[Tree] Chapter 502: Left Behind

Elaine Voidmind stood at the front of an eager class that was abuzz with excitement and surveyed the room. Every one of the cultivators present, adorned in black cloaks embroidered with a single red eye, had been handpicked by her—they were the elites of the Ashfallen Sect's disciples, having earned that title by displaying an eagerness to learn, high talent, and near-perfect win rates in any duels or tournaments they had entered. While the class had a disproportionate number of members from the Redclaw family, there were plenty of others from all walks of life.

"I'm sure you have all heard the news by now that Tartarus is going to be opening its doors to members of the Ashfallen Sect, and yes, I've gathered you all here to be the first group to test it, as requested by the Patriarch."

As expected of elites, most managed to keep straight faces at the news. However, smiles and excited murmurs among some were inevitable. Tartarus was a training space that even the elites of the greatest sects across this layer of creation couldn't enjoy.

"Now, now, settle down," Elaine said, and the room went silent. While she wasn't the most powerful of the Grand Elders, she was highly respected by the disciples as she was the only one who interacted with them regularly as their teacher. Similar to what she had done in Darklight City's academy, she taught the fundamentals of Qi and conducted research. However, while teaching and research were passions of hers, she couldn't help but feel left behind compared to the other Grand Elders.

Restraining a sigh, she scooped up a parchment on her desk and began to read the contents aloud.

"I want you all to remember that Tartarus is a pocket dimension under the jurisdiction of the Ashfallen Sect—therefore, any rules that apply out here continue to hold weight in there. Inside, you will find a small town filled with shops and places to rest on the first floor. In the distance, you will see a grand staircase piercing through a series of rifts. In total, there are twenty 'steps,' with the spiritual pressure increasing with each one. While the spiritual pressure makes ascending beyond your cultivation level difficult, so do the shadowy monstrosities that guard the rewards."

A hand shot up.

Elaine glanced up from the parchment. "Yes, Sam?"

The young teen with blonde hair and an earnest gaze quickly asked, "What are the rewards?"

"I was about to get to that," Elaine said, turning the parchment over. "Upon killing the shadow monsters, you will absorb their Qi."

Another hand shot up.

Elaine grumbled in her heart but didn't show it. "Yes, Amber?"

The red-haired woman, whose cultivation matched her own and was one of the greatest prodigies in this elite group, seemed confused. "My apologies, Grand Elder, but could you elaborate on that? Do you mean we absorb Qi from their beast cores, and would it be tainted demonic Qi?"

Elaine paused as she tried to remember, as the answer wasn't written on the parchment. "No. From what I've been told, upon killing the monsters, their pure Qi will flow into you. The monsters won't drop a beast core, as they are closer to spiritual manifestations crafted from shadows than real monsters. That's why killing them is listed as a reward rather than an obstacle."

Amber blinked, seemingly stunned by her answer. Elaine understood the young woman's bafflement, having had a similar reaction when she heard the news from Diana. Killing monsters was typically a waste of Qi, not a way to improve one's cultivation. As a result, obtaining the necessary real-world experience of fighting proved challenging without compromising the loss of Qi and falling behind in cultivation.

"Now, of course, these monsters will be trying to kill you while you have the spiritual pressure of whichever step you're standing on barreling down on you. While we hope none of you will be stupid enough to climb beyond your means and die, it's a real possibility." Elaine glanced over the group, her gaze lingering on Jasmine for a moment to make sure she had listened to that point. "But the rewards are worth it. Lining the steps will be demonic trees growing the fruits that are used to make the pills sold by the Ashfallen Trading Company. Suffice to say, the effects are a lot stronger when eating the fruit directly than through pills."

There were sparkles in the eyes of some cultivators, and she noted that Sam looked the most interested, which made sense, as she believed he was from a mortal farming background compared to the others, who hailed from noble or wealthy families.

"Furthermore, there will be chests at the base of some of these trees that will routinely be filled with pills, artifacts, weapons, spirit stones, or..." She paused on the last reward, furrowing her brows. "A medallion for the Eternal Realm? Um, it says here all rewards will be according to the step you're on, meaning the higher the step, the better the rewards."

