Chapter 650 - 648: Master’s Mother, Fair-Skinned and Beautiful

Chapter 650: Chapter 648: Master’s Mother, Fair-Skinned and Beautiful

Pip nodded slightly.

"Yes, Master."

’It was true, he wasn’t needed here as their leader. His people were all diligent and hardworking. As long as they had a place to call their own, they could build a new home in no time.’

"Let’s go!" As he spoke, Aaron Sinclair’s figure shot away like a meteor, heading toward the distant Ashkaron.

By the time Aaron Sinclair returned, it was already evening. Ashkaron Palace was brilliantly illuminated, its nighttime scenery particularly striking.

"Mother, Aunt Nerida, I’m back."

The evening banquet hadn’t started yet. Disciples from The Demonic Domain moved in perfect unison, carrying platters of dumplings and arranging them on the tables. The dumplings were clearly fresh from the pot, still steaming hot. But it wasn’t just dumplings; the tables were laden with a dazzling array of all kinds of dishes. The dumplings, however, were the main course for the evening—a must-try for everyone.

Aaron Sinclair’s figure flickered, and he materialized beside Celeste Grant. Many people had already taken their seats at the banquet. Those seated at the front were all familiar faces: Right Protector Jade; Cub and his wife; Elder Sawyer and his sister, Yvonne Sawyer, with her husband; Elder Lawson and his group; and several other elders from The Demonic Domain. Smiles graced every face as they chatted together in small groups.

Upon seeing Aaron Sinclair appear, they all quickly rose to their feet and bowed.

"Greetings, Young Master."

"Greetings, Young Master."

Aaron Sinclair waved his hand.

"Elders, please, make yourselves comfortable."

After saying that, he leaned in closer to his mother. "Wow... Mom, the dumplings are ready! And you made so much other delicious food. Thank you for all your hard work."

"Oh, you’re back, Son." Celeste Grant smiled at him. "I heard from your father that you went to find a new home for Tadpole and his people. How did it go? Did you find a place?"

Aaron Sinclair nodded.

"Yes, I found one!"

"These wintergourds of the Shadowmist Clan are natural-born farmers, so just any old place wouldn’t do. I went to the elder in charge of territories, and he selected a location for them. I went to see it myself, and it’s really quite good. The mountains are lush and the waters are clear. The land has never been cultivated, the soil is excellent, and there’s even a Spirit Vein underneath. It’s perfect for Tadpole and his people to settle down."

Celeste Grant murmured.

"’Natural-born farmers?’ Then what exactly do Tadpole and his clan eat for a living?"

’An image involuntarily popped into her head: a field full of black wintergourds, sweating buckets, each one wielding a hoe and tilling the soil. What a beautiful picture. She’d heard Bullfrog and Tadpole mention they were good at farming before, but she hadn’t realized they were *really* good at it.’

Aaron Sinclair explained, "They live on Spiritual Medicine and various types of Spirit Fruit. The Wintergourd Clan’s innate ability is to accelerate plant growth, which is why they’re so good at clearing land and farming."

Celeste Grant nodded repeatedly.

"The world is truly vast and full of wonders. So that’s how it is."

"Oh, right..." Aaron reached over and picked up Pip, who was behind him, and placed him in front of his mother. "Mother, this is Pip, my Spirit Companion."

Celeste Grant looked over. It was another wintergourd, brimming with vitality. It was dark black, just like Bullfrog and Tadpole. The only difference was the cyan markings on its body. Its aura felt steady and profound; one look was enough to tell he wasn’t like the other, ordinary wintergourds.

Pip landed on the ground and bowed politely to Celeste Grant.

’This is the Master’s mother. She’s his family.’

’What should I call her?’

’Should I call her "Master" too? Or "Old Madam"? Or "Old Ancestor"? Maybe "Elder Master"? No, no, none of those feel right. The Master’s mother is so fair and beautiful... I’ll just call her "Madam." The Master’s mother is the Madam, and the Master’s father is the Lord.’

"Greetings, Madam."

’Yes, that form of address should be correct.’

’And when my Master gets married, his wife will be the Young Madam. Perfect, perfect. I really am a cultured little wintergourd.’

Celeste Grant smiled. "You’re Pip, aren’t you? There’s no need to be so formal. Now that you’re here, you’re one of us... one of the family’s wintergourds."

Pip was very happy.

"Thank you, Madam."

Celeste Grant sized up the little wintergourd before her. "I’ve heard Bullfrog and Tadpole talk about their clan leader. You can’t be him, can you?" She had actually already guessed the truth but felt the leader of the Wintergourd Clan was a bit different from how she’d imagined.

Aaron Sinclair spoke up, "Mother, Pip *is* the leader of the Shadowmist Clan."

Pip nodded along. "That’s right, Madam. I am the leader of the Wintergourd—I mean, the Shadowmist Clan." ’Pip wanted to slap himself on the forehead. Ever since I started following the Master, I keep thinking of us as the Wintergourd Clan. Heavens know why. We’re the Shadowmist Clan, an Aetherial race! We have absolutely nothing to do with actual wintergourds.’

Hearing this, Celeste Grant couldn’t help but laugh. "That’s wonderful. I thought the leader of your Wintergourd Clan would be a little old man with a beard. I never expected you to be so young, Pip."

’Oh, well.’

’Wintergourds, Shadowmists, it’s all the same.’

Pip rubbed his head, a little embarrassed. "To answer you, Madam, my Cultivation was previously exhausted and my Life Force was depleted. I really was as old as an old man. It was the Master who gave me a treasure to cultivate with, allowing me to restore my Cultivation and recover my vitality. That’s how I returned to my former appearance. If it weren’t for the Master, I would probably be dead by now."

Aaron Sinclair added, "Pip is incredibly loyal. He exhausted his Cultivation just trying to find me."

Celeste Grant nodded slightly.

"Yes, you have good judgment, Pip. My son won’t mistreat you."

Pip nodded eagerly, always proud to have such a Master. "I know, Madam. Our clan has been under the Master’s protection for generations. If it weren’t for him, we would have been wiped out long ago. Without the Master, we wouldn’t exist. We have sworn our lives to serve him."

"It’s not so serious as all that. None of this talk about death—everyone should live a long, good life. Since you’re here, have a seat. We’re having dumplings tonight. You probably don’t eat dumplings, but there are all sorts of Spirit Fruits on the table for you."

"Thank you, Madam."

’The Master’s mother is just as kind as the Master.’

’So beautiful and gentle. I like her very much.’

Pip hadn’t come empty-handed. He sheepishly took out several of his clan’s rarest Spiritual Medicines and presented them to Celeste Grant, box and all. "Madam, this is our first meeting, and I didn’t have much time to prepare. These are some local specialties we grew ourselves. They’re good for restoring your health."

Celeste Grant took a look.

’My goodness.’

’These really are for restoring one’s health.’

’Extremely potent, at that.’

’Eating them raw would be a waste of their medicinal properties, but for Alchemy, these are top-tier ingredients.’ Celeste Grant didn’t stand on ceremony. "Thank you, Pip."

Pip was very happy.

’The Madam accepted them.’

’That means she likes my gift.’

"I’m glad you like them, Madam."