"Senior Doran, if I may ask, how old are you this year?"
Lin En's curiosity piqued, especially after hearing the elder's stories that spanned over five thousand years. In his previous world, Doran's age would equate to the entire history of a national civilization!
Doran replied nonchalantly, "Just over five thousand years old."
"Just over..." Lin En thought to himself, his expression betraying a hint of amazement.
Seeing Lin En's reaction, Doran laughed heartily, "Young Lin En, you're still too young. Sanctuary warriors have limitless lifespans. Give it a few hundred years, and you'll get used to it."
He was very enthusiastic and talkative, particularly fond of young Sanctuary-level talents.
"I envy you young talents who reach the Sanctuary level at such a young age. There's a certain vitality about you!"
Doran expressed this sentiment more than once during their conversation.
Following the topic, Lin En asked Doran at what age he had reached the Sanctuary level. The answer was quite unexpected.
"Four hundred and fifty years old!"
Lin En didn't show any annoyance, just a calm expression in response.
Doran's face turned slightly red when he mentioned this, showing a hint of embarrassment.
Lin En looked puzzled when he heard Doran's words. He wondered why Doran wouldn't utilize the divinity stored in his space ring.
Doran, with a smile, revealed, "Because I found a space ring left behind by a god-level being!"
"I'm sorry, senior, but I have no plans to assimilate any divinity," Lin En replied.
Doran's eyes lit up with an intense fervor.
Lin En, reading the contents of the diary, had his horizons broadened and gained a vast array of knowledge.
He couldn't help but feel that Doran was setting him up due to his lack of understanding.
If it weren't for the latter part, one might have excused it as the diary not detailing the pitfalls of assimilating divinity...
Doran, with a candid smile, asked, "Do you know how I broke through to the Sanctuary level?"
Lin En was at a loss for words.
Doran spoke frankly, "It's hard to find the right person. I don't trust others. I've lived for over five thousand years, and I've consumed more salt than you've eaten rice. I have a sense of who can be trusted and who cannot."
As Doran stroked his beard, he said happily, "You are indeed a smart man."
With that, Doran revealed the truth.
Lin En listened in shock, some of which wasn't feigned. The mention of the mystical objects' quantities indicated that even in the future era of Lin Lei, such items would be valuable in Hell, let alone now. This indirectly suggested the exceptional status of the fallen god-level being whose space ring Doran had found.
"The second method is more demanding. To assimilate a divinity means killing a god-level being. But if the conditions are met, one could assimilate mid-level and even high-level divinities. According to the diary, despite the chaos and bloodshed in Hell, the number of higher gods is still scarce. With a bit of luck, one can live quite comfortably."
Doran seemed to be hinting at something, almost guiding Lin En in a certain direction.
Lin En shook his head honestly, without much thought.
He had pretty much figured out what was going on.
Lin En fell silent.
Doran, despite his mediocre talent, had lucked out by finding the space ring of a deceased god-level being.
Doran, with a calm gaze, answered, "It just means choosing to become a god internally, without a divine avatar, and a slightly slower cultivation speed. It's not a big deal. The diary mentions that beings who have assimilated divinity are common in Hell."
Doran's face stiffened with displeasure, "Do you realize how rare this opportunity is? It could elevate you directly to a higher god, something countless Sanctuary-level beings dream of. You just need to agree!"
Lin En was pondering what else Doran might be hiding...
He felt mixed emotions. After all, Doran had helped him in the past, albeit unintentionally. Lin En had always remembered this favor and had thought of guiding him towards divinity...
After a moment, Lin En decided to probe further.
"Senior, are there any drawbacks to assimilating divinity?"
"I want to become a god independently."
Doran had used resources to assist his ascent to the Sanctuary level and now harbored ambitions, seemingly looking down on the path of becoming a god through assimilation.
Lin En maintained a calm expression, but internally he was lamenting.
"Do you know what it takes to become a god?"
He nodded occasionally, his face filled with anticipation. He was genuinely curious about what Doran wanted him to do.
"I used a resource called the Soul Golden Pearl to break through the limits of my spiritual power and barely became a Sanctuary-level being."
Given the vast population of this world, all types of people existed, and keeping a diary was nothing unusual.
Lin En suddenly had an intuitive feeling.
Doran added, "The money from Hell, yes, Mokshi, a currency circulated there, can be used to purchase all the Soul Golden Pearls. You can take half of them."
"Why did you wait five thousand years, senior?"
"My talent in wind magic is decent. I could work towards becoming a god externally for an extra life. Then, my original body can assimilate another set of divinities, making it perfect."
He paused for a few seconds, sighing, "I didn't want to reveal this secret, but your arrival gave me hope."
"I found a diary in the space ring, belonging to that god-level being, which detailed much about god-level beings and the supreme plane of Hell."
"I can give you three divinities, and you could become a higher god in a short time!"
Lin En felt relieved thinking this way. He was just envious of Doran's luck, which seemed to rival that of a novel's protagonist.
The knowledge of cultivation in this world was secretive. Detailed information formed invisible barriers, hindering the progress of countless talents.
Lin En felt a mix of admiration and skepticism. Doran's patience was indeed remarkable, yet something still seemed off.
"Hell is too dangerous, I dare not venture there myself, so I have to rely on others."
"I see," Lin En thought, aware of his own status as a god-level being, but he nodded along on the surface.
"There are two ways to become a god. The rules are complex, but let's focus on the elemental laws. Apart from the nine categories of wind, other elements have six. Comprehending one of these laws to its full extent constitutes independent godhood. You can choose internal or external godhood. The second method is for a Sanctuary warrior to assimilate a lower divinity."
Lin En was both shocked and cautious that Doran would share such secrets with him.
After a moment of thought, Lin En replied soothingly, "Senior, please tell me what you want me to do."
"Just agree, and I can give you the divinity now!"
Doran, annoyed and blustering, scolded Lin En, "Young people always aim too high. Do you know how difficult it is to become a god? There have been several Sanctuary warriors under 30 in the history of the Violet Continent, but none became gods. Compared to them, your talent is far inferior!"
Lin En remained silent.
"Alright, let's compromise," Doran calmed down after venting and persuaded gently, "Your talent in water magic is decent. Maybe there's a slim chance for you to become a god independently. After you become a god in the future, let your Sanctuary original body assimilate a set of divinities!"