"My name is Wu Ming, I'm thirty-two years old this year. Everyone calls me the Golden Crow Saintess. I know some people say it's the 'leftover' kind of leftover. There's no helping it, I'm old, I have a bad temper, and I'm not very likable. That's normal."
As she spoke, Wu Ming had already swooped down from the sky. The brilliant golden flames behind her drew a dazzling tail of fire in the air. While flying, she swept her gaze across the group of male students opposite her.
Almost all the inner court male students who were familiar with Wu Ming hurriedly avoided her line of sight, terrified of being chosen by her.
Although Wu Ming couldn't be called an absolute beauty, she was still the striking type. Golden flames coiled around her curvaceous figure, and under the romantic night, they added an extra layer of hazy allure. The only problem was her naturally combative personality; very few male students could handle such a temper.
Normal men usually preferred gentle girls. Of course, that didn't rule out those with special preferences who enjoyed being dominated.
Wu Ming was long accustomed to everyone's reactions like this, but her body still couldn't help trembling slightly. She was also a normal girl. Yet every time she tried to express her feelings, the other party acted as if they wanted to flee as far away as possible. After so many years, it was inevitable that some grievances had built up in her heart.
However, with her naturally strong personality, she would never show her vulnerable side in front of everyone. Her gaze finally landed on the calm-looking Yu Tianhuang. Yu Tianhuang was the only one who treated her with an ordinary attitude.
When she looked over, Yu Tianhuang even gave her a gentle smile. That was understanding and recognition toward her; he didn't treat her like a ferocious tiger. For a moment, she actually felt her nose turn sour.
Wu Ming paused slightly in mid-air. While everyone's hearts trembled, her figure accurately landed in front of Xu Zihuang.
"I looked around and didn't find anyone particularly suitable. Since that's the case, why shouldn't I choose the most outstanding one?"
A highly infectious, confident smile bloomed on Wu Ming's pretty face. She raised her jade neck slightly, exuding a kind of innate pride.
All the male students breathed a sigh of relief, but upon hearing her words, most of their expressions became somewhat unnatural. The implication of Wu Ming's statement was essentially that none of them could compare to Yu Tianhuang. But that was simply the reality staring them in the face.
Compared to Yu Tianhuang, any genius would appear mediocre.
From the subtle changes in Wu Ming's eyes, Xu Zihuang had already anticipated this situation and wasn't surprised at all.
Wu Ming looked back and forth between Xu Zihuang, Ye Guyi, and Ning Tian, a playful smile flickering in her eyes.
"Tianhuang, you should understand my situation very well. No matter who you choose later, I will still issue a challenge."
She did indeed have strong feelings for Yu Tianhuang. If Yu Tianhuang really chose her, she believed she wouldn't feel the slightest resistance deep in her heart. Soul masters often think very differently from ordinary people, especially when it comes to choosing a future partner.
As the most noble profession on the continent, soul masters have always been extremely proud. Especially the inner court disciples of Shrek Academy, outside, they are all elites among elites, the cream of the younger generation of soul masters. If you want them to put down their pride, the first requirement is to completely subdue them with strength.
The Sea God Fate Blind Date event held by Shrek Academy was precisely created to provide such a platform and opportunity.
Yu Tianhuang had undoubtedly achieved that. Moreover, his other conditions were equally perfect.
However, Wu Ming also knew that the chances of Yu Tianhuang choosing her were very slim. She wouldn't become anxious or uneasy because of it; she had already mentally prepared herself beforehand. On the contrary, once she issued a challenge, no matter who Yu Tianhuang ultimately chose, she would have the opportunity to challenge either Yu Tianhuang or Ye Guyi. That was exactly what she wanted to see.
Also, Yu Tianhuang's existence had helped her preserve her dignity. In short, choosing Yu Tianhuang was a win-win-win situation for her.
Ning Tian also saw through all of this. With an unchanging, gentle smile, she slightly nodded toward Wu Ming in acknowledgment. She knew that in this session of the Sea God Fate Blind Date event, there were quite a few female students who had ideas about Yu Tianhuang — that was unavoidable. But Wu Ming was not someone who could truly threaten her.
Xu Zihuang said helplessly, "Then I hope after this challenge, Senior Sister Wu will let me have some peace and quiet for a while."
"So confident?" Wu Ming asked with a smile, once again returning to her usual bold and straightforward demeanor.
Xu Zihuang merely smiled without answering.
At that moment, a flash of golden-red light appeared, and everyone's gazes instantly converged in the air.
