Coiling Dragon

by welyjesch

  “Alright.” Gislason nodded and laughed. “Linley, go back and get some rest. Don’t worry too much. With the Lord Prefect of Indigo Prefecture himself intervening, given his ability and influence, he can easily invite quite a few people to come. Delia will definitely be successfully saved.”

  Linley forced out a smile and nodded.

  And then, he let the earth-type divine power swell from his body, which naturally formed a soft, cloud-like floating ‘bed’ which Linley placed Wade upon. And then, he took Delia into his arms, nodding towards the Elders, and flew out of the main hall.

  “Alright. Everyone can go back now.” Gislason said clearly.

  The Four Divine Beast clan’s Elders all bade farewell, and then flew away in small groups. Moments later, the only ones remaining in the main hall were Gislason and Phusro. The two looked at each other.

  Gislason immediately set up his ‘Godrealm’, separating the sound within from the outside world, then said urgently, “Phusro, last time we were discussing…”

  —————-

  Linley returned to that gorge within the Skyrite Mountains. He spent every day either by Delia’s side or taking care of Wade. But of course, Linley would occasionally let some of the other members of the Yulan branch take care of Wade.

  A thin fog billowed about. Baruch was currently standing in an empty spot of land, staring towards Linley’s distant abode.

  “Father.” Ryan walked over. “Are you worried about Delia and Linley?”

  Baruch let out a sigh. “Right. Linley has already been back for half a month, but during this past half month, he’s never dined with us. He’s always remained within the room, hiding inside. In his eyes, the only person he can see right now, aside from Delia, is probably his son.”

  “Linley’s sunken in too deeply.” Ryan frowned.

  “Love…is very complicated. It’s something which is hard to explain.” Baruch shook his head.

  Right at this moment, a figure descended from the skies at high speed. “Clan leader Baruch, how is my Boss doing?” The newcomer was Bebe. Bebe’s group had arrived after Linley.

  “Bebe?” A hint of a smile appeared on Baruch’s face. “It’s good that you’ve returned. Go speak with Linley. Even if you aren’t able to persuade him to come out, if you can chat with him, perhaps Linley’s mood will improvement.”

  “Right.” Bebe nodded, then immediately ran over towards Linley’s residence.

  Gislason’s residence. The main hall.

  “Patriarch, nearly a hundred of our clansmen are unconscious. What should we do?” Tewila said frantically. “So many of our clansmen are sobbing!” Tewila’s return had resulted in the return of a large group of unconscious clansmen as well.

  Gislason, frustrated, frowned as well.

  “Enough of this subject.” Gislason ground out. “I know their situation well. They are just like Linley’s wife. We aren’t even able to save Linley’s wife; how are we going to save anyone else?”

  Tewila’s face was full of worry as well.

  “Let the clansmen make their preparations.” Gislason said. “Fortunately, most of our clansmen have divine clones. But Linley’s wife became a Deity through fusing with a divine spark. She doesn’t even have a clone. If she dies, she’ll truly be finished!”

  Tewila nodded, letting out a sigh.

  He had personally watched as Delia was hit by the technique and saw how Linley had reacted. “Most likely, in Linley’s mind right now, his wife’s life is more important than even his own. His wife is unfortunate as well, to have become a Deity through fusing with a divine spark!”

  “Tewila.” Gislason instructed. “These unconscious clansmen…you go make the arrangements. Most likely…some of them fused with divine sparks as well.”

  “Yes, Patriarch. I’ll make all the arrangements.” Tewila said.

  “Fine. You can go now.” Gislason said.

  After Tewila left, Gislason’s face became filled with exhaustion. To him, the matter of Delia and the other clansmen being unconscious was still a minor matter. What truly had him frustrated was the news which Phusro had brought him.

  “Can it be…that there really is no hope?” Gislason raised his head, closing his eyes. A glimmer of tears flashed from between his eyelashes, like a gleaming, brilliant little jewel.

  Gislason took a deep breath. The exhaustion disappeared from his face, and that resolute self-confidence once more appeared.

