When the black coastline finally appeared at the end of their vision, a deafening cheer erupted from the two giant ships.
Three months of deep-sea voyaging would make even a Spirit Master feel restless.
At this moment, seeing the outline of land, the members of the Douluo Continent exchange delegation could not hide their excitement, and the deck was filled with a long-lost joyful atmosphere.
The members of the Star Luo Continent delegation were even more thrilled.
They had finally returned to their long-separated homeland, and many were in tears, waving vigorously towards the distant coastline and calling out the names of their loved ones.
Star Luo Continent, they had arrived!
Under the arrangements of the Star Luo Empire, the two giant ships slowly entered the port and docked smoothly.
Fang Yang and the others followed the main group off the Star Luo and curiously observed this unfamiliar continent and city.
The architectural style of the port was completely different from that of the Douluo Continent, filled with exotic charm.
The Star Luo Empire held a grand welcoming ceremony, with red carpets laid out and salutes fired. But for Shrek Academy, this was merely a formality.
If it weren't to save face for the Sun Moon Federation and the Star Luo Empire, they wouldn't even participate in such tedious official events.
After the welcoming ceremony, the two exchange delegations went their separate ways.
The Star Luo exchange delegation disbanded on the spot, with all members taking leave to return home, while the work of the Douluo exchange delegation had just begun.
Shrek Academy, under the arrangement of Zhuo Shi, was divided into two teams. Wu Changkong led the Zero Class Team, and Shen Yi was in charge of the Genius Team.
"This is our upcoming itinerary," Wu Changkong said in a clear, cold voice, unfolding an itinerary with an expressionless face. "Our first stop is Star Luo City, the capital of the Star Luo Empire, where we will have a series of exchange competitions with Star Luo Royal Academy. After that, we will also go to…"
Everyone listened to Wu Changkong's explanation and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
The itinerary was packed, with most of it consisting of exchange competitions with various academies on the Star Luo Continent, and only a small portion allocated for free time for sightseeing.
"Teacher Wu, we've finally come to the Star Luo Continent, are we really going to spend all our time on endless competitions?" Xie Xie couldn't help but complain.
"Exactly!"
Tang Wulin also chimed in, "I still want to see more of the local customs and traditions of the Star Luo Continent."
Zhang Yangzi joked with a smile, "Tang Wulin, are you really looking at customs and traditions? You're clearly just thinking about the local delicacies, aren't you?"
Wang Jinxi nodded in agreement from the side.
Fang Yang and Gu Yue remained silent.
Gu Yue stood quietly beside Fang Yang, her gaze thoughtfully sweeping over this unfamiliar city.
Xu Xiaoyan and Na'er curiously observed the surrounding architectural styles, whispering to each other.
Wu Changkong coldly glanced at the complaining few: "Exchange competitions are the main purpose of this trip. If you wish to sightsee, you can arrange it yourself during free time."
"Alright."
Everyone nodded helplessly.
Afterward, under the arrangements of the Star Luo Empire, the Shrek group rested for a night.
The next day, they directly took the Star Luo Empire's spirit tool special train to Star Luo City, the imperial capital of the Star Luo Empire.
On the spirit tool train, Sima Lanxiao, the Foreign Minister of the Star Luo Empire, appeared before Zhuo Shi.
"Your Excellency Crimson Dragon, I apologize for the disturbance."
Sima Lanxiao's demeanor remained respectful and humble when facing Zhuo Shi.
Zhuo Shi nodded slightly, his tone calm: "Mr. Sima, there's no need for formalities. Please speak if you have something to say."
Sima Lanxiao, with a slight smile, said: "Your Excellency Crimson Dragon, we have just received news that the capital of the Star Luo Empire is currently hosting a grand and magnificent Youth Spirit Master Competition."
"We heard that the first stop of your academy's itinerary is Star Luo City, and the Shrek Academy students you brought are all top Geniuses of the younger generation. I wonder if they would be interested in participating in this Youth Spirit Master Competition?"
Upon hearing this, Zhuo Shi said calmly without hesitation: "Mr. Sima, I appreciate your kindness, but we are only here for exchange, so there's no need to participate."
