"What's the point of such a weak world?"
"Follow the boss, and you'll face tons of strong opponents." Shion's words struck a chord with Snow Empress. "Fight them, keep getting stronger... isn't that way better than being trapped in a tiny world?"
She was right.
The trio's genuine gratitude and affection for Damien couldn't be faked.
Most importantly, following Damien meant growing stronger.
That alone left Snow Empress with no reason to refuse.
"I can agree to join you."
"But I have conditions. If you can promise them, I'll fight by your side and never betray you!"
Snow Empress was steadfast.
Once decided, she wouldn't waver.
Damien had shown her immense respect.
In her embryo state, with their strength, he could've enslaved her without all this talk.
Self-destruction only worked when strengths were close.
But Damien's group?
Snow Empress sensed he could forcibly dominate her.
He didn't, because he wanted her loyalty, not a resentful servant.
That alone sparked considerable fondness in her.
"Go ahead."
"First, you can't force me to do anything against my will."
"No problem."
"Second, I want to return to this world someday…"
Her voice carried a chill. "To take revenge on Tang San and those lofty gods!"
Being captured like a toy.
Such humiliation was unbearable!
She'd grow stronger, return to Douluo Continent, and make those gods... especially Tang San... pay!
"Even if you didn't say it, I'd help you."
As his subordinate, she'd be family.
Her grudges, Damien would share.
Besides that, if the chance arose, he wouldn't mind conquering the Douluoverse, making it part of the Cardinal World.
"Good!"
Relieved by Damien's agreement, Snow Empress grew more satisfied with her new lord. "What do I need to do to become your subordinate?"
"Just relax."
Seeing her consent, Damien didn't hesitate, activating his Capturer ability.
"What's this?!"
Snow Empress faintly heard a query, asking if she'd become Damien's subordinate.
Capturer could forcibly bind or gently ask, as now.
"I agree."
Having decided, she wouldn't second-guess. She chose to trust Damien.
If betrayed, it'd be her fault for being naive.
"You won't regret it."
The conversion was smooth. With no resistance, their bond formed naturally.
"Rest in my mental space for now."
Damien opened the God-Sealing Platform, releasing Snow Empress, using magic to stabilize her form.
Pale blue magic flowed like a gentle stream, healing the damage from her interrupted transformation.
Full conversion required returning to the Cardinal World, using its rules.
"Thank you."
Without hesitation, Snow Empress entered Damien's body.
The subordinate contract let Damien trust her, and she learned of his origins and intentions through it.
He hadn't lied.
The bond was like family, sharing honor and disgrace.
He wouldn't harm or enslave her.
She'd protect and fight for him wholeheartedly.
"Lord Damien, where to next?"
Shuna asked, "Keep exploring this world?"
"No."
Damien looked up, his tone heavy. "We can't return here for a while."
Before the girls could ask why, an intangible pressure descended from the sky, enveloping them.
"What's this?!"
In sheer magnitude, the pressure rivaled a Special A-rank monster, though its quality was lacking.
"It's Tang San!"
In the mental space, Snow Empress's voice rang out. "He's been watching this world!"
The evidence was undeniable, erasing her doubts.
Without Damien, she'd have been schemed to death by Tang San.
"Let's go back."
Damien wasn't keen on clashing with Tang San directly.
One Tang San was fine, but facing the five God Kings together would be troublesome.
Revenge could wait. This trip was a massive win.
Killing the old man meant Tang San lost a direct puppet, reducing his influence over Douluo Continent.
Taking Snow Empress gave Damien a subordinate with potential rivaling or surpassing Ogerpon.
"Planeswalker…"
Boom!!
"Damn humans!!"
As Damien prepared to activate Planeswalker, a massive jade-green figure burst from the ice, unleashing a chilling torrent toward them.
Thud!!
Ogerpon moved swiftly, appearing before Damien.
"Bwoh!"
Raising both hands, she tore through the icy torrent, blocking Ice Empress's long-charged strike with raw strength.
"What?!"
Ice Empress's gem-like eyes widened, stunned that her attack was so easily deflected.
"Ice!"
Snow Empress instantly recognized the jade scorpion... her rare friend in the Far North, Ice Empress.
"Tch, talk about bad timing."
Tang San's divine pressure had masked Ice Empress's approach.
This put Damien in an awkward spot.
He needed to return.
But what about Ice Empress?
Leave her here?
If Tang San lost their trail, he'd likely take it out on her.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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