Because it concentrated forty-seven percent of the arcane energy in the Sea of Light, Saint Yegana was always shimmering and radiant. If not for the gentle ripple of the water, it would have looked less like the seabed and more like paradise. Su Shiye’s residence was situated on a hillside near the White Eagle Palace. From here, one could hear the songs of whales and the melodious strains of harps, and see the majestic golden Creation Gate in the distance.
In the ancient days of the Light Sea, the neatness of the seagrass in front of a shallow-water home indicated the family's social status. Later, Great Arcanists and physicists invented automated seagrass-trimming machinery. Level seagrass was no longer a symbol exclusive to the nobility; every household in the shallow waters had it, and people still took great care in its maintenance.
Later still, potion masters invented a concoction that allowed seagrass to perform photosynthesis even in deeper waters, which pharmaceutical companies then mass-produced and promoted. Now, in Saint Yegana, many private residences had seagrass lawns. However, because the potions were expensive, only powerful and wealthy families could afford to grow seagrass in the deeper reaches, so it remained a status symbol. Furthermore, because seagrass leaves purified the water and maintained its transparency, some low-profile families would plant their seagrass in stone troughs hidden from outsiders. Their status was revealed indirectly through the crystal-clear water around their homes—a subtle way of showing off.
A neatly manicured seagrass lawn stretched before Su Shiye’s entrance, though it wasn't as ostentatious as those of many other noble families; it bore a resemblance to the lawn at the Xing family home. Upon closer inspection, many bristle-tail puffers were hidden among the blades, their little mouths pouting just like the leaves.
As a child, Su Yi had also been very fond of bristle-tail puffers. When she first moved into her father’s house in the Xing family, she had specifically brought a large brood of her little pets from the Bodhi Sea and released them in front of the Xing residence.
Back then, she would often drag Xing Hai to the seagrass lawn, lying on the ground with her tail curled or coiled, watching the little puffers swim to and fro. Humans liked "huffing" cats; she liked "huffing" puffers, to the point that she had sacrificed her first kiss to one at a very young age.
"Are you looking at those bristle-tail puffers?" Seeing her lingering by the lawn, Su Shiye waved to a slave. "Get a fish tank and pack some for Miss Fan Li to take with her."
"Ah, no need," Fan Li waved her hand. "My dormitory is small, and I’m already busy enough taking care of a Little Sunflower. Thank you for your kindness."
The interior of Su Shiye’s home was very similar in style to his villa in the Red Moon Sea. Upon entering, there were coral carpets and two rows of slaves lined up to greet the master. Hand-inlaid mosaics hung everywhere on the walls, and purple jellyfish drifted through the living room and the central courtyard. Other slaves bustled about, completing their tasks with practiced precision.
Su Shiye had said he wanted Fan Li to cook for him, but in reality, he only had her prepare one dish, while he hosted her with twelve others.
The kitchen and the dining room were adjacent, separated by a counter and a large, open window. Through the window, he could see her slender figure swimming back and forth inside. When she accidentally bumped into a slave, the two of them would foolishly nod and apologize to each other. The slave, startled by her apology, would perform a left-hand salute and bow deeply. Fan Li would then hurriedly help her up, shaking her head like a rattle.
Su Shiye smiled slightly. He quickly realized that this was not a memory shared with Xing Hai. Fan Li was truly here, in his home.
In the vast dining room, couches surrounded a dining table eight or nine meters long. Behind it hung a massive mosaic titled *The Beginning of the Endless Ocean*, crafted entirely from seashells. Yet, after the meal was prepared, only the two of them dined in that enormous room. The slaves stood behind them, as silent as ornaments. Fan Li felt a bit suffocated and whispered, "Do you usually eat alone at home?"
"Why do you ask?" Su Shiye looked up at her.
"Eating alone... doesn't it feel a bit lonely? Oh, never mind, pretend I didn't say anything." She stopped herself. Su Shiye certainly didn't lack for women.
"I don't have the habit of bringing women home." Su Shiye seemed to read her mind. "I didn't feel lonely eating alone before; I was used to it. But lately, I’ve started to feel that way a little. It’s fine, though; I’m busy with work and don't spend much time at home."
"Why have you started feeling that way lately?"
