"It is not easy to take the Hibiscus Fruit," Sorrel said in a low voice.
"No need to cooperate."
Ember crossed her arms, her gaze sharp and disdainful.
"White Emperor City geniuses are strong, but Alina is only slightly stronger than at most. Our Palace of the Four Cycles is not much weaker than them. There is no need to actively seek cooperation unless they co begging."
Hearing this, Lunara’s lips curved upward faintly, a trace of cold amusent flashing through her eyes.
She knew Ember too well.
Arrogant. Proud. Unyielding.
How could soone like her ever lower her head to seek cooperation, especially with White Emperor City? Not to ntion, Lunara knew that Ember and Alina had long been locked in a silent rivalry, treating each other as the greatest obstacle on their respective paths.
Cooperating with Alina?
That would be harder for Ember than swallowing poison.
At this mont, a deep, cold voice rang out.
"Are you here to seek my hibiscus fruit as well?"
Sylren hovered in midair, golden flas curling around his body as his eyes locked onto Ember and her entourage.
"Your hibiscus?"
Ember burst out laughing, her voice sharp and mocking.
"Hahaha! Are you joking?"
"Heaven and earth treasures have never belonged to anyone. They are obtained by those with destiny and strength."
"You Three-Legged Golden Crows are rely blessed by the Hibiscus Sacred Tree, allowed to reside on it and guard the fruit."
"Do you really think that makes you the owners of the Hibiscus Fruit?"
Her words were direct, sharp, and rciless.
Sylren’s expression twitched violently, golden pupils narrowing as rage surged within him.
However, he did not act rashly.
Sylren understood very clearly that if he fought Ember now, Ethan would definitely seize the opportunity to act. By then, not only would the hibiscus fruit be gone, but they might not even be able to keep a single one.
Silence fell for a brief mont.
"It’s interesting," Ethan said calmly as he took two steps back, his gaze sweeping across the tense standoff.
"Such strong killing intent, yet no one dares to move first."
In this situation, no one dared to act recklessly.
Everyone feared that the mont they moved, soone else would reap the benefits.
Ethan touched his chin lightly.
A plan quietly took shape in his mind.
"Miss Lunara, are you there?" Ethan sent a ntal transmission.
"I am. Mr. Ethan, speak," Lunara replied.
"I’ll use a hibiscus fruit as bait in a mont," Ethan said calmly.
"I’ll lure the Palace of the Four Cycles and the Three-Legged Golden Crows into fighting each other. You follow my signal. We’ll take them all in one go."
"...Take them all in one fell swoop?" Lunara fell silent.
"Why?" Ethan’s tone remained relaxed.
"Are you reluctant to leave the Palace of the Four Cycles?"
"...!"
Lunara clenched her fists violently.
Reluctant?
That was laughable.
She had never belonged there. She had never had friends there. That place had been nothing more than a gilded cage, a shackle around her neck.
"Mr. Ethan is overthinking," Lunara replied coldly.
"I’m only worried that there are too many people from the Palace of the Four Cycles. Ember and the others must have powerful hidden trump cards. If we fail, you and I will both be dood."
"You don’t need to worry," Ethan replied calmly.
"Even if we can’t annihilate them completely, as long as we cripple more than half of their combat power, it’s enough."
"And even if sothing unexpected happens, I can still take you out of the secret realm safely."
Ethan’s eyes shifted to Lunara.
"Right now, apart from this last hibiscus fruit, the other eight are already in my hands."
"Follow . Not only will I help you break the blood contract technique, I’ll also help you deal with Valerius."
"I’ll let you kill your enemies with your own hands."
Lunara’s breathing subtly quickened.
This was her lifelong obsession.
Freedom. Revenge. Escape.
If Ethan could truly do what he said...
Even if she paid a price, even if she risked everything, it would be worth it.
"...Alright," Lunara finally replied, her eyes firm and resolute.
"If you can really help kill Valerius, then after he dies, I will be yours."
This ti, she was gambling her life.
Ethan t her gaze without flinching.
"Don’t worry," he said calmly.
"I’ll take you out of the Demon Territory, help you kill your enemies, and push you to a higher realm."
"Unlike Valerius, I won’t shackle your freedom."
"...Okay," Lunara nodded. "I believe you."
The ntal transmission was cut off.
Ethan folded his arms and looked toward Ember and Sylren.
"You two," he said casually, "since you’re both here for the hibiscus fruit, why don’t you make a move?"
"The hibiscus fruit is right there."
He pointed to a spot not far away, smiling faintly.
"Ethan," Ember said coldly, "are you smart, or just arrogantly stupid?"
"Do you really think we’re fools who’ll fight while you pick up the leftovers?"
"Hahaha," Ethan laughed. "Miss Ember, since you’re so cautious, then I’ll just take the hibiscus fruit myself."
"In front of ?" Ember sneered. "You’re dreaming."
At the sa ti, Sylren roared coldly, "Ethan, stop your nonsense and hand over all the hibiscus fruits you picked earlier. I can let bygones be bygones."
"Otherwise, once my people are free, you will die without a burial!"
"The hibiscus fruits I picked earlier..." Ember repeated.
Her expression changed.
She looked up at the massive hibiscus tree and finally realized—
There was only one hibiscus fruit left.
Her pupils contracted violently.
"Ethan... you got here first? Hand them over, now!"
"I can spare your life!"
A red-golden fla sword appeared in Ember’s hand, her killing intent rising sharply.
"It’s not impossible to hand them over," Ethan said calmly.
He stretched out his palm.
A hibiscus fruit the size of a human heart appeared.
Green light flowed across its surface, exuding terrifying vitality and profound power. The breath alone made everyone present feel refreshed, their blood boiling unconsciously.
Ember’s eyes burned with greed.
Sylren’s throat rolled involuntarily.
"I wonder," Ethan said lightly, "which of you is destined to get this hibiscus fruit?"
With that—
He casually threw the hibiscus fruit into the distance.
Whoosh!
The fruit turned into a streak of green light, shooting toward the sky.
Ember and Sylren’s expressions changed drastically.
They never expected Ethan to throw it away so decisively.
"Everyone, grab it!" Ember shouted.
Her subordinates shot forward like arrows.
Sylren roared and led the two remaining Golden Crows in pursuit.
Like starving beasts, both sides lunged toward the bait.
"In the face of absolute temptation," Ethan sighed softly, "even the strongest will lose their judgnt."
Then, he turned around.
Calm. Unhurried.
He reached the ninth hibiscus fruit and took it easily.
Reviews
All reviews (0)