Proposal
Lincoln broke the silence with a smile. "Lord Orf, I've heard you're devoted to research, and that your August Garden is home to quite a few divine beasts. But setting your sights on a divine beast at the Chief God level seems a bit ambitious."
"Besides, though I'm a divine beast, my innate talent is only average. If you're truly interested, Lord Orf, why not study the Four Divine Beasts? They can fight opponents above their own level." Lincoln raised an eyebrow.
Orf burst out laughing. "Lincoln, you're too modest. Divine beasts are as plentiful as blades of grass in this world, but there are only a few with Sovereign Artifact Bodies. And no one has ever been able to cultivate as quickly as you!"
Lincoln's eyes turned sharp. This was a secret he had never revealed. How had Orf found out?
Orf continued to smile cheerfully. "I collected and watched a great many of your Battle Projections from your early years. A few of them were taken only a short time apart, yet your strength had grown by leaps and bounds. Others might think you were born with extraordinary talent and could cultivate twice as fast with half the effort, but after countless years studying countless life-forms, I simply don't believe any life-form could cultivate that quickly!"
At that, Lincoln relaxed a little. So it was only a deduction. As long as he didn't admit it, Orf couldn't prove anything.
As for his Quintessence Blood, Orf could keep dreaming!
"But I really am exceptionally talented. That's how I reached Paragon in the Laws of Darkness." Lincoln spoke calmly, hoping to end the topic. Then, curiosity got the better of him. "Lord Orf, what did Dark offer you to get you to help him? I truly can't imagine what