Next, the Sun Moon Empire's Yan Yang Fleet set off south along the western coastline of Douluo Continent, carrying nothing but a map of the continent they had obtained in the Heaven Dou Empire. Not long after they began their voyage, five large galleons came sailing toward them. A flag bearing a white tiger's head fluttered from each ship's bow.
Based on the information Xu Mochen had gathered so far, that flag was most likely the Star Luo Imperial Family's banner! They also knew exactly why the other side was coming to meet them.
Then, a figure standing tall on the leading wooden galleon roared in their direction, his voice carried by his powerful Soul Power. "Honored guests from the Sun Moon Empire, please follow our fleet! We in the Star Luo Empire have prepared everything for your reception at Starry Sky Port!"
Without waiting to hear the Sun Moon Empire's reply, the man immediately turned his ship around and sailed away. Seeing this, Xu Mochen naturally ordered his fleet to follow. They weren't afraid the Star Luo Empire would try any tricks. With the fighting strength of their fleet, even if the Star Luo Empire summoned a hundred-thousand-year Sea Soul Beast, it still wouldn't be able to do anything to them!
But clearly, the other side showed no hostility. They simply led the fleet onward. After sailing for a day or two, the fleet finally reached its destination, Starry Sky Port. Just as they had on their previous visit to the Heaven Dou Empire, Xu Mochen and the others made their way to the port in small boats.
Starry Sky Port wasn't as vast as Linghai Port, but it had no shortage of ships docked there. And unlike last time, when Xu Mochen and the others had to wait for someone from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family to come, the Star Luo Empire's impeccably disciplined Royal Guard had been waiting near the port for quite some time.
The people who came ashore with Xu Mochen and his party were also from the five wooden ships. They were clearly all Soul Masters from the Star Luo Empire's Spirit Master Legion. Xu Mochen could clearly sense that the middle-aged man leading them was a Titled Douluo as well. But in terms of looks, he was so much more handsome than Yan Gang, the rugged Demon Steel Douluo from the Heaven Dou Empire!
His slightly pale, fair face, flowing black hair, and starry eyes—at first glance, everything about him gave people a feeling of deep fascination! Yet Xu Mochen could clearly sense that this Titled Douluo's true age was certainly not as young as he appeared.
The man soon stepped forward and introduced himself to Xu Mochen's party with cupped fists. "Honored guests who have traveled from overseas, I am Xu Liqun, a level ninety-three Titled Douluo of the Star Luo Empire. My title is 'Star Power,' and my Martial Soul is the Nine-Curve Star Crown, a control-type Martial Soul. I was presumptuous to stop your ships yesterday; please forgive me. I had important duties to attend to." Paired with his clear, ringing voice, his words made it hard not to think he could be a heartbreaker wherever he went!
"Lord Xu, you're too considerate. We were planning to visit your country anyway; we just weren't sure of our course. We're grateful for your help in guiding us here." Xu Mochen naturally responded with perfect courtesy.
Next, Xu Liqun would of course need to take the Sun Moon Empire's party to meet the members of the Star Luo Empire's delegation. But this time, Xu Mochen noticed that the Star Luo Empire's delegation hadn't invited them to meet at the City Lord's Mansion in Starry Sky City, as the Heaven Dou Empire's delegation had. Instead, they had been standing in the open space before the port, waiting for them all along!
It seems the Star Luo Empire not only received word of our visit to the Heaven Dou Empire long ago, but is also especially bold. They're willing to stand openly by the port before even confirming our intentions. Aren't they worried we'll attack them?
Xu Mochen was a little surprised. They had certainly gathered information about his visit to the Heaven Dou Empire and its purpose, but weren't they worried that he and the Heaven Dou Empire had secretly reached some kind of agreement to join forces against the Star Luo Empire? They were standing right there, in full view of everyone. They really weren't afraid the Sun Moon Empire had ulterior motives.
Though he thought this, Xu Mochen and the others still greeted the Star Luo Empire's delegation with bright smiles, accompanied by the blaring horns of the Royal Guard soldiers lining both sides.
The young man leading the delegation looked only two or three years older than Xu Mochen. He had a head of flowing blond hair, naturally red-and-blue eyes, and a face as sharply carved as if by knife and axe. An air of noble pride radiated from him. Though Xu Mochen couldn't see his build beneath his blue-and-white robes, he was sure the young man was powerfully built!
Based on the original story and the information he had gathered so far about the Star Luo Empire, this young man was most likely its eldest prince, and the strongest contender for the position of crown prince! He was also Dai Mubai's older brother, one of the Shrek Seven Devils in the original story! Davis!
Davis still looked full of youthful ambition—not at all like the dejected man he'd become after Dai Mubai and the others beat him black and blue in the original story. Of course, just seeing him made Xu Mochen think of Dai Mubai, the Shrek Seven Devils, and Tang San! As far as he was concerned, it didn't matter whether Dai Mubai lived or died, but Tang San had to die!
It wasn't that Xu Mochen was especially righteous, or that seeing Tang San's double standards, vicious heart, ruthless methods, and mindless devotion to his wife made him feel he had to uphold justice on heaven's behalf! It was just that every time he thought of Tang San's many outrageous schemes in Douluo II, he felt uncomfortable all over.
