Coiling Dragon

by welyjesch

Sovereign’s Might was too powerful. The spiritual strength which a Highgod could exert over it was not enough to perfectly control it. This would cause the user of Sovereign’s Might to emanate an azure aura or a black aura or some other aura over their body.

  This was caused by the natural leakage of Sovereign’s Might.

  It was said that Sovereign’s Might could only be used a single time! This was because once a Highgod used Sovereign’s Might, there was no way the Highgod would be able to prevent the Sovereign’s Might from leaking out and dissipating. Even if he stopped fighting, the Sovereign’s Might would still naturally disperse.

  “Even if I used Sovereign’s Might to save Delia by delving deep into her soul…if there was the slightest bit of imprecision, Delia’s soul would be impacted and would die. To say nothing of the leakage of energy from the Sovereign’s Might!” Alfonsus said. “Remember, to save Delia, there can’t be a single hint of leakage of Sovereign’s Might, or a single mistake!”

  Linley’s face couldn’t help but turn ashen.

  He understood this principle. Sovereign’s Might was the energy of a Sovereign. He had never heard of a Highgod who could control it perfectly, to the point where not a hint was wasted or dispersed.

  Gislason said, “There are indeed Highgods who are capable of controlling Sovereign’s Might so perfectly…according to legend, Highgods who have reached the Paragon level are able to perfectly control Sovereign’s Might. Unfortunately, I’ve never heard of a Highgod Paragon who resides within Indigo Prefecture.”

  Linley couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

  “Mr. Alfonsus, didn’t you say there was a third method?” Linley immediately asked.

  Alfonsus said resignedly, “The third method is to ask a Sovereign to intervene! If a Sovereign is willing to intervene, no matter which Sovereign! Your wife would be easily saved. But…will you be able to convince a Sovereign to help?”

  “Your third method is a waste of words.” Bebe said unhappily.

  But Linley was silent for a long time.

  “Mr. Alfonsus, are there truly no other methods?” Linley asked again.

  Alfonsus nodded with absolute certainty. “Given my understanding of the soul, I daresay that I am completely certain that aside from these three methods, there are no other methods available.”

  The first method was to find an expert who had reached the utmost limits of insight into the Edicts of Life, a supreme expert who vastly surpassed Alfonsus. But where in Indigo Prefecture would they go to find someone like that?

  The second method was to find someone who was able to perfectly control Sovereign’s Might, without allowing for any leakage or making any errors. This amount of spiritual control was something which only those legendary Paragons were capable of.

  The third method…

  The only Sovereign which Linley had a connection to was the Redbud Sovereign. But even aside from the question of whether or not she would help out, the amount of time it would take to go from the Bloodridge Continent to the Redbud Continent was far, far too long!

  Delia couldn’t wait for that long!

  “Everyone…I’ve troubled you all in recent days.” Linley forced out a smile. “You can all go back now. There’s no need to worry yourselves over my affairs. Mr. Alfonsus, I wish to truly thank you for having hurried such a distance to come save my wife.”

  Gislason, the Vermillion Bird Matriarch, Phusro, and the others, seeing the look on Linley’s face, all sighed in their hearts.

  “Linley, we’ll leave for now.” Gislason and the others wanted to console him, but they didn’t know what to say. All of them simply left.

  Although they all knew that the Lord Prefect of Indigo Prefecture would arrive soon, after hearing Alfonsus’ explanations, they all understood…that the Lord Prefect probably wouldn’t be able to save Delia, unless his spiritual control was able to perfectly control Sovereign’s Might. But unfortunately, according to legends, only Highgod Paragons were capable of this.

  “Boss…”

  Bebe looked at Linley’s forlorn figure. He had the sudden urge to cry.

  Linley turned to look at Bebe, forcing a smile out. “Bebe, you head out as well. Let me accompany Delia by myself.” Linley patted Bebe on the shoulders. Bebe made a sound in acknowledgment, nodding repeatedly.

  And then, Bebe left the room as well.

  Within the room, the only figures now present were Linley, Delia, and that slumbering Wade, who had no idea what was going on.

