After thinking it over carefully, Lin Yao ultimately gave up. The reason was simple: although a Soul Ring whose lifespan had been increased through a divine examination seemed little different from one obtained by absorbing a high-quality Soul Ring outright, some Soul Beasts were born with exceptionally long-lived Soul Rings. If Lin Yao found a Soul Beast that suited him perfectly, but its Soul Ring had a long lifespan, absorbing it now would waste one of his future Soul Ring slots.
Three days later, Lin Xueli returned to Lin Mansion from his long trip to Heaven Dou Empire, a broad smile on his face.
"Yao'er, it's all taken care of!" Lin Xueli said excitedly, waving a small booklet at Lin Yao.
Lin Yao looked up at him. Lin Xueli went on, "The people at Heaven Dragon Sect changed their tune as soon as they saw the recommendation letter from Shrek Academy. They didn't even dare open the envelope. They just raised the price to an extremely high level."
Lin Yao couldn't help frowning slightly. Did you even hear yourself? What do you mean, they 'just raised the price to an extremely high level'?
If even an old official with a lucrative post like Lin Xueli thought the price was extremely high, then for an ordinary person, it would be enough to buy their life.
Though the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique was certainly worth that much. After all, it was the sect's prized skill, the very thing that kept them fed.
Lin Xueli handed the booklet to Lin Yao, then patted him on the shoulder. "Don't feel burdened by this, Xiao Yao. You're my son—my only son. Any cultivation technique that benefits you is worth the money, no matter how much it costs."
Lin Yao nodded, then hesitated before saying, "Father, I feel like someone's been watching us around the house these past few days. I'm afraid it's not just Shrek that's set its sights on us."
Lin Xueli furrowed his brow at Lin Yao's words and scratched his head. "That's even more aggravating than spending money. From now on, make sure the household guards go with you whenever you leave. Remember, we pay them so they can step in for us when we don't yet have the means to do so ourselves."
Lin Yao nodded. Lin Xueli handed him the booklet, then immediately went to arrange the defenses around Lin Mansion.
Lin Yao returned to his room and began leafing through the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique Lin Xueli had brought back.
As one of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's top abilities, the technique that had once propelled them into the Upper Three Sects demanded great talent and a deep understanding of one's Martial Soul.
That was also the main reason the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had steadily declined. If their descendants lacked an understanding of their Martial Souls, there was little anyone could do.
But understanding a Martial Soul wasn't a problem for Lin Yao. If his dragon-type Martial Soul had originally belonged to this world, he might have had to put in some effort.
But the Ender Dragon had been a friend and rival he'd encountered countless times over his ten-year MC journey.
Naturally, Lin Yao understood it perfectly. He mastered the essence of the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique in just one month.
Every time the technique advanced by ten levels, a part of the user's body transformed to resemble their Martial Soul dragon. Lin Yao's first transformed body part was his left arm.
At the same time, his Soul Ring moved from beneath his feet to his left arm.
Dragon Transformation did more than simply change his appearance. Lin Yao also felt his Soul Power drain faster in that state, while his strength increased.
Combined with the boost from his first Soul Skill, Lin Yao's strength was now nothing to sneeze at. Even in the Soul Master World, he could be considered close to reaching a respectable level.
Over the following months, Lin Yao kept a low profile and focused on breaking through in Soul Power, striving to reach the Soul Grandmaster level within a year and a half.
By the fourth month, Lin Yao had reached Soul Power level sixteen, advancing an average of one level every two months. That was quite good.
That day, Lin Xueli said to him, "Xiao Yao, His Majesty has invited you and me to attend the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet tomorrow. Get ready."
Lin Yao raised an eyebrow at this. He hadn't received any honors from the Douling Royal Family yet, so by rights, he wasn't qualified to attend an event like the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.
Even if the royal family in the Douluo World wasn't as complicated as they usually were, an invitation from the royals couldn't be an idle gesture. The birthday banquet was probably just a pretext; some other arrangement was likely the real purpose.
He just didn't know whether it would be a Hongmen banquet or something else. After all, he'd already accepted a recommendation letter from Shrek Academy.
As far as the Dou Ling Empire was concerned, they either had to arrange for him to die in an accident when he was around six, or else they'd have to treat him with open arms.
But judging by Lin Xueli's reaction, it probably wouldn't be a Hongmen banquet. Given his connections, it would be nearly impossible to arrange one behind his back.
Lin Xueli was so excited, so it was probably good news.
Lin Xueli brought out a whole cylinder of Gold Soul Coins—the kind that came in a round tube, like the ones used to package silver dollars in movies.
He handed the tube of money to Lin Yao and said, "Yao'er, I ordered some fine fabric from the clothier in the city center. Go get measured and choose the style you want. This should be enough for the deposit."
Lin Yao nodded. The way these clothiers for the nobility operated in Douluo Continent was rather strange. You paid separately for the fabric and the design, then paid another sum once the clothes were delivered.
In return for the complicated payment process, you got meticulous service. As long as you had enough Gold Soul Coins, they could add whatever you wanted, so long as you thought it looked good.
Lin Xueli had Lin Yao go place the order himself. For one thing, Lin Yao would be wearing the clothes, so getting his measurements was unavoidable. For another, it would give him a chance to practice dealing with people.
In Lin Xueli's eyes, Lin Yao would certainly take over the Lin Family one day. If he couldn't handle matters like this, he'd be easy to fool.
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 signboard, which carried considerable prestige in the Dou Ling Empire, then walked into the magnificent trading house.
Lin Yao stopped in front of a shop with Douling Fine Clothier written on it. This was the place Lin Xueli had mentioned.
The shop's owner had clearly been in contact with Lin Xueli. He was sitting inside, waiting, and as soon as Lin Yao stepped into the room, he sprang to his feet.
"Master Lin's young master is here! Please, come in! Come in!"
After ushering Lin Yao into the shop, the owner took out a thick book of designs and said, "In principle, you can choose anything you like, young master Lin. But Master Lin recommended these pages..."
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