Emperor of Soul Pets

Chapter 26: The Divide

Rao Wu ignored the top nine special items as they were far out of his reach. Instead, he focused on the strange 'Fruit of the Talking Tree' that was surprisingly cheap. With a curious gaze, he asked the system. "What are Talking Trees?"

"Information on the Talking Tree costs 2,000 Chaos Points. Are you willing to trade?"

Rao Wu thought about it. The Talking Tree could not be something simple if the information alone was worth so many points. The child made up his mind, nodded, and then said, "Yeah, tell me."

"2,000 Chaos Points Deducted. The Talking Tree is an ancient plant reared by Dryads that bears a single fruit once a year. The fruits reared by the Talking Tree grant beasts the ability to speak the common tongue. The Talking Tree requires an exorbitant amount of energy to bloom, more than most habitats are capable of providing. As a result, only high-ranking Dryads have been known to successfully raise these precious trees."

Rao Wu's eyes widened as he listened to the system. "Hold on. So, you're saying, if I give one of these to Xian Da, he'll be able to speak to me?"

"Precisely."

"Ooh! Can I take them out of the test too!?" Rao Wu thought of his Uncle and Aunt. How great would it be if he got these as presents for them!?

"Whatever you earn in the test is yours to do with as you please."

"Nice!" Rao Wu wore a goofy grin as he flashed the system a thumbs-up. "I'll take two please."

"Confirmation Required. You requested for two Fruits of the Talking Tree?"

"Yeah, exactly," Rao Wu repeated and then shouted, "Ju Tu, come out!"

Ju Tu jumped out of the summoning circle with eager eyes. Soul pets shared their trainer's senses when they were in the soul space. As a result, the excited Steelback Ape knew why Rao Wu had summoned it. Could it really talk!?

"Two Fruits of the Talking Tree confirmed. 1000 Chaos Points Deducted. Beginning Transportation..." A few seconds passed and then the system continued, "Received Package. Candidate, Please Retreat Seven Feet."

Rao Wu did as asked, and then watched as a portion of the floor slid away, followed closely by an metallic altar rising to the surface. Two beautiful red fruits sat on the altar, from which Rao Wu sensed an enticing allure and powerful soul energy. Sensing the tremendous energy, Rao Wu looked at the system with a cautious gaze. "That thing isn't dangerous, right?"

"Of the 27,354 recorded cases of use, only three subjects reported mild side effects. Statistically, the fruit is safe to consume."

"Woah... that many cases?" Rao Wu viewed the test with newfound gravity as he wondered, 'Just how old is this place?' Rao WU guessed that information would cost lot of Chaos Points so he did not even bother.

Instead, Rao Wu walked over and grabbed the apple-sized fruits. He then fed one to Xian Da, and gave the other to Ju Tu, who quickly swallowed the entire thing, seed and all.

Rao Wu carefully watched both monsters after they finished eating. He did not know what he expected, but nothing happened. There was no engulfing power, or painful screaming. For all intents and purposes, it seemed like they ate an ordinary apple.

Rao Wu was just about to complain to the system when 'it' happened.

"R-Raoao."

"Don't worry Xian Da." Rao Wu absent-mindedly promised as he prepared to clobber the 'appendage'. "I'll settle the score with this guy."

"R-Rao Wao."

"Xian Da, I got th—" Rao Wu suddenly paused just as he was about to wrap his hand around the system's neck. He turned to look at Xian Da who was staring at him with a slight frown.