After leaving the Great Star Dou Forest, Qin Mingxing traveled day and night and brought everyone back to Soto City overnight.
As for why he left the team without permission, Yu Xiaowei explained that he had a stomachache, so he went into the forest to relieve himself, but when he returned, he found that everyone was already gone.
Qin Ming was very dissatisfied with this flimsy explanation, but he didn't say much.
After arriving in Soto City, they rested for only one night before setting off again.
Three days later, the group finally arrived in Xingluo City, the capital of the Star Luo Empire.
"Horse-drawn carriages are not allowed to enter Star Luo City."
As soon as they arrived at the city gate, they were stopped by the soldiers guarding the city.
Everyone in the carriage looked at each other. Qin Ming got out, took out the college certificate issued by Meng Shenji, and spoke politely.
"We are students from Heaven Dou Royal Academy here to participate in the academy exchange at the invitation of Star Luo Royal Academy. We ask for your cooperation."
After reading the certificate, the soldier showed a look of disdain and spoke with a contemptuous tone.
"So what? This is Star Luo City. You must follow Star Luo City's rules, especially you guys from Heaven Dou. Horse-drawn carriages are not allowed in the city. Either leave your carriage at our stables or go back to Heaven Dou."
"You—"
Qin Ming was furious. This wasn't his first time in Star Luo City. When did this rule come into effect? How come he didn't know about it?
However, thinking that fewer problems are better than more, he left the carriage at the stables.
The group had no choice but to walk to the Star Luo Royal Academy.
As he saw horse-drawn carriages frequently passing through the streets of Star Luo City, Qin Ming bit his lip tightly, feeling extremely angry.
The other students' faces also turned red as they clenched their fists tightly.
People from Heaven Dou were often subjected to unequal treatment in the Star Luo Empire.
In terms of national strength or military power, the Star Luo Empire was far superior to the Heaven Dou Empire.
For example, the Heaven Dou Empire had four kingdoms and a grand duchy within it—five countries in one. Let alone dealing with the Star Luo Empire, it was a blessing if a civil war didn't break out.
The Star Luo Empire was different. Their competition for the throne was fierce. Although their methods were cruel, emperors raised in such circumstances were all outstanding.
Though the major kingdoms in the region were called kingdoms, they were barely different from provinces.
If the Spirit Hall hadn't stood between the two empires and restrained the tension, Star Luo might have launched an attack on Heaven Dou long ago.
Therefore, people from Xingluo looked down on those from Tiandou, believing them to be hunting dogs hiding behind the Spirit Hall. Otherwise, their country would have been destroyed long ago.
"If you fall behind, you will be defeated."
Yu Xiaowei understood this truth well. Though he was equally displeased, his reaction wasn't as strong as Qin Ming's and the others'.
Heaven Dou Empire had been in chaos in recent years.
Not only was the imperial power fragmented, but Qian Renxue had also thrown the royal family into turmoil.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy, which was supposed to train talents for the empire, had become a place where anyone could enroll with money. The quality of students was a mess, and they always suffered crushing defeats in every exchange.
No wonder they were looked down upon.
Yu Xiaowei clenched his fists and said, "If you want to save face, your fists must be strong."
As they walked the streets of Star Luo City, they could clearly feel the high proportion of soul masters here.
Unlike Heaven Dou City, which was full of lights and wine, the atmosphere in Star Luo City was much quieter. There were few entertainment shops—most served soul masters.
The atmosphere within the team turned dull. Those who used to laugh and chat before now walked silently toward Star Luo Royal Academy.
Unlike Heaven Dou Royal Academy, which was built outside the city, Star Luo Royal Academy was located in the center of Star Luo City.
A lazy blond youth was waiting for them at the gate. Behind him stood a tall girl with a smile on her face, holding the young man's arm tightly.
Seeing the iconic uniforms on Qin Ming and the others, the youth smiled and said,
"Welcome to Star Luo Royal Academy, everyone. Please follow me."
"Okay."
Qin Ming replied indifferently and led the group into the academy with the youth.
Once inside, the difference became even more apparent.
In Heaven Dou Royal Academy, people were always seen chatting with friends, and very few trained seriously.
But here, people rushed to enter or return from the mimicry area, fatigue evident on their faces.
