Chapter 303

Chapter 303: Fruits and the Fruit Tree

Gong Xi had explained earlier that Moon-Eating Fruits would bond with the presence of whoever plucked them. That meant once picked, they couldn’t be stolen by others. This was why she personally brought You You to collect them. The intruders clearly knew this too, which was why they rushed to snatch the fruits first.

But their group was large, while You You’s side had only two. By the time they reacted to the sudden swarm, it was too late to stop them. The attackers were already plucking fruits from the stone wall.

“You…” Gong Xi seethed, shocked by their shamelessness. She hesitated to strike, fearing damage to the fruits.

Watching two fruits get snatched, You You felt unexpected urgency. Even if she flew up now via sword control, she’d grab few. Instinctively, she yanked the thickest vine.

*Crash!* The entire Moon-Eating Vine tore from the wall. Ripe fruits rained down, rolling into the dip where You You stood. They piled at her feet, ready to scoop by the handful.

You You: “…”

Gong Xi: “…”

Demons: “…”

While others picked fruits…she’d uprooted the whole plant.

Eerie silence fell.

The fruit thieves dove to grab the fallen harvest, but Gong Xi blasted them back with Demonic Energy. “Collect them now!” she barked.

“Right!” You You stuffed every ground-scattered fruit into her storage bag. Spotting leftovers on the vine, she shoved the entire plant in too.

When the thieves returned, not a leaf remained.

The three city lords turned livid. “Five hundred years per harvest,” one spat, “and you take all?!”

Gong Xi smirked. “Weren’t you the ones preaching ‘finders keepers’? Why cry when outplayed?”

“You interfered!” they growled, clutching their meager two fruits.

“Interfered?” Gong Xi’s murderous intent flared. “I didn’t touch a single fruit. Too weak to compete? Want me to hand-feed you?”

Their faces twisted. “This isn’t over!”

“Then fight!” She spread her arms. “Or scram.”

They fled, not daring to clash over useless stolen goods.

Gong Xi snorted at their retreating backs before checking on You You. “Hurt?”

“From picking fruits?” You You handed her the storage bag. “Take the vine. Maybe Chiyu City can regrow it.”

Gong Xi froze. “You’d…plant it for us?”

“Why not? Roots might take.”

Warmth flooded Gong Xi’s chest. Even with no personal gain, this girl prioritized Chiyu’s future. Was this support after the assassination attempt? Her resolve wavered.

As You You pressed the bag into her hands, the ground quaked. A light pillar erupted in the distance, tearing through murky skies. Demonic Energy recoiled.

“Treasure awakening!” Gong Xi paled. “The core zone!” She dragged You You onto her sword, racing toward the light.