A dreaded hand shot up, belonging to a blue-haired girl.

"Yes, Ray?" Elaine asked, a hint of exhaustion in her tone.

"What is the Eternal Realm medallion? I've heard rumors of a place called the Mystic Realm," all the Redclaws in the room tensed ever so slightly. It seemed news of Ashlock's Mystic Realm had spread when it shouldn't have. "Does this medallion have something to do with that?"

Elaine wasn't exactly sure what the Eternal Realm entailed either. In fact, she had been kept in the dark regarding the Mystic Realm recently, despite the month rolling over, meaning it should be open. All she knew was that Diana and Stella had vanished for some time, with Diana returning recently. There had been rumors amoung the Grand Elders, with Douglas suspecting that Ashlock had overused his powers fighting the Beast Tide and had no strength left to maintain the Mystic Realm.

If that was the case, what was the Eternal Realm, and why was it listed as a reward for these disciples? When was she going to get a turn? Her cultivation was already falling behind the others, and at this rate, she would remain in the Star Core Realm forever, and more of her students would surpass her, like Amber was about to.

Elaine knew she had joined the Ashfallen Sect under more questionable circumstances than the others, and the Patriarch had been nothing but accommodating and supportive of her... but she still hungered for more, just like any other cultivator.

But most importantly, she had a secret. One she hadn't shared with anyone, not even Douglas. And because of this secret, she wanted—no, she needed to reach the Nascent Soul Realm.

She wanted eternal life, so she could always be there.

"Grand Elder? Are you okay?"

Amber's question snapped her back to reality.

"I'm fine," Elaine smiled. "As for your question, Ray, you will have to ask the Patriarch when you find one. Now, enough talking. Shall we go? I'll meet you all down there."

She stepped out of the lecture hall and into a courtyard. It was built near the White Stone Palace, but it wasn't located inside, as that place was too important to allow so many disciples to casually walk in and out. First of all, it served as the home for the majority of the Redclaw family, who were fiercely loyal to the Ashfallen Sect. Secondly, below the White Stone Palace was the cavern where all pill production for the Ashfallen Trading Company was conducted. Even from here, she could feel below her feet the thrum of power from the many defensive and anti-scrying arrays that shielded that secret facility.

I wonder if Kane Azurecrest feels the way I do, Elaine pondered as she withdrew her sword and hopped on it. He's always so busy managing the pill production that he has no time to pursue cultivation. There's no doubt that he's falling behind his goals.

"Mind if I join you, Grand Elder?" Amber Redclaw asked. Since she also resided in the Star Core Realm, she could fly rather than take the ethereal root network or climb down the mountain.

Elaine glanced at Amber and nodded. "Please do."

The two took to the skies and soared down the mountainside in silence. Under the midday sunlight, the north side of the mountain, covered in lush, demonic trees and a perpetual fog, made the place seem mystical.

A presence washed over them, but neither was alarmed. Elaine casually glanced toward the central area of Ashfallen City.

"It seems the guardian tree is back on duty," Amber said, no doubt feeling the interest from Serena Blacktide, the woman who dared to hurt one of Ashlock's offspring and was punished to forever guard Ashfallen City as a spirit tree and Bastion. Being at the first stage of the Star Core Realm, Serena wasn't strong enough to stop Elaine or Amber from doing anything, but she could call on the Redclaw family or Ashlock for assistance if needed. She mainly dealt with minor issues between mortals rather than smiting down cultivators. There were also streaks of fire left over the city in the sky as one of the Redclaw Elders made the rounds, ensuring their family's presence was always felt by the populace.

"Yeah, while the threat from the Beast Tide still lurks with stray monsters dumb enough to take the most direct route over our lands," Elaine explained. While she hadn't played as much of a vital role in the later stages of the campaign against the Beast Tide, she had been there during the early planning stages and initial defense. Recently, Ashlock's knowledge and sheer scope of control so utterly eclipsed hers that she wasn't able to be of much use. Which was frustrating, as she felt like she had so much potential.

