Gran rubbed his aching little head but shamelessly ran back from the corner once again.
After listening to Whis and Beerus's explanations, he had finally pieced together the gist of it.
Even if one reached the divine level of dimensional cultivation, true immortality was still beyond reach — there would always come a day when lifespan ran out.
Only by refining one's dimension to the level of an Angel could one obtain eternal life.
"As for why I said dimensional cultivation is the most correct path…"
Whis cast a stern glance at the boy before continuing.
"That's because cultivating your dimensional essence not only grants you greater longevity, but also allows your mortal power to transform into divine power."
Divine power… divine aura!
Gran instantly understood what Whis meant, and his breathing quickened.
At present, his dimensional level stood at the pinnacle of the Kaiō Realm. Yet even so, he was only considered a god in title — not a true deity.
That's why he still couldn't sense divine aura.
"Judging by that expression, I suppose you've already figured it out," Whis said with a soft chuckle.
He reached out and affectionately ruffled Gran's hair. "That's right — once the mortal energy within you transforms into divine energy, your own aura will naturally become divine as well."
"Not only that," Beerus added, folding his arms, "once you truly become a god, the quality of your power will change entirely!"
"For example, even if you possess the same amount of energy — as mortal energy, you might only be able to unleash 50% of its potential. But as divine energy, you could easily draw out 200% of it!"
He paused, smirking faintly. "Of course, that's only a metaphor. The strength of divine power can't be measured by numbers alone."
"When you become a true god, you'll understand exactly how vast that difference is."
Beerus also reached out and joined Whis in mussing up the boy's hair.
At that moment, in front of the Temple of Destruction, the two most powerful beings in Universe Seven were both rubbing the head of a single little brat.
The sight was oddly heartwarming.
"So… how do I start cultivating my dimension?" Gran could barely contain his excitement.
Whis withdrew his hand and asked instead, "Before that — do you even know what a dimension is?"
The question made Gran fall silent. Even Beerus stopped moving, folding his arms.
"I think… it refers to some kind of rank or hierarchy?" Gran answered uncertainly.
In the world of Dragon Ball, both gods and deities carried a natural sense of oppression toward mortals. That must've come from the difference in dimensional standing — from hierarchy itself.
"Hierarchy, huh?"
Whis and Beerus exchanged glances, slightly surprised by the boy's phrasing.
"Well," Whis admitted, "that's actually a rather fitting way to describe it. Yes — you could say that dimension equals hierarchy."
"For ordinary beings, cultivating one's dimensional rank is nearly impossible. Not because they can't train it, but because it takes far too much time. Before most mortals can even break through a single level, their lifespans end."
"That's why most gods receive their status through divine appointment. That divine rank grants them enough lifespan to continue their dimensional cultivation."
At this point, both Whis and Beerus looked at the small boy again.
Gran was the complete opposite of that. He hadn't even officially become a candidate for God of Destruction, yet his dimensional level had already risen to the pinnacle of the Kaiō Realm!
"By the way, Whis," Gran asked hesitantly, "what's going on with my dimension, anyway? Did it increase because I became a candidate for God of Destruction?"
He remembered back when he'd gone to Planet Yardrat to learn Instant Transmission — Whis had told him he could already survive in space.
Later, on Planet Namek, he had asked Porunga about it, and the dragon had explained that his ability to survive in the void came from his dimensional nature.
But when he pressed Porunga further, asking why his dimension had suddenly risen to the Kaiō pinnacle… the dragon had said it didn't know either.
"No," Whis shook his head. "When ordinary beings inherit a divine office, their lifespan changes — but their dimension must still be cultivated."
"Your case, however…" Whis's tone grew serious. "Even before you became a candidate for God of Destruction, your dimension had already reached the pinnacle of the Kaiō Realm."
Gran froze. "What…?"
So that meant his current dimensional state had nothing to do with his godhood?
Beerus and Whis exchanged another glance.
It was clear that even he had no idea what was happening to him.
"Well," Whis said, patting Gran's small shoulder, "this universe is full of things that can't be explained. Don't dwell on it too much."
Beerus added with a lazy grin, "It's like your training — you come across all sorts of things you can't understand. That's just because your level isn't high enough yet."
"When you reach a higher realm someday and look back, you'll realize the truth probably isn't that complicated."
"Yes, sir!"
Seeing that neither of them knew the answer, Gran could only sigh helplessly.
"Anyway, let's get back to the matter of dimensional training," Whis said, straightening his staff. "Aside from naturally born deities, everyone must cultivate their dimension to advance."
He hadn't finished speaking when Gran raised his small hand.
"Yes?"
"Who counts as naturally born deities?"
"Beings like the Old Supreme Kai — those born from the Core People race. Anything else?"
"Nope!" Gran shook his head with a goofy grin.
"I've already explained what I needed to," Whis said, smiling faintly. "Now, are you ready?"
"Eh?" Gran blinked. "So soon? You haven't even told me how to cultivate dimension yet!"
Beerus smirked. "We Gods of Destruction have a very simple way of training our dimension. You'll understand soon enough."
Whis pushed the little Saiyan toward the temple doors, chuckling. "Indeed — only Destroyers have this method of cultivation."
Hearing that, Gran suddenly had a bad feeling.
He remembered the time he'd entered the world of Sumī Realm, and how Whis hadn't explained anything then either…
Don't tell him it was going to be that kind of experience again?
They walked down the long corridor, ascended a spiral staircase, and finally arrived at the very top of the Temple of Destruction.
Only one room stood there.
Gulp.
Gran swallowed hard as he stood before it.
"Lord Beerus, Whis… be honest with me. There's not another crazy place in there like the Sumī Realm world, is there?"
The two gods exchanged a look — then burst into laughter.
Beerus coughed twice, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "No, not this time. It's not a world — just a tower."
"A tower?"
"Yes. It's called the Dimensional Tower. Once you climb to the hundredth floor, you'll become a true deity."
Beerus chuckled and rubbed Gran's hair again. "Sounds easy, doesn't it?"
"Easy?!" Gran squeaked. "We're talking about divine-dimensional training here — how could it possibly be easy—"
Before he could finish, Whis swung the door open.
And with perfect timing, Beerus grabbed the scruff of Gran's neck and kicked him squarely in the rear.
"Get in there, you!"
"Waaah! Lord Beerus! Whis! I'll hate you forever!"
Gran's anguished cry echoed through the corridor as Whis shut the door behind him with a calm click.
The two gods exchanged a glance — and burst out laughing again.
END OF CHAPTER
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