On the other side, unlike the tense atmosphere of the competing teams, Xu Tianhao led his small team of four out of the Heavenly Spirit Grand Hotel as soon as they had settled in, eager to experience the local customs and culture of Dou Ling City.
At this moment, their faces were filled with relaxed and pleasant smiles, having shaken off the fatigue of the journey and the boredom of training. Their eyes were full of curiosity and anticipation for this unfamiliar city.
"Finally, we can have some fun!" Xu Tianzhen stretched, her face full of excitement.
"I heard that Dou Ling City has a lot of specialty snacks and many novel little gadgets. I have to do a good job of scouting them out this time."
Beside her, Meng Hongchen teased with a smile, "Your Highness, don't just think about eating. Be careful not to turn yourself into a ball."
"Hey, when you come out to play, of course you have to enjoy yourself to the fullest!" Xu Tianzhen giggled, not caring in the slightest.
Xu Tianhao walked at the front with a faint smile on his lips, his gaze sizing up the surrounding sights with great interest.
He wore a simple moon-white robe and had a gentle temperament, completely different from Xu Tianran's sharp and exposed edge. However, his eyes revealed a level of composure and wisdom rarely seen in those his age.
He had no competitive mission for this trip. In his own words, he was here to "broaden his horizons, taste fine food, and enjoy the scenery." Naturally, he didn't need to keep his nerves as taut as the competing team members.
It was only hard on Kong Deming, who followed behind them.
This man, over a hundred years old, was now like a dutiful old butler, following closely behind Xu Tianhao and The Four Little Ones.
From time to time, someone would stop to buy snacks or gadgets, and he would wait patiently to one side with a gentle smile, without the slightest hint of impatience.
However, for Kong Deming, this accompanying journey was not a burden at all; instead, it felt more like a rare relaxation.
He hadn't left the borders of the Sun Moon Empire for decades.
Over these years, he had poured almost all his energy into the research of spirit tools and bitter cultivation.
Staying behind closed doors all day, accompanied by cold metal and complex spirit tools, he had long grown accustomed to loneliness and silence.
Now, feeling the lively atmosphere of Dou Ling City's markets, seeing the smiles on the faces of pedestrians, and tasting specialty foods he had never eaten before, a long-lost sense of comfort and ease welled up in his heart.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, forming mottled light and shadows on the ground. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and plants mixed with the aroma of food.
Kong Deming took a deep breath, feeling much of the stagnant air in his chest dissipate. The nerves that had been taut for years due to his devoted research also gradually relaxed.
What surprised him even more was that in this relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, he felt the bottleneck that had troubled him for years actually show faint signs of loosening.
This sudden change filled Kong Deming's heart with overwhelming joy, thinking to himself that coming on this trip was indeed the right choice.
Perhaps this tournament trip would not only let him relax but also help him break through his shackles and reach a higher level.
The elder and the four youngsters wandered aimlessly through Dou Ling City, from the bustling main roads to the quiet alleys, and from the clamorous markets to the quaint historic districts.
Although Xu Tianhao was also immersed in the fun of traveling, his mind was more meticulous than his three companions.
While enjoying the scenery of Dou Ling City, he also kept an eye out for posted announcements, reading their contents carefully.
Whether it was buying newspapers or books from recent years, he wanted to use this information to understand the development status, people's livelihoods, and major events of the Dou Ling Empire in recent years.
After all, this tournament was not just a contest between Spirit Masters, but also an indirect display of the strength of the major Empires. Understanding more about the situation would always be beneficial.
As the sun set, the golden afterglow spilled over the streets of Dou Ling City, dyeing everything in a warm halo.
Xu Tianhao and the others, carrying a sense of accomplishment and fatigue, slowly walked back toward the Heavenly Spirit Grand Hotel accompanied by Kong Deming.
In the distant sky, the sunset clouds were brilliant, reflecting the lights within the city to form an exquisite painting.
...
Over the next few days, Xu Tianran and the other competing members of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy were all preparing for the tournament.
