Grandpa Lin and Grandma Lin set up an altar on Kyushu Star. They planned to use the Wu clan’s psychic network to find any awakened companions.
Lin’s father, Lin Chiyang, and Lin Jingqiu stood guard over the altar. Though restlessness stirred within them, that impulse could be suppressed by the [Id]—so it didn’t interfere with their duties.
Meanwhile, on the other side of things, Lin’s mother boarded a small spacecraft and, with Lin Meimei’s help, made it to Viltara Star in record time.
“Hey, Mom, I’ll be waiting for you in space!” Lin Meimei swished her tail cheerfully.
She was Lin Xiaohe’s good friend, and Lin’s mother was Lin Xiaohe’s mother—so calling her “Mom” made perfect sense.
Today was another day of being a polite and capable Giant Resonance Whale!
So happy.
Lin’s mother gave Lin Meimei an affectionate look, then followed the guide Wesley had provided and found the Outlets Grand Hotel.
“Hello, I’d like to check in. Preferably a room with a view of the ocean, or a river or lake.”
The lobby manager gave an apologetic smile. “Dear guest, would snow be acceptable instead?”
Viltara Star was an ice world—even if there were lakes or oceans, they were all frozen solid.
Lin’s mother frowned. “Then no scenic room, please.”
While she was picking her room, a guest walked out of the hotel.
Lin’s mother felt a pull and met the man’s gaze.
One look, and they both knew—they were from the Shentao Empire.
The man introduced himself first: “Whirlpool Adept, Dru, residing in Hesperia.”
Lin’s mother raised an eyebrow.
The Shentao Empire had a rigid class system—everyone was born with a label attached.
A Whirlpool Adept was an upper-class citizen—typically a successful soldier, a master bio-artificer, a scientist, a resource manager, a high-level Tide Prophet, and so on. They usually lived in the mid-to-upper districts of the deep-sea cities.
Hesperia, in turn, was the second-largest city on the empire’s capital planet. Dru living there meant he was definitely a top performer in his field.
Lin’s mother gave a reserved nod. “Seabed Lord, residing in Poseidonis.”
She didn’t give her name, but Dru didn’t mind at all. On the contrary, his attitude grew even more reverent.
He shuffled a few quick steps to fall in behind her, pulled out his smart bracelet, and said fawningly, “Honorable Seabed Lord, please give me the honor of covering your expenses.”
Lin’s mother gave a light grunt of acknowledgment from her nose and walked off without a single “thank you.”
Dru, however, acted as if he’d just received a great reward, grinning so wide it was almost embarrassing. “Upgrade her to the top suite. Book it for a month first.”
He lowered his voice: “If this distinguished guest needs to extend her stay, don’t bother her—just contact me directly. Also, all her expenses within the hotel will be billed to me.”
The lobby manager’s mouth twitched. “Understood.”
After handling that, Dru trailed three steps behind Lin’s mother like a devoted shadow, not daring to say a word, ready and waiting for any command.
Lin’s mother walked to the lounge area in the southeast corner of the lobby, picked the most lavish and comfortable sofa, sat down, raised her chin slightly, and let her gaze drift lazily—the very picture of arrogance.
Dru shot a meaningful look at the attendant standing by. “Bring one of each of your most expensive drinks. And hurry it up.”
“Yes, sir.”
There were quite a few of the priciest drinks—the attendant brought them over on a cart.
When he was still twenty meters away from Lin’s mother, Dru stopped him. “I’ll handle this. Go take care of other things.”
Dru gently lifted each drink from the cart, his peripheral vision constantly monitoring Lin’s mother’s expression.
When he noticed her gaze linger on the [Iceberg Inferno] for an extra 0.1 second, he immediately brought it over to her.
Lin’s mother took a tiny sip and set it aside. Clearly, though, she was pleased with his perceptiveness, so she offered a few extra words.
“Have the Queen and the Deep Diver awakened?”
Actually, Lin’s mother already knew they couldn’t have—because the Chosen One, Lin Xiaohe, had chosen her!
