Into The Sea

The coronation ceremony proceeded as scheduled.

Early in the morning, Lan Yuan was escorted by several merfolk into the Red Coral Palace. Her sister, who always seemed to have her heart set elsewhere, was waiting there. A delicate silver crown, shaped like thin, curved wings, encircled her fair forehead, spiraling like waves toward her temples. Layer upon layer of intricate designs formed a magnificent and sharp headpiece.

Hearing Lan Yuan’s voice, Lan Wu turned her head with a calm expression. Her usually bright eyes were adorned with rich red makeup. Her long hair was tied into thin braids, the silver ornaments jingling with every movement. Yet, somehow, her usual bright smile was gone, and her eyes, tinged with crimson coral powder, were half-closed, revealing an air of aloofness and sharpness that kept others at a distance.

Lan Yuan raised an eyebrow, and after being seated beside her, asked curiously, “What’s wrong? Did you and Ji Lingyue have a fight?”

Lan Wu shook her head slowly. “No.”

It wasn’t exactly a fight, she thought. After all, every night for the past few days, Ji Lingyue had been dragging her into making pearls. While Ji Lingyue was gentle and coaxing in bed, she became stern and sharp-tongued as soon as they got up.

Lan Wu rested her chin on her hand, troubled. When Lan Yuan asked why she looked so listless, she replied, “I’m tired.”

Lan Yuan frowned. “Tired?”

Lan Wu nodded. “I stayed up all night finishing the coral crown.”

“I gave you so many days to prepare. Why did you wait until last night to finish it?”

“It’s because…” She paused, clearing her throat. “Because the best pearls were hard to find. I spent all those days searching for them.”

Lan Yuan was about to ask more when Feng Yi entered the room, holding the crown. A string of merfolk servants followed, carrying elaborate robes. The crown was similar to the one Lan Wu wore but even more ornate and heavy, adorned with dozens of deep blue gemstones. Feng Yi’s arms ached just from holding it for a short while, and she worried about how her Empress’ neck would fare after wearing it for hours.

Not to mention that this was the first time in thousands of years that the sea clan’s coronation ceremony would be held above the water, and the first time they had invited the leaders of the immortal sects to witness it. They couldn’t afford to make any mistakes at such an important moment.

Lan Wu turned her head to look at her and couldn’t help but laugh. “The Empress isn’t even nervous, so why are you so tense? It’s hard to tell who’s the one being crowned.”

Feng Yi said anxiously, “Your Highness, such words are improper!”

Lan Wu smiled. “Your face is so pale. You’re going to be the Sea Empress’ personal attendant. Shouldn’t you be more composed?”

Feng Yi was about to retort when Lan Yuan interjected. “Enough, enough. If you enjoy teasing little girls so much, you’re hardly the picture of composure yourself.”

Lan Wu blinked and turned to look at her face, which was almost identical to her own. Perhaps because of her different status, Lan Yuan’s makeup was more dignified. With a slight frown, she had an imposing aura.

She paused, then said, “After today, you’ll truly be the Sea Empress.”

Lan Yuan placed a hand on Lan Wu’s knee. “I’ll always be your sister.”

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from outside the door. “Is everything ready? It’s almost time.”

Jiang Xi entered the hall, and seeing the two mermaids sitting gracefully, couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, my daughters.” She reached out to cup their faces. “Look at these beautiful faces. So lovely.”

Feng Yi panicked. “Empress Dowager, your makeup will smudge!”

Jiang Xi straightened up. “The leaders of the immortal sects and some invited humans have already arrived. You should hurry, don’t keep them waiting.”

Lan Yuan nodded. “Mother, shouldn’t you be going too?”

“Yes, I’m going now.”

Lan Wu blinked, curious. “Where are you going, Mother?”

“To get the sword.” Lan Yuan glanced at her, explaining, “You haven’t been paying attention to anything. You don’t know. Mother will be presiding over the sword ceremony.”

Traditionally, the sword ceremony was conducted by the previous Sea Emperor, but that wasn’t possible now. According to custom, if the Sea Emperor was absent, the sword should be given by an elder, or by the high priest. However, Lan Yuan had already decided, despite the elders objections, that Jiang Xi would perform the ceremony.

Lan Wu raised an eyebrow. “The elders actually agreed?”

Lan Yuan scoffed. “Of course not, but what could they do?”

Lan Wu looked impressed. “They must be furious.”

“Good,” Lan Yuan said coolly. “A bunch of stubborn old fools who think they can boss me around just because they’re elders. Once I’m crowned, I’ll find a way to remove them from power.”

Feng Yi: !

The Emrpess really doesn’t treat us like outsiders.

The sea was calm, with not a cloud in the sky. A small group of people stood together, chatting idly.

“Your timing is quite tight,” Qi Yueyao remarked, crossing her arms. “A coronation ceremony in the morning, a wedding banquet in the evening. But why are you still here?”

Ji Lingyue said softly, “Where else would I be?”

“Shouldn’t you be with Lan Wu? Or getting ready early with makeup and dress preparations? Isn’t that how human weddings work—starting to prepare and decorate the bridal chamber from the day before?”

Ji Lingyue glanced at her. “This isn’t the human realm.”

“Oh, right.”

At that moment, a shadow fell over them. Ji Lingyue looked up to see a flying ship bearing the emblem of Haochen Mountain descending slowly. Her expression softened, and she walked over. As she approached, she heard a cheerful voice call out. “Ah Yue!”

