The second segment quickly concluded, and the number of boys remaining on the field had decreased from thirty-nine to twenty-five. Fourteen were eliminated directly in the second round. What can I say? Humans are indeed visual creatures.
The boys' positions shifted again, and they were now arranged in a single row, facing the girls from a distance.
"After the first two rounds, I believe everyone has a basic understanding of each other. Now, we will move on to the third segment: Love at Second Sight.
Each boy will have one minute for self-introduction. After all the boys have introduced themselves, the girls will begin to make their choices. This time, sisters, please pay close attention! You cannot choose as casually as in the second round. Once you make a choice, you must be responsible for it.
Because this choice represents your final decision. Each girl can only choose once and cannot go back on her word.
Once all the girls have made their choices, we can proceed to the fourth segment!"
Zhang Weiwei explained the rules of the third segment, a playful smile occasionally gracing her face.
"Brother-disciples, please note: when you introduce yourselves, you can simultaneously display what you believe to be your strongest abilities, or you can introduce your cultivation level, and so on. As long as you feel your introduction can attract the girl you admire, that's what matters.
This time, we will randomize the order. We will draw lots to decide who goes first and who goes last, to ensure fairness." As Zhang Weiwei introduced the rules, Dai Yueheng also stepped onto the lotus leaves and approached the boys, holding a lottery tube. He spoke as he walked.
The boys began to draw lots, and the girls were not idle either. Each of them wore a new number plate on their chest, and they also exchanged positions. Both boys and girls were re-sorted.
Zhu Ziyang drew number four, which was quite early. He didn't forget to observe the girls opposite him and was surprised to find that Ma Xiaotao drew number eight, Jiang Nannan drew number twelve, Qian Lingyi drew number sixteen, and Fifth Huan'er drew number twenty. Good heavens, they were all multiples of four. Was this drawing really without any inside manipulation?
The third segment began. The first to be drawn was Chu Qingtian, the one who had lifted the Holy Maiden Wu Ming's bamboo hat.
Zhang Weiwei smiled and said, "Next, the third segment—Love at Second Sight—begins. Boys, you must perform well! This is your best chance to win the favor of the Sea God Fairies. Don't miss it!
The boy who drew number one, please come forward. Remember, your performance area is limited to the water between the boys and girls. As with the previous rules, if you fall into the water, you will be eliminated."
"Understood! Thank you, Senior Sister Zhang!" Chu Qingtian responded, not wishing to waste any time. He immediately soared into the air, electricity coiling around his body. With a flash, he appeared above the lake.
"Greetings, Senior Sisters and Junior Sisters. I am Chu Qingtian." Although he was still suspended in the air, he had already announced his name. Six spirit rings—two yellow, two purple, two black—shone simultaneously. His body circled once in mid-air, and his third spirit ring lit up. Amidst countless flashing electric lights, Chu Qingtian's figure instantly vanished, only his voice echoing in the air.
"I am twenty-seven years old this year. My Spirit is the Electric Maniac Leopard, an agility-attack system Spirit Emperor, with sixty-seventh-level spirit power. In terms of speed, I believe I can rank among the best of my Inner Courtyard brother-disciples. Although I am not exceptionally outstanding, I possess a sincere heart. Before coming to the Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event today, I had already decided. As long as any Sea God Fairy is willing to accept me, I will devote my life and accompany her forever."
As Chu Qingtian spoke, the many lightning bolts he had transformed into suddenly condensed in the air, forming a giant electric heart. Following this, his figure flashed, and he gracefully detached himself from the electric heart. He lightly blew a breath, and the electric heart flew towards the girls' direction, eventually dissipating in the air.
Chu Qingtian then twisted and turned in the air, a flash of electricity, and returned to his lotus leaf. His figure landed, not red-faced or breathless, and with a smile, he bowed slightly towards the girls with his right hand over his chest.
The entire process was smooth and unhurried, and the timing was exactly one minute. From this, it could be seen that as Inner Courtyard Disciples, none of them were ordinary individuals. In just one minute, Chu Qingtian displayed a level of proficiency with spirit power and Spirit Abilities, as well as speed and Spirit control, that no ordinary Spirit Emperor could match. No wonder it was rumored throughout the continent that only Spirit Emperors from Shrek Academy were true Spirit Emperors.