Dru shook his head regretfully. “Unfortunately, no. Without the Queen and the Deep Diver’s guidance, we’re like lost lambs, not knowing which way to turn.”
His eyes glistened with tears, his voice trembling with emotion as he gazed at Lin’s mother with devout reverence. “Praise the gods—our noble Seabed Lord has awakened! Under your command, the Shentao Empire will surely weather this crisis and rise again to glory!”
Lin’s mother gave a light hum, her brow furrowed. “This crisis is unprecedented in its severity. There are too many factions and forces within this star sector, and the situation is far too complex for us to handle alone. Gather all awakened empire citizens and have them assemble at the Outlets Hotel.”
“First, we need to search for any trace of the Queen and the Deep Diver. Though the Federation’s star sector is vast, their technology and abilities are inferior to ours, and with the insect race invading, the Queen may have fallen into danger.”
“Second, we will convene a council to discuss how to face this crisis together.”
Dru didn’t understand. “My Lord, surely your decision is enough. How could we lowly ones presume to make such choices?”
Lin’s mother’s lips turned downward.
Dru’s breath caught. His voice trembled as he apologized profusely: “I was wrong! Please forgive me, my Lord.”
Lin’s mother rose and walked away without so much as a glance back at Dru.
Dru remained bent at a perfect ninety-degree bow until Lin’s mother’s figure had completely disappeared from the lobby. Only then did he straighten up, letting out a long breath of relief.
A nearby follower of the Neptune Cult was baffled. “Lord Dru, are you certain she’s a Seabed Lord? Shouldn’t we verify that?”
Dru shot him a fierce warning glare. “Shut your mouth! Who would dare impersonate a lord?! Are they tired of living?! Such thoughts are nothing short of treason.”
This was a Seabed Lord residing in Poseidonis!
That meant her power was formidable—and that she enjoyed the deep trust of the royal family.
Only royalty and divine descendants were eligible to live in the Crown District of Poseidonis!
The followers nodded fervently, their expressions instantly turning reverent as well.
Back in the top suite, Lin’s mother let out a long breath.
The suite occupied an entire floor, with a sweeping view that covered most of the city below.
“How’s it going?” Lin Xiaohe, still worried, contacted her mother via the Heart Treasure.
Lin’s mother was quite pleased with the massive bathtub in the suite and was noisily filling it with water. “Not bad at all. I’ll have this wrapped up soon.”
She gave a concise rundown of what had just happened.
Lin Xiaohe: “Seabed Lord?”
Lin’s mother stripped off her clothes, sank into the water, and let out a contented sigh. “An aristocrat of the Shentao Empire.”
The empire’s class structure was a pyramid. At the very top sat the Queen and the Deep Diver—the Deep Diver being the prophet.
The second tier was the Seabed Lords—the nobility.
The third was the Whirlpool Adepts—upper-class citizens.
Below that didn’t matter—they weren’t eligible for awakening.
Lin Xiaohe’s tone was unreadable. “You said you were just an ordinary person.”
Lin’s mother submerged her entire body underwater. Water rushed into her nose and throat, sending her into a coughing fit. “Ugh, this useless human body! Yes, I’m ordinary. But didn’t you say that when you’re out and about, your identity is what you make it? The Seabed Lord title was something I made up.”
Lin Xiaohe: “…”
“And they just believed you?!”
Lin’s mother scoffed. “They don’t dare to doubt. And they won’t.”
After all, even if a real Seabed Lord showed up, she doubted they’d know how to put on airs better than she did!
Lin Xiaohe: “Who are you, really?”
Her mother stubbornly dunked her head underwater again, blowing bubbles. “A wandering novelist.”
The lowest of the low—someone everyone could push around. But because the Deep Diver enjoyed her novels, she was allowed into the Shallow Court of Poseidonis, waiting on call to write exclusive stories for the Deep Diver.
And the Deep Diver, not wanting to be bored after awakening, had specially set aside an awakening slot for her.
