Ch. 361Sea God's Fate Matchmaking Gala (21)
Summary of Chapter 21
1. Key Plot Points
- At the Sea God's Fate Matchmaking Gala, no male student steps forward to choose Han Ruoruo, an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo whose high cultivation intimidates the younger Inner Court students.
- Just as she is about to leave in disappointment, a voice from a distant ferry interrupts.
- The speaker is Wang Yan, their former homeroom teacher, who arrives using a six-ringed Soul Emperor cultivation with a Coiling Dragon Staff Martial Soul.
- He formally asks Han Ruoruo if he may step forward for her, revealing his long-hidden feelings.
- Wang Yan explains he met her three years ago during a two-month collaboration on Martial Soul research, during which he fell in love but suppressed it due to feeling unworthy.
- He discloses that he has been intensively cultivating to close the gap between them and has now reached level 64, though still far below her.
- He claims he intended to silently bless her if she found a partner, but acted impulsively because others fail to appreciate her.
2. Character Developments
- Han Ruoruo: Shows vulnerability and self-mocking resignation when rejected, but is astonished and touched by Wang Yan’s sudden confession.
- Wang Yan: Grows from a devoted Martial Soul researcher into a man willing to abandon caution and risk expulsion to confess his love. He demonstrates sincerity, humility, and courage, citing Zhang Lexuan’s belief that fighting for happiness is honorable.
3. Significant Themes
- Unworthiness and Pride: Outstanding women may be isolated because their accomplishments intimidate potential partners.
- Courage Over Fear: Wang Yan overcomes inferiority and social constraints (teacher-student status, cultivation gap) to speak his heart.
- Hidden Love: Long-suppressed feelings can resurface with determination, even at the risk of public shame.
4. Character Interactions
- Han Ruoruo is initially isolated by the male students’ silence; her expression turns self-deprecating.
- Wang Yan’s appearance shocks Huo Yuhao, He Caitou, and Bei Bei, who recognize their former teacher.
- Xu Sanshi crudely jokes that this has become an “elderly matchmaking event,” but Wang Yan does not hear him.
- Wang Yan addresses Han Ruoruo directly with calm sincerity, recounting their past research project and confessing that she had unknowingly taken his heart.