146: Chapter 146 Sea Clan Sends Pearls? The Empress Invites Her to See the Sea

In the side hall, the Holy Light aura of the Heavenly Realm Delegation had just dissipated when the roiling crimson dragon qi outside surged again, while from another direction, a moist and cool mist drifted in along the corridor.

The mist wasn't heavy, but it was very peculiar.

It was like a sea breeze.

It even carried a faint hint of saltiness.

The guard outside soon announced loudly, "Your Majesty, Prince Regent, a Sea Race messenger requests an audience! She says she is here by the order of the Sea Race Empress, Empress Cang Lan, to congratulate on the reservation of the future Imperial Heir!"

Su Ninghua looked up, her eyes shimmering slightly.

"The Sea Race has arrived as well."

Lin Zhe's expression was indifferent. "Let her in."

The palace doors opened.

A mermaid girl walked in quickly.

Her long, sea-blue hair reached her waist, translucent fins grew by her ears, and her skirt swayed gently like ripples. She even left faint water marks wherever she walked. Behind her followed four Sea Race maids, carrying several blue jade boxes with thin pearl chains wrapped around the edges. As they approached, the entire side hall seemed to brighten with a layer of soft watery light.

The mermaid girl walked to the center of the hall and immediately bowed deeply.

"Your subordinate, Sea Race messenger Lan Xi, by the order of Her Majesty Empress Empress Cang Lan, greets Mr. Lin Zhe and Her Majesty the Queen."

Her voice was clear and moist, like waves hitting the shore.

"Her Majesty the Empress heard that the position of the Human Empire's Imperial Heir has been reserved and specifically ordered me to deliver congratulatory gifts overnight, not daring to be even half a step late."

As she finished speaking, the Sea Race maids behind her immediately opened the first blue jade box.

Shua!

A delicate, soft white luster instantly reflected out.

The box was packed full of extremely finely ground pearl powder.

These were no ordinary pearls.

Every grain shimmered with a warm, light blue luster, and thin strands of water-attribute divine power circulated within. One look was enough to know they were definitely not mundane items.

Lan Xi said respectfully, "This is pearl powder ground from deep-sea pearls nurtured by Millennium Sea Clams in the depths of the Endless Sea. A whole box, made from a total of three hundred and sixty millennium pearls."

"Her Majesty the Empress said that this substance can nourish the skin when applied externally, and when taken internally, it can warm the blood and qi and soothe restlessness. It is also beneficial for an unformed offspring, as it can enhance the fetus's water-attribute resistance."

"So she specifically sent me to deliver it for Her Majesty the Queen to use for soothing the pregnancy."

Su Ninghua's gaze fell on the box of pearl powder, a look of surprise flashing across her eyes.

She could naturally tell that this gift was not light.

Millennium pearls were already rare, and to send a whole box ground into powder was a massive investment.

Lan Xi waved her hand again, and the second blue jade box was opened.

Inside lay a crystal scroll shimmering with sea-blue light patterns, along with a string of message tokens made of tiny sea pearls.

"Her Majesty the Empress also ordered me to convey a few words."

Lan Xi lowered her head, her tone becoming even more respectful.

"Her Majesty the Empress said that if Mr. Lin Zhe is passing by after suppressing the rebellion in the Dragon Domain, he is welcome to visit the Endless Sea as a guest."

"The Sea Race has already prepared an exclusive Undersea Palace in advance, waiting at any time for the gentleman and his companions to stay."

"Additionally, within the range of the Endless Sea, the gentleman may enter and exit all deep-sea secret realms, pearl mines, and water-attribute resource points at will, without any restrictions."

"Starting from today, all registered players of Luofeng Village will enjoy a permanent 30% discount when purchasing water-attribute equipment and materials from the Sea Race."

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyelids of several guards standing nearby couldn't help but twitch.

The Sea Race's water-attribute materials were already highly sought after.

A 30% discount.

This wasn't just a gesture of goodwill; this was blatantly giving away resources.

After Lan Xi finished speaking, she held up the sea-blue crystal scroll with both hands and gently unfurled it.

Buzz—

A soft water screen instantly spread out in mid-air.

The words [Sea Race Temporary Blessing] slowly lit up.

"Her Majesty the Empress also said that since the Human Empire has a joyous occasion, the Sea Race should also join the celebration."

"Therefore, she has specifically sent a three-day underwater breathing blessing to all players on the server."

"During the blessing period, all players can freely enter shallow sea areas without being affected by oxygen deficiency."

"At the same time, the drop rate of all monsters in the shallow sea areas will be increased by 10%."

The side hall fell silent for a brief moment.

Then, even Su Ninghua slightly raised an eyebrow.

Three days of free underwater breathing.

A 10% increase in shallow sea drop rates.

Once this welfare was released, the seaside would likely be overcrowded.

Lin Zhe leaned back in his chair, his expression still indifferent.

He glanced at the scroll in Lan Xi's hand, then at the box of pearl powder, and nodded slightly.

"Empress Cang Lan has been thoughtful."

As soon as these words were spoken, Lan Xi visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Almost simultaneously, the sea-blue scroll lit up on its own.

