The Sea God Empire and Two Fair-Weather Sisters!

Everyone's gaze fell on Lin Hao. They had no idea what the young master of Sea God Island intended to do.

Lin Hao did not keep them waiting. Under the fervent gazes of Sea God Island's residents, he raised the Sea God Trident high, his expression solemn.

Under the effect of Sea God's Light, the Sea God Phantom gathered behind Lin Hao once more, and he proclaimed in a ringing voice,

"By the decree of Lord Sea God!"

"From this day forth, Sea God Island shall establish the Sea God Empire. All residents of Sea God Island and all Sea Soul Beasts who believe in the Sea God shall be subjects of the empire."

"The imperial throne shall remain vacant. Lin Hao shall be the empire's crown prince and perform the duties of emperor. Great Priest Bo Saixi shall assist Crown Prince Lin Hao in governing the empire."

"The seven former Sacred Pillar Guardian Douluo of Sea God Island shall be appointed generals of the empire. They shall lead its subjects to expand its borders and spread Lord Sea God's radiance to every corner of the Douluo Planet."

Lin Hao had suddenly announced the founding of a nation on Sea God Island. The news crashed like thunder in the ears of everyone from Douluo Continent who had come to witness the ceremony.

Disbelief filled their eyes.

Sea God Island, already so powerful, had founded an empire?

They were invincible at sea, so who was left for them to fight?

The answer went without saying.

Sea Dragon and the others cared nothing for the reactions of the people from Douluo Continent. Trembling with excitement, they knelt and answered, "We obey Lord Sea God's decree!"

Lin Hao had told them beforehand that Sea God Island would found an empire. Even so, when the moment truly came, none of them could contain their excitement.

"Long live Lord Sea God! Long live the Sea God Empire! Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Sea Horse Douluo's eyes darted. He circulated his Soul Power, rose to his feet, and shouted.

Sea Dragon's and Sea Spear's expressions changed. Inwardly, they could not help cursing Sea Horse Douluo for his cunning.

The post of imperial marshal had yet to be decided, and the three of them, all level-ninety-six Titled Douluo, were naturally the leading candidates.

Yet Sea Horse Douluo had resorted to scheming here. How shameless!

Sea Horse Douluo ignored their looks, unable to suppress his smugness.

I, Sea Horse, am the one the young master trusts most. I'll be the Sea God Empire's future Great Enshrined. Sea Dragon and Sea Spear, you two brutes can get lost.

"Long live Lord Sea God! Long live the Sea God Empire! Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!"

With Sea Horse Douluo leading the chant, cheers from Sea God Island soared to the heavens.

At the sight, Lin Hao could not help smiling.

"Lingling, what's wrong?"

Countless people were cheering or reeling in shock at the birth of the Sea God Empire, but Dugu Yan noticed something amiss with Ye Lingling's expression and asked worriedly.

"Yanyan, could you pass on a message for me? There's something I need to confirm with Lin Hao."

Ye Lingling did not answer Dugu Yan's question. She looked toward Sea God Mountain with a complicated expression and spoke softly.

Dugu Yan's expression changed. The way she looked at Ye Lingling shifted, a hint of wariness creeping into her gaze at her close friend.

Lingling couldn't have fallen for Lin Hao too, could she?

Wait, why did I say "too"?

Dugu Yan shook her head, patted her chest, and promised, "Leave it to me!"

"Actually, considering the partnership between Uncle Ye and Lin Hao, he'd see you even if you went to him yourself."

"You're right. I'll go find him myself, then." Ye Lingling came to her senses and nodded.

"But then again!"

Dugu Yan's expression changed, and she hurriedly said, "Lin Hao is so busy. The Sea God Festival has only just ended, and the Sea God Empire has only just been founded. He still has plenty to deal with. Going alone might not be enough, so I'd better come with you."

Without giving Ye Lingling a chance to refuse, Dugu Yan grabbed her and ran straight toward Sea God Mountain.

The Sea God Festival had concluded successfully, and the Sea God Empire had been founded. Lin Hao still had plenty of work to do.

He had to reassure the believers and organize the Sea Soul Masters and Sea Soul Beasts into the empire's army.

He also had to negotiate with the major powers of Douluo Continent, matters that required his personal attention.

Lin Hao had just seen off the people from Spirit Hall and had not even had a chance to catch his breath when Dugu Yan arrived with Ye Lingling.

"What do you need from me?"

One look at their expressions told Lin Hao they had come to ask a favor, so he put the question to them calmly.

"It's not me. Lingling needs something from you."

Dugu Yan waved a hand and pointed at Ye Lingling. Making herself at home, she sat beside Lin Hao, picked up the teapot in front of him, and poured herself a cup.

Lin Hao did not mind her familiarity. He looked at Ye Lingling curiously.

"Lin Hao, could you let me feel Sea God's Light again?" Ye Lingling seemed to hesitate, but finally made up her mind and asked.

"Why?" Lin Hao looked at her in confusion.

"Our Nine Heart Begonia clan bears a curse. Only two heirs can exist in any generation."

"It's troubled the Ye Family for hundreds of years, and we've never found a way to resolve it. But the moment I came into contact with Sea God's Light, my body felt lighter than ever before. It was as if some shackle had been lifted from my Martial Soul."

"I think Sea God's Light is my family's only hope. Please. If you agree, I'll do anything you ask."

Ye Lingling looked at Lin Hao pleadingly. With her delicate appearance, she was a sight to stir anyone's pity.

Beside her, alarm bells rang in Dugu Yan's head.

Lingling isn't trying to use this chance to get closer to Lin Hao, is she?

I never knew you were so scheming, Ye Lingling.

Dugu Yan went on alert. Dugu Yan made her move.

"Lin Hao, Uncle Ye has a deal with the Sea God Empire, after all. If it isn't too much trouble, please give it a try for Lingling."

Dugu Yan put on the air of someone pleading for her friend and gazed at Lin Hao expectantly.

Lin Hao had no idea what the two of them were thinking. He looked at Ye Lingling with curiosity.

Could Sea God's Light break the Nine Heart Begonia's curse?

The original story never said, but it wasn't entirely implausible.

A curse afflicting a Martial Soul bloodline didn't seem like mortal power. And the Nine Heart Begonia was no common thing—it stood at the pinnacle of plant-type Martial Souls.

No ordinary power could have tainted it.

It was quite possible that it had come into contact with divine power.

Sea God's Light was one of the Sea God's powers. He was the strongest in the Divine Realm beneath the God Kings, outstanding even among First-Level Gods. It was possible his power could help the Nine Heart Begonia.

With that thought, Lin Hao summoned the Sea God Trident. Gentle Sea God's Light streamed from the weapon and fell upon Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling felt a warm current spread throughout her body. Never before had she felt so light.

It was as though she had come alive anew.

Even her Martial Soul, the Nine Heart Begonia, emerged on its own. Its petals swayed in midair as though expressing joy.

"It really works!"

Ye Lingling looked at Lin Hao with shining eyes, as though he were some rare treasure.

The wolfish hunger in her gaze set alarm bells ringing in Dugu Yan's head.