"On Sea God Lake, under Sea God's Fate—ten thousand years of Shrek, a love destined in a single moment! Welcome, everyone, to the lakeside of Sea God Lake on this summer night!"
Dong—dong—!
As the announcer's rich voice rang out, two brilliant white spotlights pierced the lake's surface—revealing a young man and woman standing side by side.
On the left: Bei Bei, calm and refined.
On the right: Zhang Le Xuan, bold and radiant.
His white robe and her soft yellow gown complemented each other perfectly. Their warm, inviting smiles radiated an effortless charm.
Bei Bei's voice carried clearly across the water:
"Once again, the annual Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival is about to begin. As your hosts tonight, we're truly honored to stand with you and witness this romantic, miraculous gathering."
"We also warmly welcome our distinguished guests tonight—the Elders of the Sea God Pavilion, our beloved teachers, and honored representatives. On behalf of all students, I express our deepest gratitude. Without your patient guidance and support, none of us would be standing here today."
He placed a hand over his heart and bowed slightly toward one of the moored ferry ships—earning a nod of acknowledgment from Elder Xuan.
Zhang Le Xuan then stepped forward, her voice ringing with sincerity:
"We believe everyone carries a dream of love—whether burning like wildfire or gentle as a flowing stream. Here, two hearts yearning to meet may just be fated to intertwine. May every participant find their destined connection tonight—and may the Sea God's blessing make your love shine brighter than ever!"
The simple yet heartfelt opening drew thunderous applause.
Seeing the male students practically vibrating with anticipation, Bei Bei swiftly announced the rules for the first round.
The festive energy was so infectious that even the elderly observers on the ferry boats seemed rejuvenated by the youthful vigor.
"Ah… to be young again," sighed Tian Yang Douluo, standing beside Xuan Zi.
At over 150 years old, Tian Yang (Heavenly Sun) had long entered the twilight of his Level 97 Super Douluo life. Though still cultivating diligently, breakthrough to Level 98 felt impossibly distant. With the Dou Ling Empire—and the entire continent—plagued by hidden turmoil and internal strife, he was mentally exhausted, clinging only to the hope that his aging body might still serve a final, crucial purpose.
But what worried him more was the empire's future.
The royal bloodline was weakening. The current princes showed mediocre talent. Regional dukes grew increasingly ambitious. He feared that once he passed, with no strong figure to restrain them, the imperial line would be overthrown.
Admittedly, Xu Sanshi—Prince of Dou Ling and son of Princess Xue Lingxun—possessed the talent to inherit his role as Royal High Priest. Yet Tian Yang dreaded a repeat of the Tianhun tragedy. Still… if all else failed, Xu Sanshi would be his last hope.
But now… he had another idea.
"Xuan Zi, your Shrek really has more wolves than meat, doesn't it?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Xuan Zi—previously grinning—went instantly on guard. He'd been about to take a swig from his flask but remembered his ceremonial role and reluctantly set it down, frowning.
"Old Tian Yang… what are you getting at?"
"Oh, nothing much," Tian Yang Douluo stroked his beard calmly. "It's just… even if you split your Inner Court students evenly by gender, you've still got over twenty young men doomed to bachelorhood. And as the saying goes—'Appetite and passion are man's nature.' If they spend their lives as lonely as you, you gluttonous old hermit, how miserable will they be?"
Xuan Zi's face flushed crimson.
You old bastard—you're rubbing salt in my wounds!
"Tian Yang, don't push me—I'll beat you right here!"
"Hah! I'm only being considerate," Tian Yang chuckled, undeterred. "You know as well as I do—truly outstanding female soul masters are rare. If you insist on pairing them only with the strongest, half your male students will die alone."
Xuan Zi merely "hmphed," refusing to engage.
Seeing his silence, Tian Yang pressed on: "But if status can compensate, wouldn't that be acceptable? My Dou Ling Imperial House may lack many things—but princesses, we have plenty. Next Sea God's Fate Ceremony… I'll bring a few."
Now his true intent was revealed.
