[Tree] Chapter 431: A Worried Mother

While Jasmine looked around with confusion, she was surprised to suddenly be embraced from behind. Still jumpy from her month of survival in the pocket realm, she jerked her head to look behind.

"Are you not happy to see your mother?" The woman who had captured her smiled.

After releasing a shaky breath, Jasmine relaxed. "Mother, you scared me." She twisted her body to return the hug. "What are you doing here?"

"Am I not allowed to visit my adorable little girl whenever I want?" her mother asked softly, running her fingers through her grass-like hair.

Jasmine burrowed her head into her mother's embrace in response, earning a light chuckle. Her mother gently picked up a few strands of her hair and sniffed them, "Jaz dear, these white flowers in your hair have the lovely scent of jasmine."

"Please don't think of making perfume from me, Mother," Jasmine said seriously.

Her mother hummed with amusement as she continued playing with her hair, "Summer will be rough for you, Jaz. Insects will flock to you thinking you smell nice."

Jasmine's eyes widened, and she looked up at her mother, "The mantis!"

"What mantis?" Her mother asked with confusion before glancing around.

Jasmine wiggled out of her mother's loving embrace and dashed to the bench below Ashlock. She craned her neck to look up at the towering tree. Whispy gold divine energy danced across Ashlock's bark, and a slightly unsettling feeling radiated from him. Her mouth opened and closed as she tried and failed to formulate her question. How should she go about asking about the mantis?

Just as she decided on her approach, a presence made itself known. Rising from the shadow of the bench was the lich Jasmine had seen coming and going from Stella's shadow before.

"You're out early, Jasmine," Anubis said, but his voice was different from usual. It sounded pretty similar to how many had described Ashlock's overlapping voices but was far less mind-destroying to listen to. The lich turned his head to gaze upon the distant horizon that was obscured by the intense storm. "There are still a few minutes until sunrise."

"Yeah, I didn't fight the pull on my soul because I wanted to see if my new mantis friend would make it."

"Mantis friend?" The lich looked back at her, its black flame eyes flickering with interest.

Jasmine gathered herself and explained, "In the last few hours of the Mystic Realm, I saved a mantis I had been tracking from a swarm of bugs. It was dying from poison, so I helped remove the needles from its body and fed it some of my rations. I had planned to kill the monster for stealing my meat a few days prior but changed my mind."

"How could you do something so dangerous?!" Her mother locked her hands on her shoulders and reprimanded her, "I had thought the blood on your cloak was from enemies, but now that I look closer, are those wounds on your neck!"

Jasmine shivered as she felt her mother poke the bumps left by the poison needs. "Mother, be careful! Those wounds are from the insects that attacked me in the pocket realm. There might still be some poison—"

"Poison?! And why are there so many wounds?! They are everywhere."

Jasmine looked blankly at her mother, "I have as much poison as the blood running through my body. It's not dangerous for me..." She swallowed her words as she saw her mother looking as if she was about to faint from worry. "Sorry. I won't do it again."

Her mother looked at her with tears rolling down her face.

She wasn't really sorry. She was just sorry that she had been caught and let her mother see what she had to endure in the pocket realm. I should really have learned a healing technique, Jasmine cursed to herself.

From looking through the technique book and what Elaine taught her, she knew that nature affinity was quite versatile. It was one of the most powerful forces of destruction while also encompassing other aspects that focused on nurturing, such as healing. It was a bit of an all-rounder affinity, capable of almost anything yet specializing in nothing.

"Don't worry, Cathrine. I'll get a healer for her." Ashlock said through the lich. Desolation Qi arched off his trunk and struck at the air beside them. A feeling of dread chilled Jasmine's soul, causing her to unintentionally step back.

Unlike the stable, shimmering gates formed through spatial Qi that she had grown used to, this rift was a festering wound in the fabric of existence. The air groaned as the space where the desolation Qi touched blackened and cracked as if eaten away by an unseen force. Reality continued to wither away, and the cracks widened until a jagged tear a few times wider and taller than a person formed.

Jasmine tried to look away, but she couldn't. The chilling tear demanded her absolute attention. Her eyes narrowed as a light could be seen from within the abyss. It glowed in intensity as it approached until it became all-encompassing and hard to look at directly.

