At this time—
Shrek Academy.
With the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival approaching, the academy welcomed its noisiest season of the year.
Do not assume that geniuses are immune to romance.
Precisely because cultivation is arduous and the years are lonely, in this gathering place of prodigies, the thoughts of youth burn even brighter.
The young Spirit Masters, who usually bury themselves in training with no time for distractions, placed their deepest expectations on this grand event unique to the academy.
What girl has never imagined matters of love?
What boy has never pondered longing?
As the date of the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival drew closer, even the air in the academy seemed to grow warm.
Like a flock of fledglings that had lain dormant too long, finally greeted by a spring breeze—eager to spread their wings and fly toward someone's heart.
And this lively atmosphere—
grew even more heated with the spread of a certain piece of news.
—Ma Xiaotao and Huo Yuhao stayed alone together in a room at an inn outside the city, with evidence to prove it!
As the strongest graduate of the previous class and the leader of the former Shrek Seven Monsters, Ma Xiaotao's prestige in the academy was second only to Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan.
And ever since defeating Jing Hongchen, Huo Yuhao had vaguely been hailed as the "number one prodigy on the continent."
The two of them being linked together…
No!
Zhang Lexuan had to be included as well!
Even before this rumor, there had long been talk within the academy that the Senior Sister and Huo Yuhao shared an unusual closeness.
Many students had seen the two walking side by side along the shore of Sea God Lake, and Zhang Lexuan's attitude toward Huo Yuhao was indeed gentler than she had ever shown before.
One rumor became ten, ten became a hundred, and as it spread, countless embellished versions emerged.
—The former captain of the Seven Monsters and the Inner Court Senior Sister competing for the continent's top genius!
—Huo Yuhao caught between Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao, burdened with debts of love!
—Is fate among three people simply too crowded?
In recent days—
the hottest topic in the academy—
always revolved around the entanglement between these three.
Students discussed it endlessly, each with their own emotions.
"Huo Yuhao already has Senior Sister. Isn't that enough? I'm going to challenge him to a duel!"
"Go ahead! Who's stopping you? After one punch from Huo Yuhao, next year I'll light incense for you!"
"So does that mean both Senior Sister Ma Xiaotao and Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan will participate in this year's Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival?"
"They won't actually fight each other, will they? Heehee, I love watching girls fight!"
The students of Shrek Academy had truly been holding things in for too long.
With this incident layered atop the approaching grandeur of the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival, it even directly gave birth to a student organization within the academy called the "Fate Society."
It resembled a "confession wall."
Every day, boys and girls anonymously submitted letters, publishing their shy yet sincere feelings.
Thus—
these past few days—
students could often be seen holding freshly printed issues, sometimes delighted, sometimes anxious, secretly wondering:
Was this one written by him (her)?
Does he (she) like me too?
Of course—
issues involving Huo Yuhao, Zhang Lexuan, and Ma Xiaotao had the highest subscriptions.
...
By the shore of Sea God Lake—
Bei Bei and the other five lounged casually in a circle, while Tang Ya leaned against Bei Bei's shoulder.
Under a tree—
Xiao Xiao held the newly published Fate Society paper and read aloud in a clear, ringing voice:
"The three most watched figures of this year's Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival—Huo Yuhao, Zhang Lexuan, and Ma Xiaotao—have reportedly not appeared publicly in the academy in recent days… inevitably leading to speculation among students… have they fallen out… will there be unexpected developments at the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival…"
"Heehee, three people! Who will Yuhao end up holding hands with?"
Jiang Nannan leaned in with Xiao Xiao.
The two whispered something to each other and suddenly burst into laughter, their eyes curving like crescents.
Xu Sanshi propped himself up on his arms and lay back on the grass, letting out a long sigh.
"Senior Sister and Senior Sister Ma Xiaotao are the two most dazzling flowers in our academy. Yuhao… truly makes people envious."
Jiang Nannan shot him a glance.
"If you had Yuhao's ability, you could do the same."
Xu Sanshi chuckled awkwardly.
"I—I was just saying."
"Besides, there's already someone in my heart."
