The story Zara told Damien wasn't riveting or heaven-shaking, it was quite ordinary in fact. Still, he could clearly feel from her tone how monumental of an impact Tang Lingzi's presence had on her life.
When she took Zara in, she was in the worst mental state possible. Her mental age didn't match her physical age to begin with due to her growing up in the First Dungeon. Only after she met Damien did she begin to develop.
However, developing emotion and complex thought wasn't always a good thing. As Zara became more aware of her surroundings and the meaning behind the interactions around her, she became scared. She was scared of the world that suddenly turned complicated and her role within it.
In this weakness, the only thing she had to rely on was Damien, and Damien truly was a person who made her feel better about her existence. Only, there was always a racial boundary between them. There were certain things that he couldn't understand or help with even if he knew them.
Her helplessness was one of these things.
As Damien grew stronger and her strength stagnated, she felt left behind, almost abandoned. She would always remain in his shadow without emerging because she simply didn't have the face to appear. She was supposed to be his companion, yet she was so weak. How would others view him when they noticed this?
She didn't want to do anything that could hurt Damien in any way.
The Death Seed's appearance was the second turning point in her life. Not only did she discover some secrets about her origin, but she also gained a method to grow stronger quickly.
And Tang Lingzi was the third turning point. Under her guidance, the aforementioned effect was multiplied. Zara spent the years enduring hellish training without complaint. She ventured into the Cloud Plane's forbidden zones with nothing but her own strength to support her, coming out victorious.
In this time, she also learned how to adapt to the ever-changing and chaotic world. Tang Lingzi was a beast herself, and one of somewhat similar lineage to Zara. She was able to guide the latter far better than an ordinary teacher, especially in matters involving Zara's developing mind.
During these few years, she matured, she grew, and she became a woman completely unlike her previous self. That is, when facing outsiders.
Against Damien, she was still the same mischievous wolf that always made him smile with her antics.
Unfortunately, they didn't have much time for their reunion. Damien didn't even get to inform the curious Zara about his own adventures before dawn arrived. And the arrival of dawn signified the Eclipse Sect's departure for the Storm Heavens Mystic Realm.
Currently, in the Eclipse Sect's main square, 20 disciples stood in rows of five like soldiers in the military. Their backs were straight, their auras were restrained, and their pride soared into the heavens. To be one of the 20 disciples chosen to enter the Storm Heavens Mystic Realm was a true honor.
At the forefront of this group was a familiar veiled princess, and standing in front of these disciples were the Eclipse Sect Master and Vice Master, followed by a row of elders.
"…you are all young heroes of the Grand Heavens Boundary and the future of our sect! Do not disappoint me in the Storm Heavens Mystic Realm!" The Eclipse Sect Master roared, finishing off a valiant speech.
The disciples roared in response, their blood boiling. With fervor, they chanted, "Eclipse Sect forever! Eclipsing the heavens!"
The atmosphere was jovial. With everyone soaking in anticipation to leave, the parting ceremony came to an end. But at this moment…
Whoosh!
Two figures appeared in the sky above these disciples, a heroic man followed by a heaven-shaking beauty.
While Damien found it impossible to be fazed by Zara's beauty due to her identity, it wasn't the same for these disciples. Every male disciple present felt blood rushing to their heads as they looked at her. She was soft and delicate, yet tall and wild all at the same time. A mysterious and beautiful woman like her was a dream come true for any man!
For every adoration-filled stare that Zara received, Damien received a glare of malice and envy. He wryly smiled at the fate of someone traveling with a beautiful woman.
If anything, he could only be thankful that the Human Domain's inhabitants were less blatant with their urges. Even the ones that lusted after his wives would never think of actually chasing them, whether that was due to their own strength or his.
In the Divine Realm, however, Damien was unknown. He quite enjoyed this feeling. Being the underdog was always fun.
Soon enough, he ignored these disciples and faced the Eclipse Sect Master who was warily watching him.
"Senior, my name is Damien Void and I was lucky enough to receive the princess' grace and arrive at this sect. I apologize for being an inconvenience, but would there be any way for me and my companion to receive slots in the Mystic Realm expedition?" His tone was polite. He didn't want to use the forceful approach and make enemies quite yet. He'd just arrived in the Divine Realm after all.
However, nothing could ever be so easy. The Eclipse Sect Master immediately denied him.
"Who are you? You trespassed onto the sacred grounds of my sect, yet you have the audacity to make demands? The participants for the Storm Heavens Mystic Realm expedition were carefully selected through a grueling tournament of strength! Not just anyone can decide to participate!"
Damien sighed wryly. As expected, the easy way never worked. In a last bid attempt to solve the matter without conflict, Damien shot a helpless gaze at the princess.
In response, she sighed defeatedly. While her status in the sect was indeed special, the Storm Heavens Mystic Realm expedition was too important to the sect. If they couldn't obtain better results than the Sun and Moon Sect in this Mystic Realm, the Heavenly Jewel Palace would halve their supply of resources, making it extremely difficult for their sect to grow any further.
No matter how special the princess was, she didn't have the authority to intervene in these matters.
Damien shrugged in response. In the end, why did he even try to do things peacefully? The reason he developed such a brash personality in the first place was because peace was never an option. Even if he matured and became calmer, he still understood this to the core:
Putting effort into pointless things was pointless. Therefore, why bother?
Damien's gaze found the nearest genius. He casually flicked his fingers, causing space to twist into a blade that rushed at the disciple's body!
The speed of Damien's attack wasn't fast at all. He never had the intent of killing this disciple to make a point. Rather, he gave the disciple ample time to prepare and defend so nobody could question his methods.
And that's exactly what the disciple did. His mana raged around him, forming a thick mana barrier. At the same time, bolts of wind fired from around his body to offset the space blade.
Sadly, the difference in power was too exaggerated. Damien's space blade cut through those wind bolts like butter without losing any momentum. It continued flying forward, shattering the disciple's mana barrier and cutting through his arm without stopping!
The atmosphere turned silent. The surrounding disciples were too shocked by what they just witnessed.
"Ahhh!" The injured disciple's cries were what finally woke them up from their stupor. Their gazes shifted between his severed arm on the floor and the mysterious man in the sky dazedly.
What…just happened?
