Would it be possible for you to accept us and let us join you?"
Elmer tried to sound as polite as he could.
"Why would you choose to come here to the three thousand big and small universes?
If not even you, a powerful semi-governing god, can deal with your enemy, what makes you think we
could handle him?"
Although it sounded harsh, the Divine Swordsman went straight to his point.
Of course, they needed to take caution to ensure the safety of their universe community.
If they let a semi-governing god in for no good reason, they would be inviting a threat to their home.
What was more, they might also attract enemies stronger than they could tackle.
They had to be careful.
Besides, both Santos and the Divine Swordsman had no idea if Elmer was telling the truth.
They couldn't just take his word for it.
That was why they didn't dare make a decision so easily and gave Elmer a chance to explain himself.
"Uh... Well, you see..."
For a moment, Elmer didn't know what to say.
What he knew, however, was the strong possibility that Ronnie would come to this universe community
to find them. If that happened, the three thousand big and small universes would have to face another
daunting enemy.
It would do them no good, and the mermaid race would be living in guilty.
If truth be told, he understood there was no reason for the three thousand big and small universes to
accept them.
Since Elmer was a proud man, it was difficult for him to beg others for help.
He wasn't even good at reasoning and arguing with others, so he certainly did not enjoy being in the
front lines at this crucial moment.
While he was stuck in embarrassment and didn't know how to answer, Sally unexpectedly stepped
forward and took a bow.
"Excuse me, good sirs.
Please allow me to say something.
What our chief said is true. One reason why we came here is that we have nowhere else to go.
And the other reason why we chose to come here is that Austin and I are friends. I thought, that
maybe...
Maybe if I didn't know what else to do, I could ask for help from my friend."
"Oh?
Miss, did you just say that you're Austin's friend?"
This information had stunned Santos.
"That's right, sir.
I am indeed his friend."
Sally nodded and waved her hand, sending out a stream of light.
Immediately, a vivid image of Austin was drawn in the void.
"Well, yes. That's him.
Hmm. You seem to be telling the truth,"
the Divine Swordsman affirmed with a nod.
He thought, if this girl didn't know Austin, it would be impossible for her to imitate the aura of Austin's
spiritual soul so accurately.
"Sir, Austin and I got to know each other back when we were in the Land of Outlaw.
We even traveled together for a while.
When we parted ways, I told him that I would come to the three thousand big and small universes to
visit him one day," Sally said in response.
"I see.
However, something bad has happened to him," Santos announced with a straight face.
A few years back, everyone in the three thousand big and small universes reached an agreement that
if anyone asked about Austin, they would tell them that he had died. It was actually Austin's idea. They
didn't know why, but they believe Austin had his own plan.
"Alas, Sally, you don't have to say anything more.
It'll be just a waste of time now that he's already dead.
Come on, let's just leave," Elmer blurted out as he let out a heavy sigh.
Judging by their faces, he understood that these creatures from the three thousand big and small
universes were dubious and had no intention of letting them in.
Although they were down on luck, Elmer could understand why they were reluctant.
He was a semi-governing god, after all. He could sense their trepidation.
Even Santos, who had fallen quiet, was afraid of drawing evil guys into their universe community.
"Elder Elmer, we have no place to go at all.
This is our last hope," Sally asserted anxiously.
"All right, wait. How about this? Would you please open your Soul Sea so I can check your spiritual
soul and read your memory?
If I can confirm that you truly are Austin's friend, then we would be more than willing to accept you.
Does that sound fair?" Santos broke his silence.
"Hmm. Okay, I'm willing to do that!"
Although she hesitated for a moment, Sally just gritted her teeth and agreed.
It was an undeniably crucial decision since it was very dangerous for cultivators to allow others to
explore their Soul Sea. Letting them in would mean that the others could read everything stored in their
souls, including memories.
Such behavior was as good as putting their lives in the hands of others—every single experience and
secret was made available for others to freely read.
They would basically be stripped down of all their secrets.
However, for the sake of the mermaid race, Sally jumped at the chance to be of help.
"It's done, sir. I have opened my Soul Sea.
You may now explore it as you please," Sally confirmed.
"All right. My apologies, miss.
Please know that I don't mean to offend you in any way. I'm just hoping you can also understand our
concerns," Santos replied.
It wasn't that he didn't believe her words, because he did. Santos just needed to read her memory to
verify her claims that she really was a friend of Austin before he could make a decision. It was all for
the safety of the three thousand big and small universes.
Just as he was about to explore Sally's memories, something happened out of the blue.
"Ha-ha! So, this is where you're trying to escape, huh? Did you really think that I wouldn't be able to
track you down?
Stop dreaming! You can never get away from me."
A burst of wild laughter suddenly boomed in the distance.
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