Coiling Dragon

by welyjesch

  But Beirut wasn’t the slightest bit angry.

  “As cowardly as a rat? I’m a Godeater Rat to begin with!” Beirut sent back with a laugh. “I, a Godeater Rat, love to eat divine sparks. I even like Sovereign sparks…haha…and I’m quite sorry about what happened that year! Haha…” Beirut was utterly delighted with himself.

  Augusta, hearing these words, had an even uglier look appear on his face.

  “Linley, Bebe, let’s go. Let’s go home.” Beirut laughed loudly. “Let Augusta slowly stew in his anger. Ideally, he’ll die from it.”

  Augusta’s divine sense was spread out; naturally, he was able to hear these words. He became all the more enraged. But him and Beirut were like fire and water to begin with; even if Beirut had spoken kindly towards him, Augusta wouldn’t spare him. Thus, as Beirut saw it, he might as well anger Augusta a bit more.

  “Oh, time to go home.” Bebe called out jubilantly as well.

  Immediately, Beirut, Bluefire, Linley, and Bebe passed through the planar boundary and returned to the Yulan Plane.

  In the air above the vast South Sea of the Yulan Plane. Beirut’s group of four was jubilantly flying through the skies.

  “Haha, when I think about the look on Augusta’s face, I feel absolutely tickled.” Beirut laughed loudly.

  “We are finally back. It is all over.” Linley felt as though he was in a dream. Everything was so perfect.

  “Mr. Leylin, that continent you created is right ahead of us.” Bebe pointed towards a distant continent. This continent had been created by Bluefire through relying on his divine earth clone. After having been shaped and sculpted by Bluefire, it was now far larger than even the Yulan continent.

  In addition, in the past, Beirut and Bluefire had jointly moved tens of millions of humans, many magical beasts, and many types of living creatures over to this continent.

  In the past three thousand years, this continent had flourished and reached a population of billions as well.

  “Lord Beirut, I have to admit something to you.” Linley said honestly.

  “Eh?” Beirut looked towards Linley.

  “I have three of the Overgod talismans.” Linley didn’t hide anything at all. Linley still felt very grateful towards Beirut. In addition…he was about to prepare to summon the Overgod. There was no way he would be able to hide that now.

  “Three?” Beirut and Bluefire were both shocked.

  Bebe nodded and chortled as well. “That rumor which Molde had made up back then wasn’t completely false. The nine soul pearls had indeed fallen into my Boss’s hands. As for the pentametal crown…my Boss was lucky enough to encounter it during the Planar War.”

  “Haha…the heavens are helping us.” Beirut laughed loudly.

  “Haha, wonderful. Beirut, this is absolutely wonderful.” Bluefire couldn’t help but laugh loudly as well.

  Linley and Bebe exchanged glances.

  What was going on?

  Just because he acquired three Overgod talismans, Beirut and Bluefire would lose their composure like this?

  “Linley.” Beirut’s eyes were shining. He seemed to be a beggar who was seeing a fortune worth trillions.” You have three talismans. You are about to summon the Overgod, and when you do, remember, you must request a Overgod artifact. As for what type of Overgod artifact…perhaps a defensive Overgod artifact or perhaps an Overgod weapon. Both would be good. You choose for yourself what you want!”

  “Right.” Bluefire said hurriedly to Linley as well. “Choose an Overgod artifact! This is a rare opportunity.”

  “Linley, you truly are quite formidable, to be able to hide this for so long…yes, you’ve done very well. You’ve acquired an Overgod artifact. Your actions were completely correct. Haha..I originally only thought you’d have, at most, two Overgod talismans. Who would’ve thought that you’d have three?” Beirut clearly was quite excited.

  “An Overgod artifact…wonderful.” Bluefire couldn’t but sigh in praise as well.

  Linley was rather astonished, but then he said with a forced laugh, “Lord Beirut, Mr. Leylin, I truly must apologize. I’m not planning to ask for an Overgod artifact!”

  Beirut and Bluefire’s laughter came to a halt. The looks on their face froze as they stared towards Linley in astonishment.

  “Linley, what did you just say?” Beirut was completely stunned.

