"So many years, and yet you're the first to dare ask me this."
Hearing those words, Locke felt a small weight lift from his chest.
It seemed that Emperor Celes of the Frostsnow Empire hadn't taken offense at his bold question.
But Celes' next words immediately sent a chill through Locke's heart.
"Little one, if you fight for the Sovereign and achieve merit, naturally, you will receive rewards from the Sovereign himself.
"Of course, with your current strength, you are still not enough to serve as a soldier under the Sovereign's. At most, you can fight under my command, and all the rewards you receive will come from me.
"Only when you ascend to godhood yourself will you be eligible for my recommendation to serve under Lord Phiros.
"And should you refuse to serve Lord Phiros, there will be no punishment—but from the moment I discover you, you must leave this plane within ten years."
Locke pressed his lips together, letting out a bitter smile.
Indeed, from Celes' words, refusing to serve him only meant leaving the Wakanda Plane within ten years.
But the teleportation arrays capable of leaving the Material Plane can only send one to the Seven Divine Planes or the Four Supreme Planes.
And what kind of places are those Divine and Supreme Planes?
If the Sanctuary rank is rare on the Material Plane, gods walk freely in the Divine Plane, and only the Highgods command fearsome presence.
Not to mention this is the age when the Soverign's are fervently scouring for faith.
The Divine and Supreme Planes are no longer just battlefields for the armies of the Sovereign's. Those Sovereign's themselves have yet to set firm rules.
Whenever their forces suffer heavy casualties or lose territory, the Sovereign's would likely intervene personally.
It could be said that the Divine and Supreme Planes now are the most chaotic and terrifying they've ever been.
The Material Plane fares better. The gods who descend here scatter among countless planes, collecting faith primarily by establishing religions or nations, spreading the Sovereign's refined magics, and gathering the belief of mortals.
Currently on the Wakanda Plane, only the Pope of the Temple of Light and Emperor Celes of the Frostsnow Empire are god-tier beings, and over the years, battles between the Temple of Light and the Frostsnow Empire have only involved Sanctuary-level fighters.
For Locke, there was simply no other option.
In this era, without Highgod-level power, he wasn't about to leave the Wakanda Plane.
Locke bowed slightly in the direction of the Imperial Capital.
"Your Majesty Celes, Locke is very willing to serve you."
"Ha ha ha… excellent. Locke, I will await you in the Imperial Capital."
After these words, Locke no longer sensed Celes' presence. A few minutes later, he exited his "Union of Heaven and Man" state, having detected nothing further, and straightened.
A god-tier being's spiritual force has already undergone transformation, becoming a far stronger form known as "Divine Sense."
Divine Sense is, in essence, a god-tier being's second set of senses. Wherever it reaches, what it sees and hears is no different from direct perception.
Of course, Locke's current understanding comes only from descriptions in his previous life's memories.
The full extent of Divine Sense's power remains unknown until he himself reaches that level.
Ordinary people feel nothing even when brushed by a god-tier being's Divine Sense.
Locke only sensed a trace because he was in "Union of Heaven and Man," fusing his spiritual power with the Celestial Dance Treasure Wheel.
He guessed that a god-tier being's Divine Sense might be a form of soul power fused with law mysteries.
"Ah…"
Celes had said he would await him in the Imperial Capital, and Locke didn't dare keep the emperor waiting.
With that, Locke shot straight into the sky, heading toward the Imperial Capital.
"This…"
Though Locke flew fast, several villagers in Pu'er still caught sight of him.
For a moment, all who saw him stood agape.
"Wait… I didn't see that wrong, did I?"
"That was Locke, wasn't it?"
"Lord Locke can actually fly?"
Soon, some villagers hurried to the house Locke had been staying in. Searching around the front and back, they found no trace of him. It was then they realized without a doubt that the figure who had taken to the sky was indeed Locke.
"I always knew Locke was talented, but I didn't expect his strength to have reached this level."
"This is a blessing for Pu'er Village!"
Callet, the former captain of the Pu'er village guard, let out a sigh of awe.
Though the strongest villagers here had only reached the peak of the Sixth Order, everyone knew the legends: Sanctuary-level warriors could raze mountains, boil seas, and split peaks.
Of course, there's a way to judge whether someone is truly a Sanctuary-level warrior before they reveal themselves: flight.
On the Wakanda Plane, only water and light magics exist. Neither provides spells for flight.
So anyone seen flying must be above Sanctuary rank.
Locke flew off under their watchful eyes, now undeniably an immortal, eternal Sanctuary-level master.
And their village, the birthplace of Lord Locke, would bask in his protection.
Perhaps in the future, should Locke be granted a title and fief, and choose Pu'er as his seat, the village might become "the Domain of Pu'er."
…
"Ha ha ha…"
For the first time since reaching Sanctuary, Locke allowed himself to fly freely without restraint.
The sky had always been humanity's innermost dream.
Especially for Locke, from a world devoid of magic in his previous life, this was the culmination of freedom: infinite lifespan, mastery of Sanctuary-level power, and flight.
Yet Locke knew well the dangers hidden in this world. Though he had surpassed Sanctuary years ago, he had never dared to test his power recklessly, waiting to reach the peak first.
Truthfully, Locke had few desires.
Reborn in the Coiling Dragon universe, his only aim was to explore the mysteries of law and see his limits.
Being discovered in Pu'er after over a decade of secluded cultivation had disrupted some of his plans.
But now, there was nothing to hold back.
Since he had been discovered, he might as well enjoy it to the fullest!
The Wakanda Plane was vast.
Even Locke took nearly five days to fly from Pu'er Village in Enzo Territory to the Frostsnow Empire's Imperial Capital.
Entering "Union of Heaven and Man," and attuning to the laws of heaven and earth, Locke sensed at least four Sanctuary-level presences within the capital.
As for the far stronger Celes, a single Sanctuary-level presence would never betray his location—if he didn't wish it to.
(End of Chapter 19)
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