The nobles quickly made way as Emperor Dai Tianling and the Empress approached, followed by Vice Speaker Tang Bingyao of the Federation and other high-ranking officials.
"What a handsome young man!" Dai Tianling first took a good look at Jing Shaoyu and then exclaimed with admiration, "What is your name?"
Dai Tianling now somewhat understood why his willful daughter had taken a liking to this young man. With such rare and extraordinary good looks, it was no wonder any young maiden would be smitten.
Even as an emperor, a hint of jealousy arose in his heart.
Jing Shaoyu slightly bowed, his expression calm, and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty. My name is Jing Shaoyu."
Dai Tianling smiled and said, "My daughter Yun'er has been spoiled by me. I hope you don't mind her playful remarks."
"Her Highness the Princess is lively and adorable, truly endearing," Jing Shaoyu replied with a smile.
"Hahaha," Dai Tianling let out a meaningful laugh and said, "I look forward to your performance in the Continental Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition. Who knows, some playful words might just come true."
After saying this, he nodded to Jing Shaoyu and then turned to leave.
His words, however, caused an uproar among the crowd. What did the Emperor mean? Was he planning to select a son-in-law for Princess Yun'er during this Soul Master competition? Or was he genuinely impressed by this annoying outsider?
In any case, Dai Tianling's words made the young noblemen around look at Jing Shaoyu with even more hostility and disdain. Damn it, had all the talented youths of Star Luo died out? How could an outsider steal the spotlight?
Jing Shaoyu, however, remained indifferent, his expression calm, though a hint of contemplation flickered in his eyes. The Continental Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition? He knew there was no avoiding it.
"Congratulations, Brother Shaoyu! You're going to be a prince consort!" A small hand reached out from behind, stealthily touching Jing Shaoyu's waist, followed by a playful giggle.
"Naughty!" Jing Shaoyu immediately turned around, catching Xu Xiaoyan's mischievous hand. He looked up and saw the intense gazes of the girls, feeling slightly awkward.
"You brat, don't you know it's wrong to speak carelessly?" At that moment, Cai Yue'er walked over, her expression peculiar.
"But it was the other party who spoke carelessly first, Elder Cai. You can't blame me," Jing Shaoyu retorted immediately.
"Is that so?" Cai Yue'er pretended not to know and said, "Even so, you all must participate in the Soul Master competition hosted by the Star Luo Empire."
"Elder Cai, do we all have to participate?" Xu Xiaoyan asked.
"You don't have to," Cai Yue'er glanced at her and said, "But I must remind you, giving up the competition means giving up the chance to enter the Inner Academy, and even the chance to become one of the Shrek Seven Monsters."
"Ah? That serious?" Xu Xiaoyan exclaimed.
"Of course, participating in the competition isn't without benefits," Cai Yue'er said mysteriously. "The champion of the individual competition will receive a Soul Bone."
At the mention of the Soul Bone, a cold glint flashed in Gu Yue's eyes, while Xu Xiaoyan, Ye Xinglan, Wu Siduo, and Mo Hentian's eyes lit up. Na'er, however, remained unmoved.
During the latter half of the banquet, the thoughts of Jing Shaoyu and his six companions were entirely occupied by the Soul Master Tournament.
Meanwhile, within the Star Luo Imperial Palace.
"Such mischief," Dai Tianling said with a mix of exasperation and helplessness as he looked at Dai Yun'er standing before him.
"You dare cause trouble on any occasion! Do you have any idea how much impact your words could have?"
"Father, I was wrong," Dai Yun'er said, her head lowered, her eyes slightly red, and her voice filled with grievance. "I just wanted to tease him a little. Who knew he would spout such nonsense!"
"Tease? Was that really just teasing? You were toying with the dignity of the royal family!" Dai Tianling scolded. "Do you even know who that Jing Shaoyu is? Do you know his background? His talents? Just because he's somewhat good-looking, you've taken a fancy to him? Where is the restraint befitting a royal princess?"
"Somewhat? He's clearly very handsome," Dai Yun'er muttered under her breath.
"What did you say?" Dai Tianling's expression turned stern, his voice sharp.
Dai Yun'er flinched, her lips pouting instantly, her face filled with sorrow, and her voice trembling as if on the verge of tears. "Father, you're scolding me? You don't love me anymore!"
