Because Lord Locke had completely concealed his soul aura, even the other Sovereigns could not locate him.
Without Oakes to lead the way, even if they knew Locke was somewhere within Blackstone Tribe, they would never be able to find him.
Guided by Oakes and Yagonia, the group of six arrived at Locke's residence.
"Come in."
Before they even reached the gate, Locke's voice drifted out from within.
"Yes, Lord Locke."
With his permission, the six of them stepped inside.
Though no one guided them, it was as if they instinctively knew where to go. Soon, they arrived at the courtyard.
In the pavilion, Locke sat leisurely, sipping tea.
Before him floated a semi-transparent projection. Within it, two figures were locked in battle.
The six of them glanced at it briefly and immediately guessed—it was likely a dueling platform from some distant prefecture city.
Though Locke had remained within Blackstone Tribe all these years, never revealing his divine sense, his projection technique had allowed him to observe most of Hell.
Amane had already witnessed this ability once.
Oakes and Yagonia had heard about it from him.
As for Ryan and the others, they were initially surprised—but once they considered Locke's possible identity, it no longer seemed strange.
"Lord Locke."
"Mm. You're here."
Locke waved his hand, dispersing the projection, then turned his gaze toward them.
"Oh?"
A hint of surprise crossed his expression.
"Ryan… your Six-Star Fiend certification was personally approved by Sovereign Muya?"
"It seems your trip to Muya Continent caused quite a stir."
At those words, the others looked at Ryan with clear envy.
To be personally certified by a Sovereign—such an honor belonged to him alone.
"Haha…"
Ryan scratched his head awkwardly.
"I wouldn't call it making a stir. I just sparred with the commander of Muya's army. Without using a Sovereign artifact, I managed to gain a slight edge."
The others nearly felt the urge to hit him.
A Sovereign army commander—even without a Sovereign artifact—stood at the very peak of Six-Star Fiends.
And Ryan had gained the upper hand?
That alone spoke volumes.
"Not bad."
Locke nodded, clearly satisfied.
"But Ryan, don't grow complacent."
"In this era, Six-Star Fiends may be considered top-tier experts."
"But millions—perhaps tens of millions—of years from now, only Shuras will stand at the peak."
"I don't want your vision to be limited to the present."
"A god's lifespan is endless, but each new generation rises by stepping on the fame of the old."
"I would hate to see any of you become stepping stones for those who come after."
"Yes, Lord Locke."
Ryan, Rockpeak, Clifford, and Oakes all bowed.
As for Amane and Yagonia, they understood—those words were not meant for them.
Yagonia had become a Highgod through refining a divine spark. Her path was already fixed.
Amane, on the other hand, knew his own limits.
More than ten thousand years ago, he had been on the verge of fully fusing two profound mysteries.
Now, ten thousand years later, he still hadn't crossed that threshold.
"Ryan."
"Yes, Lord Locke."
Ryan stepped forward respectfully.
"I want you to establish a force in Hell."
"Your task is to gather information on all divine beasts—especially details regarding their innate divine abilities."
"Additionally, if you encounter powerful divine beasts, negotiate with them. Offer a price in exchange for their essence blood."
"From time to time, I will send someone to collect the information you've gathered."
"Rockpeak and Clifford will assist you."
"Yes, Lord Locke."
"As for your compensation…"
"Lord Locke, serving you is already an honor—"
Ryan and the others quickly tried to refuse.
But Locke shook his head.
"Honor doesn't put food on the table."
"You serve me. I won't let you go unrewarded."
He paused, then continued calmly:
"Ryan—one drop of Sovereign's Might every hundred thousand years."
"Rockpeak and Clifford—one drop every two hundred thousand years."
"When you reach Seven-Star Fiend level, Ryan, it will become one drop every fifty thousand years."
"The same applies to the two of you once your strength catches up."
"…Understood."
The three exchanged glances, then fell silent.
If it had been any other reward, they might have hesitated.
But this was Sovereign's Might.
Even a moment's hesitation would be disrespectful.
"Thank you, Lord Locke."
"Mm."
Locke took out an interspatial ring, transferred a portion of Sovereign's Might into it, and removed its binding.
He tossed it to Ryan.
"There are one hundred drops of Destruction Sovereign's Might inside."
"Fifty for you, Ryan. Twenty-five each for Rockpeak and Clifford."
"Consider it your payment for the next five hundred thousand years."
A sharp intake of breath echoed.
Even the others couldn't hide their shock.
One hundred drops.
This was Sovereign's Might.
Over ten thousand years ago, Sovereign's Might had first appeared in Hell.
Even now, only those Prefecture Lords who had helped build Fiend Castle possessed it.
Because of it, no one had dared challenge their positions in recent years.
After all, the power of Sovereign's Might was undeniable.
It could increase one's strength by over a hundredfold.
A Six-Star Fiend using it could temporarily reach Shura-level power.
Even a true Seven-Star Fiend would think twice before challenging such an opponent.
"Lord Locke… this…"
Ryan held the ring, visibly shaken.
"Enough."
"Take it."
"I've already said—it's your payment."
"If you want to repay me, then do your job well."
"And remember—this is for survival. True strength must come from yourselves."
"Yes, Lord Locke."
With that, Ryan and the others stepped back.
Their part was done.
"Oakes."
"Yes, Lord Locke."
"I will soon leave Hell and travel to other divine planes."
"Will you come with me… or remain here?"
That was the decision Locke had reached over the past ten thousand years.
To gather information on all divine beasts—especially those tied to time and space—a single force in Hell was not enough.
He would establish networks across the Seven Divine Planes and the Four Higher Planes.
Most divine beasts in the Coiling Dragon universe were unique.
Locke had no way of knowing how many would perish in the coming War of Faith, nor how many possessed abilities related to time or space.
If such a lineage went extinct before he studied it…
He would never forgive himself.
Of course, he hadn't revealed his true goal.
Instead, he ordered the collection of all divine beast essence blood.
For Locke, more research would never be a bad thing.
"…I…"
Oakes hesitated.
If not for Blackstone Tribe, he would have chosen without question.
"Lord Locke—Oakes is willing to follow you to the other divine planes."
Before he could decide, Yagonia stepped forward and spoke for him.
"Niya—"
Oakes was startled.
But before he could continue, she gently covered his mouth.
"Oakes, listen to me."
"You've already done enough for Blackstone Tribe."
"Look at what you've accomplished. From the brink of extinction, it has become one of the strongest tribes near this City."
"It shouldn't become the chain that holds you back."
"…Niya."
Oakes looked at her, understanding dawning in his eyes.
She wasn't just speaking.
She was reminding him of what truly mattered.
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