In the Tianyuan Pavilion's grand hall, after He Caitou left, only Zhu Ziyang and the Elders remained.
"Ziyang," Xuanzi began, "for this year's Soul Master Tournament, Beibei and Tang Ya will be representing the Tang Sect, and most likely Huo Yuhao will join them. That means the Academy's team will need you to select new members. Although we have Nannan, Qian Lingyi, and Diwu Huan'er, we should still pick a few more disciples from the inner courtyard to guard against surprises."
"Alright," Zhu Ziyang nodded. "Let's set the selection for the day after tomorrow. It just so happens that everyone will be present for tomorrow's event."
"Understood. I'll notify Ruoruo later and have her compile a list of suitable candidates," Yan Shaozhe said.
"Speaking of tomorrow's event, Ziyang, you're not planning to skip it, are you?" Xian Lin'er asked with a teasing smile.
"I…" Zhu Ziyang was momentarily stunned, but before he could speak, Lin Laotou chimed in.
"You should participate," Elder Lin said kindly. "You're still young. It's good to engage in more social activities, unlike us old fogeys."
"Exactly. It's a rare chance to relax," Elder Zhuang Qingzhai agreed. "All of you young people should interact more, deepen your relationships."
"No need to worry about the day-to-day—we old folks will cover for you," Xuanzi added with a wide smile.
"Alright, alright, you've all gone this far—how can I refuse?" Zhu Ziyang sighed helplessly. Deep down, though, he knew these elders just wanted to watch a good show. They were well aware that Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan were still at the Academy, yet they were nudging him into this matchmaking event. How ridiculous.
Still, did he truly not want to participate? Probably not. If he truly didn't want to, no one could force him. In the end, he was interested.
For one, the list of female participants that Cai Meier drafted included both Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan. That alone made it impossible for him to stay out of it. And second, he wanted to use this opportunity to sort things out once and for all between him, Jiang Nannan, and Ma Xiaotao. As for how? He hadn't figured that out yet—he'd go with the flow.
The Sea God Fate Matchmaking Event—this was one of only two things in the Academy still bearing the name "Sea God," held on the Sea God Lake itself. The name didn't really need changing. But if it did need a change, Zhu Ziyang figured "Love Triangle Arena" would be a much more fitting title.
After the meeting ended, Zhu Ziyang returned to his quarters, only to find Jiang Nannan waiting for him.
"Nannan?" Zhu Ziyang was surprised. "Coming to find me at this hour—what's the matter?"
"Of course!" The girl beamed and walked up to him. "Brother, you're participating in the Sea God Fate tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah…" Facing her expectant eyes, Zhu Ziyang nodded and rubbed her head. "But… do we really need something like this between us?"
"Oh come on!" Jiang Nannan hugged his arm and said playfully, "I just want to experience it. Isn't it a fun activity?"
"Alright, alright, let's join in then," Zhu Ziyang smiled. "But… don't tell me this is the only reason you came?"
"Of course not." Jiang Nannan shook her head. "Actually, Wang Dong asked me to come—she wanted you to keep it secret from Yuhao for now!"
"That's it? Alright, I'll keep quiet." Zhu Ziyang chuckled. "But still, Wang Dong's being way too careful. I doubt she can keep it from Yuhao. That kid's no fool."
"You mean… Yuhao already knows Wang Dong is a girl?" Jiang Nannan's eyes lit up.
"It's hard to say before, but now… maybe," Zhu Ziyang said with a mysterious smile. He recalled the book he left Yuhao—if the kid had read it, he should have figured it out by now.
"Oh!" Jiang Nannan nodded, then suddenly thought of something. Her eyes gleamed mischievously. "Right! Brother, did you know? Xiao Xiao also likes Yuhao. She was planning to confess to him at the Sea God Fate."
Zhu Ziyang blinked. "Xiao Xiao? I thought she had a thing for male 'Wang Dong' at first? How'd she suddenly fall for Yuhao?"