  The nearby Bebe said, “Grandpa Beirut, the reason my Boss has risked his life to acquire the Overgod talismans was because…Boss has always been wanting a way to bring Grandpa Doehring back to life. Grandpa Doehring is extremely important to him.”

  “Doehring Cowart?” Beirut couldn’t believe it. He frantically urged, “Linley, I know about you and Doehring Cowart, but he’s already dead. His soul is dissipated and dispersed. Perhaps the Overgod of Life can bring him back, but…he is only a Saint. To sacrifice such a precious opportunity for him? This is an Overgod mission. You can acquire an Overgod artifact!” Beirut was extremely frantic.

  “Linley. You can’t waste an opportunity like this. An Overgod mission will be issued only once in countless years. Even if there is a second one, you won’t necessarily be able to complete it.” Bluefire said frantically as well.

  Linley looked at Beirut and Bluefire, forced out a smile, then shook his head.

  “I’m sorry…”

  Linley let out a sigh. “Lord Beirut, it is true that in my heart, I wish to train to the very pinnacle of power. However, in my heart, the value of an Overgod artifact can’t even compare to Grandpa Doehring. Forget about an Overgod artifact; even if I had to give up my power as a Soul Mutate, I wouldn’t hesitate. In my heart…Grandpa Doehring is as important as my parents. He is also my true teacher!”

  Family, teacher, guide…

  This was what Doehring Cowart was to Linley.

  “Linley, you can’t act based on sentiment. This is a rare opportunity! It is an Overgod artifact! Even Chief Sovereigns would go crazy for such a treasure.” Beirut said hurriedly.

  “Linley, you can’t give up this chance.” Bluefire said frantically as well.

  Linley just shook his head stubbornly, then said with apologetic regret, “Lord Beirut, if it hadn’t been for Grandpa Doehring, I probably would just be an ordinary mortal. Perhaps I wouldn’t even be able to restore my clan. As for the Overgod artifact…it is precious, but I have no other desire, other than for Grandpa Doehring to come back to life. I hope that you will understand, Lord Beirut.” Linley bowed solemnly.

  “But…” Bluefire didn’t know what to say.

  Bluefire and Beirut exchanged a glance. Beirut just let out a powerless sigh. “Alright, Linley. I understand how you are feeling. You were the one to complete this Overgod mission. I won’t force you! Make your own decision.”

  “Apologies.” Linley bowed once more.

  When this word came out, Beirut and Bluefire couldn’t help but to laugh sourly. Clearly, Linley had already decided that he would choose to save Doehring Cowart!

  “Overgod.” Linley took a deep breath, then began to remove the three talismans. The Overgods were the personifications of the Edicts, and since the countless planes all operated in accordance with the Edicts…naturally, the Edicts were omnipresent. In other words, the Overgods were omnipresent as well.

  The material planes held the Overgods. Chaotic space held the Overgods. The Higher Planes held the Overgods. They were truly omnipresent!

  The Overgods were neither human nor living.

  They were the Edicts!

  Thus, they could appear anywhere. A summons to the Overgods could thus occur anywhere as well.

  “I hope this is successful.” Linley murmured silently to himself. In his mind, the image of Grandpa Doehring once more sprang to mind, while at the same time, the pentametal crown, studded with the nine soul pearls, appeared in Linley’s hands, along with that red caltrop diamond. The nearby Beirut and Bluefire, seeing this, couldn’t help but laugh sourly.

  The pentametal crown just hovered there. T
he red caltrop diamond hovered there as well.

  “Swish!” The red caltrop diamond flew into the final, remaining central setting in the pentametal crown. It emitted countless rays of green light, causing even the sun to temporarily seem to grow dim by comparison.

  “Rumble…” The world began to shake.

  A blurry figure slowly began to appear, and a terrifying aura began to spread out. The pentametal crown immediately flew over towards the head of that blurred figure. The aura was so powerful that even Beirut and Bluefire couldn’t help but bow. Linley’s eyes lit up. He knew who the person in front of him was.

  “The Overgod of Life!”

  Book 21, The Peak – Chapter 1, The Overgod of Life

  In the skies above the South Sea, Beirut, Bluefire, and Bebe were standing off to one side as in the air, a blurry figure slowly solidified.