Buzz!

In the next second, a bright blue announcement popped up in front of all online players across the server.

[Server Announcement: Sea Race Empress Empress Cang Lan congratulates on the reservation of the Human Empire's Imperial Heir and specifically sends a 3-day underwater breathing blessing to all players!]

[During the blessing period, all players can freely enter shallow sea areas!]

[The drop rate of all monsters in the shallow sea areas is increased by 10%!]

[At the same time, registered players of Luofeng Village will enjoy a permanent 30% discount when purchasing water-attribute equipment and materials from the Sea Race!]

[The final right of interpretation for this welfare belongs to the Sea Race!]

As soon as the announcement appeared, the world channel instantly exploded.

"Holy crap! More welfare!"

"Underwater breathing for three days? For real?!"

"Brothers, rush to the seaside! Shallow sea drop rates are up by 10%!"

"I've wanted to farm sea snake materials for a long time, but I didn't dare go into the water without enough medicine. Now we get a free buff?"

"Falling Maple players get another 30% discount? I'm stunned, what kind of god-tier residency does Falling Maple have?!"

"Say no more, I'm already teleporting!"

In just a few moments, the teleportation arrays in several coastal main cities lit up.

Large numbers of players clutched teleportation talismans and rushed toward the seaside.

Some carried harpoons, some had nets on their backs, and there were even life-skill players holding pearl-gathering tools, howling as they ran.

"Quick, quick, quick! Grab the shallow sea spots!"

"Farm Coral Crabs first! Then Sea Snakes!"

"I heard Starfish Spirits can also drop water-system enchantment orbs. We have to go hard today!"

The coastal teleportation point outside St. Light City was crowded almost instantly.

Many players had light blue water-ripple marks light up over their heads as soon as they entered the sea. They didn't panic at all even when fully submerged; instead, they were incredibly excited.

"I can really breathe!"

"Hahaha! I'm down here! This undersea map is just too awesome!"

"It dropped! The first Shallow Sea Magic Clam dropped a blue pearl!"

Screenshots on the world channel were being shared one after another. Messages about Sea Race materials, shallow sea drops, and seaside party recruitment flashed by rapidly. It was incredibly lively.

In the side hall, Lan Xi looked at Lin Zhe, cautiously and with a hint of expectation.

Lin Zhe did not disappoint her.

He raised his hand, and a point of pale gold Power of Rules slowly descended from his fingertip, eventually turning into a faint circle of aura that settled around Lan Xi.

That aura wasn't flamboyant, but it made Lan Xi's whole body tremble.

"This is a permanent Land Breathing Blessing."

Lin Zhe's voice was calm.

"In the future, when you stay on land for a long time, you will not be affected by dryness or suffocation."

Lan Xi was stunned at first, then an uncontrollable look of joy immediately surfaced on her face.

The Sea Race lived deep in the sea, and even powerful individuals would feel somewhat uncomfortable if they stayed on land for too long.

For a messenger like her who traveled outside to deliver orders year-round, this blessing was extremely valuable.

She immediately lowered her head and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for the blessing, sir!"

Just then, the system prompt sounded in Lin Zhe's mind.

[Ding! Detected that the favorability of the top-tier female NPC, Sea Race Empress Empress Cang Lan, toward the host has increased to 30!]

[Seventh Bond trigger progress has increased to 6%!]

Lin Zhe's eyes moved slightly.

The Sea Race storyline had also been pushed forward a bit.

Lan Xi had clearly completed her mission as well. She relaxed quite a bit, and more of a smile appeared on her face.

"Her Majesty the Empress also said that if you come to the Endless Sea, she will personally welcome you."

"The Undersea Palace is ready, just waiting for you to go."

Su Ninghua stood to the side and gave Lin Zhe a faint glance after hearing this.

"Everyone is rushing to invite you as a guest. It's quite lively."

Lin Zhe's expression remained unchanged as he simply said, "We'll talk about it later."

Lan Xi naturally didn't dare to ask more and hurriedly bowed again.

"Your subordinate has delivered the message and dares not disturb you further."

"I shall take my leave."

After saying that, she and the Sea Race maids slowly withdrew from the side hall.

Meanwhile, on the world channel, the seaside had gone completely crazy.

"Holy cow! A Shallow Sea Lobster Monster dropped a purple shell!"

"Party up, party up! Need three DPS and one healer, meet at Seaweed Cave!"

"Underwater breathing is just too awesome. I was drooling over the undersea map before, and now I can finally go down!"

"This wave of welfare from the Sea Race is really top-tier!"

"Stop talking nonsense, farm materials first. After farming, come back and continue giving gifts to the future Crown Prince!"

The side hall became quiet once again.

On the table, the whole box of millennium pearl powder sent by the Sea Race still shimmered with soft watery light.

Su Ninghua's fingertips lightly brushed the edge of the box, her eyes deepening slightly.

Lin Zhe slowly looked up, his gaze falling outside the door once more.

There, Chi Lie was still kneeling.

The crimson dragon qi on the Dragon Letter was roiling even more violently than before.