Just then, a clear voice suddenly rang out behind them.
"Are you the students from Shrek Academy?"
Fang Yang and Gu Yue turned around simultaneously, only to see a young woman in a golden palace dress standing not far away.
She was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with skin as white as snow and features as exquisite as a painting. Her intelligent eyes held a hint of curiosity and slyness.
This was precisely Dai Yuner, who had just argued with the Star Luo Emperor in the imperial bedchamber.
"My name is Dai Yuner."
The young woman slightly raised her chin, her gaze lingering on Fang Yang for a moment, a flicker of admiration in her eyes.
The young man before her was tall and handsome, especially his deep eyes, which couldn't help but spark curiosity in others.
"Fang Yang greets Your Highness."
Fang Yang spoke indifferently, his tone calm and unwavering, as if he didn't care about her noble status.
Gu Yue stood silently to the side, her eyes calmly sweeping over Dai Yuner, her expression showing no ripple.
"Oh?"
Dai Yuner raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of playfulness in her tone, "You actually recognize me?"
"Princess Yuner of the Star Luo Empire, who doesn't know her?" Fang Yang's tone remained calm.
A hint of surprise flashed in Dai Yuner's eyes.
She had seen countless reactions from people upon learning her identity—fear, flattery, or deliberately maintaining distance—but she had never encountered such a calm demeanor.
This composure, in turn, made her more interested in the young man before her.
"I heard that the students of Shrek Academy are all favored by heaven."
Dai Yuner deliberately drew out her words, her gaze sweeping over Fang Yang, "Seeing you today, the reputation is indeed well-deserved."
"Your Highness is too kind."
Fang Yang calmly replied, "May I ask if you are looking for me for something?"
Gu Yue remained silent, just listening quietly to their conversation, her gaze thoughtful.
"Yes, I certainly have something." Dai Yuner nodded slightly, a sly glint in her eyes.
She knew very well that her imperial father wanted to marry her to Long Yue, but that rugged man was truly difficult for her to accept.
In Dai Yuner's heart, Long Yue had always been just a respected elder brother; she had never harbored any other feelings.
However, this student from Shrek Academy before her made her eyes light up.
Not only was his appearance outstanding, but his composed demeanor was even more impressive.
"Um, may I ask if you participated in the individual competition of this tournament?" Dai Yuner, having a request, unconsciously softened her tone a bit.
"I did."
Fang Yang answered concisely.
He already understood. The Star Luo Imperial family had a tradition of engagements at age fifteen, and in the original story, Dai Yuner also had such an arrangement.
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 Yuner pressed on, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"That is natural."
Fang Yang smiled calmly, his tone carrying an unquestionable confidence.
"That's great! You absolutely must win the championship!"
Dai Yuner excitedly waved her sleeve. As she turned to leave, her eyes held unconcealed joy.
In this World that revered strength, excellent individuals always attracted the attention of the opposite sex.
Dai Yuner had already made up her mind: once Fang Yang won the championship, she would declare her affection for him in front of the envoys of both Empires.
According to the rules of the Star Luo Imperial family, a princess choosing her consort in a formal setting was one of her few privileges.
At that time, even her imperial father would not be able to strongly object under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Suddenly, a loud voice boomed, "Who said they could definitely win the championship?"
Everyone at the banquet looked over, only to see a group of people slowly walking in from outside.
They were all dressed in dark red tight-fitting attire, with a black emblem embroidered on their chests.
The emblem looked somewhat peculiar; it was circular overall, but one side was open, like a giant mouth, revealing sharp teeth, an appearance of fierce might.
"The Monster Academy people are here." Someone whispered in the crowd.
The newcomers were none other than Long Yue, the younger generation of the Star Luo Empire.
Long Yue's gaze directly locked onto Fang Yang, carrying an unconcealed scrutinizing look.
He had just happened to pass by and overheard Dai Yuner's conversation with Fang Yang.
Especially Dai Yuner's joyful tone, which made him feel very uneasy.
Fang Yang calmly met Long Yue's gaze, saying neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I said it."
Long Yue scoffed, striding up to Fang Yang. They were only a few feet apart: "What big talk. Are all Shrek Academy people so arrogant?"
"Whether it's arrogance or not, the arena will naturally reveal the truth." Fang Yang's tone remained calm.
Gu Yue subtly 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 hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, but it quickly returned to Fang Yang.
"Do you know, this is the Star Luo Empire, not your Douluo Continent."
Long Yue's voice deepened a few shades, "Talking big here comes with a price."
Seeing this, Dai Yuner hastily returned, standing between the two: "Brother Long Yue, what are you doing? Fang Yang is my guest!"
Long Yue's displeasure grew even stronger when he saw Dai Yuner defending Fang Yang.
He suppressed his anger, his tone softening slightly: "Yuner, I just want to remind this friend from Shrek that the Star Luo Empire's competition is no child's play."
"That's exactly what I wanted to say."
Fang Yang suddenly spoke, "I hope the contestants from the Star Luo Empire won't disappoint me."
The air seemed to freeze at that moment.
Long Yue's eyes instantly turned dark red. The moment their color changed, the air throughout the entire banquet hall seemed to become violent.
Many people around instinctively recoiled, their faces filled with horror.
A strange light flashed in Fang Yang's dark eyes.
Invisible, colorless flames flickered in the depths of his pupils, like a pair of undying golden eyes.
The two stared at each other for a moment, and an invisible force seemed to clash fiercely in the air.
"Monster Academy, Long Yue! Everyone calls me Mad Dragon!"
Long Yue suddenly burst into laughter, yet his laughter carried a hint of coldness, "I look forward to meeting you on the arena. By then, I hope you can still maintain this confidence."
Fang Yang smiled calmly and said, "Shrek Academy, Spirit Transfer Pagoda's Fang Yang."
"Very well."
Long Yue gave Fang Yang a deep look, then turned and left with the Monster Academy people.
Although this unexpected confrontation was temporarily quelled, everyone understood that the real contest would unfold on the arena.
"Boss, are we just letting him go like that?" one of the Monster Academy members asked in a low voice.
No sooner had he spoken than blood suddenly streamed from Long Yue's eyes. It turned out that he had already suffered internal injuries during their earlier stare-down.
For the sake of the Star Luo Empire and Monster Academy's reputation, Long Yue endured, forcing himself to leave.
"I'm fine. Give orders not to trouble Shrek Academy for now."
Long Yue said in a deep voice, with a hint of undetectable weakness in his tone.
"Yes."
The Monster Academy members nodded, saying nothing more, but secretly quickened their pace, escorting Long Yue out of the banquet hall.
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