âI know that weâre not suitable for each other. In the inner courtyard, youâre considered a blessing. You were close to your eighth ring then. At that point in time, I only had five rings. Regardless of whether it was our cultivation or our future, they were too far apart. Moreover, weâre teacher and student. To conceal my feelings, I invested all my time and effort into martial soul research and tried to forget about you.â
âHowever, I couldnât just forget you when love truly came. There was a point in time when I was especially despondent, and even looked down on myself. I was already trying my best to carry out my research, but I found myself thinking of you whenever there was a quiet moment. Your look and your smile when you were researching martial souls with me tugged at my heartstrings all the time. I had the temptation to look for you more than once. Nevertheless, my own feelings of inferiority stopped me.â
âIt was only a year ago that I started to become more introspective with my feelings, but I knew that my opportunities were slowly slipping away. To keep pace with you, I tried my best to strengthen my cultivation as I continued my martial soul research. I hoped to catch up to you. It was only this way that I could complement you. Not long afterward, I reached Rank 60, and Iâm now at Rank 64. Although Iâm still very far away from you, I really donât want to give up on todayâs opportunity. At the very least, I want to confess to you. Even if I fail in my pursuit, I wonât regret that I tried.â
âI had actually hoped you find a partner in this blind date, and secretly wished you all the best in your endeavor. However, they canât appreciate you. Thatâs why Iâm being impulsive now. Maybe Iâll be expelled from the academy tomorrow, but I wonât regret my decision.â
As he spoke till here, he stopped. After that, he watched Han Ruoruoâs lost look, and seemed to muster his courage, and he said, âRuoruo, can you give me a chance?â
Han Ruoruo looked at Wang Yan, who stared back at her. It seemed as if she could see into the depths of his eyes.
They werenât young anymore. Han Ruoruo didnât hesitate too much. She smiled and seemed as luxuriant as a fresh flower. Her beaming smile was extremely moving in this beautiful night.
She drifted down towards Wang Yan and extended her right hand. She said softly, âI think my happiness is here.â
The normally gentle Wang Yan couldnât remain calm anymore. He was agitated as he grabbed her hands and said in the most determined way possible, âIâll be faithful to you.â
Han Ruoruo looked at his agitated look and said, âYou shouldâve told me earlier. I might have agreed.â
Wang Yan was still agitated, âItâs not too late. Itâs still not too late. Even though I canât become a Titled Douluo, Iâll still have sixty years. Sixty years is equivalent to more than two hundred thousand days. Iâll treasure every moment with you. Ruoruo, thank you.â
Han Ruoruo didnât say anything more. As she grabbed hold of Wang Yanâs hand, she turned to everyone. âIâm sorry, I wonât participate in this Sea Godâs Fate any further. Lexuan, take it that Iâve been eliminated. Weâll make a move first.â
At this point, an elderly voice sounded. âWang Yan, the elders and I have the same thoughts. Weâll take it that we didnât see what just happened. However, weâll expel you if you donât invite us to your wedding dinner.â
Wang Yan was delighted. âThank you Elder Xuan and elders of the pavilion. Iâll be with Shrek forever. Even if you expel me, I still wonât leave.â
Han Ruoruo and Wang Yan smiled as they looked at each other. Their bodies lifted into the air at the same time. The teacher-student love that blossomed between the both of them seemed very agreeable.
âI wish the both of you all the best.â Zhang Lexuan felt a little disappointed, but her voice was still as sweet as ever.
After entering the fourth segment, things seemed to have become more intense! Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo both found partners. This was far beyond everyoneâs expectations.
After Han Ruoruo, Wu Feng actually chose Dai Huabin. She didnât even say anything. But, as she was proceeding towards Dai Huabin, she glared at Huo Yuhao.
Another female student who still had her hat also revealed her looks.
When it came to Ling Luochenâs turn, another shocking scene appeared.
Ling Luochenâs actions were very gentle as she left the water lily. However, she moved very similarly to Huo Yuhao when he walked towards the female students earlier. As she walked step by step on the waterâs surface, she formed patches of ice beneath her feet. She slowly came in front of the male students. However, she didnât introduce herself.
After scanning the male students around her, her gaze finally landed on Huo Yuhao. She lifted her legs again and walked towards Huo Yuhao before stopping.
Huo Yuhao seemed to be in a daze.
Ling Luochen was even cooler than Wu Ming. She said coldly, âIâm sure you know about me. I took a look and realized youâre compatible. If you donât mind the gap between us, we can get together.â
Huo Yuhao almost frothed at the mouth. He didnât expect her to choose him.
In terms of age, Ling Luochen was indeed not much older than him. During the previous tournament, Ling Luochen was part of the main team, and she was almost twenty years old then. She was now around twenty-four, while Huo Yuhao was only seventeen. Their age gap was approximately seven years.
Was Ling Luochen really as cold as her voice? Her eyes were flashing, and she even seemed lost in her own world. There was a dim layer of pink on her face.
Three female students had already chosen Huo Yuhao.
The students in the inner courtyard were on average between twenty and thirty years old. Only slightly more than ten percent of them were above thirty years old. The rest, such as Huo Yuhao, were less than thirty.
Guys and girls at this age were already pretty rational. That was why it was rare for many female students to choose one male student. Comparatively, the inner courtyard seemed to have more girls than guys now. The overall abilities of the female students were greater than the male students. Besides some of the graduates, there werenât any eight-ringed male students in the academy right now. However, there was more than one female student with eight soul rings. Furthermore, there were even more male students than female students in todayâs competition. In the last segment, it was very unlikely for many female students to choose the same male student. Besides Huo Yuhao, there was only one other handsome-looking, seven-ringed male student was chosen by two female students.
