The Douling Royal Family's Invitation

After careful consideration, Lin Yao ultimately gave up on the idea. The reason was simple: although the soul rings enhanced by the Godly Examination appeared similar to those absorbed directly at high quality, there was a catch.

Some soul beasts were born with high-level cultivation. If a soul beast perfectly suited to Lin Yao happened to be of a high level, absorbing it now would be a waste of a future soul ring slot.

Three days later, Lin Xueli returned to the Lin Mansion from his long journey to the Heaven Soul Empire, his face beaming with smiles.

"Yao'er, it's done," Lin Xueli said, waving a small booklet at Lin Yao with considerable excitement.

Lin Yao glanced up at Lin Xueli, who continued, "Once the Heaven Dragon Sect saw the recommendation letter from Shrek Academy, their tone changed completely. They didn't even dare to open the envelope; they just hiked the price up to an exorbitant level."

Lin Yao couldn't help but frown slightly, thinking to himself, Are you even listening to yourself? What do you mean by 'just hiked it up to an exorbitant level'?

If a veteran official like Lin Xueli, who held such a lucrative position, considered the price exorbitant, it would be enough to cost an ordinary person their life.

Though the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique was worth a life, it was, after all, their family's signature craft.

Lin Xueli handed the booklet to Lin Yao, then patted his shoulder. "Don't carry any mental burden, Xiao Yao. You are my son, my only son. As long as a technique is beneficial to you, no matter how much it costs, I believe it is worth it."

Lin Yao nodded, then hesitated before saying to Lin Xueli, "Father, I've felt as though people have been watching our residence these past few days. I fear it's not as simple as just Shrek Academy keeping an eye on us."

Lin Yao's words made Lin Xueli's brow furrow. He scratched his head and said, "That is even more annoying than spending money. From now on, you must have the family security detail follow you whenever you go out. Remember, we pay these people so that they can act on our behalf before we have the strength to do so ourselves."

Lin Yao nodded, and Lin Xueli stuffed the booklet into his hands before heading off to arrange the security for the Lin Mansion.

Lin Yao returned to his room and immediately began to flip through the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique that Lin Xueli had brought back.

As the top-tier ability that had once propelled the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan into the Upper Three Sects, this secret technique was highly demanding of one's talent and understanding of their martial soul.

This was the main reason for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's gradual decline; the younger generation simply lacked the necessary comprehension of their martial souls.

However, the issue of martial soul comprehension was no problem for Lin Yao. If it were a dragon-type martial soul native to this world, he might have had to put in some effort.

But the Ender Dragon was a friend and foe he had dealt with countless times during his ten-year journey in Minecraft.

Lin Yao's understanding of it was naturally flawless, and it took him only a month to master the essence of the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique.

For every ten levels the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique increased, a part of the body would transform into the likeness of the martial soul dragon. The first part Lin Yao transformed was his left arm.

At the same time, his soul ring shifted from beneath his feet to his left arm.

The Dragon Transformation was not merely a change in appearance; Lin Yao also felt his soul power draining faster in the transformed state, while his strength was simultaneously amplified.

Coupled with the boost from his first soul skill, Lin Yao's strength was now not to be underestimated; in the world of soul masters, he could be considered to have reached the threshold of true proficiency.

Over the next few months, Lin Yao kept to himself, focusing entirely on breaking through his soul power, striving to reach the Great Soul Master level within a year and a half.

By the fourth month, Lin Yao had reached level 16 soul power—an average of one level every two months, which was quite impressive.

On this day, Lin Xueli said to Lin Yao, "Xiao Yao, tomorrow His Majesty has invited you and me to attend the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. You should prepare yourself."

Lin Yao raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. He had not yet accepted any rewards from the Douling Royal Family, so logically, he had no standing to attend the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.

Even if the royal families in the Douluo world were generally not that complex, a royal invitation would certainly not be a superfluous gesture. I fear the banquet is merely a front, and other arrangements are the true purpose.

He just didn't know if it was a trap or something else, especially since he had already accepted the recommendation letter from Shrek Academy.

As far as the Douling Royal Family was concerned, they would either want him dead by accident around the age of six, or they would want to curry favor with him.

However, judging by Lin Xueli's reaction, it shouldn't be a trap. Given his connections, it was almost impossible for them to set a trap for him without his knowledge.

Seeing him so high-spirited, it was likely a good thing.

Lin Xueli then produced a full roll of gold soul coins—the cylindrical kind used for large payments in films.

Handing the roll to Lin Yao, Lin Xueli said, "Yao'er, I've ordered some fine material at the Douling Fine Clothier in the city center. Go get measured and choose the style you want. This money is enough for the deposit."

Lin Yao nodded. The mechanism of these clothiers catering to nobles on the Douluo Continent was indeed strange: the fabric was one cost, the style was another, and a final payment was made upon delivery.

The cumbersome payment process bought highly refined service; as long as you had enough gold soul coins, they would add whatever you wanted, provided you thought it looked good.

Lin Xueli wanted Lin Yao to go himself because, for one, Lin Yao was the one wearing the clothes, so measurements were unavoidable. For another, it was a way to train Lin Yao in dealing with such people.

In his view, Lin Yao would eventually take over the Lin family, and if he were completely clueless when facing these matters, he would easily be swindled.

Following Lin Xueli's directions, Lin Yao took a carriage to the central district of Douling City.

Douling Heaven-Grade Trading House.

Lin Yao glanced at the sign, which carried significant weight in the Douling Empire, and stepped into the magnificent trading building.

He stopped in front of a shop marked "Douling Fine Clothier." This was the place Lin Xueli had mentioned.

The shopkeeper had clearly communicated with Lin Xueli; he was sitting in the shop, resting his chin on his hand while waiting for Lin Xueli's arrival. As soon as Lin Yao stepped into the room, he stood up immediately.

"Young Master Lin is here! Please, come in! Come in!"

As he ushered Lin Yao into the shop, the owner brought out a thick book of patterns and said to him, "In principle, you may choose whatever you like, Young Master Lin, but the styles Master Lin recommended are on these pages..."