In the conference room in the Fruit Palace, the atmosphere was tense. The white marble columns with gold patterns reflected the light of the lanterns that were lit around the room. Princess Lingyan sat on the throne in the center of the room. Her face showed solemnity and heavy responsibility as if she was carrying two dimensions on her shoulders. Beside her was Xian Lan who was recording the meeting's conclusions.
Punya stood quietly in a corner of the room. Everyone's eyes were staring at her with doubt and hope. She tried to stay calm even though her heart was confused.
Li Shan, the knowledgeable gardener, walked out and stood in the center of the room. He straightened his navy blue robe before speaking in a powerful tone that silenced everyone.
"It's time for us to reveal the truth," he started. "The power of these fruits is not for everyone. The ones who can use it perfectly are the 'chosen ones', which only a few people can use in each era... and Punya may be one of them."
Li Shan's words made the entire room fall into silence. Everyone turned to look at Punya. She felt the weight of those gazes, both the questions and the expectations.
Princess Meilin who was standing behind her frowned slightly, as if those words made her doubt something, but she remained calm and did not say anything.
Before the conversation could continue, heavy footsteps came from the corridor outside. Everyone in the room turned to look at the large oak door that was slowly being pushed open.
A man in dark leather armor walked in. His muscular body stood out. His calm eyes were filled with determination and caution. He quickly scanned the room before stopping beside Ling Ya's throne.
"This is Yang Sheng." Ling Ya stood up, her expression serious. "He's a mercenary that my sister invited to help protect the palace during this critical time."
Yang Sheng nodded slightly and said in an even voice, "I'll do my best."
Xue Long, who was standing next to Punya, frowned slightly. His gaze was fixed on Yang Sheng, as if they had known each other before.
"I didn't expect to meet you here," Xue Long said softly, but it was enough for Yang Sheng to hear.
Yang Sheng glanced at him. His gaze changed for a moment, but he didn't say anything.
"It seems that you two know each other," Ling Ya looked at Xue Long and Yang Sheng with curiosity.
"We worked together in the past," Xue Long replied briefly before falling silent. "Humph! But some people have defected!"
The atmosphere in the conference room eased as Ling Ya continued, "Our current situation requires cooperation from all parties. Yang Sheng will help strengthen the defense of the Fruit Palace. I believe his skills will help us."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Although they were still suspicious of the relationship between Xue Long and Yang Sheng, no one said anything more.
Pun Ya turned to look at Yang Sheng again. She could feel the energy and determination in him, and she couldn't help but think that there might be something behind his arrival that she didn't know about… He didn't seem trustworthy at all.
--
The Fruit Palace's training ground was located behind the vast orchard. This ground was an open space with smooth stone floors, surrounded by tall trees that seemed to be natural walls. The morning sunlight gently hit the ground, but the atmosphere in the ground was filled with pressure.
Pun Ya stood in the middle of the training ground, everyone's eyes on her with anticipation. Princess Ling Ya stood next to Li Shan, who held a silver fruit in his hand. Li Shan's face was serious before he slowly stepped forward and said,
"We need to know if you can control the power of the fruit firmly enough." He handed the fruit to Punya.
Punya took the silver fruit carefully. It was lighter than she thought, but it contained some power that she could feel.
"Try using it," Li Shan continued.
Punya took a deep breath before closing her eyes. Silence filled the training ground as she touched the power in the fruit. Suddenly, her body began to glow faintly. A warm feeling spread throughout her body. She opened her eyes to find that her hands were as shiny as a mirror.
"That is the power of the Reflection Fruit," Li Shan explained. "It can reflect the power or attack of the enemy if you control it perfectly."
While Punya was testing its power, Yang Sheng, who had been standing there watching calmly, stepped out from a corner of the ground.
"Let me test her," he said calmly.
Those words made everyone turn to look. Princess Mei Lin looked at him curiously, while Xian Lan stopped recording and looked up as well.
"Stop!" Xue Long said in a low voice filled with pressure. "What are you trying to do?"
"Just to see if she's ready," Yang Sheng replied in a simple tone, but the look he gave Xue Long contained a challenge.
"Let him do it," Ling Ya said coldly. She turned to look at Punya. "If you're the chosen one, you'll be ready to face the challenge."
