Chapter 162: Carnage
After Chen Zifeng's incident, the "Second Glance of Affection" segment continued.
The third female student gracefully rose from her lotus leaf. When she landed on the lake's surface, she lightly tapped the water with the tip of her foot, using her soul power to deftly leap across it.
She wore no hat, revealing a soft and beautiful face that blushed slightly, her expression shy yet her eyes determined.
"I'm a very clumsy girl," she confessed, her gaze fixed toward the male students. "I can't do anything right. I burn the kitchen when I cook and tear the clothes when I do laundry."
"But this clumsy girl has a boy who is willing to stand up for her, to protect and make her feel safe."
"On this lake of the Sea God, the girl will tell that boy that she will grow slowly, and someday, she will take care of him instead."
Her lithe figure landed on a lotus leaf. When face to face, she shyly avoided looking directly at the boy in front of her.
"Rou'er..." the male student said, his eyes brimming with happiness as he reached for the girl's hand.
"Cheng Ge!"
Compared to the carnage around Du Qianjue, this Cheng named male student and the girl named Rou'er shared a much sweeter and more harmonious moment.
During the first "Resonant Hearts" round, it was Cheng who had removed Rou'er's hat. It seemed their affection was destined.
Others looked on, their eyes filled with blessings for the couple. Such mutual affection naturally deterred any thoughts of disruptive courtship dramas.
Such dramas usually unfold when there are rivals in love or hidden resentments, or if the Sea Goddess is so stunning that it compels someone to step forward boldly.
Rou'er made her choice, then Han Ruoruo prompted the fourth female student to make hers.
This Sea Goddess, still wearing her hat, chose not to pick anyone and shook her head at Han Ruoruo before leaving the scene of the Sea God's Matchmaking Event.
In this segment, if there's no male student that a female student fancies, she can opt to eliminate herself.
It's not that there was no one she found appealing; Du Qianjue would have been a perfect match, even exceeding her expectations. But lacking confidence in herself and feeling shy, she decided to leave.
She didn't leave the area completely; instead, she changed clothes and blended in with the inner court students watching the event, pretending to be just another spectator.
Her silent and sudden departure puzzled Han Ruoruo.
Sea Goddess frustration -1.
The already fierce competition for males became even more intense.
The fourth female student, Yang Liu, though sounding delicate, was a short-haired, spirited beauty. She chose Dai Yueheng...
It was understandable. After all, Dai Yueheng was selected as the team captain for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition by Shrek, and his talent was undeniable. His character wasn't arrogant either.
What Dai Yueheng would decide regarding Yang Liu remained unknown. Though his background as the legitimate son of the White Tiger Duke meant he was never short of cultivation resources, his marriage would likely be arranged for political alliances.
Just as his brother Dai Hao couldn't avoid a political marriage, leading him to avoid going home and stay on the borders for years.
Dai Yueheng's next actions confirmed Du Qianjue's guess.
Clearly familiar with Yang Liu and probably harboring some affection, he politely stepped aside to let her stand on the lotus leaf while he used his soul power to stand on the water's surface.
Yang Liu's eyes briefly showed a touch of sadness.
Their little drama didn't affect the progress of the Sea God's Matchmaking Event. The fifth female student flew directly towards Du Qianjue as soon as Gong Yangmo finished speaking.
She was a support-type girl with a Swan soul, named Xue Yue'er. Her swan soul wasn't very strong, being quite average in every aspect.
Her choosing Du Qianjue was likely an attempt to leverage his talent and background to gain more influence in the noble circles of the Dou Ling Empire.
Regardless of her reasons, she had made her choice. Du Qianjue, polite as ever, nodded and formed an ice lotus beneath her feet.
He wasn't interested in her, but he wasn't stingy with an ice lotus either. Why not maintain good manners?
The sixth female student chose the male student who had removed her hat. Their affectionate gaze towards each other showed they had a deep understanding.
The seventh to appear was a major figure.
Her hat remained on, but everyone knew who she was.
