.
The moment the words fell, blood suddenly flowed from Long Yue's eyes. It turned out that during the stare-down just now, he had already sustained internal injuries.
For the sake of the Star Luo Empire and Monster Academy's face, Long Yue had forcibly held on to leave.
"I'm fine. Instruct everyone to temporarily not cause trouble for Shrek Academy."
Long Yue spoke in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of undetectable weakness.
"Yes."
The Monster Academy person nodded, saying no more, only secretly quickening their pace to escort Long Yue out of the banquet hall.
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