Doehring

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Doehring Cowart (德林)
Alias(es)	Grandpa Doehring; Royal Chief Magician of the Puang Empire
Species/Race	Human in life; Earth Spirit Body, a naturally humanoid magical beast, after resurrection 23 110
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Puang Empire (formerly); Linley Baruch's party
Occupation/Role	Former peak Saint-level Earth magus; Linley's magic mentor and guardian
Status	Alive; Earth Element Low-God 110
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Peak Saint-level Earth magus	22 83	Served as the Puang Empire's Royal Chief Magician and had comprehended part of the Profound Mystery of Earth Element before his death.
Earth Element Low-God	110	Possessed an Earth Spirit Body and ascended internally after fully comprehending the Profound Mystery of Earth Element; gained the innate divine ability Earth Spirit.

Background / History

Doehring was once the Royal Chief Magician of the Puang Empire and a renowned Saint-level expert. Arrogant and aloof during his life, he kept distant from the royal family and colleagues, leaving himself vulnerable to an ambush by his mortal enemy, Hamlin. Though killed, his soul did not pass into the Netherworld; it persisted within the Coiling Dragon Ring for over five thousand years. 71 83 88

After Linley blood-bonded the ring, Doehring emerged and accepted him as a student. He began with the foundations of magic, stressing that Linley needed to understand magic's essence rather than merely pursue spells. Under his instruction, Linley cast Earth Spike within three days. 5 8

Doehring became increasingly protective of Linley, whom he came to regard as a grandson. He guarded Linley during the twelve-hour Dragonblood transformation, restrained Beibei from interrupting it, and repeatedly warned Linley against taking risks beyond his ability. 9 13 16

Linley's revelations about Laws and Profound Mysteries restored Doehring's ambition. Learning that complete comprehension of a single profound mystery could lead to godhood, he resumed cultivating the Laws of the Earth despite existing only as a soul. He requested a human body retaining Earth Element talent if resurrection became possible. 22 23

During Linley's travels, Doehring's Soul Form shocked the necromancer Cessler and later drew the attention of old Saint-level figures such as Desri and Cesar. His survival was regarded as an anomaly under conventional understanding of the Death Law. 82 83 88

Linley ultimately acquired an Earth Spirit Body for him in the Plane Prison. Doehring's soul merged with the body, after which he ascended internally as an Earth Element Low-God. 110

Appearance

Doehring initially manifests as an elderly, bearded Soul Form emerging from the Coiling Dragon Ring. His restored Earth Spirit Body is made to match that soul form exactly. 6 110

• Earthy-yellow robe, hair, and eyebrows after receiving the Earth Spirit Body. 110
• Often strokes his beard while teaching, reminiscing, or expressing pride. 6 83
• Could remain unseen by most people while in Soul Form; Cessler's ability to see him directly was highly unusual. 82

Personality

Doehring is a patient but demanding teacher. He corrects Linley's spellcasting in detail, insists on sound fundamentals, and emphasizes that strength requires both cultivation and real combat experience. 8 9

He is deeply affectionate toward Linley and frequently acts as his emotional guardian. Doehring criticizes Hogg's treatment of Linley, worries over Linley's maturity at such a young age, and intervenes when Linley faces danger. 7 8 13

His compassion coexists with pride in his former standing. He readily introduces himself as the Puang Empire's former chief magician when Cessler recognizes him, but later chooses internal ascension specifically to preserve more strength for protecting Linley. 83 110

Abilities & Skills

Earth Element Magic and Law Comprehension

Doehring was a peak Saint-level Earth magus in life and later completed the Profound Mystery of Earth Element to ascend as a Low-God. 22 110

• Explained Saint-level Earth spells and their progression, including the Earth Guardian Sacred Armor and Meteor Fall. 6
• Used a basic application of the Profound Mystery of Earth Element to defeat two Rank 5 warriors while still a Soul Form. 24
• Recognized the Earth and Wind Laws described in Linley's compendium and identified his own former insight as the Profound Mystery of Earth Element. 22
• Continued cultivating Earth Laws while in Soul Form, eventually reaching the threshold required for godhood. 108 110

Soul Form

For more than five millennia, Doehring existed as a soul bound to the Coiling Dragon Ring. 88

• Could communicate directly in Linley's mind and manifest outside the ring. 6 7
• Retained Saint-level experience and perception despite lacking a body. 8 23
• Could still use limited magic, but doing so consumed his soul essence. 9
• Could not refine magic power or increase spiritual energy without a physical body. 22

Earth Spirit

After becoming a Low-God, Doehring gained the Earth Spirit Body's innate divine ability, Earth Spirit. 110

• Receives the earth's protection and enhanced Earth Law comprehension while standing on the ground. 110
• Can summon an Earth Spirit whose strength depends on Doehring's soul. 110
• The summoned Earth Spirit possesses Low-God Artifact-level physical strength and identical Law comprehension to Doehring. 110
• The summon has no Godhead and cannot be killed unless its divine power is exhausted. 111
• It can use Doehring's divine domain; together, Doehring and the Earth Spirit can contend with a Mid-God. 111

Flat Knife Style Carving

Doehring teaches a carving discipline tailored to Earth Element mages. 53

• Uses a single flat knife because Earth Element mages can perceive a stone's internal structure. 53
• Trains spiritual energy through detailed carving. 53
• Can aid comprehension of the Laws of the Earth. 53

Equipment / Items

• Coiling Dragon Ring — Doehring's residence and anchor while he existed as a Soul Form. 6 88
• Earth Spirit Body — A customized humanoid magical-beast body with Earth Law affinity and the potential to reach Paragon High-God status. 23 110

Relationships

• Linley Baruch — Student and surrogate grandson. Doehring teaches, protects, and emotionally supports Linley; Linley later fulfills his promise to restore Doehring's body. 8 13 110
• Hamlin — Mortal enemy who killed Doehring during his life. 71 88
• Beibei — Linley's magical beast companion; Doehring restrained Beibei during Linley's Dragonblood transformation to keep the process undisturbed. 13
• Cessler — Necromancer whose ability to see Doehring's Soul Form challenged his understanding of the Death Law. 82 83
• Desri — A Saint-level figure from Doehring's era; Desri knew of Doehring's death at Hamlin's hands. 85 88
• Lin Ke — Linley's concealed benefactor, whom Doehring knows only indirectly through Linley's explanations and the extraordinary aid provided to him. 21 22 110

Notable Quotes

“Within three days, you must successfully cast your first spell.” 7

“In my day, I was the Royal Chief Magician of the Puang Empire, held in the highest esteem.” 83

“If it weren't for little Linley, I'd still be alone inside the ring!” 111