The soul-guided train glided smoothly along the tracks, traversing plains and tunnels as it headed toward its destination.
On a distant hillside, several figures cloaked in black, their ages and genders indiscernible, silently watched the train fade into the distance. They resembled ill-intentioned bandits, waiting for the right moment to strike, yet frustrated by the lack of opportunity.
"Are we just going to let them go like this?" one of them spoke, his tone filled with resentment.
"Do you have a better plan?" the leader replied coldly. "They have a Limit Douluo guarding them."
"But I'm really not willing to let this go!" the first person angrily punched the air as he spoke.
"What can you do even if you're unwilling?" the leader sighed. "Let's go. There will be better opportunities."
With that, the group leaped into the air and flew off in the opposite direction.
The exchange delegation from Douluo Continent safely arrived at the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City, located in the central plains of the Star Luo Continent. Star Luo City was a true metropolis, its vast area nearly equivalent to two Shrek Cities combined. The colossal city was surrounded by tall, sturdy walls adorned with various weapons that maintained the conquerors' rule.
The Star Luo Continent was far from peaceful—this was an undeniable fact.
As the delegation entered Star Luo City, a sense of familiarity washed over them. Jing Shaoyu, Xu Xiaoyan, and Wu Siduo felt a strong sense of déjà vu, as if they had been transported back to the Star Luo Empire of thousands of years ago.
The streets were bustling with people, their attire reminiscent of traditional Star Luo clothing but with distinct local influences, much like the architecture of the city.
After the long and tiring journey, the members of Shrek Academy felt a wave of relief upon entering Star Luo City. Although the trip had been uneventful, it had left them utterly exhausted.
As part of the Douluo Continent exchange delegation, they were accommodated in the most luxurious hotel in Star Luo City, the Star Luo Grand Hotel. Despite being students, Jing Shaoyu and the six girls were each assigned a lavish single room.
On their first night in Star Luo City, Jing Shaoyu and the six girls—Gu Yue, Na'er, Xu Xiaoyan, Wu Siduo, Ye Xinglan, and Mo Hentian—chose to rest and recharge, knowing that a good night's sleep would enhance their experience.
The next morning, Jing Shaoyu woke up in the soft bed of the Star Luo Grand Hotel, feeling refreshed and at ease.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
Just as he finished washing up, there was a knock at his door.
At this early hour, he could only think of Gu Yue, Na'er, Xu Xiaoyan, Wu Siduo, Ye Xinglan, or Mo Hentian as the possible visitors.
Sure enough, when he opened the door, all five girls except Ye Xinglan were standing there.
"You're all up so early," Jing Shaoyu remarked. "Where's Xinglan?"
"Xinglan went to the restaurant first. I said I'd come to get you, but they insisted on tagging along," Gu Yue explained, her tone a mix of helplessness and mild annoyance.
"Is that so? Haha," Jing Shaoyu laughed. "Let's go then. We shouldn't keep Xinglan waiting too long."
The group walked side by side toward the hotel's restaurant.
"Brother Shaoyu, how about we explore Star Luo City today?" Xu Xiaoyan suggested, pulling on Jing Shaoyu's hand as she spoke.
"Sounds good," Jing Shaoyu nodded. "How about we all go together?"
"Sure," Na'er agreed.
"Fine by me," Gu Yue nodded.
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Wu Siduo added.
"Alright," Mo Hentian decided to go along with the crowd.
Thus, without Ye Xinglan expressing her opinion, she was tacitly assumed to have agreed by everyone.
The seven of them had breakfast together and left the hotel.
The Star Luo Grand Hotel was located in the central district of Star Luo City, right in front of the famous Star Luo Avenue, a pedestrian street lined with various shops that exuded an ancient charm, reminiscent of the style of Heaven Dou City.
As they walked down the street, Jing Shaoyu wore a gentle smile, his arms held by Gu Yue and Na'er, his clear eyes scanning the surrounding shops. Na'er, beside him, mirrored his curiosity, also looking around with interest.
Gu Yue, on the other hand, remained expressionless, her gaze fixed straight ahead, showing no interest in shopping.
"Yue'er, you're making the rest of us look like we have no taste," Jing Shaoyu said to Gu Yue, his expression helpless.
Gu Yue glanced at him indifferently and replied, "I just haven't seen any shops that interest me."
"Oh," Jing Shaoyu nodded, "Your tastes are indeed different from Xiaoyan and the others."
Xu Xiaoyan loved clothes, Mo Hentian adored dolls, while Wu Siduo and Ye Xinglan liked both. As soon as they entered the pedestrian street, the four of them disappeared.
