204: Starry Sea Kingdom

Ten years of time, like quicksand between fingers, quietly slipped away amidst vigorous development, painstaking accumulation, and the relentless advancement of grand projects.

The scars left by past wars have been smoothed over by new forces, replaced by prosperous towns, efficiently operating magic workshops, crisscrossing fertile farmland, and busy sea and land trade routes throughout the Former Oulai Kingdom (a name no one mentions anymore). The population has grown steadily under the stimulus of encouraged childbirth and a stable environment, and wealth has accumulated rapidly driven by peaceful trade and magic industries. The tentacles of the Star Sea Territory have quietly extended to all parts of the Western Continent through a sophisticated teleportation array network, huge merchant caravans, and flexible diplomacy, even establishing stable connections with distant continents.

Ten years of tempering, the sharp edge is now revealed.

The fifty-third year of the star sea calendar, a year destined to be recorded in history.

First was the qualitative change in power. With the help of the near-infinite vitality and unique rules in the Breath of Life Demi-plane, Linn, after ten years of accumulation and Breakthroughs, finally successfully crossed the natural chasm and stepped into the Epic realm, becoming an Epic Holy Archmage! The core forces under his command also experienced a blowout: all the legion commanders of the former Star Sea Territory broke through the Legendary barrier. Even more exciting was that the Silver Dragon, Destiny, was the first to break the Mythical barrier, becoming the first Mythical being of the Star Sea Territory and a rarity in the entire Western Continent for thousands of years—an Elementary Mythical existence!

On this day, over the entire Storm Sea Region, clouds surged, elements boiled, and holy dragon prestige mixed with vast astral magic, forming a magnificent celestial phenomenon covering ten thousand miles, announcing the birth of a Mythical Dragon and the rise of an Epic Holy Archmage.

The Breakthrough in power injected the final and most powerful driving force into the grand project that had been brewing for ten years.

Under the leadership of the newly promoted Mythical power of Destiny, combined with the already constructed 'Heavenly Star Levitation Array' deeply rooted in the leylines of the thirty-six subsidiary islands and the astral meteorite cores on the seabed, a miracle that changed heaven and earth was performed under the witness of countless eyes.

Rumble—!

It was not thunder, but a dull roar from deep within the earth and sea, as if the foundations of the world were moving. In the center of the Storm Sea Region, where the Star Sea Archipelago is located, the sea surface began to churn violently, forming a huge whirlpool. Then, under countless gazes intermingled with excitement, awe, and disbelief, the Star Sea Main Island—where the former Star Sea City, Star Shatter City, and Star Moon City had already merged into an incomparably grand super floating city, collectively known as 'Star Sea City'—along with thirty-six subsidiary islands of varying sizes and functions, slowly and firmly broke free from the shackles of the sea!

At the bottom of the islands, huge rocks and soil were wrapped in an invisible force field, the fractures smooth as mirrors, revealing complex magic array patterns shimmering with astral light below. Seawater poured down from the edges of the islands like waterfalls, then turned into misty water vapor under the action of some force, lingering around the archipelago like the fairy clouds of a wonderland.

Rising, continuing to rise.

Finally, the massive Star Sea Archipelago stabilized at a height of three thousand zhang above the sea. Sunlight spilled down without obstruction, gilding this unprecedented 'Sky Capital' with a brilliant golden edge. On the main island, palaces were towering, towers stood in clusters, streets crisscrossed, and magical brilliance flowed incessantly; the subsidiary islands were either military fortresses, magic academies, farmland gardens, or port workshops, scattered like stars and connected to the main island by magic bridges, forming a self-sufficient and fully functional kingdom in the Sky.

At the bottom of the archipelago, the massive anti-gravity magic array and astral energy core continued to operate, emitting a stable and soft light that illuminated the sea surface and clouds below.

Star Sea City has taken flight!

This Sky city, carrying Linn's path to rise and the dreams of countless people, began to move at a slow and solemn speed toward the central Sky of the former Aulai Kingdom (now the territory of the Star Sea Kingdom).

It flew over the coastline, over the former territory of the Iris Family, over the vast central plains and hills, and over the boundless northern mountains... Wherever it passed, whether in cities or villages, fields or mines, all the subjects who saw this miracle spontaneously stopped their work, faced the Sky, and knelt in devout prayer. Exclamations, praise, and prayers merged into an ocean. This was not fear, but awe of great power, supreme worship of the monarch who created miracles, and pride and a sense of belonging as a member of this miraculous kingdom.

Finally, the Sky Capital 'Star Sea City' suspended in the Sky three thousand zhang directly above the center of the kingdom, the former Holy Radiance City (now renamed 'Earth Hub City' as an important ground administrative and military center), like a Heavenly God's throne, eternally overlooking its vast territory.

Star Sea City, Royal Palace Square.

This palace complex, built on the summit of the floating main island and blending human architectural art with the rugged styles of the Dragon Clan, Sea Clan, and even some Orcs, was vast in scale and majestic in atmosphere, a masterpiece of magic and craftsmanship in itself. The square was paved with solid blocks of enchanted white jade, with statues symbolizing various races and powers standing at the edges, and a high throne platform in the center.

