Chapter 83

What surprised Huo Yuhao was that Dai Huabin originally had many extinguished lights, but in the end Wu Feng left him a light, ensuring he could stay on the field. Seeing this, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but think darkly: These two must have arranged it beforehand.

Xie Hanyue was much more miserable; when he left the stage, he even shouted, 'Fatty has no rights, no rights!' Not a single lamp shone on him.

The second segment ended here. The positions of the twenty-four male students changed again; due to the reduced number, they were rearranged into a single line, facing the seventeen female students opposite them.

This time, the one who spoke was Zhang Le Xuan.

After the first two rounds, I believe everyone has gained a simple understanding of each other. Next, we will enter the third segment—Love at Second Sight. This time, ladies, please pay attention; you can no longer choose randomly as you did in the second round. Once you choose, you must take responsibility for your choice. Each male student has one minute for self-introduction. After the self-introduction, come to me and report the number of the Sea Goddess you favor. Once all male students have finished their self-introductions, the female students will begin their selection. This selection represents your final choice; each female can choose only once and cannot regret it. After the selection, we will start the fourth segment.

"Please pay attention, male students: when you showcase yourselves, you may simultaneously display the abilities you consider strong, or introduce your cultivation, etc., as long as you feel your introduction can attract the female you favor. This time, we will change the order by drawing lots to decide who goes first, to ensure fairness."

Bei Bei stepped onto a lotus leaf and drifted slowly toward the male students, holding a bamboo stick, conducting the draw from left to right.

The female students opposite were not idle either; each hung a number plate on her chest, representing her number. They also rearranged their positions.

Among them, the girl wearing a bamboo hat that Huo Yuhao was paying attention to wore the number two plate.

The draw ended quickly; Huo Yuhao's luck was neither good nor bad—he drew eleventh, appearing in the middle position.

In this third segment, going first or last is not ideal. Those who go first lack experience, while those who go last tend to cause aesthetic fatigue among the girls.

The one who drew the first spot was precisely Chu Qingtian, the six-ring Soul Emperor of the Agile Attack System who stood beside Huo Yuhao in the first round.

Zhang Le Xuan said: "Good, the third segment, Love at Second Sight, begins. Boys, you must perform well. This is your best chance to win the attention of the Sea Goddesses; don't miss it."

"The student who drew number one, please come forward. Remember, the place for your self-introduction is this lake between us. As before, falling into the water counts as failure."

"Thank you, senior sister." Chu Qingtian replied, without wasting time, he leapt up, lightning swirling around his body, and in a flash he was already above the water surface.

"Greetings, Sea Goddesses. I am Chu Qingtian." While in midair, he announced his name. Two yellow, two purple, and two black soul rings flashed simultaneously.

His body spun once in midair, the third soul ring lit up, and amidst countless flickering lightning bolts, his figure vanished instantly, leaving only his voice echoing in the air.

"I am twenty-seven years old, martial soul Lightning Frenzied Leopard, Agile Attack System Soul Emperor, soul power level sixty-seven. In speed, I consider myself among the top of the inner courtyard students. Although I am not exceptionally outstanding, I have a sincere heart. Before coming today to the Sea God Fate Matchmaking Party, I had already decided: whichever Sea Goddess does not begrudge taking me in, I will devote my whole heart to her and be with her forever."

While Chu Qingtian spoke, the numerous lightning bolts he had transformed into suddenly condensed together in the air, forming a huge lightning-shaped heart.

His figure flickered, and he detached himself from the heart, gently blew a breath, and the lightning heart flew toward the female students, eventually dissipating in the air. He then twisted in midair, a flash of lightning, appeared before Zhang Le Xuan, quickly wrote his favored number on the slip in her hand, then flashed back up and returned to his lotus leaf.

Throughout the process, Chu Qingtian fully demonstrated his speed and control. His movements were as smooth as flowing clouds and water, without the slightest delay; when he returned to his lotus leaf, exactly one minute had been used.

As his figure descended, he showed no flush or panting, smiling slightly as he raised his right hand to his chest and gave a slight bow to the female students.

