Chapter 1022 - 853: Sea Race and Wizards (2)

"I have been asleep in the Beauty Shell for thousands of years. During these thousands of years, although I have not been awakened, my consciousness has not been entirely dormant.

I can perceive the flow of destiny, like a vast endless river, flowing slowly and resolutely in the darkness.

Occasionally, certain nodes of destiny briefly appear before me, like bubbles in the water illuminated by moonlight, fleeting and ephemeral."

Serafina lifted her gaze, her pupils reflecting the soft multicolored glow of the chandelier on the ceiling.

"In the time just before I awoke, I saw a node. A lifeform not belonging to the Sea Race, whose line of destiny intersected with that of the Sea Race at a crucial node. I can sense that he will have a very significant impact on the Sea Race in the future, but I cannot discern what that impact specifically is, nor can I see his face.

Then, you touched the shell, and I awoke. The moment I first saw you, I knew you were the node I saw in the fragments of destiny."

As she spoke to this point, she suddenly gave a slight smile, but there was not a hint of lightness in it, instead, it carried a certain weighty solemnity.

"So why am I drawn to you? It’s because even before I truly awoke, my destiny had already chosen you."

The two then chatted about many other things, without touching on these secrets again, which made their conversation more casual as they left the reception room, leisurely strolling outside.

"Regarding the Plane Promotion, the Sea Race has also received the official notification from the Wizard Council." Serafina brought up the topic of her own accord.

The two walked side by side through an archway carved from a whole piece of Sapphire Crystal, entering the west wing of the palace.

The corridors here were more private than those in the main hall, and the Luminous Pearls embedded in the walls were not there to showcase luxury, but were spaced just right to bathe the entire corridor in a warm and gentle light.

On either side of the corridor, every few steps was decorated with a coral bonsai carved from Deep Sea Crystal Stone, each artfully unique, some resembling deer antlers, others like folding fans, clearly carefully selected works of art.

"Naturally, the Sea Race would not oppose, nor would it cause any disruption at such a time." Serafina’s tone was very calm, but her choice of words revealed a maturity inconsistent with her appearance, "Plane Promotion is a major event concerning all life in this plane, whether Wizards, Sea Race, or even the Magical Beasts residing in the deep forests, we are all in the same boat.

With Mr. Albert’s successful promotion, the rules limit of the entire plane will be raised, and the Sea Race will benefit as well. Higher energy concentration and more complete rules mean our descendants can reach higher realms. These benefits can’t be faked; the Sea Race wouldn’t be foolish enough to prevent something that also benefits itself."

Her tone suddenly took on a slightly somber note.

"But what happens after the promotion is completed? Currently, the Wizard Council is willing to maintain peace with the Sea Race for a successful promotion and even proactively offer various cooperative protection plans.

But when Mr. Albert successfully elevates to Level 7, and the Wizard Plane officially becomes a High Plane, the power of the Wizards will reach another level. By then, will you still need the Sea Race? Will you still be as courteous as now in signing peace agreements with us?"

Serafina stopped, turned to face Duke, her eyes earnest and candid: "These words I can’t conveniently say to the envoy sent by the Wizard Council, but I can tell you, what we fear is that once you Wizards become stronger, the deep sea will no longer be ours."

Duke did not evade her gaze; he was well aware of the weight of Serafina’s words.

This was not a girl being melodramatic or complaining; this was a Level 4 Sea Race Royal Family member laying bare the deepest worries of the entire Sea Race to him.

Duke was silent for several breaths before speaking.

"I can’t give you an answer to this question, as I am not involved in the decision-making of the Wizard Council’s upper echelons. But I can tell you that Albert is respected by the majority of Wizards in the Wizard Plane not just because of his strength, but because he consistently upholds one principle: the order of the Wizard Plane should not be built on the extinction of other races.

He spent so many years preparing for promotion while simultaneously rolling out the common people’s protection plan across the plane, so I think the odds of him turning against the Sea Race post-promotion are very low."

Duke also couldn’t console Serafina, because trust is something most precious and fragile.

No one can guarantee that Albert won’t change strategies after completing his promotion.

It was evident that Serafina didn’t expect to get answers from Duke; rather she had found someone with whom she could confide.

She took a deep breath, the heavy expression on her face fading like mist blown away by the sea breeze, replaced by a brightness tinged with girlish inclinations.

Serafina naturally extended her hand, taking hold of Duke’s arm, performing the move with the fluidity of countless repeats.

"Alright, let’s not talk about such heavy things anymore. Since you are here, let me show you around this palace."

She pulled Duke along the west wing corridor, opening a door carved from white coral, revealing an expansive indoor garden behind it.

Stepping into the garden, Duke had to admit that the Sea Race indeed possessed impressive aesthetic accomplishments.

The entire dome of the garden was polished from a massive crystal block, through which one could see fluorescent schools of fish slowly drifting in the water above and the silhouettes of distant seabed mountains.

The plants in the garden were not terrestrial greens but thousands of carefully cultivated glowing corals, each several meters tall. Their branches laden with dense bubbles, each storing tiny bioluminescent planktons inside, which shimmered through the color spectrum from deep blue to emerald green with the slight movement of the water.

At the center of the garden was a fountain made by condensing liquid Water Elements, with the fountain’s spout naturally forming various shapes in mid-air.

Sometimes it was a Sea Dragon, sometimes a blooming sea anemone, sometimes a crown.

Every shape vivid, lasting a few breaths before transforming into droplets that fell back into the pool, then reformed into a new shape.

A few Deep Sea Maidens were kneeling at the garden’s edge, trimming the coral branches. Seeing Serafina enter, they hurriedly put down their tools and bowed deeply in salute.

Serafina casually waved at them, indicating they should continue their work.

"This is just one of my numerous palaces." As she spoke, she took Duke along a coral path, using her other hand to point at a group of buildings on the garden’s east side, "Over there is the bedchamber, with the Meditation Room and Library behind it. Most of the library’s collection comprises historical books of the Sea Race.

Though there are a few books written by your Wizards, which I had people specially collect from above the sea. They are not particularly profound, but flipping through them occasionally can be quite interesting."

Her steps were light as she spoke, the azure curls of her hair gently swaying with her movements, with pearls and Deep Sea Crystal Stones in her hair clinking softly.

Serafina paused to explain each place they passed, her tone devoid of any boastfulness, more eager to share everything she found beautiful and interesting with Duke.

When they reached a pearl mother-of-pearl arch, she suddenly turned around, her eyes shining as she looked at Duke, "By the way, I have another palace, located just a few hundred kilometers from the Central Islands. It’s the closest one to you Wizards, though it’s also the limit according to the agreement between the Sea Race and the Wizard Council. The Sea Race can’t go any closer. Every time I visit that palace, I stand on the sea surface looking off towards the Central Islands, imagining if you might be in one of those towers over there."