Punya glanced at Yang Sheng before nodding. "Alright, I'm ready."
Yang Sheng smiled faintly before taking out a bright red fruit from his pocket. It was the fruit he used to increase his strength and speed. As soon as he squeezed the fruit in his hand, his body emitted a red light before he quickly charged towards Punya.
Punya's eyes widened. She quickly used the power of the fruit in her hand to reflect the attack, but her control was not complete. The light from her hand flashed before disappearing. Yang Sheng stopped his attack at the last second. His footprints stopped just a few inches away from her.
"You need to concentrate more," Yang Sheng said before charging forward again. This time, he attacked with increased speed.
Punya began to regain her senses. She closed her eyes to feel the energy in her body again. When Yang Sheng attacked, the light in her hand shone again, but this time, it reflected his energy back.
Yang Sheng was knocked back, but he quickly stopped himself. He stood still and looked at Punya, his gaze both satisfied and challenging.
"You really have potential," Yang Sheng said after the test ended. "But you still lack perfect control."
"That's enough for today," Ling Ya said, raising her hand to stop her training.
Punya panted lightly, but her heart was filled with mixed feelings, excitement, hope, and fear. She knew that her journey was long, but today, she had proven that she was ready to move forward…
--
After training in the courtyard, Li Shan led everyone into the Fruit Palace's ancient library. It was filled with old wooden bookshelves that lined the ceiling. The faint fragrance of old paper and herbs in the quiet room made everyone feel as if they had been transported into a secret world.
"This is where the Fruit Palace's ancient texts are kept," Li Shan said, stepping towards the first bookshelf. He reached into a thick book with a golden seal on its cover.
"This is a book that talks about the Mother Tree and the power of fruits in this world." Li Shan placed the book on the wooden table in the center of the room, and used his trembling hands to loosen the seal.
Pun Ya, Princess Ling Ya, Princess Mei Lin, Xian Lan, Yang Sheng, and Xue Long stood around the table, each with a serious expression as Li Shan opened the book. The first page revealed intricate ancient characters and a painting of a giant tree with branches spreading across the sky.
"It says that the Chosen One must undergo a series of tests to unlock their true power," Li Shan said, pointing at a passage.
Pun Ya looked at the words in confusion. "What does it say?"
Xian Lan stepped closer. She tapped the text with her fingertips and muttered softly as she tried to decipher it. "This text talks about the 'gate of fate' and 'the one who holds the key'… If I'm not mistaken, It probably means that the Chosen One must find some key to open an important dimensional door."
"The door of fate," Princess Mei Lin said, her face filled with worry. "I think it might be related to the vision I saw earlier… a large door surrounded by glowing fruits."
"Then who holds the key?" Punya asked, her eyes still fixed on the words on the book.
Li Shan shook her head slightly. "The book doesn't say who holds the key, but I think it might refer to the legendary Chosen One."
While everyone was arguing, Yang Sheng spoke in a calm voice, "No matter what door it is, if it has to do with protecting this world, I will do everything I can to help you."
Yang Sheng's words made everyone quiet for a moment. Xue Long, who was standing in a corner of the room with his arms crossed, stared at Yang Sheng with calm but suspicious eyes.
"I hope you will really keep your word," Xue Long said, his voice calm but cold.
"I never break my word!" Yang Sheng replied with confidence.
The atmosphere in the library became tense. Punya turned to look at the two. Before turning back to the book,
"Where should we start?" Princess Lingya asked as she approached. She stared at the tree in the book with a thoughtful gaze.
Li Shan carefully closed the book. "We need to find out more about the Gate of Fate and its location in this world."
"Or is it a symbolic comparison?" Xian Lan suggested. "The gate may not mean a building, but something the Chosen One must face in their hearts to be right."
Everyone was silent for a moment, pondering Xian Lan's words. In the silence, Pun Ya could feel the tension and weight of expectation on her shoulders.
Finally, Li Shan spoke in a serious tone. "No matter what the 'Gate of Fate' is, our duty is to find the truth, and prepare for the coming confrontation."
Everyone nodded. Although there were still many unanswered questions in their minds, they all knew that this discovery was the beginning of an important journey… a journey to find answers about the power of the fruit, and to change the fate of the world.