On the female side, not everyone approved of his performance; Han Ruoruo whispered to Wu Meng beside her: "This guy is quite all‑loving; whoever doesn't begrudge taking him in will receive his wholehearted devotion. Meng'er, have you decided yet?"

Wu Meng's pretty face flushed slightly as she said: "It's not my fault; you insisted on making a bet with me. Humph."

Chu Qingtian, oblivious to the situation opposite, feeling his performance was not bad, stood there proudly.

The second student stepped up; the one who drew number two was Dai Huabin.

Dai Huabin did not have Chu Qingtian's speed, but by maneuvering he could move freely on the water surface without ever falling in.

Only hearing him shout loudly, a strong white light burst from his body—the White Tiger Shield. White hair quickly grew, his stature suddenly became tall and sturdy, and with a flash he charged forward.

The White Tiger Shield projected outward, forming a white light barrier that barely kept his body afloat on the water. Compared to Chu Qingtian earlier, it was hardly graceful, but everyone present could see that performing on water was not his forte. As a Soul Master, his strength lies in frontal combat.

"Hello, I'm Dai Huabin. I'm seventeen years old, a level fifty‑seven Strong Attack System Soul King, martial soul White Tiger. That's all. Thank you." After saying this plainly, he turned his body and leapt back onto his lotus leaf, without even going to Zhang Le Xuan to report a number. This meant he had no particular favorite among the girls. Compared to Chu Qingtian's performance, it was overly simple.

Huo Yuhao glanced at Dai Huabin, only to discover that Dai Huabin was also looking in his direction, his eyes icy and filled with strong fighting spirit.

Huo Yuhao clearly knew that Dai Huabin actually had a love interest—the one who could perform the martial soul fusion skill Netherworld White Tiger with him, Zhu Lu. His participation in the Sea God Fate Matchmaking Party this time was largely to deliberately cause trouble for him.

However, don't let Dai Huabin's simple introduction fool you; the reaction from the female students opposite was not small.

Dai Huabin, Xie Hanyue, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng had only recently entered the academy, so to the senior inner‑courtyard students they were not very familiar.

A few simple figures already made him the focus of all the girls: seventeen years old, level fifty‑seven, White Tiger Soul King. Everyone is a genius Soul Master, so everyone understands what these numbers mean. Given his current cultivation, it is very likely he will break through level sixty before twenty. And a genius Soul Master who can surpass level sixty before twenty almost always becomes a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse, possibly even a Super Douluo.

The inner‑courtyard female students consider strength absolutely paramount when looking for a partner; otherwise, having a husband whose cultivation is inferior to theirs in the future would feel awful!

After Dai Huabin, several male students successively displayed their abilities—some showed flashy soul skills, others exhibited stunning feats of walking on lily pads across water. Their ages were mostly between twenty‑five and thirty‑five, with cultivation mainly at the Soul Emperor or Soul Saint level.

He Caitou drew ninth, Huo Yuhao eleventh, and Xu Sanshi unfortunately drew twenty‑fourth, the last to introduce himself.

Soon it was He Caitou's turn to go on stage. "Next." Zhang Le Xuan's gentle, melodious voice echoed across the lake.

He Caitou cleared his throat, took a deep breath, and barely calmed his excited mood. This time he did not make any shocking display; he lightly tapped the leaf with his toe, and a shield instantly appeared around him, somewhat like the White Tiger Shield of Dai Huabin earlier, allowing him to hover on the lake surface by means of the shield. But this was not a soul skill; it was a soul‑tool shield.

Hovering on the soul‑tool shield, the soul‑tool thruster behind He Caitou emitted a faint glow, propelling his tall, sturdy body toward the female students. As he moved forward, he shouted loudly:

"My name is He Caitou. It's a rather silly name."

"Although I look a bit anxious, I am indeed only nineteen years old."

"It was a teacher who saved my life and brought me to Shrek Academy, giving me what I have today."

"I am a soul tool master, and also a level sixty‑two Auxiliary System Tool Soul Emperor."