"I don't know. I think it might be because I split off a mimicry lifeform. My physical perceptions have changed a bit compared to before. I have more worries now. Even in the sea, I’ve become very mindful of the changing seasons."
"How do you perceive the seasons in the ocean?"
"In the spring, for example, you can clearly sense the nitrates, phosphates, and other minerals. In the summer, the waters become turbid, and many fish grow thin after spawning. In the autumn, some fish, like the red seabream, start accumulating fat for the winter, turning into plump 'autumn leaves.' In the winter, there are fewer suspended particles, and the water becomes very clear."
"Your five senses are too powerful..." Fan Li marveled. "I’ve even promoted to the Hunter Race, and I’m nowhere near that strong."
In truth, these changes were minute, and Su Shiye hadn't paid much attention to them before. But now, he not only noticed the changing seasons, but even found eating alone boring. Reading, watching movies, listening to music—anything done alone had become exceptionally dull.
He raised his golden eyes, glanced at Fan Li, smiled, and lowered his head to continue eating.
"Since eating with few people is lonely..." Fan Li looked around. "Let them eat with us."
Su Shiye’s first instinct was that it was improper, but seeing that she was rarely willing to speak so much, he agreed to her suggestion. The slaves sat down beside them, still cautious and barely daring to breathe. But Fan Li felt better and even gave a small stretch.
Su Shiye cut a piece of tapertail fish. He intended to give it to Fan Li but pulled his hand back, saying to a nearby slave, "Bring over some cooked tapertail."
The slave immediately went to comply. Su Shiye placed the raw fish on his own plate, and once the cooked food arrived, he handed it to Fan Li. "Here, Bodhi River tapertail. You were always clamoring to eat this."
Fan Li and Xing Hai, both foodies, had often experimented with different flavors of fresh fish at home.
Tapertail was one of her favorite fish. Furthermore, the taste of tapertail varied by its habitat: the lake variety was the poorest, the sea variety was mediocre, and the river variety was the best. Among them, the Bodhi River tapertail was the supreme delicacy. The Bodhi tapertail was the "giant panda" of river delicacies; she couldn't afford it when she was poor, and after she had money, she was always too busy and missed the season. To this day, she had never tasted authentic Bodhi River tapertail. She had been very regretful about this, and every time she finished working overtime, she would hug Xing Hai and say, "Next year’s Bodhi tapertail, I must eat it!"
Now, seeing Su Shiye naturally switch the raw fish for cooked and naturally bring up the topic of tapertail, she was somewhat dazed.
"Why are you looking at me?" Su Shiye helped her cut the fish into pieces. "Can I be better looking than the delicacy of your dreams? Eat."
When stripped of his aura of power, Su Shiye’s behavior at home was very similar to Xing Hai’s. Even his movements while cutting the fish and his focused expression were alike. She finally couldn't help herself and whispered, "Lord Su Shiye, actually... those seventy-four years of Xing Hai’s memories are all your memories, aren't they?"
"You guessed it." Su Shiye began cutting his own food, his reaction calm.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"There was no point. Xing Hai was my former body, which was hunted down and killed by the forces of the former Dictator’s son over a hundred years ago. After switching to an ether body, my brain structure and hormonal composition became completely different from before. Besides, my true youth was nearly two hundred years ago. You feel like many things are happening in the present, but to me, they are all history."
Having some of Su Yi’s memories, Fan Li understood his meaning instantly. It was like watching a TV series; she had just reached the episode where Su Shiye became the Archon of the Star Sea, but in reality, Su Shiye had long since finished that role and was filming the next one. Their mental journeys were out of sync.
"I see..." After a long pause, she could only squeeze out those words.
"So, regarding Xing Hai, is there anything else you want to ask?"
Fan Li shook her head and went back to eating.
After the meal, Su Shiye took her to the rooftop terrace to see the view. Because the villa was on a hillside, the night view of Saint Yegana was as brilliant as a constellation, with four hundred million years of accumulated prosperity stretching to the very edge of her vision.
"When I have nothing to do, I like to sit here, relax, and meditate." Su Shiye pointed to a chair. On the small table beside it sat several bottles of red wine. Fan Li glanced at the name on the label—*Sacrilegious Love*—and remembered him introducing this wine to her in the Sea of Resurrection. It was his favorite.
