After He Caitou left, only Zhu Ziyang and the elders remained in the Tianyuan Pavilion's main hall.
"Ziyang, for this Soul Master Tournament, Bei Bei and Tang Ya will be competing on behalf of Tang Sect. There's an eighty percent chance Yuhao will join them as well," Xuan Zi said. "That means the academy team will need you to reselect its members. While you'll still have Nannan, Lingyi, and Diwu Huan'er, it would be best to pick a few more inner court disciples as a safeguard."
"Very well," Zhu Ziyang nodded. "How about the day after tomorrow? After tomorrow's event, it'll be one of those rare occasions when we can gather all the inner court disciples together."
"Alright, I'll ask Ruoruo to prepare a list of suitable candidates," Yan Shaozhe said.
"By the way, Ziyang," Xian Lin'er added with a teasing smile, "are you not planning to attend tomorrow's event?"
"I…" Zhu Ziyang froze, unsure how to respond, when Elder Lin Huijun interjected.
"You should attend," the elder said kindly. "No matter what, you're still a young man. It's good to take part in these kinds of events. Don't end up like us old fogies, lifeless and stiff."
"That's right. It's rare to relax a little," Elder Zhuang Qingzhai chimed in. "You're all young people—interact more, deepen bonds. It's a good thing."
"As for academy matters, don't worry—we old fellows will take care of them," Xuan Zi said with a smile.
"…Fine. With all of you pushing this far, how can I refuse?" Zhu Ziyang said helplessly, though inwardly he grumbled. Clearly, these old foxes just wanted to watch some drama. They knew perfectly well both Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan were still at the academy, yet they were egging him on to attend the matchmaking event. Truly ridiculous.
But… did he really have no desire to attend? Not exactly. If he truly didn't want to, no one could force him. The truth was—he did want to go.
First of all, Cai Mei'er's list of participating female disciples included both Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan. That alone made it impossible for him not to attend. Secondly, he wanted to use this opportunity to finally resolve his relationships with Nannan and Xiaotao. How he would do so, he wasn't sure yet. He'd improvise.
The Sea God's Fate Matchmaking Assembly—this was one of only two traditions at Shrek Academy that still bore the name of the Sea God. Since it was held on Sea God Lake, the name had never been changed. But if Zhu Ziyang were to rename it, he thought "Shura Field" might be far more appropriate.
After the meeting, Zhu Ziyang returned to his room—only to find Jiang Nannan already waiting for him.
"Nannan!" he said in surprise. "Coming to find me at this hour—what's the matter?"
"Of course there's something," she said with a bright smile, stepping close. "Brother, you'll be attending the Sea God's Fate tomorrow, won't you?"
"Yes," Zhu Ziyang nodded helplessly under her expectant gaze, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "But do we really need an event like that between us?"
"Oh, come on!" Nannan pouted, hugging his arm sweetly. "I just want to experience it. Don't you think it'll be fun?"
"Alright, we'll go then." Zhu Ziyang chuckled. "But don't tell me you came here just for that?"
"Of course not," she shook her head. "Actually, Dong'er asked me to tell you to keep her secret from Yuhao."
"That's it? Naturally, I'll keep it." Zhu Ziyang laughed, shaking his head. "Dong'er is overthinking. But she may not be able to keep it hidden—Yuhao isn't that dense."
"You mean… Yuhao might already know Dong'er's a girl?" Nannan asked, her eyes widening.
"Before, maybe not. But now? Perhaps," Zhu Ziyang said with a mysterious smile, recalling the book he'd given Yuhao. If the boy had read it, he should have realized Wang Dong'er's true identity.
"Oh!" Nannan nodded, then her eyes lit up as she added excitedly, "Right—did you know Xiao Xiao likes Yuhao too? She said she was planning to confess to him at the Sea God's Fate, but now…" She trailed off, sighing helplessly.
"Xiao Xiao?" Zhu Ziyang blinked. "Didn't she used to like the male version of Wang Dong? Why the sudden change of heart?"
