Su Wen waved his hand, retracting Xuan Ji into the Poke Ball.
A golden spotlight that had landed on him also faded away, shining now on another inner court male student, as the spotlight rotated through each for their introductions.
"All right, now it's time for the girls' introductions. After, please stand by the man you like." Cai Meier smiled.
The atmosphere in the hall ramped up.
Before, it was all little games. Now, they'd find out: did any girl actually like them? Would anyone end the night as a couple?
Only Su Wen's mouth twitched.
He felt something ominous.
But at this point, he could only grit his teeth and press on.
"I'm Zhang Lexuan, Level 92 Assault System Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Moon. I came to Seagod Fate for only one purpose—to pursue Su Wen."
Senior Sister Zhang, perched on a lotus seat at the head of the girls, spoke gently, her deep black eyes on Su Wen, a blush coloring her face.
"Also... for him, I successfully picked the Yearning Heartbroken Red."
"Whoa!!!"
The boys erupted—even though they'd guessed her intentions, hearing her admit it left them gaping. The mention of Yearning Heartbroken Red left many stunned.
The symbol of the world's purest love
It had really been picked by Senior Sister?!!
"Damn! No wonder..."
Han Ruoruo's eyes went round as copper bells, jaw dropped—no wonder her bestie had shot ahead in cultivation like a rocket in recent years! To think it was because she picked the Yearning Heartbroken Red!
You kept that hidden so well!
And you can't pick such an immortal herb from just a few years of affection. It takes a deep, long love, like true childhood sweethearts—which meant...
Since ten years ago, when Su Wen first joined the academy…
"Zhang Lexuan, all those times I teased Little Su Wen were just for fun. You're normally so silent, but behind my back you played this well?"
"Also, you're totally robbing the cradle!"
Lexuan blushed even more.
But biting her lip, she only glared at her friend—how could she be blamed for this?
Affection builds up slowly, then comes naturally—at first, she really treated him like a younger brother, but as he matured and even grew taller than her, when he called her Senior Sister, she looked deep into herself, realizing she'd completely fallen for Su Wen.
It was like Cupid's arrow hit them without warning—she didn't even know when she fell in love.
"Yearning Heartbroken Red…" Gu Yuena gritted her teeth. This woman was declaring war!
She had to emphasize that among all the women, she loved Su Wen the most, and no one else compared.
"Master," Mu Qiu'er whispered, "Keep your cool! Keep your cool!"
"It's fine, a mere Yearning Heartbroken Red is nothing to me." Gu Yuena huffed, turning away.
Mu Qiu'er almost cracked up—if Master weren't gritting her teeth so hard, she might believe her…
Clearly, Master was jealous.
But what could she do? The Yearning Heartbroken Red allows not even a hint of selfishness. Even if she and Master loved Su Wen like crazy, they first approached him with motives...
Besides, their time with him was nowhere near as long as Zhang Lexuan's.
Ning Tian sighed ruefully. Wu Feng pouted, "So what, just a Yearning Heartbroken Red? Maybe I could pick it too!"
"You can't," Jiang Nannan replied coolly. "The requirements are so tough. Among all of us, only Senior Sister could manage it."
Nana watched Lexuan, who stood proudly yet bashfully on her lotus, her gaze like that of an aunt—no envy, only true joy.
'Congrats, Master, on such perfect love.'
Ju Zi bit her lip, silent but envious...
Meng Hongchen peeked over, giggling at her nervous big brother, then shifting her gaze to Su Wen, eyes full of hearts—yep, Su Wen just got even more handsome.
"Senior Sister wins again, right, Xiao Tao?"
Ling Luochen crossed her arms, red lips tilting in a smile as she glanced at Ma Xiaotao... and saw her looking shell-shocked.
"Xiao Tao? Xiao Tao?" She nudged her arm.
"How come I never saw this Yearning Heartbroken Red?!" Ma Xiaotao's phoenix flame flickered around her, making the lake ripple.
