Xue Yunxue stared at that noble face without blinking, as though a single blink might sever the fragile thread of fate weaving itself before her eyes.
Layers of ocean light pierced through the water, falling gently upon the golden scales of Lin Tianhai. Their radiance was not dazzling; instead, it was calm and profound—like an ancient sun long sunk beneath the sea, its light still pulsing quietly in the depths of the ocean, eternal and unshakable.
The figure stood upright before her, back straight, shoulders broad, his aura flowing naturally without the need for display. He did not resemble a ruler seeking recognition, but rather the law of nature itself—silent, absolute, and unquestionable. At a glance, Lin Tianhai appeared less like a living being bound to the mortal world and more like a primordial deity emerging from ancient ocean legends.
Unconsciously, their gazes met.
Lin Tianhai's eyes carried no judgment, nor idle curiosity. He looked at Xue Yunxue the way a guardian regarded a newly awakened destiny—calm, cautious, and deeply measured. There was vigilance within that gaze, yet no hostility. Rather, it was the awareness that something significant stood before him.
"Release the girl."
Lin Tianhai's voice was flat, almost gentle, like the whisper of ocean currents flowing slowly through the deep. Yet that was precisely what made the command terrifying. There was no pressure, no threat—because the command itself was law. Even the surrounding sea currents seemed to slow, the waves calming as if submitting willingly to his will.
"But—"
Lin Yuan reflexively tried to protest. The word escaped his lips before reason could weigh the consequences.
The objection died in his throat.
A pair of deep blue eyes fixed upon him—cold, sharp, and utterly clear. There was no erupting anger, no overflowing emotion. It was precisely the absence of emotion that made the gaze so frightening. Within it lay the firmness of a priest, the justice of a guardian, and the authority of a father who never doubted his decisions.
Lin Yuan stiffened instantly.
He knew that look. The gaze that had once forced sea kings to bow without a word, the gaze that made powerful clans choose silence for the sake of survival. The man before him was not merely his biological father—he was the Grand Priest and Guardian of the Eastern Sea, a being who upheld the balance of the world rather than yielding to personal emotion.
Lin Yuan's jaw tightened. The muscles in his arms tensed as though still resisting the command. Yet slowly, almost unconsciously, his grip around Xue Yunxue's waist loosened—like someone finally surrendering to an unavoidable truth.
Reluctantly, he set her down.
The moment her feet touched the seabed, Xue Yunxue nearly staggered. The pressure of the water and lingering tension caused her body to sway briefly. She quickly steadied herself, regulating her breathing and regaining composure. Though her body still felt weak, she straightened her back—a reflex born from dignity rather than strength.
She lowered her head politely.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," she said sincerely.
Her voice was soft yet clear, unshaken by fear. There was only pure respect—a recognition of the immense existence standing before her.
Her tone remained gentle but steady. There was neither excessive fear nor forced humility—only respect born from understanding the absolute distance between herself and the being before her.
Lin Tianhai observed her for a moment before giving a faint nod. That small gesture carried more weight than a thousand words.
"You three," he said afterward, his gaze briefly shifting toward Lin Yuan and Lu Xiao, cold yet fair, "follow me."
His voice was calm, leaving no room for refusal.
He turned around.
In an instant, the surrounding sea currents moved. The water trembled softly before parting obediently, forming a natural corridor stretching forward—as though the ocean itself bowed to his will, opening a path for its Great Guardian.
The three followed immediately, not daring to speak.
Soon, the silhouette of the Eastern Sea Gate appeared before them.
A colossal radiant rift stood proudly upon the ocean floor, towering like a boundary between two worlds. Ancient energy formations rotated slowly around it, gleaming like living runes of destiny—ancient, silent, yet brimming with power. The aura of protection was so dense that Xue Yunxue felt her skin tighten, as though every step she took was being judged by primordial laws of the sea.
But for Xue Yunxue, moving underwater was far from easy.
Her body grew heavier with every step. Each movement required greater effort, as if invisible currents were restraining her, testing her limits. The air in her chest felt thinner, the breath she struggled to hold becoming increasingly difficult. Her pace slowed without her realizing it, and the ocean currents began pulling her sideways.
At that moment—
A hand grasped hers.
Warm. Firm. Reassuring.
Xue Yunxue turned her head.
Lu Xiao walked beside her. His crimson eyes, usually sharp and fierce, were now softened, filled with focus and calm. Without a word, he adjusted his pace, slowing his rhythm and guiding Yunxue along the safest flow of the current.
"Slowly," he whispered.
His voice was muted by the water, yet it reached her consciousness clearly.
"Follow my movements."