"Well, it seems a pity. The Star Luo Continent doesn't seem like the kind of place that would have bookstores selling romance novels," Na'er teased with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Shut up!" Gu Yue blushed, annoyed.
"Haha!" Na'er laughed heartily.
Jing Shaoyu, caught between the two girls, shook his head helplessly and continued walking forward, pulling them along.
"Brother, it's a gem shop!" Suddenly, Na'er spotted a shop that excited her and immediately tugged Jing Shaoyu towards it.
Na'er loved gems—the more unique, natural, and sparkling, the better. No one knew where this hobby of hers came from.
"No, you can't go!" Gu Yue grabbed Jing Shaoyu from the other side, her tone firm.
"Why are you like this?" Na'er, seeing this, became furious and scolded, "Let go quickly!"
"You're the one who should let go!" Gu Yue stood her ground, her expression stern. "Xiaoyan and Xinglan didn't ask Shaoyu to go with them. Why should you?"
"I'm different from them!" Na'er retorted, her face flushed with anger.
"How are you different?" Gu Yue immediately countered.
"I'm his sister!"
"And I'm his junior sister!"
"..."
Jing Shaoyu, caught in the middle of their tug-of-war, felt a headache coming on. He regretted not leaving with Xu Xiaoyan and the others earlier. If this continued, Gu Yue and Na'er might actually start fighting.
He decided to enforce some discipline to end this pointless argument.
"You three, stop this disgraceful behavior at once!"
However, just then, an unrelated passerby stepped forward, pointing at them with righteous indignation.
The argument between Gu Yue and Na'er came to an abrupt halt. Jing Shaoyu couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude toward this brave stranger. What a good person!
The three of them turned their gaze toward the passerby, and the first thing that caught their eyes were four burly, fierce-looking thugs in suits, exuding an aura of menace. However, the one speaking wasn't them, but a young girl surrounded by them.
The girl was exceptionally beautiful, petite yet perfectly proportioned. Her pale yellow dress accentuated a subtle air of nobility. She appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, the same age as Jing Shaoyu and his companions.
At this moment, the girl was staring at Jing Shaoyu with great interest, her eyes filled with admiration. When she noticed Jing Shaoyu looking back, a faint blush rose to her delicate cheeks.
The girl was clearly captivated by Jing Shaoyu's striking handsomeness. Though only fifteen, Jing Shaoyu's physique and demeanor were already on par with an adult's. With his sharp eyebrows, starry eyes, red lips, and white teeth, his temperament was as gentle as jade, exuding a blend of sunshine and elegance—precisely the qualities that would attract a girl in the bloom of youth.
"Little brother, what's your name?" the girl asked Jing Shaoyu in a sweet voice.
"Who are you? What business do you have here? Get lost, don't stand there being an eyesore!" However, the response didn't come from Jing Shaoyu, but from an angry Na'er. Na'er was already in a foul mood, and this meddling only added to her irritation. Now, this person had the audacity to flirt with her brother right in front of her—it was as if they didn't even regard her as a person!
"How dare you!" one of the burly men roared. "You dare insult Her Highness? You're asking for a beating!"
With that, he stepped forward, ready to take action against Na'er. Seeing this, Jing Shaoyu immediately shielded Na'er behind him, while the girl stopped the burly man.
"Who am I?" the girl asked, placing her hands on her hips in a rather dramatic manner. "I might as well tell you. I am the most beloved daughter of His Majesty, the princess of the empire—Dai Yun'er. So, little brother, would you like to come to my place? It's quite spacious, you know!"
Jing Shaoyu was surprised to hear the girl introduce herself. He hadn't expected her to be Dai Yun'er. This was getting interesting.
"What does being a princess mean? Does it give you the right to do whatever you want?" Gu Yue also spoke up, her voice cold and filled with anger.
"Hmph!" Dai Yun'er let out a disdainful snort. She wanted to say yes, but to leave a good impression on Jing Shaoyu, she chuckled lightly and said, "In the Star Luo Empire, offending a member of the royal family is punishable by imprisonment. However, you're lucky to have encountered me. I, the princess, am magnanimous and won't hold your offense against you. But, young man, you must leave your name."
"Your Highness, my name is Jing Shaoyu. My companions and I are visiting the Star Luo Empire for the first time. If we've offended you in any way, please forgive us," Jing Shaoyu replied, barely suppressing a smile.
"Huh?"
Dai Yun'er's expression froze, and she stammered, "Are you from the Douluo Continent?"
"That's right."