“Is that so?”
Meng Lei was awfully cheerful.
“You haven’t lit up the divine fire yet, right?” As though something had just occurred to it, Dodola’s eyes suddenly bore into Meng Lei as it asked, “Tell me, have you lit up the divine fire?”
“Nope!”
Meng Lei shook his head lightly.
“That’s great!”
Fervent delight filled Dodola at once. It couldn’t be any more thrilled, and it jumped up and down as it flapped its miniature devil wings.
“Do you need to be that happy just because I haven’t lit up the divine fire yet?” Meng Lei was terribly bewildered.
“I don’t know why you haven’t kindled your divine fire yet, but this is a piece of fantastic news! A piece of fantastic news, y’know!? It’s inconceivable why a monster like you actually exists in this vast universe, and on top of that, I’ve even run into you!”
Dodola was in incredibly high spirits. “O’ great and noble God of Time, thank you! It’s your blessings that have allowed me to encounter a piece of uncut jade like him!”
“Don’t be in such a hurry to thank the God of Time yet,” said Meng Lei as he rolled his eyes. “Tell me, why are you so excited?”
“Alright! I’ll tell you about the profoundness within now, lest you end up destroying yourself!”
The next moment, Dodola’s countenance turned unprecedentedly stern and serious. It asked, “Meng Lei, do you know how you should cultivate after you’ve become a half-deity?”
“Seems like I should first light up my divine fire, then manifest a divine core, and lastly, establish a divine nation.” Meng Lei answered, “It’s only when a half-deity has divine fire, a divine core, and a divine nation that they are considered a real deity. Otherwise, a half-deity will always stay a half-deity, and never a real deity.”
“That’s right. That’s indeed what it’s like for a half-deity.” Dodola nodded slightly. Then, it asked, “Then, do you know how you should be cultivating after you become a true god?”
“That... I wouldn’t know.”
Meng Lei shook his head lightly.
“Listen well now. In this world, deities are divided into two different types—Laws of Nature Deities and Religious Faith Deities!” A smiling Dodola said, “You should know that you belong to the former even if I don’t touch on that, right?”
“Yeap!”
Meng Lei nodded.
“Unlike Religious Faith Deities, if Laws of Nature Deities wish to continue enhancing their abilities to become a lesser deity, an intermediate deity, or even a higher deity after they become true gods, their only option is to continue to comprehend laws of nature.”
The course of the conversation changed at this point as Dodola went on. “But the miserable thing is that once a deity has kindled their divine fire and manifested a divine core to become a true god, their divine core itself would gain an element, thereby making it very difficult for them to ever comprehend other types of laws of nature.”
Dodola explained, “For example, if you become a true god through cultivating fire-elemental laws of nature, then your divine core would be a fire-elemental one. Would it then still be possible for you to comprehend another type of laws of nature after that?”
Meng Lei thought for a moment before he answered, “...Seems like it would be very difficult!”
“It won’t just be ‘very difficult’ but ‘extremely difficult’!”
Dodola shook its head as it said, “A fire-elemental divine core can only store fire-elemental power of divinity. Even the divine spirit within the divine core will also be completely linked to fire-elemental laws of nature. Comprehending other types of laws of nature? Dream on!
“This is akin to a piece of good jade. Once it has been carved into an article, it’ll no longer be possible to carve it into something else.”
“Going by that, how are deities supposed to advance in their cultivation, then?” Meng Lei’s brows drew together as he asked, “If one is unable to comprehend new laws of nature after they become a true god, wouldn’t that mean that they cannot advance any further?”
“That is why they have to make their choice even before they light up the divine fire!”
“What choice?”
Meng Lei was stunned.
“The choice to split their divine spirit or not.” Dodola explained, “Most typical half-deities with even a bit of ambition would choose to split their divine spirit into two before they light up their divine fire. After that, they’ll choose one of the two and light it up while the other stays as a divine spirit so that it can continue to comprehend new laws of nature.”
