A vicious female is trapped in a beastly hell.

Chapter 520 Father and Son Reunited (Bonus Chapter for Donations)
Jialan was stunned.

He had long known that the legendary high priest of the sea god was his biological father, but as for this father whom he had never met in his memory... perhaps he had seen him when he was young, but he didn't remember him at all, not even his name or appearance.

He only knew that this high priest was mysterious and powerful, an object of reverence and admiration among the sea people, and a servant of the gods who was not to be profaned.

Legend has it that the High Priest of the Sea Clan possesses terrifying power beyond the tenth rank, but as far as Jialan knows, many years ago the High Priest swore to live in the inner palace and not to get involved in external affairs.

Over the years, his mother had never mentioned the high priest to him.

The two are not on good terms, and may not even be husband and wife in name. Will the high priest really help them?
“High Priest and His Majesty…” Shen Tang glanced at Jia Lan and rubbed his temples helplessly.

Logically speaking, since the two of them already have a child, even if they aren't partners, there should still be some affection between them, and the high priest should be willing to help.

Even she, an outsider, could see that the High Priest and the Queen had a terrible relationship, and their acquaintance was a deception with ulterior motives. Otherwise, they wouldn't have barely seen each other for so many years, and even though Jialan had been called a "bastard" for so many years, she didn't know who her biological father was.

Shen Tang sighed, "Even setting aside personal feelings, the emperor's imprisonment is a major event that shakes the entire Hai Kingdom. As the high priest, how could he stand idly by!"

Jialan was also persuaded by her, but before she could be happy, she frowned again, "But outsiders can't even enter the temple, let alone see him, how can we ask him for help?"

Shen Tang looked at him, stroked his chin and smiled mischievously, "You're wrong. You're the son of the High Priest, how can you be considered an outsider? If he had taken you away back then, you might be the Junior Priest of the Temple."

Jialan was taken aback; in his mind, the Temple of the Sea God was too far removed from him.

Tangtang wants him to use this unfamiliar kinship as a bargaining chip?
Is it really possible?
Shen Tang took out a token from his spatial storage. "Of course, I also have a backup plan. This was given to me by the High Priest back then. Later, I found this Sea God Temple token in my spatial storage. He said he hoped that I..."

She looked at Jialan and smiled, "And you too, see you next time."

Jialan's pupils trembled slightly, her hands clenched slightly, and she rarely showed a childlike confusion and helplessness, falling into deep thought.

To be honest, Shen Tang couldn't guarantee that the High Priest would actually help. After all, in the original story, when Garuda died in the palace coup, the Sea Clan High Priest, Lunas, never showed up. Perhaps the two only harbored hatred, not love…

Of course, by then the High Priest might have already saved Jialan's life, so even if he wanted to help, he wouldn't have had the chance.

The original work did not elaborate on what happened during those years, and she had no idea.

However, the current plot has deviated far from the original story. The Queen and the High Priest are still alive; there's still hope for a comeback!
With the token and his own son present, Lunas will definitely see them!

As long as we meet, there's a chance!
Jialan took the token from her hand, her slender fingers gently stroking the patterns on it. The four ancient characters "Temple of the Sea God" were engraved in the center, and the surrounding area was carved with sacred and intricate patterns, which aroused a sense of reverence.

He couldn't help but wonder: what kind of being was that high priest of the sea god?
His father.

His biological father, whom he had never met...

Jialan made up her mind, "Okay, let's go find him!"

Given the urgency of the situation, Shen Tang put Jia Lan into his spatial storage and teleported directly to the temple.

The Temple of the Priests is located in the far southern part of the sea, near the sealed Sea of ​​Oblivion. It was the High Priest of that generation who sealed the Sea of ​​Oblivion, preventing the spread of pollution.

But today, the seal is weakening and pollution is spreading uncontrollably, even more so than it was hundreds of years ago!

Lunas stood on the highest platform of the temple, wearing a white and gold robe and holding a golden scepter.

He was tall and slender, his divine robes embroidered with intricate gold patterns, and he seemed to radiate a dazzling, sacred light. His golden hair was like a rare light found in the deep sea, pure, holy, and inviolable, drawing the eye and purifying the heart, yet one dared only to admire from afar, lest one defile this holiness.

As Lunas gazed at the sea above, which was gradually darkening, as if it had been soaked in thick ink, filled with an aura of death and darkness.

His scepter slammed to the ground, and a platinum-gold light emerged from beneath his feet.

Wherever the light reaches, the seawater quickly loses its color and returns to its original clarity—this is the power of top-level purification ability!

But it's not enough.

The pollution is spreading too fast.

A servant stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "High Priest, a coup has occurred in the palace. The Emperor has been imprisoned by the rebels, and his fate is currently unknown."

"According to the latest intelligence, three major families have rebelled. Other families are trying their best to rescue His Majesty, but some men in black of unknown origin have appeared and have been unable to enter the palace. I'm afraid the situation in the palace is not optimistic and is in imminent danger."

The sea race's high priest, Lunas, did not respond, nor did he even turn around.

The orc stared at the high priest's retreating figure, not daring to utter a word, unable to fathom his thoughts.

Twenty years ago, the High Priest declared that he would withdraw from the world and devote himself to spiritual practice, and would never step out of the temple unless faced with a cataclysmic disaster.

The only times I secretly left were for that legendary little prince.

For the high priest, the change of imperial power should not be a big deal.

The attendant had only intended to give a routine report, since the High Priest never paid attention to such matters. If it weren't for the fact that this involved the royal family and had a serious impact, there probably wouldn't have even been a report.

Why did the high priest specifically send him to investigate the palace coup?
Someone came from outside to report, "High Priest, two distinguished guests are requesting an audience! They are carrying your token, and one of them... is His Highness Prince Jialan."

