There trip North was rather safe for the first two days except the unusual noises at night, lewd ones, of course. The two women accompanying the men were actually selling themselves. Apparently, they were paid and were more than willing to sell their bodies for Red Spirit Stones so Lucy or Arthur didn't interfere.

Only the tall muscular man would remain by the couple's side at night, either rambling about his past achievements or trying to seduce Lucy, which didn't work for obvious reasons.

Although he didn't try to hide his lecherous gaze, he didn't try anything and despite hinting his intentions, he didn't voice his thoughts directly.

Lucy turned a deaf ear to him and followed the somewhat decent group without having to fight too much. Their traveling speed was slow, to say the least, however, that's only because the group wanted to hunt as many God beasts as possible and pick up some herbs.

They fought sixteen times but Lucy only helped once and she acted so pitifully weak that it seemed kind of comical. If not for her piercing glare, Arthur would've burst out in laughter.

Night of the third day together, while Lucy and Arthur eating dinner while ignoring the moans coming from the nearby tents, they suddenly heard something far away head their way.

The black man next to them was oblivious to this and continued chewing on the meat of a God Beast they slew a while ago. Such a meat was not only delicious but also beneficial as it contains a moderate amount of Nether Energy, which can help in cultivation.

Apparently, the three men were peak Divine beings and the two women just reached the Divine Realm. The men were powerful despite only using their gauntlets and only relying on techniques and such. In fact, they were body cultivators, which explained their huge frames and muscular bodies.

Whatever or whoever was coming not only was incredibly fast, this caused the relaxed Lucy to strengthen her senses and prepare herself. Worse comes to worst, she'll let her new group fight before she kills this beast, or whatever it is.

Only when this hastily-approaching presence was within two hundred meters of them did the black man react. He sprung up from his seat and looked South only for a figure to appear a distance away with him.

With long silver-hair and a beautiful appearance, she glanced at the three humans around her before preparing to leave.

Just as she was about to disappear, the black man, named Jace, raised his hand to stop her while smiling and saying

"M-miss! Please stop!"

He seemed very desperate for a man who was smiling happily not even a minute ago. Quite surprisingly, the indifferent sister of Lucy listened to him as she shifted back her attention to Jace, who scratched his head while chuckling, embarrassed, or acting so.

However, before he could talk, the lewd moans coming from not far away resumed which made the woman's face distort. Seeing this, Jace's expression turned ugly, he turned toward the tents and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"HEY YOU TWO! KNOCK IT OFF WE HAVE A GUEST!"

Shortly after saying that, the two men and women left their tents with sweating bodies and red faces. Although disgusted, the woman didn't immediately leave and waited for Jace to talk again.

'Do we leave?'

'It's too late for that. Furthermore, it doesn't hurt to see what she's capable of.'

Arthur wanted to leave but as Lucy said, it's a bit too late to try and leave like this, it'll be suspicious. Moreover, this woman didn't seem she's going to stay with them, or so thought the poor couple, who clearly didn't know her well enough.

After much insistence and smooth-talk, Jace managed to convince the woman to join their party, just for the time being. She also seemed to be heading North, which made it much easier to pull her into his group.

The atmosphere was rather awkward after she joined as everyone remained silent. Arthur and Lucy excused themselves and 'went to sleep', as for the rest, they either ate or tried striking a conversation with the woman.

Jace wasn't a famous figure but he was still knowledgeable, he recognized the silver-haired woman with a glance which is why he tried so hard to rope her in. With her at their side, they have nothing to fear in the perilous land.

'Who would've thought your sister is so much different than you.'

'Hmpf! If I see you stare at her, you're dead meat!'

Lucy snorted and glared at him, clearly telling to not do anything. The silver-haired woman was indeed a beauty, just like his wife, which is why Lucy felt threatened, as usual.

However, the two behaved differently. Lucy would've never traveled with strangers… heck! It wouldn't be strange if she killed were they tried anything suspicious. As for her sister, she actually joined their group, just like that.

'Is she perhaps a softie?'

"Be careful, she has the Dark Void Physique."

Claud warned him but it wasn't anything too serious. Although she's really strong, she isn't his or Lucy's match as their stats are just too absurd but it wouldn't hurt to be wary.

The Dark Void Physique is a branch of the Void-Physique and it's a king Physique. It's extremely strong as it allows the user to pass through material things.

…

The next morning, the group departed together with Jace leading. The silver-haired woman tagged along but remained at the back. She didn't seem too interested in Jace and his former party but she would throw curious glances at Arthur, for some unknown reason.

This annoyed him as it made him feel tense. Out of everyone, why does it have to be him that gets stared at by her. She didn't talk or do anything out of the ordinary, she would follow and watch from the back if any God Beast appears.

It wasn't something Jace and his friends couldn't handle. This forest was relatively safe compared to the other zones and in one more day, they'll be out of this area.

'Hey! Your sister is kind of annoying, you know!'

Arthur inwardly grumbled as he talked to Lucy, whose lips arched up a bit, clearly smiling.

'What's that got to do with me? And she's not my sister!'

Hearing her half-serious, half-mocking tone, Arthur rolled his eyes and quickened his pace, walking in front of Lucy so that the woman in behind can't stare at him.

Sadly, his attempts were futile as all of a sudden, Jace halted and stared at a small-pond fifty meters away from them. It a clean pond that had a beautiful golden flower growing at its center. The flower pulsed with a bright golden light that made it look prettier.

"It's actually the Golden Numbra!"

As Jace just stated, this flower was a Golden Numbra. A herb that aids Sovereigns fuse with their God Spirit. It isn't priceless but it could fetch them quite the sum.

Unfortunately, most rare herbs are always protected by some sort of a beast or plant, including this one. Very soon, Jace started planning how to acquire the Golden Numbra. He discussed it with his teammates before walking to Lucy and Arthur then saying

"Since it'll be a very dangerous fight, we can't let you join us, however, you can contribute in other ways."

He paused for a second, studying their reactions, before resuming:

"You'll have to approach the pond and lure whatever is protecting that. Once it has shown itself, you'll flee toward us."

Lucy frowned and retorted

"So we're... bait?"

Jace waved his hands while saying

"No no no your job is to lure them out, it's totally different."

'Tsk! Muscle-head.'

Although Lucy didn't like his shameless behavior and words, she still didn't refuse. As for Arthur, he tried his best to act scared and uneasy, which worked wonders as the mighty savior herself! Lucy's sister, joined the conversation.

"I will lure it out of its nest."

'Such a brave and kind attitude! I expected no less from your sister!'

Arthur sarcastically said to Lucy, who strangely remained silent. Now that the woman butted in, wanting to take the siblings' job, Jace couldn't force them to do it. He threw an angry glare at Lucy before smiling and nodding his head to the silver-haired woman.