  “Now…”

  Gislason’s eyes were hard and firm. “All we can do is entrust our hopes to the Redbud Sovereign who stands behind Linley, as well as the Bloodridge Sovereign who stands behind the Lord Prefect. Unfortunately, the Lord Prefect isn’t willing to go all out for our clan’s sake. Otherwise…”

  In the blink of an eye, three months passed.

  “Why isn’t he here yet?” Linley stood outside his room, his head raised towards the skies. Ever since the three month mark approached, he had been watching the skies every single day, hoping that Alfonsus would descend into the gorge.

  However, there had been no news of Alfonsus.

  Bebe walked out from behind, looking at Linley’s back. Bebe felt miserable for Linley as well. He spoke. “Boss, don’t worry. He said three months, but that was just an estimate. It won’t be exactly three months, but it shouldn’t be too far off either. Most likely, Alfonsus will be here tomorrow.”

  Linley turned to look at Bebe and nodded slightly. “Right. He’ll definitely arrive tomorrow.”

  “Linley! Linley!” A frantic cry rang out from the air.

  Linley seemed to have been struck by lightning, and he immediately turned to look towards the skies, only to see a figure descending at high speed while saying excitedly, “Linley, Mr. Alfonsus has arrived. He’s arrived!!!”

  “Arrived?” After having waited so long, Linley’s heart seemed to have suddenly been set ablaze. All the hairs on his body stiffened, as though he had been hit by electricity.

  The newcomer was Elder Garvey.

  “The Patriarch told me to notify you. Hurry and make your preparations. He is currently accompanying Mr. Alfonsus, and they will arrive soon.” Elder Garvey’s face was filled with delight. “Linley, your wife will be saved.”

  A look of joy was on Linley’s face as well.

  “Right. Delia will be saved.” Linley turned and rushed into his room.

  Delia was quietly lying on a bed in the room, as though she were asleep. By Delia’s side, there was a smaller bed, where Wade was quietly slumbering as well. Fortunately, by the time they had left Meer City, Wade was already able to eat liquid foods.

  “Delia, Alfonsus is here. You’ll definitely recover.” Linley said softly.

  “Boss, they’re here!” Bebe’s voice rang out from outside.

  Linley hurriedly ran out, looking towards the skies. He saw that within the mist, more than ten blurry figures were flying over at high speed, and they soon landed on the ground. It was Gislason, the Vermillion Bird Matriarch, Kestrel, and a group of Elders.

  There were two non-Elders; one was Phusro, while the other was a silver-haired old man with a ruddy complexion and with skin as tender as an infant’s.

  “He must be Alfonsus.” Linley’s eyes lit up.

  “Linley, this person is Mr. Alfonsus.” Gislason laughed, and the silver-haired, baby-faced old man laughed as well, nodding towards Linley. “You are Linley, right? And your wife?”

  Only now did Linley come to his senses, and he hurriedly said, “Mr. Alfonsus, please follow me.” He immediately led them in.

  The group entered the room.

  “Mr. Alfonsus.” Linley pointed towards his wife. “Please help save my wife!”

  “I will try.” Alfonsus smiled. He walked to the bed, standing there for a moment as he used his divine sense to investigate. His expression gradually grew solemn. This caused Linley’s heart to clench. And then, Alfonsus reached out with his right hand, pressing it against the top of Delia’s head.

  A
blurry green light flowed out from Alfonsus’ hand, encapsulating Delia’s head.

  Immediately, the entire room fell completely silent, with no one daring to make a sound. Linley held his breath as well as he watched this scene. “Since Alfonsus is acting, he definitely must have confidence in his ability to succeed.”

  Book 17, Indigo Prefecture – Chapter 50, Between Life and Death!

  Within the room, everyone was watching Alfonsus treat Delia. Linley was the most nervous of them all, and his forehead became matted with sweat. Linley, however, didn’t even notice.

  “Crackle…”

  That green energy circulated, emanating a very faint sound. Alfonsus, his face solemn, suddenly let out a low growl, and the speed at which the green light circulated suddenly increased dramatically, constantly pouring into Delia’s brain.

