Linley returned to Wushan Town under the escort of a squad of elite cavalry.
Since the great battle between Jason and Cesar, the people of the Radiant Church have disappeared from Linley's vicinity, along with the envoys of other forces.
As for this cavalry unit, it was sent by King Clayde of Fenlai to escort him.
After Linley analyzed the information from the ring's Doehring Cowart, he realized that Jason's immense power as Deity-level being exerted on all the major forces made them afraid to compete for him, and they didn't even dare to assassinate him.
"How did those powerful forces know that Lord Jason was Deity-level being? Was it just because he could defeat Cesar?" Linley wasn't transformed at the time, and with his strength, he couldn't detect that fleeting domain power at all.
As for Doehring Cowart, he hadn't even left the Coiling Dragon Ring at that time.
That momentary sense of stagnation could only be perceived by someone at least at the ninth level, while only those at the Saint-level could vaguely sense that it was the domain of Deity-level!
"Deity-level, huh?" Doehring Cowart sighed to himself. As a member of the Saint-level, he also had an instinctive longing for Deity-level power.
As for Linley, although he was determined to reach the realm of gods, he was too low-level and too young, and did not yet have the heartfelt desire of Saint-level.
Linley walked into his home, which he hadn't visited for over a year. Unlike the original story, this time he was greeted by his butler Hiri, and his guard Hillman. What remained the same was that he had learned of his father's death.
This time, Linley did not directly entrust Hillman to bring the Battle Blade Slaughterer to Wharton, because he knew that Wharton was a forbidden area of the Rhine Clan, and ordinary people could not enter.
Funerals should still be held.
However, there were far fewer guests than in the original story; most of them were peripheral figures from various major powers who came to pay their respects. The representatives of the Yulan Empire and the Holy Union were more solemn, but they were not determined to confront Jason, a Deity-level being, head-on.
Linley's three roommates were there, of course, as was Delia.
Having no interest in spying on the exciting scene of Linley being forcibly kissed in the night, Jason found Linley directly on the first night of the funeral.
"Lord Jason?" Linley had just opened his eyes from his meditation when he saw Jason sitting in a chair to the side.
And Bebe, who was being held in Jason's hand and squeezed until she looked utterly hopeless.
"Boss, it was Jason who told me not to wake you," Bebe transmitted her voice, but her voice sounded weak and feeble.
Doehring Cowart's spirit stood openly to the side; Jason had already seen him before, so there was no need for him to hide.
Linley got out of bed and respectfully greeted, "Lord Jason."
Jason nodded, released Bebe, and let him return to Linley's shoulder.
"Don't be shy, Wharton calls me Uncle directly, you can call me that too." Before Linley could react, Jason continued, "Here's the thing, Monica proposed to relocate all the members of the Four Ultimate Warrior Clans to the Rhine Empire. She has already gone to find the members of the Hyde Clan and Bolei Clan. If you agree to leave with me, I will activate your bloodline and protect you until you have enough strength to protect yourself."
Of course, there are conditions. First, they must ensure that their respective families and descendants do not cause harm to the mainland; second, they must pledge allegiance to me personally and help me establish my faith.
Linley knew, of course, that Deity-level protection wouldn't come for free, but after hearing Jason's request, he still felt it was too simple, so simple that it required almost no effort at all.
Linley hesitated for a moment, then said, "Lord Jason, now only my brother and I remain in the Baruch Clan. I am willing to pledge my loyalty to you, but the enemies who killed my parents are still in the Fenlai Kingdom. I wish to pass the position of family head to my younger brother, Wharton, so that he may represent the Baruch Clan in pledging allegiance to you."
Jason didn't reveal that Hogg was still alive, but simply nodded. "It's alright. I offered you shelter because of my daughter Monica. As her student, since you're in trouble, I can offer you some assistance."
Taking out two magic crystals and two metal foils, Jason spent two minutes drawing two scrolls. This kind of Saint-level- level item was something Jason could easily complete.
"These two scrolls. The gray one is the necromancy spell ' Soul Search,' which can be used to search the Soul Search of people with a Divine Power below level seven. Remember to use it when the target is unable to resist violently and their Divine Power is restored to its optimal state. Your Divine Power can only support this spell when it is at full capacity."
This green one is Saint-level- level Life Magic called "Vine Bind." It doesn't consume Divine Power; you can simply tear it apart and use it. It can bind Saint Warrior -level target for a period of time. This magic can be used in conjunction with Soul Search.
Linley accepted the two palm-sized scrolls and immediately knelt down, saying, "Jason, Lord Jason."
Jason did not correct Linley's form of address.