It was Ma Xiaotao's turn.
Similarly, a pair of flame wings unfolded behind her. Unlike Wu Ming's, Ma Xiaotao's phoenix wings were a deep, profound golden-red. In terms of appearance, Ma Xiaotao surpassed Wu Ming. Her voluptuous curves were even more exaggerated. But her face gave an initial impression of coldness, forming a stark contrast with her fiery figure, giving people a sense of cold and alluring beauty.
This was the first impression most people who didn't know Ma Xiaotao had of her.
Although the inner court male students were also wary of Ma Xiaotao's explosive temper, they weren't as exaggeratedly fearful toward her as they had been with Wu Ming. After all, Ma Xiaotao was only twenty-four years old, yet her soul power cultivation was already close to catching up to the thirty-two-year-old Wu Ming. Her future achievements were limitless. Beautiful, with a great figure; all of these were bonus points.
The only thing troubling them was their lack of confidence in their own strength and talent; they feared they wouldn't be able to tame Ma Xiaotao. For male soul masters, having a future partner whose strength surpassed their own was not something to be proud of.
Ma Xiaotao's cheeks felt slightly hot. Her thoughts were actually the same as Wu Ming's. Compared to Wu Ming, however, she harbored a special feeling toward Yu Tianhuang, the first man who had ever had intimate physical contact with her body.
But she wasn't the indecisive type either. With slightly flushed cheeks and phoenix wings flapping behind her, she landed directly in front of Xu Zihuang.
"If you're willing to choose, then choose. If you don't choose me, when we reach the final stage, I will also issue a challenge just like Sister Ming."
Wu Ming glanced sideways at Ma Xiaotao, the smile on her face growing even wider, clearly enjoying the drama.
Then she turned to Xu Zihuang and said:
"Tianhuang, I know the chances of you choosing Xiaotao or me are small. How about this? If you choose Junior Sister Ning Tian or the newly arrived Bone-Clad Junior Sister later, let's make things simple and do a two-on-two. You two versus Xiaotao and me."
Before Xu Zihuang could answer, Ning Tian spoke first. Though her smile remained gentle, there was a faint sense of confrontation hidden within it.
"I think Senior Sister Wu's suggestion is quite good."
Over the years, although Ning Tian no longer feared Ma Xiaotao as much as she used to, there was still a hurdle in her heart. If she and Yu Tianhuang could defeat Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming together, it would undoubtedly help erase that hurdle to the greatest extent.
She believed that with Yu Tianhuang's strength, plus the support of her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul, they could completely suppress Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming.
Looking at the dazzling Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in Ning Tian's hand, Ma Xiaotao found it extremely piercing to the eyes. But she didn't look at Ning Tian; instead, she stared straight at Xu Zihuang.
"I have no objections. As long as you agree, it's fine."
Ye Guyi, who had remained silent, watched coldly from the sidelines. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she sized up Ma Xiaotao. If her impression of Ning Tian was still relatively favorable, then her favorability toward Ma Xiaotao was purely negative.
She had never even used a commanding tone to make Xu Zihuang do anything; on what basis could Ma Xiaotao do so?
When someone already has a prejudice against another person, everything about them will seem unpleasant. That was exactly Ye Guyi's current state.
They say three women make a drama; at this moment, Xu Zihuang was truly experiencing it firsthand. And it wasn't just three; they were almost enough to form a soul master team.
Excluding Jiang Nannan, who had already given up her qualification for this session's Sea God Fate Blind Date event, among the six female students who had appeared so far, four had chosen Xu Zihuang. This was a situation that had never occurred in any previous Sea God Fate Blind Date event.
The next one to appear, the eighth female student, was also an acquaintance.
This female student had long red hair and exquisite features without much expression. But her figure was exceptionally hot, almost comparable to Ma Xiaotao's. Moreover, her martial soul aura had many similarities with Ma Xiaotao's. She was the Red Dragon soul master, Wu Feng.
Under everyone's gaze, she walked forward with firm steps and slowly stopped in front of Xu Zihuang.
Everyone present, both male and female students, widened their eyes in shock. This was already the fifth female student to choose Yu Tianhuang.
Those who knew about the relationship between Yu Tianhuang, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng were even more baffled.
Ning Tian's gaze also became dazed as she looked at Wu Feng in disbelief.
"Feng'er, what are you doing?!"
Wu Feng bit her lip tightly. Her eyes were filled with complex emotions, unwillingness, despair, and a glimmer of hope. She remained silent.
She knew that the relationship between Ning Tian and Yu Tianhuang was already set in stone. This was the last resistance she could make.