"Do all successful people like meditating?" Fan Li joked. "I can't stay idle at all. If I’m quiet for two minutes, I can't resist finding something to do."
"It has nothing to do with success; it’s just because you’re still young."
There was also a telescope on the terrace. Looking through it, she saw a massive metal furnace as tall as the villa on the distant Emerald Mountains, next to the ruins of the Glazed Legion’s temple. It seemed to be a work in progress, with builders' ladders still attached.
"What is that?" Fan Li pointed in that direction, puzzled.
"That is the Forge of Creation." Su Shiye leaned in, looking down at her. "Do you remember? I told you once that a major transformation would soon occur in the Light Sea. When that time comes, this forge will play a significant role."
"Oh? What kind of role?"
"I can't tell you yet. It’s a surprise."
"Alright."
Fan Li stopped using the telescope, but as she straightened her back, she realized she was very close to Su Shiye. So close that when she looked up, she could see his snow-white hair swaying slightly in the seawater, and his eyes rippling with starlight and water—a depth that made it impossible for her to look away. His gaze was indifferent, but his heart rate had quickened. She knew he could hear her heartbeat as well.
They couldn't keep looking at each other like this; it felt dangerous.
And yet, she couldn't control herself.
Seeing the current brush a lock of hair against his cheekbone, obscuring his eye, she couldn't help but reach out to tuck that strand away. But as soon as she finished the gesture, she felt it was too intimate and quickly withdrew her hand.
This was terrible. Having some of Su Yi’s memories, thinking of Su Shiye’s childhood and teenage experiences, she couldn't view him as a stranger even though he appeared mature and powerful now. She had even picked up Su Yi’s habits.
However, far from being surprised, he also reached out with a long index finger to tidy her bangs, revealing her full face.
The girl before him was so familiar, yet so strange.
The bright, beautiful face of a woman, with the pure eyes of a young girl.
Su Yi avoided him like a venomous beast; this couldn't be Su Yi. And yet...
"Who exactly are you..." Su Shiye’s gaze was clouded, but it also held a hidden, unspeakable sadness. "Are you here to take revenge on me, aren't you?"
Fan Li’s eyes widened suddenly. "...Revenge?"
She understood what he meant. Like being slapped, she shook her head and recoiled sharply. "Um, Lord Su Shiye, I need to go back."
She swam directly down from the terrace, but just as she reached the seagrass lawn at the entrance, Su Shiye caught her by the wrist.
"Lili, I’m sorry. I was wrong." Su Shiye pulled her back forcefully, turning her toward him. "Your appearance has changed a lot lately, and I had a hallucination. I didn't mean to conflate you with Su Yi."
"It’s okay, it doesn't matter if you conflate us. It’s not important. I have to go back, let go of me."
"Of course it matters! You know it matters!" Su Shiye said urgently. "I’m sorry, it really was because of your looks. You two are nothing alike. I will keep you separate."
"Let go of me, I’m going home."
"You can go back, but I’ll have someone take you."
Su Shiye still didn't let go; instead, he summoned his Secretary-General at top speed. When the vessel arrived at the gate, he intended to see her off, but Fan Li struggled with all her might, her every movement radiating intense resistance and revulsion. Only then did he finally release her.
She turned and rushed onto the vessel, covering her face with the back of her hand, feeling miserable over her momentary lapse of emotion.
What on earth was she doing...
"Had a fight with the Dictator?" Secretary-General Pesa turned her head slightly. "A little bit of drama is fine; he likes that. But don't overdo it. If you overdo it, he’ll coax you now, but he’ll get bored very quickly once he has you."
"I don't know what you’re talking about." Fan Li was somewhat ashamed and annoyed. "I have a boyfriend. I only came to Lord Su Shiye’s house today to ask about him."
"What boyfriend? Stop it. The original is right in front of you, yet you want to date his mimicry lifeform? Is this some other kind of kink?"
"...You know?"
