The waters of Sea God Lake were crystal clear, with dazzling lights blooming like lotuses across its surface. Under their glow, the lake shimmered with a deep blue radiance, resembling a natural sapphire—its brilliance dazzling and breathtaking.
The Elders' Tower Ship was anchored at a prime vantage point along the shore. As it settled into position, two golden beams of light rose from the lake, warm and romantic in tone, casting rippling golden scales across the water—a truly beautiful sight.
Standing within these golden beams were a man and a woman, both smiling.
The man appeared to be around thirty, tall and handsome with an elegant, scholarly demeanor. His smile was gentle and humble. The woman was slightly younger, perhaps in her late twenties, standing about 170 centimeters tall. Though not stunningly beautiful, she had a delicate charm, her smile particularly soothing.
They were none other than Lan Muzi, the senior brother of the Inner Academy, and Tang Yinmeng, the senior sister of the Inner Academy.
A married couple, they were also the hosts of tonight's Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event.
"Sea God's Fate upon Sea God Lake—welcome, everyone, to this year's event!" Lan Muzi began cheerfully. "First, let us introduce ourselves. I am Lan Muzi of the Inner Academy, and beside me is Tang Yinmeng, also of the Inner Academy. Tonight's Sea God's Fate will be hosted by the two of us."
Tang Yinmeng smiled as well. "It's an honor to be your hosts today. The reason we were chosen is simply because we're the oldest among the current Inner Academy students. I did consider becoming a teacher or teaching assistant, but I couldn't bear to give up the youthful identity of a student—so here we still are!"
The audience on the shore burst into laughter at her words.
Though the Outer Academy students didn't recognize Lan Muzi or Tang Yinmeng, Tang Yinmeng's gentle voice and humorous tone earned their warm response.
In truth, given Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng's age, the only ones in the Outer Academy who might know them were the teachers—such as Wu Zhangkong, who stood in a quiet corner. He had been in the same class as them and was well aware of their current standing among the Inner Academy disciples.
A trace of melancholy flickered in his eyes. While he had wasted many years, these two had steadily progressed, creating a noticeable gap despite their shared origins. Did he regret it?
Wu Zhangkong, however, harbored no such thoughts.
Lan Muzi chuckled. "Exactly! Unless absolutely necessary, I'd never willingly choose to graduate—not just to pretend I'm young, but because I can't forget the wild days of my youth, nor the Sea God's Fate I once participated in! Yinmeng, do you remember our year's event?"
Tang Yinmeng's cheeks flushed slightly as she shot him a glare. "Stop talking! I'll get embarrassed!"
"Embarrassed about what? It's not like I'll tell the juniors how you threw caution to the wind and confessed to me during the event," Lan Muzi teased.
"Hey! How dare you twist the truth?" Tang Yinmeng planted her hands on her hips, her face a mix of shyness and mock anger. "It was you who flirted with me first!"
The shore was already filled with laughter and cheers. It had to be said, Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng knew exactly how to set the mood.
Seeing Tang Yinmeng's coquettish expression, Lan Muzi immediately shifted his tone and began a heartfelt confession:
"Though you were the one who confessed to me first, now I must say—I'm truly fortunate. When I was still ignorant about love, you appeared before me and set me on a bright path!
Thank you for all the patience you've shown me over the years, and for everything you've sacrificed for me. My love, the best decision I ever made was agreeing to be with you. This is my blessing, perhaps earned over ten lifetimes. And I hope it lasts for ten more!"
Tang Yinmeng, moved by his tender words, blushed deeply and nodded slightly before burying herself in his embrace.
Such sweet words and actions immediately stirred strong reactions from the onlookers. This blatant display of affection was truly too much—even the Elders on the Tower Ship felt somewhat provoked. If not for the occasion, some of them might have taken Lan Muzi aside for a "discussion" about cultivation.
Lan Muzi knew when to ease off. Seeing the atmosphere thoroughly ignited by their public affection, he seized the moment and declared:
"Alright, sugar-spreading time is over! If you want to find a perfect partner like mine, then you'll have to work hard at the Sea God's Fate event, juniors! Now, let's welcome today's guests—the Inner Academy disciples participating in the Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event!"
As he spoke, he raised a hand and pointed ahead. Not far from him on the lake's surface, on either side of him and Tang Yinmeng, rings of emerald light shimmered into view—the glow of enormous lotus leaves illuminated by underwater lights.