Zhang Lexuan exchanged a few quiet words with Han Ruoruo beside her, then Zhang Lexuan's soul power-enhanced voice spread throughout the entire area.
"Given that Tianhuang's situation is rather special, to ensure fairness in today's Sea God Fate Blind Date event, I propose that Tianhuang complete all the remaining stages first. All female students will have the opportunity to choose him, but after this round of choices, you may continue to choose again later. After all, no matter how outstanding Tianhuang is, he can only take away one Sea God Fairy."
As soon as Zhang Lexuan finished speaking, both the male and female students looked at each other and began whispering.
"If anyone has objections, you may raise them now."
After a moment of silence, no one voiced any opposition. Everyone agreed with Zhang Lexuan's proposal, especially the male students. In this fourth stage, Fate Determined Thrice, each female student could only choose one male student they admired. Once they chose Yu Tianhuang, they could no longer choose anyone else. If this continued, the opportunities left for them would only become fewer and fewer.
"Tianhuang, do you have anything to say?"
Xu Zihuang calmly shook his head toward Zhang Lexuan.
"Eldest Senior Sister, we'll do as you suggested."
On the large ship on Sea God Lake, Yan Shaozhe smiled and sighed:
"Lexuan handled this very promptly. With Tianhuang's excellence, such a situation was entirely predictable. Looking at Tianhuang, I always feel like I'm seeing my younger self."
"Yan Shaozhe, stop putting gold on your own face," Xian Lin'er snorted coldly, not giving him any face at all.
"When will you ever—"
But before she could finish, Elder Song interrupted her.
"Lin'er!"
Elder Song was one of the most senior elders in the Sea God Pavilion, second only to Elder Xuan in both seniority and strength. She was also Xian Lin'er's mother.
With her speaking, Xian Lin'er could only coldly turn her head away and say nothing more.
Seeing Yan Shaozhe's expression turn as ugly as if he had swallowed a fly, Qian Duoduo couldn't help grinning.
Old Yan, you really are as shameless as ever.
Qian Duoduo completely agreed with Xian Lin'er's words. Back in the day, although Yan Shaozhe was the most talented student of their generation, he still wasn't qualified to be compared to Yu Tianhuang.
Elder Xuan simply watched everything happening on the dark red crystal surface with a smile, saying nothing.
"Very well. Since no one has any objections, let Tianhuang complete the remaining stages of this session's Sea God Fate Blind Date event first."
Zhang Lexuan turned around and addressed the female students:
"This time, the female students will be given three minutes to think. Everyone has good feelings toward Tianhuang. After all, his conditions in every aspect are so perfect. However, there is one thing I must say: when a man is too outstanding, you need to consider whether you can attract him. Although there will be opportunities to continue participating in this session's event later, the male students will definitely notice that you previously chose Tianhuang. Therefore, I ask all the Sea God Fairies to think carefully. Now, the three-minute countdown begins."
After hearing Zhang Lexuan's words, the female students fell into deep thought. It's often said that when a woman pursues a man, it's like there's only a thin veil between them; as long as you're bold enough, there's a chance. But in this case, that chance was obviously extremely slim.
Although Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan were a case of a man pursuing a woman, they could still serve as some reference. Moreover, most female students knew about the relationship between Yu Tianhuang and Ning Tian. If they really did this, how they would get along in the future was also something they had to consider.
Furthermore, let alone Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming, how many female students could truly consider themselves superior to Ning Tian and Ye Guyi? One must know one's own limitations.
Three minutes passed quickly.
Han Ruoruo announced: "Time's up. Sea God Fairies, please make your choices."
Perhaps because Zhang Lexuan's words had taken effect, astonishingly, not a single female student chose Yu Tianhuang this time, a complete reversal from before.
In truth, even without Zhang Lexuan's suggestion, following the normal process, there wouldn't have been many female students continuing to choose Yu Tianhuang afterward. Not every female student could be as straightforward as Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming.
Zhang Lexuan waited another minute. Seeing that still no one stepped forward, she smiled and continued:
"Since no more female students are choosing Tianhuang, then, Tianhuang, the time has come for you to make your choice."
Xu Zihuang nodded toward Zhang Lexuan and Han Ruoruo, then slowly closed his eyes.
Ye Guyi and Ning Tian stood on his left and right respectively, while Wu Ming, Ma Xiaotao, and Wu Feng stood directly in front of him. Though the five of them had different thoughts, without exception, all their gazes were fixed on Xu Zihuang.