Runas's body trembled, and he gripped the scepter tightly.

Although the relationship between the High Priest and Queen Spring Breeze was once a secret unknown to most, long since buried by time and known to few in the world, a few orc attendants in the temple knew more or less about the inside story.

Seeing the high priest's reaction, they roughly guessed that the "young priest" whom he had protected so well and whom even they had never met was none other than Prince Jialan!

After a long silence, Runas turned and stepped down from the platform, saying slowly, "Please invite them in."

"Yes."

Shen Tang and Jia Lan didn't have to wait long before someone came to announce, "Honorable guest, please follow me."

Shen Tang tugged at Jia Lan, only to find him standing still.

She turned to look at him, puzzled. "Alan?"

Jialan's expression was not good.

Or rather, his condition had been off ever since he arrived here.

To be honest, even Shen Tang felt an unusually oppressive atmosphere here. The Sea Temple was stationed on the edge of the polluted area, and the pollution was spreading too fast, turning large areas of the sea black.

The rampant virus caused widespread contamination, but this force cannot be simply summarized by a biological virus; it is closer to a kind of deathly and dark energy. The virus and contamination gave rise to a vast amount of ominous, deathly aura, fueling this mysterious power, making it even more terrifying and suffocating…

Shen Tang looked at him with concern, "Are you alright?"

Jialan clutched her chest, pursed her lips, and shook her head, saying, "I'm fine, go inside."

The two followed the attendants to the main hall of the temple.

The high priest had been waiting for a long time.

Although he was an elder, his appearance was almost identical to that of his youth; he remained handsome, only more mature than younger people. His calm, light golden eyes seemed to have seen it all.

"Welcome to the temple, both of you." Lunas's voice was deep and pleasant, with a faint smile.

He looked at the two people who came, or more accurately, at Jialan.

When those calm, deep golden eyes fell upon him, a ripple appeared on his face, like an undercurrent hidden deep in the sea.

"Greetings, High Priest."

Jialan was also observing this mysterious sea race high priest. He spoke somewhat awkwardly, his expression unnatural.

Although he knew the other person was his father, and the two even looked somewhat alike, Jialan was completely unfamiliar with this father. To him, the two were just strangers who had just met and were related by blood.

Runas sighed softly, his eyes showing regret but not caring.

He walked up to Jialan, a slight smile playing on his lips. "I'm sorry, I haven't been able to be with you, I haven't fulfilled my responsibilities as a father... You've grown up a lot."

Runas gazed intently at his son, his right hand rising and falling slightly at his side, and he said softly, "How have you been these past years?"

"Thank you for your concern, Father. I am doing well and have found the love of my life." Jia Lan said, looking at Shen Tang beside him, a smile appearing on his handsome face.

"Hehe, I've met this girl. She's really nice, and you're lucky to have met her."

Runas also looked at Shen Tang and nodded in satisfaction. His gaze seemed to see through many things, and Shen Tang unconsciously straightened her back and replied with a smile, "It was my honor to meet the High Priest in the spiritual world a year ago!"

Jialan listened to their conversation with a surprised expression, clearly unaware of when they had met.

However, that no longer matters.

The two still remembered the purpose of their trip.

Shen Tang and Jia Lan had agreed that this matter had to be brought up by him personally.

Only if he speaks up will the high priest grant him this favor.

"Father, I have a request!"

Although Jialan's tone still betrayed her unfamiliarity, she mustered her courage and got straight to the point, "The Sea Clan's royal palace has been embroiled in a coup. The previously exiled Consort Xivar instigated a rebellion and, in alliance with external forces, imprisoned my mother and the families of the princes. I implore you to intervene and help me rescue them!"

Runas nodded and invited the two to sit down. "No need to rush, I have already heard about this matter."

Jialan clenched her fists, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes. "Since you already knew... why did you hesitate to help?"

Runas sighed softly, seemingly helpless, "I was born a high priest of the temple, and many things are beyond my control. Disobeying the temple's rules will cause unforeseen accidents and irreparable consequences..."

At this point, he glanced at Jialan, his eyes filled with deep, restrained paternal love, as well as many other complex emotions. In the end, he simply said, "The temple has never been involved in changes of imperial power. This matter is unrelated to my duties. I cannot leave the temple and abandon my post."

Jialan fell silent upon hearing this, unsure of what to say.

The high priests of the sea tribes have no obligation to intervene in power struggles.

Regardless of public matters, let's consider private matters...

He looked at Lunas and spoke with difficulty, "You...you really won't get involved?"

Lunas also gazed intently at his son, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. He raised his hand and gently touched his cheek, as if it were a loving caress, but it felt strangely awkward and unnatural. He quickly put his hand down again.

Looking at the face that resembled his own when he was young, he felt a mix of emotions—the priests served the temple and the seas for their entire lives and should not have any kinship ties, yet he found it hard to sever this bloodline.

He said, "Son, I need a reason."

Jialan was taken aback, then thought for a moment and replied, "I beg you to save my mother. If you agree, I will do my utmost if the temple needs me in the future!"

Shen Tang turned to look at him, calling out worriedly, "A-Lan..."

Jialan held her hand. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Everything comes at a price.

Lunas: "Alright, child, I promise you."

Jialan and Shentang were both very happy and immediately wanted to fight their way back to the palace with him.

Runas, however, commanded, "But I have one condition: you must remain in the temple and not leave until I return."

He patiently instructed, "No matter what happens, you must not leave this place."

"You just need to stay here, leave the rest to me."

"The temple will treat you well."

After saying this, Lunas turned and left.

This chapter contains 3,000 words; today's update combines three chapters into two.

Thank you to "zi,ping_" for supporting the book and giving a bonus chapter!
good night~