The second round quickly concluded, and the remaining male disciples had been reduced from thirty-nine to twenty-five. Fourteen were eliminated in this round. As expected, humans are visual creatures.
The positions of the remaining men changed once again. Instead of the previous three rows, they now stood in a single line, facing the women from a distance.
"After the first two rounds, I believe everyone has a general understanding of each other," Zhang Weiwei announced with a playful smile. "Now, we will enter the third round: Falling in Love at Second Sight."
"Each of the men will have one minute for self-introduction. After all the men have introduced themselves, the women will begin making their choices. Sisters, please be careful this time. Don't choose so randomly like last time. Once you make your decision, it will be final, and you must be responsible for your choice."
"After all the women have made their selections, we will proceed to the fourth round."
Zhang Weiwei's explanation came with a mischievous smile as she glanced at Dai Yueheng, who was walking towards the men, holding a lottery tube.
"During your self-introductions, you may showcase your strongest abilities and introduce your cultivation, soul skills, or anything else that you think will attract your desired lady. This time, we'll shuffle the order. We'll draw lots to decide the order of appearances for fairness."
The men began drawing lots, while the women were busy as well. Each woman received a new number tag, and they also swapped positions. Both men and women were now reordered.
Zhu Ziyang drew number four, a very favorable position. He noticed that Ma Xiaotao drew number eight, Jiang Nannan drew twelve, Qian Lingyi drew sixteen, and Huan'er drew twenty. What a coincidence—four multiples of four. Was this lottery really fair?
The third round began. The first to appear was the man who had revealed the Golden Crow Saintess Wu Ming's identity, Chu Qingtian.
"Next, we begin the third round—Falling in Love at Second Sight," Zhang Weiwei announced with a smile. "Men, this is your chance to show off! This is the best opportunity to earn the Sea Goddess's favor. Don't waste it!"
"Male contestant number one, please step forward. Remember, your performance is only allowed on the lake. If you fall into the water, you'll be eliminated!"
"Thank you, Senior Sister Zhang!" Chu Qingtian responded, not wasting a second. He soared into the air, lightning flashing around him, and in the blink of an eye, he was standing on the lake.
"Hello, sisters, I am Chu Qingtian." Though his body still hovered in the air, he had already announced his name. His six soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and two black—shone brilliantly as he spiraled around, his third ring lighting up. Countless sparks of electricity flickered, and his figure disappeared in an instant, only his voice echoing.
"I'm twenty-seven years old, a Soul Emperor with a rank 67 cultivation. My martial soul is the Electric Crazy Leopard, a speed-type battle soul. I believe I rank among the fastest of my peers in the inner academy. Though I'm not particularly outstanding, I've come here today with a sincere heart. Before I even arrived at the Sea Goddess's Matchmaking, I made a decision. Whichever Sea Goddess accepts me, I will cherish her forever."
As he spoke, his electric form transformed into a giant heart of lightning, which flew toward the women before dissipating in the air. He spun back in the air and landed on his lotus leaf, not out of breath, smiling at the women, his hand placed on his chest in a slight bow.
His performance was smooth and effortless, leaving no room for doubt. It was clear that as a disciple of the inner academy, none of them were ordinary individuals. In just one minute, Chu Qingtian had displayed not only his mastery of soul power and skills but also his agility and martial soul control, leaving the onlookers in awe.
Overall, Chu Qingtian performed well. Wu Ming's face had already begun to blush.
Next came the second contestant, Dai Huabin.
His arrival immediately drew attention from everyone, not just the male and female disciples present but even the elders and teachers from the nearby boat. Their gazes were filled with curiosity.
"Mei'er, isn't Dai Huabin engaged to Zhu Lu?" Lin Lao frowned.
"Mm." Cai Mei'er nodded, also furrowing her brow. Other female elders on the boat shared similar concerns. Regardless of age, no woman would be pleased with Dai Huabin's open flirtations.
On the shore of Sea God Lake, a black-haired girl stared at the matchmaking scene with a gloomy expression. Although she couldn't see it clearly from her position, she immediately recognized him. Even though she knew he wasn't there for the matchmaking, her heart still ached.
At this moment, Dai Huabin had no idea what the others were thinking. Just as he had planned, he wasn't here for matchmaking but for a fight. With a loud shout, a burst of intense white light erupted from his body—the White Tiger Protection. White fur sprouted as his body grew tall and imposing, his form flashing forward.
With the White Tiger Protection forming a white light shield around him, he barely floated on the water's surface. Compared to Chu Qingtian, it wasn't graceful, but the onlookers could see that Dai Huabin's strength lay in close combat. As a Soul Master with the White Tiger martial soul, his real advantage was his battle power, not water performance.
"Hello, everyone, my name is Dai Huabin. I am seventeen years old, a Rank 57 Battle Soul King with the White Tiger martial soul. Thank you."
Dai Huabin spoke in a tone of disdain, giving everyone the impression that he found them unworthy of his attention. This attitude reminded Zhu Ziyang of Dai Yueheng when he first entered the inner academy. The brothers truly seemed alike.
Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but glance at Dai Yueheng, who noticed his gaze and gave a helpless smile. Clearly, Dai Yueheng knew his younger brother's temperament all too well.
The third contestant was the unlucky Soul Saint who had been pranked by Xu Sanshi during the entry process. As a flight-type Soul Master, his self-introduction wasn't flashy but still quite graceful, like his martial soul, the Howling Wind Sparrow.
After the seventh-ranked Soul Saint, it was finally Zhu Ziyang's turn.
"Old Xuan, who do you think Ziyang will choose?" Elder Zhuang asked with a smile.
"I don't know," Xuanzizi shook his head in confusion.
"Ah, I forgot! Our Devouring Douluo is still a child! Hahaha!" Elder Zhuang suddenly laughed, but his words caused Xuanzizi's face to darken. The other elders laughed along, but the four academy deans and the inner academy teachers exchanged glances, unsure whether to laugh.
"Good one, Zhuang Qingzhai, trying to make fun of me!" Xuanzizi grumbled. "You won't get my help with hunting materials for your alchemy from now on."
"Old Xuan, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Elder Zhuang immediately backed down, smiling. "Just a joke! Don't be mad!"
"Humph!" Xuanzizi grunted, turning his gaze back to the stage. However, in his heart, there was a touch of loneliness. As a Super Douluo, he longed to pass on his martial soul, but because of the defects in it, he was destined to remain alone. Sometimes, he envied Elder Zhuang—why did he have the Feast of Heaven's Divine Bull martial soul, while Xuanzizi was burdened with the Life Tree?
Elder Zhuang, the only elder in Tianyuan Pavilion with a prosperous family, had four sons, three daughters, and over twenty grandchildren. His descendants exceeded fifty, making him a true life winner compared to the other elders.
Alas, only one son and one granddaughter inherited the Life Tree martial soul, while the rest inherited their mothers' martial souls.
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