99: Express your feelings

A few days later, after arranging various affairs, Linn felt a rare sense of weariness from being bogged down by government and military matters. Although he had not slackened in his Cultivate, his mind needed to relax. He remembered that it had been a long time since he had personally visited his allies of the Sea God Clan; the current stability of the Star Sea Territory was inseparable from their support and vigilance. Thus, he traveled light, taking only a few close guards, and set off for the Sea God Clan settlement in the southern part of Shattered Star Island, surrounded by lush forests and strange reefs.

Passing through the familiar forest paths marked with traces of natural magic, the elven-style treehouse clusters that blended perfectly with the forest and reef beaches came into view once again. Upon seeing his arrival, the people of the Sea God Clan bowed and greeted him in a friendly manner, their eyes filled with respect for this young lord and important ally.

Before Linn could even reach the oldest and largest treehouse in the center, he was surrounded by a burst of cheerful noise. A group of Sea God Clan children darted out from everywhere like nimble fish, instantly surrounding him. Most of these children had soft light blue or dark green hair and eyes as bright as the sea. They were not at all afraid of this human lord; instead, they chattered and clamored:

"Lord Linn! You've finally come back!"

"Lord, Lord, the story of 'The Brave Fighting the Sea Demon' you told last time isn't finished yet!"

"Right, right! Did the Brave find the Treasure Trove later? Did the Sea Demon Princess really turn into sea foam?"

"Are there any new stories? We want to hear them!"

Looking at these innocent and expectant little faces, Linn's serious expression couldn't help but melt, revealing a genuine and gentle smile. He crouched down and touched the soft hair of the little boy closest to him, his voice softening: "Alright, alright, little ones, of course there are stories. But today I have some business to attend to. Once I've finished talking with Sister Aivi and Great Priestess Sea Song, I'll tell you new adventure stories if I have time, okay?"

Although the children were a bit disappointed, they were very sensible. Upon hearing this, they nodded obediently and scattered a bit, but still followed from a distance, peering curiously.

At this time, Aivi and Great Priestess Sea Song, who had received the news, had also come out from the treehouse to greet him. Aivi was wearing a water-blue long dress today, the hem adorned with silver threads like waves, making her skin look as white as snow. Her long sea-blue hair fell like a waterfall, and her appearance remained breathtakingly beautiful. Her clear eyes rippled with a gentle smile when she saw Linn. Beside her, Great Priestess Sea Song held an ancient Staff, her aura condensed and profound. Compared to before, the majesty belonging to a powerhouse was more restrained; clearly, both had already stabilized at the Initial Earth Rank Realm.

"Lord Linn, welcome back." Great Priestess Sea Song spoke first, her voice gentle and solemn as she bowed slightly in greeting. Aivi also gave a graceful bow, a trace of subtle joy flickering in her eyes.

"Great Priestess, Aivi, it's been a long time. Is everything well?" Linn returned the greeting, his tone cordial.

"Thanks to you, all is well. Please, let us talk inside." Great Priestess Sea Song stepped aside to lead the way.

Entering the treehouse living room, which was filled with a natural atmosphere and the faint scent of seaweed, they sat down as host and guests. Great Priestess Sea Song looked at Linn, her eyes full of sincere gratitude: "Lord Linn, on this visit, I must first represent my clan once again in thanking you for the potions you generously provided. They have not only greatly promoted the health and talent of our clan's newborns but also allowed us old folks to Breakthrough our shackles and touch a broader Realm of power. The Sea God Clan will keep this kindness in our hearts."

Linn waved his hand modestly: "The Great Priestess overstates it. The Star Sea Territory and the Sea God Clan help each other; we are close allies. Your clan's prosperity and strength are also a blessing for the Star Sea Territory. If it weren't for Commander Sebastian's full support, my Mage Corps could not have been established so smoothly. Between us, it is a win-win situation."

