Chapter 704: “Good Friends”
Jasmine’s memory was still lingering on the process of going into the Death Crevice with that Phoenix girl to save Teacher Fisher.
She couldn’t remember when she lost consciousness, but now she felt her body light as a feather, as if she had just woken up, all soft and unable to summon any strength.
“Haha.”
The pressure in her chest made Jasmine unable to help but gasp for breath. After taking several breaths, she finally realized that she seemed to be in a sea of crimson mist.
“Ugh!”
She quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth and nose, afraid that the crimson mist might be poisonous. But holding her breath just made her baby-faced cheeks grow redder; it didn’t help at all.
Even though her rank was not yet mythical, it shouldn’t prevent her from holding her breath. Am I… am I really this weak?
While gasping for breath to the point of nearly suffocating, Jasmine thought of such things, and feeling increasingly frustrated, she coughed like an ordinary little human girl, taking deep gulps of air from the atmosphere beside her.
This is bad!
After taking several breaths, she realized that covering her nose again was from a delayed reaction. But thinking it over, it seemed like nothing particularly bad happened after breathing in. Instead, she felt that the crimson mist was strangely familiar.
With this thought, Jasmine dumbly lowered her hand that was covering her mouth and nose, curiously examining the crimson mist around her. After confirming there was no danger, she boldly stood up to explore her surroundings.
“Mom? Teacher Fisher? Miss Raphael Valentina, are you there?”
Jasmine called out a few times, but in the empty, crimson mist, no one responded to her. She felt more desolate and increasingly guilty.
Thinking it through, it seemed she had accomplished nothing in this battle of Saint Nali.
Even that Sardinian who manipulated the mechanism was trying their best to help Teacher Fisher above the crevice, while she… she didn’t help at all and even consumed Elizabeth’s artificial eye, unwittingly affected by her emotions.
If I had entered the mythical rank, instead of being talentless like now, would I have been unaffected by that artificial eye?
If I had reached the mythical rank, would Mom not have had to march out with injuries, facing overwhelming odds and suffering heavy losses?
“…”
Jasmine, feeling dejected, squatted down. Even the strong urge within her to find an exit seemed to be clouded by the crimson hues, leaving her at this moment staring down, hesitating to go forward.
“Whew.”
It was at that moment, the crimson mist behind her seemed to sway like a curtain blown by the wind, and from it came a dreamlike sound of footsteps.
“Tap tap.”
“Who?”
Jasmine was momentarily stunned, quickly standing up to turn and look behind her, only to see about six or seven paces away, in the hazy red mist, a girl with black hair, of similar height and build, quietly gazing at Jasmine.
Jasmine couldn’t see her face clearly, but she could sense a striking similarity to her from the surging waves at her chest, which matched her own size. The girl had black hair, was dressed in ancient human robes, and held a wooden staff. Amidst the mist, her face, seemingly devoid of features, trembled slightly, looking particularly eerie.
“You…”
“Are you in pain? Are you sad?”
Before Jasmine could speak, the girl in the hazy mist spoke first. She raised a finger from beneath her long sleeves, pointing at Jasmine.
“Come, come here.”
“I won’t go! Who knows what you are? I want to find Mom, find Teacher Fisher!”
“…”
Jasmine felt a sensation that was perhaps just her imagination, but she sensed the girl’s expression in the mist darken slightly after her words. The girl fell silent for a moment, her voice hollow and painful as she murmured,
“Mom doesn’t love me at all… She hates me. I love her, and I’m even willing to deceive myself to accept her, as long as she shows me a bit of kindness and warmth, I’ll keep on lying to myself. Yet even so, they won’t accept me.”
Listening to the other’s painful words, Jasmine initially felt puzzled, wondering why she used “they.” Could it be that her mother had two figures?
But immediately after, as the girl’s agonizing voice rang in her ears, Jasmine felt as though she personally experienced the piercing pain in her heart.
She pressed her hand against her chest, her complexion turning pale. She didn’t understand why tears suddenly welled up, feeling aggrieved and desperate.
However, when Xu’s face flashed in her mind, that pain began to fade little by little.
“Um, I… I sympathize with you. I am lucky; my mother treats me very well. She loves me, and I love her too. She was just seriously injured. I need to go out to see her and confirm that she is safe. So, do you know what is going on here? How do I get out? Teacher Fisher is still waiting for me!”
Jasmine adjusted her wording, quickly managing to extricate herself from the murky pain, and although she had no relevant memories, she still compassionately spoke to the figure.
“Yes, Teacher is still waiting for me. But… I can’t wait any longer! He hasn’t given me an answer yet. I’ve grown so much, and I’m not like I used to be. Though my appearance is still the same, sometimes I really feel strange. Day by day, I have been suffering from his illusions, and I can barely tell what is ‘dream’ and what is ‘reality.'”
