"Crack..."
The crystal continued to fracture. Fine cracks spread rapidly, and its substance began to cloud from within. Seconds later, with a crisp snap, the crystal shattered completely into crystalline powder that slipped through Mu You's fingers like quicksand.
Amid the crystal dust remaining in his palm, a caterpillar glowing a ghostly blue poked its head out of the powder, wriggling its two rows of slender legs as it struggled upward.
"Chirp... chirp..."
The caterpillar kept making barely audible cries, as though crying or seeking affection. It raised its head, Mu You's face reflected in its little black-bean eyes. Tiny pearls immediately began dripping from the corners of its eyes. Then it arched its body and wriggled desperately up Mu You's arm, seemingly wanting to get closer to him.
Mu You had not expected the little creature to retain its caterpillar form after hatching. He did not know whether it was because it had been born too early, but the caterpillar had almost no memories or Wisdom now, acting almost entirely on instinct.
Mu You shared a mental connection with it, and the little creature could sense that bond too, so it naturally trusted him and felt attached to him.
Mu You picked up the caterpillar and placed it on his shoulder. It immediately began happily licking and nuzzling his neck, expressing its affection.
Mu You took a Tree of Life leaf from his ring and held it up to his shoulder.
Seemingly catching the leaf's life energy, the caterpillar immediately clasped it with its forelegs and began chewing. The leaf visibly disappeared bit by bit, soon vanishing entirely into its belly.
Having eaten its fill, the caterpillar sprawled lazily on Mu You's shoulder, shifted into a comfortable position, and stopped moving, apparently already asleep.
Only after the caterpillar settled