After seeing Linley and the other disciples off, Zhao Nan went into seclusion completely. Even the Fate Clone he had left outside returned to the Micro-plane.
Before he knew it, twenty years had passed in seclusion.
One day, Zhao Nan abruptly opened his eyes.
"Twenty years haven't gone to waste. I'm now just one step away from becoming a Paragon."
After twenty years of deductions, Zhao Nan had brought his Laws of Earth to within one step of the Paragon realm.
That day, Zhao Nan's Earth Element Divine Clone moved and appeared inside the Metal Castle in the Forest of Darkness.
"Eh? What brings you here, kid?" Beirut asked, looking at Zhao Nan in confusion.
Zhao Nan first bowed to Beirut, then said, "I came to share some good news with Lord Beirut. I'm now just one step away from becoming a Paragon."
Beirut couldn't help being stunned by Zhao Nan's words. He had never imagined Zhao Nan would advance his Laws of Earth to the Paragon realm so quickly.
But soon, a smile spread across Beirut's face.
"Excellent!
"It's only been a short while since we last met, and you've already reached the Paragon realm. I knew I was right about you."
Hearing Beirut's words, Zhao Nan smiled as well, then continued, "Lord Beirut, I came here not only to share the good news with you. There's also something I'd like to trouble you with!"
"What is it? Go ahead," Beirut said readily.
"It's nothing major. I'd just like you to explain what makes a Paragon different from other gods!" Zhao Nan said.
Zhao Nan was playing the part of a native. Previously, he could explain his knowledge of the realms above godhood by claiming he had found a ring belonging to a powerful being from the Infernal Realm.