Xu Mochen didn't care how Tang San tormented his own son-in-law. But first, he had dragged the Sun Moon Continent—which was already at its weakest—right up beside Douluo Continent to serve as Douluo Continent's training dummy! Later, he had repeatedly obstructed the Sun Moon Empire's unification of Douluo Continent, even threatening and coercing it into changing its name!
By the end, the Xu family had vanished without a trace, and somehow the Sun Moon Empire had become a federation. Three of the four great powers controlling it had been founded or supported by members of the Tang family, while the last was already under the control of Shrek students and Tang family retainer Chen Xinjie! That was absolutely unacceptable! If Tang San really managed to become a god and survive, who knew what other trouble he might stir up for the Sun Moon Empire!
No need to rush. By the timeline, Tang San was still a six-year-old brat studying at Nuoding Academy, with Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao secretly protecting him. Given Xu Mochen's current circumstances, he couldn't be sure his subordinates could take Tang San out!
After all, the strongest person by his side, Mo Wuying, was only level ninety-six. Tang Hao, despite being only level ninety-five and carrying old injuries, was so monstrously powerful that Mo Wuying really wasn't his match! If Tang Hao escaped with Tang San, finding them again would be harder than climbing to heaven! It seemed he would have to wait until his forces were firmly established on Douluo Continent before finding a way to strike!
Davis naturally had no idea Xu Mochen had thought so much just from meeting him. He laughed heartily and extended his hand. "I've long heard that the Sun Moon Empire's young prince is remarkable despite his age, with an imposing bearing and a sharp, capable air. Seeing you today, I find the rumors were true! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Davis, the eldest prince of the Star Luo Empire. I have come on behalf of the Star Luo Empire to meet our honored guests from afar."
Seeing how open and hearty he was, Xu Mochen naturally put on a warm smile too. "So you're the eldest prince of the Star Luo Empire! At a glance, you're clearly a man among men, with the might of a tiger descending the mountain! If the day comes, you're sure to become a great hero of your generation!"
"Then I'll thank Your Highness for your kind words! Come, I've prepared fine wines and delicacies for your delegation! I guarantee none of you will be disappointed!" Davis laughed again, just as heartily. The two clasped hands and walked along like kindred spirits who had found each other at last. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought they were long-lost brothers!
Xu Mochen knew the real show was about to begin. From the information he had gathered earlier, the Star Luo Empire always used one of two ways to welcome visiting diplomats.
One of them was the same way people in Blue Star's Russia entertained guests: they made friends over drinks! Before the formal talks, the diplomatic envoys on both sides had to share several jars of strong liquor. The contest was all about who could hold their drink!
If you could outdrink the Star Luo Empire's diplomatic representative, the negotiations that followed would go more smoothly. But if you couldn't, then don't expect to get any advantage from the Star Luo Empire's representative!
Xu Mochen wasn't worried in the slightest! Come on, his body had divine genes! And one of the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King's main attributes was its ability to devour energy and assimilate it into chaos, then turn that energy into a source of Soul Power, allowing him to unleash astonishing attacks when using Soul Skills!
This little bit of alcohol? Sorry, in the eyes of someone with the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King Martial Soul, it was nothing but plain water with a bit of flavor! If he wanted to, he could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk! (As long as his bladder could handle all that water.)
Soon, at Davis's invitation, Xu Mochen arrived at an open space laid out with rows of tables, fine dishes, and jars of wine. The Star Luo Empire really was bold—when it came to such a major event as hosting diplomats from another country, they had invited everyone to drink outdoors! Anyone who didn't know better might have thought it was a country wedding banquet!
Still, considering the customs of another country, Xu Mochen could only accept it. The dining area was a little crude, but the food and wine were of the highest quality. The dishes were all delicacies, and the wine was aged to perfection.
After both parties had taken their seats, Davis happily began pouring wine for the guests at his table. Then he laughed and said, "Your Highness, we in the Star Luo Empire have a custom of making friends over drinks. The more distinguished our guests, the finer and more aromatic the wine we serve them! This time, our country has brought out imperial wine that has been stored for several hundred years to share with you honored guests. I wonder how well you can all hold your liquor?"
Xu Mochen smiled knowingly. "You flatter me. I'm not much of a drinker, but I can manage a little. Don't worry, the people I brought with me can all hold their liquor to some extent. I'm sure we won't disappoint Your Highness."
"Haha! That's good to hear! If you really can't drink any more, Your Highness, don't force yourself!" Davis secretly rejoiced. When it came to drinking, he was unmatched in the Star Luo Empire! As the strongest contender for the Star Luo Empire's crown prince, Davis had been given high hopes from childhood.
Not only was he disciplined and exceptionally talented, but he also frequently attended all kinds of social gatherings. And since the people of the Star Luo Empire had always made friends over drinks, Davis had gradually trained himself to hold his liquor far better than ordinary people! By now, his drinking capacity surpassed that of anyone his age, and even many seasoned drinkers in the Star Luo Empire couldn't outdrink him!
Before you continue