Yu Tianheng and the others grew more silent. Comparisons crushed their remaining pride.
"Please wait here. Chairman Zhu will be here to receive you shortly."
The blond youth brought them to the reception room and gestured politely before leaving.
Once he left, Qin Ming suddenly spoke.
"That was Davis, the eldest prince of the Star Luo Empire. Behind him was Crown Princess-to-be Zhu Zhuyun."
"They are two Soul Masters from Star Luo Royal Academy—and your main opponents in this academy exchange."
Gasps came from Yu Tianheng and the others. They didn't expect the crown prince himself to welcome them.
Even more unexpected, both were Soul Masters.
In their Royal Battle Team, Yu Tianheng had the highest soul power—level 38, just recently achieved.
A feeling of helplessness rose instinctively.
Seeing everyone's despair, Qin Ming shouted in a low voice,
"Pull yourselves together! Even if we lose, we must not disgrace Heaven Dou Royal Academy—or the Heaven Dou Empire."
Just then, footsteps were heard outside the door.
A tall, stern-faced middle-aged man entered and introduced himself upon arrival.
"I'm Zhu Haoran, head of Star Luo Royal Academy."
Qin Ming smiled politely and extended his hand.
"Hello, Chairman Zhu, I'm Qin Ming. I'd like to know how your school will arrange tomorrow's student exchange."
However, Zhu Haoran had no intention of shaking hands. Instead, he stared coldly at Qin Ming and said,
"Tomorrow at 8 AM, there will be an individual elimination round at the Star Luo Fighting Spirit Arena. Each side will send seven contestants to battle in rotation."
"Losers are eliminated, winners move on until everyone on one side is out."
"The morning after, also at 8 AM, there will be a team competition at the same arena. One match decides the winner."
"Everything else follows the same rules as previous years."
After saying this, he turned and left—as if he'd come solely to relay the time and place of the competition.
"This is too much."
Qin Ming, his face red, muttered through gritted teeth.
At 8 the next morning—
High-ranking officials of Star Luo Royal Academy and some members of the royal family in luxurious golden robes sat in the VIP section, awaiting the match.
Among the audience—
The Royal Battle Team entered the arena first, heavy-hearted, anxiously awaiting the upcoming battle.
As Star Luo Royal Academy entered, Zhu Haoran approached to inform them:
"Five minutes left. Finalize your lineup."
Qin Ming took a deep breath and said gently,
"Let's go with the plan from yesterday. Tianheng goes first, and Xiaowei goes last."
"No, I want to go up first."
Yu Xiaowei said in a deep voice while warming up.
Qin Ming was stunned. Just as he was about to object, Yu Xiaowei smiled.
"The Star Luo team will definitely send their two Soul Masters up first. I'll defeat them, then my cousins and the rest can go. Doesn't that increase our chances of winning?"
"But—"
"Relax, there's no extra charge for this."
Qin Ming's mouth twitched. Did Yu Xiaowei not realize how much stamina and spirit power prolonged combat consumed?
But seeing his determination—and some logic in his argument—Qin Ming gritted his teeth and agreed.
As Zhu Haoran announced the matchups, Yu Xiaowei slowly walked to the center of the arena.
Seeing Davis, he smiled strangely and shouted.
"Hey, Zhu Haoran, I'm calling you!!!"
Zhu Haoran frowned and replied unhappily,
"If you have something to say, say it quickly. Don't delay the match."
"Let me ask—if I beat all eight of them in the individual competition, do I win?"
"Yes."
"Then in the team match, if I defeat the entire team by myself, does that count as a win?"
"It counts. What's your point? If you don't start, I'll disqualify you for stalling."
Zhu Haoran glared at Yu Xiaowei, ready to kick him out if he said one more word.
"I'm saying—those eight ugly guys aren't enough. Find two more. I want to defeat ten of them."
Yu Xiaowei said this.
Not only was Zhu Haoran stunned, but Qin Ming in the audience panicked and shouted,
"Xiaowei, stop fooling around! If you won't fight, get off now!"
Ignoring Qin Ming, Yu Xiaowei stared at Zhu Haoran and said firmly, word by word:
"Are you deaf?"
"I said, I! Want! To defeat! Ten! People!"