Huo Yuhao didnât expect himself to be so popular as he looked at the three ladies in front of him. Perhaps heâd spent too much time with Wang Dong, and thus he didnât have confidence in his own appearance. However, who would have expected three ladies to choose him today? He was most captivated by the young lady with the pinkish-blue hair, but Ning Tian and Ling Luochen were undoubtedly very outstanding students too!
The fourth segment ended. Following this, was the fifth segment, which was the last segment.
At this point, there were much fewer people left on this blind date. Jiang Nannan and Han Ruoruo had left, so there were only fifteen female students left. Three of them had chosen Huo Yuhao, and two of them had chosen another male student. As a result, there were three less male students as compared to the female students. Including Huo Yuhao, He Caitou and Dai Huabin, there were only twelve of them.
â¦â¦
On the shore, Jiang Nannan and Xu Sanshi were hiding behind a huge rock as they watched the rest of the students on the lake.
The two of them had just dried their clothing using a completely different method from Wu Ming. They wrung the water from their clothes directly. Naturally, Xu Sanshi was the one who did this, as he possessed the Xuanwu Shield. Of course, he also exploited this opportunity to meticulously and seriously admire Jiang Nannanâs body. Xu Sanshi was still thinking that her figure was perfect! It was practically flawless.
âNannan, why are we still looking at them? We should find a place to get intimate. After chasing you for so many years, I finally won your heart. It wasnât easy.â
Jiang Nannan rolled her eyes at him and said softly âShut up. Donât talk to me about winning my heart or getting intimate. Get further away from me. Iâm warning youâdonât touch me.â
Xu Sanshi opened his eyes wide. âNannan, didnât you promise me?â
âWhat did I promise you?â Jiang Nannan was amused as she looked at him.
âTo be my girlfriend!â
âDid I promise you that?â Jiang Nannan replied almost naturally.
âDidnât you jump into my arms just now? Wasnât that your stamp of approval?â Xu Sanshi continued to argue.
Jiang Nannan snorted and said, âI didnât promise you anything.â
âYou⦠youâre refusing to acknowledge it?â Xu Sanshi was shocked as he looked at her.
Jiang Nannan laughed. âIsnât that an innate characteristic of a lady? Moreover, I truly didnât say anything!â
Xu Sanshi lowered his head and revealed an indignant look on his face. He was mimicking the Snow Lady, âWhat do I have to do before youâll become my girlfriend?â
âLet me test you again.â Jiang Nannan said naturally.
âHow long will the test take?â Xu Sanshi looked even more indignant now.
âPerhaps another three to five years.â Jiang Nannan didnât even think it through.
Xu Sanshi was about to stand up as he said, âWhat? Three to five years? I should just jump back into the water.â
Jiang Nannan didnât stop him either. âGo on. You wonât drown with your martial soul. If you jump back in, you wonât even have a chance to take the test.â
âThen I wonât do it anymore. Test me then.â Xu Sanshi said with a brazen face and got closer to Jiang Nannan. He whispered, âShouldnât you give me some reward, even during the test? For example, we can hold hands, hug, and kiss occasionally. How will I have the strength to undergo the test if I donât have any motivation?â
Jiang Nannan said seriously, âYou can try if you dare.â
âI-!â Xu Sanshi was both sad and angry! He felt that he had returned to the start. She was only treating him slightly better now.
âIâll let you hold my hand.â Jiang Nannan used the carrot and stick approach.
âReally?â Xu Sanshi was delighted. It was better than nothing! At least others could tell their relationship! Furthermore, his heartbeat raced when he thought of Jiang Nannanâs white and delicate hands.
âThree times a month. Ten minutes each time.â Jiang Nannan immediately added.
Xu Sanshi was shocked as he looked at her. He asked, âHave you been influenced by Bei Bei?â
âEldest senior brother? Of course not! The seniors in the inner courtyard told me not to treat guys too well. They wonât know how to treasure you if you treat them too well.â
âHeaven! Earth! Iâ¦â
Jiang Nannan gestured for him to keep silent. âLower your volume. The last segment is about to start. Weâre about to witness a nice show.â
Xu Sanshi grabbed her hand and looked at her passionately, âLetâs start with the ten minutes.â
Jiang Nannan struggled for a while, but she didnât use too much force. She struggled, but didnât let go. Xu Sanshiâs palm was wide and strong, and it was also very warm.
âDid you just say that there was a nice show to watch? What show?â
Jiang Nannan lowered her voice âHavenât you realized that one person is missing from Shrekâs Seven Monsters today?â
âAre you talking about Wang Dong?â Xu Sanshi asked.
Jiang Nannan smiled and replied, âTake a look. In fact, no oneâs missing.â
â¦â¦
Bei Bei recited, âAfter the Destined in Three Lives, weâre about to start the fifth segment. This segment is called Eternal Love.â
âIn this segment, the choice lies in the male studentsâ hands after the female students made their choices in the previous event. They can choose the female student they want. If you choose a female student that chose you and no one competes with you, congratulations. However, weâll enter a Bride Kidnapping segment if you have a competitor. Among all the segments, this last segment is where a lot of things change. Itâs also the most important and critical moment to demonstrate your abilities and charm. Thatâs why you should make your preparations now.â
Zhang Lexuan followed with, âThe rules for this last segment are as such: If a male student chooses a female student that didnât choose him, the female student has a chance to issue a challenge to him. If he loses the challenge, he has to leave. He can only choose again if he wins the challenge. Of course, he can make a new choice if the female student that he chooses takes pity on him and lets him off. If the female student that he re-chooses has already chosen another male student, he has to request the opinion of that male student. If the other male student also chooses this female student, the two male students will compete with each other. The loser will be knocked out of the competition, and the winner will have a chance to confess to the female student again.â