She was the most stunned of all. Yearning Heartbroken Red?
Never heard of it?
Back then, Su Wen only offered her two fire-attributed immortal herbs—not a third option! She believed she loved Su Wen deeply (after all, they were the "cultivation" type), and if she tried, maybe she could pick it! She was unconvinced!
"You're crazy!" Luochen cried, shocked, hand on Ma Xiaotao's shoulder.
Ice and fire clashed with a hiss.
"I'm FINE!" Ma Xiaotao snapped, glaring daggers at Su Wen. She'd save face with the man in public, but once they got back tonight, she'd make him pay.
"Ling Luochen!"
"Eh?" Luochen blinked.
"Tomorrow night, we'll... err, call Su Wen over," Ma Xiaotao blushed but forced it down.
"Ah?" Luochen's pupils contracted.
"Not willing?" Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow.
"That's too... direct," Luochen flustered. The last time, the mood was right, but this time, taking the initiative—it was... wow...
"By myself, I can't handle him!" Ma Xiaotao gritted her teeth.
"Fine!" After a moment, Luochen coolly agreed, star ice-empress style.
"Let's... wear him out!"
Lexuan floated gently, stepping onto a lotus by Su Wen's side. She took his arm, her beautiful face tinged with shyness, but her air was regal—like a main wife.
Some hopeful girls were doused by cold water.
Su Wen was outstanding—but could any of them match up?
If not... maybe better to face reality.
Even Senior Sister needed to stake her claim—and with plenty of sisters ready to try, it was clear this "silent war" had just begun.
"Hahaha, lovers finally together. Su Wen, being favored by Lexuan is enough to make all the inner court boys jealous."
Yan Shaozhe grinned, fanning the flames.
"It truly is my honor to gain Senior Sister's favor," Su Wen replied sincerely.
"Mhm..." The beauty beside him gazed softly at Su Wen, finally resting her head on his shoulder.
"Next!"
"Tang Ya, Level 57 Control System Soul Master, Blue Silver Emperor martial soul. Like Senior Sister, I already have someone I like."
She flew to Bei Bei, snuggling close, holding hands without waiting for the choice round—pure sweetness.
"Tch, all the good ones are taken," Chu Qingtian sighed.
"So what? There are at least ten more girls than boys—still a chance," observed another bespectacled inner court student.
"Heh, you want to guess who those extra girls are really after?" Chu Qingtian shot him a look.
The bespectacled one stiffened.
"No way?"
"A dozen?!! Damn!!!"
"Maybe even more..."
"Doesn't matter—after subtracting those girls, the numbers match. One-to-one."
"Too many wolves, not enough meat..."
…
Round after round, the girls announced their intentions—
Wu Ming, Level 75 Battle Soul Saint, with a fierce reputation but a loyal heart, chose Chu Qingtian.
Ma Xiaotao, Level 85 Battle Soul Douluo, Cool Fire Phoenix, threw down the gauntlet:
"I respect Senior Sister, but if I'd gotten the chance to try picking the Yearning Heartbroken Red, maybe she'd not have succeeded first!"
Cheers and whistles exploded among the crowd—Ma Xiaotao really dared to challenge Senior Sister.
She landed beside Su Wen and whispered, "Where'd the Yearning Heartbroken Red come from? Why didn't you tell me?"
"You're more suited for fire-type…" Su Wen tried to explain.
"I don't care!" she pouted.
"I'm sorry," Su Wen quickly apologized.
"Hmph! I don't care who you go home with tonight. But tomorrow, you come to my place alone—to apologize!" she hissed.
Was it really just an apology? Su Wen had his doubts.
Ling Luochen, 23 years old, ice martial soul:
She revealed her feelings in front of all, stepping onto Su Wen's lotus as well.
"I love you. Maybe not as purely as Lexuan or Xiaotao… but it's real."
Ma Xiaotao was shocked, only now realizing she'd been "sneak attacked".
More girls took their turns, some declaring their feelings, others going to the ones they truly liked.
…