The crystalline green radiance pulsed with vitality, standing out vividly against the deep blue waters.
"The Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event is a matchmaking gathering, but it's also a chance to showcase your strength. To win the favor of your beloved, you must display your most outstanding qualities.
Therefore, throughout the event, both male and female participants must stand atop the lotus leaves on the lake. If anyone falls into the water, I'm afraid their journey in this event ends there.
And before the first segment begins, securing a good position is itself proof of your capability. So, juniors, prepare yourselves—claim your spots!"
Lan Muzi explained the rules while Tang Yinmeng managed the proceedings. With her call of "Begin!", the event officially commenced.
From both sides of Sea God Lake, figures soared into the air—some Riding the Wind, others Running Swiftly on Waves, and still others Dodging and Weaving—each employing their own unique methods.
The attire of the participants differed greatly. On the left, the male disciples wore large green cloaks and green masks, their figures entirely concealed beneath the voluminous fabric. On the right, the female disciples donned bamboo hats and flowing white dresses, their faces veiled by three-foot-long green gauze, exuding an air of mystery.
From the shore to the lotus leaves on the lake surface was quite a distance, so both male and female participants showcased their unique abilities, darting toward the lotus leaves like shooting stars chasing the moon. A keen observer could discern their identities from the techniques they employed.
After all, a Soul Master's Soul Power fluctuations and combat style were as distinctive as a fingerprint.
Among the male participants, one exceptionally tall and burly student surged ahead. His strides were long, and with each step, a slab of rock rose beneath his feet, propelling him smoothly forward. He landed squarely on the central lotus leaf in the first row.
The male side had three rows of lotus leaves, while the female side had only two—a stark visual representation of the numerical disparity.
With more wolves than meat, competition among the male participants was fierce. Everyone sought to secure a spot in the first row for an early advantage—though not all joined the scramble.
One figure strolled leisurely across the lake, utterly composed. With each step, a lotus bloomed beneath his feet, vanishing moments after he passed. Yet this mesmerizing spectacle went largely unnoticed.
Lotus blooms with every step—serene and unruffled.
He settled onto a lotus leaf at the outer edge of the first row, standing firm, impervious to the chaos around him.
In contrast to the heated rivalry among the men, the female side was harmonious, even courteous. They quickly found their designated leaves and took their positions without fuss.
After the brief but spirited contest, all participants had settled onto their lotus leaves. Whether satisfied or not, the preliminary phase of the Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event had concluded, revealing the total number of attendees.
As in previous years, female participants were significantly outnumbered by their male counterparts—an undeniable, if frustrating, reality.
Across the Soul Master world, female Soul Masters were slightly fewer in number than males, and this imbalance was naturally reflected within the academy.
This year's Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event boasted fifty-two male participants—nearly all eligible, unmarried male disciples from the Inner Academy—exceeding the usual quota by historical standards.
Meanwhile, the female participants numbered thirty-three, the highest count in the event's history.
Suddenly, the Sea God Lake erupted in dazzling light. Each lotus leaf beneath the participants' feet glowed, and the shimmering lake reflected beams of radiance, illuminating the darkened night sky. At this moment, the lake transformed into a magnificent stage, and every student upon the lotus leaves became a shining star of the evening.
Lan Muzi smiled faintly, crossing his arms as he announced in a clear voice, "Excellent, everyone is now in place. I won't comment much on the male participants' attire—what you see is what you get. As for the female participants—no, the Sea God Fairies—they truly resemble celestial beings, draped in flowing white gowns and veils, each more enchanting than the last.
"But more importantly, they all look nearly identical now. If anyone can still recognize them under these conditions… ladies, hesitate no more—it must be true love."
"Haha, indeed," Tang Yinmeng chimed in with a laugh. "This reminds me of my own experience. This blockhead walked past me three times and still didn't recognize me. Ugh, thinking about it still makes me mad."
"Ah! My mistake!" Lan Muzi promptly admitted his fault. "To prevent our fellow brothers from making the same error, let me explain the rules of the first segment. Listen carefully, everyone."
According to the tradition of Sea God's Fate, the first segment is called 'Mutual Admiration.' Don't let the pleasant name fool you—it's quite challenging.
"Gentlemen, do you see the thirty-three Sea God Fairies a hundred meters away? Each wears a bamboo hat with a veil, obscuring their faces, right? So, in simple terms, the first segment is about lifting those veils."