A protective instinct flowed naturally through his actions—unforced, unconscious—as if it had long been engraved into his very being. He even seemed to forget that others were watching.
But not every gaze missed the scene.
Lin Yuan glanced back.
His jaw tightened. His blue eyes darkened briefly, and the corner of his lips lifted into a faint, cold smile filled with displeasure.
"Hmph."
The low snort escaped his lips, more like a murmur directed at himself—yet carrying emotions far from light.
The moment they stepped across the threshold of their destination, Xue Yunxue suddenly stopped.
In an instant, the crushing heaviness weighing down her body vanished without a trace.
Air touched her skin—dry, warm, and real. Her lungs expanded freely, as though she had just been released from invisible shackles. Even their clothes, which had been soaked by seawater moments ago, dried instantly without steam or heat—as if governed by an unseen law operating silently within this place.
This room… was not filled with seawater.
Giant crystals were embedded into the walls and ceiling, arranged with natural elegance. They emitted a gentle yet radiant silver-blue glow. Each crystal pulsed slowly, synchronized with the rhythm of the ocean beyond the walls—as though this chamber were a hidden heart deep beneath the sea, regulating the breath of the underwater world.
"This is a special chamber," Lin Tianhai said. His voice echoed faintly, dignified yet calm.
"It is used to receive guests from the surface."
Xue Yunxue drew in a deep breath.
Only then did she realize how tense her body had been. Since being dragged into the sea, since the brutal pursuit, since her life had hovered repeatedly on the brink of death—she had not truly breathed in peace. Now, that tension slowly melted away.
"Sit."
Lin Tianhai stepped forward.
Light rippled around his body. The golden scales faded, his form shifting. Within a single breath, the majestic merman transformed into a human figure—a towering man more than two meters tall, clad in golden armor that radiated immense pressure. He did not need to release killing intent or aura; his mere existence dominated the entire room.
At the center stood a round table made of transparent glass.
Its surface was as clear as frozen water, flawless in every detail. Along its edges were embedded deep-sea pearls—large, pure, and softly luminous. Crystal light reflected across its surface, forming fleeting rainbows that shimmered briefly before vanishing into the air.
The three of them took their seats.
Xue Yunxue nearly forgot to blink.
The luxury of this place was not ostentatious, nor did it flaunt power. It was quiet, restrained, and eternal—a beauty that could only be born from a civilization that had existed for tens of thousands of years, from strength that no longer needed proof.
Incredible…
Her heart trembled softly.
Even in her previous world, she had never seen anything like this. The seabed, which should have been dark and cold, instead felt warm and radiant—as if it concealed the greatest secrets of the world beneath its calm exterior.
Lu Xiao sat beside her.
Unconsciously, his posture leaned slightly toward her—a protective stance born purely from instinct. His crimson eyes scanned the surroundings vigilantly, as though ready to react at any moment.
Across the table, Lin Yuan sat upright.
His back was straight, jaw tense. Anger still simmered beneath forced composure—like a blade not yet fully sheathed.
Meanwhile, Lin Tianhai seated himself at the head of the table.
His blue robe swayed gently despite the absence of wind. The trident staff in his hand shimmered faintly, emitting an ancient aura both invisible and undeniable. The air around him felt heavier, as though primordial laws of the sea were silently observing the conversation about to unfold.
"I hope this young lady is willing to forgive my son's recklessness."
Lin Tianhai's voice was low and calm, yet filled with sincerity—not a polite formality, but the acknowledgment of someone accustomed to bearing responsibility for the balance of the world.
Xue Yunxue was slightly startled.
She looked at the man before her—the Great Guardian of the Eastern Sea, the supreme priest whose name was recorded in oceanic history—and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. Such an exalted figure… had truly lowered himself to apologize.
She immediately rose slightly from her seat and bowed politely.
"Thank you for your concern, Sir," she said gently yet clearly.
"My name is Xue Yunxue."
She took a brief breath before continuing,
"It is I who should apologize. My presence has caused disturbance within your territory."
Her demeanor was neither excessive nor falsely humble—only honest respect and sincerity.
Lin Tianhai observed her for a moment before nodding slowly.
"You are not at fault," he said.
"My son possesses great power—yet unfortunately, that power has grown alongside an equally great recklessness."
His tone remained calm, but the words struck harder than any reprimand.
"What do you mean, Father?!"
Lin Yuan snapped, rising halfway from his seat. The anger he had suppressed flared once more, flashing sharply within his blue eyes. His gaze locked onto Xue Yunxue—cold, filled with lingering hatred.
"Do you even know who she really is?!"
"She is Hu Shui—that cruel woman!"