  Linley quietly looked at Delia, countless scenes flashing through his mind. Grief filled his breast, and he couldn’t help but raise his head. “Heavens! Why must you punish me so!!!”

  His hoarse voice echoed and reverberated within the silent room. It was filled with regret, anger, grief…and despair!

  Two streams of tears fell down from Linley’s face.

  Linley slowly walked to the bed, kneeling in front of it and looking carefully at Delia. He stretched his hand out, gently stroking Delia’s face. A hint of a smile appeared on Linley’s face as well, a peaceful smile. “Delia, I’ll accompany you on the final leg of the journey. Never to part…ever!”

  Time flowed on. In the blink of an eye, many days had passed.

  Bebe stood outside the room, staring in from outside the window. At this moment, Baruch walked past. Afraid of disturbing Linley, he said softly, “Bebe, how is Linley doing right now?” Everyone knew Delia’s situation, and they all understood…

  That there was most likely no hope for Delia. Only, everyone feared that because of this, Linley would collapse and perhaps even do something which would cause everyone regret and pain.

  “See for yourself.” Bebe sighed. There wasn’t a hint of a smile on Bebe’s face right now. He didn’t have any mood to laugh or joke around any longer.

  Baruch looked in through the window.

  He saw, within the room…

  Linley was currently holding Wade, feeding Wade some liquid food. Every so often, Linley would look towards Delia and say softly, “Delia, Wade’s been very good today. He hasn’t caused any fuss at all.”

  Seeing this from outside the window, Baruch couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

  “I really hope!” Bebe said softly. “I really, truly hope, that Lord Prefect of Indigo Prefecture who is arriving soon will be able to save Delia! He has to!”

  “Right.” Baruch nodded as well.

  Right at this moment, a figure suddenly descended from the skies. It was Phusro. Phusro said in a soft voice as well, “Bebe, Linley, he…”

  “Phusro, you came?” A gentle voice rang out. Smiling, Linley walked out of the room, carrying Wade. “I came to take Wade out for a walk. Come, Phusro, you can hold Wade for a while as well. It’s been so long since you last came. Wade has missed you.”

  Phusro, seeing the smile on Linley’s face, couldn’t help but feel stunned.

  He hadn’t expected that at a time like this, Linley would be smiling? But for some reason, he had this feeling…that Linley’s smile caused him to feel even more miserable than a look of grief.

  “Alright, I’ll hold him…” Phusro immediately walked over.

  “Hug…” Wade, seeing Phusro walked over, immediately reached out with his little hand while saying, “Hug…hug…”

  Linley laughed. “Wade can say a few simple words already. He knows how to say ‘mother’.”

  Right at this moment…

  A figure descended from the skies at high speed. It was Elder Garvey. Elder Garvey flew over, hurriedly saying, “Linley, the Lord Prefect has arrived!”

  Linley was stunned.

  “The Lord Prefect came?” A hint of color appeared in Linley’s lifeless eyes. Although Linley no longer held much hope in the ability of the Lord Prefect of Indigo Prefecture to save Delia, at least it was worth a try.

  “Right. The four clan leaders and the Grand Elder immediately went to greet him. It’ll be a while before he arrives!” Elder Garvey explained.

  The fou
r clan leaders of the Four Divine Beasts clan were naturally very arrogant, but they sincerely admired the Lord Prefect of Indigo Prefecture, admired and respected him. The great kindness this person had shown to their clan, as well as this person’s power, was more than enough for them to act this way towards him.

  “Oh, Linley lives right here?” A friendly voice rang out.

  Ten figures descended from the skies. Linley, Phusro, Bebe, and the others all raised their heads to look. The person flying at the head was the Lord Prefect of Indigo Prefecture, while Gislason and the four clan leaders followed by his side, their attitudes very humble and meek.

  But Linley just stared fixedly at that figure who was escorted by those four clan leaders, like the moon surrounded by four stars.

  The person was dressed in a long black robe. His long black hair fluttered in the breeze, and his long black beard hung down to his chest. His eyes were very small, but they looked as lively and energetic as the stars. A hint of a smile was at the corner of his lips, and a very friendly look was on his face.

  “Linley!” That person laughed while greeting him.

  “Linley, this is the Lord Prefect.” Gislason introduced.

