Ariel and Eva

At the edge of Sea God Island, Pearl Bay.

This was where the Merfolk Clan of Sea God Island lived.

Beneath the clear, shallow sea, coral thickets burned like flames. Schools of colorful fish darted through forests of swaying sea anemones, while fine white sand carpeted the seafloor, reflecting sunlight that pierced the water like scattered gold.

And within these shallows was a tiny figure.

It was Ariel.

She floated in the warm shallows, her little brows slightly furrowed and her expression intent.

Ariel stretched out her hand. A ring of pale blue ripples, visible to the naked eye, curled around her fingertips as she guided the jellyfish drifting aimlessly before her. They lightly gathered and scattered around her, forming a small, briefly shimmering crown.

"Perfect. Simply a treasure bestowed by the Sea God." A gentle voice sounded beside Ariel's ear.

A mermaid parted the water and came to Ariel's side.

Her lower body was covered in silver-blue scales that gleamed with a pearly luster, while her upper body wore simple garments made from light sea-silk gauze. Her beautiful face carried the ocean's depth and majesty.

She was the Sea Witch Douluo, the strongest member of the Merfolk Clan and one of Sea God Island's Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians.

As she watched Ariel control the jellyfish before her, the Sea Witch's eyes were filled with amazement.

She had never imagined that this little mermaid, whom her people had rescued from the reefs, would possess such extraordinary talent.

Ariel's control over water seemed like an instinct she had been born with. She was like the ocean's favored child.

The Sea Witch could practically foresee that, in the future, this child would claim one of the positions among Sea God Island's Seven Sacred Pillars. She even suspected that Ariel might receive the Sea God's Nine Trials that she herself had never obtained.

"Ariel, your affinity for water leaves me amazed every day. It is as though the sea itself has opened its arms to embrace you," the Sea Witch said admiringly.

At those words, Ariel's furrowed brows relaxed into a smile. The ripples she controlled instantly dispersed, and the jellyfish regained their freedom, slowly drifting into the distance.

"Big Sister Sea Witch!"

Ariel flicked her tail and swam nimbly to Lorelei's side, rubbing against her arm.

Ariel had already been summoned by Lin Wan for some time. Her first foothold after arriving on the Douluo Continent had been the reefs near Sea God Island.

She had also been fortunate. Before long, mermaids who had gone out to play spotted her and brought her back to their people, and she had remained in the mermaids' settlement ever since.

According to Ariel's original plan, she would cultivate step by step on Sea God Island until she turned eighteen, gradually revealing her peerless talent. Then, during the Sea God Trial at eighteen, she would obtain the Sea God's Nine Trials and ascend to the position of Sea God.

The reason Ariel was so confident about her Sea God Trial at eighteen was entirely because she possessed that talent herself.

In the Fairy-Tale World, her father possessed the Sea God's Trident, founded the Mermaid Kingdom, and ruled the entire ocean.

And she had possessed unparalleled talent from the moment of her birth. The sea loved her, and even the Sea God's Trident showed her favor. Thus, she was known as the Daughter of the Sea.

Her father had also regarded her as the Mermaid Kingdom's next successor from a very early age.

However, Ariel did not care about power or the throne. She longed to obtain an immortal soul like humans possessed, so she went to land, hoping to gain human love and thereby receive an immortal soul.

Although she had failed in the end, she did not mind.

And now that she had come to this world, she was still the Daughter of the Sea. The entire ocean still cherished her.

If the position of Sea God had not already been claimed by Poseidon, Ariel could have become the Sea God through her own talent alone.

Now that she had arrived in a new world, Ariel was still searching for an eternal soul.

Therefore, she wanted to become a god of this world and see whether deities possessed eternal souls.

Even if she failed to obtain the Sea God's Inheritance during her Sea God Trial at eighteen, Ariel would not be discouraged.

She would continue cultivating, travel across this continent, and search for a way to obtain an eternal soul.

The Sea Witch Douluo gently stroked Ariel's red hair.

"Little Ariel, your affinity for water has improved again. When you grow a little older and awaken your Martial Soul, you will surely astonish all of Sea God Island."

She paused, her tone turning slightly solemn. "However, growing stronger requires a peaceful state of mind. I can sense that you have seemed somewhat uneasy lately."

A trace of worry utterly unsuited to her age surfaced in the depths of Ariel's azure eyes as she nestled against the Sea Witch Douluo.

She could not tell the Sea Witch Douluo about everything from her other world. She could not tell her that Ursula, her former enemy, had also come to this world.

The two of them had both been summoned by Lin Wan to serve him.

But their personalities differed, and they were destined to act differently.

And Ursula had once been Ariel's enemy. Though they had now both arrived on the Douluo Continent,

Ariel knew that she and Ursula were destined never to coexist peacefully.

Because of the system's restrictions, she could not explain Ursula's existence to the Sea Witch, nor could she explain the grudges from another world or the system's rules. Thus, Ariel could only answer the Sea Witch's question vaguely.

"Big Sister Sea Witch, I merely sensed a trace of unease within the ocean."

The Sea Witch Douluo merely took it for a child's natural fear of the unknown and comforted her gently. "Do not be afraid, little Ariel. The Sea God's radiance shines upon every sea, and evil cannot remain beneath holy light for long. You possess the purest bloodline of the ocean. Darkness will only fear you. Cultivate well. Once you are strong enough, you will be able to dispel every shadow."

Ariel nodded firmly and buried her little face in the Sea Witch Douluo's warm embrace, drawing strength and comfort from it.

Big Sister Sea Witch was right. Fear could not solve anything. Since she could not confront Ursula directly, she would make herself stronger.

Strong enough to protect the ocean's peace and ensure that Ursula's schemes could never succeed.

Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, Emerald Palace.

This was Eva's bedchamber.

Eva lounged against a soft couch, idly toying with a crystal wineglass. The dark red wine within resembled congealed blood.

She wore only a burgundy silk nightgown. Its neckline plunged low, revealing a stretch of snow-white skin and delicate collarbones.

Before her, the Magic Mirror clearly reflected the scene in the corridor outside the palace gates.

Xue Qinghe was currently making his way slowly toward Eva's bedchamber.

"Tsk, tsk. Look at our little crown prince, trying so hard to appear composed. He is so adorable it makes one's heart itch."

Eva's Red Lips curved into a teasing smile, her mockery undisguised.

She gently swirled her wineglass and murmured to the Magic Mirror, "Tell me, do you think that far-sighted teacher of his is hiding in some corner right now, nervously awaiting His Highness the Crown Prince's triumphant return?"