Chapter 79

Bebe's voice carried from afar: "Sea God Lake's Sea God Affinity, ten‑thousand‑year Shilaike, a moment of destined love. Welcome everyone to the beautiful night at the lake shore. The annual Sea God Affinity matchmaking gathering is about to begin. As the host of this grand event, I, on behalf of myself and Senior Sister, wish all inner courtyard students present today at the Sea God Affinity matchmaking gathering to find the home of their love. At the same time, we also welcome the venerable elders and teachers of the Sea God Pavilion who are here to witness. Here, I also express sincere gratitude on behalf of the students to all teachers; without your patient cultivation and help, we would not have today's achievements." After speaking, he placed his right hand on his chest, turned toward the ferry and gave a slight bow.

I have to say, no wonder this bunch of old folks are all lively and spry; seeing such a grand matchmaking gathering every year, how could anyone not feel delighted?

The body may age but the heart stays young; indeed you old folks are truly sharp wits!

Bebe lives up to her name; she clearly has a leader's talent for brainwashing, and her words made many of the students start to feel nervous.

Sea God Pavilion master Xuan Lao gave a slight smile, nodded at Bebe, and raised his hand to signal that he could continue.

The simple opening speech earned full applause; the male students on the shore were already cheering impatiently. Especially those who already had someone in mind were especially eager.

"Next, all male students attending today's Sea God Affinity matchmaking gathering, please prepare. Soon, forty beams of light will appear on the lake. The students closest to us Sea God Lake fairies will take priority in the first round; those farther back may not be able to secure a good ranking in the first round."

"So everyone, pay attention. No matter how you get there, as long as you land on the lily pad where a light beam is, you claim the spot. But under no circumstances should you fall into the water, or you'll be disqualified."

Bebe's explanation was already crystal clear, and the vast majority of the male students on the shore felt an eager impulse to try.

Huo Yuhao seemed to suddenly sense something, turned his head, and caught Dai Huabin's gaze. Dai Huabin's eyes were cold, with a hint of hostility. Huo Yuhao gave a calm smile, but paid no mind.

"Everyone, get ready—three, two, one."

"Begin!"

At Bebe's command, forty beams of light suddenly shot up from the lake surface. The beams were arranged in three rows, with the first row having one extra; that extra one was probably added for Su Yu on the spot, otherwise, according to the original calculation, there would have been only thirty‑nine.

The biggest advantage naturally belonged to the Soul Masters who possessed a flying martial soul. Fortunately, among the thirty‑nine male students, only four had such a martial soul. The four each released their martial soul, rose into the air, and sped toward the lake.

Their soul‑ring radiance burst forth, standing out especially clearly on the lake surface after night fell.

Huo Yuhao looked up, silently praised in his heart—truly worthy of the inner courtyard seniors. Among the four, two were seventh‑ring Soul Saint‑level masters. Their configurations were two yellow, two purple, three black—the optimal soul‑ring ratios. The other two were sixth‑ring cultivators, also with optimal ratios. The four launched at full speed, turning into four beams of light racing toward the lake's center.

The other students also displayed their abilities. In an instant, the shore was filled with soul‑ring radiance, looking just like a massive fireworks display suddenly blooming by the lake.

Huo Yuhao, He Caitou, and Xu Sanshi naturally did not want to fall behind. Huo Yuhao and He Caitou activated together. The two brothers simultaneously rose, and the soul‑guided propulsion devices on their backs suddenly burst, the powerful thrust propelling the duo to instantly overtake several seniors whose cultivation was still higher, heading toward the lake's center.

The burst power of the soul‑guided propulsion device is quite formidable, but it cannot be sustained; otherwise it would drain too much soul power, and the device itself could not endure. A two‑hundred‑meter distance can be covered in the air, but not on the ground—one because of high consumption, the other due to lack of space and difficulty controlling the landing point.

Thus, as Huo Yuhao and He Caitou burst out using the soul‑guided propulsion devices, both brothers also activated flying soul‑guided devices on their backs. The devices spewed light; although they could not fly on their own, they were now almost as capable as flyers, steadily heading toward the lake's center.

However, they were still relying on external force, which required some soul power and control time. Their speed was already fast, but compared with the inner courtyard students displaying various abilities, they did not secure a very good position.