As he said this—
his gaze fixed straight on Jiang Nannan.
But Jiang Nannan turned her face away, ignoring him.
Xu Sanshi stretched out an arm and slung it around He Caitou's shoulder, noticing he was staring blankly at the "Confession Wall" section, and couldn't help laughing.
"What, you want to confess too?"
He Caitou immediately flustered, his dark face flushing with a reddish tint.
"I—I don't!"
Wang Dong remained silent, her slender hand clenched tightly inside her sleeve, nails digging deep into her palm, bringing waves of pain.
Bei Bei looked at his playful companions, a gentle smile rising to his face.
He turned his head to look at Tang Ya beside him, his smile fading slightly.
"Someone sent me word, asking me to stop you from leaving Shrek."
Tang Ya lowered her head, her voice soft.
"Bei Bei, the gap between my talent and yours is too great. The Inner Court… I can't get in."
Bei Bei took her hand.
"We'll think of something together."
...
Inner Court.
In a courtyard—
Ma Xiaotao's long spear danced like a roaming dragon in her hands. Wherever the spear tip swept past, sparks burst into the air.
Forcing Ling Luochen and Xi Xi, who were fighting together, to retreat step by step.
Bang!
A blossom of crimson flame suddenly exploded.
Several strands at the end of Xi Xi's brown hair were instantly singed into curled tips.
"Enough! I'm done!"
She angrily dispersed her Spirit Power.
Ma Xiaotao let out a long breath; beads of sweat formed on her smooth forehead.
She curled her lips into a smile, her brows filled with exhilaration. "It feels amazing without that evil fire entangling me. It's been a long time since I've felt this carefree."
Ling Luochen looked at her thoughtfully.
"The only thing that can suppress the evil fire so completely is Ultimate Ice. You… went to see Junior Brother Yuhao, didn't you?"
Ma Xiaotao tilted her head back and gulped down some water. Droplets slid along the line of her fair neck.
"A few days ago, I did ask Junior Brother Yuhao for help. His Ultimate Ice is even stronger than before."
Xi Xi leaned closer, mischief gleaming in her eyes.
"So then, the rumors flying all over the academy… about you and Junior Brother Yuhao at that inn…"
"Fake!"
A flush of pink instantly spread across Ma Xiaotao's radiant face.
"I only went to have him suppress the evil fire! You two have such wild imaginations. If you're not going to keep training with me, I'm heading back."
With that—
she turned and left.
Ling Luochen suddenly spoke.
"Xiaotao, will you participate in the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival?"
Ma Xiaotao's steps paused slightly.
"…I will."
After she walked away—
Ling Luochen and Xi Xi exchanged a knowing smile.
They had known Ma Xiaotao for years and understood her temperament too well.
If she truly had no feelings for Huo Yuhao—
with all the rumors circulating in the academy these days, she would have probably set the Fate Society on fire already.
"Still…"
Ling Luochen sighed.
"Junior Brother Yuhao is simply too outstanding. Xiaotao's opponent this time… is Senior Sister."
The two of them also recalled—
that ever-calm and composed Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan. Despite the lively rumors spreading through the academy these days, she had never offered a single word of clarification.
...
Also within the Inner Court—
in a quiet little courtyard—
Zhang Lexuan stood silently by the window, gazing absentmindedly at the lush flowers and trees in the yard.
Her teacher's words, along with the image of that upright young man, surfaced again and again in her heart.
She let out a soft breath, turned from the window, and slowly walked toward the wardrobe inside the room.
Hanging within—
were almost all simple black robes of the same style.
All these years…
she had been single-minded, unwilling to dress up for anyone, nor had she felt the need to change colors.
Zhang Lexuan stood before the wardrobe for a moment.
At last, she reached deep inside and took out a wooden box.
She lifted the lid.
A pure, moonlike white came into view.
It was a long dress, elegant in color, soft in texture, as though woven from moonlight.
What girl does not love beautiful clothes?
She had simply once thought there was no need.
But for this Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival…
she wanted to dress up.
She wanted to wear white just once.
"It should look beautiful."
...
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