  Green robes. Long, jade-green hair. Jade-green eyes. Her smile seemed to cause the entire universe to tremble.

  “This is the Overgod of Life?” Linley stared at the woman who had appeared. The woman who was wearing the Crown of Life on her head! His heart couldn’t help but clench with nervousness. In terms of appearance, Linley had never before seen anyone who was more perfect than the Overgod of Life. In terms of aura, the noble, exalted aura of the Overgod of Life was so prominent and pristine.

  The Overgod of Life’s gaze fell upon Linley.

  “Since the creation of the universe, this is the seventh Overgod mission, and my second time issuing an Overgod mission. Congratulations, Linley Baruch, for completing it.” The Overgod of Life’s voice was very gentle. Not only could it be heard through the ears; it reverberated within his mind as well. “According to the rules of the mission, you can now make a request of me. If I am able to accomplish it, I will do so for you.”

  As the sound echoed, Linley completely lost his bearings.

  “What request do you have?” The Overgod of Life said.

  “Request?”

  Only now did Linley come to his senses.

  Beirut and Bluefire came to their senses as well. They, too, were stunned. “Bluefire, with but a faint smile, the Overgod of Life caused us to lose our bearing. This is too terrifying.” Beirut sent mentally. “The Overgods truly are supreme. The power of an Overgod artifact is definitely far beyond that of a Sovereign artifact.”

  “Right. Unfortunately, Linley won’t choose an Overgod artifact.” Bluefire secretly sighed as well.

  “Almighty Overgod of Life, my request is to have my Grandpa Doehring be brought back to life!” Linley raised his head to look at the Overgod of Life as he spoke.

  “Back to life…” The Overgod of Life was momentarily silent.

  Linley’s heart grew nervous. “I have to succeed! Grandpa Doehring has to come back to life!” Based on what Linley knew, after someone’s soul was dispersed, Sovereigns became unable to rescue that person. Only Overgods might have that ability, especially the Overgod of Life. She herself was the personification of the Edicts of Life, and controlled the lives of the countless living creatures of the countless planes.

  “Forgive me. I am unable to satisfy your request.” The Overgod of Life’s voice was as calm as ever.

  “Unable?” Bebe instantly stared.

  “Unable?” Beirut and Bluefire were startled as well.

  Linley’s mind went blank. The only thing in it was the words of the Overgod of Life, which echoed repeatedly. “Forgive me. I am unable to satisfy your request.”

  “Unable to satisfy? Unable to satisfy?” Linley’s gaze grew sharp, and he stared straight at the Overgod of Life. He said frantically, “Overgod of Life, you control the creation and dissipation of the lives of all the creatures of the universe. Why can’t you bring someone back to life whose soul has dissipated?”

  He had risked everything to lie to the Sovereigns and fight to acquire the Overgod talismans. He had done all these things to bring Grandpa Doehring back to life.

  But the Overgod of Life was unable to do it?

  “Forgive me. I am unable to do this.” The Overgod of Life shook her head.

  “But you are an Overgod!” Linley called out frantically, his heart filled with unwillingness to accept this.

  The Overgod of Life said calmly, “Linley Baruch, according to the rules of the mission, I will satisfy a request of yours. However, this request must be something I can do. The dispersal of one’s soul symbolizes a true death. This is an unalienable part of the Edicts. I am the Edicts of Life. Naturally, I cannot act in a way that violates the Edicts.”

  “My very existence is that which allows the Edicts to function in the countless planes of the universe. To bring back to life someone whose soul was dispersed is to break the Edicts. If I were to break the Edicts, then the countless planes of the universe would no longer be bound by the Edicts. By then, without the protection and binding of the Edicts, the countless planes would themselves collapse.” The Overgod of Life said calmly.

  Linley’s face turned white. His eyes were filled with despair.

  “Boss…” Bebe looked towards Linley, his eyes filled with nervousness.

  “So that’s how it is.” Beirut and Bluefire exchanged a glance. They couldn’t help but shake their heads and sigh.

  Overgods were seemingly almighty, but in the end, they were the personifications of the Edicts.

