Star Luo City has a permanent population of over eight million, and with the addition of outsiders, its maximum capacity is a staggering twenty million.
This megacity, however, has recently become quite crowded. The number of tourists has surged in just half a month, and almost all hotels are fully booked.
This forced the authorities to requisition some civilian residences and convert some official residences into temporary accommodations for tourists. The number of taxi drivers maintaining order within the city also increased significantly.
The reason for such a big change is simple: the grand event held once every five years, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament, is about to be held in Star Luo City.
It should be noted that there are four great empires on the continent, and the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament is held in rotation in the capital cities of each country.
Therefore, Star Luo City has to wait twenty years for a single opportunity to witness such a spectacle. How could such a grand occasion not attract the people of the Star Luo Empire to come and see it?
The streets were bustling with people, and the aroma of various snacks attracted customers to the roadside. The lively chatter added to the festive atmosphere.
The carriage moved slowly. Huo Yuhao looked at the lively scene around him and felt it was a bit noisy. He was about to draw the curtain.
Xiao Xiao reached out and stopped her, her eyes sparkling like a curious kitten taking in everything around her.
Even though her face was still pale, it couldn't stop her playful nature.
Xiao Xiao smiled weakly, her eyes filled with curiosity, " Yuhao, Star Luo City is so lively! Have you lived here since you were little?"
Huo Yuhao smiled and reached out to stroke her cheek, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. He said affectionately, "I rarely come to Star Luo City. I usually stay in the small town within the Duke's Mansion's territory. My mother runs a tailor shop there, and the townspeople really appreciate her tailoring skills."
Xiao Xiao stared into Huo Yuhao's eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed, and grasped his hand tightly, saying sincerely, "Mom... Auntie must be a very thoughtful and gentle person."
Huo Yuhao nodded, caught Wang Dong'er who was about to fall forward, and gently leaned her against his shoulder again.
Wang Dong'er's condition is much worse than Xiao Xiao's; she still shows no signs of waking up.
Huo Yuhao looked at Star Luo Plaza not far away.
Star Luo Plaza is extremely large and can accommodate the largest number of spectators. Thirty thousand soldiers have been mobilized from the city, and ten thousand of them are responsible for guarding Star Luo Plaza.
It's said that even the All-Continent High-Level Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament has already reached astronomical prices.
The carriage turned a corner and headed towards the east side of Star Luo Plaza, not far away.
There stood a large hotel, about a hundred meters tall, and Xiao Xiao counted the floors from afar; it was approximately fifty stories high.
The hotel rooftop is also planted with a large number of rare plants, which are lush and green.
The water glistens through the plants, and upon closer inspection, one can see a huge, luxurious outdoor swimming pool on the rooftop.
This grand hotel, named Star Emperor, belongs to the royal family. It was specially set aside this time to accommodate participants from high-level Soul Master Academy or Soul Engineer trainees from various countries.
Beneath the magnificent and imposing signboard bearing the words "Star Emperor," there remains a familiar emblem, belonging to the Mitsugoshi Company.
Huo Yuhao withdrew his gaze, and just as they were about to reach the hotel entrance, a pair of soldiers suddenly appeared in front of the carriage, blocking their way.
Xiao Xiao peeked out and found that they were surrounded by soldiers, who seemed to be blocking their way.
Zhou Yi was also puzzled by the sudden turn of events. She told the trainees to stay in the carriage while she stepped out and spoke with the lead taxi driver.
After Zhou Yi got out of the carriage, she immediately began to negotiate with them, but because the carriage was well soundproofed, no one could hear what the two were saying.
Gongyang Mo looked outside, his brow furrowed slightly, and said, "It seems the negotiations aren't going very smoothly."
After saying that, Gongyang Mo turned to Dai Yueheng on the other side of the carriage and said, " Yueheng, why don't you step forward? After all, this is Star Luo City."
Dai Yueheng hesitated for a moment and said, " Gongyang Mo, I really can't say for sure. The garrison here should all be stationed here by His Majesty's personal orders to ensure safety. Even I can't make an exception."