Of course, the other inner courtyard students also unleashed their powers; dazzling soul‑rings appeared in succession as they raced toward Sea God Lake, and in an instant a dazzling array of soul skills, soul‑guided devices, and martial souls emerged one after another.

He Caitou and Huo Yuhao both landed on the first row, still in the middle positions.

As for Dai Huabin, he relied on his own strength to snatch the first spot in the second row; it wasn't that his ability was lacking, but the inner courtyard was so strong, and he had only just entered it recently.

The others each found their own spots, though the process brought both joy and worry to different families; among them, we must look at Xu Sanshi, who has long been called a scoundrel.

Xu Sanshi's approach was different; he was not in a hurry at all, leisurely taking the last spot, releasing all six soul‑rings—two yellow, two purple, two black. He glanced ahead, watching the leading students about to arrive, then leapt sharply, unleashing his Xuanming Turtle Shell Shield. The shield struck the water surface, and he used the momentum to bounce again; after three such bounces he had covered seventy‑eighty meters. Yet he still remained at the back. The four students with flight ability had already landed on the lily pads, and Huo Yuhao and He Caitou barely found a vacancy at the end of the first row.

A smug smile appeared on Xu Sanshi's face; his fourth soul‑ring flashed, and the student who had been at the front of the first row suddenly stiffened. In the next instant, the two swapped positions. Xu Sanshi settled steadily on the top‑ranked lily pad, while the inner courtyard disciple of seventh‑ring cultivation ended up at the very back.

Fortunately, Xu Sanshi was still decent, choosing a senior whose martial soul could fly; although he was caught off guard by the Xuanming swap, he at least didn't fall into the lake. When he accelerated again, he could only tragically appear in the third row.

"Xu Sanshi, you rascal!" The seventh‑ring Soul Saint, looking about thirty, wore a depressed expression; not only had his first spot been taken, he hadn't even secured a place in the second row. Though depressed, he truly had no recourse against Xu Sanshi. According to the Sea God Affinity matchmaking rules, once you land on a lily pad, your position is fixed and cannot be changed.

Xu Sanshi turned, smiling, and bowed to the seventh‑ring Soul Saint: "Senior, my apologies. Who let you occupy such a prime spot? Rest assured, even if there are three thousand weak waters, I'll only take a ladle. Everyone knows my goal. No one should contest me! Otherwise I'll lose my temper."

Seeing his goofy expression, the inner courtyard students burst into laughter.

Although Xu Sanshi was still a junior in the inner courtyard, his rapid rise alongside Bebe and his popularity meant almost everyone knew him, including his repeated defeats at the hands of Jiang Nan Nan. The slightly sulky Soul Saint couldn't help but laugh: "You kid, just wait for me; even if Nan Nan ends up with you, I'll still stage a love‑snatching." "No way, big brother! Are you serious? Senior Sister, someone's threatening me. And if I recall correctly, he's actually one of your followers! Are you going to intervene?" Xu Sanshi shouted with an exaggerated expression toward Zhang Lexuan, who was not far away.

"Sanshi, stop messing around," Zhang Lexuan said with a light laugh. As she spoke, everyone on the lake—both the male students and the already‑stationed female students—could hear her clearly, yet it was not harsh, sounding like a gentle whisper in the ear.

The female side was fine, but the male side instantly straightened their chests and tucked in their stomachs, each standing properly, fearing to give the senior sister a bad impression.

Within the inner courtyard, if any student possesses absolute authority, it must be Zhang Lexuan. She is not only powerful but also of excellent character, never sparing assistance to other inner courtyard students. Gentle and virtuous, she is a goddess to many. As soon as she spoke, even Xu Sanshi fell silent quickly, his smile tinged with a hint of flattery.

Zhang Lexuan said with a half‑smile, "Sanshi may be a bit clever, but it's for the sake of happiness. Moreover, each of you has that right; you're just not as scheming as he is. This is only the beginning, the first round, and you need to unite sincerely. But don't end up not even seeing the girls' faces. Otherwise you'll suffer greatly later. Bebe, begin."

