Chapter 143: Participating
"Staying to watch wouldn't hurt."
Xue Linglong squeezed Du Qianjue's hand, a smile appearing on her lips.
She was curious to see what human matchmaking was like, especially at Shrek Academy, the premier institution on the continent.
It should be interesting.
Xue Linglong had been in a confirmed relationship with Du Qianjue for several years now. Initially, she knew almost nothing about romantic relationships and had never felt anything special towards any soul beast.
The only one who had confessed to her, the Titan Snow Demon King, ended up severely beaten and nearly dead.
Now, having a human boyfriend like Du Qianjue, she was intrigued to see how other humans experienced romance.
Yes, time to learn a trick or two!
Mu En had only suggested that they watch, likely from a boat on the lake with other Shrek teachers, not actually participating on the lotus leaves with the students.
But...
Du Qianjue glanced at Xue Linglong and felt a surge of impulsiveness.
His initial confession to her might have been too hasty; perhaps this was an opportunity to give her a more perfect declaration of love?
Initially, Du Qianjue sought to ally with Xue Linglong purely for strategic reasons, given he was only a child of about ten years old, despite having the mental age of someone in their twenties or thirties.
Beyond his affection for the Frost Emperor, the idea of promising her a romantic tie was also to ensure a solid collaboration.
With Du Qianjue's help, Xue Linglong could use the Ten Thousand Year Profound Ice Marrow to survive her heavenly tribulation, and if Du Qianjue ascended to godhood, she could even attain immortality alongside him.
In return, Du Qianjue could leverage Xue Linglong's power for protection during his vulnerable early years and use her status as a dominant soul beast to persuade other hundred-thousand-year soul beasts to sacrifice themselves to him.
A win-win.
The only imperfection was perhaps that rushed promise.
Originally, it was just to gain a powerful ally, but over the years, Du Qianjue had genuinely fallen in love with this aloof and stunningly beautiful woman.
No matter how domineering and cold she appeared to others, she always showed him her tender side.
With this thought, Du Qianjue's impulse solidified into determination.
He would give Xue Linglong a perfect confession!
"Could Xue'er and I possibly participate?" Du Qianjue asked Mu En with a cheeky smile.
"You two want to participate?" Mu En was stunned.
I invited you to watch!
Not to stir up trouble!
Thinking of Du Qianjue's formidable strength and demonic talent, Mu En was genuinely worried about Shrek Academy's few inner court disciples being lured away by him.
"This..." Mu En hesitated.
As Mu En pondered, Xue Linglong also seemed puzzled.
"Why would you want to join this so-called matchmaking event? Are you trying to find me a sister-wife?" she murmured dangerously in Du Qianjue's ear.
"Of course not, the Sea God's Matchmaking Festival is strictly one-on-one; I would obviously choose you," Du Qianjue quickly embraced Xue Linglong, laughing as he spoke.
"Isn't participating more interesting than just watching? Wouldn't it be more fun to observe the matchmaking event up close?"
Xue Linglong looked at Du Qianjue skeptically.
She felt like Du Qianjue was up to something she wasn't aware of, but couldn't quite figure out what he was planning.
Mu En, watching the couple embrace, also showed a helpless smile.
Indeed.
Du Qianjue's fiancée was the renowned Frost Emperor, after all!
How could she be interested in the academy's students?
Though the female students were considered exceptional among their peers, always deeming others unworthy of them,
To Du Qianjue, those so-called exceptional young women probably wouldn't catch his eye.
With that in mind, what harm could there be in letting him participate?
"Since you wish to participate, I, as the Head of the Sea God Pavilion, grant you both permission to join this edition of the Sea God's Matchmaking Festival," Mu En said with a chuckle, stroking his beard.
"Thank you, senior," Du Qianjue bowed to Mu En.
"By the way, as it's our first visit, I also have a gift for you, senior."
"Oh? A gift for me?" Mu En looked at Du Qianjue with interest.
It had been decades since he last received a gift.
A truly surprising and curious moment.
Du Qianjue smiled slightly, his right hand's index and middle finger passing over his forehead, summoning a vibrant green light at his fingertips.
With a flick of his finger, the green light shot towards Mu En, merging into his body.
This life-filled glow momentarily made Mu En feel rejuvenated, as if all his physical pain and mental fatigue were swept away.
But it was just an illusion.
An illusion caused by a sudden surge in his vitality.
Mu En's body was not only riddled with incurable injuries from his battle with Du Bi Si, but his soul was also constantly plagued by the dragon pill's malevolent energy.
Indeed, Mu En was always enduring unbearable pain and torment.
While Du Qianjue's gift of life force couldn't heal Mu En's wounds or extend his life, it could alleviate his suffering, allowing him to suppress his internal pain significantly without using his cultivation.
This no-strings-attached gift was something Du Qianjue was willing to offer, merely to ease Mu En's suffering. When Mu En's time came, it would still come.
His body and soul were like decayed wood, beyond the healing capacity of this life force.
As the green light faded, Mu En took a deep breath, his eyes clearing for the first time in a long while, filled with gratitude as he looked at Du Qianjue.
"Thank you, young friend," Mu En sighed lightly, feeling much lighter as the pain inside him was suppressed.
"This is the gift I offer you, senior; do you like it?" Du Qianjue asked with a slight smile.
Mu En laughed, amused by his words.
He understood what Du Qianjue meant, and because he understood, he found it amusing.
A junior had already given a gift to a senior; shouldn't the senior reciprocate?
And about liking the gift?
Of course, Mu En liked it!
Having been tormented by pain for decades, he finally felt relief; how could he not cherish such a gift?
So, shouldn't he also give Du Qianjue a gift he would like?
This was the underlying meaning in Du Qianjue's words.
Of course, this approach would work on Mu En, but not on Xuan Zi, that old hardliner, who was too thick-skinned for such tactics.
(End of Chapter)
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