Something Happened Again

"Elder Cai, do you have a moment?" The Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs minister approached Cai Yue'er.

The cruise ship had drifted at sea for nearly half a month and was about to reach Star Luo.

Cai Yue'er asked, "What is it?"

The minister said, "Star Luo has invited Shrek to participate in their All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament. What do you think?"

Cai Yue'er said, "We're here for exchanges. There's no need for a competition."

The minister hesitated. "This..." He looked at Star Luo's foreign affairs minister, Sima Lanxiao, standing beside him.

Sima Lanxiao smiled at Cai Yue'er. "We believe in the strength of Shrek Academy's students, so your students may enter directly into the elimination rounds without participating in the preliminaries. It won't take up much of their time."

Cai Yue'er said blandly, "What are the prizes?"

"The individual competition's champion will receive a Soul Bone. Every member of the winning team in the team competition will receive a piece of Soul-Forged Metal. The final prize for the two-versus-two competition is a ten-thousand-year spiritual treasure. What do you think?"

When Cai Yue'er heard the team competition's reward, her expression turned slightly strange. "Other than the individual competition's prize, the rewards for your other events aren't the least bit appealing."

Sima Lanxiao froze for a moment. "Soul-Forged Metal may not compare to a Soul Bone, but it is still priceless and extremely difficult to obtain. Shrek may not lack a few pieces, but for the students, this is still a considerable reward."

Cai Yue'er wanted to laugh, but held it in. "I will give you an answer within a day."

Sima Lanxiao was already delighted that she had not refused outright. "Very well. We will await your reply at any time."

"Soul-Forged Metal?" Everyone's gazes instantly focused on Tang Wulin.

Tang Wulin was baffled. "Why are you looking at me?"

Xie Xie said, "Boss has no idea how many pieces of Soul-Forged Metal he already has. Making it the competition prize is way too insincere."

Tang Wulin said to Wu Changkong, "I'll participate in this tournament."

Wu Changkong asked, "You want that Soul Bone?"

Tang Wulin shook his head. Soul Bones added abilities and enhanced a Soul Master's physical strength, but they were of little use to Tang Wulin. With the purity of his bloodline, he had long ceased needing Soul Bones to strengthen his physique.

He explained, "We should at least see their level. This was meant to be an exchange anyway. Entering a competition won't take much time."

Gu Yue said, "I'll join too."

Xie Xie said, "I'm in, I'm in."

Wu Changkong glanced at the others. Seeing them all nod, he rose to his feet. "Fine. I'll go speak to Elder Cai."

"There's no need." At some unknown point, Cai Yue'er had appeared behind him. She said calmly, "You will be representing Shrek in this competition. Do you understand?"

"Understood!"

Cai Yue'er said, "Good. Shrek either does not act at all, or does things to the best. Every one of you will register for the individual, doubles, and team events. My requirement is that Shrek must win the championship in all three events."

Her gaze landed on Tang Wulin. "Their team competition prize truly is rather shabby. You'll have to make do with it, or you can exchange it for contribution points after returning to the academy."

Tang Wulin smiled helplessly.

Xu Xiaoyan asked weakly, "Do Lizhi and I have to participate in the individual competition too?"

Cai Yue'er said, "Of course. But I'm not that unreasonable. Just don't get eliminated in the first round of the individual competition."

Xu Xiaoyan sighed miserably, while Xu Lizhi scratched his head.

After issuing her military order, Cai Yue'er vanished from where she stood.

When Sima Lanxiao received Cai Yue'er's reply, he was overjoyed.

He quickly made an internal call.

"Yes, this is Sima Lanxiao. Shrek has agreed to participate in the tournament. Make the preparations immediately..."

After disembarking from the cruise ship, the delegation from Douluo was to take a Soul Guidance train to Star Luo's capital.

Putting everything else aside, Star Luo's scenery was vastly different from that of Douluo Continent.

Douluo Continent's cities were already highly urbanized. Steel and concrete had shut out forests and wilderness. Living in the cities, it was difficult to see the myriad living things growing untamed.

Perhaps because Star Luo was relatively underdeveloped and far from economic and political centers, it still retained most of its forests and primitive landscapes.

Tang Wulin sensed his surroundings and said, "The life energy in Star Luo's air truly is denser than in the Federation."

Gu Yue stroked a huge drooping leaf. "But even in a place like this, there isn't a single Soul Beast in sight."

Tang Wulin sighed inwardly.

Unless the conflict between Soul Beasts and humans was resolved, he and she would never be able to stand together.

He thought again of how, before their departure, the Golden Ancient Tree had specifically sent him a thought mentioning Dragon Valley.

Perhaps their turning point would begin with Star Luo.

They boarded the Soul Guidance special train in an orderly fashion. After confirming that there were no bombs hidden aboard, no concealed terrorists, and no Evil Soul Masters in disguise, Tang Wulin leaned back against his seat and began meditating.

As the Soul Guidance train slowly began to accelerate, Tang Wulin's extended spiritual power was suddenly touched, sending ripples through it. He abruptly withdrew from meditation and opened his eyes, instantly catching sight of countless mechas speeding closer from the horizon.

Cai Yue'er also opened her eyes, silver light flashing within them.

Distant points of light gleamed—it was Soul Guidance artillery charging up!

Tang Wulin shouted, "Enemy attack!"

The Shrek group reacted swiftly. Ignoring the speeding train, they leaped straight out through the windows.

The others did not react nearly as quickly and still stood there foolishly, unaware of what was happening.

Light blazed in Tang Wulin's eyes. The Golden Dragon Spear flew out, and with precise control and targeting, it pierced through and detonated the charging Soul Guidance cannon with a single thrust.

The cannon exploded, instantly leaving a gap in the formation of hovering mechas.

But the leading mecha was a red God Rank mecha. Its overpowering instant-fire cannon directly engulfed the entire train.

Tang Wulin paid it no mind—she was sitting inside.

Specks of silver radiance instantly enveloped the train. The instant-fire cannon melted away like ice and snow meeting flames, and the train remained completely unharmed, resting quietly upon the tracks.

Silver light flashed through the sky as Cai Yue'er appeared directly before the God Rank mecha and struck out with her palm.

The two rapidly ascended into the sky and clashed fiercely. Whenever the aftershocks of their battle leaked out, they would carve ravines into the ground below.

Tang Wulin swept his gaze over the surroundings. The mechas in the sky were still continuously firing Soul Guidance cannons, but the Blue Silver Emperor and Gu Yue's Elements attacks intercepted most of them. Violent energy twisted and exploded unceasingly in the air.

Wu Changkong had also risen into the air, clad in Two-Word Battle Armor as he fought two black mechas.

The passengers fled outside in panic. Some exits even became jammed, with people being trampled.

The entire scene was utter chaos.

Naturally, the teachers leading each academy first ensured the safety of their own students, continuously retreating backward.

Tang Wulin made a swift decision. "Priority one: cover the evacuation of those without combat ability! Move now!"

"Yes, Captain!"