Linley seemed to remember something. He first bowed apologetically, then turned and took the battle knife "Slaughterer" from the cabinet behind him.
"Lord Jason, I implore you to pass this sword Slaughterer, to my brother Wharton. From now on, he will be the head of the Baruch Clan and will represent the Baruch Clan in loyalty to you."
Jason took the Slaughterer Blade and examined it.
It is entirely blood red, a large, broad-bladed two-handed battle sword, and carries a chilling aura, similar to that of Divine Artifact.
The formation of Divine Artifact requires the nurturing of Divine Power power and the baptism of battle; although weapons in the Saint-level cannot be upgraded to true Divine Artifact without the nurturing of Divine Power power, continuous battles will still endow them with certain Divine Artifact characteristics.
Jason nodded and put the battle sword, Slaughterer, back into his Interspatial Ring.
"Is there anything else you need that I can help you with?" Jason asked finally.
Linley shook his head. He knew he couldn't push his luck any further, or he might offend the Deity-level being in front of him.
"If I am able to avenge my great wrongs, I will certainly return to the Rhine Empire to serve you faithfully."
Jason nodded and was about to leave when he heard Doehring Cowart speak through his soul, "Lord Jason."
Jason turned his head and looked at the other person.
Doehring Cowart said somewhat reservedly, "I was reduced to a mere remnant soul in a battle with my enemies. I wonder if you, sir, have any way to restore my physical body? I, Doehring Cowart, am willing to serve you faithfully from now on."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "There are methods, but I think the best and most direct way is for you to comprehend the laws and become a god yourself. When the Laws of Heaven and Earth descend, you can take the opportunity to reshape your physical body."
Doehring Cowart looked troubled. "My lord, you are unaware of this, but I once cultivated the Laws of the Earth to the Saint-level Limit. However, since becoming a soul, I have been unable to sense the Laws of the Earth anymore."
"No way! Souls are similar to the undead. The undead can sense the laws of nature. You shouldn't be unable to sense them!"
Jason suddenly had a flash of inspiration and thought of the Coiling Dragon Ring. He looked at Linley's left hand and asked, "Are you currently attached to this ring?"
"Yes, I found this ring years ago and wore it all the time. Later, when I encountered an enemy, in a moment of desperation, I became the ring's spirit."
Linley could hear Doehring Cowart's voice, and immediately took off the Coiling Dragon Ring and presented it with both hands.
Jason took the Coiling Dragon Ring and examined it, thinking, "It seems I can't extract those few drops of Sovereign’s Might from it without it being bound to me."
Beirut has taken notice of Linley. Jason wouldn't dare to steal the Coiling Dragon Ring now, but Beirut shouldn't pursue the matter if he takes a drop of the Sovereign’s Might.
Thinking of this, Jason said, "This ring is Water Element Divine Artifact."
Linley and Doehring Cowart exchanged a glance upon hearing this.
Jason continued, "Right now, you're reliant on a water-attribute Divine Artifact, completely enveloped by the residual Water Element Divine Power within it, a state similar to the fusion of your soul and Water Element Divine Spark. Of course, you can't sense the Laws of the Earth."
Although the two knew nothing about Divine Spark, they roughly understood what Jason meant.
Jason looked at Doehring Cowart: "There are two options. One is that I will transform you into Corpse Fiend. However, because your soul was already summoned by the Netherworld when your body was destroyed, and you were marked by the Netherworld, it's equivalent to dying once. If you are transformed into Corpse Fiend, you will be directly recalled to the Netherworld."
Living people can remain in the Material Plane after being directly transformed into Corpse Fiend, but Doehring Cowart's soul has already been marked with "death," making him equivalent to a Netherworld in the underworld. Once officially transformed into a ghost, he cannot remain on the Yulan Continent. Of course, actively transforming will retain memories, which is better than being transformed into a ghost by the Netherworld.
"Secondly, I will transfer your soul to another earth-attribute Divine Artifact. In this way, your soul will continue to be consumed until it reaches a critical point where it will be forcibly taken away by the Netherworld. However, because it will be enveloped by earth-attribute Divine Power, your probability of breaking through to the Deity-level will be much greater."
Doehring Cowart glanced at Linley and said, "I wish to remain on the Yulan Continent. I hope Your Excellency can transfer me to another Divine Artifact."
Jason still had several earth-attribute Divine Artifact in his possession. "Alright, but it will take some time. Linley, you should first break the bond with the Coiling Dragon Ring."
Linley showed no reluctance and readily released the binding, presenting the Coiling Dragon Ring with both hands.
Jason took it. "I'll have Monica bring it to you when it's done."