A ball of blinding light cradled by eight arms emerged, followed by a vaguely humanoid body of grey wood that loomed over all except the lich. It was one of Ashlock's creations that she knew all too well. Sol kneeled before her, and one of its many arms extended downward, a whisp of healing light held between its wooden fingers.

Jasmine stood on her tiptoes and accepted the healing light. A refreshing feeling washed through her body from her forehead down to her toes. Reaching up, she confirmed by touching her neck that the many marks were gone.

"Oh, thank the heavens," her mother embraced her in another hug.

Jasmine smiled and patted her on the back. "See mom? I'm fine."

"I'll have Sol remain here on Red Vine Peak in case other sect members need healing," Ashlock said through the lich.

The desolation rift closed slowly behind Sol, and Jasmine couldn't help but look at where it had been with some suspicion. It looked like reality had returned to normal, but the image of it cracked and blackened still weighed heavily on her.

"Now, tell me about this mantis."

"Yes, dear," her mother pulled back and studied her face, "What did you say about befriending a monster?"

"Well..." Jasmine gulped as her mother stared at her. "As I said, I tracked it down because it stole the meat I was cooking for dinner one night. However, after I saved it from a swarm of bugs, it took a liking to me."

"So you saved a monster and tried to be its friend."

"I didn't try, we did become friends. And the word "monster" makes it sound big and scary. It was just a baby mantis mother—totally helpless!"

"A monster is a monster." Her mother frowned, "I feel like your Master is to blame for this line of thinking."

"Maybe..." Jasmine looked to the side guiltily. "But I think it could be trained."

"Who's to say it won't eat you at the first opportunity? Even cultivators and humans betray one another all the time, but a monster? It's a guarantee. There's a reason people don't keep them as pets, dear. Their souls and very nature are corrupted by their demonic Qi."

"I know," Jasmine grumbled, "But Mother, I need a guard during the mystic realm trips. It had good camouflage and seemed obedient enough."

"What's this about a monster?"

"Master!" Jasmine beamed as she saw Stella emerging from the mythical fog with her arms behind her head.

"Sup Jasmine," Stella seemed quite relaxed, and through their mental link, Jasmine confirmed it wasn't just an act. She seemed at peace about something. "So? What's this about a monster?"

Despite her mother's disapproving stare, Jasmine explained the situation to Stella and retold her Mystic Realm experience.

"As expected of my disciple! You're growing stronger so quickly," Stella ruffled her hair, "I was worried you wouldn't learn what it took to become a real cultivator because I spoiled you with resources, but even I wouldn't drink bug poison soup."

Jasmine winced at being reminded of that awful taste.

"As for this baby mantis you befriended, it sounds kinda weak. But we were all weak at some point. I also agree that having a guardian in the Mystic Realm is a good idea, but I wanted to refrain from giving you one this time as we were given Mystic Realmwarp fruits, so it should have been safer. Also, none of the great advancements and experiences you gained this time around would have been possible if you had a powerful Ent watching over you." Stella tapped her chin, "But if you train this monster up, I suppose I can consider it part of your personal strength?"

"I agree with you, Master." Jasmine wanted to jump up and hug her Master but refrained. It was as if she was saying everything she wanted, much to her mother's obvious disapproval. "I don't want a powerful Ent guarding me either. But a silent sentry that can watch over me while I cultivate and keep pests off me would be helpful."

Stella ruffled her hair, "I think so, too. I see great potential in this monster friend of yours. But where is it?"

"That's the problem," Jasmine said, looking around. "It hasn't appeared yet."

"How were you planning on bringing this mantis back here?" Ashlock asked through Anubis.

"I gave it my Mystic Realmwarp fruit and told it to eat. But I don't know if it was intelligent enough to understand what I said."

"Ah, that won't work. The Mystic Realmwarp fruit only works if eaten by someone whose soul is anchored to the mystic realm. It's why you are forcefully brought back here when the mystic realm ends." Ashlock explained, "Even if the mantis eats the Mystic Realmwarp fruit, it won't do anything."

Jasmine felt like an arrow had struck her heart. "Ah..."

"Don't worry, though. I can bring that mantis back through a portal."

Her eyes lit up, "Really?!"

"Yeah, I can access all pocket realms, and it should be easy to find the mantis since I can track the Qi signature of my fruit. Just give me a moment."

Jasmine felt Ashlock's presence focus elsewhere, and the lich fell silent.

"So, you're in the 7th stage of the Soul Fire Realm now?" Stella said, sounding impressed.

