Back at the hotel where Barek and his group were staying, Jason finally took out the Coiling Dragon Ring.
Jason was even a little excited after admiring the dark gray, antique-style Coiling Dragon Ring.
"The Coiling Dragon Ring, it's a pity Beirut is here, I can't claim it for myself." Jason dripped a drop of blood onto it.
Doehring Cowart sensed that the Coiling Dragon Ring had been recognized as its owner and revealed himself again. "Lord Jason."
"Wait a moment."
Jason's consciousness entered the Coiling Dragon Ring.
A small space, similar to Interspatial Ring but with a very small volume, contains three drops of blue water, which are the Water Sovereign Power; and one drop of golden blood, which is the blood of the Azure Dragon.
However, there was no soul shield, nor the lingering resentment left behind by the Azure Dragon.
"Soul Defense Divine Artifact and Soul Defense Sovereign Artifact require the approval of the crafter or the previous owner before they can be used. So that's what it means." Jason thought of the plot in the original work.
(This is mentioned in the original novel, in the chapter "Meeting," where Linley saves Nisse after his body is first strengthened by the Sovereign’s Might.)
Linley's ability to use the Coiling Dragon Ring likely stems from gaining the approval of the Azure Dragon's lingering remnant.
Jason pondered for a moment and decided to take Water Sovereign Power.
He now possesses sufficient strength to protect himself. If he encounters a powerful enemy, a single drop of Sovereign’s Might should be enough to resolve the situation. If one drop is insufficient, then acquiring two more drops of Sovereign’s Might would be useless; investing in Linley would yield higher returns.
After doing all this, Jason took out five different Divine Artifact.
"I don't have many earth-attribute Divine Artifact right now, only these five. Which one do you like? Once you break through to the Deity-level, this should be considered your 'natal Divine Artifact '," Jason said to Doehring Cowart in high spirits.
Looking at the five Divine Artifact, Doehring Cowart, being Saint Magus, naturally had no interest in warrior weapons, and there were no staves here either. He pointed to a wooden shield and said, "My lord, I really like this Divine Artifact."
Jason smiled upon seeing his choice, "This Divine Artifact was seized from an orcish Saint-level when I was in the Saint-level. It's fine to give it to you—it's a Highgod Artifact."
He still remembered when he wiped out the Golden Royal Court, he chased an orcish Saint-level for thousands of miles before finally capturing this shield, which had been lying around because of the mismatch in attributes.
Three hours later.
Doehring Cowart's soul sensed it and found that he was once again feeling the familiar Laws of the Earth. He couldn't help but sigh. If his soul weren't unable to shed tears, he would probably be weeping by now.
"Jason, Lord Jason. I, Doehring Cowart, will be loyal to you for all eternity."
Jason waved his hand. "It's nothing."
At that moment, Monica and Veronica walked in and immediately saw Doehring Cowart's spirit.
"Dad, who is this?"
Jason gave a brief explanation of Doehring Cowart's origins.
Monica pouted, "No wonder Linley never goes to Earth Element magic class. I thought he was slacking off and I scolded him a few times."
Doehring Cowart gave an awkward smile; he still dared not offend his benefactor's daughter.
Monica continued, "Dad, we've already brought the Hyde Clan over. As for the Bolei Clan, I'll take Nanali to pick them up tomorrow. Would you like to meet them first?"
Nanali is the Frostflame Gryphon that Monica contracted.
"Let's talk about it when we get to Bloodshadow Valley. Linley said he has some personal matters to attend to and wants to stay in Fenlai City. He asked me to give the Battle Blade Slaughterer to Wharton, saying he wants Wharton to become the head of the Baruch Clan. I'll formally meet the three families then." Jason felt he still needed to maintain his Deity-level mystique.
Jason looked at Doehring Cowart: "You were just transferred into the Divine Artifact, and your soul is a bit unstable right now. Stay with me for a few days, and after a while, I'll have Monica send you and the Coiling Dragon Ring to Linley."
Five days later, Linley returned to Fenlai City after handling his father's funeral.
Jason left the Holy Union three days ago, along with the Rhine Empire delegation, the Hyde Clan, and the Bolei Clan.
Without the powerful Deity-level deterrent, all sides began to have designs on Linley again, but Linley himself firmly chose the Fenlai Kingdom.
Moving into his new home, Linley was still a little reserved. He stayed in the yard for a short while, meditating. He felt that there might still be people secretly watching him, so he didn't want to reveal that he could use Battle-qi qi.
"Lord Linley, a young lady who calls herself Monica is requesting an audience." A maid entered.
"Oh! Take her to the living room. Also, don't barge in without permission in the future. Just talk outside if you need anything." Linley said as he started changing his clothes.
As for Bebe, she had already rushed off to find Monica.
"Monica, teacher." Linley had genuine respect for Monica.
Monica, holding Bebe, nodded. She was somewhat dissatisfied with Linley's decision to stay. In her opinion, the grudges and difficulties Linley faced at his current level would all be minor matters once he reached the Saint-level.
"If you don't want to leave Fenlai City, I won't force you to stay. This is something my father entrusted to me to give you."
A large wooden shield made of some unknown type of wood, and Linley's familiar, dark, coiled Coiling Dragon Ring.
Linley was the first to drop a drop of blood onto the wooden shield. He had not yet realized the value of the Coiling Dragon Ring, and even considered offering it to Jason as a reward for helping Doehring Cowart.
Doehring Cowart's soul sensed that the shield had been recognized as its master and manifested its form.
"Grandpa Doehring." "Linley."
Linley's feelings of emptiness from the past few days vanished completely.
Bebe couldn't see Doehring Cowart, she could only whine unhappily in Monica's palm.
At Doehring Cowart's prompting, Linley re-bonded the Coiling Dragon Ring and put it on his hand.
Turning my head, I saw a stack of books on the coffee table.
"Ms. Monica?"
"These books were compiled by my father for the young people of the Rhine Clan. Their main purpose is to help them establish a correct worldview, correct their minds, and inspire them to contribute to the harmonious coexistence of society and the world! In short, you must study them thoroughly, and I will check them next time I see you."
Linley casually flipped through the covers of each book: "Thought and Moral Character", "Politics", "On Landlords", "Outline of the History of the Yulan Continent", and "Social Morality and the Fundamentals of Law".
"Monica... teacher?" Linley was full of questions.
Even Doehring Cowart didn't know how to evaluate it.
"The Rhine Clan has Demon blood, and when their strength is relatively low, members are prone to chaos and destruction. These books were compiled by my father to restrain their behavior. Every member of the Rhine Clan must read them before adulthood."
"Lord Jason, he's really... amazing?" Doehring Cowart barely recovered from his shock.
"Alright, there's one more thing. Before I return to the Rhine Empire, I'd like to say goodbye to a few friends in the city. Since I've already completed the resignation procedures at the academy and my dormitory has been taken back, I'd like to stay with you for a few days."
Monica did not come with Jason, firstly to hand over her belongings to Linley, and secondly to say goodbye to some old friends in the city.
"No problem, Ms. Monica, I'll have the servants prepare a guest room for you." Linley wasn't good at expressing himself, but he already regarded Monica as an elder, so he was very welcoming.
"Also, Bebe will be playing with me for the next few days." Monica patted Bebe's head.