Linley Takes Ownership of the Coiling Dragon Ring

As Linley was lost in thought, a pale-blue screen suddenly unfolded before him, and words appeared on it one by one.

"Who?"

Linley jolted awake and looked around, but the pale-blue screen followed his gaze wherever he looked.

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

This time, the words on the pale-blue screen didn't change. Instead, a voice came from inside Linley's mind.

"Are you a great mage?"

Linley had already calmed down.

He was just a child, clearly no match for someone who could silently display mysterious information before his eyes and even speak inside his mind.

"Good composure." The voice in Linley's mind sounded again, with a hint of approval. "Don't worry. I won't harm you. From this moment on, our fates are bound together."

Deep within Linley's soul, beyond his perception, Lin Ke sat on a sofa. On the television screen before him was Linley's somewhat nervous face.

"Our fates are bound together?" Linley looked puzzled. "Esteemed mage, could you please explain?"

Though he wasn't yet nine, Linley had been taught noble etiquette by Hogg since childhood. His impeccable manners made his respect plain, even to Lin Ke, who knew little about such things.

"I'm not a mage." Looking at Linley, Lin Ke scratched his head before making up his mind. "My name is Lin Ke. You can call me Brother Lin."

"Brother Lin?" Linley looked a little disappointed. "Are you really not a mage?"

"I'm not a mage." Seeing Linley's dejected expression, Lin Ke couldn't help smiling. "But I can make you a mage."

"Make me a mage?" Linley clenched his fists. "Brother Lin, do you really mean it?"

"Of course." Lin Ke's lips curled slightly. "But I want you to think carefully. This is a partnership between us, but I'll be the one in charge."

He paused, then continued, "I can create anything you can imagine—and anything you can't. But you'll need to complete missions for that. So, Linley, what's your choice?"

In truth, Lin Ke had considered deceiving Linley.

Linley was still under nine, far from becoming the Hell Lord who would one day dominate the Coiling Dragon Universe, and he wasn't a Chief Sovereign, either.

Given Lin Ke's knowledge of the Coiling Dragon Universe, revealing even a little information would be enough to mislead Linley.

But Lin Ke still chose to abandon the idea.

The reason was simple: he was already bound to Linley. Unless Lin Ke accumulated enough Energy Points to free himself from the system and from Linley, their bond would remain.

If Linley came to resent him for lying, it would put Lin Ke at a serious disadvantage.

Besides, Linley's surname wasn't Tang or Fang. Lin Ke had plenty of faith in his character.

Linley could be ruthless toward his enemies, but he was beyond reproach when it came to his family and friends.

Lin Ke hoped that one day he and Linley could work together wholeheartedly.

Of course, that depended on Lin Ke being the one in charge.

"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 it doesn't put my family in danger, I'll do everything I can."

Linley's answer came as no surprise to Lin Ke.

Having witnessed a mage's power with his own eyes, Linley now longed to walk the path of the strong.

After Linley finished speaking, Lin Ke didn't answer right away. He stroked his chin and considered the matter.

"The system draws its energy from the host's influence on and changes to the current world. Linley is a Person of Uncertain Fate, so he should have an even greater impact on the entire Coiling Dragon Universe, right?"

At that thought, a smile spread across Lin Ke's face. The next moment, a system prompt appeared before Linley.

[Mission: Make the Coiling Dragon Ring recognize its master with a drop of blood]

[Mission Reward: 10 White Energy Points]

[Note: Energy Points are the system's universal currency. They can be used to exchange for anything in the system. Higher-grade Energy Points can be exchanged for lower-grade Energy Points, but lower-grade Energy Points cannot be exchanged for higher-grade ones.]

"Make the Coiling Dragon Ring recognize its master?" Linley stared at the message, then at the ring hanging around his neck. "Brother Lin, do you mean the Coiling Dragon Ring is a divine artifact that can recognize its master, just like in the knightly novels?"

"A divine artifact?" Lin Ke scoffed. "Little Linley, your Coiling Dragon Ring is much more than just a divine artifact. But first, you'll need to Ascend to Godhood before you're qualified to uncover its secrets."

"Ascend to Godhood?" Linley, who wasn't even nine yet, didn't understand. "Is it like the Lord worshipped by the Radiant Church?"

"That's not something I can explain to you right now." Lin Ke interrupted Linley's questions. "Don't get ahead of yourself. Your priority is to complete missions and grow stronger."

Linley nodded at Lin Ke's words. He looked at the ring hanging around his neck, then at his finger.

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, and he put his finger in his mouth.

"Ah!"

Linley cried out in pain, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

As he was in the middle of losing his baby teeth, Linley hadn't bitten his finger. Instead, he'd knocked out one of his front teeth.

"Click."

Inside the mysterious space, Lin Ke looked at the freshly taken photo in his hand and grinned.

"Hongmeng Controller Lin Meng's embarrassing past!"

Smiling, Lin Ke waved his hand, and a photo album appeared. He framed the picture and put it inside.

"Linley, don't waste it. It's blood either way. Just use it to make the ring recognize you as its master."

Lin Ke reminded him. With a pained expression, Linley picked up his fallen tooth and put it away. Then he wiped a little blood from the corner of his mouth and smeared it onto the Coiling Dragon Ring.

The blood fell onto the Coiling Dragon Ring and vanished almost immediately, as though it had been absorbed by a sponge.

"Brother Lin Ke, why doesn't anything seem to be happening?"

Just as Linley asked in confusion, a system prompt flashed before him.

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

[First Energy Points acquired. System Shop unlocked.]

The voice sounded in Linley's mind again, but unlike Lin Ke's voice, it was a completely emotionless electronic tone.

Inside the System Space, Lin Ke looked at the 1,000 Energy Points stored in the system and grinned from ear to ear.

"As expected of the Child of the World!" Lin Ke marveled at the balance. "I thought it'd be only a hundred or two. I didn't expect a thousand. But that works out perfectly: I'll take 990, and Linley gets 10. Fair and square."

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

It had just made the announcement in his place.

Lin Ke decided to have the Smart Speaker handle all announcements from then on.

Since it didn't need to leave the System Space, the Smart Speaker wouldn't use up any Energy Points.

As Lin Ke considered what to do next, Linley asked, "Brother Lin, what can I do with these Energy Points?"

"Don't rush." Lin Ke's lips curled slightly. "The most important thing for you right now is to get stronger. You can take a look at the shop first, and then meet your teacher."