"I came here today for only one person. I am nervous, but I know that if I don't say it now, I will never forgive myself. Xiao Xiao, I'm back, and I like you. In my life I have never liked anyone as much as I like you. Long ago I lost my family, and I even forgot them. But I clearly know that in my heart, there is one person who occupies the most important position—you. I really like you."

Simple, direct, straightforward—this was He Caitou's solution.

While saying this, he kept his head lowered, not daring to look at Xiao Xiao opposite, but his voice was firm, his fists clenched tight, his dark face somewhat flushed, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

The whole venue fell silent; among the nine male students who had already appeared, only He Caitou directly expressed his love to a female student during his introduction—steadfast and unreserved.

"Hey, you're about to crash." A sudden voice startled He Caitou, who had been heading forward with his head down via the soul‑tool thruster. He lifted his head and saw he was about to collide with the female students; facing him was Han Ruoruo.

"Ah! Sorry, sorry." He hastily shut off the soul‑tool thruster; his body swayed a bit, but fortunately he had released a physical defense soul‑tool shield, and as long as the shield remained he would not fall into the water, otherwise it would really be hard to say.

Han Ruoruo looked at his foolish expression, for some reason a hint of envy welled up in her heart, and she smiled, saying: "Big guy, keep it up."

"Oh." He Caitou replied instinctively, but then realized, gave Han Ruoruo a deep look, and said, "Thank you."

He Caitou cautiously glanced toward Xiao Xiao, but Xiao Xiao dared not look at him, head lowered, her two slender little hands tangled in front of her; if she extended her two index fingers, it would probably resemble the movements of Xiao Xue'nü.

"What to do? What to do? I'm dying of embarrassment." Xiao Xiao's mind was completely blank at that moment.

"Cough, cough, one minute is up." Bei Bei reminded He Caitou from afar.

"Oh, oh." He Caitou, somewhat embarrassed, restarted the soul‑tool thruster and retreated in the direction he had come from.

Zhang Le Xuan smiled and said: "Caitou, does that mean you've chosen Xiao Xiao?"

"Mm, mm." He Caitou nodded repeatedly, then turned and fled back to his lotus leaf.

"Xiao Xiao." Han Ruoruo called softly.

"Ah?" Xiao Xiao finally lifted her head, her fair pretty face now the color of a tomato; if He Caitou were here observing up close, he would surely say, I love eating tomatoes.

Han Ruoruo "Pfft"-laughed, saying: "Little sis, don't be shy. Girls also need to be bolder! Especially when facing happiness, you should bravely seize it. Just now that big black guy, to be honest, his looks really aren't a match for you."

"Ah?" The blush on Xiao Xiao's face faded a little, but her eyes showed a bit more dissatisfaction; just as she was about to argue, she heard Han Ruoruo continue speaking.

"Although his looks aren't a match for you, I can tell he's sincere toward you and quite persistent. Once a man like that makes up his mind, he won't change; being with him will bring happiness."

"Ah!" The words of protest on Xiao Xiao's lips died unspoken, and she lowered her head again in shyness. But this time, her heart felt a bit sweeter.

The tenth male trainee stepped forward to introduce himself; Huo Yuhao looked at the sweat-drenched He Caitou, gave him a thumbs-up, and praised: "Second senior brother, awesome."

"Ah? How was my performance?" He Caitou looked at him anxiously.

Huo Yuhao nodded firmly, saying: "At least you spoke your heartfelt words, letting Xiao Xiao feel your feelings for her. No matter the outcome, in front of all these people, being able to say what you just did means you've already succeeded."

He Caitou panted heavily, wiping a handful of sweat from his face, and said: "All good. Little junior, it's your turn next—you also need to give it your all. Which girl have you taken a liking to?"

"Me?" Huo Yuhao instinctively shifted his gaze to the second girl, but then shook his head and said: "I don't know either."

"Chen Qiye, it's your turn." Sure enough, Bei Bei's call rang out.

Chen Qiye didn't speak, but instead stepped onto the water with one foot; instantly, the water beneath his foot froze into a layer of ice, and he stood there on it.

He walked straight to the introduction spot.

"Chen Qiye, seventeen years old. Strong Attack System Battle Soul Douluo."

(End of chapter)