Xu Tianran looked at the vibrant Four Little Ones beside him, then glanced at Kong Deming, who was silently guarding them, a flicker of warmth passing through his eyes.
Xu Tianhao and the others were the hope of the Sun Moon Empire's younger generation, while he himself was the future helmsman of the Empire.
This expedition was not just for the victory of a single tournament, but for the very future of the Sun Moon Empire.
Whether it was him, the Crown Prince, or the little ones like Xu Tianhao, all were indispensable treasures of the Empire, and necessary tempering was essential.
The procession moved slowly, advancing toward the distant Dou Ling Empire.
Wheels rolled and hooves thundered, kicking up clouds of dust into the sky.
The silhouette of the Bright Capital gradually receded, and the road ahead was long and unknown.
But the elite genius Spirit Masters of the Sun Moon Empire were filled with confidence and fighting Spirit.
The stage of the All-Continent High-Level Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament waited quietly in the distance for their arrival.
This elite force of the Sun Moon Empire, carrying the glory and expectations of the Empire, crossed thousands of mountains and rivers to rush toward this peak event that drew the attention of ten thousand people.
...
After half a month of traveling day and night, the large group finally arrived at Dou Ling City.
Dou Ling City, the heart of the Dou Ling Empire, was welcoming visitors from foreign lands with an inclusive and majestic posture.
As one of the four great Empires of the Douluo Continent, the Dou Ling Empire's comprehensive strength was inferior to Heaven Luo, Star Luo, and Sun Moon.
However, as the imperial capital, Dou Ling City's scale and level of prosperity still ranked among the top tier of the continent.
Looking from afar, the tall city walls were built from bluish-black giant stones, reaching dozens of zhang in height, appearing very majestic.
The city gates were over twenty zhang high, with door panels cast from pure copper inlaid with ferocious beast-head door knockers.
Passing through the heavy city gates, the sights within the city were even more dazzling.
The wide main thoroughfares were paved with smooth white jade stones, flanked by rows upon rows of buildings.
There were traditional pavilions with carved beams and painted rafters, as well as new-style buildings that incorporated spirit tool elements.
Glazed tiles reflected colorful brilliance in the morning light, and Spirit lanterns hanging from window frames flickered with a soft glow.
Shops lined both sides of the streets, their banners swaying in the wind, as shouts and cries of vendors rose and fell, weaving into a vivid tapestry of city life.
Although the level of modernization in Dou Ling City could not match the Bright Capital, it was still extremely prosperous.
People dressed in various styles of clothing bustled about; individuals of different identities and statuses gathered here, fully displaying the inclusivity and vitality of Dou Ling City.
The air was filled with the aroma of food and the fragrance of spices, allowing one to truly feel the unique charm of this city.
Guided by royal attendants, the Sun Moon Empire's procession moved along the main thoroughfare.
These attendants wore brocade robes embroidered with the national emblem of the Dou Ling Empire, their attitude respectful yet poised.
Leading the team through the bustling districts, they finally stopped in front of a magnificent building—the Heavenly Spirit Grand Hotel.
This hotel was constructed entirely of milky-white jade, standing ten stories tall, with a gilded dome at the top.
A massive Spirit crystal was embedded in the dome, shining brilliantly under the sun like a star fallen to the mortal world.
The plaza in front of the hotel was covered with a dark red carpet, flanked by neatly trimmed exotic flowers and rare plants, with dozens of attendants in uniform standing respectfully on both sides.
Seeing the team's arrival, they immediately stepped forward to bow, their voices uniform: "Welcome, Sun Moon Empire delegation."
As the largest and highest-specification hotel in Dou Ling City, the Heavenly Spirit Grand Hotel had long been requisitioned by the Empire for the duration of the All-Continent High-Level Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament.
It was dedicated to serving over a thousand genius Spirit Masters from various Empires and academies, as well as their leading teachers.
The interior of the hotel was even more extraordinarily luxurious; the lobby was several zhang high, with a dome painted with various exquisite murals.
The floor was paved with obsidian tiles as smooth as mirrors, reflecting the surrounding scenes.
A massive fountain stood in the center of the hall, driven by spirit tools, spraying water columns that transformed into the shapes of various Spirit Beasts in the air, looking lifelike.
The splashes of water as they fell brought a faint coolness, dispelling the fatigue of the journey.
Although the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy had long been suppressed by Shrek Academy, earning the nickname of the perennial runner-up,
it still held a pivotal position in the Spirit Master's world by virtue of its deep heritage and powerful strength.
Therefore, the rooms they were assigned were also among the best locations in the Heavenly Spirit Grand Hotel.
The rooms for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy were located in luxury suites on the top floor of the hotel. Not only was the space spacious and the decoration exquisite, but they could also overlook the entire panorama of Dou Ling City, providing an extremely wide field of vision.
Each suite was equipped with the most advanced spirit tool facilities; constant-temperature spirit tools kept the indoor temperature at the most comfortable level.
Purification spirit tools ensured the air was fresh and pleasant, and there were glazed windows that could automatically adjust the light, showing luxury and thoughtfulness in every detail.
These modern spirit tools all came from the Sun Moon Empire.
Although the three original Empires of the Douluo Continent were very resistant to spirit tools, these beneficial Spirit technologies had already subtly integrated into the three Empires over thousands of years.
After settling in, Xu Tianran immediately summoned all the team members to the hotel's exclusive meeting room.
The meeting room was located on the middle floor of the hotel, spacious and bright, with a massive oval mahogany table in the center.
Xu Tianran walked to the head seat and sat down, his gaze scanning the seated members, his voice steady and powerful: "In three days, the tournament will open."
"We have traveled a long distance to get here. Our primary task is to rest fully and adjust to our best state. But while resting, intelligence gathering is equally important."
He paused, his fingertips lightly tapping the tabletop: "Shrek Academy remains our greatest rival."
"They have defended their title for many years and have deep foundations. We must figure out the strength, Spirit characteristics, and tactical styles of their participating members this year."
"In addition, the strong teams from other Empires cannot be underestimated, especially the Star Luo Empire's team, which has always been known for its ferocity. As the host, the Dou Ling Empire will certainly be prepared as well."
A sharp light flashed in Xu Tianran's eyes, and the spirit power fluctuations around him unconsciously grew stronger:
"I know that everyone here is a genius carefully selected by the Empire, and each of you possesses extraordinary strength."
"But our goal for this trip is not runner-up, and certainly not third place, but the champion!"
"Only by defeating Shrek and pulling them down from their altar can our Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy truly hold its head high and truly resonate throughout the entire Douluo Continent!"
His words were forceful and resonant, filled with strong confidence and determination, infecting every member present and igniting a raging fighting Spirit in their eyes.
"Yes!" The members were ignited by Xu Tianran's emotions, their fighting Spirit surging even more.
Even the Crown Prince, with a Spirit Saint cultivation, did not dare to be the least bit lax or careless; they certainly could not hold His Highness back