A pair of dazzling golden flame wings unfurled behind her. Wu Ming rose into the air like a miniature sun dancing in the sky.
Her target was also Du Qianjue.
"My name is Wu Ming, my soul is the Golden Crow, and I'm known as the Golden Crow Saintess in the inner court. But I know they actually mean the Golden Crow spinster!" Wu Ming smiled slightly as she looked at Du Qianjue.
"But I don't care. The only reason I haven't had a boyfriend is that I haven't seen anyone I like!"
With a fierce flap of her wings, she streaked across the sky in a blaze of golden fire and stopped right in front of Du Qianjue.
"And now, I've set my sights on you!" Wu Ming crossed her arms over her chest, her tone haughty and her formidable assets barely contained.
Another one...
The male students' schadenfreude deepened.
What karma had this guy committed to have both of the inner court's volcanoes choose him?
Du Qianjue made no comment, simply gestured at the lake, and another ice lotus formed for Wu Ming to stand on.
Conveniently, the ice lotus was right next to Ma Xiaotao.
Ma Xiaotao glanced at Wu Ming beside her, her eyes flashing with a dark red flame.
Although they were both known as the inner court's volcanoes, their relationship was average at best. Wu Ming was much older than Ma Xiaotao but had no more strength than her, being merely her equal.
Their situation was typical given that both had bird souls, one a Phoenix and the other a Golden Crow, each with divine beast bloodlines, hence they were often compared.
And Wu Ming was always the one who came up short, naturally harboring some resentment.
Their brief eye contact sparked in the air, the tension palpable.
Xue Yue'er shrank back, regretting her impulsiveness for the first time. If Du Qianjue really chose her, she'd likely be caught in the crossfire of the two hot-tempered volcanoes, and her own outcome wouldn't be pleasant...
Ling Chen was just there for the drama. The relationship between Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming was average, and so was her relationship with them. Watching Ma Xiaotao get embarrassed felt as satisfying as a spa treatment to her.
Her gaze lingered on the two volcanoes, her eyes clearly conveying one message: "Fight, fight! I love watching women fight! Grab her shoulder straps, pull her hair!"
But Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming didn't fulfill her wish. Instead, they turned their heads and glared at Ling Chen before looking back at Du Qianjue.
Ling Chen and Xue Yue'er also turned their attention to Du Qianjue, who finally felt a bit uncomfortable under the gaze of four women.
Well, this...
Seeing no immediate explosion of carnage, Han Ruoruo couldn't hide her disappointment. Everyone has a bit of a gossipy nature, and she was no exception.
She had been paying close attention to Du Qianjue's situation and was naturally disappointed at not getting her dose of drama.
"Next, let's welcome the eighth Sea Goddess. She is our inner court's eldest sister, Zhang Le Xuan!" Seeing the name Zhang Le Xuan on the script, Han Ruoruo's eyes lit up with excitement.
"My dear sister! Let's see who you choose!"
With a radiant smile, Han Ruoruo looked at Zhang Le Xuan, her eyes teasing as she spoke: "This is our eldest sister's first participation in the Sea God's Matchmaking Event as a contestant. Previously, she was a host like me. Aren't you curious which lucky male student will win her favor?"
The remaining male students perked up like they'd been injected with adrenaline, eagerly anticipating Zhang Le Xuan's choice.
Eldest Sister Zhang Le Xuan!
Even Dai Yueheng, who knew he couldn't choose his own marriage, showed a flicker of ambition for Zhang Le Xuan.
In the inner court, there was no one who didn't admire Zhang Le Xuan!
However, she had never publicly expressed her preferences. Faced with numerous suitors, she had always maintained a stance of rejection, leaving many male students heartbroken.
Now, finally, it was Zhang Le Xuan's turn to make a choice. What if she chose him?
Just the thought of stepping out with Zhang Le Xuan was enough to make all other male students unable to lift their heads in his presence!
Zhang Le Xuan smiled helplessly in response to everyone's expectant gazes.
End of Chapter