The conversation naturally turned to the newly formed Mage Corps. Linn briefly introduced the grand opening ceremony and his expectations for the future. Aivi listened very intently, her eyes sparkling with light, clearly caring very much about the development of the Mage Corps.

After a period of harmonious small talk and exchange, Great Priestess Sea Song seemed to have an intention. She smiled and rose to take her leave on the pretext of needing to handle daily clan affairs, leaving the space to Aivi and Linn.

The treehouse fell silent, and the atmosphere seemed to become a bit subtle. Aivi lowered her head slightly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes, revealing a rare hint of tension and shyness.

"Aivi, walk with me and see the recent changes in the clan," Linn suggested with a smile, breaking the silence.

"Mhm, okay." Aivi nodded gently, standing up to walk out of the treehouse side by side with him.

The two strolled along the winding paths of the settlement, flanked by beautifully shaped treehouses and meticulously tended flower beds, with the shimmering sea visible in the distance. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, casting mottled spots of light, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of flowers and the ocean. Many Sea God Clan people saw them walking side by side and cast kind and somewhat knowing smiles; some even whispered, their gazes lingering on the two, their expressions clearly saying 'what a well-matched pair.'

Aivi's hearing was excellent, and these whispers and gazes caused a charming blush to gradually stain her fair cheeks, like the most beautiful sunset in the sky, spreading all the way to the tips of her ears. She subconsciously wanted to quicken her pace, yet she was reluctant to end this rare time alone.

Linn took in her subtle reactions, and a surge of warmth and impulse rose in his heart. After so many years of knowing each other, their feelings for one another had long been revealed in countless tacit exchanges of glances and words of concern; they simply hadn't been explicitly stated.

Walking to a relatively secluded sea cliff that overlooked a large area of coral reefs, Linn stopped. The sea breeze gently blew through their hair.

He turned around to face Aivi, his gaze focused and deep, as if he wanted to look into the depths of her heart. He reached out and, naturally and firmly, took Aivi's cool and soft hand.

Aivi's delicate body trembled slightly, but she did not pull back. Her cheeks only grew redder, and even her neck was stained with a faint pink, her long eyelashes fluttering gently like the wings of a startled butterfly.

"Aivi," Linn's voice was deeper and gentler than usual, carrying an unmistakable affection, "I like you. Not out of an ally's responsibility, nor a lord's care for his subjects, but as a man's admiration for the most important woman in his heart. This feeling has been buried for too long, and today, I want to tell you personally."

Aivi's heart felt like a lake with a stone thrown into it, ripples spreading out layer by layer. She looked up, her sea-blue eyes filled with shyness, surprise, and a hint of daze from a long-held expectation finally being fulfilled. She opened her mouth, but because she was too excited, she couldn't make a sound immediately. She simply gripped Linn's hand back tightly and nodded vigorously, everything understood without words.

However, after the brief sweetness, a touch of worry surfaced in Aivi's eyes. She leaned into Linn's embrace for a moment, then pulled back slightly, whispering anxiously: "Linn... I... like you too. But, Teacher Sea Song... she is the Great Priestess and must consider the entire clan. We... will she agree? I'm worried..." She worried about clan rules, about the union of two different races and backgrounds bringing gossip, and even more that her most respected Great Priestess would oppose it out of consideration for the clan's continuation.

Linn gently stroked her soft hair, his eyes firm and warm: "Don't worry, Aivi. Great Priestess Sea Song is wise; she has witnessed the path we've walked side by side and understands our feelings for each other. I will go and talk to her personally, not to pressure her as the Lord of Star Sea Territory, but as a man who truly admires the treasure of her clan, to ask for her blessing and consent. I believe that sincerity and time will dissolve all concerns."

His words were steady and powerful, as if they carried a magic that could calm one's heart. Aivi looked at his determined eyes, and the anxiety in her heart gradually subsided, replaced by full trust and dependence. She leaned her head gently on his shoulder again, feeling this late but incomparably solid happiness, and whispered in response: "Mhm... I'll wait for you."