Chapter 96: Star Luo City, Seeing Princess Xu Jiujiu Again
Star Luo City.
As the capital of the Star Luo Empire, one of the four great Empires on the continent, Star Luo City has stood in this World for over ten thousand years. It has witnessed countless eras and bears the title of the 'Eternal Imperial Capital'.
Star Luo City spans over a hundred miles in both length and width. In terms of scale, it is the largest among the capitals of the three Empires originally belonging to the Douluo Continent.
Its permanent population exceeds eight million. If the floating population is included, it reaches a staggering twenty million. Furthermore, with the Soul Master Competition approaching, the city's population has seen another explosive surge.
The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition is held at Star Luo Square in front of the Imperial City, and directly opposite it is the most luxurious hotel in Star Luo City, the Star Emperor Hotel.
By imperial decree, this place was specifically designated to host the participants from the Soul Master and Soul Engineer academies competing in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition.
As Shrek Academy, which has monopolized all championship titles for the past ten thousand years, they were naturally arranged to stay on the most luxurious top floor. Everyone had a deluxe bedroom, and there was also a spacious meeting room specifically for tactical planning.
At this moment, the atmosphere inside the meeting room was heavy.
"Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Chen Zifeng, Ling Luochen—how are the four of you doing? Roughly how many days will you need to recover from your injuries?" Wang Yan sat in the main seat, asking the four of them with concern.
"I'm doing alright. Lin Xuan helped treat me again yesterday. If nothing goes wrong, I should be mostly recovered in about half a month." Ma Xiaotao's expression was very grim.
Although she was the strongest, there had been the most corpses near her feet during the explosion. This was already the best possible outcome thanks to Lin Xuan's warning and assistance.
She didn't even dare to imagine how badly she would have been injured if Lin Xuan hadn't been there.
"I'm about the same as Xiaotao."
Dai Yueheng's expression wasn't any better. The competition was being held in the Star Luo Empire, which was his home country's turf.
As the son of Duke White Tiger, the opportunity to make a name for himself here was once in a lifetime. Yet now, he had been heavily injured by a mere Soul King-level Evil Soul Master's explosion; he was frustrated to the extreme.
However, at the thought of this, the gratitude in his eyes as he looked at Lin Xuan became more apparent. Regardless, at the very least, he could still participate in the competition.
"My situation is a bit worse. At the earliest, I might have to wait until the finals," Chen Zifeng said, shaking his head with a helpless look. He was the most heavily injured among them.
"I'm doing a bit better," Ling Luochen said with a cold voice, her face devoid of expression. "I should be able to take the field in about twelve days."
"Twelve days? That fast?!" Ma Xiaotao turned her head sharply, saying in disbelief, "That's not right. Weren't your injuries similar to Chen Zifeng's?"
The others basically had the same reaction. After all, they had seen Ling Luochen's injuries with their own eyes. Even if Lin Xuan had treated her, it shouldn't be this fast, right?
"Wait," Ma Xiaotao looked at the calm Lin Xuan and said suspiciously, "Lin Xuan, you didn't give Ling Luochen special treatment, did you?"
"Little junior, you're being unfair. You can't just give all the healing power to Ling Luochen just because she's pretty," Chen Zifeng teased.
"Just call me junior, can you not add the 'little' part?"
Lin Xuan rolled his eyes. He glanced at the expressionless Ling Luochen and explained,
"Although I could only heal surface wounds at the time, the healing process has a positive impact on internal injuries to some extent. Senior Ling is recovering quickly because of that."
"I see." Chen Zifeng nodded in realization.
But Ma Xiaotao didn't believe it, and neither did Ning Tian.
A woman's sixth sense told them that the truth was definitely not as simple as Lin Xuan claimed.
"Alright, alright, as long as things are moving in a positive direction." Wang Yan clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"After traveling for two days straight plus the Death God Messenger incident, everyone is very tired. With a few days left before the competition starts, everyone should get some rest. I'll handle the rest."
"Also, I've thought about it and decided that before Ma Xiaotao and the others recover, Lin Xuan will serve as the captain. Does anyone have any objections?"
Wang Yan's purpose was simple: since you guys don't listen to me anyway, I might as well just let Lin Xuan be the captain. I'll communicate with him, and then he can lead you.
"No problem, Lin Xuan should be the captain." Bei Bei had no objections. After witnessing Lin Xuan's methods, he was truly convinced.
As for Xu Sanshi and the others, they practically voted with both hands and feet. Even Wang Dong, who might have had an objection, remained silent, only curling his lip and muttering a few words under his breath.
Seeing no opposition, Wang Yan announced the dismissal, and everyone returned to their respective rooms.
Lin Xuan's room was the first one on the right side of the stairwell. Just as he arrived at the door and was about to enter, he suddenly caught sight of two people walking up the stairs from the corner of his eye.
A total of two academy representative teams were staying on the top floor of the Star Emperor Hotel, namely the champion and runner-up of the previous Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition.
Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.
But Lin Xuan was certain that these two were definitely not from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.
The reason was simple: he knew both of them.
They were a man and a woman. The woman had long golden hair draped over her shoulders, exquisite features, skin as white as snow, and an elegant, noble temperament.
The man was an elderly gentleman with white hair and beard, and a stooped figure.
They were precisely Princess Xu Jiujiu and the Soul Douluo Tai Long, whom he had once taught a lesson.
