Douluo, my clone Groudon

Chapter 311 Invitation, Tang Soul-Guiding Train Assassin

Star Luo Continent, East Coast, Coastal City.

The massive Star Luo slowly docked at the bustling port. After experiencing a terrifying attack by sea spirit beasts, everyone on board felt as if they had stepped onto solid land, as if they had returned from another world. A grand honor guard was already waiting at the port.

Leading the welcoming party was a middle-aged man dressed in the traditional Chinese attire of the Star Luo Empire, with a refined appearance but shrewd and capable eyes. He was none other than Sima Lanxiao, the Foreign Minister of the Star Luo Empire.

"Welcome! Welcome, distinguished guests from the Douluo Continent Federation, and welcome, prodigies from Shrek Academy!"

Sima Lanxiao greeted them with a beaming smile and great enthusiasm, exchanging greetings with Secretary-General Pan Wen, Zhuo Shi, Cai Yue'er, and others in a very humble manner.

The Star Luo officials and Royal Academy representatives behind him also bowed, but in their eyes as they looked at the Shrek group, in addition to the respect they should have, there was also an undisguised curiosity and... fear.

Clearly, the Shrek Squad's achievements at Sun Moon Academy, as well as their rumored performance at sea, had already reached Xingluo.

"You must be tired from your journey. Please rest in Linhai City for a while. Tomorrow morning, we will take the Soul Guidance Train together to the capital, Xingluo City. His Majesty has prepared a grand welcoming ceremony for you."

Sima Lanxiao arranged everything in an orderly manner.

People readily accepted good advice.

That evening, in the most luxurious banquet hall of the Linhai City hotel, Sima Lanxiao once again warmly entertained the Federation delegation and Shrek Academy.

After a few rounds of drinks, as the atmosphere grew warmer, Sima Lanxiao, holding a wine glass, casually strolled over to Zhuoshi and Cai Yue'er.

“Senior Zhuoshi, Elder Cai,” Sima Lanxiao said with a smile, “Your academy is full of outstanding talents, which is a blessing for the continent. It just so happens that the Star Luo Empire’s triennial ‘Star Luo Youth Soul Master Elite Competition’ is about to open in Star Luo City.”

"This is the highest-level gathering of the younger generation in our Star Luo Empire, bringing together the nation's top young talents. I wonder... if Shrek Academy would be interested in sending a representative to participate? It would allow the children of Star Luo to witness the unparalleled brilliance of the continent's number one academy?"

His words were well-chosen; they were both a compliment and a test.

Zhuoshi and Cai Yue'er exchanged a glance. The goal was to exchange and learn from each other, and participating in the competition was part of that exchange.

Zhuoshi stroked his beard and asked in a gruff voice, "Oh? A competition? Sounds interesting. I wonder what the prizes are?"

Sima Lanxiao's eyes flashed, knowing that the other party was interested, and he immediately threw out the bait: "The prizes are naturally generous. The champions of the team competition, mecha competition, and sub-profession competition will receive top-level cultivation resources provided by the royal family. For example, the reward for the team competition is a piece of soul-forging metal for each person, and other champions will also receive mecha and rare and precious herbs as rewards."

"And the reward for the individual champion..." He paused deliberately, lowering his voice with a hint of temptation, "is a soul bone from the royal family's collection."

"Soul bone!"

Zhuo Shi and Cai Yue'er's eyes lit up instantly.

Soul bones are an irresistible temptation for any soul master. Even though soul bones can be passed down and their numbers can increase, they have long been hidden away by various soul master families.

Although the age and attributes of the soul bone as a reward are unknown, a single soul bone is worth fighting for by any soul master, and the same is true for the geniuses of Shrek Academy.

"Hahaha, okay."

Zhuo Shi laughed loudly, "Since the Star Luo Empire has extended such a warm invitation, then Shrek Academy will not refuse. It would be good for the little ones to see the strength of their peers from Star Luo."

Cai Yue'er nodded slightly, "Alright." Sima Lanxiao's smile widened, but she was secretly alarmed. Shrek Academy's quick agreement clearly showed they had absolute confidence in their students. It seemed this competition was going to be quite exciting.

However, he had more confidence in the eight Heavenly Kings of his own Monster Academy, especially since the age limit for the Youth Soul Master Competition was under twenty. He did not believe that Shrek Academy students, who were four or five years older, could surpass the geniuses of Monster Academy.

Sima Lanxiao did not deliberately hide anything and stated the age requirement. However, Zhuoshi and Cai Yue'er did not take it seriously. With Gula and Baiyuan around, they already considered the individual championship to be theirs for the taking.

The following morning, at the Linhai City Soul Guide Train Station.

The streamlined, metallic-sheen Star Luo Soul Guidance Train lay silently on the tracks like a long silver dragon. The Federation delegation, Star Luo officials, and members of Shrek Academy boarded the train one after another.

Gula stood on the platform, looking at the strangely familiar scene before him. He glanced at Tang Wulin, who was whispering something to Xu Lizhi beside him, and his expression was strange, with a playful smile on his lips.

"Wu Lin," Gula's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached Tang Wu Lin's ears, "You and the Soul Guidance Train appeared in the same frame... For some reason, it gives me a bad feeling. Do you think our journey is being a little too 'smooth'?"

Tang Wulin was taken aback, then looked at Gula speechlessly. What strange thing is this guy saying now?

Xu Lizhi looked bewildered, still looking forward to the unique delicacies of the Star Luo Empire.

Gula ignored them and boarded the train. However, his premonition grew stronger.

really!

As the soul-guided train departed Linhai City and entered a relatively desolate mountainous area, just as its speed began to pick up—

Several points of light against the sun appeared in the distance, getting closer and closer, their outlines gradually becoming clear, outlining a wild, black metallic shape.

Woo——! ! !
A piercing alarm suddenly blared, and the train conductor's panicked voice came over the loudspeaker: "Enemy attack! Unidentified high-energy reaction detected! All passengers, prepare for ramming immediately..."

The words have not yet been spoken!

boom! boom! boom!
Several massive, destructive beams of soul-guided rays, like swords of divine punishment, slashed down from the distant mountain peak, precisely striking the front, middle, and rear power carriages of the train.

The earth-shattering explosion occurred instantly, and the sturdy alloy carriage was torn, twisted, and melted like paper.

The terrifying shockwave and flames instantly engulfed those carriages. The entire train shuddered violently, like a long snake struck by a giant hammer. The rear half of the carriages derailed due to the immense inertia and tumbled as it crashed into the mountainside beside it.

Although the first half managed to maintain its connection, it was severely damaged, emitting a harsh metallic scraping sound, and its speed dropped sharply.

"Enemy attack!!"

"Protect the Secretary-General!"

"Rescue!"

Chaos erupted instantly. Federation guards and Star Luo Royal Academy experts immediately released their soul power to protect their vitals while rushing towards the carriage where the Federation delegation was located.

Zhuo Shi and Cai Yue'er reacted the fastest, their powerful soul force instantly creating a protective shield that enveloped Secretary-General Pan Wen and several important officials nearby. However, they did not immediately retaliate, but instead sharply scanned the chaotic battlefield, clearly wanting to see how the trainees could respond to a sudden crisis.

(End of this chapter)