54: Purple Soul Fruit

Slash!

The sound of a sharp longsword releasing Dou Qi and slicing through flesh rang out. The Black Wolf was cut in two without any time to react, falling to the ground with a thud.

At this moment, Bertha Olivia, lying on the ground, felt both a lingering fear of Red's strength and the joy of having survived a disaster.

Lister spoke, "Red, take her and the gold coins on the ground; we're heading back."

After responding respectfully, Red steered his horse to the gold coins and flicked up the bag containing them with his sword.

He then went to Bertha Olivia's side and helped her onto the horse, seating her behind him.

Just as they were about to leave, Lianna, who had been sitting on Lister's shoulder, began to cry out "yiya yiya."

"Big brother, I feel something over there attracting me."

"Oh, something attracting you!" Lister's eyes lit up. Anything that could attract a Pixie was bound to be good.

He turned to Red and instructed, "Red, don't rush back yet. Lianna has sensed something; let's go take a look."

With those words, the two of them galloped toward the interior of the Mist Forest.

The Mist Forest was named for the hazy white mist that blanketed it year-round. Visibility inside was low and the danger was high, so people generally did not venture deep into it.

Fortunately, the location Lianna sensed wasn't far. After only ten minutes of galloping, they found what they were looking for.

It was a large tree over three meters tall, its crown covered in green leaves. Nestled among the leaves were five purple fruits wrapped in a light mist, emitting an enchanting and alluring aura.

Searching through his memories, Lister quickly found information regarding this fruit.

The purple soul fruit was a fruit that could enhance the innate potential of Transcendent Practitioners. Its rarity was no less than that of the dragon blood fruit—it was perhaps even more precious.

One must know that for most people, their innate potential is fixed at birth. Trying to improve it through postnatal effort is harder than reaching the heavens.

Therefore, many noble children in the kingdom with low potential would consume resources to enhance their talent when they were young, mostly in the form of various Energy Potions.

Rare resources like the purple soul fruit, which naturally grew by absorbing the energy of heaven and earth, were extremely hard to come by. On the market, they could reach a price of a thousand gold coins each, and even then, they were usually unavailable.

Lister felt as though he had struck gold. Even his morning divination hadn't shown this, yet he had found it during a simple trip out thanks to Lianna.

Was the holy light god truly protecting him?

Whether it was true or not, Lister offered a sincere word of thanks in his heart.

He then went to the base of the tree, pressed both hands against the trunk, released his Dou Qi energy, and gave his arms a sudden jolt.

The five purple soul fruits fell from the impact. With quick reflexes, Lister blurred through several movements and caught them all before they could hit the ground.

Looking at Lianna sitting on his shoulder as if claiming credit, Lister naturally wouldn't show favoritism; he knew exactly who the main contributor was.

Hearing his thanks and his promise to make her delicious desserts when they returned, Lianna flew around happily.

Needless to say, Red, standing nearby, was sincerely happy for Lister for obtaining such rare resources.

All of this was seen by Berta behind Red. Although she didn't know what the fruits in Lister's hand were or their value,

she could tell from their expressions that they were definitely good things. She felt only deep envy for the young lord's luck.

Just as Lister was rejoicing, a terrifyingly oppressive and intimidating roar suddenly echoed from the distance. The sound waves were so strong that even the air began to distort.

Red's expression changed, and he cried out, "Not good! It's a High-level Magic Beast. This tree is likely its property."

"Lord Lister, we must leave quickly."

Lister nodded without a word. After putting the purple soul fruits into his storage ring, the two immediately turned their horses and galloped toward the exit of the Mist Forest.

Just as they left the area, the trees around the purple soul fruit tree were completely shattered by terrifying black fireballs. Black flames instantly spread across the surrounding ground, making the scene look like hell on earth.

Within the flames, a blurry, massive dark shadow was frantically beating its chest, clearly enraged.

Lister caught a glimpse of this scene as he looked back from his horse in the distance, feeling a surge of trepidation.

As they rode further away, the terrifying beast's roars, filled with anger and frustration, gradually faded.

In less than ten minutes, they had completely escaped the Mist Forest. Looking back at the forest, they couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, they were far enough away from the sound; otherwise, it might not have been so easy to escape.

By now, the sun had completely set, and darkness was blanketing the sky.

Accompanied by the faint light, the group galloped toward the Ironthorn Territory... the Tulip Territory.

Aetheria, the "City of Dawn."

It was located near the northwest of this 200,000-danmu (approx. 800 sq km) territory, covering about 7,500 danmu (approx. 30 sq km, similar to Baghdad), with a resident population of around 50,000.

Throughout its hundreds of years of history, it had weathered countless storms and seen many masters come and go. Now, it had become the central territory of the Flanders Family.

At this time, the Soldier Tony Matthew, whom Lister had sent to deliver the letter, finally arrived.

Looking at the pedestrians coming and going on the streets and the bustling variety of shops on both sides, Tony Matthew felt a wave of emotion.

Although he was part of Lister's original team, he had never seen such a prosperous city even when they were in the Viscount Territory.

Let alone the now-barren Ironthorn Territory. However, given Lister's grand image in his heart and his blind trust, he felt that under Lister's leadership, they would eventually have a city like this.

Thinking no more of it, he continued toward the majestic castle manor situated on the highest hill of the inner city within his sight.

More than twenty minutes later, outside the castle manor.

Due to the long period of overexertion, the warhorse beneath him was foaming at the mouth and panting heavily.

Covered in sweat, he leaped down from his horse and walked toward the Soldiers outside the castle.

Seeing him approach, the two guarding Soldiers immediately barred the way with their spears. The Soldier on the right spoke, "The Earl's castle cannot be entered without permission. Who are you, and what is your business?"

"Brothers, my name is Tony Matthew. I come from the Ironthorn Territory. I am here by order of my lord, Baron Lister Howard, to deliver a letter to Lord Earl Elsid."

"It concerns Miss Daisna. Please, help me report this immediately," Tony Matthew said while wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"Miss Daisna!" The two Soldiers were taken aback. After exchanging a glance, the Soldier on the right took Tony's letter and said, "Wait here for a moment. I'll report this for you right away."

"Thank you," Tony Matthew said, cupping his hands.