“Split their divine spirit?”
Meng Lei was shocked.
“That’s right! Split their divine spirit!” Dodola nodded affirmatively. “Splitting the divine spirit is a Laws of Nature Deity’s one and only way out. Otherwise, their future paths would be completely sealed off!”
“Fine!”
Meng Lei nodded silently.
“The divine spirit half that is lit up will ultimately become a divine incarnation of themselves, while the other half continues to comprehend new laws of nature.”
Dodola went on. “Upon fully comprehending the second type of laws of nature, they’ll then have to make another choice—will they light up the divine fire right away, or split their divine spirit once more?
“Typically, fairly ambitious deities will choose to split their divine spirit again, lighting up half and keeping the other half to comprehend new laws of nature. This way—by splitting their divine spirit every time they comprehend a new type of laws of nature—true gods typically will only need to split their divine spirit four times before it’s sufficient.”
“It’s enough to just split it four times? Why?”
Meng Lei was awfully puzzled.
“It works like this—those that have comprehended two types of laws of nature and own two divine incarnations are categorized as lesser deities; while those that have comprehended five types and own five divine incarnations are categorized as intermediate deities,” Dodola explained, “And once they become intermediate deities, they won’t need to comprehend laws of nature anymore. Therefore, you’ll only need to split the divine spirit four times and comprehend five types of laws of nature!”
“It’s enough to comprehend just five types? Then how do intermediate deities become higher deities?”
Meng Lei was awfully puzzled.
“Intermediate deities need to assimilate laws of nature in order to advance to become higher deities.”
Dodola explained, “This assimilation process isn’t purely just the assimilation of laws of nature, but also includes the integration of their divine core, divine incarnations, divine spirit, and power of divinity. You can try imagining for yourself the difficulties involved in assimilating divine incarnations of different elements!”
“First you have to split them, and then now you have to assimilate them?” Meng Lei’s eyelid was twitching. “That’s really very...”
“...Very frustrating, right?”
Dodola shook its head and laughed. “It can’t be helped. That’s what the road to deification is like. Not only do you need talent, but you also need to make choices and undergo immense pain and agony.
“Without sufficient ambition, determination, and an indomitable will, it’s tough for one to achieve greatness.
“To become an intermediate deity, you must face a choice and split your divine spirit once. To become a higher deity, you must face four choices and split your divine spirit four times.”
Dodola said with a sigh, “The pain, agony, and hardships involved are not something that most typical people can imagine!”
“Since I’ve comprehended ten types of laws of nature, doesn’t that mean that I have to split my divine spirit nine times?” asked Meng Lei with a wry laugh.
“Yes, of course!”
Dodola nodded slightly. “Intermediate deities have to assim
ilate at least two types of laws of nature to ascend and become higher deities. The more laws of nature they assimilate, the stronger they’ll become.
“Once you assimilate and combine five types of laws of nature, five divine incarnations, five divine cores, five divine spirits, and five types of power of divinity into one, you shall become a higher deity of Great Perfection level!”
“That sounds like so much trouble!”
Meng Lei couldn’t help but gasp.
“Of course it is!” Dodola scoffed, “Had it been that easy, everyone would’ve become higher deities and attained Great Perfection!”
“That’s true.” Meng Lei nodded slightly. Then, he asked, “Since I’ve comprehended ten types of laws of nature, it must be even harder for me to assimilate them, right?”
“It’s no ordinary level of difficulty!” Dodola said slowly, “Assimilating two different divine incarnations is already a very difficult task, let alone ten.”
“What a long and endless deification journey...” sighed Meng Lei.
“Stop sighing!” Dodola snorted and scoffed. “What are you being so contrary for when others are dying to have potential like yours?”