Jing Hongchen stayed by Xu Tianran's side, making final preparations for them while also using his personal connections to scout for more intelligence.
Being able to reach the upper echelons of a power meant one certainly had connections, even if everyone belonged to different factions.
After all, this World also valued social graces and relationships. Even though Jing Hongchen was the Hall Master of Mingde Hall, he still had some acquaintances on the side of the three Empires originally belonging to the Douluo Continent.
Perhaps the relationships weren't that close, but as long as there were interests involved, there were no true enemies.
This point was the same for anyone.
Compared to the tense preparation of Xu Tianran and the others, Xu Tianhao and The Four Little Ones were much more relaxed.
They spent three days exploring more than half of Dou Ling City, having a great time and truly getting a good rest.
Even Kong Deming ate a lot of gourmet food; the old man felt like he had put on some weight.
On the evening of the third day, after playing for a whole day, Xu Tianhao and the other three intended to return to the hotel.
Because tomorrow was the tournament's opening ceremony, they wanted to go back early to rest so it wouldn't affect their watching the matches tomorrow.
Just as the group of five—one elder and four youngsters—returned to the hotel, a deep, thick voice rang out near Kong Deming:
"Kong Deming, it really is you. There hasn't been word of you for decades; I thought you were already dead."
Hearing this, Xu Tianhao and The Four Little Ones all turned to look.
Who was it that dared to speak to Elder Kong like that?
Did they think they had lived long enough?
Xu Tianhao turned his head and saw a slovenly old man who looked no younger than Elder Kong.
The slovenly old man was quite thick-skinned; one hand held a greasy chicken leg, and he sized up Kong Deming and The Four Little Ones while he ate.
There was a bit of confusion in the slovenly old man's dark red eyes, but even more provocation.
With just this one glance, Xu Tianhao guessed the visitor's identity: the strongest person currently on the surface of Shrek Academy, the Gluttonous Douluo Xuan Zi, with a cultivation of a Level 98 Super Douluo.
Kong Deming also looked at Xuan Zi and laughed, "So it's Elder Xuan. It really has been a long time. How have you been lately?"
Although Kong Deming was a super elder in the Sun Moon Empire, an old man nearly a hundred and fifty years old.
In front of Xuan Zi, Kong Deming was actually only considered a junior.
Because the slovenly old man in front of him was an Old freak who had lived for over two hundred years. It was perfectly fine for Kong Deming to address him as Elder Xuan.
Xuan Zi also smiled, "I'm alright, certainly living longer than you. Why haven't you come out for so many years? Why do you have the interest to come watch the tournament now?"
"But that brat Jing Hongchen is already here, does he still need you to follow? It seems our intelligence is flawed."
Hearing Xuan Zi's words, Kong Deming maintained the smile on his face, "The Crown Prince is personally competing; we old fogies naturally have to do our best to support him."
Xuan Zi chuckled, "Fair enough. I just came to say hello and confirm things."
"Since your Crown Prince is so confident, then we shall see the truth on the field tomorrow."
With that, Xuan Zi took a bite of his large chicken leg and walked away leisurely.
However, what no one noticed was that after Xuan Zi turned around, a shadow of gloom flashed through his dark red eyes.
With his realm, he actually found himself somewhat unable to see through Kong Deming.
What did this mean?
It meant that Kong Deming's strength very likely surpassed his own!
But Kong Deming was clearly only Level 94, not even possessing the cultivation of a Super Douluo, yet he gave him this feeling.
One could imagine how unbelievable Xuan Zi felt in his heart at this moment.
Most importantly, Xuan Zi also noticed Xu Tianhao and The Four Little Ones. With his vision, the four of them had almost nowhere to hide.
They were two-ring Spirit Grandmasters at such a young age and were even brought by Kong Deming to watch the matches; this was enough to see the importance placed on these little things.
Xuan Zi murmured in his heart, "It seems the development of the Sun Moon Empire over these years is not simple at all. To so brazenly bring their juniors out, it really is..."
Xuan Zi shook his head, "I must quickly inform Elder Mu and let the old man prepare early..."