"That's just how girls are. You wouldn't understand," Nannan laughed softly, though she still explained. "At first she liked Wang Dong because of his looks—who doesn't like someone pretty? But as time went on, she realized that while Wang Dong was handsome, he was also arrogant and fussy, almost like… a girl. Her instincts weren't wrong. Compared to him, Yuhao is calm and steady. Naturally, in her eyes, Yuhao became more and more outstanding. So…"
"So now it's a love triangle?" Zhu Ziyang exclaimed, half amused, half exasperated. Still, he was curious about Xiao Xiao's intentions. "So what does she plan to do now?"
"Fight, of course!" Nannan said firmly. "Why not? Dong'er is beautiful, sure, but Xiao Xiao isn't any worse. For her own happiness, why shouldn't she fight?"
Zhu Ziyang felt there was another meaning hidden in her words, but could only smile awkwardly. "Alright, alright."
"I'll leave it at that, Brother. See you tomorrow night," Nannan said with a triumphant smile before skipping off, leaving only a faint fragrance behind.
"Master Ziyang, I think there was a deeper meaning in Nannan's words," Xingcai whispered, appearing at his side.
"No need to remind me. I heard it loud and clear," Zhu Ziyang muttered with a trace of irritation.
"Hehe~" Xingcai only stuck out her tongue mischievously before darting out of the room.
"Sigh… what a headache," Zhu Ziyang groaned, holding his forehead.
That evening, Zhu Ziyang went to the dining hall, where he ran into Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and He Caitou. Naturally, he joined them.
"Senior Brother, I… I'd like to represent Tang Sect in this year's Soul Master Tournament," Yuhao said nervously.
He had been thrilled to learn from Tang Ya and Bei Bei that sects would be allowed to participate in this tournament. When Tang Ya asked if he would compete for Tang Sect, he had agreed without hesitation. But now, facing Zhu Ziyang, he couldn't help feeling a pang of guilt.
"Of course, I agree," Zhu Ziyang said with an easy smile. He had already guessed Yuhao's decision.
"Thank you, Ziyang!" Bei Bei said gratefully, overjoyed that their Tang Sect team was finally taking shape. With Yuhao's return and a few more members he had brought back, they even had substitutes. They might not reach the finals, but a top-four finish was practically certain—and that would be enough to revive Tang Sect's name.
"Ziyang, are you joining tomorrow's event too?" Xu Sanshi asked with a mischievous grin. "Don't you already have Nannan, Sister Xiaotao, and even Lingyi? Why bother competing with the rest of us?"
"Idiot! Don't you already have Xue Weiwei? And you're still going?" Zhu Ziyang shot back with a laugh. "Don't think I don't know—you're already engaged to her!"
"Eh… cough, cough… it's just for the ceremony," Xu Sanshi said, scratching his head sheepishly.
"Yuhao, what about you? Do you have a girl you like?" Bei Bei suddenly asked, serious this time. He had promised Tang Ya he'd ask.
"I… I think so," Yuhao muttered, his face clouded with confusion. He seemed to recall something, but his tone was hesitant.
"What do you mean 'I think so'? Do you, or don't you?" Zhu Ziyang frowned. Clearly, the book he'd given Yuhao remained unread. Still, Nannan's words might prove useful.
"If not, then I know a girl who definitely likes you," Ziyang said with a smile.
"Oh? Who?" Xu Sanshi asked eagerly, while Bei Bei's expression turned worried. He feared Ziyang was about to mention Wang Dong'er.
"Who, Senior Brother?" Yuhao asked, eyes wide with bewilderment. In truth, he could think of very few girls close to him. Who could possibly like him?
"Idiot. Xiao Xiao, of course," Zhu Ziyang said with a calm smile.
"Xiao Xiao?!" Yuhao's whole body trembled, while He Caitou, sitting nearby, also wore a strange expression.
Zhu Ziyang was very satisfied with Yuhao's reaction. That afternoon, he had pieced it all together: Wang Dong'er was likely the Sea God's chain, binding Yuhao—the Son of Destiny. In that case, he would not allow Tang San's plan to succeed, at least not fully.
He had a message for the Sea God: Your brilliant schemes may stabilize the world, but you've lost Tang Sect—and even given away a girl!
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