The second round quickly concluded. The number of male participants remaining on the field had dropped from thirty-nine to twenty-five—fourteen were eliminated in one round. As expected, humans are indeed visual creatures.
The positions of the male participants shifted again. This time, they were rearranged from three rows into a single row, facing the female participants across the lake.
"After the first two rounds, I believe everyone now has a basic understanding of each other. Next, we'll begin the third round: Second Glance, Deeper Feeling."
"Each male participant will have one minute for self-introduction. Once everyone has introduced themselves, the female participants will make their selections. But ladies, please pay close attention—this time, you can't just choose as casually as in the second round. Once you make your choice, you must take responsibility for it."
"Because this round's choice represents your final decision. Each female participant may choose only once, and cannot take it back," Zhang Weiwei explained with a mischievous smile.
"Brothers, listen carefully. During your self-introduction, you may demonstrate your most powerful ability or describe your cultivation level—whatever you think will best attract the attention of your desired Sea God Fairy."
"This time, we'll determine the order randomly by drawing lots," she said, while Dai Yueheng stepped forward onto the lotus leaves with a drawing tube in hand, walking among the male disciples.
As the males began drawing their lots, the females also got busy. Each had a new number tag placed on her chest, and both sides were rearranged.
Zhu Ziyang drew number four—very early in the lineup. He glanced at the girls across the lake and was surprised to find that Ma Xiaotao drew number eight, Jiang Nannan drew twelve, Qian Lingyi drew sixteen, and Diwu Huan'er drew twenty. All multiples of four—was this random draw really not rigged?
The third round began. The first to go was Chu Qingtian, the one who had lifted Wu Ming's bamboo hat earlier.
Zhang Weiwei smiled. "Now begins the third round—Second Glance, Deeper Feeling. Gentlemen, this is your best chance to win the favor of the Sea God Fairies. Don't miss it!"
"Number one, please come forward. Remember, your performance area is restricted to the surface of the lake between the male and female sides. As before, if you fall into the water, you're eliminated!"
"Understood! Thank you, Sister Zhang!" Chu Qingtian responded crisply. Without delay, he soared into the air. Lightning surged around him, and in a flash, he hovered above the lake's surface.
"Greetings, senior and junior sisters. I am Chu Qingtian," he introduced while still airborne. Two yellow, two purple, and two black soul rings lit up—six in total. He circled gracefully in the air, then activated his third soul ring. Amid a crackling burst of lightning, his figure vanished, leaving only his voice echoing.
"I'm twenty-seven years old. My martial soul is Lightning Leopard, a sensitive assault type. My cultivation is Rank 67 Soul Emperor. When it comes to speed, I dare say I rank among the top in the inner court. I may not be the best, but I have a sincere heart. Before coming here today, I had already made up my mind—if any Sea God Fairy is willing to take me in, I will devote myself to her for life."
As he spoke, the lightning arcs in the sky gathered into the shape of a massive heart. Then, Chu Qingtian reappeared, elegantly spinning out of the lightning heart. He blew a soft breath, and the lightning heart floated toward the girls before dissolving mid-air.
He somersaulted backward and, with a flicker of lightning, returned to his lotus leaf. With perfect control, he landed effortlessly, placing a hand over his chest and giving a gentlemanly bow toward the ladies.
The entire sequence was smooth and fluid, perfectly timed to last exactly one minute. It clearly showed that inner court disciples were no ordinary soul masters. His soul power, technique proficiency, and speed demonstrated capabilities beyond most Soul Emperors. No wonder people said only Soul Emperors from Shrek were true Soul Emperors.
Overall, Chu Qingtian's performance was impressive—Wu Ming's face had already started turning red.
The second participant immediately followed, drawing attention from everyone—be it male, female, or even the elders and teachers watching from a distance on the ferry.
Number two: Dai Huabin.
"Mei'er, isn't this Dai Huabin the one engaged to Zhu Lu?" Elder Lin frowned.
"Mm," Cai Mei'er nodded, also furrowing her brow. Other female elders and teachers on the boat likewise frowned to various degrees. No matter their age, women had no patience for men who openly cheated.
On the shore of Sea God Lake, among the crowd of outer court disciples, a black-haired girl was silently watching the event. Though her view wasn't ideal, she recognized him immediately. Even knowing he hadn't come for romance, her heart still ached.
Dai Huabin, unaware of all this, was acting just as he intended—he hadn't come to date but to fight. With a loud roar, brilliant white light burst from his body—his White Tiger Body Barrier activated. White fur erupted, his figure expanded, and with a flash, he charged forward.
He used the White Tiger Body Barrier to form a barrier beneath his feet to barely stay on the lake's surface. Compared to Chu Qingtian, it looked awkward. But the discerning audience could tell Dai Huabin wasn't suited to this terrain—his White Tiger martial soul made him a power-type soul master whose strength lay in direct combat.
"Hello everyone, I'm Dai Huabin. Seventeen years old. Rank 57 power attack–type Soul King. Martial soul: White Tiger. That's all. Thank you." He spoke stiffly, with a cold face as if he looked down on everyone. The expression reminded Zhu Ziyang of how Dai Yueheng had looked when he first joined the inner court—exactly the same.
Zhu Ziyang couldn't help glancing at Dai Yueheng, who met his eyes with a helpless smile. As an older brother, he clearly understood his younger brother's temperament.
Next came the seven-ring Soul Sage who had been sabotaged by Xu Sanshi during the entry phase. As a flying-type soul master with the Howling Wind Sparrow, his introduction was less flashy but graceful and in tune with his martial soul.
Then it was Zhu Ziyang's turn.
"Old Xuan, who do you think Ziyang will choose?" Elder Zhuang leaned over to Elder Xuan with a grin.
"How should I know?" Xuanzi replied, bewildered.
"Oh! Look at me—I forgot our Gluttonous Douluo is still a virgin! Hahaha!" Elder Zhuang suddenly burst into laughter. His words instantly darkened Xuanzi's expression. The other elders joined in, chuckling. Only the four Deans and inner court instructors looked at one another, stifling laughter.
"Zhuang Qingzhai, you dare mock me like that!" Xuanzi roared, fuming. "Don't even think of asking me to hunt or refine materials for you again!"
"I was wrong, old Xuan! I was wrong!" Elder Zhuang immediately surrendered, smiling. "Just a joke, don't be angry!"
"Hmph!" Xuanzi huffed and turned away, sulking. But inside, a hint of sorrow lingered. As a Super Douluo, how could he not wish to pass on his martial soul? But due to its defects, he was doomed to be alone forever. Sometimes he truly envied Elder Zhuang. Why was he born with the Life Tree martial soul, while Xuanzi got the Gluttonous Bull?
Elder Zhuang was the only elder of the Tianyuan Pavilion with a flourishing family—four sons, three daughters, over twenty grandchildren, and more than fifty great-grandchildren. Compared to the other elders, he was truly living a winner's life.
Unfortunately, among all his descendants, only one son and one granddaughter inherited his Life Tree martial soul. The others inherited their mothers' martial souls.
(End of Chapter)
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