Although Baozi didn't give her an answer this time, Shi Tou found the answer herself.
In that pitch-black world, Stone clearly saw the half-water, half-fire person being roasted by fire. Slowly, the water on her body seemed to evaporate, becoming less and less, while the fire slowly entered her body.
It seems that the Blood Pearl Fruit does not inherently activate fire-type talents, but rather it allows fire elements floating in the air to slowly gather together.
However, if that's really the case, wouldn't the effect be halved if two people took the Blood Pearl Fruit together in the same place?
"Hehe, the effects of the Blood Bead Fruit are almost over! It seems like it's not enough. Why is she eating them one by one? If she had two Blood Bead Fruits in a row, she would definitely be able to become a solo fire-type talent!"
Shi Tou shuddered. Yes, that was the problem. Logically, although Huo Xiaoxiao possessed two incompatible magical talents, continuously consuming the Blood Bead Fruit should have completely eliminated her already diminished water-based talent. But…
"Sigh." Shi Tou sighed and opened her eyes. She had just seen it: when only a small amount of water the size of a baby's palm remained inside Huo Xiaoxiao's body, the fire element from the outside had vanished without a trace. And that small piece of water was slowly beginning to spread outwards again.
Huo Xiaoxiao failed again.
"Hehe, Baozi knows that after ten days, the water and fire elemental talents in that human will return to their original state of half and half!"
Shi Tou gave a wry smile. So fast? It seems that unless Huo Xiaoxiao takes two Blood Pearl Fruits within ten days, she will never be able to successfully activate it in this lifetime.
"Let's go!" Lin Qi saw Huo Xiaoxiao get up, and without asking whether she had succeeded, he directly ordered them to continue on their way.
Actually, there's no need to ask; Huo Xiaoxiao's silent, zombie-like demeanor already tells everyone the answer.
Nana walked over to Shi Tou and gently tugged at his hand: "We're going out now. Do you want to come back to the capital with us?"
Shi Tou's attention had been focused on Huo Xiaoxiao, so he was a little stunned when Nana asked him this question: "Huh? Didn't you say we could only go after spring?"
“After spring, it’s time for all mercenary groups to leave. We’ll leave early, since there’s nothing much to do here anyway,” Nana explained softly. “Cage and Annie have both successfully activated their powers this time, so they’ll definitely be eager to get back to the capital. If you’re willing to come with us, well, I won’t charge you.”
As she said the last sentence, Nana winked mischievously at the stone.
Stone nodded subconsciously: "Okay, but I need to bring Linda with me."
"Relax, she's your servant, of course I won't ask her for money again." Nana was helpless. She really didn't know where Stone learned his greed from, even though the Beth family was quite wealthy.
"Okay, sure." Although Shi Tou responded to Nana Ke, his eyes were fixed on Huo Xiaoxiao: "Huo Xiaoxiao... she won't be in any trouble, will she?"
"Well..." Nana was a little unsure: "I don't know either, but everyone was lenient with her this time, and she didn't say anything."
Indeed, Huo Xiaoxiao ate three Blood Bead Fruits this time. Even if she couldn't successfully activate her fire-type talent, she couldn't blame anyone else.
Although that's what she thought, Shi Tou couldn't help but look at Huo Xiaoxiao, and when she did, she was suddenly startled.
Huo Xiaoxiao kept her head down, her expression unreadable, and just kept walking forward, with Huo Yi following behind her as usual. It was Huo Yi who truly alarmed Shi Tou.
"Nana, look." Shi Tou quietly pointed at Huo Yi, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Huo Yi was originally extremely timid and cowardly, but now, although she still looked timid on the surface, the slightly upturned corners of her mouth told people that she was in a very good mood.
Reminded by Shi Tou, Nana also noticed this and exchanged a glance with him: "Huo Yi... this person is probably not as timid and cowardly as she appears, or perhaps..."
"Nana, don't get too close to Huo Yi in the future. She might be being suppressed by Huo Xiaoxiao a bit too much," Shi Tou replied softly.
Nana nodded, about to say something, when suddenly Annie screamed from ahead.
"My God! Blood Pearl Fruit!"
The two stepped forward, momentarily at a loss for words.
Two small, bright fruits hang from the branches in the bushes ahead. What else could they be but blood bead fruits?
Nana gave a wry smile and subconsciously looked at Huo Xiaoxiao: "This is really..."
Shi Tou's heart skipped a beat. She remembered what Bao Zi had said in her mind earlier: "Two pieces, then..."
Does this mean Huo Xiaoxiao is saved? I just don't know if she has the guts to eat it.
"Sister, buy it for me!" Just as everyone was having different thoughts, Huo Yi, who was usually invisible, suddenly spoke up. Although she still looked timid, her eyes, which were gleaming with a sharp light, betrayed her.
She's still young.
Huo Xiaoxiao turned around abruptly, stared blankly at Huo Yi for a long while, and then coldly said, "Fine, I'll buy it for you!"
