Chapter 385: Discerning One's Nature
Stella's foot paused before the portal with a bone-chilling fear gripping her heart. Even with the Phantom Veil Amulet hanging from her neck, masking her cultivation and bloodline, making her appear as nothing but a mortal, she still couldn't take the next step.
Taking a step back, Stella gulped before looking to the ceiling, where she could feel Ash's presence. "Tree, how can you be so sure that Vincent isn't lurking in Nightrose City?" Stella asked, making everyone else pause at her side. The portal seemed to lead to an inviting scene, with a majestic tree's leaves softly rustling in a wind they could not yet feel. However, there was still a sense of danger. None of them had eaten a void protection fruit, and they also hadn't set up spatial anchors to pull them back if something terrible happened. Only Stella had set up a secondary anchor that triggered if she lost a body part.
"There are no guarantees in life," Ash answered honestly, "But I can say with near certainty that Vincent will not be there, nor will he return to Nightrose City."
Stella let out a long breath to try and calm her inner turmoil. While she trusted Tree unquestionably, her body refused to comply. It was as if her legs were convinced that if they took a step through the portal, it would be the end of her and everyone she had come to care about. This wasn't just her fight. It involved everyone else as well.
"Vincent is quite similar to me, you see..." Ash continued.
Stella scowled, "He's nothing like you. How could you even compare yourself to that monster."
"Oh, but he is." Ash said casually, "We are both rulers who gain power from those under us. He founded the Blood Lotus Sect as a breeding ground for bloodlines and a place to safely cultivate by growing a family to protect him and controlling those around him to be absolutely loyal." Ash paused, "Meanwhile, I founded the Ashfallen Sect to raise cultivators to protect me and created the cult of the All-Seeing Eye because I gain power from believers. Those who refuse to comply with me are forced to take oaths of loyalty, secrecy or service me in death as Ents, trees, or are outright devoured to further my cultivation."
"But you are different!" Stella retorted, "You care about us, the sect. Vincent is a monster who only cares about himself."
"You are right, Stella." Ash agreed, "That's why I said Vincent and I are very similar, not the exact same. While our methods and goals differ slightly, I believe I can predict Vincent's next move by thinking what I would do in his situation."