"Silence."
Just one word.
The air inside the crystal chamber suddenly grew tense.
Lin Tianhai's aura changed—not erupting outward, but sinking inward. The pressure resembled the deep sea itself: calm upon the surface, yet concealing a power capable of crushing everything beneath it.
Lin Yuan froze. His body stiffened as though restrained by an invisible current.
"Has your hatred blinded you to such an extent," Lin Tianhai continued, his voice still low yet now carrying a weight that pressed heavily upon the chest,
"that you have forgotten the most fundamental truth?"
He looked straight at his son.
"Were you not the one who knew best… that from the very beginning, a foreign power had been guarding and controlling Hu Shui's body?"
Lin Yuan fell silent.
He knew. Of course he knew.
But he had chosen to bury that knowledge—burying it beneath anger, resentment, and wounds that had never healed.
Lin Tianhai gazed at him for a long moment, as if attempting to pierce through the layers of hatred that had accumulated in his heart over the years. His gaze carried no judgment, yet its weight was immense—like the silent pressure of the abyssal sea.
Then he spoke again.
This time, his voice was deeper, heavier, as though every word carried the burden of an unspoken past.
"And it was I," he said slowly and clearly,
"who decided that you must marry her."
The crystal chamber grew even quieter.
"I attended your wedding with Hu Shui," Lin Tianhai continued,
"and the moment I first saw her… I realized I had made a mistake."
Lin Yuan's fists clenched tightly.
The memory surged forth mercilessly—the day the sea roared alongside his fury. The day he defied the decision with everything he had, attempting to escape the fate forced upon him, even nearly severing his blood ties with his own father.
Yet in the end…
all resistance had meant nothing.
"I knew her reputation was terrible," Lin Tianhai said without avoidance.
"I knew the name Hu Shui was synonymous with cruelty and suffering."
His gaze drifted forward, as if staring into a past that could never be changed.
"I knew I had made an error."
"And yet I allowed the marriage to continue."
His voice did not tremble—making the words all the more merciless.
"Because there was one thing… that prevented me from retracting that decision."
Xue Yunxue held her breath.
Her heart beat irregularly, as though she stood at the edge of a destiny completely foreign to her.
Why?
The question echoed endlessly in her mind.
Even Lin Yuan stared at his father in disbelief. The anger in his eyes had not faded, but now confusion and old wounds surfaced alongside it.
Lin Tianhai closed his eyes briefly.
Within that silence, it felt as though thousands of years of oceanic history turned behind his eyelids—ancient prophecies, the vows of guardians, destinies passed down through generations.
When he opened his eyes again, they held firm resolve… and the awareness of a burden few could bear.
"The reason…" he said slowly.
His voice echoed softly throughout the crystal chamber, flowing between light and pearls.
"…is because Hu Shui…"
"…is the Star Princess."
He paused, allowing the words to sink in.
"A Heavenly Princess," he continued,
"born only once every five thousand years."
Silence instantly enveloped the room.
The crystals overhead glowed faintly, as though holding their breath. Silver-blue light trembled subtly. Even the oceanic energy beyond the walls seemed to slow—as if the world itself were listening to this revelation.
Xue Yunxue froze.
The title Star Princess echoed in her mind, evoking a strange sense of both unfamiliarity and familiarity—like an echo from a dream she could never fully remember.
Lu Xiao was the first to break the silence.
"I once read an ancient manuscript belonging to the vampire clan," he said seriously. "It recorded that the Star Princess is a goddess who is always born before a great calamity descends upon the world."
Lin Tianhai turned toward him and nodded slowly.
"That… is not entirely correct," he said calmly, "yet neither is it entirely wrong."
Lin Yuan's gaze hardened. A thin, sarcastic smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"Then isn't that already obvious?" he said coldly.
"If every appearance is followed by destruction, then Hu Shui is nothing more than a harbinger of disaster."
"We cannot make such simplistic assumptions," Lin Tianhai replied, his tone deep and authoritative. "Since ancient times, the sea priests have believed that the Star Princess is also the one who saves the world from destruction—not merely the one who heralds it."
His words resonated through the crystal chamber, merging with the gentle glow along the walls.
Xue Yunxue straightened her back. Her gaze was clear; her voice calm yet firm.
"Forgive me, Lord Lin," she said politely, "but I am not Hu Shui. Therefore, the destiny of the Star Princess you speak of… is not mine."
She paused briefly before continuing evenly.
"Whether she is a savior or a bringer of ruin—that concerns Hu Shui, not me."
Lin Tianhai studied her for a long time, as though attempting to see through the layers of her soul.