Meng Lei looked at Dodola and asked, “Is there a possibility that... Instead of being in such a hurry to light up the divine fire, I can think of a way to try and assimilate all ten types of laws of nature first before I light up the divine fire—”
“Don’t even bother! It’s absolutely impossible!”
Dodola interrupted Meng Lei and said, “If that were viable, the billions of deities in the vast universe would’ve already done so a long time ago. Why would they still undergo the pain of splitting their divine spirit?”
“Why isn’t it viable?”
Meng Lei frowned slightly, perplexed.
“Because assimilating laws of nature is an extremely difficult task.”
Dodola said gravely, “It’s not as simple as just pouring two baskets of potatoes into one. Instead, you have to integrate and merge two different, complex, and profound laws of nature bit by bit into one. This process is highly demanding on one’s divine spirit.
“The only way to do it is to first light up the divine fire and manifest a divine core so that the divine spirit will be strong enough. Only then can you simulate, deduce, and attempt to assimilate them.”
“At the bottom of it all, the issue is still about the divine spirit?”
Meng Lei asked softly, “In other words, as long as my divine spirit is strong enough, there’s a chance that I can integrate and assimilate all ten types of laws of nature before I light up the divine fire?”
“Kid, you’re oversimplifying things!”
Dodola shook its head and explained, “Once a half-deity’s divine spirit is enhanced to a half-deity’s limit, it’ll come to a standstill. No matter how many precious herbs and treasures you consume, and no matter how much power of faith you gain, it won’t be of any use.
“Therefore, the concept whereby one assimilates the laws of nature in advance by enhancing their divine spirit doesn’t work at all!”
Dodola chastised, “I’ve seen too many oddball geniuses, monsters, and deities suggest a great deal of strange, peculiar theories, but all of them ultimately still obediently split their divine spirits in the end.”
“Fine!”
Meng Lei curled his lip disdainfully. Then, he asked, “So, what I need to do now is to split my divine spirit into ten parts, and then, light up their respective divine fires, manifest their divine cores and produce ten great divine incarnations?”
“Yes, but you need to be aware of this,” Dodola said dispassionately, “Your half-deity divine spirit is not very strong. In fact, it’s of very average quality. Splitting them into two will already weaken you a great deal, let alone splitting them into ten. Thus, you must think of a way to strengthen your divine spirit. It’s best if you can strengthen it to a half-deity’s limit before you carry out the splitting process!”
Strengthen my divine spirit? I can’t buy credit for that. Does that mean that I can only achieve it by spreading religious faith and collecting the power of faith?
Chapter 206: Fighting For Power of Faith, A Legendary Emperor
Host: Meng Lei
Race: Human (Contains Gods-Slaying Rat bloodline <100%>)
Wealth: 15,688 Laws of Nature Origin Crystals
Physical Body Constitution: Half-Deity (High-Grade)
Spirit: Half-Deity (Elementary-level)
Power of Divinity: 0.1 Divinity Crystal
Laws of Nature: Basic (100%)
Judging from his current personal stats interface, he could no longer buy credit for his Physical Body Constitution, Spirit, and Laws of Nature attributes anymore.
The Power of Divinity attribute was the only one barely hanging on and still maintaining the system’s last vestiges of credit-buying glory.
Yet Power of Divinity was simply too expensive. 10,000 Laws of Nature Origin Crystals were only able to redeem 1 Divinity Crystal. He couldn’t afford it!
Therefore, how he was going to enhance his strength in the future had become an extremely serious issue.
“In other words, my highest priority now is to spread faith and enhance my divine spirit through the power of faith?”
“The divine spirit is a deity’s fundamental roots. Therefore, splitting it causes a great deal of damage to the divine spirit.”
Dodola shook its head and said, “At times like this, you’ll need treasures to help you repair the divine spirit. Unfortunately, treasures that can repair the divine spirit are simply too rare, so the power of faith has ended up becoming the one and only path. This is also an important reason why so many deities are so passionate about spreading their faith!”