☆ Chapter 120: The Little Horse Crossing the River
Everyone stared at Huo Xiaoxiao in utter shock, unable to believe that those words had just come from her mouth. It was now certain that Huo Xiaoxiao had no hope of successfully activating her fire magic talent; more precisely, she had lost her right to inherit the Huo family fortune.
So, at this time, would she still kindly buy the Blood Pearl Fruit for Huo Yi?
However, looking at it from another perspective, Huo Xiaoxiao's actions are understandable. Although she spoke so harshly before, people are still afraid of death, even adults are like that, let alone a nine-year-old girl. Since she has no hope now, she might as well grant Huo Yi's wish. That way, perhaps Huo Yi will remember her kindness in the future.
Shi Tou didn't know what others were thinking, but she instinctively felt that something was wrong. She had pretty much figured out Huo Xiaoxiao's personality over the past three months. This behavior was really unlike Huo Xiaoxiao's.
After hesitating for a moment, Shi Tou finally spoke: "Miss Huo, I don't know if you've ever heard the saying, 'When you think you've reached the end of the road, a new path opens up before you.'"
Huo Xiaoxiao jolted awake, looking at the stone with surprise, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.
Seeing that Huo Xiaoxiao's attitude had softened a bit, Shi Tou stepped forward and walked to her side: "Miss Huo, is magic really that important? There is more than just magic in this world, there is also battle qi. Even if you really look down on battle qi, you can choose other methods. I believe that people who are truly capable will not be overlooked."
"There are some things you won't understand unless you experience them yourself." Huo Xiaoxiao opened her mouth, but finally uttered these words stiffly.
"There are some things I won't understand. But I do understand that life is only once, and once it's gone, it's gone forever." Stone hesitated for a moment, thinking of herself. But then she dismissed the thought. After all, time travel isn't something as simple as cabbage: "I hope you think it over carefully."
Huo Xiaoxiao lowered her head, seemingly lost in thought, and remained silent for a long time.
"Sister, what are you hesitating about? This time, the young ladies and gentlemen of the Kru family have successfully awakened their fire magic talents. But what about our family? Have you thought about what Dad will think?" Perhaps seeing Huo Xiaoxiao's hesitation, or perhaps sensing that her fate was about to take a turn, Huo Yi finally couldn't help but speak up.
Huo Xiaoxiao suddenly looked up, staring intently at Huo Yi. Her eyes were venomous, like those of a viper: "What, you're so impatient?!"
Huo Yi shuddered and immediately lowered her head. She bit her lip tightly, not daring to utter another word. In truth, although she appeared fearful, she was secretly furious, furious that Huo Xiaoxiao wouldn't admit her mistake until the very end, and furious that Shi Tou was meddling in other people's business.
However, given the current situation, she really dared not say anything more.
Huo Xiaoxiao stared at Huo Yi with resentment for a while, then suddenly turned to Shi Tou and nodded: "Don't worry. I'm not going to die yet. Humph, even if I die, I won't let this little bitch laugh at me!"
Lin Qi frowned and remained silent, but his dissatisfaction was clearly visible on his face: "Miss Bess, if you want to buy Blood Pearl Fruit yourself, you can discuss it with Miss Huo."
Stone raised an eyebrow; Lin Qi's meaning was clear. He was implying that she wanted the Blood Pearl Fruit but didn't dare ask openly, resorting instead to sowing discord. With a slight smile, Stone said innocently, "Uncle Lin Qi, I remember telling you from the beginning that I never intended to take the Blood Pearl Fruit. Have you forgotten?"
Lin Qi looked at Stone in surprise. Of course he remembered this incident, but he always thought that Stone said this because he didn't have money or was unwilling to spend it, rather than because he genuinely didn't want it: "Miss Bess, if you don't want the Blood Pearl Fruit, why do you insist on entering the Crimson Forest again?"
Stone knew that Lin Qi was a little embarrassed and angry, but she didn't care at all: "I already said that I just came in to take a look around, so what? Did you not understand, or was I not clear enough?"
Lin Qi was so angry that he almost fell backwards, and for a moment he was speechless.
Huo Xiaoxiao glanced at Lin Qi, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips: "Lin Qi, don't worry, I will buy these two Blood Bead Fruits."
This time, Lin Qi was truly unlucky. Generally, children's groups like this only have about 5 members. Because the number of Blood Pearl Fruits is also limited, if each person can consume one per month, a total of 15 Blood Pearl Fruits are needed. However, generally speaking, finding 10 Blood Pearl Fruits within three months is already considered very lucky.
But this time, Lin Qi led seven people, yet in the end, they couldn't even sell the Blood Pearl Fruit. The result was truly...
"You're going to buy it?" Lin Qi looked at Huo Xiaoxiao, seemingly considering the truth of her words. After all, given the relationship between Huo Xiaoxiao and Huo Yi, the possibility of her buying the Blood Pearl Fruit for Huo Yi was really slim.
“Yes!” Huo Xiaoxiao nodded emphatically, then tossed two silk pouches to Lin Qi.
