The ship arrived at the port, and the delegation from the Star Luo Federation disembarked.
A team of delegation members in dark blue uniforms stepped ashore in a steady manner. The envoy at the front held a diplomat document with gold embossed insignia, and the silver buttons sparkled in the morning sun.
The reception officials from the Douluo Federation had already lined up at the port, waiting. At the forefront was a man dressed in a white formal suit.
He stepped forward, placed his right hand on his chest in a salute, and smiled, "Welcome, esteemed envoys from the Star Luo Federation, for coming from afar."
The leader of the delegation returned the standard courtesy, handing over the gold-embossed document with both hands, "By the order of the Star Luo Speaker, we are here to deliver this document."
The Federation official took the document and smiled, "You must be tired from the journey. Please follow us to the guesthouse for a rest. The Governor of Skysea has prepared a luncheon and is looking forward to meeting you all."
Then, naturally, the Federation officials led them to the Skysea Governor's Center, ready to host them properly.
"There are nobles among them," someone noticed that a few members of the delegation behaved differently, secretly speculating.
While the Skysea officials were observing these guests from Star Luo, they were also observing the Federation along the way.
The eyes of the Star Luo delegation slowly swept over the streets, and the prosperity of Skysea City left them in silent awe. The towering soul tool buildings shone brightly in the sunlight, and the wide streets were bustling with soul tool vehicles. The pedestrians were well-dressed and carried themselves with ease.
Such a scene was not absent in their Star Luo Federation, but that was in the capital, while Skysea City was merely a coastal city in the Federation.
However, some were unimpressed.
Among the delegation were several young men and women, one of whom was a young girl, seemingly no more than fifteen or sixteen years old, but exceptionally beautiful, standing gracefully. What was particularly striking were her hands, as white as jade, with long and slender fingers.
But compared to her appearance, her gaze was unusually sharp.
She whispered to her companions in a voice only they could hear, "Is this the Federation? It doesn't seem like much. Although the technology is advanced, the soul masters don't feel very strong."
In response to Lin Yuhan's comment, one of her companions expressed agreement.
"Indeed, the strongest person who came to receive us is only a Soul Emperor. It seems they have been focusing on the development of soul tool technology over the years, and the soul master aspect might still be the same as ten thousand years ago, not as valued as soul tool technology."
Valuing soul tool technology is a tradition of the Sun Moon Empire, and the Douluo Federation has clearly inherited this.
Another person held a different opinion, "You can't say that. At least with Shrek Academy here, the Federation's strong soul masters are definitely not to be underestimated. I've heard there are four major powers here, with many strong individuals."
"Exactly, Yuhan, don't underestimate them. This isn't the center of the Federation, just a first-tier city."
Many of the younger generation from the Star Luo Federation shared some information they knew, chatting, but there was still an air of arrogance in their words.
Following the arrangements of the Skysea officials, they walked along, only seeing the prosperity, not the strength of the Federation.
But such a prosperous city, still a first-tier city in the Federation, couldn't possibly be unimportant, right?
If there are no decent strong individuals or geniuses here... perhaps the Federation isn't as strong as the elders thought?
"Wait, is that a thousand-year soul spirit? The backbone of those big families?"
A young man suddenly saw a group of soul masters playing with their soul spirits on the street. His expression first turned serious, then relaxed, and he smiled, "They must be the soul master geniuses of Skysea City, right? Their cultivation is a bit lacking, but to have a thousand-year soul spirit... not bad."
These young men thought no one heard their conversation, but due to the difference in strength, the Federation officials in charge of reception naturally heard everything.
Purple souls are spirits also precious, but they can't be considered the backbone of big families, right?
Only those with hundred-thousand-year soul spirits are true big families, and ten-thousand-year soul spirits are the backbone of big families!
Can soul master families without hundred-thousand-year soul spirits and ten-thousand-year soul spirits still be called big families?
What does the Star Luo Federation think... oh, right, they don't have the Spirit Pagoda there. Having soul spirits itself is strange, and if they have more soul spirits than our Douluo Federation, it can only be said that the gods are blessing them.
Chuckling softly, the official who had long been displeased with these foreign guests' comments coughed slightly and said,
"Looking at their school uniforms, they are just ordinary students from the Skysea Soul Master Academy, not geniuses in the entire Federation. And because of the existence of the Spirit Pagoda, thousand-year soul spirits are truly precious here, but they can't be called the backbone of big families. Only ten-thousand-year soul spirits deserve such an honor."
"And hundred-thousand-year soul spirits are a symbol of those top big families."