“Dream and reality?”
Jasmine felt confused, but the girl in front of her clutched her head in anguish, and the surrounding crimson mist surged even more violently.
“I can’t hold on any longer! Even if I divide my flesh and soul to suppress it, it’s still not enough. I must try to see if I can leave here, leave this barrier. I have no way back!
“Moon, before leaving, as your dear friend, can I entrust you with one last thing?
“As you can see, the mythical beings in reality are fighting among themselves, treating all living creatures as mere pawns, as weeds. Under such conditions, humans are fortunate even to form settlements, let alone nations. I ask you to teach them these secret arts I recorded so they can protect themselves, survive under the oppression and wars of the mythical beings until one day they can form settlements and create city-states—leading to the birth of the final nation.
“Moon, I hope you go to a kingdom called ‘Nali’ and find a gentleman named Fisher Benavides there. I ask you to pay attention to him. I know you are lonely but afraid to get close to other beings, but this name must be remembered. You must tell him,
“Asuka has been waiting for Teacher for ten thousand years. That answer is still very important to Asuka. Asuka has not let go. But alas, Asuka’s fate probably can no longer intersect with yours.”
Jasmine was slightly taken aback, as the voice mentioning “Fisher” struck her like thunder, leaving her excited. She hurriedly wanted to chase after the girl, asking who she was and why she knew Teacher Fisher and had been waiting for ten thousand years.
Could it be from the past?
“I assure you, dear friend.”
But just then, countless crimson mists were blown away, and the strong wind behind had Jasmine’s blue hair blowing wildly.
A desolate moonlight enveloped the entire land, casting Jasmine in solitude, and then a voice surged in her heart.
Simultaneously, as the surrounding crimson mist was blown away, the girl’s hazy figure quickly vanished, making it seem as though the words were directed at Jasmine, not anyone else.
Jasmine turned her head in a daze, only to see that the crimson mist in the sky had suddenly parted, revealing the outline of a full moon. It seemed the one speaking was the moon.
“No matter what happens, I will fulfill your last wish and convey your words to that person. Even if I die, I will carve that name into my authority, allowing the new consciousness to remember the name you cherished.”
Jasmine’s heart began to race as she seemed to recognize the true name of that moon; it must be the mother goddess admired by humans—something she, having studied at Saint Nali, naturally knew.
But at that moment, the name she murmured was another affectionate title.
“It’s the Moon.”
“Crack crack crack!”
At this moment, the moon suddenly erupted with radiant blue light like liquid, and in an instant, Jasmine seemed to awaken from a long dream.
What burst from the moon was the great power of Ramastia, that force instantly penetrating the body of the moon, causing it to become part of the red mist. So all of this was merely an illusion formed by crimson mist?
“Lord Ramastia!”
In her astonishment, the flood of blue light suddenly grasped Jasmine’s consciousness, pulling her out of the boundless crimson mist.
“Ha!!”
The next moment, in reality, amidst Alagina and Valentina’s anxious calls, the crimson mist surrounding Jasmine suddenly contracted back into her body, and her brown eyes slowly turned back to the blue of the Whale Folk.
“Miss Valentina and Miss Alagina, what am I…?”
“Jasmine Priestess, it’s so good that you’ve awakened! You scared us to death! We thought you were harmed by the power emitted from the裂隙 that swallowed Elizabeth.”
“The裂隙?”
Jasmine sat up in confusion, looking over to see that the law-repair ritual in the square had finished without her noticing. The townspeople had surrounded the unconscious Elizabeth, while Isabel stayed by Elizabeth’s side, relieved after confirming she had merely lost consciousness.
Mom’s law…
Jasmine hurriedly stood up, causing the Nali people to step back in fear, worried that these subhumans would retaliate against them.
Of course, Jasmine only cast a complex glance at the weak Elizabeth in Isabel’s arms; she knew that it was Teacher Fisher who had pulled Elizabeth back from the gates of hell, and Valentina and Alagina must have seen that too.
Jasmine, inherently averse to conflict, quickly averted her gaze and ran towards Xu’s direction, wanting to check on her mother’s condition.
“Mom!”
Soon, Jasmine saw the silhouette of the Whale Folk standing in front of the square, facing the sea with her back to Jasmine. She rushed over, and without surprise, Xu turned around and steadied Jasmine as she leaped into her arms.
“Mom… woo woo.”
Even at over a hundred years old, in front of her mother, Jasmine was still just a two-year-old baby.
But let’s still use the one-hundred-year-old measure; otherwise, it sounds like Fisher has committed an unpardonable sin, which is quite close anyway.
Valentina and Alagina, following Jasmine, looked at her plunging into her mother’s embrace, feeling a mix of emotions.
Their parents had long ago left them—one cursed to death by familial misfortune, the other taking her own life.
