Star Luo City

A thin mist hangs in the air over Mingdu morning, and the Soul-Guiding Airship on the Mingde Hall Square is ready to go.

The silver-white hull was covered with defensive magic arrays, and the soul-guided jets on both sides emitted a pale blue glow.

This is the latest Soul Guidance Technology airship researched by the Worship Hall in recent years. Jing Hongchen brought it out this time not only to test the airship's functions and durability, but also as a precaution.

Jing Hongchen stood in front of the airship's gangway, dressed in a black Soul Engineer's robe, his face bearing an unusual solemnity.

"Check your belongings carefully, don't embarrass yourselves in Star Luo City." Jing Hongchen glanced at the team members in front of him, finally fixing his gaze on Bao Liang, "Especially you, Bao Liang, don't end up dismantling the arena when you get there."

Bao Liang scratched his head, looking completely innocent. "Grandpa Jing, I've always been very well-behaved."

Xiao Hongchen was trying not to laugh, but after being glared at by Meng Hongchen, he immediately composed himself.

Ye Yulin stood beside Jing Hongchen, toying with two Level 9 Fixed Soul Guidance Shell in his hands, and smiled kindly, "Don't worry, little guys, when we get to Star Luo City, Grandpa will back you up."

Anyone who dares to cause trouble, should first ask if this old man's Sun Moon Divine Needle will allow it."

As the captain, Ma Rulong should take the lead. Behind him, Ji Juechen, holding the Juechen Sword, nodded slightly. When his gaze swept over Bao Liang, a hint of eager fighting spirit flashed in his eyes.

"Let's go!" Jing Hongchen waved his hand.

The soul-guided airship emitted a deep rumble as it slowly rose into the air, heading towards the Star Luo Empire.

During the journey to Star Luo City, there were no incidents like "Man, what can I say?", and the trip was safe and sound.

Our Jing Hongchen is quite the experienced driver, to say the least.

"Star Luo City is just ahead."

Jing Hongchen led his group down from the sky and landed steadily in a forest ten miles away from Star Luo City.

He was the first to jump off the airship, dusted off his hands, and looked up into the distance.

In the distance, a massive city wall stood, towering into the clouds, its surface covered with Soul Guidance Array that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

"Let's rest for a bit first, then we'll head into the city."

Everyone quickly divided the tasks: some set up camp, others cooked.

Bao Liang is undoubtedly the head chef.

After all, he plays with fire. Although he sometimes wets the bed (which he doesn't), he's definitely a master at cooking.

Moreover, among everyone present, he was the best cook; the others' cooking was merely edible.

Needless to say, it's a miracle that the one who laughed didn't actually feed the Soul Cannon to someone.

Bao Liang skillfully started a fire, controlling the Ultimate Flame perfectly to heat the ingredients without burning the rice.

Before long, an enticing aroma wafted through the air.

"It smells so good!" Meng Hongchen leaned closer, her eyes sparkling.

"That's right," Bao Liang said smugly, raising his chin. "Don't you even know who I am?"

While building the stove, Xiao Hongchen complained, "How primitive... They're still using such outdated urban defenses as city walls."

"But it does look pretty intimidating," Bao Liang chimed in. "I wonder if it can withstand my tearing it down..."

"Alright, let's all keep quiet."

Jing Hongchen interrupted Bao Liang and the other man's rant.

Although he thought so too, this was Star Luo City after all, and speaking the truth in someone else's doorstep could easily hurt their feelings.

It would be bad if this caused a diplomatic incident.

They're here to compete, not to cause trouble.

"Hey! I have a plan! What do you guys think? Should we build a city wall too?" Bao Liang suddenly made a funny face. "Then we'll fill the wall with Eye of Fear and anti-aircraft Soul Cannon, and when the enemy arrives... hehehehehe~"

"Alright, shut up!" Xiao Hongchen reached out and pinched Bao Liang's mouth. "You really don't know how to write the eight characters for 'anti-aircraft fire and military court'?!"

Helpless, Bao Liang could only obediently shut up.

Everyone scrambled around, busy with their own tasks.

With everyone working together in a flurry of activity, the group quickly got to eat a hot and edible meal.

After resting, they walked towards Star Luo City, chatting and laughing, simply taking a walk to digest their food after dinner.

"Speaking of which, how about we open a betting pool for something?" Bao Liang suddenly spoke up, attracting everyone's attention.

"Oh ho~ What are we betting on?" Xiao Hongchen connected with Bao Liang's ghost brain, sensed his ill intentions, and decisively started the betting.

The others were also intrigued by Bao Liang's words.

"Let's bet on Shrek's casualties this time," Bao Liang, never one to mince words. "I've heard that every time Shrek comes to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament, they bring a bunch of reserve members to join their so-called Shrek Inspection Corps to deal with Evil Soul Master."

How about we bet on how many people Shrek will send this time? Are you interested in this bet?

"Hiss--" Everyone gasped.

"Interesting." Xiao Hongchen immediately agreed to the group buy, "I'll bet seven."

"Then I'll bet eight," Meng Hongchen chimed in.

"I have four."

"Me alone."

I bet no one survived!

Everyone looked at Lin Xi, who had suddenly spoken up, with admiration in their eyes.

"My precious Lin Xi! You bet a number that even I wouldn't dare to bet on, you're incredibly brave!" Bao Liang gave a thumbs up.

Just then, Ji Juechen asked in confusion, "Why do we have to bet on how many people Shrek will send? Can't we just hope others do well?"

The crowd looked at each other.

Why should we, a group of Sun Moon people, wish Shrek well?

Ji Juechen fell silent.

After a long silence, he slowly nodded. "... That makes sense."

The betting ended quickly, and apart from Lin Xi's bet with odds of 10,000 to 1, everyone else's bet had odds of 100 to 1.

Even Jing Hongchen placed a bet that Shrek only sent six people this time.

They soon arrived at the Star Luo Empire.

Many of them were leaving the Sun Moon Empire for the first time and were quite curious about the Star Luo Empire.

This was especially true after entering Star Luo City.

Compared to the Mingdu, the former is like a modern city of the 21st century, while the latter is the imperial capital of an ancient empire.

But it's not entirely ancient.

Here, you might even see a person in a suit and a person in an ancient robe chatting and laughing, or a person in full mechanical gear playing games with a fairy-like sword immortal.

This art style cannot be simply described as "abstract".

This wasn't just the case in Star Luo City; it was similar in Mingdu, including Bao Liang's own team.

The best examples are Ma Rulong and Ji Juechen.

They are that futuristic warrior and the fantasy swordsman with the distorted art style.

Thanks to the two talented artists who contributed even more to the already abstract art style of the Douluo Continent.

Unfortunately Douluo Continent isn't divine enough. If it were more divine, it might have attracted Aha.