"Xiao Xiao?!" Huo Yuhao was stunned, caught completely off guard.
Beibei and Xu Sanshi exchanged strange looks, clearly just as surprised by the news Zhu Ziyang had casually dropped. Though neither had known about it beforehand, that didn't stop them from leaning in with interest, full of gossip-fueled curiosity as they watched Huo Yuhao's reaction.
As for He Caitou, he could only suppress the trace of infatuation he still harbored deep within — a one-sided love that was destined to go nowhere.
"This… I mean…" Huo Yuhao was in total disarray, feeling as if he'd just been hit by one of his own soul skills. His mind was blank, and he had no idea what to say. In the end, he could only stammer out, "Didn't Xiao Xiao like Wang Dong?"
At this moment, Xiao Huo felt like a childhood friend had suddenly confessed they liked him instead of someone else they'd both grown up with — his mind was spinning, and even his formidable spiritual power couldn't help him.
Beibei and Xu Sanshi didn't know whether they should laugh or not as they watched Huo Yuhao's dazed expression. Both were trying very hard to hold it in.
"That was when she was younger," Zhu Ziyang said, patting Huo Yuhao on the shoulder. "Xiao Xiao told Nannan herself — it's not fake. So you'd better be prepared. Step up your game and don't make us look down on you."
As he spoke, Zhu Ziyang chuckled. Beibei and Xu Sanshi also grinned. To be honest, this made them look forward to tomorrow's Sea God Fate matchmaking event even more — not for romance, but to enjoy the drama from the front lines.
"Mm…" Huo Yuhao nodded absentmindedly. He really wanted to talk to Wang Dong now. But in the two days since he'd returned, he hadn't seen any sign of him. That annoyed him. "Senior brother, will Wang Dong be participating?"
"He will!" Zhu Ziyang replied immediately, a bit exasperated. Just hearing Huo Yuhao ask about Wang Dong again made him feel like Wang Dong didn't even need to reveal he was a girl — he already had Xiao Huo wrapped around his finger. "All inner court disciples will participate. So stop fixating on Wang Dong already!"
"Got it." Huo Yuhao scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
"Yuhao, you're not… you know… bent, are you?" Xu Sanshi gave him a sly grin.
"Bent? What do you mean?" Huo Yuhao looked utterly confused.
"Uhh… n-nothing!" Xu Sanshi felt like he was teasing a brick wall and quickly changed the topic. He raised his wine glass. "Come on, let's drink. Who knows if we'll get to drink freely like this after tomorrow?"
Zhu Ziyang and Beibei chuckled and also picked up their glasses of red wine.
—
The long-awaited Sea God Fate Matchmaking Event finally arrived.
Though it was primarily a celebration for the inner court disciples, the festive atmosphere of the Sea God Fate still drew many outer court students to gather around the Sea God Lake, even if they couldn't get a good look. Just soaking up the energy and excitement was enough to motivate them.
Both Sea God Lake and Tianyuan Square had been decorated joyfully. A large wooden ferry boat sailed slowly across the lake — the biggest one on the Sea God Lake — now lit brightly with lanterns. Zhu Ziyang and the elders of the Sea God Pavilion stood at its bow.
"Ziyang, go ahead. Leave the boat to us old fogeys," Xuanzi said with a big grin, giving him a gentle push.
"Fine, fine, I'm going," Zhu Ziyang responded helplessly. His figure flashed, disappearing from the boat amid a chorus of elder laughter. When he reappeared, he was already on the lakeshore where the male disciples were gathered.
This year's Sea God Fate had 63 participants from the inner court — all either single in fact or at least in name. Among them were 42 male disciples and 21 females. With so many men competing for so few women, it was no wonder the guys were so fired up. They looked like a pack of starving wolves who hadn't eaten in months.
But the real challenge wasn't just numbers. This wasn't some ordinary matchmaking event — this was the Sea God Fate of Shrek Academy's inner court. Every participant was a proud genius, so there was no room for boring traditions.
To showcase their strength and make the event more exciting, the Sea God Fate was divided into five stages — each with different rules.
But first, everyone had to get into position.
Since the event was held on the lake, all participants — male and female — had to stand atop lotus leaves floating on the water. However, while each female disciple was gifted a lotus leaf by default, the male disciples had to grab one for themselves. Though there were enough leaves for all, the closer to the female side, the greater the advantage.
One important rule: once a male disciple stepped onto a lotus leaf, falling into the lake — even by accident — meant immediate disqualification.
Besides the ferry carrying the elders, only a large array of lotus leaves remained on the tranquil lake. The male disciples were ready to charge. As for the girls — they were nowhere in sight yet.
"Senior brother, where are the girls?" Huo Yuhao asked curiously, scanning the area but seeing no trace of Wang Dong. Though disappointed, he was growing more interested in the event itself.
Just as he finished asking, twenty-one golden light pillars rose from the lake, drawing everyone's attention. Within the shimmering light, graceful figures emerged one after another. Each girl wore the same outfit: a flowing white dress and a bamboo hat with a sheer veil hanging down, completely concealing their faces.
These were the twenty-one female disciples participating in this year's Sea God Fate.
Their appearance sent the male disciples into a frenzy. Even someone as composed as Beibei started to fidget. As for Xu Sanshi — he looked so excited he was about to start howling.
Watching him, Zhu Ziyang almost believed the guy was actually single.
Just then, two even brighter light beams appeared. A man and a woman stepped forward. When Zhu Ziyang saw who it was, his expression froze — Dai Yueheng and Zhang Weiwei?
When did they get together?
The Sea God Fate always had a male and female host — and the unspoken rule was that they had to be a couple. That was why Zhu Ziyang was so shocked. A proud prince and an icy queen? How did that happen?
Still, maybe they both had hidden sides. Was Dai Yueheng a domineering CEO type who turned into a puppy in private? Was Zhang Weiwei a soft-hearted girl under all that coldness?
Zhu Ziyang gave himself a mental shake to stop imagining strange things.
On the other side, Dai Yueheng and Zhang Weiwei began to speak.
Dai Yueheng smiled and said, "The Sea God Fate over Sea God Lake — ten thousand years of Shrek, one night to find your destined one. Welcome, everyone, to this wonderful evening beside the Sea God Lake."
"As hosts of this year's Sea God Fate Matchmaking Event, my partner and I wish all our fellow disciples the best of luck. May you all find the one you love."
Zhang Weiwei picked up smoothly, "We also welcome all the elders of the Tianyuan Pavilion and our honored teachers here tonight."
"On behalf of all students, we offer our heartfelt thanks. Without your patient guidance, none of us would be where we are today."
With the opening complete, the main event began.
"Now then, senior and junior brothers, get ready."
"In a moment, forty-two beams of light will appear on the lake. Those who reach the lotus leaves nearest the Sea God Fairies will have priority in the first stage. The farther back you are, the less chance you'll have of scoring high."
"So be careful! Whatever method you use is fine — as long as you land on a lotus leaf beneath a light beam, the spot is yours. But remember: fall into the water and you're out of the game."
Zhu Ziyang could clearly feel the shift in atmosphere as Dai Yueheng finished speaking. The lakefront was suddenly charged with tension, soul power beginning to ripple through the air.
He smiled faintly — calm and composed amid the storm.
(End of Chapter)
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