At this moment, the square was packed with people, yet it was in perfect order.

On the throne platform, Linn wore an Epic magic robe with a black background and astral patterns, a star crown symbolizing royal power on his head, and sat on a throne cast from astral gold and dragon crystals. The majesty of an Epic Holy Archmage and the Aura of a king were perfectly integrated, making people dare not look directly at him. Beside him, on the left was Queen Elise (a Legendary Intermediate Grand Magus) in a silver astral magic robe with a cold and noble temperament, and on the right was Queen Aivi (a Sea God Clan Bloodline awakener, Legendary High-rank) in sea-blue formal attire with a gentle and lively smile.

Below, on the left was the military formation led by Clay, a Five-Star General and commander of the Holy Guard Corps, with stars gathered and a killing Aura; on the right was the formation of cabinet ministers and nineteen provincial governors led by Chief of Political Affairs Payson, with many civil officials and a steady temperament.

Further out were the commoners and noble representatives strictly selected from the local Star Sea City and various parts of the kingdom, every face overflowing with excitement and glory.

Around the square, a hundred thousand Holy Guards stood in shining enchanted armor, holding halberds, like a forest of steel, with sharp gazes and an Aura piercing the Sky.

In the air outside Star Sea City, over a hundred newly modified airships were quietly suspended, their hulls sleek and beautiful, their muzzles solemn, forming a tight aerial defense array. Higher up, two world-renowned flying knight orders patrolled the clouds: one was the original Griffin Knights of the Star Sea Territory, with griffins crying and knights mighty; the other was the Winged Tiger Knight order reorganized after the Former Oulai Kingdom surrendered, with winged giant tigers roaring and knights fierce.

Heaven and earth were solemn, and the multitude held their breath.

Linn slowly stood up from his throne. Without any amplification magic, his Epic-level Mental Energy and magic naturally resonated, his voice clear, steady, yet with an irresistible majesty and sense of holiness, instantly spreading throughout the Star Sea City square and echoing over every town and village through the magic communication network across the kingdom:

“Subjects of the Star Sea Kingdom!”

“Ten years of growth, ten years of tempering. The old era has long ended, and a new chapter officially begins today!”

His gaze seemed to penetrate the clouds, seeing the vast territory and hundreds of millions of subjects beneath his feet.

“In the name of the Star Sea, by the oath of the stars! I, Lynn Star Sea, hereby declare!! The Star Sea Kingdom is officially established today!”

“Star Sea Kingdom! Star Sea Kingdom! Star Sea Kingdom!” The soldiers and civilians below instantly erupted in mountain-shaking shouts, the sound waves rushing straight to the clouds, even the griffins and winged tigers circling in the Sky let out cries in response.

Linn raised his hand, suppressing the sound waves, and continued to declare, every word like a brand carved into the Souls of all listeners:

“To celebrate the rebirth of the kingdom and share the joy with the people, from this day forward, the entire nation is exempt from taxes for one year! All subjects shall share in the joy of this prosperous age!”

An even greater cheer almost overturned the square. One year of tax exemption! This was a real, massive grace that benefited every family!

Then, Linn's voice suddenly became deeper and more penetrating, even carrying a hint of divine majesty:

“Furthermore, there is one more thing, concerning faith and the future.”

He paused for a moment to ensure every word was clearly received.

“From today, the Star Sea Kingdom will no longer believe in an external god, the god of dawn!”

As soon as these words were spoken, a moment of silence occurred in the square, and many people showed shock on their faces. Abolishing the state religion? This... “The kingdom's only and supreme faith will be your king, I, Lynn Star Sea!”

His voice was like a great bell ringing between heaven and earth: “I take my Epic power, my Mythical allies, and this Sky Capital as my witness! I will protect my subjects and lead my kingdom toward the sea of stars, forging an eternal legend!”

“To believe in me is to believe in your own Destiny and future! To believe in this nation that we have built together, soaring in the Sky!”

“May the Star Sea shine forever, and the Kingdom be immortal!”

The final declaration was like lighting the last fuse.

“May the Star Sea shine forever! Long live Your Majesty the King!”

“Faith in His Majesty! Faith in the Star Sea!”

“Long live the Star Sea Kingdom!”

Fanatical shouts, devout prayers, tears of excitement... merged into a flood of emotion sweeping heaven and earth. Soldiers raised their weapons, civil officials bowed deeply, and commoners prostrated themselves. The airships in the Sky fired salutes, and the knight orders circled to offer their respects.

At this moment, military power, political reform, economic prosperity, technological miracles, the Peak of strength, and spiritual faith were perfectly unified in the name Lynn Star Sea and the Legendary Sky Capital beneath his feet.

A brand-new kingdom, with the king as the core of faith and based in the Sky, stood proudly in the world amidst the attention and devout faith of the multitude.

The Star Sea Era has officially begun.