The banquet inside the Star Luo Empire's royal palace had just began and people were happily eating and talking about . In addition to the diplomatic delegation of the Douluo Continent and the royals of the Star Luo Empire, there were also a number of n.o.bles and influential figures from the Star Luo Empire present .

Many of those used the chance to make a good impression on the diplomatic delegation by showing off their manners and fame, hoping to please the emperor by humbling the diplomatic delegation, though most of them failed as the hard boiled politicians of the Douluo Continent wouldn't really care about them and just keep their formal and friendly fronts up for the whole time .

A large number of those n.o.bles had brought their own children with them as well; A large number of young n.o.bles from all over the empire . Most of them tried to get on the good side of the princess and the fourth prince, who joined the emperor in the banquet, while maintaining a friendly disposition to the people of the Douluo Continent .

Sheng Feilong and the others mostly tried to keep out of the political talks and remained rather bunched up at one side of the banquet hall . Yue Zhengyu and Gu Yue seemed the most open minded to the talks with the n.o.bles youths of the Star Luo Continent and seemed rather experienced with these kinds of things .

After a while, the dance floor was opened and a lot of the people started their first dance . Sheng Feilong and the others kept out of it for now and just watched the people . Sheng Feilong silently heaved a sigh of relief; It was a good idea to stay out for the time being as the Star Luo Empire's n.o.bles had quite a different way to dance than the Douluo Continent's people .

The emperor stood up and walked up to one of the most prominent figures among the Douluo Continent's delegation . He bowed in a gentlemanly manner and asked the lady to dance with him . The lady promptly agreed with a amicable smile; This was just a formality for both of them, but the emperor still chose her over all the other woman of the delegation, inflating the lady's pride somewhat .

Tang Wulin walked off to the side, taking a time out from the talks with the many young n.o.bles around them, but Sheng Feilong saw the Star Luo Empire's princess approach him shortly after . Sheng Feilong frowned, but didn't do anything and just ignored the matter; He didn't like the princess and she had attacked Tang Wulin before, but if she doesn't do anything now, then it's not his place to interfere .

The two of them talked for a moment before the princess dragged Tang Wulin over to the dance floor . Gu Yue obviously didn't like that and frowned, but soon relaxed when she saw Tang Wulin repeatedly stepping on the princesses feet with an innocent expression .

Sheng Feilong was talking to one of the Star Luo Empire's youths while seeing Xie Xie and Yuanen Yehui in the corner of his eye . Xie Xie seemed to be asking Yuanen Yehui something, while the latter rolled her eyes at him . Sheng Feilong was interested and decided to listen in using his Spirit Power .

He missed quite a bit, but managed to hear Yuanen Yehui's displeased tone as she answered . "Where do you think this is; Have you taken a look around? Do you want to provoke the whole Star Luo Empire with this? We're at a national ceremony, not some random party . I won't dance with you here; Know some decency . " After saying that, Yuanen Yehui turned around and walked away from Xie Xie .

Sheng Feilong could barely contain his laughter . Yuanen Yehui was still in her male disguise and Xie Xie apparently did the same thing as Sheng Feilong did at the banquet on the s.h.i.+p two months ago; He asked her out to dance with him despite her disguise, but failed miserably!

Sheng Feilong's interlocutor noticed the sudden change in his mood and asked what was going on . Sheng Feilong profusely apologized, saying he was distracted for a moment before diving back into the dialogue . The two of them ended their talk a while later with smiles on their faces and the second dance coincidentally ended as well .

All eyes were once again on the emperor who brought his dance partner back to her prior place in a gentlemanly manner . He bowed again and also returned to his seat at the head of the hall . The festivities were about to continue, when a rather loud, sweet sounding voice echoed through the hall . "I've always admired Douluo Continent's culture and Shrek Academy . After witnessing it today, I find it truly extraordinary . Will you be my boyfriend?"

Everyone immediately turned around like hunters finding their prey and stared at the source of the voice; The Star Luo Empire's princess and her dance partner, Tang Wulin . Low gasps of surprise filled the hall before complete silence took over .

Tang Wulin was stunned for a moment and quickly tried to explain himself, but the princess was faster and spoke aloud again . "However, you'll need to possess strong powers in order to become my boyfriend . Only the strongest can catch my fancy . I promise that you can be my boyfriend as long as you're able to become the champion in the upcoming Continental Young High-Ranking Soul Masters Elite Compet.i.tion . Work hard!"

The princess smiled sweetly at Tang Wulin and quickly left the dance floor before Tang Wulin could say anything . She returned to her fathers side, who was staring at Tang Wulin with a solemn expression . He glanced at his daughter, who actually seemed serious about the issue and then back at Tang Wulin .

The latter had already returned to his friend's side where Gu Yue gave him a harsh comment about becoming the emperor's son-in-law, then left with a huff . Again, before Tang Wulin could explain himself, the young n.o.ble who cheerfully talked to Sheng Feilong blocked his way and pushed into Tang Wulin's chest with his arm . "So you wish to date our Princess Yun'er? Boy, are you trying to get beaten up?"

More and more of the young n.o.bles gathered around Tang Wulin . The latter didn't pay them much heed and tried to get through them, but they refused to get out of his way . Another of the n.o.bles pitched in with a low voice, trying to intimidate Tang Wulin with his words, before an awe inspiring voice echoed from behind them . "What are all of you doing?"

The young n.o.bles flinched and turned around, only to see the Star Luo Emperor, Dai Tianling, and the Star Luo Empress standing behind them . All of them quickly bowed and opened a way for them to pa.s.s through .

The emperor sized Tang Wulin up with an inquisitive gaze, while the empress stood at the side with an amused expression . Tang Wulin swallowed dry, but still stood at attention and the emperor finally spoke up after what felt like hours for him . "What is your name, young man?"

Tang Wulin took half a step back and gave the emperor a courteous bow while respectfully replying . "Good evening, Your Majesty . My name is Tang Wulin . " The emperor nodded lightly and smiled before turning around . "I'll be looking forward to your performance in the Continental Youth High-Ranking Soul Masters Elite Compet.i.tion . "

(A/N: That's the original name from DD3 . Seriously, who came up with that? It's just a tournament; Give it a normal name!)

Tang Wulin looked at the leaving emperor with a complicated and wronged expression as the crowd of young n.o.bles dispersed . Elder Cai put a hand of his shoulder, wis.h.i.+ng him good luck . Tang Wulin turned around with a pleading expression . "Elder Cai, can I not take part in the tournament?"

Elder Cai looked at him with the same indifferent expression as before . "You may, but I must remind you that our current trip isn't simply a diplomatic mission alone . It is also a trial for all of you . It's a trial from the academy for the new generation of Shrek Seven Monsters, a trial for the Inner Disciples . If you choose to run and not fight, then you'll lose the qualification to enter the inner court . "

Tang Wulin stood there, sh.e.l.l-shocked as Elder Cai just left without saying anything else . Sheng Feilong, Xie Xie and the others gathered around Tang Wulin and Xie Xie shot him a thumbs up . "Captain, you're awesome! You didn't even bat an eye and picked up a princess!"

Tang Wulin told him to get lost, as he was already depressed enough, when Yuanen Yehui pitched in with a serious tone . "What will you do about Gu Yue?" Yue Zhengyu followed up, also criticizing Tang Wulin for not being faithful to Gu Yue .

They bickered a bit more and Sheng Feilong just stared at Tang Wulin . After a while, he finally opened his mouth, gaining everyone attention . "You know that she's not trying to woo you, but is targetting you, right? I don't know what she has against you, but the mental attack during the ceremony should've been enough for you to understand that something's wrong with this . "