Chapter 20: Scott's Consultation
"Sizzle…"
An abundance of dark elements from the universe coalesced into a black, semi-transparent deity emblem, the mark of a lower-tier deity of darkness!
At the same moment, a familiar notion echoed in Lin En's mind.
"Ascend to godhood internally or externally?"
Without a second thought, Lin En declared, "Externally!"
Suddenly, his soul underwent a harrowing division, splitting in two!
"Ah——!"
Overwhelmed by excruciating pain, Lin En screamed out loud, unable to endure despite previous experience.
A scythe-shaped soul merged with the deity emblem, connecting to the divine power ocean, crafting a divine avatar of dark energy. With a mere thought, he clothed it in a black robe.
"The pain is unbearable!"
Lin En slowly regained composure, but his holy realm original self appeared noticeably drained.
"I must refrain from any further ascensions to godhood in the near future!"
Whoosh!
A gentle, pale-green wind heralded the arrival of Scott. Gazing at Lin En, his expression mixed with bewilderment, he questioned, "I felt the presence of a new deity. Could it be you?"
"Your forefather departs!"
Scott, in bewilderment, remarked, "Why does it seem that I've fully grasped the essence of wind laws, yet a breakthrough eludes me?"
Receiving Lin En's telepathic update...
That evening.
The choice of tea mattered little; the real essence lay in the company and conversation.
"It's perfect."
A mix of eagerness and a slight embarrassment of being outpaced was evident on Scott's face, coupled with helplessness.
Scott, without pondering much, asserted, "It's about embracing the nature of wind — its unpredictability and swiftness!"
As their conversation unfolded, Lin En had already briefed Serlina, Richie, and others about the developments through his divine awareness.
Sipping his tea with a content smile, he remarked, "This tea is quite delightful."
"Yes."
Serlina, nestled in her husband's embrace, murmured softly, "Haven't you made up your mind about whom to marry?"
Scott, with due politeness, expressed his gratitude, "Thank you."
He continued to delve into the intricacies of cloning, with rapid progress.
Clearly, he was at a disadvantage due to a lack of crucial information.
He didn't elaborate completely, understanding that a deity native to a material plane wouldn't typically possess extensive knowledge.
"What more could there be?"
"The efficiency of Mr. Lin En's cultivation is exceptional, rivaling that of prodigies from the highest and divine realms," Scott complimented, his face betraying a hint of envy he couldn't quite conceal.
At that moment, Scott seemed to lose his appetite for conversation, hastily excusing himself, probably intending to enter a period of secluded cultivation.
It was apparent that Scott's ascent to godhood was more of a fluke; he had unknowingly mastered the intricacies of Wind Walking completely and subsequently comprehended the mystery of Speed.
"Ah, you're giving me too much credit, Scott. It's merely good fortune and an unexpected insight," Lin En modestly replied.
Curiously, Lin En inquired, "How did you achieve godhood?"
Delighted, Scott joined Lin En in descending from the heavens into the grand hall of the duke's mansion.
"Please, rise."
Serlina gently acknowledged, her commitment unwavering to support Lin En's decisions.
She graciously served tea.
Lin En jokingly pontificated, and naturally, Scott wasn't gullible enough to take it all at face value. His face showed a mix of hesitation and resolve, eventually deciding on his course of action.
Regulus stood up with excitement, but upon noticing Lin En seated beside the ancestral figure, he experienced a peculiar feeling.
"I should relay the message, to prevent them from making an unnecessary journey."
Responding to Lin En's mental summons, Regulus quickly made his way from the outer courtyard.
Despite this, Lin En's insights proved enlightening for Scott, who stood up, his breath short and face flushed with excitement, expressing his heartfelt thanks, "I'm deeply grateful to you, Mr. Lin En!"
Regulus, visibly tense and uncomfortable, looked at Scott. In the instant their eyes met, a profound sense of bloodline connection pulsed within him, instinctively driving him to kneel and bow, "I pay my respects to the ancestor!"
Lin En, carefully choosing his words, offered guidance, "For instance, consider the water laws, breaking them down into various characteristics…"
At that moment, Lin En felt a divine aura and promptly stepped outside.
Lin En seemed at a loss for words.
He gestured with his hand, signaling Scott to halt his remarks.
Lin En gave a subtle cue, and Serlina, along with the others, tactfully provided them room for their discussion.
The exchange visibly impacted Scott, who sighed and shook his head in self-deprecation, "You really put things into perspective!"
Reflecting on his age compared to Lin En's and the necessity to seek advice humbly, Scott's pride as a deity felt a sting.
It seemed he had inadvertently embarked on a fusion path, a demanding journey for his talents, leading to a negative cycle of prolonged struggle and diminishing confidence.
The issue had been continually postponed.
"Let's leave it to fate. Otherwise, the number of people I'd need to take care of in the future would be overwhelming. The task of expanding the family should be passed on to the children."
Looking over the Blackstone Territory, Lin En suggested with a smile, "Regulus is here too. Shall we sit for a bit?"
"There's more to discuss."
"Thank you, little brother. I've been informed by Richie about the divine power needed for that magic array..."
"Don't mention it; we're not just brothers but also family. If I feast, you'll surely share the broth."
Lin En felt a tinge of heaviness in his heart, aware of the fragility of his soul and his dire need for soul gold beads.
He smiled, and his dark deity avatar momentarily appeared before merging back into his soul space.
My brother, he seems almost too formidable.
Scott was clueless about the specific intricacies of the wind system.
In Serlina's embrace, Lin En found tranquility, comforted by her subtle fragrance. This was the warmth of home he yearned to safeguard eternally.
The trio showed shock at the revelation but ultimately didn't approach.
Scott, speaking softly and after a careful glance, nodded with a smile, "You're doing quite well."
The conversation then reached an impasse.
Over the next few days, instead of cultivating, Lin En focused on spending time with his family, particularly Serlina, acknowledging the distance their relentless training had created.
While Lin En talked, his mid-tier divine consciousness reached out, noticing Esha Redding, Genoklar, and Park alerted and heading their way.
Lin En was straightforward, "What tricks can there be in cultivation? It's all about heartfelt perception."
"No need to come here, it's just me..."
"Mr. Lin En, if I may ask, are there any special techniques in cultivation? I've been a lower-tier deity for five thousand years."
The pain of uncertainty in cultivation and a lack of confidence can be excruciating. Without his transmigrator's knowledge of the laws and rules of cultivation, Lin En's rapid ascension, despite his talent, would have been unlikely. He had a significant informational advantage.
Lin En shook his head, feeling less pressured than before.
The thought of becoming a dual-system deity was almost unimaginable.
"Please, enjoy the tea."
"Let's call it a night."
...
After a half-year of relaxation at home, Lin En finally remembered Dolon, a wind system holy realm magic guide from the Natural Alliance, Klein Kingdom.
This time, Lin En left with a sense of leisure, not rushing towards his destination. Instead, he traveled leisurely along the scenic Klein River, taking over a month to arrive at the capital, Klein City.