Overall, Chu Qingtian's performance was quite good; at least Wu Ming was already blushing.
The second boy immediately took the stage. His appearance garnered everyone's attention. The boys and girls present, as well as the elders and teachers on the ferry not far away, all looked at him with a hint of surprise.
Number two, Dai Huabin.
"Meier, isn't this Dai Huabin engaged to that Zhu Lu?" Old Lin frowned and asked.
"Hmm!" Cai Meier nodded, her brows also slightly furrowed. The other female elders and teachers on the boat also frowned to varying degrees. Regardless of age, girls would feel dissatisfied with Dai Huabin's blatant infidelity.
By Sea God Lake, among the many Outer Courtyard Disciples watching, a black-haired girl was looking wistfully at the blind date event. Although the view from her position wasn't very clear, she still recognized him at a glance. Even though she knew he wasn't there for a blind date, her heart still ached.
Dai Huabin was unaware of these things at the moment. Just as he thought, he was not participating in Sea God's Fate for a blind date, but for a fight. He roared, and a strong white light erupted from his body—it was the White Tiger's Protective Barrier. White fur emerged, and his figure suddenly became tall and mighty. With a flash, he immediately charged out.
The White Tiger's Protective Barrier extended outwards, forming a white light shield that barely kept his body suspended above the water. Compared to Chu Qingtian, it was far from graceful, but everyone present was discerning and could naturally see that performing on the water was not Dai Huabin's forte. As a battle Spirit Master with the White Tiger Spirit, his frontal combat power was his advantage.
"Hello everyone, my name is Dai Huabin. I am seventeen years old this year, a fifty-seventh-level attack system Spirit King, with the White Tiger Spirit. That's all, thank you." Dai Huabin maintained a stern expression, looking as if he disdained everyone. This reminded Zhu Ziyang of Dai Yueheng when he first entered the Inner Courtyard; the two brothers were practically identical.
Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but glance at Dai Yueheng, and Dai Yueheng, sensing Zhu Ziyang's gaze, gave him a helpless smile. Clearly, as his brother, it was impossible for him not to understand his younger brother's temperament.
The third person was the seven-ring Spirit Saint who had been tricked by Xu Sanshi during the entrance segment. As a flying-type Spirit Master, his self-introduction wasn't very flashy, but it was very graceful, just like his Spirit, the Roaring Wind Sparrow.
After this seven-ring Spirit Saint, it was Zhu Ziyang's turn.
"Old Xuan, who do you think Ziyang will choose?" Old Zhuang leaned towards Xuan Zi, asking with a smile.
"How would I know?" Xuan Zi shook his head blankly.
"Oh! Look at me, I forgot that our Gluttony Douluo is still a virgin! Hahaha!" Old Zhuang suddenly burst into laughter, but his words instantly made Xuan Zi's face darken. The other elders also burst into laughter, while only the four deans and Inner Courtyard teachers exchanged glances, wanting to laugh but not daring to.
"You, Zhuang Qingzhai, dare to make fun of me!" Xuan Zi was annoyed and said angrily, "You can forget about asking me to help you hunt for alchemy materials from now on."
"Old Xuan, I was wrong, I was wrong." Old Zhuang immediately conceded, saying with a smile, "It was just a joke, don't be angry!"
"Hmph!" Xuan Zi huffed angrily, no longer willing to bother with Old Zhuang, and continued to watch the venue. But deep down, he felt a bit lonely. As a Super Douluo, how could he not yearn to pass on his Spirit? Unfortunately, due to a Spirit defect, he was destined to be alone his entire life. Sometimes he truly envied Old Zhuang. Why was his Spirit the Gourmand Divine Cow and not the Spirit of the Tree of Life?
Old Zhuang was the only one among the Tian Yuan Pavilion elders who had a prosperous lineage. He had four sons and three daughters, over twenty grandchildren, and more than fifty great-grandchildren. Compared to the other elders, he truly was a winner in life.
Unfortunately, among Old Zhuang's descendants, only one son and one granddaughter inherited his Spirit of the Tree of Life. The others all inherited the Spirits from their respective mothers' sides.