Upon entering Shrek Academy and crossing the shimmering Sea God Lake beneath the light, Ling Bai stepped onto Sea God Island, only to find a large sign erected there with four crooked words written on it.
Men left, women right.
"More nonsense..."
Wearing a speechless expression, Ling Bai stubbornly lifted his foot and headed right.
"Stop right there! Ignoring the warning sign, are you?!"
A white-bearded old man descended from the sky, cursing under his breath.
"Long time no see, Old Li. Have you been well?" Ling Bai asked with a smile.
The newcomer was Old Li, who had once overseen Shrek's Surveillance Pavilion and the Inner Academy's Assessment Hall. At the sight of Ling Bai, he first grinned, then suddenly remembered his duty and hastily put away his beaming smile, adopting an impartial expression.
"I'm as well as ever. Don't try to butter me up, brat. These next two days are the Sea God's Fate matchmaking event. Men and women are to remain separate. Go to the side where you belong."
"Matchmaking every year..."
Ling Bai had entered the Shrek Inner Academy at eleven and had studied there for six years so far. Although that included a year and a half of training in Star Dou and two years in Mingdu, he still knew the Inner Academy's procedures inside out.
At this time of year, the Inner Academy would hold its largest group event: the Sea God's Fate matchmaking event.
On the night before the matchmaking event, the male and female students would be separated into two areas, grandly dubbed Singles' Night.
Since Old Li had condescended to serve as a human searchlight, Ling Bai could hardly force his way into the girls' gathering. He changed course and headed toward the boys' area on the western side of Sea