Not enraged...
Obviously, Linn isn't devoid of human feelings; he's no saint.
Yet, he understands that fate's whims are unpredictable. Perhaps it just wasn't the right moment, and berating others is pointless.
Interruption, too, is a stroke of fate.
Smooth journeys can blind one to impending storms. Every sailor's trial adds to their wisdom, forging their path through life's unpredictable oceans.
He's already reaped much from this experience, advancing significantly on his path of fate, so he shouldn't be too greedy.
Aisha watches Linn cautiously, relieved to see him not bearing a grudge. She quickly shifts her focus to Scott.
She briefly explains her reason for being there.
"I need some time to think," says Scott, weighing the harsh realities of the faith war.
Scott contemplates the harsh choices ahead, "Sometimes sacrifices must be made. Worst case, I'll take some family members with me. As long as I live, the Scott lineage endures."
This proves the intelligence of self-made mid-level gods.
Linn, pondering, decides to remind Scott once more.
Linn's fingertip conjures a misty sword energy, emitting a terrifying aura, causing cracks in the surrounding space.
"Prepare yourself, I'm about to strike!"
Scott, resolved, chooses to trust Linn's gamble over facing unknown dangers alone.
Feeling guilty, Aisha quickly departs.
The stronger Linn is, the better his chances against the gods descending from the higher realms.
There's still ninety years, perhaps even centuries, to prepare.
"How certain are you?" Scott inquires.
Transmigrators' memories and thoughts can be enlightening but also obstructive.
Joining a faction isn't just about picking a side; it's being bound to someone else's will. Defiance isn't an option.
His soul echoes with a faint ache...
He senses Linn's restraint; their power gap is overwhelming.
Compared to Linn, Scott's millennia of cultivation seem trivial, filling him with humility.
"The gravity in the higher realms is a hundred times that of ours. Below sanctum level, survival is impossible!" asserts Linn.
"That's an interesting idea, but I can't agree," Linn replies.
Aisha nods and hastily leaves after a glance at Linn, who remains unperturbed.
Would he have acted similarly?
Scott, anxious, presses, "Do you really want to face death here? We might have only ninety years left. Any upper god could annihilate us!"
Scott is left bewildered.
Scott ponders, "Elemental mysteries, I get, but slow? Isn't that the antithesis of wind's speed?"
Yet, options still remain.
Linn challenges, "Aren't you concerned about the Scott Empire?"
Scott, determined, vanishes and reappears beside Linn, sword in hand, striking swiftly and precisely, creating a blur of shadows.
This is the worst-case scenario, considering both his water god incarnation and mid-level god of fate. Their combined domains could offset an upper god's domain pressure.
The ethereal sword energy stops just short of Linn's forehead.
Calm as ever, Linn remarks, "Slaughter isn't inevitable."
Scott, unfamiliar with the finer details of wind mysteries, merged his 'flighty' technique with the 'speed' mystery to become a mid-level god in a unique fashion.
Most likely...
It's just not feasible!
The disparity in their status is overwhelming, hard to mentally accept.
Linn praises, "Without the fusion of three mysteries, beating you would be possible, but not this effortlessly."
Classic wind god traits: sheer speed!
Linn, shrouded in mist, is elusive, his presence hard to pin down.
As she departs, Scott eagerly suggests, "Linn, let's venture to the higher planes together. Staying here means risking being mere cannon fodder or worse, killed by an arriving upper god."
God-level beasts, with their innate powers, are far more threatening than ordinary humans.
Linn understands his concerns and nods, leading them to an expansive sea, far from civilization, amidst reefs and desolate islands.
Scott, thrilled, inquires, "What's your secret weapon?"
"Then, I'll stay as well!"
Leaving would be obvious if he were alone.
But that's not his situation.
Linn stays silent, recognizing the daunting barriers of preconceptions and misinformation, a trap even gods fall into unwittingly.
Scott, feeling a crisis, bites his tongue for a brief moment of clarity but still reacts too late.
Having been a hidden ruler of an empire for five millennia, the thought of serving under someone...
Rather than serving others, he'd prefer to partner up and carve out their path. Two mid-level gods together can avoid being bottom dwellers.
"I recommend you grasp the basic element of wind and its antithesis, slowness!"
He's astounded.
Linn contemplates and then states with assurance, "Against a four-star demon, I'm entirely confident; the same for a five-star. With a six-star, my chances are slim, and against a seven-star, it's certain doom."
Gods sent to material realms are no ordinary; they're likely from the main god's army.
A missed sword strike, the mist scatters and regathers, subtly infiltrating with soul-disturbing power.
Indeed.
He then suggests with a smile, "I've just leveled up and feel like testing my skills. How about a friendly spar?"
"Why!"
Scott, dumbfounded, finds it hard to believe. After a long pause, he swallows his shock, managing a bitter smile, "I've lost."
Linn opts to share a bit more insight.
Demons symbolize the elite among gods!
If Linn's claims against five-star demons hold true, average mid-level gods would be mere ants before him!
Is this even possible?
Scott, as a mid-level god, realizes the immense disparity in godly ranks.
He feels utterly defeated.
Scott is speechless, unsure of what to say next.
A mid-level god's power and domain are tenfold that of a lower god and comparably vast against upper gods.
Unprepared, Scott falls victim to the attack.
Linn remembers these beings are above average in their realm; they might even be divine beasts, a common sight in the godly domain.
"You're impressive, fusing mysteries at the mid-level god stage!"
Bewildered and disoriented.
Linn declines the proposal.
Linn acknowledges but remains vague.
Scott isn't deceived by Aisha's persuasive words and tempting offers, staying sharply focused instead.
"..."
Scott's luck is evident, accidentally discovering the path of merging mysteries without any guidance.
Then, he lights up with enthusiasm.
The demons represent something Aisha has previously mentioned; Scott grasps the general concept.
His mind races with countless thoughts, yet outwardly he remarks, "Fast and slow are comparative concepts. There's no absolute fast or slow in this world!"
Jolted as if struck by lightning, Scott stands stunned. He then deeply bows, appreciating Linn's insight, "Thank you for your guidance. I nearly went astray without realizing it!"
He's slightly terrified, previously too fixated on speed.
Linn accepts the bow; guiding Scott is crucial from his perspective. If Scott achieves a breakthrough, merging three mysteries before the upper gods arrive, it would mark a significant power shift.
Their combined forces, united against foes, would substantially strengthen. Since their core interests align, sharing knowledge and empowering an ally is mutually beneficial.