Shi Tou looked on with envy, wondering just how wealthy Huo Xiaoxiao was. One silk pouch was worth 10 purple gold coins, which was 1000 gold coins. Since entering the Crimson Forest, Huo Xiaoxiao had thrown out at least 6 or 7 silk pouches.
After picking two Blood Pearl Fruits, Huo Xiaoxiao held the two bright fruits in her palm and played with them: "What beautiful fruits, aren't they?"
Huo Xiaoxiao stared directly at Huo Yi!
Huo Yi bit her lip, remaining silent, but inwardly cursing Huo Xiaoxiao. She was clearly a good-for-nothing, yet she clung to the position of Huo family heir and refused to step down. Moreover, this time, her father had sent both of them into the Crimson Forest, wasn't it precisely so that if Huo Xiaoxiao failed to successfully awaken her fire magic talent, at least she would still have an option?
But!
"Miss Beth, what do you think we should do with these two fruits?" Seeing Huo Yi remain silent, Huo Xiaoxiao turned her head and looked at Shi Tou very seriously. She looked as if she was really asking Shi Tou's opinion, and she seemed very willing to listen to Shi Tou's opinion.
Shi Tou's clear eyes swept over Huo Xiaoxiao's hand. To be honest, she had been reluctant to take the Blood Pearl Fruit before because she felt that the fruit's effects were unclear and had even caused deaths before, making her particularly uneasy. However, after seeing Huo Xiaoxiao's half-dead state that time, she felt reassured about the Blood Pearl Fruit.
However, it was because of that incident that she truly no longer wanted to take the Blood Pearl Fruit. The reason was simple: after that incident, she took the opportunity to carefully examine her body, and what she saw terrified her.
Huo Xiaoxiao's body is half water and half fire. But her body is...
She possesses all 11 magical elements: metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, thunder, ice, space, light, and darkness!
Of these, the five basic magical elements make up the largest proportion, followed by the three variant magical elements of wind, lightning, and ice, while space, light, and darkness are the least common. In other words, her entire body gathers all the magical elements in the world.
No wonder Baozi hinted to her from the beginning not to eat the Blood Pearl Fruit.
After clearly seeing her body's condition, Shi Tou couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. What would happen if she hadn't been careful and eaten the Blood Pearl Fruit? If she was lucky, she would end up like Huo Xiaoxiao, failing to awaken her fire magic talent. If she was unlucky…
It's probably normal for the magical elements all over the body to be in a chaotic state, right?
Now that he knew this, why would Stone still be interested in the two Blood Bead Fruits in Huo Xiaoxiao's palm?
“Miss Huo, I have a suggestion you might want to hear.” After thinking it over carefully, Shi Tou finally decided to help her out.
"Oh? Go ahead." Perhaps because she had been hit so hard over the past few months, Huo Xiaoxiao had lost her initial sharpness and arrogance. Not only was her expression much gentler, but her tone was also kinder than ever before.
Of course, this could also be because of the gesture of goodwill that Stone had just shown her.
Stone organized his thoughts for a moment and slowly began to speak: "Actually, I know that Blood Pearl Fruit can stimulate the fire magic talent of humans under the age of 10, but I have also heard that consuming too much Blood Pearl Fruit can lead to death."
Huo Xiaoxiao looked at Shi Tou suspiciously, not understanding why she was saying all this now, but she still replied, "Yes, that's why there's a rule that you have to wait a month between taking Blood Pearl Fruit."
“This rule was set by humans, not by nature, right?” Stone looked at Huo Xiaoxiao very seriously: “Not everyone will have problems if they take two Blood Pearl Fruits at once.”
Huo Xiaoxiao was a little stunned, and murmured, "You mean, you mean..."
“Miss Huo, I didn’t say anything.” Shi Tou blinked, looking completely innocent. “How about this, I’ll tell you a story! This is a story my grandma told me when I was little. I remember the title of the story is ‘The Little Horse Crossing the River’.”
Stone recounted the classic fairy tale from his past life in the simplest of words. Everyone present had grown up listening to heroic stories and had never heard such a simple and straightforward tale before, leaving them all somewhat bewildered.
Huo Xiaoxiao's face turned pale and then red, as she was momentarily mesmerized by what she heard.
After finishing his story, Stone stopped talking and found a flat spot. He took out a thick mat, spread it on the ground, and began to eat the dried meat chunks.
Huo Xiaoxiao stared blankly for a while, then looked down at the two Blood Bead Fruits in her palm, pondering deeply. Suddenly, she walked up to Huo Yi and placed one of the Blood Bead Fruits in his hand: "If I die, give my spatial bracelet to Dad. Also, I'll consider your spatial bracelet a gift for Miss Beth."
Before anyone could understand what was happening, Huo Xiaoxiao had already walked quickly to Shi Tou's side, sat down unceremoniously on the thick cushion Shi Tou had brought out, and then tilted her head back...
The blood-bead fruit had already fallen into her mouth.
☆, Chapter 121 The Success and Failure of the Huo Sisters