Void Qi was limited to the Star Core Realm, but when combined with her illusion Qi, she was confident that she could take down threats and dominate battlefields. She just needed the cultivation level to reach her true potential, and with the threats the Ashfallen Sect faced continuously escalating, her 5th-stage Star Core Realm cultivation was lacking.

Even though I cultivate every day after work in the illusion Qi grove Ashlock built on the mountain ridge, I've only managed to raise a single stage in the Star Core Realm. If not for that—her eyes flickered to Amber—she would be a stage above me. A student above her teacher. Has that ever happened before?

Amber smiled at her. "Got a lot on your mind, Grand Elder? You've seemed distracted these last few weeks."

Elaine frowned. "Yeah, I do. A big life-changing event is coming up, and I don't feel prepared."

"I see. Well, if there's anyone I have the utmost faith in to make the right decisions, it's you, Grand Elder," Amber said, not prying any further.

"Thank you, Amber, that means a lot," Elaine said, but she didn't believe in Amber's assessment. The rest of the Grand Elders were far more impressive than her—they just rarely had the time or care to interact with the disciples except during significant events like the tournament held in Ashlock's Inner World.

Touching down at the gate to Tartarus that was situated at the back of the Ashfallen Trading Company's headquarters, she awaited her elite disciples. Sometimes it was baffling to think that just a year ago, she had been locked up in a cave and narrowly avoided being executed. Back then, nobody was aware of the Ashfallen Sect's existence, but now it was a titan of the world that few could ignore.

It was this rapid growth that highlighted her failings even more.

She sighed. I need to get out of my own head.

Distractions were thankfully all around her. Merchant carts were busy rolling by toward the gate of darkness, guarded by two enormous lunar Ents and a team from the insane Mystshroud family. If the Redclaws were fiercely loyal, the Mystshroud family was on another level. So long as the All-Seeing Eye commanded it, they would obey anything.

Once her disciples had all arrived, she approached the gate. An Elder from the Mystshroud family approached and, upon noticing the golden embroidered eye in her cloak and her face, he smiled. "Grand Elder Elaine, we have been expecting you. Please proceed inside and mind the merchants."

Elaine let the excited bunch inside, but her mind was elsewhere. As Amber had mentioned, she had been distracted recently. Once inside, she floated above the group and pointed into the distance. "That's the staircase, now go have fun and don't die. You have three days to report back here and convey any issues you have with this challenge realm."

Sam, Amber, Jasmine, and the others rushed through the town's main street toward the staircase. Elaine debated joining them but felt her communication jade in her pocket light up with power. Pulling it out, a tinge of fear festered in the pit of her stomach. It was rare for her to be contacted directly by the Patriarch nowadays. Had Douglas been in an accident? Was the Beast Tide changing course toward Red Vine Peak? Did Stella piss off a god and invite its wrath?

"Hello?" she asked, her voice higher-pitched than she would have liked.

"Elaine, can you come to my Inner World through the portal I'm about to make beside you? Stella is about to return, and I have some matters to discuss with all the Grand Elders."

As expected, the air beside her warped and tore as a desolation rift appeared.

Elaine's gaze lingered on the staircase in the distance that promised leaps in cultivation and boundless rewards for a moment.

She sighed.

"Certainly, I just dropped off the disciples in Tartarus, so I'll be right there, Patriarch." Flying through the portal, she felt the pressure change and was surprised to find herself standing at the mouth of a cave filled with celestial fog.

"Quite the sight, isn't it?" Douglas asked, coming to stand at her side.

Elaine skillfully slid her hand around his broad waist and squeezed him a little, making him chuckle.

"How was work?" he asked while she burrowed her head into his chest.

"Fine. I took the elite disciples to Tartarus," she replied, while looking at the floor. "And you?"

"The usual," Douglas vaguely replied, perhaps because they were in the presence of his boss. When at home, he would complain about his workload, but in front of his boss, he was a diligent worker. They all were, as Ashlock wasn't exactly an existence you would dare to say no to. Quite the opposite, he was one you wanted to impress with your diligence, as he rewarded competency above all else.

"Oh, hey, you two! Long time no see."

Elaine swiveled her head toward Diana, and her eyes widened. She stood up straight and looked the demoness up and down. "What... happened to you?"