  But Linley just stared in disbelief. “Be…Lord Beirut?!”

  “Grandpa!” Bebe called out as well, shocked. He excitedly charged forward, and Beirut opened his mouth and laughed loudly. “Haha, Bebe…” And as he spoke, he drew Bebe into his arms.

  “Grandpa!” Bebe called out excitedly once again.

  “Haha…you’ve missed Grandpa, eh?” Beirut laughed very happily.

  As for Gislason, the Vermillion Bird Matriarch, and the rest of the four clan leaders, as well as the Grand Elder and the other Elders, and even Phusro…they all stared with wide eyes in disbelief at this scene.

  “The Lord Prefect? ‘Grandpa’?”

  Looks of utmost amazement were on the faces of Gislason and the others.

  Book 17, Indigo Prefecture – Chapter 51, Beirut’s Abilities

  Linley had originally sunk into despair. He believed that Delia had no hope for life, and he didn’t place much hope into the arrival of the Lord Prefect of Indigo Prefecture. But he had never imagined that the person who had saved the Four Divine Beasts clan from the flames and the floods, the Lord Prefect whom Gislason constantly praised as unspeakably powerful, was actually Bebe’s grandfather…Beirut!

  When he saw Beirut, Linley couldn’t help but feel hope surge within his breast.

  Beirut, in Linley’s mind, was unfathomably profound and powerful.

  “Perhaps Lord Beirut truly will be able to save Delia.” Linley, in his heart, began to feel rather eager.

  Outside the door of the room, a large group of people stared in astonishment at Bebe and the Lord Prefect of Indigo Prefecture, Beirut, and at how close they appeared. They had no idea…that this unremarkable youth who had always been by Linley’s side had actually had such a close relationship with the Lord Prefect!

  “Beirut…you are his grandfather?” Phusro spoke out in amazement.

  Grinning, Beirut glanced at him sideways, then nodded slightly. “Phusro, I truly do apologize. I lied to you previously. I was afraid that if you knew the real relationship between myself and Bebe, that you would go out of your way to take care of this little fellow…you have no idea how lazy a temperament this Bebe has. He absolutely has to be made to learn to take care of himself.”

  Phusro began to laugh as well.

  When he had been just a little kitten in Elquin’s arms, that first time he had met Linley and Bebe, he had guessed that Bebe had some sort of relationship with Beirut, especially after seeing Bebe use that godspark weapon.

  Afterwards, when he had met Beirut, he had asked Beirut about this. But Beirut just gave a casual answer and had thus deceived him.

  “Haha, yes, this little fellow does need a bit of forging in the crucible of life.” Phusro laughed, looking at Bebe.

  Bebe couldn’t help but let out a snort. “Grandpa, I already have mastered five profound mysteries. It has only been a thousand years. My speed is already quite fast.”

  “How can you be so shameless!” Beirut didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. Of the five profound mysteries which Bebe had mastered, one came naturally from when he, as a divine beast, reached the age of maturity. As for the other four, they came from those soul slice fragments which Beirut had asked his friend to create.

  But of course…

  Bebe’s comprehension ability wasn’t bad, as he was able to break through four bottlenecks in a row.

  Gislason, the Vermillion Bird Matriarch, the other clan leaders, and the Elders were all completely stunned. They truly had not imagined that Linley and Bebe actually had such a deep relationship with this unfathomably powerful Lord Prefect.

  “Lord Prefect, Bebe is already quite impressive to have mastered five profound mysteries in a thousand or so years.” Gislason said as well.

  “You don’t know the truth of the secrets within.” Beirut said, his eyes half-lidded in amusement.

  “Grandpa!” Bebe was rather unhappy.

  Beirut chortled, “However, compared to the Yulan continent, you have indeed made great improvements. At least your patience has improved a bit…haha…”

  Only now did Bebe smile as well.

  “Lord Beirut.” Linley finally spoke. “My wife, Delia, she…”

  Beirut turned to look. Seeing Linley, his expression grew slightly more solemn. He nodded. “I heard of your wife’s situation, which is why I hurried over. Back then, when the two of you were getting married, I even sent my son with a divine spark to your wife. Who would have imagined…that this would happen. Alas. Come, let me take a look.”