The young man who wanted to say these geniuses weren't much immediately shut his mouth.
In their Star Luo Federation, soul spirits are very precious. Those soul masters from small families can at most obtain ten-year or hundred-year soul spirits. The number of thousand-year soul spirits is very limited, and only geniuses like them who can join the Monster Academy can get them.
Ten-thousand-year soul spirits are a symbol of the seeds of strong individuals.
As for hundred-thousand-year soul spirits? Has there ever been a family in their Star Luo Federation with one?
He had never heard of any family possessing one!
But what is this Federation official saying? The big families in the Douluo Federation have hundred-thousand-year soul spirits?
Are you sure you're not boasting?!
The young man wanted to question, but an elder leading the team sent a message to these juniors, "Don't forget, this is the birthplace of soul spirits, the Spirit Pagoda. In terms of soul spirits, we can't possibly be a match for the Douluo Federation. Don't bring shame upon themselves."
Comparing soul spirits with the Douluo Federation? Isn't that a joke?
Most of their soul spirits come from the Douluo Federation. How could they surpass them in this aspect!
Upon hearing this, the young man couldn't help but mutter, "Why hasn't the Spirit Pagoda established a branch in our territory?"
If the Spirit Pagoda could help, he felt the Star Luo Federation wouldn't fall too far behind the Douluo Federation.
No one answered, and the Federation official secretly rolled his eyes.
Establishing a branch in another country? And providing soul spirits for them? Isn't that treasonous?
The Spirit Pagoda is doing just fine in the Federation. Why would they do such thankless work?
However, compared to the Federation officials' indifference, the guests from the Star Luo Federation were understood by the young man's words.
This time, their main purpose in coming to the Douluo Federation was to observe, to understand the strength of the Douluo Federation from various aspects such as economy, soul masters, and technology.
But besides that, they might be able to strive for more... for example, having the Spirit Pagoda establish a branch in the Star Luo Empire?
This thought flashed through the minds of several high-ranking members of the delegation.
The leading envoy remained composed, only slightly turning his head and whispering to his Deputy, "Make a note of it. The matter of the Spirit Pagoda can be tested for their attitude later."
The deputy nodded slightly, his gaze thoughtfully sweeping over the soul master students on the street.
The opposition between the Star Luo Continent and the Douluo Continent is well-known. If it wasn't for the vast ocean separating them, the conflict between them would likely be even more intense.
But that doesn't mean they can't win over the forces here.
The ancestors of the Star Luo Federation also came from the Douluo Continent. They were forced to the brink by the Sun Moon Empire and had no choice but to migrate to the Star Luo Continent.
In the eyes of some residents of the Douluo Federation, they were once one family after all, and perhaps a consensus can be reached peacefully, without the need for a life-and-death struggle. Some forces within the Douluo Federation even worry that Douluo might take action against their Star Luo and have given them some support.
This also shows that some forces within the Douluo Federation can be won over.
If the Spirit Pagoda is willing to establish a branch on the Star Luo Continent, the Speaker of the Star Luo Federation will surely show sincerity!
...
With the shock of the soul spirits, the younger generation of the Star Luo Continent temporarily quieted down, no longer making various comparisons.
Later, the group met the Federation Governor, received some hospitality, and stayed in Skysea City for a few days.
During these days, they witnessed the prosperity of the Douluo Federation firsthand.
Thousand-year soul spirits, which could fetch sky-high prices in Star Luo, were not uncommon here, and soul master families with decent financial conditions could afford them.
But the most incredible thing for Lin Yuhan and the others was, soul masters from civilian backgrounds could also obtain soul spirits!
Even if they didn't have the money to buy a soul spirit, they could "buy on credit," signing a contract with the Spirit Pagoda to repay the debt through future actions.
This was simply unbelievable in the eyes of the Star Luo people.
Soul masters from civilian backgrounds... in their Star Luo, were at the bottom of the soul master hierarchy. Since the soul beasts and soul spirit resources on the continent were controlled by powerful soul master families, and awakening a martial soul also required the help of soul masters, they had to follow their arrangements to advance.
As for hunting soul beasts alone in the ocean? Without the guidance of powerful soul masters, would you dare?
The probability of surviving a solo hunt in the Star Dou Forest was already very low, let alone the ocean.
Yet, such civilian soul masters in the Douluo Federation had a completely opposite treatment... if the civilian soul masters in their country saw this, they would surely be envious.
