Linley's Coiling Dragon Ring Acknowledges a Master (Seeking Collection)

While Linley was deep in thought, a pale blue screen suddenly unfolded before his eyes, words appearing on it one by one.

"Who?"

Linley snapped awake, looking around, but the pale blue screen kept shifting to follow his gaze.

"Countdown complete. Congratulations, host, on successfully binding the Myriad Things Exchange System!"

This time, the words on the pale blue screen didn't change, but a voice spoke directly within Linley's mind.

"Are you a great mage?"

Linley had calmed down by now.

To silently unfold a mysterious message before his eyes and even speak in his mind—clearly, this wasn't something a child like him could resist.

"Not bad composure." The voice in Linley's mind sounded again, carrying a hint of approval. "Don't worry, I won't harm you. From now on, my fate is bound together with yours."

Deep within Linley's soul, where he couldn't perceive, Lin Ke sat on a sofa. On the television screen before him appeared Linley's slightly tense face.

"Fate bound with me?" Linley's expression was puzzled. "Honorable mage, could you please enlighten me?"

Though not yet nine years old, Linley had been taught noble etiquette by Hogg since childhood. His formal, measured manners now showed his respect, even if Lin Ke couldn't fully grasp it.

"I'm not a mage." Lin Ke looked at Linley's demeanor, scratched his head, and finally made a decision. "My name is Lin Ke. You can call me Brother Lin."

"Brother Lin?" Linley's expression fell with disappointment. "Are you really not a mage?"

"I'm not a mage." Seeing Linley's crestfallen look, Lin Ke couldn't help but smile. "But I can make you a mage."

"Make me a mage?" Linley's fists clenched involuntarily. "Brother Lin, is what you said true?"

"Of course it's true." Lin Ke's lips curled slightly. "However, I want you to think carefully. Between us, it's a cooperative relationship, but I'll be the one leading it."

With that, Lin Ke paused for a moment before continuing. "I can create anything you can imagine—or can't imagine—any substance at all. But you need to complete tasks to make it happen. So, Linley, what's your choice?"

In truth, Lin Ke had considered deceiving Linley.

Linley was still under nine now, far from the future Hell Lord who would roam the Coiling Dragon Universe, nor was he a Chief Sovereign.

With Lin Ke's knowledge of the Coiling Dragon Universe, even a hint of information would be enough to fool Linley.

But Lin Ke chose to abandon that idea.

Simply put, he was now bound to Linley. Unless he accumulated enough energy in the future to completely detach himself from the system and from Linley, any rift caused by deception between them would be very disadvantageous.

Besides, Linley's surname wasn't Tang or Fang. Lin Ke had confidence in Linley's character.

To his enemies, Linley was certainly ruthless, but to his family and friends, he was beyond reproach.

Lin Ke hoped to work closely with Linley in the future.

Of course, all of this had to be under Lin Ke's leadership.

"Brother Lin Ke." Linley took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady. "I agree. As long as you can make me stronger, and as long as it doesn't threaten my family, I'll give it my all."

Linley's answer didn't surprise Lin Ke.

Having witnessed the power of mages firsthand, Linley now held great anticipation for the path of strength.

After Linley finished speaking, Lin Ke didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stroked his chin in thought.

"The system's energy source depends on the host's influence and changes to the current world. And Linley is someone whose fate is uncertain. For the entire Coiling Dragon Universe, his impact should be even greater, right?"

Thinking this, Lin Ke smiled. The next moment, a system prompt appeared before Linley's eyes.

[Task: Blood-bond the Coiling Dragon Ring] [Task Reward: 10 White Energy Points] [Note: Energy Points are the system's universal currency. Use Energy Points to exchange for any item within the system. Higher-grade Energy Points can be exchanged for lower-grade ones, but lower-grade Energy Points cannot be exchanged for higher-grade ones.]

"Blood-bond the Coiling Dragon Ring?" The information before him made Linley stare at the ring hanging around his neck. "Brother Lin, do you mean this Coiling Dragon Ring is like something from a knight novel—a divine artifact that can be bonded?"

"Divine artifact?" Lin Ke snorted. "Little Linley, your Coiling Dragon Ring is far more than just a divine artifact. Of course, to uncover its secrets, you first need to become a god to be qualified."

"Become a god?" Linley, not yet nine, was confused. "Like the Lord the Radiant Church preaches about?"

"This is hard to explain to you right now." Lin Ke cut off Linley's question. "Don't reach for what's beyond your grasp. Focus on completing tasks and improving your strength first."

Lin Ke's words made Linley nod. He looked at the ring around his neck, then at his fingers.

A flash of determination crossed Linley's eyes as he put his finger in his mouth.

"Ah~"

Linley let out a pained cry, blood seeping from the corner of his lips.

Still in the middle of losing his baby teeth, he hadn't bitten his finger—instead, he'd knocked out a front tooth.

"Crack~"

Inside the mysterious space, Lin Ke looked at the freshly taken photo in his hands, a broad smile on his face.

"Future blackmail material for Hongmeng Controller Lin Meng!"

Lin Ke waved his hand with a smile, and a photo album appeared, framing the picture.

"Linley, don't waste it. Since it's blood anyway, just bind it directly."

Lin Ke reminded him. Linley grimaced, put away the tooth he had lost, then wiped a bit of blood from the corner of his mouth onto the Coiling Dragon Ring.

The blood landed on the Coiling Dragon Ring, vanishing like water into a sponge.

"Brother Lin Ke, why does it seem like nothing's happening?"

Just as Linley asked in confusion, a system prompt flickered before his eyes.

[Congratulations on completing the mission. Energy points +10]

[First energy points earned. System Shop unlocked]

A voice sounded again in Linley's mind, but unlike Lin Ke's earlier speech, this one was an electronic tone devoid of any emotion.

Inside the System Space, Lin Ke looked at the 1,000 energy points stored in the system, and the corners of his mouth stretched all the way to his ears.

"As expected of a child of destiny!" Lin Ke mused, staring at the energy balance. "I thought it'd be just one or two hundred points, but it turned out to be a thousand. Still, this works out perfectly—I take 990, Linley gets 10. Very fair."

Lin Ke chuckled and glanced at the Smart Speaker beside him.

That was what had just announced the prompts in his place.

Lin Ke decided that from now on, he'd let the Smart Speaker handle all such announcements.

After all, since it didn't need to leave the System Space, the Smart Speaker cost zero energy points to use.

Just as Lin Ke was pondering his next move, Linley spoke up: "Brother Lin, what do these energy points do?"

"Don't rush." Lin Ke's lips curled slightly. "For now, the most important thing for you is to improve your strength. You can take a look at the shop first, and while you're at it, meet your teacher."