  “Right.” Linley immediately led the way forward, and the two stepped into the room, with Phusro and Bebe following behind.

  In the past, Beirut had given her a divine spark out of good intentions. After all, the chances of becoming a Deity on one’s own in a material plane were extremely low. Although there were many benefits to becoming a Deity on one’s own…Delia, become a Deity without assistance? Forget about becoming a Deity; even becoming a Saint would be difficult. Who knew how long it would take for her to become a Deity?

  The same was true for Wharton.

  If Wharton didn’t undergo the Ancestral Baptism, it would also be very hard for him to become a Deity by relying on his own abilities.

  “Linley actually has such a relationship with the Lord Prefect.” Gislason and the others were all outside the room, looking at each other. They were still stunned by this news. At the same time, Gislason set up his Godrealm, blocking out sound and not letting those inside the room listen to them.

  “Didn’t you hear? When Linley got married in a material plane, the Lord Prefect even sent him gifts. Their relationship is an extremely close one.” The Vermillion Bird Matriarch’s lips crooked upwards in a smile, and she began to laugh. “To our Four Divine Beasts clan, this is a good thing as well.”

  “Right. If the Lord Prefect truly decides to help us, the eight great clans won’t dare to be so arrogant!” The Black Tortoise Patriarch nodded as well.

  “The abilities of the Lord Prefect truly are frightening.” Gislason sighed in amazement as well.

  They all remembered that scene, from when Beirut had appeared to stop those eight great clans. He had wielded that long black staff in his hands, and moved like lightning as he roamed about in the midst of the many experts of the eight great clans. Not a single Seven Star Fiend who was touched by that staff had any chance at survival.

  However, the experts of the eight great clans weren’t able to harm Beirut in the slightest with their material attacks, and when their spiritual attacks landed on Beirut, there was apparently no effect at all.

  In the blink of an eye, Beirut had laid waste to and slaughtered more than twenty Seven Star Fiends, terrifying the forces of the eight great clans so badly that they had immediately paused their attacks. Even when Patriarch Boleyn of the e
ight great clans had exchanged a blow with Beirut, he had been heavily injured, even though he hadn’t died.

  It must be understood that Patriarch Boleyn also had a Sovereign artifact. But when compared to Beirut…

  They were on different levels!

  Beirut was reputed to be the most powerful figure in the Bloodridge Continent, aside from the Bloodridge Sovereign himself! Not only did he have such a reputation; nobody even dared to question it. The other Asuras all tacitly accepted it. From this, one could tell how powerful he was.

  “Back then, if the Lord Prefect had forcibly demanded the eight great clans to all f*ck off, even though they wouldn’t have been willing to do so, in the end, they still probably would have.” Gislason sighed. “However, it seems as though the Lord Prefect doesn’t want to offend the eight great clans too much. Most likely, he wants to give face to the Sovereigns behind the eight great clans. Thus, he just forbade the eight great clans from entering the Skyrite Mountains.”

  “It already is very good for the Lord Prefect to be willing to do this for us.” The Vermillion Bird Matriarch said with a solemn look on her face. “Back in the day, when the four ancestors were all present, how many experts had aligned themselves with our clan? Our four ancestors had quite a few Sovereign’s Emissaries as well. But after the four ancestors died? Not a single one of those Emissaries cared about our clans.”

  The other Elders all sighed quietly.

  Indeed. As the saying went, ‘When the people are gone, the tea grows cold!’

  Once the ancestors died, even their Emissaries simply watched, not assisting at all as the Four Divine Beasts clan tottered step by step towards annihilation. But fortunately, the Lord Prefect of Indigo Prefecture had finally intervened. Although he hadn’t completely shooed away the eight great clans, at least he had allowed the Four Divine Beasts clan to survive and not be annihilated.

  A person couldn’t be too greedy.

  The Lord Prefect had already been very benevolent towards them. The Lord Prefect had done so much for them, but the Four Divine Beasts clan had been unable to do anything to repay him.

  “Let’s go. We’ll go in and take a look.” Gislason was the first to walk in, and the various Elders all followed him.