When he opened his eyes again, Xu Zihuang did something that left almost everyone present completely stunned.
He extended both hands and simultaneously took one hand each from Ye Guyi and Ning Tian.
On the male students' side, including Beibei and He Caitou, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
"What the hell? Is he trying to openly step on two boats?!" Someone couldn't help exclaiming.
The female students were equally shocked.
Zhang Lexuan, who had known in advance, looked at Yu Tianhuang's serious expression and reminded him with mock seriousness:
"Tianhuang, according to the rules of the Sea God Fate Blind Date event, you can only take away one Sea God Fairy."
Xu Zihuang tightened his grip on both Ning Tian's and Ye Guyi's hands, speaking with a firm tone:
"Eldest Senior Sister, this is my choice. To me, both of them are very important. I will not abandon either one of them."
Ye Guyi gazed at Xu Zihuang. Of course, she understood the meaning behind his words. She raised her head and looked at Ning Tian.
Ning Tian hadn't noticed Ye Guyi's gaze at all; all her attention was focused on Xu Zihuang. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, water-blue eyes filling with mist, her chest rising and falling dramatically.
"Tianhuang… why?" Ning Tian's voice was even trembling. For so many years, this was the first time she had questioned Yu Tianhuang like this.
Although Yu Tianhuang had chosen both her and Ye Guyi at the same time, she had spent so much time together with Yu Tianhuang day after day, while Yu Tianhuang and Ye Guyi had only met for the first time today.
She had really lost too much.
Those familiar with Ning Tian knew that in this state, she had completely lost her composure.
For example, Wu Feng. It was as if she had grasped the last life-saving straw; her gaze became incredibly burning. She had finally seen hope of a rift forming between Ning Tian and Yu Tianhuang.
Wu Ming, on the other hand, looked like she was enjoying a good show, the corners of her mouth raised.
Ma Xiaotao's face, however, turned slightly pale at this moment. She could understand if Yu Tianhuang chose Ning Tian, but choosing Ye Guyi at the same time meant that she had also lost to someone who had only met Yu Tianhuang for the first time.
Still, she didn't show much reaction. She said lightly:
"I already said — I will issue a challenge."
Ye Guyi, who was already in a bad mood, immediately turned ice-cold upon hearing Ma Xiaotao's words and let out a cold snort.
"You're very good at fighting, are you? Then come, I'll keep you company!"
A golden light burst forth in Ye Guyi's eyes. A sacred aura immediately radiated outward with her body at the center. At this moment, her entire being was like a brilliant golden sun, illuminating the surrounding thousand-meter area as bright as day.
Two pairs of pure white angel wings appeared behind her, and seven soul rings rose from beneath her feet.
Yellow! Yellow! Purple! Purple! Black! Black! Red!
With each soul ring that rose, her aura surged dramatically.
"Sacred Angel martial soul?! A hundred-thousand-year soul ring?!" Some inner court disciples already cried out in shock.
At such close range, Ye Guyi's powerful aura forced Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming to take several steps back. Both of them released their own martial souls in response.
Crystal-clear tears slid from the corners of Ning Tian's eyes. She subconsciously looked toward Ye Guyi.
Ye Guyi coldly glanced at Ma Xiaotao, then withdrew her gaze. She slowly walked in front of Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian. She could see that Ning Tian's emotions were completely genuine, and with that, Ning Tian had barely earned her acknowledgment.
She did want to possess Xu Zihuang alone, but she was even more unwilling to make things difficult for him.
Bathed in holy light, Ye Guyi's pretty face was now filled with sacred holiness. She gently lifted her jade hand, cradled Ning Tian's smooth chin, and said softly with a smile:
"Silly girl, why are you crying? I am Tianhuang's older sister, his real older sister."
"Ah?" Ning Tian opened her red lips in shock. A storm of emotions, astonishment, disbelief, shame, and shyness swirled in her heart. She was completely thrown into confusion, not knowing what to say.
Xu Zihuang gently wiped away the tears at the corners of Ning Tian's eyes and, following Ye Guyi's words, said apologetically:
"I'm sorry. I kept this from you all this time."
Not just Ning Tian, almost everyone present, except for Zhang Lexuan, stared in utter disbelief.
He Caitou's gaze deepened for an instant, but he quickly returned to his previous honest and bewildered appearance.
Without saying anything more, Ye Guyi turned around. From her storage ring, she took out the Seven-Star Blazing Light Sword. The sword tip pointed proudly toward Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming opposite her.
"You want to challenge, right? Come at me together."
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