  “Uhhh….” Delia, seemingly in pain, let out a soft sound, and her forehead creased slightly.

  This soft sound, to Linley, was like a clap of thunder. His eyes lit up as though he had been hit by lightning. “Delia has regained consciousness! She’s responding!” Linley was so excited, his entire body was trembling.

  Looks of joy had appeared on everyone else’s faces as well.

  “Boss, Delia is going to be saved.” Bebe hurriedly said through divine sense with joy as well.

  “Right.” Linley nodded. He felt as though he were filled with life and energy.

  Gislason, Phusro, and the others began to chortle as well. Linley continued to stare at Alfonsus as the man treated Delia, and the hope in his heart continued to swell. “Delia, you absolutely must get better, you must.”

  Right at this moment…

  Alfonsus took back his right hand, concluding the treatment.

  “Mr. Alfonsus, is my wife treated?” Linley asked hurriedly. Alfonsus turned to look at Linley. He could clearly see the hopes and expectations held within the eyes of this youth. However, Alfonsus just let out a soft sigh. “Linley…make your preparations.”

  “Preparations for what? What preparations?” Linley immediately had a bad feeling.

  “Mr. Alfonsus, what is going on?” Gislason, whose face had been all smiles, hurriedly asked as his face changed as well.

  Alfonsus shook his head. “All I can do is tell you quite openly…I am not able to save this woman. In addition, I recommend that you give up. To save this woman is virtually impossible.”

  Hearing these words from Alfonsus, Linley felt his entire mind go blank.

  “No!”

  Linley suddenly growled, staring fixedly at Alfonsus, like a savage, maddened lion. “Mr. Alfonsus, you must be lying to me. Just now, Delia had a reaction. She was conscious. How can you suddenly said that you can’t treat her?”

  “Right. Didn’t she improve just now?” Gislason said as well.

  Seeing the savage, wild look on the face of the youth in front of him, Alfonsus let out a low sigh. “Linley, just now, your wife didn’t actually regain consciousness. Rather, while I was treating her, her soul pushed at mine strongly, causing a slight involuntary response in her body.”

  “But…but didn’t Kestrel say that you had a 90% chance of saving my wife? How can…now…” Linley couldn’t accept this.

  He truly couldn’t accept it!

  Three months ago, Linley had been convinced that Delia would definitely be cured. Over the past three months, Linley had been waiting constantly for this day. Just now, Linley had believed that Delia had already been cured.

  But now…

  Alfonsus let out a sigh. “Three months ago, if I were to treat your wife, I would definitely have been able to save her. But now, it’s too late.”

  “What do you mean? You could save her three months ago, but not now?” Linley said frantically.

  Alfonsus looked around at everyone, then said, “Everyone, this sort of spiritual attack is a very insidious, vile type. Those green spots of light invade the soul, then constantly devour and transform it. One spot becomes two, two becomes four, four becomes eight…”

  “Although the souls of Highgods are powerful, and to devour and transform them is very difficult…as the multiplicative effects continue, the more time passes, the more extravagant the rate of devouring becomes.” Alfonsus said solemnly.

  Everyone present nodded.

  “I know these things. But why are you unable to save Delia?” Linley said frantically.

  Alfonsus looked at Linley, then sighed. “Linley, you still don’t understand? The devouring and transforming speed continues to grow faster and faster. Three months ago, the speed of devouring and transforming…was a million times slower than it is now!”

  Linley was stunned.

  One becomes two, two becomes four, four becomes eight…as time went on, after a just a few dozen rounds, the numbers would become astronomically large.

  “What I need to do in order to save your wife is to counter-devour and counter-transform those green spots of light!” Alfonsus said.

  Linley knew this as well; that the treatment method was to counter-devour and reverse the transformation process.

  “Only when my counter-devouring speed surpasses the devouring speed will I be able to save your wife.” Alfonsus said, and Linley completely understood.

  “Right now, my treatment speed is far too slow, compared to the devouring speed. Even if I go all out, at most I’ll be able to slow the devouring speed and slightly extend your wife’s life.” Alfonsus sighed. “Three months ago, I could have easily saved your wife. But now…forgive my inability.”