"Of course I know. Miss Fan Li, do you know how Xing Hai was created? The original Xing Hai was a replica of the Dictator as a teenager, only changing the Sea God-Hunter hybrid into an Oceanid-Hunter hybrid. But an information tracker isn't suited to having too much aggression, desire, or a prominent personality; it’s better if he can hide himself. So, we reduced his testosterone production by fifty percent and added a thirty percent simulated amygdala to his brain. We scooped out all the dark, painful memories the Dictator had endured, and he transformed from an egoist into an altruist. His self-awareness was greatly weakened, and he became gentler, humbler, and more empathetic. Because the Dictator’s own amygdala is far smaller than that of an average male, and his testosterone is far higher, even with these modifications, Xing Hai didn't become a total sissy. He still had plenty of masculinity—one could even say he became the template for the perfect lover in the hearts of many young girls. That’s why you accidentally fell head over heels for him. But you must realize, in Sea Race culture, a person like Xing Hai cannot exist. A true hybrid cannot possess such a healthy, perfect, and secure mindset."
Fan Li’s face turned pale. "What are you trying to say with all this?"
"You are deceiving yourself. You fell in love with a perfect mannequin we built for you, but you refuse to accept his flaws."
"Xing Hai is not a mannequin!" Fan Li retorted angrily. "You don't understand him at all! We went through so much together; there are real feelings between us! If he has flaws, I accept them! He is the person I love most; I am willing to accept all his flaws!"
"You haven't accepted them."
"How have I not?!"
"If you restore his flaws to his body, you get the Dictator. Furthermore, the Dictator remembers everything you and Xing Hai experienced together."
"If you think I fell in love with an impossible mannequin... fine. I only accept Xing Hai, not Su Shiye. I also believe in hormones and genes, not just senses. So, between two people with such a massive difference in testosterone and amygdalae, there is essentially no similarity left."
"Is that so? Then your taste is truly strange." Pesa chuckled. "Though I still think you’re just being difficult."
Fan Li looked out the window. Su Shiye’s villa had long been left behind. The campus of Saint Yegana University appeared below.
In truth, she knew she wasn't only willing to accept Xing Hai. The more she learned about Su Yi, the more she understood Su Shiye, and the blurrier the line between Su Shiye and Xing Hai became. If she didn't separate them clearly soon, she would be finished.
Because Su Shiye did not love her. The boy who truly loved her was only the mimicry lifeform, "Xing Hai."
***
*Memory Fragment 6*
Grand Duke Asa gave me shares in the "Black Crocodile Guild," a new guild in the Underworld City, insisting that I continue to be its opinion leader.
I didn't think he was that kind; something felt off. After questioning him for a long time, I finally found the reason.
It turned out that since the Karyu Principality declared independence, the Oceanids within its borders had been divided into two classes: Star Sea-descended Oceanids (liberated slaves) and indigenous Oceanids.
Although these slaves had suffered severe discrimination in the Star Sea, they didn't feel pity for their fellow Oceanids because of it. Instead, they took the unfair treatment they had endured and inflicted it upon the indigenous Oceanids of the Karyu Plains.
Outside the Seven Seas, or in the gaps between them, there were many fragmented tribes and nations. Their level of civilization was quite backward; some places didn't even have vessels and still used traditional beast-taming for transportation. Before the natives, the liberated slaves from civilized waters were insufferably arrogant. They inherited the dialects, customs, and religious beliefs of the Star Sea, and they refused to intermarry with the natives, forming their own Star Sea Oceanid community. Since Grand Duke Asa "ascended the throne," the Karyu Principality had seen seven Governors-General, all of whom were Star Sea-descended Oceanids.
Having their territory seized made the natives unhappy enough. Coupled with the fact that the Star Sea-descended Oceanids brought higher education to the Karyu Principality, the new generation of young natives had their understanding of world culture updated. They gradually realized that the Karyu government only served the Star Sea-descended Oceanids, discriminating against and oppressing them, and always "colluding" with my brother’s regime through me. The natives lost their voice and finally exploded in silence.
Grand Duke Asa informed us that since he began ruling the Karyu Plains, the natives had launched four large-scale uprisings and countless small-scale demonstrations. To this day, the conflict between these two groups had grown increasingly sharp, seriously affecting domestic security and stability.
So, that was the reason for his unsolicited kindness.
I told my brother about this. He sent Star Sea warships over—officers to command, Great Arcanists to bombard. The uprising was suppressed, and everyone captured was handed over to Grand Duke Asa to deal with.
But with the domestic environment so toxic, civil war could break out at any moment, leaving Grand Duke Asa in a frantic state. After it was over, my brother and I became idols in the hearts of the Star Sea-descended Oceanids, while the indigenous Oceanids frantically defaced and tore up portraits of us in the capital’s city center.
