Chapter 148: Never Let Go

Chapter 148: Never Let Go

After feeling a deep yearning for the Golden Tree, Du Qianjue no longer paid attention to it. He planned to act on it after the fall of Mu En when Shrek Academy's influence had waned. Over the next few days, Du Qianjue and Xue Linglong spent their nights sleeping at their residence and their days leisurely wandering around Sea God Island, occasionally fishing in the Sea God Lake.

The inner court disciples on the island were surprised to hear that guests were staying on the island since it was unheard of for guests to reside on Sea God Island. Many curious disciples, including Ling Luochen, encountered Du Qianjue and Xue Linglong during their walks.

"So, the rumors in the inner court about the temporary guests on Sea God Island are about you," said Ling Luochen calmly, without showing any emotion.

"Yeah, staying at the sect was getting dull, so I decided to travel around the continent, starting with Shrek, the top academy here," replied Du Qianjue casually.

Ling Luochen's eyelids slightly drooped as he quietly asked, "Is the reason you haven't left because of the Sea God Fate Matchmaking Convention happening in a few days?"

"Exactly, it's a grand annual event at Shrek Academy. Since I'm already here, it would be a shame not to join in," Du Qianjue nodded.

"I see," said Ling Luochen, as he walked away. Xue Linglong blinked, "You seem to know quite a few people here at Shrek."

"They're just acquaintances from the soul fighting competitions; I've only met them a few times," Du Qianjue explained, squeezing her hand gently.

A day before the Sea God Fate event, Zhang Lexuan visited them. "Senior sister, is there something you need?" Du Qianjue asked, sitting across from her, resting his chin on his hands.

Zhang Lexuan explained, "You're not our inner court student, and you only know about the Sea God Fate event. I need to tell you the rules in advance."

"Alright, go ahead, senior sister," said Du Qianjue, now attentive.

"The Sea God Fate Matchmaking Convention is an annual event exclusive to our inner court. So aside from you and your fiancée, all participants are inner court disciples," Zhang Lexuan began explaining the rules. "Besides matchmaking, the event also serves as an assessment and a showcase for the inner court disciples to demonstrate their capabilities, as only by showing their strength can they attract those they like."

"The event is divided into five stages, all taking place over Sea God Lake. The lake itself becomes the stage, adorned only with lights and lotus leaves, which serve as platforms."

"Remember, in any of the stages, falling off the lotus leaves means elimination, regardless of gender."

"The first stage is the entrance. All participating women will line up across the lake on lotus leaves, which will bear their weight. Falling into the water means disqualification."

"This stage is more challenging for men because they need to secure a spot on the lotus leaves. Since there are more male disciples than female, the men will have to be strategic about their positions to ensure they remain in the competition."

"The second stage, 'mutual recognition,' is the first point of contact between male and female students. All female participants wear long dresses and hats to obscure their faces. During this stage, men must rely on their strength to remove the hats of the women, revealing their faces. The order of appearance for the men depends on their position on the lotus leaves. However, women are allowed to fight back. If a man isn't strong enough, he might not only fail to remove a hat but could also be knocked into the water and lose his chance to continue."

Du Qianjue nodded, familiar with the mischievous tactics from past participants in this stage.

Zhang Lexuan continued, "The third stage, 'first impressions,' involves repositioning the men based on how many hats they removed. The more hats a man removes, the better his starting position for the next round. The host will then draw lots for the men to introduce themselves. If the 'Sea God fairies,' the female participants, decide to leave a light on for a man, he advances to the next round. Those who receive no lights are eliminated."

"In this stage, men need to present themselves well to garner the favor of the women; otherwise, they won't earn any lights to stay in the competition."

"The fourth stage, 'second glances,' involves another realignment of the men based on the number of lights they received in the previous round. This time, women choose the men they feel an affinity for by leaving a light on for them. After this stage, the women pick the men they favor, which might result in several women choosing the same man or some men not being chosen at all."

"The final stage, 'destined to be,' allows chosen pairs to be challenged by others. If a pair loses the challenge, they are disqualified from the competition."

"That's the general flow of the Sea God Fate Matchmaking Convention," concluded Zhang Lexuan.

"I understand, thank you, senior sister," said Du Qianjue, appreciative of the thorough explanation. As Zhang Lexuan prepared to leave, he could see the complexity in her eyes, hinting at an internal struggle, likely tied to her emotions and unresolved feelings.

"Well, buddy, you turned around for this, huh?"

"At this stage, the male students must show off as much as possible to win the favor of the female students. Otherwise, they won't get a 'keep the light on' from the females."

"In the fourth stage, called 'Love at Second Sight,' the male students will line up again. They will be rearranged based on how many lights they received from the female students during the 'Love at First Sight' round. At this stage, the female students, or 'Sea Goddesses,' choose the male students they like. They will 'keep the light on' for the males they fancy, which means they have taken a liking to them. After 'Love at Second Sight,' the female students all pick the male students they like. It's possible for several 'Sea Goddesses' to choose the same male student, or for none to choose at all."

"Now it's the turn of the female students, acting as 'Sea Goddesses,' to show themselves off to the male students."

