In the middle of the night in the orchard, a small pavilion amidst the trees dimly lit by the oil lamps, Wen Qing stood waiting calmly. Her face was solemn, but the sharpness in her eyes made those nearby feel a sense of terrifying power.
Punya arrived as requested. She was still exhausted from the events that had just happened, but her curiosity about Wen Qing made her try to hide her anxiety.
"You must be wondering why I called you here," Wen Qing started. Her tone was calm, but it was filled with determination.
"Well, I am a bit curious, you… um… Mr. Wen Qing," Punya replied politely.
"You came from another world, but you played a major role in this important event here. Heaven must have intentionally sent you from somewhere," Wen Qing said as she approached Punya. "I want to know if you are someone I can trust."
Punya swallowed her saliva. She knew that gaining Wen Qing's trust was not easy.
"I have no ill intentions towards this world or this orchard," Punya said with confidence.
Wen Qing stared at her for a moment. Before he spoke in a cold voice, "Prove it to me."
Before Punya could react, Wen Qing lightly flicked his hand, using the power of the "Lightning Mango" to create an electric field around the pavilion.
"This is a simulation I created," Wen Qing explained. "You have to find a way out of here without my help, and I will observe how you handle it."
Punya's eyes widened, but she did not back down. She took a deep breath and began to examine her surroundings.
She found that the electric current generated by the Lightning Mango created an invisible wall, but every time she got close, the power would make her feel tingling.
Punya thought about the power of the fruit she had used before. She took out the "Emerald Dragon Fruit", which reflected the power back, and used it to resist the surrounding electric current. When she released the power from the fruit, some of the electric current began to weaken.
Wen Qing looked at Punya's actions with a little satisfaction, but did not show it. She continued to watch closely.
In the end, Punya was able to find a loophole in the energy wall. She used other fruits as well, such as the "Spirit Seed" that created a protective barrier around her, and the small black seed that could be used as a bullet to break through the electric current successfully.
When everything was over, Wen Qing waved her hand again, and the energy field disappeared.
"You passed my test," Wen Qing said. "But it's not enough to make me trust you completely."
"I understand, but what do you want me to do…" Punya said, bowing her head slightly.
Wen Qing walked closer. She stared at Punya with serious eyes. "I have to tell you, because you are a unique person in this place… The royal family is facing conflict. The eldest and second princes want to possess the power of the orchard. But I believe that besides the two princes, there are many enemies from outside."
Punya listened intently. She knew that what Wen Qing said might be the key to the next event.
"Remember, the power of every fruit in this orchard has an impact on the world. If you choose the wrong side, it could destroy everything."
Punya nodded, even though she was filled with worry.
"I will do everything to protect the orchard and this world. This might be the only way for me to return home," she said firmly.
Wen Qing nodded, before turning around and walking away. Leaving Punya standing in the silence of the night filled with questions and heavy burdens
__
The next day, Punya was unexpectedly summoned. She followed the guards to the private room of the eldest prince, Prince Li Cheng. The room was decorated with luxurious furniture and golden curtains, but it gave off a gloomy feeling. She tried to hide her fear.
"Sit down, Punya," Li Cheng said, his voice calm but with a hint of authority. He was sitting on a carved wooden chair. His sharp face showed confidence.
Punya sat down carefully, watching him closely.
"You are important to me," Li Cheng began to speak. "At a time when the royal family is facing chaos, you are the key to restoring the balance of everything."
"I only did what I thought I had to do to protect the orchard. I did not intend to interfere in the royal family's internal affairs," Punya answered straightforwardly.
Li Cheng smiled at the corner of his mouth. "You speak well... but the truth is that you are in an unavoidable situation."
He picked up a small carved wooden box and opened it to reveal a "mini mangosteen," a dark purple fruit the size of a coin. It emitted a soft glow. Giving a warm feeling
"This is a small mangosteen, one of the garden's sacred fruits. This fruit has the power to heal and heal wounds of both body and mind," Li Cheng explained. "Its power can not only help those who are injured, but it can also be used to negate the effects of other fruits."
Punya looked at the small mangosteen with interest, but she could not help but feel suspicious.
"Why did you give it to me?" She asked cautiously.
"I did not give it to you for free," Li Cheng replied. "I want you to cooperate with me, to help me control the situation in this dynasty, especially... my younger brother, Xiao Yang."
"What exactly do you want from me?"
Li Cheng looked at her directly. "You have the ability to analyze and use the power of fruits, which no one else in the dynasty can do. You are the one who can stop Xiao Yang's power before he brings this dynasty to ruin."
Punya paused to think. She knew that Xiao Yang had ambitious plans, but she was not sure how different Li Cheng was from him.
"Then did you have anything to do with the attack on the orchard last time?" She asked directly.
Li Cheng raised his eyebrows slightly before answering, "I have no need to destroy what I am protecting. The attack might have been my brother's plan, but I suspect there's a third party involved… It might be greedy thieves who want other people's things."
His answer made Punya still not sure, but she knew she had to be careful.
In the dark corner of the room, Wen Qing hid. She quietly watched the conversation. The doubts in her heart kept growing.
"The eldest prince is so smooth-talking... but he may not be much different from Xiao Yang." Wen Qing thought to herself.