  Linley stood there, stunned.

  He completely understood. This sort of devouring speed was like a spark of flame that had become a prairie fire. The more time passed, the wider the burned area would become. A single spark of fire was enough to char the entire grassland. The same was true for these green spots of light.

  The more time passed, the faster the devouring speed…and the more distant the hopes for saving Delia would be.

  “Boss. Boss.” Bebe called out repeatedly.

  “Linley.” Phusro called out as well.

  But Linley stood there like an idiot, completely silent.

  “Alas.” Alfonsus let out a sigh as well.

  Within the room, Gislason, the Vermillion Bird Patriarch, and the various Elders all looked at each other, speechless. The entire atmosphere was extremely tense and gloomy.

  “Mr. Alfonsus.” Linley suddenly said frantically. “I beg of you, please help treat my wife and extend her life. Let me have enough time to ask someone else to help treat her. Is that acceptable?” Linley looked hopefully towards Alfonsus.

  Linley understood that Alfonsus’ treatment speed was inferior to the devouring speed. Then…if Alfonsus wanted to extend Delia’s life, he would have to constantly treat her. This request of his was indeed rather excessive.

  But…he had no choice!

  “Linley.”

  Alfonsus said solemnly. “Both because of your Four Divine Beasts clan as well as because of the Lord Prefect, I would definitely help extend your wife’s life if I had the ability to. But…I have to tell you. Even if I help out, I’ll at most be able to extend her life for a day or two.”

  “A day or two?” Linley was stunned.

  He had been hoping the extension would be for several years. The longer the better.

  “This sort of soul treatment…it isn’t as simple as you think it is. To treat your wife…as I just said, because your wife’s soul rejected my energy, even her body physically reacted.” Alfonsus continued, “The soul is a very central part of a person. When treating someone, I have to be extremely, extremely careful. If just the slightest bit of energy spills out, I’ll have injured your wife’s soul and she will die.”

  “I can maintain this sort of peak performance for a short period of time, ensuring that I don’t make any mistakes. But if the amount of time I spend in that state is just a bit too long, given how much spiritual energy that takes up, errors will naturally occur. And once an error occurs,
your wife will…” Alfonsus said apologetically.

  Linley was silent for a moment.

  “Linley. The Lord Prefect will soon arrive. Perhaps the Lord Prefect will be able to save your wife.” Gislason said hurriedly.

  Linley’s eyes lit up. “Right. There’s still the Lord Prefect.”

  But Alfonsus said, “Linley, I already told you to make your preparations. Although I deeply admire the Lord Prefect, to be honest…I don’t believe that the Lord Prefect has the ability to heal her.”

  “Mr. Alfonsus!” Linley was growing angry.

  “To save your wife, there are only three methods.” Alfonsus said.

  Linley immediately started to listen attentively.

  “The first is to have an expert who has trained to the utmost limits of the Edicts of Life come. Most likely, his treatment speed will be able to surpass the devouring speed. A person like this will be able to save your wife…but of course, you must understood that if three more months pass and the process reaches the late stages, most likely even the most powerful expert of the Edicts of Life will be unable to rescue her.” Alfonsus said. “However, this type of person, who has trained to the utmost limits of the Edicts of Life, is extremely rare even in the Higher Plane of Life, much less in the Infernal Realm. The second method is to use Life-type Sovereign’s Might. Devouring speed at this level, considering how powerful Life-type Sovereign’s Might is, can be quickly cured!”

  Gislason said frantically, “Our Four Divine Beasts clan does have Life-type Sovereign’s Might!”

  “Right, we have Life-type Sovereign’s Might!” Linley said hurriedly as well.

  “You didn’t let me finish!”

  Alfonsus shook his head. “Life-type Sovereign’s Might is extremely powerful. Naturally, its restorative speed is astonishing. But…Life-type Sovereign’s Might is in fact TOO powerful. There is no way a Highgod can control it perfectly. I imagine that those of you who have used Sovereign’s Might know that it will leak out, right?”

  Linley was stunned.

  Right…