Chapter 154: Anticipation
Silence fell, a deathly stillness enveloping the crowd. Everyone looked at Wen Lan, still frozen in the ice, and then at Lei Xiao, who was unconscious, bloodied, and floating among the broken ice, sending a collective shiver through the group. The male students couldn't help but let out wails of despair.
"My goodness. What kind of Sea Goddesses are these? Their approach is too wild, isn't it? Is this a matchmaking event or a battle?" the male students roared inwardly in frustration.
Han Ruoruo and Gong Yangmo, the hosts, exchanged looks, speechless. The Sea Goddesses were too fierce, and they were powerless to intervene.
"Was that Xie Huo Fenghuang, Ma Xiaotao? Why is she participating in this year's Sea God Connection?" one of the Inner Court students trembled as he spoke. "Seeing those phoenix wings and the signature flames, it's definitely her," another responded with a wry smile. "I just don't understand why this crazy lady would join in this event. She was never interested in these activities before."
"Brothers, those two brave souls have made a great sacrifice for us. Let's not go after those two's hats!" "Right, right, don't mess with those two!" The male students quickly reached a consensus to regard Xue Linglong and Ma Xiaotao as the two Sea Goddesses to steer clear of. One an ice mountain, the other a fire mountain—different elements, but the same fiery temperament.
"Xiaotao, I told you not to be so impulsive. How are we supposed to continue the Sea God Connection like this?" Han Ruoruo said with a wry smile, helpless because, as a host, she had to say something.
"Okay, Sister Ruoruo," Ma Xiaotao responded coldly.
Han Ruoruo and Zhang Lexuan, among the most powerful disciples in the Inner Court, had both reached the level of Soul Douluo. Zhang Lexuan even absorbed a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone, reaching level 84. If not for the injuries from forcefully absorbing a soul ring beyond her limit, she might have been challenging for the title of Titled Douluo by now.
Ma Xiaotao, despite being a direct disciple of Yan Shaozhe, held respect for these two. When Han Ruoruo spoke, Ma Xiaotao naturally listened.
"Good, let's continue with the next person," Han Ruoruo sighed in relief and rubbed her temples. It was too stressful.
Han Ruoruo couldn't help but glance at a certain someone wearing a hat among the Sea Goddesses, who was awkwardly fiddling with her delicate fingers.
'Sorry, sister, after the Sea God Connection ends, please treat yourself to a good meal!' Zhang Lexuan thought secretly.
"Mutual Understanding, next up, Du Qianjue!" Gong Yangmo announced loudly. "Qianjue, are you ready?"
Du Qianjue nodded with a smile, his turn finally arriving!
It must be said, this year's Sea God Connection was truly interesting. The male students of the Inner Court had absolutely no standing in front of the female students. How tragic!
"Ladies, please be gentle. Although Junior Qianjue is not from our Shrek Academy, after discussions among the academy's leadership, he is still participating in this year's Sea God Connection as a member of the Inner Court," Han Ruoruo said with a gentle smile.
"Sister Ruoruo, since he's not a disciple of our Inner Court, who is he exactly?" Ma Xiaotao asked bluntly. It was unprecedented for a non-Shrek participant in the Sea God Connection.
Knowing the background of a potential match was essential, wasn't it? Otherwise, how could matchmaking proceed?
Ma Xiaotao's direct question prompted Han Ruoruo to look towards Gong Yangmo, signaling him to reveal Du Qianjue's identity.
"Junior Qianjue is a student from Di Ao Academy. In the last Soul Fighting Tournament, I, as a main competitor, even fought against him on the stage," Gong Yangmo said with a nod. "Of course, besides being a student of Di Ao Academy, Junior Qianjue is also a member of the Body Sect."
"He's that famous genius Soul Saint known across the continent?" Ma Xiaotao's eyes widened, her voice rising.
"Yes," Gong Yangmo nodded.
The Sea Goddesses exchanged glances.
The male students of the Inner Court were also uneasy. Apart from those who had met Du Qianjue in Star Luo City, the rest whispered among themselves. Shrek's attitude towards Di Ao Academy was initially quite hostile since they had ended their millennium-long winning streak.
Du Qianjue, as a main competitor from Di Ao Academy, was a key reason for Shrek's loss at the tournament. Initially, hearing Du Qianjue's name stirred resentment among them.
But things had changed. After some PR by Shrek to mitigate the impact of the tournament, the leadership's guidance had softened their image of Du Qianjue, easing much of the hostility.
Otherwise, the current scene would not have been just whispering but outright uproar.
Compared to the male students with complex emotions and odd expressions, the female students were curious, sizing up this legendary genius Soul Saint under twenty, rumored to possess a hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
Many eyes also turned to Zhang Lexuan. Among their peers, only this senior sister of the Inner Court was known to possess a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. Even so, Zhang Lexuan wasn't really a peer, being nearly twenty years older than Du Qianjue.
Zhang Lexuan herself was quite calm, looking indifferently at Du Qianjue standing on the lotus leaf.
"May I start now?" Hearing the whispers about him, Du Qianjue spread his hands in a resigned gesture, then looked towards Han Ruoruo and Gong Yangmo, the hosts.
"Of course, please start your performance, Junior," Gong Yangmo grinned, showing a bright smile.
Han Ruoruo also smiled warmly, curious to see what Du Qianjue would do.
Some of the Sea Goddesses felt a flicker of anticipation. Although they didn't know why Du Qianjue was participating in Shrek's Sea God Connection, if such a genius really chose them, they wouldn't mind developing a relationship with him.
To many of them, power and potential were more attractive than looks, though Du Qianjue was not unattractive—in fact, quite handsome.
Plus, with his reputation as the continent's foremost genius Soul Saint, how could these Sea Goddesses not be interested in him?
'Will he come to lift my veil?' This was a thought in many of the Sea Goddesses' minds. If Du Qianjue truly went to remove their veils, they might not even resist.
Du Qianjue's target had always been clear, his gaze tenderly fixed on a tall, slender figure.
End of Chapter