"Correct," he finally said. "You are indeed not Hu Shui."
His tone shifted—deeper, sharper, like a priest passing judgment upon heavenly secrets.
"You are another entity occupying Hu Shui's body. The question is… how could an external existence like you merge perfectly with the body of a Star Princess?"
The air seemed to solidify.
Lin Yuan, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
"If she is not Hu Shui," he said quietly, emotion thick in his voice, "then has the real Hu Shui… truly died?"
Lin Tianhai nodded slowly, without hesitation.
"Hu Shui is indeed dead. I realized during your wedding that the entity within her body was vastly different from the true Star Princess," he said calmly.
"And her death did not occur one year ago."
He looked directly at his son.
"Hu Shui died long before that—shortly after she was born."
Lin Yuan and Lu Xiao fell silent.
Yet amid their shock, Xue Yunxue remained seated calmly.
There was no surprise on her face.
Because deep within her heart…
she had already known this truth for a long time.
"You knew… that she was already dead," Lin Yuan's voice trembled,
"and you still forced me to marry her?!"
His roar erupted, filled with disbelief and years of suppressed rage. His eyes reddened—not with tears, but with a reality too cruel to accept.
Lin Tianhai did not avoid his gaze.
"There was someone," he said slowly,
"who promised me that even though Hu Shui's soul had perished… her body remained an extremely valuable asset."
The word asset chilled the air.
"At that time, I hesitated," Lin Tianhai admitted honestly.
"Because the entity residing within Hu Shui's body was extraordinarily powerful—and extremely dangerous. It originated from the power of darkness."
Lin Yuan fell silent. Xue Yunxue felt her heartbeat quicken.
"But that person convinced me," Lin Tianhai continued, his voice growing heavier,
"that even if the Star Princess's soul had vanished… her body could still become the key to saving the world."
"Does this have something to do with the prophecy about the Power of Darkness?"
Lu Xiao's voice broke the silence.
Lin Yuan turned sharply.
"Prophecy?"
"Power of Darkness?"
"What are you talking about?!"
His voice rose. He truly did not know—no one had ever told him.
"It is a prophecy about the destruction of our world," Lu Xiao answered quietly.
"It foretells that the Power of Darkness will arrive… to annihilate everything."
He paused briefly.
"They will come through the Heavenly Gate."
The crystal chamber grew even quieter.
"And the only way to stop them," Lin Tianhai continued,
"is for the Star Princess herself to lead the battle against the Power of Darkness."
Lin Yuan held his breath.
Xue Yunxue froze.
If Hu Shui was the Star Princess…
and Hu Shui had died…
Then—
"So that means," Lin Yuan said stiffly,
"with Hu Shui's death… they can easily conquer our world?"
He let out a bitter laugh.
"That's impossible," he added quickly, as if convincing himself. "There are many warriors in our world whose power exceeds level seventy. Facing them shouldn't be so difficult."
"You are wrong."
Lu Xiao looked at him directly.
"Their power surpasses anything we can imagine."
"If the Four Worlds were still united as they once were," he continued,
"perhaps we would still possess enough strength to resist them."
His voice lowered.
"But now… half of the worlds have already fallen to the Power of Darkness."
Lin Yuan fell silent.
"The Star Princess," Lin Tianhai said slowly but firmly,
"is the only existence capable of sealing the Heavenly Gate and driving them away."
He tightened his grip on his trident staff.
"According to the legends of the ancient merfolk clan," he continued,
"the Power of Darkness has devoured countless worlds."
"One world disappears… every five thousand years."
A chill ran down Xue Yunxue's spine.
"They drain all the energy from the worlds they conquer," Lin Tianhai said,
"and then destroy them until nothing remains."
He then looked toward Lu Xiao.
"The vampire clan surely possesses many ancient records about this," he said.
"Were they not once the loyal guardians of the Heavenly Gate—the ones who prevented the Power of Darkness from entering this world?"
Lu Xiao smiled faintly, but the smile was cold and bitter.
"The vampire clan of today," he said quietly,
"is no longer the vampire clan of the past."
"Once, we were guardians against destruction," he continued.
"But now… under the current clan leader, we have become servants of the Power of Darkness."
Those words struck like thunder.
Both Lin Yuan and Xue Yunxue were stunned.
Lin Yuan's eyes widened.
Xue Yunxue stiffened.
Only Lin Tianhai remained calm—as though he had known this truth long ago.
Lu Xiao lowered his gaze.
"My father," he said softly,
"Lu Tian… is the current leader of the vampire clan."
"They have allied themselves with the Sovereign of Darkness."
Silence once again swallowed the room.