I felt a bit withdrawn, but I also felt everything was within expectations. Controlling the slave market and the black market would eventually lead to a backlash. Rather than finding ways to distribute resources equally, it was better to find ways to create resources. Therefore, we still had to rely on the progress of arcana, technology, and the economy.
My brother didn't have time to deal with such trifles.
The Bodhi Sea and the Rift Sea were neighbors, but they had been fighting back and forth at the border.
Since becoming the Archon of the Star Sea, my brother and the Oda Clan had been watching the fight from the sidelines, occasionally instigating trouble to completely escalate their conflict. Consequently, the Bodhi Sea sent a distress signal to my brother, and the Star Sea smoothly became the "big brother" behind the Bodhi Sea.
I felt my brother’s approach was a bit rushed. I didn't know why he had been so keen on military expansion lately. Moreover, the Seven Seas had been fragmented for a long time; his sudden, conspicuous alliance felt like it would alarm other regions, especially the military empire of the Storm Sea...
My sixth sense was always so accurate.
On my brother’s first day back in Saint Yegana from the Star Sea, before I’d even had enough time to cling to him, we both received a dinner invitation from Patriarch Gath.
Patriarch Gath had booked one of the most expensive restaurants in Saint Yegana and invited many high-ranking Sea Race members to the banquet. After my brother and I arrived, he specifically called us to the algae garden behind the restaurant to chat.
"Lord Archon, I learned of your sister’s true background from Xunyue. To be honest, it was a bit of a surprise. My wife has always liked Su Yi; she said if she ever had the chance to meet her, she’d want her as a goddaughter. I only recently realized that you two and my son are alumni—you and Xitian are good friends."
"Xitian is exceptionally loyal. Before graduation, everyone liked him."
"He’s just a bit young and hot-tempered. Come to think of it, he’s not that young anymore; he’s a hundred and twenty-nine years older than Su Yi, yet he’s still so immature."
Hearing that "hundred and twenty-nine years," my first thought was that Patriarch Gath’s math was quite good. But my brother’s first reaction was strange—a flash of panic crossed his eyes before he quickly returned to normal. He looked at me, then at Patriarch Gath, and said calmly, "Let’s not. Xitian has already put a lot of pressure on our group of brothers. You should relax your demands on him, let him breathe, and let us breathe too."
Patriarch Gath burst into laughter. My brother’s tongue was truly skilled; he never gave awkward flattery, always tailoring his praise to make different people feel physically and mentally comfortable.
After chatting a bit longer, Patriarch Gath used the excuse of waiting for other guests to return to the restaurant.
I used an isolation spell to cover the two of us and said happily, "Brother, I was quite worried about our relationship with the Storm Sea before, but now it seems my worry was unnecessary. Is Patriarch Gath proactively showing us goodwill?"
My brother’s expression suddenly turned grave. "Lili, there are two things I want to tell you."
"Sure."
"First, I want to become the Dictator of the Light Sea."
"Pfft!!!" I sprayed a mouthful of water, clutching my chest in horror. "Don't say something so huge as if you’re just going shopping! When did you have this idea? You never told me..."
"Since your hundredth birthday." My brother stopped walking and turned to look at me. "For three or four million years, the Dictator of the Light Sea has been no different from the Saint Yegana Municipal Officer; sometimes their power is even less. I don't want to be that kind of official. I want to be a true Dictator, a supreme ruler holding absolute power over the Light Sea. The current Dictator still has over seventy years left in his term, but I can't wait that long. I need to get him out of office as soon as possible and take Saint Yegana."
"Okay, but... why?"
"To unify the Light Sea."
In that moment, I felt my brother was very strange, very domineering, and a bit frightening. I nodded. "I’ll do my best to help you, but... can Brother promise me one thing?"
"I will find a way to abolish slavery. The next step is to liberate some of the slaves in the Holy Capital."
"That’s wonderful! You really do know what I’m thinking! Then there’s nothing more to say. Go for it, Lord Dictator Su Shiye!"
I was excited for a long time, but my brother looked heavy-hearted throughout. I leaned in to look at him, tilting my head. "Brother...?"