"A girl's heart—you wouldn't understand," Jiang Nannan giggled, but still explained. "Xiao Xiao was initially drawn to Wang Dong's looks. I mean, who doesn't like pretty boys? But as they spent more time together, she found Wang Dong arrogant and flighty—too girlish. Pretty accurate in hindsight, huh? But Yuhao is calm and composed. In comparison, he just kept looking better in her eyes."
"Wow, so we've got a love triangle on our hands, huh?" Zhu Ziyang exclaimed. "What's she planning to do now?"
"Fight for it, of course!" Jiang Nannan said without hesitation. "Why not? Wang Dong's beautiful, sure, but Xiao Xiao isn't lacking either. Why give up on her own happiness?"
Zhu Ziyang couldn't shake the feeling that Jiang Nannan was implying something else, but he could only give a dry smile. "Alright, alright."
"That's it for now, Brother—I'll see you tomorrow night." With a mischievous smirk and a trace of pride, Jiang Nannan turned and skipped out of his room, leaving a sweet fragrance behind.
"Lord Ziyang, I think Nannan's words held a deeper meaning," Xingcai leaned in beside him, whispering her thoughts.
"No need to tell me—I caught that too," Zhu Ziyang said, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.
"Bleh~" Xingcai stuck out her tongue playfully, then slipped out the door.
"Sigh… headache," Zhu Ziyang groaned.
That evening, Zhu Ziyang went to the dining hall, where he happened to run into Huo Yuhao, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and He Caitou. He sat down with them.
"Senior Brother, I… I want to represent Tang Sect in the Soul Master Tournament," Huo Yuhao said hesitantly.
After learning from Tang Ya and Beibei that the tournament now allowed sect participation, he had been thrilled. When Tang Ya asked if he'd fight for the Tang Sect, he agreed without hesitation. But saying it directly to Zhu Ziyang brought a wave of guilt.
"Sure, I approve," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile. He'd already expected this choice from Yuhao.
"Ziyang, thank you!" Beibei was excited. With Yuhao on their side and the reinforcements he brought, the Tang Sect team was basically complete. With backups to spare, they might not win first place, but making it to the top four? Almost guaranteed. And that would be enough to make Tang Sect famous again.
"Ziyang, you're really joining the event tomorrow?" Xu Sanshi grinned mischievously. "Aren't you already surrounded by Nannan, Sister Xiaotao, and that Qian Lingyi? Still want to compete with us for the girls?"
"Bull! Don't you already have Xue Weiwei? Aren't you participating too?" Zhu Ziyang laughed and threw a jab back. "Don't think I don't know—you're already engaged!"
"Cough, well… just doing it for the vibes, you know?" Xu Sanshi rubbed his head sheepishly.
"Yuhao, do you have someone you like?" Beibei asked seriously. He had a mission to fulfill—Tang Ya needed to know!
"I… maybe?" Huo Yuhao looked uncertain, his voice hesitant, like he was remembering something.
"What do you mean 'maybe'? Either you do, or you don't!" Zhu Ziyang saw through him instantly. Clearly, Yuhao hadn't read the book he left behind. Still, that might actually be for the best. He smiled and said, "If you don't, I know someone who's got feelings for you."
"Oh? Who?" Xu Sanshi leaned in with curiosity. Beibei, on the other hand, looked nervous—was Zhu Ziyang about to say 'Wang Dong'er'?
"Who is it, Senior Brother?" Huo Yuhao looked confused. Of all the girls he knew… who could it be?
"Dummy! It's Xiao Xiao!" Zhu Ziyang grinned.
"Xiao Xiao?!" Huo Yuhao froze, stunned. Even He Caitou's expression changed slightly.
Zhu Ziyang was very satisfied with Huo Yuhao's reaction. That afternoon, after carefully reviewing everything, he realized something important: Wang Dong'er was most likely the Sea God's chosen lock to tie Yuhao's fate down. In that case, how could he let Sea God Tang San have his way? At the very least, he wouldn't let Yuhao give his whole heart to her.
He wanted to send the Sea God a message:
"Sea God, your brilliant schemes might unify the world… but you lost the Tang Sect and gave away your daughter!"
(End of Chapter)
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