"Junting, are you ready?"
"Coming."
Chen Junting called out as he descended the stairs.
Since the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival required formal attire, all participating Inner Court male students had voluntarily donned their crimson academy uniforms—unified in appearance. The bold red, symbolizing celebration and joy, carried the silent hopes of countless single senior students dreaming of winning their beloved's heart.
And if everyone was dressing alike, no exceptions would be made.
Chen Junting stepped into the room, his eyes sweeping over Huo Yuhao and the others—all clad in matching red uniforms—before finally landing on Bei Bei, who stood apart in an elegant white robe.
"Senior Bei Bei," Chen Junting grinned, "you look absolutely dashing."
"Handsome as I am, it won't help," Bei Bei replied, forcing a faint smile. Though three days had passed since Elder Mu's passing, to Bei Bei, it still felt like moments ago.
Just earlier that day, he'd only awakened from his great-grandfather's final blessing—his grief still raw, unprocessed.
"Ugh, stop with that strained smile already," Xu Sanshi said, elbowing Bei Bei squarely in the chest. "We're about to win our girls over, and you're making that gloomy face? You want a beating?"
"Oof—win your girl over?" Bei Bei rubbed his ribs, shooting Xu Sanshi a glare. "You really think so? I swear—if you mess up, I'll sabotage you so badly you won't even pass the first round."
"Pfft! Get lost!" Xu Sanshi waved him off, eyes wide with mock offense. "You try that, and I'll lose it on you!"
All he got in return was a cold, knowing "Heh. Heh."
The others watching the exchange—Chen Junting included—couldn't help but chuckle.
Thanks to Xu Sanshi's antics, Bei Bei's mood visibly lifted; his smile now looked genuine.
And when Tang Ya arrived, Bei Bei's sorrow seemed to vanish entirely—much to Xu Sanshi's mock outrage:
"All that effort I put in as a brother… and your girlfriend fixes you in seconds!"
That, of course, earned him a round of laughter.
Tang Ya didn't stop there. She patted her lap, gesturing for Bei Bei to lie down—and right there in public, she gave him a lap pillow, all while smirking at Xu Sanshi with taunting flair:
"Can your 'brother' count on someone who's both his teacher and girlfriend to pamper him? Go ahead—get Nannan to do this for you, if you've got the guts."
In that moment, Xu Sanshi realized: he'd been cast as the comic relief in this couple's impromptu "Valentine's Day" skit.
But out of compassion for Bei Bei's recent loss, the magnanimous Xu Sanshi declared he'd let it slide—for today, at least.
The reward for his mercy?
Bei Bei's open mockery—and everyone else's stifled laughter.
As dusk fell, the air around Sea God Lake grew increasingly romantic—likely stirred by anticipation of the ceremony. Couples and groups of red-clad Inner Court students began crossing the lake by various means, converging toward the ceremony's revised venue on the opposite shore.
Soon, the male participants gathered at the lakeside.
To prevent overcrowding from Outer Court spectators, the academy had cordoned off a special lakeside arena. The Soul Guidance Department had deployed soul guidance devices to seal off land, water, and sky—ensuring only Inner Court students could access the performance zones.
All the male attendees were now assembled.
Yet the female participants remained unseen.
Faint silhouettes flickered across the dark water, but thick mist and dim light obscured any details.
"I wonder how Nannan will look today…" Xu Sanshi stood on tiptoe, straining to see—even though nothing was visible.
Spotting Chen Junting standing calmly nearby, he sidled over and raised an eyebrow. "Little Brother Junting… you're not nervous?"
"What would I be nervous about?" Chen Junting asked smoothly—though beneath the surface, his fingers kept tracing invisible patterns in his palm, mentally rehearsing every word of his planned confession to Xiao Tian. Can't afford a single mistake.
"We're brothers—you can't hide from me," Xu Sanshi said, draping an arm around Chen Junting's shoulders. "I've seen you sneaking out of the academy nonstop these past days. Definitely preparing for tonight, huh?"
You've nailed it, Chen Junting thought with an inward sigh. He'd even sought out Bi Ji for a small favor to make tonight perfect.
But even if Xu Sanshi guessed right… admitting nerves was out of the question.
When Chen Junting stayed silent, Xu Sanshi turned his attention to someone more expressive—like the visibly anxious Huo Yuhao.
"Yuhao, you're nervous, aren't you?"
"Huh? Oh—yeah! Absolutely!" Huo Yuhao jolted awake, pulled from his mental huddle with Ice Empress, Tianmeng, and his fox spirit—where they'd been brainstorming confession tactics. Honest as ever, he nodded vigorously.
"Heh, want some tips?" Xu Sanshi puffed out his chest. "After all, I did win over your Senior Nannan. Got real experience here."
I, Xu Sanshi, am a generous teacher!
But Chen Junting, hearing this and seeing Huo Yuhao nearly buying it, couldn't stop himself from rolling his eyes.
Senior Xu… do you even remember how you actually got with Nannan?
And you're teaching Yuhao? His plans are already ten times more reliable than yours.
To save Huo Yuhao from romantic doom, Chen Junting cleared his throat and exposed Xu Sanshi's ruse:
"Senior Xu, if you're teaching Yuhao to confess… are you seriously going to show him how to simp for Dong'er?"
"What?! Nonsense!" Xu Sanshi sputtered, jumping in protest. "That's not 'simping'! That's— that's deep devotion!"
And so began Xu Sanshi's passionate monologue: "It's not simping—it's profound, soulful love!"
Huo Yuhao, listening closely, gradually realized: Senior Xu might not be the best love advisor.
Quietly, he took a step back.
That tiny retreat wounded Xu Sanshi deeply.
Fortunately, He Caitou arrived just in time, humbly seeking Xu Sanshi's advice—having zero experience in romance himself. Xu Sanshi might be questionable, but at least he had some street cred.
This small validation soothed Xu Sanshi's wounded pride.
Scolding Chen Junting and Huo Yuhao under his breath, he pulled He Caitou aside and began "imparting" his hard-won wisdom.
Just then—
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two grand vessels emerged from the distance.
Lanterns ablaze, they pushed back the darkness. These were the academy's premier transport ships—and their cabins were packed.
Keen-eyed students spotted not only the Sea God Pavilion Elders, but also representatives from the major sects who'd come to pay respects to Elder Mu—many of whom they'd met before.
"Senior Tian Yang came in person?!" someone gasped.
As the daughter of a Dou Ling imperial princess, Wang Dong'er knew well that Tian Yang Douluo, guardian of the Dou Ling Empire, rarely left the palace's Hall of Offerings unless for grave matters.
"Elder Mu's passing truly shook the continent," Chen Junting murmured, sensing the aura from the ships. Not a single soul on board is below Title Douluo.
"For the former three Douluo nations, losing Elder Mu means losing their greatest pillar."
Especially now that word had spread—the Holy Spirit Church harbored two Limit Douluos.
He kept that last thought to himself, wary of causing panic among the Inner Court students.
As the two ships anchored in the center of the lake—
Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
Sudden beams of light pierced the water, shattering waves. Seventeen radiant columns shot skyward!
To the Inner Court boys' awe—and the Outer Court spectators' astonishment—each beam revealed a young woman: seventeen in total, all wearing identical white gowns and veiled bamboo hats.
Though three feet of gauze obscured their faces, the soft golden light lent them an ethereal grace, like celestial maidens drifting across the lake. Their otherworldly beauty left every man spellbound.
As the seventeen lined up facing the shore, many male students could barely contain their anticipation.
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