Xu’s expression was calm but couldn’t help but reach out to pat Jasmine’s head, smiling and saying,
“It’s good that you’re okay.”
“I’m sorry… I haven’t reached the mythical rank yet… I… I can’t help out at all, that’s why…”
Xu smiled nonchalantly at her words. She pinched Jasmine’s tear-streaked face, then, like any mother in the world, displayed a “it’s all under control” expression.
“Well, I always knew you wouldn’t reach the mythical rank. The reason you cannot reach the mythical rank is not because of your efforts—it’s just that I didn’t tell you earlier. I was worried about your safety and wanted you to stay in the sea.”
“Huh?”
With tears flowing, Jasmine became momentarily dazed in Xu’s grasp, her adorably confused expression making Xu’s lips curl up even more.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to accompany your mother in the sea?”
“That’s… not it! It’s just that… Mom, I…”
“I know what you’re thinking, but sometimes strength may not be a good thing for you. However, this matter is ultimately not for me to decide; you will encounter it. I was naïve. Just like your father said, I only know how to fight—I’m unexpectedly clueless in other aspects.”
Just as Jasmine was about to say something, her peripheral vision caught sight of the direction her mother had faced earlier.
She saw that on the ground, a broken golden longsword remained only as a hilt, while the precious blade, containing vast power, had now turned into fragments scattered on the square floor.
“Mom, your sword…”
“Ah, it shattered during the fight. It seems I won’t make it in time for the appointment with that human lad; her descendants need not fulfill this promise either.”
Xu glanced at the fallen Elizabeth, her expression showing neither sadness nor joy. Moments later, she withdrew her gaze, tapping her chin in thought.
“Besides that, during the urgent situation of battle, I hadn’t noticed that Gouwen suddenly lost contact. It seems there’s something amiss in the Spirit Realm.”
“Speaking of which, Mom, I…”
Just as Jasmine nodded along with Xu’s thoughts, a tender childish voice suddenly spoke in her mind.
“Jasmine, Xu, can you hear me?”
“Lord Ramastia!”
Xu nodded expressionlessly, listening to the old woman’s voice in her head ask,
“What exactly is the situation with Gouwen? Was his earlier behavior directed by you, Ramastia?”
Ramasita kindly denied, instead saying,
“What spoke to you earlier was not Gouwen; I have just arrived. Gouwen is still near the Sea of Souls. You know, two hundred years ago he paid a great price to deal with that Trans, and for a while, he couldn’t threaten the Chaos Race in the Sea of Souls.”
“But didn’t you say you would do your utmost to help him recover? It’s been two hundred years without any results? And that medicine, what was that medicine sent to Fisher?”
“What? What… exactly was that thing we sent to Teacher Fisher? It didn’t kill him, did it?!”
“Hehe.”
The naive voice in Jasmine’s mind chuckled in resignation, then sighed,
“Rest assured, I’ve checked—he should be fine. I’ve rescued him and brought him to the Spirit Realm, where he is very safe.”
“Whew.”
Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief, but Xu seemed to have detected the unspoken implications in Ramastia’s words. She knew that Ramastia had more to say.
Just before the old woman in Xu’s mind could speak, a battered Duke of Peach and Ashley suddenly flew down from the sky, followed by Raphael.
Above the sky, radiant lights continued to fall, and the slimes from the Northern Region seemed to see the victory has been determined, transmitting more people to discuss the ensuing matters with the phoenix and other leaders of the world.
“Where’s Fisher? Where’s Fisher? Have you seen Fisher? Hey, where’s Fisher?! Say something!”
The assistant of the slime clan rushed straight towards Valentina and Alagina, and the book that came down with them asked everyone, “Have you seen Fisher?” But Valentina and Alagina both didn’t know, let alone Raphael, who was holding her stomach.
Emhart, feeling exasperated, shot a glance at the bunch of disheveled ladies, only to catch sight of the imposing Sea Emperor.
He quickly cleared his throat, flying behind Jasmine, and said to the goddess Xu in a flattering tone,
“Ah, hello, esteemed Destroyer Xu, I am a good friend of Fisher Benavides and also a little friend of Jasmine. May I ask if you know where that scumbag Fisher is for a definite answer?”
Xu raised an eyebrow, glancing at the three lovely ladies worriedly following behind the book, and her brows furrowed.
At that moment, Jasmine also blinked, suddenly realizing what kind of chaotic scene they were in.
Her and Teacher Fisher’s relationship should be known to her mother, who she had told when she left. She just didn’t know if her mother was aware of Fisher’s relationship with Raphael and that Phoenix girl, as well as the Captain of the Sardinia.
Ah, this…
Xu dangerously squinted her eyes and stood behind the seemingly harmless Jasmine, creating a shadow like a chasm, contrasting sharply with Jasmine’s naive and non-aggressive demeanor.