"Yep," Jasmine nodded enthusiastically, "Your presence has also increased, Master. Did you reach the Nascent Soul Realm?"

Stella smiled, "No, I only went up two stages in the Star Core Realm to the 9th stage. I still have a long way to go before I can try and ascend to the Nascent Soul Realm." Stella shrugged, "I hoped to push to the Nascent Soul Realm to prove Ashlock wrong but realized I'm not ready for it, and that's okay."

"How very modest of you!" Diana said as she appeared out of nowhere and put her arm around Stella's neck.

"Diana, don't tell me... phew." Stella relaxed. "I thought you reached the Nascent Soul Realm for a moment—hold on. How did you do that?"

"Do what?" Diana asked with an innocent smile.

Stella narrowed her eyes, "You know exactly what I'm talking about."

"You're going to have to elaborate. It's been quite a hectic month for me."

"How did you sneak up on me like that."

Diana shrugged, "You weren't paying attention? Oh, hey, Jasmine! How's it going—woah, that's a lot of blood on your cloak. Did you have a busy month of slaughter?"

Jasmine always found these two's friendship amusing, "Yes, Grand Elder Diana, you could say that."

"That's good to hear," Diana unraveled herself from Stella. It was unmistakable. Even Jasmine could tell she seemed a lot different from before.

"Stop changing the subject," Stella spun around and glared at Diana, "something happened to you. I can feel it."

"What can I say? I took a little trip down to hell and was trained by a demon." Diana shrugged as if it were no big deal. "Oh, and I reached the 9th stage like you," she winked. "Isn't that fun?"

Stella withdrew her sword, "If you don't tell me what fortune you encountered, I'll beat it out of you."

Diana seemed amused, "I wouldn't do that if I were you. What if you lose?"

"Lose?" Stella snorted, "I seriously doubt that."

"You must have forgotten last time. Fine, let's have a little duel, and if you win, I'll tell you."

"Um," Jasmine said, "Sorry to interrupt you, but you are both peak Star Core Realm cultivators. If you were to fight now, it would destroy everything."

"True," Stella said, lowering her sword. "Let's do this battle on our way to the Silverspire residence."

Diana nodded and was about to say something when her breath was stolen by a monstrous presence that blazed like an inferno and suffocated the entire peak.

Jasmine followed everyone's gazes toward the mystical fog.

With measured steps that charred the ground beneath and a trailing aura of crimson flames, Grand Elder Redclaw strode out of the Mystic Realm with the other Redclaw Elders following at a respectful step behind.

"I apologize, everyone," he said as he raised his hand, and the immense pressure he was emitting dissipated. "I'm still getting used to controlling my second soul."

Everyone was stunned and speechless—all except Stella. While everyone stared at the Grand Elder in awe, she alone walked over to him.

Oh no, will she try to challenge him to a fight? Jasmine wondered.

Grand Elder Redclaw stayed in place, keenly eyeing Stella's approach.

She paused before him, and they exchanged glances for a moment. "It took you long enough, old man," Stella smirked and raised her hand. "But please let me congratulate you on your ascension."

Jasmine couldn't help but let her mouth drop in bafflement. Was that really her Master? Instead of being jealous and annoyed that someone had taken her spotlight, she was congratulating him.

"That's very kind of you," Grand Elder Redclaw smiled and shook her offered hand. "Though I must admit this congratulation feels somewhat bittersweet. You don't seem so far from this level yourself, and as you so kindly put it, I'm an old man."

Stella shook her head, "What does age have to do with it? You have an infant soul now. Once you are old and withered, you can swap to your new soul."

Jasmine could tell through their Master-Disciple link that Stella was being genuine.

"That's quite true," Grand Elder Redclaw chuckled as he stroked his chin. "I was stuck in the Star Core Realm for what felt like an eternity, but since joining the Ashfallen Sect, my ascension has been a breeze. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this big family and look forward to all of our continued success."

He bowed deeply, and everyone watching clapped. Jasmine smiled. The man's words warmed her heart.

However, the celebration for his ascension ended abruptly as another presence at the level of the Nascent Soul Realm radiated out of the Mystic Realm. "Oh?" the Grand Elder raised a brow. "I didn't expect there to be another one that had reached the Nascent Soul Realm this time."

Jasmine was also deeply curious. Just who could it be?