"In this round, the male participants must work together. Each of you fifty-two will take turns to make your move, using your own methods to 'attack' the Sea God Fairies. Your target is their hats, and your goal is to reveal their lovely faces."
"This first segment is also a moment for the male participants to showcase their strength. Whoever lifts the most hats may not precisely reflect their true abilities, but it will certainly leave an impression," Tang Yinmeng added.
"One thing to note: in this segment, our Sea God Fairies cannot assist each other, nor can they actively attack the male participants. They can only defend passively, doing their best to keep their hats from being lifted."
"If a Sea God Fairy falls into the water during the process, she will be eliminated. So, gentlemen, please be mindful of your strength. If all the fairies end up in the water, our matchmaking event might end prematurely."
As the two hosts announced the rules of the first segment, the Outer Academy students watching from the shore held their breaths, eyes fixed on the scene unfolding on the lake. It was finally beginning.
When Tang Yinmeng finished speaking, the lotus leaves beneath the female participants began to drift on their own, merging two rows into one. The thirty-three Sea God Fairies lined up in a single row, and the male participants' excitement grew.
Lan Muzi looked at the male participants and chuckled lightly. "Alright, gentlemen, it's time to show your charm. I'll call you by your numbers. Before making your move, you can choose to remove or keep your masks—maintaining an air of mystery is also a strategy."
"One last reminder: the Sea God Fairies cannot remove their hats on their own before the final segment. So, if you can't find a way to lift their veils in this round, it'll be hard to identify them, and naturally, harder to determine who your heart truly desires."
The male participants attending this matchmaking event had naturally familiarized themselves with the rules beforehand. After Lan Muzi's detailed explanation, they all understood clearly and were well-prepared.
"Male participant number one, you may choose to remove your mask or keep it on," Lan Muzi called out.
The first male participant wasn't the one standing on the first lotus leaf in the front row but rather in the second row, as the numbers had been drawn in advance. Participant number one was undoubtedly very lucky.
Without hesitation, he declared, "I choose to remove my mask." As he spoke, he reached up and took off the mask covering his face.
While maintaining an air of mystery can indeed be a tactic to charm women, it's too advanced for beginners or average players. At a blind date event like this, when neither party knows much about the other, first impressions are often shaped by appearance.
The first male participant was a tall young man with regular features—not exceptionally handsome, but certainly not unattractive. His upright posture and bright eyes were definite plus points.
Lan Muzi gestured invitingly and said, "The floor is yours."
The young man first nodded to Lan Muzi, then smiled and said, "Ladies, my apologies in advance."
And then he truly offended all the ladies. He actually attempted to create a huge wave to drench the clothes of all the Sea God Fairies. This behavior immediately provoked dissatisfaction and retaliation from one of the Sea God Fairies.
The outcome was predictable—this first male participant was subdued in a single move by the Soul Saint-level Sea God Fairy, neatly ending his journey at this year's Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event.
The other male students were as silent as cicadas in winter. Lan Muzi couldn't help but pat his forehead and cough before saying, "Junior brother, how should I put this? You were somewhat impulsive and not very rational!
Here, I remind all male participants: don't dig your own grave, and certainly don't bury yourself in it! In terms of average strength, you're truly no match for the Sea God Fairies!
Next, let's welcome the second male participant. Number two, will you remove your mask?"
"Remove it!" The second male participant was a familiar face—Le Zhengyu of the Sacred Angel family. With the help of his inherited Soul Spirit, the Little Angel, he successfully unveiled three Sea God Fairies, including the Soul Saint senior sister Ding Xiaoling who had taught the first participant a lesson.
After number two Le Zhengyu, the proceedings progressed smoothly and quickly. Many of Jing Shaoyu's old acquaintances appeared—number seven Xu Yu Cheng, number eight Luo Guixing, number eleven Xie Xie, and number twelve Xu Lizhi. Some unveiled one, some unveiled two, and some didn't manage to unveil any—nothing particularly noteworthy to elaborate on.
Soon, more than half the participants had gone.
"Number thirty-six male participant, will you remove your mask?" Lan Muzi's eyes noticeably flickered as he called the number.
The thirty-sixth male participant immediately responded, "Remove it."
As the words fell, he had already taken off his mask, revealing a face of peerless handsomeness.