Diana smiled. "I assume you're talking about my rise in cultivation rather than something weird on my face?"

Elaine dumbly nodded.

"Well, I reached the Nascent Soul Realm, 3rd stage," she gestured to the cave filled with fog. "All thanks to the Eternal Realm, of course."

"What is the Eternal Realm exactly?" Elaine asked, and she could tell that Douglas was also interested.

"Similar to the Mystic Realm, except the time dilation is now crazy. If you thought the Mystic Realm operating at four times the speed was nuts, wait until you experience thirty times."

"T-Thirty?" Elaine was baffled. That was simply ridiculous.

"Whoa, now hold on. Of course, there are downsides," Diana said, laughing at her eagerness. "The time dilation decreases the more people that are sent in."

Elaine and Douglas exchanged a glance. The lack of news regarding the Mystic Realm hadn't been due to either of their guesses. It wasn't gone. Instead, it was stronger than ever.

But only for the select few, Elaine thought, realizing the only two who had benefited from this change so far were Diana and Stella. Both were understandable options, but it still left a slight sour taste in her mouth.

"That really is amazing," Grand Elder Redclaw said, having just stepped through a portal. "Has the Patriarch announced how he plans to use this new Eternal Realm and who might be going in next?"

Diana shook her head. "I assume that will be discussed today."

Elaine suddenly felt a disturbance in the void, and sure enough, reality split as a monstrous being stepped through. A headless Ent standing at a towering three meters emerged, and Elaine could tell at a glance it was Khaos, just far taller and...

Her mouth hung open.

"Khaos is in the Nascent Soul Realm now?"

The Ent bowed toward her and spoke. "Yes, Grand Elder Elaine. Due to the compassion and greatness of my Lord, I've been raised to the 7th stage of the Nascent Soul Realm."

"What... how... what?!" Elaine's brain was totally overwhelmed by a flood of emotions and questions. Before her stood proof that the impossible was possible. That a void being operating within Heaven's cultivation system could surpass the boundary of the Star Core Realm.

"As one of his Generals, my cultivation will always match my Lord's."

That was the explanation? What in the nine realms was a General, and how did she sign up? Elaine clutched her stomach as her head spun. This wasn't possible, and if it was, her whole life had been a lie. Why had she suffered to gain a second affinity, and having started from scratch, if the barrier could be broken all along?

"Are you alright, Elaine?" Douglas asked, steadying her.

"Yes... I'll be fine," she muttered. "Just feeling lightheaded is all."

Elaine tensed as she felt the weighted gaze of Ashlock return to his Inner World. The shadows near her darkened, and the shadow lich stepped out. Looking over the group, it nodded.

"Good, you're all here. I've received word from my offspring that Stella will be returning from the Eternal Realm any minute, meaning we need to decide who will go in next. Since we will be battling the Celestial Empire soon, I want to raise the strength of the sect's elites, which is all of you," the shadow lich turned to face Douglas. "I was thinking of sending you in next, Douglas."

"Me?" he asked, seeming surprised. "All I do is build, boss. Wouldn't it be better to send in the Redclaw Grand Elder, or perhaps Elysia?" He then patted Elaine on the head. "I'd rather you sent in Elaine over me."

"Relax, Douglas, I've picked you for a good reason. Everyone will get their turn, and I feel you have gotten the short end of the stick the most times recently, with all the construction work I've had you do. The Mudcloaks will also need their king on the battlefield." He then turned and appraised Elaine. "But you're right, Elaine is certainly someone else I should send in. How about you two head in next?"

"Um... I don't think I should," Elaine said hesitantly. Her heart was pounding in her chest, as she knew the time to spill the secret was now, and in front of everyone.

"Why not?" Ashlock asked the obvious question on everyone's mind.

"Yeah," Douglas said, rubbing her back. "Is something wrong?"

"There is a small matter, you see..." she trailed off, her nerves making her voice shake.

"What is it?" Douglas said, looking deep into her eyes with a caring smile.

Elaine couldn't keep it to herself anymore.

"Douglas... I'm pregnant. With twins."