The scene was utterly silent.
Damien and the girls lowered their stances in preparation for combat, staring at the woman who'd decided to join them on the Overseer's back.
The strength she showcased to arrive here and conceal her presence from the very being she was standing on already made them more than wary.
In a sense, it surpassed the restrictions set on outsiders exploring the realm.
Damien frowned.
He had no interest in starting a conversation with this stranger, nor did he want to recklessly engage. Yet, this person also seemed to have no intention of initiating.
She panned her gaze over their group expressionlessly, cracking a slight smile when her eyes landed on Damien.
"Hello."
She offered a single greeting and a nod, raising her hands in the air to proclaim her innocence.
She frowned slightly upon gaining no reaction from the group and continued.
"I did not come here to fight. I want to join your group."
"Hm?"
Damien let out an unintentional sound of confusion.
Of all things, this definitely wasn't what he expected.
"You want to…join us?" He echoed, making sure he heard her properly.
"Yes, this is my wish," the woman responded confidently.
"I refuse."
Damien's answer came without hesitation.
In what world would he be stupid enough to accept some random stranger into their party?
Besides, they were already so close to the goal. Was there a point in having a new travel companion at this time?
The woman raised her brow, clearly surprised by Damien's rapid refusal.
"Hmm, this won't do…"
Damien's eyes widened.
"…you swallowed the Universal Law, didn't you?"
Her lips were brushing against his ear before he realized what was happening.
"Tsk!"
He clicked his tongue and stepped back, narrowing his eyes and glaring at her.
Her movement ability was one thing, but how did she know about his interaction with the Universal Law?
He hadn't even told the girls yet since an in-depth explanation would take quite some time. There shouldn't have been anyone except him and the mysterious being who aided him who knew that the Universal Law invaded this sub-universe.
'Unless…she's that person?'
'Impossible.'
Damien shook the thought off without hesitation. She had special characteristics in her aura and existence, but she was not the presence from that time.
Damien's killing intent was nearly palpable.
A stranger who was able to learn such things and evade his perception with such efficiency…was an enemy to be killed!
The woman's expression turned wry.
"Did I not say I came here peacefully? I am not just asking you to let me join your party. I will provide sufficient compensation to ensure you don't regret your decision."
"Compensation?"
"Mm. I cannot tell you its specific nature at the moment, however…"
Her words trailed off as she traced her finger through the air.
A formless fluctuation presented itself, hardening Damien's expression instantly.
'She's dangerous.'
Whatever the force she used was, it bore similarities to Universal Law that would be impossible to achieve without seeing it for oneself.
If this woman followed the same path as him, it truly wouldn't be a bad idea to have her join the party, but…
He turned to the girls for their opinion.
"What? You're considering it?" Elena asked first in bafflement.
"She offered something I pretty much can't refuse. The problem is that only an idiot would trust her."
"What is the offer?" Ruyue asked next.
"This…" Damien hesitated for a second, trying to find a way to concisely explain.
But then he realized: he had no need to do that at all.
"…she offered me comprehension of the Universal Law."
The concept of the universe's ruling power was well known, and the girls' changing expressions made it obvious that they understood the implications of those words.
"Is it possible for her to have something like that?" Rose questioned, glancing at the woman.
"It is. She personally…"
Damien's brow twitched slightly.
'Ah, so that's how it is.'
"What happened?"
The trio questioned his sudden halt, making him scratch his head.
"I've more or less figured out the situation. Let's trust her for now. If anything happens, we can handle ourselves, no?"
They nodded at his words, albeit in confusion.
There was something about this matter that Damien wasn't revealing, but they didn't ask.
After all, if he didn't want to say anything, it wasn't something for them to know!
Damien had become far more open after their relationships were solidified, and even secrets about the Void had been shared with this point.
Nowadays, there was no reason to doubt his sincerity.
Their conversation took place over sound transmission, hidden from outside perception, but the woman was already smiling like she knew the outcome.
Damien turned to her, a frown still painted on his face, and outstretched his hand.
"Then, we will work together for now. I hope you can pull your weight," he said sternly.
The woman, Sia, nodded and shook his hand.
"That is natural. Should we discuss the terms of our cooperation?"
Damien voiced his agreement.
From there, the process was mundane.
Sia wanted to participate in the Ascension Ceremony with them, but their goal was too high for them to bring outsiders along.
Luckily, Sis's goals differed from there.
She mentioned two landmarks, the Blessing Shrine and the Lunar River, which she wished for them to accompany her to.
After this was accomplished, she promised to separate from their group and not bother them.
The more they conversed, the more it seemed like Sia just switched from the weaker Virgil Group to the stronger Damien Group to better accomplish her goals, which ended up building a modicum of trust between her and the group.
But Damien had other ideas.
'If this is how we're playing, then let's play for now.' He thought to himself with a smile.
This Sia's identity…was definitely more mysterious than she let on.
Nevertheless, a new member of their group was added at this sudden juncture, and it was unknown whether it was positive or negative.
The slopes of Skyrend Mountain became clearer and clearer in the misty skies. They were only a few hours away at this point.
The number of aerial beasts around them was monstrous.
The airspace was crowded with tens of thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands of bodies, yet, they never clashed unintentionally, their hierarchy providing a clear order to their flight.
Damien expected more preliminary competition, but the journey was quite smooth.
He underestimated how important this ceremony was to the beasts of this realm.
Status was something he never cared about, but he was only allowed to possess such a mentality because he had power.
To these beasts, the only way to gain power was status and vice versa.
For some, failing meant becoming prey, an inevitable death.
The Ascension Ceremony was known as a grand and sacred occasion, but it only felt that way for the ones at the top.
For those in the third layer, even if it was the Overseer, this event was a battle of survival, a struggle to earn the right to life.
There was absolutely no room to fool around here.
Hours passed in this solemn atmosphere, and the time finally came.
They'd arrived at their destination.