"There’s a second thing." He looked down at me, his eyes dim. "Lili, do you have someone you like?"
"I do."
"Who?" He was stunned.
"You, of course."
"No," he said despondently. "I mean, a man you like."
"Uh," my lip twitched. "Aren't... aren't you a man?"
"I mean the kind of liking where you want to get married."
"Oh, then no."
My brother relaxed at first, then his brow furrowed again. "Then what do you think of Gath Xitian?"
"He’s very handsome, but he’s a chauvinist and a misogynist—the kind who’d be locked up next to the exhibitionist convicts in hell." To emphasize, I even made a mock gagging gesture to show my true feelings. But quickly, I realized the situation was wrong and looked up sharply. "Wait, was Patriarch Gath just proposing a marriage?!"
My brother didn't answer me directly. He just crossed his arms and said softly, "The Storm Sea is too far away."
"Wait, wait, wait, you were planning to just marry me off like that?!"
"Xitian is very bad at pleasing girls, but he has a strong sense of responsibility and cares for his family. He’ll likely be a good husband. Having known him so long, I think my judgment of character isn't bad. Besides, your marriage would help our alliance with the Storm Sea. Think about it seriously."
"Everything before that was nonsense; the only key sentence was 'help our alliance with the Storm Sea.'" I let out a few cold laughs. "Brother, I don't want to open your wounds, but as a hybrid of the Sea God and Hunter races, you already know the pain of reproductive isolation very well, don't you? If I marry Xitian, I’ll also give birth to infertile children. Is that what you want?"
"Don't worry, you won't have that problem with him."
"Why not..."
"Your bloodline is special. No matter what race you're with, you'll give birth to pure-blooded children of that race. You don't have the trouble of reproductive isolation. The Gath and Saint Ti clans have the purest bloodlines, which is why I think Xitian is a good choice." My brother swam closer, reached out to pat my head, and smiled slightly. "This is also the result I most hope to see—to see my Lili’s descendants continue on."
My focus, however, wasn't on whether Xitian’s bloodline was pure. I only heard the keyword: *No trouble with reproductive isolation with any race...* "Then... what if it’s with a Sea God hybrid?"
After I said that, my brother froze, and I felt awkward.
"I-I-I was just asking randomly, just curious."
"A race without reproductive capabilities won't succeed no matter how hard they try. Don't make such hypotheses."
The atmosphere turned somber in an instant. My brother patted my shoulder and turned to swim toward the restaurant. But I stepped forward and spoke up with courage: "Brother, what if the person I like is just like you, a Sea God hybrid? Would you support me marrying the person I love?"
My brother’s back stiffened. His voice was ice-cold:
"I would not. If you fell in love with such a man, I would kill him."
***
4.3 Theater
Ye Jia: "Today’s Best: *The Biography of Su Shiye: The Life of a Simp* and *Angry Coco Deletes His Account*."
Su Shiye: "?"
*Her 4.3 Billion Years* by Jun Zi Yi Ze, To be continued...
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 毛柄粗皮鲀 | Bristle-tail puffer | A type of pufferfish (likely fictional or based on *Cantherhines dumerilii*). |
| 创世门 | Creation Gate | A landmark in Saint Yegana. |
| 刀鱼 | Tapertail fish | Specifically *Coilia nasus*, a prized delicacy. |
| 亵渎的爱 | Sacrilegious Love | The name of Su Shiye's favorite wine. |
| 造物熔炉 | Forge of Creation | A massive structure being built by Su Shiye. |
| 翡翠山脉 | Emerald Mountains | A mountain range near Saint Yegana. |
| 琉璃军团 | Glazed Legion | A military unit mentioned in history/ruins. |
| 黑鳄工会 | Black Crocodile Guild | A guild in the Underworld City. |
| 模拟杏仁核 | Simulated amygdala | A biological modification made to Xing Hai. |
| 睾丸酮 | Testosterone | Mentioned in the context of biological differences. |
| 加斯宗族 | Gath Clan | A powerful noble family from the Storm Sea. |
| 圣提宗族 | Saint Ti Clan | Another noble family with pure bloodlines. |
| 希天 | Xitian | The son of Patriarch Gath. |
| 寻月 | Xunyue | A character mentioned in the flashback. |
| 藻园 | Algae garden | A garden area in the restaurant. |