Clearly, he aimed to marry Dou Ling princesses to Shrek's male geniuses, securing future protectors for his empire.
Ideally, these young men would have no powerful factions backing them beyond Shrek itself—making them perfect candidates for marrying into the imperial family.
So their future children… would bear the Xue surname.
Xuan Zi nearly refused outright. After all, one purpose of the Sea God's Fate was to keep talent within the family—for both genders.
But then he recalled his final conversation with Elder Mu before his passing—and swallowed his refusal.
Just as Tian Yang began to think his plan had failed—
"Alright. Bring them next time."
After a long silence, Xuan Zi's words sent shockwaves through the boat.
This wasn't just approval to attend the matchmaking—it signaled a shift in Shrek's entire stance!
Elder Mu's passing really has changed everything, Tian Yang realized.
But he had no time to dwell on it.
Their "private" conversation hadn't been soundproofed—so every Title Douluo within earshot now had red eyes from envy.
Alert! Alert! Target spotted—initiate courtship protocols!
—
Meanwhile, on the lake—
"Three… two… one—begin!"
With the countdown finished, the first round commenced.
Thirty-nine columns of light shot up from the lake. The male Inner Court students on shore burst into motion.
Combined with the Outer Court's roaring cheers, the atmosphere exploded into its most feverish peak yet!
Unsurprisingly, flying martial soul users held the advantage.
Two Soul Emperors and two Soul Saints unleashed their full power—like four streaks of light rocketing toward the lake's center.
Others weren't far behind, deploying every trick they knew.
After all—the more impressive their performance, the greater their choice in partners!
In an instant, countless soul rings blazed along the shore—like a grand fireworks display erupting over the water.
Chen Junting gazed ahead, a faint smile playing on his lips.
The next second—those leading students suddenly sensed a lethal aura surging from behind. The sheer pressure forced them to instinctively dive sideways.
In a flash, the lake itself split apart as Chen Junting's figure shot through—sending waves crashing onto the others.
Before anyone could blink, he stood atop a flying sword, hovering directly above the first water lily pad.
Bathed in brilliant white light, the lily pad glistened like jade floating on liquid emerald, exquisitely enchanting.
Chen Junting's foot touched down—subtle formation patterns flaring briefly beneath his sole.
Such terrifying speed left not only the students but even the Title Douluo spectators utterly stunned.
"Who is that boy?!" someone gasped.
Smitten!
Tian Yang Douluo was completely smitten!
But then—a voice from behind doused him like ice water:
"Don't even dream of it. He's my disciple."
Tian Yang turned to see Ye Xuanji, who'd somehow moved from the other ferry boat without notice. More striking than his arrival, though, was the suppressed pride in his voice—and the quiet satisfaction in his eyes.
"He's from your Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
Ye Xuanji arched a brow. "Obviously."
"Sigh…"
Just as Tian Yang sank into disappointment, something amusing unfolded on the lake.
"Whoa—!"
Xu Sanshi suddenly stumbled—
as if losing balance, about to plunge into the water!
At the last moment, he "accidentally" swapped places with a nearby Soul Saint senior, using the momentum to land safely on the second lily pad.
"Huh? It should've still worked…" Xu Sanshi gave the bewildered senior an awkward grin, then scratched his head in confusion.
He'd tried to use his Mystic Deep Replacement to exchange positions with first-place Chen Junting—but his soul skill had briefly malfunctioned!
Meanwhile, Chen Junting stood perfectly steady on his lily pad—
hands clasped behind his back, unmoving as a mountain.
He glanced at Xu Sanshi, who looked utterly baffled like "a monk confused by his own scripture," and barely suppressed the smirk tugging at his lips.
The truth?
The moment Chen Junting secured first place—before even landing on the lily pad—he'd anticipated Xu Sanshi's trick.
The faint formation glyphs he'd laid down? They disrupted spatial manipulation, rendering ordinary teleportation or position-swap soul skills useless.
Just like Mystic Deep Replacement.
As the last male student finally landed on his lily pad, the next phase of the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival officially began.
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