The golden light became almost white.
A low vibration ran through the tree.
The leaves lifted.
The branches spread.
The barrier began to contract faster.
Bai Li shifted her stance.
Yan Cijin readied the crossbow.
"Something happening?"
"Yes."
"Good or bad?"
"Both."
The fruit released a pulse.
Every remaining corpse on the rooftop vanished into dust.
The dust flew toward the tree.
The tree absorbed it.
The glow surged.
Bai Li's hair lifted in the energy wave.
Yan Cijin had to take one step back.
The barrier shrank again.
Now the roots were only a meter away.
Bai Li stared at the golden pomelo.
The smell was almost unbearable.
Her body wanted to move.
She forced herself to stay still.
Yan Cijin swallowed.
"Bai Li."
"Hmm?"
"I think it is almost ready."
"I know."
A final crack appeared along the fruit.
Not an opening.
A seam.
Something inside the fruit was shining through.
The golden tree seemed to inhale.
The branches drew inward.