  Once a person’s soul was shattered and dissipated, they were truly dead. This was part of the Edicts.

  How could the Edicts themselves do something which was against the Edicts? After all, the responsibility of the four Overgods was to allow the Edicts to function normally and without interruption.

  “I expended countless efforts to seize these Overgod talismans, all for that tiny shred of hope. Who would have imagined…that in the end, it was all for nothing!” Linley lowered his head. Silently, two streams of tears flowed out. “Grandpa Doehring…” The response of the Overgod of Life had settled it. Grandpa Doehring would never come back again.

  At most, he would forever exist in Linley’s memories.

  “Boss. Don’t be too heartbroken.” Bebe said hurriedly.

  “The heavens gave me hope, which allowed me to fight, to work hard, to struggle. But in the end, after I accomplished what I needed to, the heavens smashed that hope that they had given me.” Linley laughed with bitterness.

  Beirut and Bluefire walked over as well.

  “Linley, don’t be too heartbroken. Life, death, sickness, infirmity…these things are far too common. You can’t have perfection in all things, just because you desire it.” Beirut said consolingly.

  “Where there is life, there shall be death! Life and death are determined by the Edicts of the universe.” Bluefire consoled as well. “You and I have surpassed life and death and live indefinitely, but if we were to die, our souls would also be dissipated, and we wouldn’t be able to come back either. There are many, many people in the world who have lost loved ones. Take a wiser view of things.”

  “I understand this principle.” Linley took a deep breath, struggling to calm down.

  If he had known all along that there was no hope, that would have been one thing. Linley would have kept his pain buried deep in his heart.

  But after finding hope and struggling towards it, only to have that hope destroyed…this was like sprinkling salt onto a wound. It truly was painful.

  “The existence of the universe requires that the restrictions of the Edicts be maintained.” The Overgod of Life said calmly. “Even though you have completed the Overgod mission, your request must be in accordance with the restrictions of the Edicts. I am unable to fulfill the request you made. Now, Linley Baruch, please change your request.”

  “Change my request?” Linley was stunned.

  “The successful completion of an Overgod mission means that I must fulfill a request of yours.” The Overgod of Life said calmly.

  The earlier request that Linley had made was ineffective, and so naturally he had to be given another one.

&
nbsp; “Boss, hurry up and make a request.” Bebe said frantically.

  “Linley, there is no way to bring your Grandpa Doehring back to life. For now, I think you had best choose an Overgod artifact.” Beirut’s eyes were shining, and he hurriedly urged Linley, “Perhaps, you might have other dreams, but in this universe, many things depend on one’s own power! Only with enough power will many things be solvable.”

  Bluefire said hurriedly as well, “It would be best if you chose an Overgod artifact that suited you. An Overgod artifact that will let you release your power to the greatest extent.”

  “I understand.” Linley nodded.

  After having experienced so much, Linley knew that only with enough strength would many things be easily accomplished.

  “What sort of Overgod artifact should I request?” Many thoughts came to Linley’s mind. “A defensive Overgod artifact? No, that’s not that great an idea. My personal defense is already quite good. In addition, when I use my hands and feet to attack, I’m unable to unleash my full power.” Linley was still the most proficient in swordplay.

  Whether when he using the heavy adamantine sword, Bloodviolet, or Mirage…

  Linley’s supreme attacks had all relied on the sword.

  “I will request a sword-shaped Overgod artifact.” Linley came to his decision.

  Linley raised his head to look at the Overgod of Life, who stood there in midair. “Almighty Overgod of Life, I need a weapon-type Overgod artifact. A sword-shaped Overgod artifact!”

  “I…shall satisfy your request.” The Overgod Life said calmly, while at the same time, she stretched out her slender right hand. A green sword shadow slowly began to materialize and solidify, and an astonishing, sharp energy began to condense, causing the surrounding space to crack and shatter.

  “An Overgod artifact!” Beirut, Bluefire, and Bebe all stared.

  According to the legends, only the Overgods were capable of creating an Overgod artifact. In the past, only the four Chief Sovereigns of the Edicts and the Chief Sovereign of Light were in possession of an Overgod artifact!