At this point, Dodola said with a smile, “The power of faith is good stuff, y’know. Not only can it strengthen your divine spirit, but it can also convert power of divinity. It’s simply too important to a deity!”
“Power of faith...”
Meng Lei nodded slightly. A shrewd glint flashed across his eyes as he said, “Dragon God Empire’s power of faith will be mine. Those that stand in my way will be shown no mercy!”
“Wonderful! As a deity, what’s the difference between you and a slacker if you do not fight for the power of faith?”
As though someone craving chaos, Dodola said, “Therefore, the first trial that the great God of Time has left for you is—fight for Dragon God Empire’s power of faith!
“Trial duration: Three years!
“Trial rewards: Secret!”
Meng Lei was rendered speechless. “Are you sure this is a trial that the God of Time has left for me and not something that you came up with in a spur of the moment and fabricated?”
“What do you mean by ‘fabricate’!? I don’t like the sound of that!”
Dodola snickered and said, “I’m the Tower of Time’s guardian spirit, and I am in charge of safeguarding the God of Time’s assets. Of course, I have the authority to set trials. This is also a mission that the God of Time has given me!”
“I can’t beat you in an argument!”
Meng Lei shook his head lightly. Then, he said, “If there’s nothing else, then I’m going out for now.”
“By the way, try your best not to kill the Tower of Time’s Magical Beasts anymore,” said Dodola suddenly.
“Why?”
Meng Lei frowned at once. Where would he get money from if he didn’t hunt the Magical Beasts in the Tower of Time?
Wasn’t Dodola freaking cutting off his source of income?
“Maintaining the Tower of Time’s time-based laws of nature requires Time Divinity Crystals,” Dodola explained, “Ever since the God of Time’s demise, the Time Divinity Crystals have been depleting from continuous use. After such a long passage of time, there aren’t many left anymore. We have to be thrifty with them!”
“...”
Meng Lei was rendered completely speechless. “Then what’s the goddamn point
in me inheriting the Tower of Time!?”
“...”
...
Meng Lei currently wasn’t in a very good mood—he had initially planned on killing some Magical Beasts in the tower whenever he had some spare time so that he could earn some allowance.
Yet now he couldn’t kill them anymore!
Just how freaking big of a scam was that?
“I’m too unlucky!” Meng Lei cursed inwardly as he exited the Tower of Time.
“Prepare to die, knave!”
At that moment, a furious roar rang out. The golden light that covered the whole sky shot toward him, instantly engulfing Meng Lei—who had just exited the tower—as well as the golden-armored guards standing duty outside the Tower of Time.
“Ahhh!”
Shrill screams rang out before they quickly faded into silence. By the time the golden light had faded, only a dozen or so corpses that had been turned into swiss cheese remained.
Blood flowed out of their wounds as the odor of blood rushed toward everyone’s senses.
“Murder!”
At once, the students and teachers crowding around the Tower of Time received a terrible shock, and they took a few steps back in unison.
“Who is it?”
“Isn’t the murderer a little too bold?!”
“How dare he commit murder here!”
Whoosh!
A golden-robed elderly man abruptly appeared. His icy-cold gaze fell onto the mangled corpses in front of the Tower of Time.
“Who’s that?”
Everyone stared at the golden-robed elderly man in stunned astonishment.
“He’s not there?”
The golden-robed elderly man looked around as murderous intent roiled within his eyes. “Get out here, knave!”
“Who are you?”
Meng Lei quietly appeared, his gaze on the golden-robed elderly man as a hint of killing intent flitted across his eyes.
“I’m Goblen Frederick!” answered the golden-robed elderly man coldly as his eyes bore into Meng Lei.
“Goblen Frederick?”
“That name sounds so familiar. I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before?”
“Goblen? I remember now! Isn’t that the genius who’s ranked third on the Dragon God Genius Ranking!?”
Picking Up Attributes From Today c1-406 Page 119