Bebe replied with a nod, announcing loudly, "Sea God Lake's Sea God Affinity, tonight marks the annual Sea God Affinity matchmaking gathering. I believe everyone has been looking forward to this for a long time. The gathering consists of five rounds. Everyone ready? I'll stress again: if you fall into the water, regardless of gender, you're out."

Zhang Lexuan added, "Tonight we'll also select the most beautiful Sea God fairy and the happiest male student. But first, you must unveil the Sea God fairies' veils."

Zhang Lexuan's gaze also turned to the person in a black robe standing on the last lotus, her eyes flickering, thoughts unknown.

"Alright, let's begin the first round—mutual admiration. Starting from the left side of the first row, each male student may fully display his abilities. However, don't go overboard. If a female student can't help but act against you, I'll have to pretend I didn't see it." Zhang Lexuan said with a smile.

On the male side, Xu Sanshi was already warming up, having secured the first position. In this mutual admiration round, he naturally was the first to act.

"Sanshi, are you ready?" Bebe asked Xu Sanshi.

Xu Sanshi gave a thumbs‑up indicating "no problem," and Bebe said, "A beautiful night is short; let's begin. Sanshi, go for it!"

Xu Sanshi moved; this time, unlike before, he didn't swing a shield to strike the water. He first leapt high, then his Xuanming Turtle Shell Shield flew from his hand, gently landing on the water's surface.

Xu Sanshi fell from nowhere, landing precisely on the shield's surface; with a swift clap of his palms, the shield instantly glided across the water like a small boat, carving two water trails as it sped toward the female students.

"Good!" The male students began cheering. Xu Sanshi's method of advancing was certainly meticulous. Using the shield as a vehicle, he not only saved soul power but also moved more steadily; if he had continued striking the water with the shield as before, he could have kept moving, but upon reaching the female students, he would likely have only one chance to act—a fleeting glimpse.

After much effort to secure the first appearance in this first round, Xu Sanshi naturally would not miss the chance to showcase himself.

"Nan Nan, I'm coming!" he shouted, and the Xuanming Turtle Shell Shield suddenly accelerated, swiftly reaching the female students.

With about ten meters left, Xu Sanshi gently guided with both palms, steadily controlling the Xuanming Turtle Shell Shield to halt; his mastery of the Tang Sect's supreme technique "Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon" was flawless.

He wasn't in a hurry at all, standing there, scanning from left to right attentively. As they watched, they muttered, "This one isn't right, a bit chubby. This one isn't right either, too skinny. Huh, this one's figure is really good! Though it's a bit larger than Nan Nan's. No, no."

Among the female students, a somewhat sharp voice suddenly rang out, "Xu Sanshi, if you want to go straight into the water, just say so."

"Uh! My mistake." Xu Sanshi immediately shut his mouth, and in that brief moment he had already locked onto his target. The Xuanming Turtle Shell Shield moved again, propelling his body toward the third female student on the right.

The female student standing on the lotus seemed to shift slightly. Xu Sanshi was already very close; ten meters was just a heartbeat away.

With the tip of his foot on the Xuanming Turtle Shell Shield, Xu Sanshi directly leapt onto the lily pad where the girl stood.

The girl on the leaf clearly couldn't tolerate it; she lightly pressed her toe on the strongest load‑bearing spot at the center of the lily pad, then her whole body sprang up, her right leg lifted high, passing over her head, her long thigh straight, and her white dress instantly billowed.

"Get away from me!" a crisp, coquettish shout rang out, a high‑raised leg swinging fiercely at the descending Xu Sanshi on the lily pad.

"Whoa!" from afar, the male students burst into whistles. However, their attempt to peek was instantly thwarted; beneath that long skirt was a pair of trousers.

The downward slash landed steadily on Xu Sanshi's shoulder, but as his body crouched using the force, most of the impact's power was absorbed, the small lily pad beneath his foot instantly sank, and water from the lake surged in.

However, amid a flash of black light, Xu Sanshi steadied the lily pad, spread his large hand, and grasped the ankle that had pressed against his shoulder.

While holding the person's ankle, he continued with a determined expression, "Nan Nan, I love you; I'll never strike back or curse back."

Seeing that (someone's) ankle had been grabbed, Jiang Nannan also shouted angrily: "Shut up, get away from me!"

(End of chapter)