Sima Lanxiao didn't get discouraged and continued to persuade: "Your Excellency Crimson Dragon, it's actually not troublesome at all. I believe in the abilities of the Shrek Academy students. They don't need to participate in the preliminaries at all and can directly enter the elimination rounds."
"This won't delay too much time, and we can absolutely guarantee their safety!"
Zhuo Shi glanced at Sima Lanxiao, his tone still flat: "I never worry about that."
Sima Lanxiao was stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted, his eyes shifting slightly, "Then, Your Excellency Crimson Dragon, what exactly are your concerns?"
Zhuo Shi let out a light chuckle, "If the prize for the champion is a Spirit Bone, then I might consider letting my students participate."
"Spirit Bone?!"
Sima Lanxiao's expression suddenly changed. He naturally knew what those two words represented.
Spirit Bone, that was a recognized treasure in the Spirit Master's world, a treasure that could greatly enhance a Spirit Master's strength and even bestow special Spirit Abilities.
To this day, whether on the Douluo Continent or the Star Luo Continent, the rarity of Spirit Bones has only increased.
It is only produced by Spirit Beasts, but the chance of it appearing is extremely slim, less than one in ten thousand.
Only 100,000-year Spirit Beasts will inevitably produce a Spirit Bone upon death.
On the Douluo Continent, due to long-term hunting by human Spirit Masters and environmental changes, Spirit Beasts have withered, making it incredibly difficult to obtain Spirit Bones.
Although the situation on the Star Luo Continent is different from that of the Douluo Continent, the preciousness of Spirit Bones is by no means inferior.
"Your Excellency Crimson Dragon, to be frank with you," Sima Lanxiao explained in detail, "Our competition is officially called the All-Continent Youth High-Level Spirit Master Elite Competition."
"It is divided into various types of competitions, including individual competitions, team competitions, mecha competitions, and a series of other events."
"The Spirit Bone reward you mentioned, because it is truly too precious, only the ultimate champion of the individual competition can receive a Spirit Bone as a reward."
"For other types of competitions, the champion prize for the team competition is a Soul Forged metal for each person. The champion prize for the mecha competition is a Black-grade mecha. Therefore, there is only one Spirit Bone reward, so what do you think…"
A hint of surprise flashed in Zhuo Shi's eyes. The Star Luo Empire indeed had deep foundations to be able to offer a Spirit Bone as a prize.
He asked calmly, "That sounds good. But the value of the rewards for your different competitions seems to vary quite a bit?"
Although Soul Forged metal, mechas, Heaven And Earth Treasure, and Spiritual Plants are all good, their preciousness still differs significantly compared to a Spirit Bone.
Sima Lanxiao hastily added, "The reason the individual competition reward is so generous is because our one-on-one competition is called the Unlimited Challenge."
"As the name suggests, any means are allowed in the competition—mechas, battle armor, Spirit, spirit tool, all are unrestricted. And because of this… the risk is extremely high, and participants must sign a life-and-death waiver."
This was completely different from the mainstream competition system on the Douluo Continent. On the Douluo Continent, seven-on-seven team battles, which emphasize teamwork and tactics, were at the core.
On the Star Luo Continent, however, the emphasis was clearly on ultimate individual strength and comprehensive combat ability.
"What are the participation restrictions?" Zhuo Shi's tone was calm, showing no emotion.
Sima Lanxiao's heart was filled with joy, knowing that the other party was already tempted, "Under twenty years old. Other than that, there are almost no other restrictions. Especially for the students of Shrek Academy."
"Good." Zhuo Shi's reply was incredibly concise, with only one word.
The spirit tool train continued to move forward. Fang Yang and the others savored the delicacies of the Star Luo Empire, enjoying the constantly flashing scenery outside the train window.
The development level of the Star Luo Continent was clearly not as advanced as that of the Douluo Continent.
Outside the window, primitive jungles and clear lakes occasionally flashed by, and groups of birds could sometimes be seen in the sky.
This close-to-nature environment made Fang Yang and the others feel relaxed and comfortable.
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