"I…" Dai Tianling's tone faltered, his expression softening. He sighed and patted his forehead helplessly. "Don't cry, don't cry. Father was wrong. I shouldn't have scolded you."
Dai Tianling was utterly exasperated. As one of the few formidable rulers since the empire's eastward relocation, he found himself completely powerless when it came to his youngest daughter. Ah, perhaps this was the plight of being a doting father.
"Hehehe!" Dai Yun'er instantly brightened, her tears vanishing as she hugged Dai Tianling and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Father, you're the best!"
"Sigh," Dai Tianling exhaled deeply. "Yun'er, tell me the truth. Are you genuinely interested in that Jing Shaoyu, or is it just because you find him good-looking?"
"I… I don't know," Dai Yun'er said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "But he's really handsome, and he's always surrounded by so many girls. I was curious, so I just wanted to tease him a little!"
"You…" Dai Tianling didn't know what to say. He could only poke Dai Yun'er's forehead lightly. "That Jing Shaoyu is a student of Shrek Academy. If you're truly interested in him, it's not entirely unacceptable. But the condition is that he can't be all looks and no substance.
To be my son-in-law, he must at least have the potential to become a Super Douluo. Otherwise, how could he possibly earn my daughter's favor?"
"Father!" Dai Yun'er exclaimed, her face turning even redder with embarrassment.
"Hahaha!" Dai Tianling laughed heartily.
A moment later, after Dai Yun'er had left, and the palace was quiet with only Dai Tianling remaining, a middle-aged man entered from outside.
"Your Majesty," the man greeted. It was none other than Sima Lanxiao, the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Star Luo Empire.
"Minister, how much do you know about that Jing Shaoyu and the people from Shrek Academy?" At this moment, Dai Tianling's paternal warmth was gone, replaced by the profound demeanor of an emperor. His voice was calm and clear as he asked.
"Your Majesty, I dare not conceal anything. I have little knowledge of the members of Shrek Academy," Sima Lanxiao said respectfully. "During our visit to the Douluo Continent, we were unable to visit Shrek Academy. Even the members of Shrek Academy who accompanied the delegation this time were here at the request of the Douluo Federation."
"Hmm," Dai Tianling murmured, his eyes lowered. "It's fine. Just tell me what you know, my dear minister."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Sima Lanxiao replied, carefully choosing his words. "Your Majesty, you have already met Elder Cai Yue'er. She is the leader of the Shrek Academy delegation this time and is a Super Douluo-level powerhouse.
The visiting team from Shrek Academy consists of only seven students, led by Jing Shaoyu. They are all only fifteen years old, the same age as Princess Yun'er. As for their specific strength, I am not certain. However, there is one thing I can confirm.
Behind Jing Shaoyu stands a Limit Douluo."
"What?!" Dai Tianling's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at Sima Lanxiao. "What did you say?"
"Your Majesty, I said that behind Jing Shaoyu is a Limit Douluo," Sima Lanxiao repeated, not surprised by Dai Tianling's reaction, as he had been even more shocked when he first learned of this.
"How did this come about?" Dai Tianling asked calmly, his voice deep.
Sima Lanxiao did not dare to hide anything and told Dai Tianling everything about Leng Yaozhu dancing with Jing Shaoyu and how Leng Yaozhu had repelled the Dark Dragon Whale King.
"The Vice Tower Master of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu!" Dai Tianling muttered, then suddenly turned his head and stared at Sima Lanxiao. "Why didn't we see this esteemed figure in the delegation?"
"Your Majesty, that esteemed figure is not a member of the delegation. In fact, Tang Bingyao was also very surprised by her appearance," Sima Lanxiao explained.
Dai Tianling fell into silence. A Limit Douluo—this was a being standing at the pinnacle of humanity. The most powerful figure in the Star Luo Empire was his teacher, yet even he could not be certain whether his teacher had reached such an invincible realm beneath the gods.
Suddenly, he felt that his willful daughter might have done something very good this time. If they could truly tie Jing Shaoyu to the war chariot of the Star Luo Empire, the benefits might far exceed what they could currently see!
A glimmer of light shone in Dai Tianling's eyes.