Most of the Demigods left the obvious way.
Alucard and Commander Huo, as well as the forces who followed them, went back to the lower universe after bidding their goodbyes to Damien.
They had responsibilities to uphold. Even if they wanted to ascend, they'd cemented themselves in positions they couldn't easily abandon.
The pack of slaves Damien subjugated were also taken along with them.
Those people still had their consciousness, and they could still feel whatever they wished to feel, which left Damien with several glares of hatred as they left.
However, it didn't matter. If they even had thoughts of betraying him or the universe, if they had thoughts of doing anything against the will that he'd instilled in them, they'd lose their consciousness and become true puppets without any identity of their own.
Considering that none of them had been degraded to that status yet, the fear in their hearts should've been enough to keep them on the right track for a long period of time, so Damien didn't have to worry.
Iris and Tiamat stayed by his side for the moment, and as they watched more and more of the Demigods make their choice, they only saw a select few who chose to ascend.
They were stuck in their ways. It wasn't normal to change their decisions at this juncture, especially when remembering their reason for refusing ascension in the first place.
There were less than ten who decided to take the chance. They were nameless, nothing more than followers in this war.
Perhaps that was the reason they chose to take the risk. If they were going to be in the lowest class of Divinities even in the lower universe, what would change going to the Heavenly World?
They'd likely find more opportunities to grow, and there was more potential for them to find chances to grow if they changed now.
Damien was an outlier that spurred their motivation, and the risk that was once considered far too great became manageable.
Now, left in this place, there was only one person who hadn't made their choice.
Tang Lingzi.
"What are you going to do?" Damien asked.
"I…"
Tang Lingzi hesitated.
She'd learned a lot in this war, and she'd almost lost her life. If it wasn't for Iris' interference, she would've died without accomplishing anything.
So she took some time to think as Damien and his group cleaned up the battlefield.
What was the point of staying in Grand Heavens Boundary?
Yes, she had her reasons, but were they enough to make her close her path of ascension again at this juncture?
The answer was a massive "no."
"That person" whom she was chasing, if she ever wanted to meet them, she couldn't stay the same as she was now.
She had to change.
She had to grow into someone who could stand on a battlefield like this one and be confident she couldn't be harmed.
If she followed her fear, she would stay in the lower universe. Even if she wasn't at the peak of its forces, she could still grow to that level eventually.
However, her instincts told her otherwise.
If she didn't make the leap now, she would be forever stuck in her woes without a chance of escape.
"I will be going."
She said it firmly.
And Damien nodded in approval.
"I'll see you there, then."
"You're ascending as well?" Tang Lingzi asked in surprise.
"Not yet, but I will soon enough. I still have things to do in the lower universe, you see."
Tang Lingzi nodded in understanding.
She was almost disappointed for a second. After all, Zara was once her disciple.
If Damien said he was ascending now and leaving his people behind, her heart would've become far too chaotic.
Because a man of his caliber without consideration for his relationships was dangerous to an extreme level.
Damien watched as Tang Lingzi took tentative steps towards the golden portal and finally walked through it before turning to the two women by his side.
"As you know, I'll take a while before I ascend. What are your plans?"
"You still have a way to ascend later, right?" Iris asked.
"Of course," Damien responded with a grin.
"Then there's nothing to be said. I will naturally follow you."
Iris developed her desire to go to the Heavenly World along with her love for Damien. She wasn't content with staying in Grand Heavens Boundary anymore.
If Damien was planning to take a long time to ascend, she would've preferred to go ahead of him and set up a foundation before he arrived, but they hadn't spent nearly enough time together.
The war was too distracting. Now that it was over and they could have some idle time, she decided she'd rather spend a few years with him than ascend immediately, since they would eventually do so anyway.
As for Tiamat…
"I have no path," she said.
"Now that my revenge has been accomplished, and so easily at that, I have nothing left to do. Frankly, I am lost, however, I am trusting your words. Didn't you say you would take responsibility for me?"
Damien smiled.
"Indeed I did. And, don't worry about the revenge. Your targets are still very much alive and awaiting your return."
Tiamat's heart skipped a beat.
"That means…?"
"I can't say for certain, but at least a few of those who wronged you should be alive in the Heavenly World. And…the ones behind them are still alive and well. Instead of getting rid of the weeds alone, wouldn't it be more satisfying to cut the roots as well?"
Tiamat nodded without a word.
Her heart was beating out of her chest.
The revenge she wanted to get, it wasn't satisfied at all. She felt a void in her heart when she realized only the Soul Emperor remained for her to kill.
Hearing that there was a possibility for true closure made her feel hopeful in a way she wasn't expecting.
And the path forward after she truly achieved her revenge…she was getting a vague idea of it as well.
Nevertheless, for now, she was set on following Damien. Mainly because of the debt she felt towards him, but also due to his monstrous talent.
Staying next to someone like him would always bring benefits.
With all of them in agreement, there was nothing left to say here.
Together as one, they walked through the black portal.
Damien's eyes were alight with flames.
This was the end of his saga in Grand Heavens Boundary.
He was just going through the motions from this point.
Since there wasn't anything important left to do, he was prepared to take a few years to rest and recuperate before setting off on a new journey.
After all, aside from all the conflict that needed to be put to an end, there was only one thing he wanted to do.
'It's been…far too long.'
He hated leaving them behind, but his life seemed to move in ways he never expected. He was dragged around by fate and forced to move on without them.
As long as it was possible, he wanted to stay with them as much as possible.
And since he was going to take control of his own fate from now on, he would make sure he didn't have to keep worrying them like this.
'But…if I really think about it…'
As he stepped through the portal, his body shook unnervingly.
'...I'm going to get my ass beat, aren't I?'
He forgot for a second, but he really died a while ago.
Thinking about their reactions when he came back alive…
Well, maybe it would've been better for him to not go back at all…?