In the Skysea branch of the Spirit Pagoda, Lin Yuhan and the others watched the bustling contract room, couldn't help but take a deep breath, and asked the Federation soul master serving as their "guide", Gu Qinghan, "Can we obtain soul spirits here?"
"If you reach a bottleneck and gain the recognition of a soul spirit, naturally you can."
Gu Qinghan replied, "Of course, if you haven't reached a bottleneck, it's better not to disturb the work of the Spirit Masters. The Spirit Pagoda is one of the four major powers in our Federation, with many strong individuals, including seven Limit Douluo. The branch tower masters are all at least Titled Douluo. Here, it's best to follow the rules of the Spirit Pagoda."
"Seven Limit Douluo? The branch tower masters are all Titled Douluo?"
Lin Yuhan and the others swallowed hard.
In their Star Luo Federation... There is only one Limit Douluo.
And such a powerful Spirit Pagoda is only one of the four major powers... the number of top-tier strong individuals in the Federation is actually so terrifying?
Gu Qinghan glanced at the incredible expressions of these young men and women, a smile involuntarily tugging at her lips.
These days, serving as a guide for the Star Luo people, she had long felt displeased.
Where did these Star Luo people get their confidence? As the defeated party from ten thousand years ago, they were still very proud, believing they were not inferior to the Federation.
Did they think that after ten thousand years of development, they could surpass the Federation?
Wishful thinking!
"..."
A young man from Star Luo remained silent for a moment, watching the passing soul masters, and noticed that one of them was wearing the same uniform as the students from the Skysea Soul Master Academy he had seen a few days ago, changing the subject.
"These past few days, I've heard that the Skysea Soul Master Academy is the strongest academy in the Skysea Alliance. Could we have the opportunity to exchange and spar with its students?"
The observations of the past few days had left him somewhat frustrated. Whether it was soul tool technology, soul spirits, or the number of strong individuals, their country seemed to have no advantage.
In that case, let's compare the talents of the next generation. He didn't believe the Douluo Federation was superior to their Star Luo in every aspect.
If they were superior in every way, shouldn't their Star Luo have long since ceased to exist?
"The strongest?" Gu Qinghan thought for a moment, then declined, "In the Skysea Alliance, the Skysea Soul Master Academy is indeed one of the top, but in the entire Federation, it can only be considered mid-tier. Since you are all geniuses from Star Luo, if you really want to exchange and spare, it would be better to go to those top-tier academies."
The young man scratched his head in disappointment, saying helplessly, "Then I would like to ask, what are the top-tier academies in the Federation?"
Lin Yuhan: "Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy."
Several Star Luo people frowned upon hearing these two names.
Shrek Academy? Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy?
They were familiar with those.
The former was highly regarded in the Star Luo Federation, with a deep foundation and long history. The Star Luo Federation had a Monster Academy, which borrowed some theories from Shrek Academy.
And an elder accompanying these juniors, Lin Yuhan's forging teacher, Chang Gongyan, also knew.
In a corner of their Star Luo Continent, there was a branch of Shrek Academy, although that branch was called the Tang Sect, but those who knew the inside story understood that it belonged to Shrek Academy and was also a channel for communication between Star Luo and Shrek Academy.
As for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy... The Star Luo people were also very familiar with it, but unlike Shrek Academy, they only had disdain for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
After all, that was the place that trained talents for the Sun Moon Empire, one of the culprits that forced their ancestors to leave their homes!
"However, some geniuses do not join the two major academies."
As Lin Yuhan and the others frowned in thought, Gu Qinghan added, "For example, the strongest genius in our Douluo Federation right now, Huo Yuhao!"
The Star Luo young man raised an eyebrow, "Is he very strong? My companion Lin Yuhan is a once-in-a-century forging genius in Star Luo, and her strength as a soul master is also quite good. I wonder how much stronger this so-called Huo Yuhao is compared to her?"
"There's simply no comparison!"
Gu Qinghan glanced at Lin Yuhan, her voice suddenly becoming impassioned, startingling the group.
"Huo Yuhao is now fourteen years old, already a Soul Emperor, a Two-Word Battle Armor Master, a Level 7 Mecha Maker, a Level 7 Mecha Designer, the owner of a Black Mecha, the recognized next-generation Spirit Douluo by the Spirit Pagoda, and a future Limit Douluo and Four-Word Battle Armor Master."
Her face was filled with admiration and pride, "Moreover, he is a soul master who rose from our Skysea Alliance!"
Lin Yuhan and the others stared at her in stunned silence, and after a long while, the young man finally shouted:
"That's impossible!!!"
There can't be such a monster in the world!