"In the final stage, 'Destined to be Together,' the male and female students who choose each other can be challenged by other students who wish to 'steal the bride.' Whoever fails the challenge will lose their chance for a 'Sea God's Connection.'"

"That's the general flow of the Sea God's Connection Matchmaking Festival."

"I understand, thank you, senior," Du Qianjue said with a smile as he thanked his senior.

Though he knew about the festival's procedures, Zhang Lexuan came over to explain them personally, which deserved his gratitude.

Zhang Lexuan gave a complex look at Du Qianjue and then glanced at Xue Linglong, who sat quietly by his side, and sighed softly in her heart.

Since that day she was called to the Sea God Hall for a talk by Yan Shaozhe and went through a strategy session with him and Mu En, she had been struggling internally.

Knowing she had no choice, Zhang Lexuan couldn't let go of her inner feelings for Beibei, so she locked herself in her room for the past few days.

Maybe she was waiting, maybe hoping against hope, but that person never came to find her.

'Maybe he doesn't know...' Zhang Lexuan could only comfort herself, feeling bitter inside.

"These are the robes for our inner court disciples, as well as the long skirts and hats for the 'Sea Goddesses,'" Zhang Lexuan said, taking out two boxes from her storage soul device and handing them to Du Qianjue and Xue Linglong.

"When the festival starts, the male and female students will enter separately. I will come to take your fiancée, and we will go to the festival together. The entrance for the male students will be by the lakeside of the Sea God Lake."

"Thank you, senior," Du Qianjue said, taking the boxes and nodding with a smile.

Xue Linglong also took her box, her eyes shimmering with intrigue at Zhang Lexuan's introduction, which sparked quite an interest in the Sea God's Connection Matchmaking Festival.

Originally, Xue Linglong was just accompanying Du Qianjue for fun and wasn't interested in the event herself. But after hearing about the festival's procedures, it seemed like it might be interesting to participate.

"Well, I'll leave now and come back tomorrow," Zhang Lexuan said after finishing her explanations and stood up to leave.

"Alright, senior, take care. I'll see you out," Du Qianjue said, also standing up to escort Zhang Lexuan to the door.

Watching Zhang Lexuan's graceful retreating figure, Du Qianjue's eyes flickered thoughtfully. The last look Zhang Lexuan gave him seemed to be suppressing something.

Despite her calm appearance and gentle, pleasant voice since she entered, Zhang Lexuan's emotions were not calm. Each time her gaze met his, there were slight fluctuations.

So, why?

Du Qianjue stood at the door, deep in thought.

"What, have you taken a liking to this woman?" Xue Linglong's ethereal voice came from behind him.

Du Qianjue turned in surprise to look at her.

Xue Linglong's expression was emotionless, her gaze indifferent as she watched Zhang Lexuan walk away.

"No, I was thinking about something else," Du Qianjue shook his head, took Xue Linglong's hand, and went back inside, holding her in his arms.

"I don't mind," Xue Linglong said, nestled against Du Qianjue's chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"I'm not a real human, after all. If you want to find more human wives, I won't object. In our soul beast world, having multiple partners is quite normal."

"You don't have to hold back on finding human wives because of me."

Du Qianjue's heart trembled, and he looked down at Xue Linglong, whose eyes were slightly closed. Her expression remained cool and calm, her flawless face a picture of serene beauty.

"Is that really what you think?" Du Qianjue kissed Xue Linglong's forehead playfully.

"Of course, if you like, I won't object," Xue Linglong nodded, but a new kind of sourness emerged in her heart.

This feeling was strange; she had lived alone for many years, and it was the first time she felt this way.

'Unknowingly, this little guy has taken up all the space in my heart...' Xue Linglong suppressed the sourness in her heart, resignedly thinking.

Although Xue Linglong wanted to monopolize all of Du Qianjue's love, she knew her identity was ultimately that of a soul beast, the only Ice Heavenly Maiden of the Far North, the sovereign Snow Emperor of the Far North.

And Du Qianjue was a human.

Even if her power was immense, Du Qianjue's potential and growth had far exceeded her expectations.

Such a favored son of heaven, destined to become a godlike being, how could he possibly have only one wife, one lover?

Rather than waiting to find out after everything had happened, it was better to actively facilitate it.

This was the deep thought in Xue Linglong's heart.

"Fool," Du Qianjue tightened his embrace, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Once there was a nobody, though he lived more dishonorably than he was born, he said something that made some sense."

"It doesn't matter whether you are a human or a soul beast; all I need to know is that you are my lover. What difference was there between the earliest humans and soul beasts? Don't say such silly things again."

Xue Linglong nodded, her soft body trembling slightly.

"Since I brought you out of the Far North, my life has been destined to be with you forever," Du Qianjue looked up at the ceiling, his voice cheerful.

"You grant me a marriage, and I promise you fidelity, until the end of the world."

Cold drops wetted Du Qianjue's chest as Xue Linglong's eyes reddened, her eyes misty but her face filled with a happy smile.

"Mm, fidelity, until the end of the world!"

Xue Linglong nodded vigorously, looking up at Du Qianjue, who was looking up, her lips slightly parted, and kissed his neck.

"Um!"