Even Raphael gulped, instinctively taking a step back, not to mention the pitiful Valentina and Alagina.
Just now, they didn’t take Jasmine, the priestess, seriously, thinking she was a pushover, but they often forget that she has a particularly fierce mother!
But Xu didn’t ask them; instead, like shooting the bird that sticks its head out, she turned her vast gaze towards Emhart, who was sweating coldly, and asked,
“Oh? You, what’s your relationship with Fisher and this group of ladies?”
“I, I that…”
Emhart was on the verge of fainting, calling himself a lucky guy in his mind.
He just wanted to ask about Fisher’s safety, merely curious about his whereabouts, and he also enjoyed Fisher’s suffering in the midst of a disaster. He should be out there toasting champagne and singing songs, watching Fisher drenched in sweat.
But why was it that he, the poor book, was now being attacked from both sides?!
“I…”
Under Xu’s pressure, Emhart felt as if he directly surrendered, laying down all the records he had noted in the past, submitting them all to Xu.
“Lady Renee… I have been a dedicated follower of Lady Jasmine since the past!”
Just as he was about to speak, the three piercing gazes from behind him only stung him more.
No, don’t you all let me just talk nonsense; why don’t you step out for yourselves!
You already have a baby, set an example; don’t let me shoulder everything!
Raphael seemed to understand Emhart’s pleading gaze. She sighed, ultimately stepping forward to prepare to speak.
But at that moment, Jasmine suddenly pursed her lips and stood beside Raphael, hugging her shoulder and looking at Xu, saying,
“Mom, this is Raphael from the Dragon Court. Over the years since I left, Raphael and I fought side by side. We are not just like sisters but also very good friends. And these two, Miss Valentina and Miss Alagina from the Northern Region, they helped a lot in the battle with Saint Nali and the foreign gods. They are all my good friends!”
“…”
Valentina opened her mouth, and Alagina also looked somewhat incredulous.
It was mainly Valentina; after all, when she first met Jasmine, she had a slightly boastful and jealous demeanor. She never expected that the other party didn’t care at all and even generously covered for her in front of the adults, making Valentina, raised in a good family, feel a bit ashamed at the moment.
Simultaneously, her view of Jasmine changed drastically.
Even Raphael was slightly surprised, but looking at Jasmine beside her, she soon felt relieved, then also raised her eyes towards Xu and softly said,
“Hello, auntie, I am Raphael, Jasmine’s friend. Jasmine has taken care of me during this time.”
“…”
Xu surveyed the people in front of her and ultimately returned her gaze to Jasmine, then fell on Raphael’s abdomen.
Her eyes slightly shifted, and after a moment of silence, she suddenly said,
“Your Fisher is currently in the Spirit Realm. The twins in your womb are safe.”
“What? Really, auntie?”
Raphael was momentarily taken aback, then her eyes lit up, filled mostly with relief, as she had genuinely worried when Fisher had plunged into the death chasm, and now hearing he was fine made her let go of the anxiety.
Jasmine smiled as she felt happy for Raphael, while Valentina and Alagina, who had been following along cluelessly, suddenly seemed to realize something, staring blankly at Raphael in front of them, mouths agape and unable to speak.
At this moment, just as Emhart sighed in relief, in Jasmine’s ear, that childish voice spoke up again.
“Xu, speaking of this, it may be time; Jasmine must return to the Spirit Realm.”
Xu’s expression, which had just relaxed, suddenly darkened. She furrowed her brows and gritted her teeth at the old woman in her mind.
“Are you serious?”
“…After deep consideration, there is no turning back.”
“Mom, Lord Ramastia, what are you talking about?”
“We no longer have much time, but not now. At least we can’t let Jasmine fall into danger in the Spirit Realm. This matter can be discussed later.”
Jasmine looked in confusion at her mother’s displeased crossed arms but couldn’t grasp what it meant. Meanwhile, the scene at Saint Nali was certainly not limited to just this area; it had just undergone a great battle with too many matters to handle.
Only above the sky, the mechanism cluster maintaining order, among them, a connected mechanism unexpectedly deviated from its commands, abruptly rotating a camera, its cerulean lens gradually shifting, recording the scene of the discussions among the ladies below.
That invisible signal’s destination was unknown, yet simultaneously, outside the crevice, in the unfathomably dark Spirit Realm, in a massive building ruin hidden in crimson mist, seemingly the size of half a city, a glimpse of eerie blue light flashed among countless wrecked mechanisms.
“Beep beep. Beep beep.”
Upon closer inspection, the design of the building’s remains was exquisite; even the fragments, now adrift in the Spirit Realm, still bore various bas-reliefs and decorations, the paints not yet dried, indicating an aesthetic that ordinary humans and subhumans could hardly compare with.
That was the mark of the angelic race.
“Beep beep. Beep beep.”
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(End of this chapter)
