As soon as those words were spoken, the atmosphere of the banquet hall instantly grew more lively.
Various drinks were continuously brought in by the waiters, and soon, the entire banquet became even more spirited.
At the center of the venue was a massive circular dance floor, fifty meters in diameter. Music started playing, and the lead dancers arranged by the Star Luo Empire stepped into the floor, officially marking the beginning of the banquet.
Just then, a figure slowly entered through the entrance. At the exact moment she stepped in, the music began, and a spotlight happened to fall right on the doorway.
The beam of light drew everyone's attention. Before the light shifted, the banquet guests caught sight of the person at the entrance.
It was a girl who looked like an elf. She wore a silver-white dress, patterned with fine textures that shimmered faintly. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and in her brows and gaze there lingered a faint aloof nobility.
She wasn't breathtakingly beautiful, but she was undeniably striking.
Under the spotlight, she resembled the moon rising over the sea, capturing every eye in the hall.
Her indescribable aura tugged at everyone's heartstrings.
Her dress was knee-length, just enough to reveal a pair of slender, fair legs—straight and shapely, neither too thick nor too thin. On her feet were crystal-like silver shoes.
She wore silver gloves, lace-like and hollow, extending to her elbows, with no other excessive adornments.
When the light hit her, Gu Yue paused for a moment, then shook her head with a faint smile.
The spotlight followed as she walked, and she came to stand before the Shrek group.
"Wow, Sister Yue, you look so beautiful today," Xu Xiaoyan said, clinging to Gu Yue's arm.
Gu Yue only smiled faintly, saying nothing. She glanced around, clearly searching for someone, yet his figure was nowhere to be found.
When you can't fight against the world, just come find me…
Gu Yue shook her head again, unwilling to dwell on the thought.
At that moment, all the Shrek students noticed several familiar faces approaching—it was none other than the students from Star Luo Royal Academy, the same ones they had met earlier that day.
There were more of them this time, especially the four female students, all glaring angrily at Xie Xie. That guy's sharp tongue had truly provoked them earlier.
"What do you want now?" Yue Zhengyu stepped forward, blocking their way.
This time, the setting was different—it was a formal occasion.
From the Star Luo side, a tall youth, around eighteen or nineteen, stepped forward. He extended a hand toward Yue Zhengyu.
"Hello, I'm Luo Qinghan, captain of the Star Luo Royal Academy's exchange team to Douluo Continent."
The two clasped hands. Yue Zhengyu immediately felt an iron-like grip clamp down on his palm, overwhelming in strength.
This was a banquet—if he cried out in pain here, it would be utterly humiliating. But he clearly wasn't a match for this person's raw power. His face darkened as he struggled.
Seeing this, Luo Qinghan sneered with contempt.
"Bullying them—what kind of skill is that?"
A calm voice cut through the tension, making the surroundings fall silent. The spotlight turned, illuminating the source.
Gu You stepped forward at an unhurried pace. The lighting was deliberately adjusted to follow him.
He had been hiding in a corner, quietly snacking. To think that in such a short while, the Star Luo Academy students had already become this arrogant.
All eyes fell on him, especially the girls. Their gazes rippled with curiosity.
So handsome! Who is he?
Gu You stood nearly 1.8 meters tall, lean and upright. Dressed all in white, his long black-and-blue hair drifted slightly as he walked. His features were purely handsome.
"It's you?" Luo Qinghan's interest was piqued. He released Yue Zhengyu's hand and turned toward Gu You, extending his own.
Gu You smiled and grasped it firmly.
"Testing strength, are we? Pleased to meet you. I hope we'll have plenty of exchanges in the future."
Luo Qinghan's expression instantly turned ghastly pale. The moment their hands met, it felt as though his palm had been caught in a meat grinder, crushed by Gu You's grip.
Gu You gave his arm a casual shake, his hand tightening rhythmically. The tremendous force twisted Luo Qinghan's bones out of place, grinding painfully with each shift. The spasmodic agony was far beyond what any normal person could endure.
But Luo Qinghan knew he couldn't scream here—he could only clench his teeth, his face whitening further as sweat poured down his forehead.
"Aahh—!"
In the end, Gu You exerted one last burst of strength, forcing a sharp scream from him. The cry was so chilling it drowned out the music and dance around them.
Everyone's eyes turned to Luo Qinghan—men clicked their tongues, women looked at him with disdain.
On the Shrek side, smiles spread across their faces.
After a few more squeezes, Gu You released him, nodded politely, and walked past without another glance.
Two Star Luo Academy students tried to block him, stepping sideways into his path.
But Gu You acted as though they didn't exist, continuing forward. Their shoulders collided—and both were sent staggering back as if shocked by lightning, while Gu You walked on.
Naturally, the Shrek students followed right behind him.
Luo Qinghan didn't stop them. His right hand, trembling violently from the pain, was stuffed into his pocket. It hurt far too much—unbearably so.
The four female students from Star Luo Royal Academy each wore different expressions as they watched Gu You's retreating figure—some thoughtful, some curious. But without a doubt, his striking presence had captured all of their attention.
Finding another seat, Gu You casually picked at the food with the others.
"The nutritional value of these dishes is way too low. Eating like this won't do." He muttered quietly.
"Fish from the sea have higher nutrition."
Just then, a deep voice sounded beside him. It was strangely familiar. Gu You turned his head instinctively.
A middle-aged man in a white chef's uniform stood there, holding a tray. He set it down on the high table in front of him.
"That's true. But Chef-uncle, why aren't you cooking for my master? Why did you come here? It's a pity we've already reached the Central Sea. The weakest sea soul beasts here are a thousand years old, some even ten-thousand. I'm more suited for fighting on land. The sea's a bit troublesome." Gu You smiled at the chef.
"Heh, I'm a proper chef after all. I've got over a dozen restaurants back on the continent. This time I came as the culinary representative for the exchange group. Tell me your room number." Muye grinned.
Gu You gave him a string of numbers.
"Alright. Don't go hungry here…"
(End of Chapter)