A young girl in white robes rushed over to hug her, then looked around and asked. “Where’s Master?”

She still refused to change how she addressed Lan Wu, and Ji Lingyue didn’t press her. “She’s in the sea. She’ll come out with Lan Yuan later.”

Danqing said with disappointment, then looked back. “Danbai, Danbai, why aren’t you coming over? Don’t you miss Ah Yue?”

Danbai gasped. “You!”

Her face turned red, stammering. Meng Changge smiled and patted her shoulder. “Go on, don’t always make Danqing push you.”

Danbai hesitated for a moment before finally stepping off the ship and walking over to Ji Lingyue, her ears red. “It’s been a while.”

Ji Lingyue smiled and nodded, holding Danqing with one arm and Danbai with the other. She greeted the others disembarking from the ship. “Senior Sister, Sect Leader Ye, didn’t Elder Yao come?”

Ye Qingjun replied, “You know how she is. Such a lively event would probably overwhelm her.” She then took out a wooden box. “But she asked me to bring a gift.”

Meng Changge interjected, “Sect Leader, shouldn’t that be for the wedding banquet tonight?”

“Right,” Ye Qingjun said, putting the box away. “I’ll give it to you tonight. By the way, where’s Shanye?”

“Ah Li was called away by the Dragon Clan to help, and Shanye went with her. They should be back today.”

Ye Qingjun nodded, looking around. “It seems everyone you and Lan Wu know has arrived.”

“Not really,” Ji Lingyue said. “Yun’er went back to the Flame Lands a few days ago to invite some friends from there. But… they’re demons, so they might not come.”

“If they’re friends, they’ll probably come.”

“Maybe…”

After chatting for a while, Ji Lingyue glanced at the water and noticed clusters of red fish swimming beneath the surface. A faint song echoed from the depths of the sea. Seeing the ripples on the water, she thought for a moment and suggested, “Let’s go back to the ship.”

The others agreed. The immortal cultivators flew into the air. Looking from afar, the sea was no longer clear blue. Countless colorful sea creatures floated up, densely packed and undulating. In any other context, such a sight would have been unnerving.

“Wow–” Danqing stared, murmuring, “So many fish.”

Danbai: “…Close your mouth, don’t drool.”

Suddenly, thousands of sharks burst out of the water, transforming into tall, strong humanoid figures, kneeling on one knee on both sides. The sea yaos, who had been floating in the water, transformed into human form and kneeling behind the sharks in an endless procession.

Sunlight shone on the sea, leaving only a wide, clear path.

At the end of the watery path, on the horizon, hundreds of pure white waves appeared, like serpents swimming beneath the surface.

As they approached, with a splash, countless massive creatures surged from the sea, stirring up a moist sea breeze and a fine misty rain. The originally brilliant sunlight was blocked by the shadows of the sea dragons, casting down a heavy shadow.

Ji Lingyue looked up and saw that each dragon carried a mermaid on its back. The mermaids raised long, curved conch shells to their lips, their expressions solemn.

WOOOO–

The sea surface churned. The ethereal mermaid song from the deep sea grew clearer. Ji Lingyue fixed her gaze and saw a massive shadow gradually rising from the distant waters, as if something was about to emerge. Sure enough, moments later, a dazzling coral island emerged from the frothy waves, and upon it stood a crystal-clear, noble throne that gleamed even more brilliantly under the radiant sunlight.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the woman standing beside the throne lifted a sharp sword in both hands and slowly turned around, her expression dignified.

Hundreds of mountain-like whales surfaced, forming cascading waterfalls.  The beautiful voices were no longer muffled by the water, as countless merfolk standing on the giant whales’ backs sang in unison, their melodious music reaching up to the clouds.

At the crescendo of the song, the final white whale emerged, and the several figures standing on its head were tall and elegant, in magnificent attire, not touched by even a single drop of water.

The future Sea Empress took the first step, stepping onto the wide path, walking toward the throne at the other end. Her sister and the High Priestess followed half a step behind, matching her pace.

Their long robes floated like clouds over the water’s surface, and the sea demons kneeling on either side placed their hands on their chests, lowering their heads in reverence. For a moment, only the tinkling sound of silver ornaments striking together could be heard over the sea.

The singing ceased, and Lan Yuan walked the long path in silence, finally ascending the pristine coral island alone. “Mother.”

Jiang Xi smiled warmly. “Good child.”

Under the witness of countless eyes, Lan Yuan knelt on one knee and recited the oath that generations of Sea Emperor’s had spoken: “I hereby swear, I will forever protect my people and homeland, I will give everything to guard the peace of the Four Seas, I will be worthy of the throne, cherishing every subject, until I relinquish power, until the end of my life.”

“Good.” Jiang Xi’s eyes welled with tears as she bent down and placed the sword in Lan Yuan’s hands. “Yuan’er, the responsibility of protecting the sea clans is now yours.”

The sword was heavy and cold. It was even a little rough in her hand, but Lan Yuan held it firmly. “I will.”

She stood and ascended the jade steps, lifting her robes to sit on the throne.

WOOOOO–!

The loud horn sounded again, and under the curious gazes of the cultivators, the countless figures kneeling on the sea raised their heads and chanted in unison, “May the Sea God protect The Empress!”

“May the Sea God protect The Empress!”

The voices were deafening, shaking the sea and sending ripples across the water. Lan Wu bowed her head and, amidst the fervent praises, sincerely murmured, “May the Sea God protect The Empress.”