"Student, please wait a moment."
Seeing Lin Xuan standing at the door, Princess Xu Jiujiu's lips curled into a warm smile as she approached with light steps.
"And you are?" Lin Xuan turned slightly, feigning confusion.
"I am the Princess of the Star Luo Empire, Xu Jiujiu."
Her attitude was extremely peaceful, without the slightest air of royalty. Tai Long stood silently behind her like a shadow, his head bowed.
"So it is Her Highness the Princess."
Lin Xuan's expression returned to calm, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.
"Is Your Highness looking for our lead teacher?"
Seeing Lin Xuan's reaction to her identity was so flat, a flicker of surprise flashed in Princess Xu Jiujiu's eyes, and she couldn't help but take a second look at him.
This appearance... this poise...
Could he be a descendant of one of Shrek's Sea God Pavilion Elders?
Princess Xu Jiujiu quickly retracted those thoughts and smiled, saying,
"Precisely. Could you lead us to him?"
"No."
"Then please trouble you... eh?"
Princess Xu Jiujiu was stunned, blinking blankly. "No? Why not?"
"No means no."
Lin Xuan spread his hands, his tone frank. "The leader said that before the competition starts, he declines to see any visitors."
Regardless of whether Wang Yan had actually said it, given Shrek's current situation, no one was allowed in.
"This..."
Princess Xu Jiujiu hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. However, she didn't turn to leave but changed the subject instead.
"In that case, if it's inconvenient to disturb the lead teacher, would I have the honor of requesting an audience with the Titled Douluo who came with the team?"
Hearing this, a sharp light suddenly flashed in Lin Xuan's originally calm eyes. He had initially thought Princess Xu Jiujiu was here to scout out the current state of the Shrek team, but now it seemed it wasn't that simple.
Requesting to see a Titled Douluo? Xuan Zi? What was Princess Xu Jiujiu planning now?
Wait... could she be trying to...
A guess suddenly formed in Lin Xuan's mind, but he couldn't be sure, so he prepared to test Princess Xu Jiujiu further.
"Are you referring to Elder Xuan?"
Upon hearing those words, Princess Xu Jiujiu's eyes suddenly lit up for an instant. Although that light vanished extremely quickly, it was still accurately captured by Lin Xuan.
Heh, as I thought... Lin Xuan sneered inwardly.
"Precisely." Princess Xu Jiujiu suppressed her slightly racing heartbeat, doing her best to maintain her princessly demeanor.
"Could you pass on a message for me? Just say that the Star Luo Empire has an important matter to discuss with Elder Xuan in person."
Lin Xuan didn't answer immediately. He turned around, his hand resting on the cold brass handle, and then spoke without looking back.
"Your Highness, in my opinion, it seems you don't need to ask anymore."
Princess Xu Jiujiu was taken aback as Lin Xuan continued,
"After all, if Elder Xuan really wanted to see you, he would have appeared the moment you said those words."
With that, the door was gently closed.
Princess Xu Jiujiu stared blankly at the closed door. After a long while, she sighed softly and turned to walk toward the stairs.
"Your Highness, are we leaving just like this?" Tai Long asked in a low voice.
"Uncle Tai, what that student said makes a lot of sense. If Elder Xuan were willing to see us, he would have appeared by now. If we really want to see him now, there's only one way left."
Princess Xu Jiujiu said tonelessly, "But can we really talk about that matter here?"
Tai Long stopped speaking upon hearing this, merely looking down at his hands, which seemed to have aged ten years, and let out a silent sigh.
...
Twilight fell.
Star Luo City did not fall silent because of the night; on the contrary, it became even more clamorous. The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition, held every five years, rotates among the four great Empires.
For Star Luo, this was a national grand ceremony that occurred only once every twenty years.
Stalls lined both sides of the streets, and colorful soul-guided lamps illuminated the long thoroughfare as if it were day. The charred aroma of roasted chestnuts and the sizzling sound of meat skewers fat intertwined in the evening breeze.
The golden-haired girl walked through the crowd, yet she seemed out of place amidst the surrounding jubilation.
Princess Xu Jiujiu kept her eyes lowered, letting the crowd surge past her like flowing water, her mind in a mess.
"Your Highness." Tai Long's deep voice came from behind her.
She raised her head to respond, but her gaze suddenly froze.
In that instant, the surrounding noise receded like a tide. The vendors' cries, children's laughter, and the sizzling of roasting chestnuts all vanished, leaving only the sound of her heart violently thumping against her ribs.
Her pupils constricted sharply. Behind her, Tai Long's body suddenly stiffened, and his aged hands began to tremble uncontrollably.
Amidst the bustling crowd and shoulder-to-shoulder movement, a figure was currently walking slowly against the tide of people.
White hair, blue eyes, a handsome face, and that meaningful smile.
Princess Xu Jiujiu clearly heard the sound of her own heartbeat. She desperately wanted to turn and leave, but she was pinned to the spot by fear, unable to move.
Finally, Lin Xuan stopped in front of Princess Xu Jiujiu—or rather, it was the Fallen Heaven Douluo.
Looking at Princess Xu Jiujiu's gradually paling face, Lin Xuan reached out and gently smoothed a stray lock of hair at her temple, his smile becoming even warmer.
"Your Highness the Princess, we meet again."
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