Gongyang Mo rolled his eyes helplessly and said, "Fine, there's nothing we can do about it. Let's see what Teacher Zhou has to say."
Soon, Zhou Yi returned to the carriage and said to them, "Classmates, for safety reasons, it seems the carriage cannot enter. We'll probably have to proceed on foot."
Zhou Yi was also somewhat helpless. Even though there were wounded people in the carriage, the lead taxi driver wouldn't budge.
The soldier said it was an order personally given by His Majesty, and he couldn't make an exception. In addition, the soldier spoke very politely, so Zhou Yi had no choice but to compromise.
"No problem, Teacher Zhou, let's walk then, it's not far after all." Ma Xiaotao said weakly, clutching her chest, her face pale.
Zhou Yi nodded and instructed Dai Yueheng and several other male students from the inner courtyard to help Yan Shaozhe up and prepare to get off the car.
Xiao Xiao pulled her head back and said to Huo Yuhao, " Yuhao, let's get off the bus too."
Huo Yuhao nodded, picked up Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao and got out of the car together.
"Huh?"
A questioning sound came from above.
The moment Huo Yuhao got out of the car, the lead taxi driver immediately saw him and looked puzzled.
He wiped his eyes, stepped forward, then his expression changed drastically. He knelt on one knee and respectfully said, "Prince Consort."
The taxi drivers around them also knelt on one knee and respectfully shouted in unison, "Greetings, Your Highness!"
In an instant, everyone's eyes fell on Huo Yuhao.
Gongyang Mo nudged Dai Yueheng, who had just gotten out of the car, without any politeness, and said in a strange tone, " Yueheng, didn't you say it wouldn't work? Your brother's identity seems to be quite useful, doesn't it?"
Dai Yueheng gave a wry smile, feeling incredibly embarrassed.
Gongyang Mo continued his incessant chatter, his gaze falling on the two women beside Huo Yuhao. He said, "Hey, your brother's already a prince consort, is it really okay for him to be flirting with other girls?"
Dai Yueheng covered his eyes and replied, "This... I don't know either..."
Gongyang Mo looked at Huo Yuhao with eyes full of admiration and said, "However, it's not uncommon for strong people to have multiple wives and concubines. I must say, I still admire them."
Chen Zifeng couldn't bear to watch any longer and quickly covered his mouth, gesturing for him to look around. " Gongyang Mo! Stop talking..."
Gongyang Mo subconsciously looked around. Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochеn and the Xi Xi girls, and even the teacher in charge, Zhou Yi, were all looking at him with unfriendly eyes.
All the girls heard every word he said clearly.
Ma Xiaotao's eyes were cold as she rubbed her hands together and said, " Gongyang Mo, I've recovered quite well these past few days. How about we spar later?"
Ling Luochеn, Xi Xi, and Jiang Nannan all made it clear that they wanted to test their skills against him.
Gongyang Mo cried out that he was innocent, but it seemed that it was too late. Looking at the women's eyes, which seemed to want to tear him to pieces, he could only smile bitterly.
Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao were unaware that Huo Yuhao also had the identity of a prince consort. Xiao Xiao looked at the senior students not far away, wondering what had happened.
Then, Xiao Xiao looked at Huo Yuhao with great confusion, "The Prince Consort?"
Huo Yuhao's expression instantly turned grim, his lips twitched slightly, and he said helplessly to the leading soldier, "Get up first..."
"Yes!..."
The moment the lead soldier stood up, his gaze fell directly on Xiao Xiao's waist, specifically on the uniquely styled White Tiger Dagger there.
His eyes were strange. He looked up at Huo Yuhao, his heart pounding with alarm, as if he had just realized something and was about to ask.
However, Huo Yuhao spoke first, "Can we go in now?"
"Oh, of course, Your Highness can simply have the carriage drive in." The soldier withdrew his gaze, bowed respectfully, and gestured for the carriage to proceed with a strange look in his eyes.
Without delay, everyone boarded the vehicle after the soldiers gave them permission to leave.
The carriage immediately drove forward.
Huo Yuhao watched as the leading soldiers began to assemble and then hurried towards the palace. His lips twitched, and he thought to himself, "This is really troublesome..."