When the conversation ended, Li Cheng handed a small mangosteen to Punya. "Keep this, it may help you in the future."
Punya hesitantly took the fruit, bowed and walked out of the room. Her mind was filled with unanswered questions.
Wen Qing looked after Punya, thinking to herself that she needed to find out more.
"No matter what the eldest prince says, I will not believe anyone easily until I see the evidence with my own eyes..."
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In the cold night, the moon was shining in the pitch-black sky. Wen Qing stood still in her quarters, her gaze fixed on the orchard that she swore to protect with her life. Her ears heard the sound of light footsteps approaching. She turned around cautiously. Before meeting the tall figure in the black robe of the Second Prince, Xiao Yang
"Your Highness?" Wen Qing said in a calm voice, but his gaze was still on guard. "Why did you come here without prior notice?"
Xiao Yang smiled faintly as he removed his hood, revealing an elegant yet cunning face.
"Don't be alarmed, I just came to discuss something important with you," he said softly but firmly.
Wen Qing did not answer. She invited the Second Prince to sit down in her small living quarters, under the dim candlelight.
"What important matter do you want to talk about?" She asked directly.
Xiao Yang sighed softly before starting to speak. "You must be well aware of the chaos in the palace… The conflict between me and my brother is escalating."
Wen Qing nodded slightly. She observed his attitude as he continued.
"I know that you are loyal to the royal family and are determined to protect the orchard, but you also know that the power of these fruits can change everything, not just in the palace, but also in the entire kingdom."
Xiao Yang leaned forward, his eyes filled with seriousness. "I came here to ask you to cooperate with me. You are the strongest warrior in the palace. If you stand by my side, I promise to protect the orchard from being misused."
Wen Qing remained silent. Her face was expressionless, but her heart began to waver. She knew that the Second Prince was right about many things, but the oath she made was to remain neutral and not get involved in the palace's politics.
"Do you want me to choose a side…?" She asked in a low voice.
Xiao Yang nodded. "Yes. I only ask that you believe in me. I will show you that the power of the orchard can create a great and peaceful kingdom. But if my brother gets that power… what do you think will happen?"
Wen Qing closed her eyes for a moment. She tried to control her mind that was starting to get confused.
"Let me think about it," she said in a cold tone.
Xiao Yang stood up. He smiled faintly, but there was a hint of expectation in his eyes. "I will wait for your answer. But remember, Wen Qing. If you choose to stay put, it might mean letting the palace and the orchard fall into chaos."
When he left, Wen Qing stood in silence. She knew that this decision was not just about her, but also about the fate of the orchard and the entire dynasty.
Her mind was filled with questions... Was the second prince telling the truth or was it just a flattery? And most importantly, who could truly protect the orchard?
__
In Punya's room in the middle of the night, the wind blew through the open window, but in her head, the words of the two princes kept echoing. Her face was full of worry. She did not want to be a pawn in this political game, but the situation did not give her a chance to refuse.
"What should I do..." Punya muttered to herself. She closed her eyes, but the images of the events in the palace and the attack on the orchard were clearly in her mind.
Suddenly, there was a soft knock on the door. Punya quickly got up to open it, and found Wen Qing standing in front of her in thin armor with a weapon at her side.
"Come take a walk with me," Wen Qing said, her tone cold and firm as usual.
Punya did not ask much more. She put on her coat and followed Wen Qing out. The two of them walked quietly along the path in the orchard under the moonlight.
When they stopped under a large tree, Wen Qing turned to look at Punya. "Are you being pressured by both the First and Second Princes?"
Punya paused before nodding slowly. "Yes, they both want me to choose a side, but I… I don't want to get involved in this."
Wen Qing looked at her solemnly. "You are in an unavoidable position, and so am I. But you have a choice… a third choice."
"A third choice?" Punya repeated in confusion.
"Don't choose a side," Wen Qing stated clearly. "This orchard is too valuable to be used as a tool by anyone. We can protect it without letting its power fall into anyone's hands."
Punya listened quietly, but her heart was still full of questions. "But can we do that? They… they are both powerful."
Wen Qing sighed softly. "I know it's not easy, but you have a rare talent. You know the power of each fruit better than anyone else in the world. If you choose to protect this orchard, I will stand by your side."
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps came from behind, causing Punya and Wen Qing to turn around together in shock. Li Shan walked into the shadows. His face looked serious.
"Li Shan…" Punya said softly.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I heard you guys talking," Li Shan said before looking at Wen Qing. "I'll join in. I can't stand to see the power of the orchard being used for someone else's own personal gain."
Punya and Wen Qing exchanged glances before Punya spoke up. "But if we choose this path, we'll have to fight the two princes… Can we really handle it?"
Li Shan smiled faintly. "It's difficult, but I know we have hope, as long as we work together."
She Nodding, "I know how to deal with the Second Prince, and Li Shan also has profound knowledge of the orchard. As for you, Punya… you are the key. You know the power of all the fruits. We can find a way to use those powers to protect this place."
Punya closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The fear in her heart began to subside a little when she heard the words of the two. "Okay, we will protect this orchard together."
The words were like a contract that bound the three of them together. That night, they began to plan how to protect the orchard, not for the prince or the royal family, but to protect the precious power that should not fall into the hands of anyone…