PATH OF THE STAR HUNTER

But to his surprise neither Xiauyue nor Mei had the slightest idea of ??what this tree was, as studied as Xiauyue was, she had never read anything about a tree with this appearance, and Mei who was more used to exploring nature also had no related experience.

The only thing the trio was sure of is that since this tree was not only guarded by the mountain-eating serpent but was also the target sought by those disciples of the bloody scorpion sect; it must be a very valuable tree.

Helpless Desmond resorted to pulling out the hunter’s book in front of Xiauyue and Mei who watched with interest the projected holographic screen that explained the tree’s characteristics.

<Twilight Balance Tree. Two-star class, medium level.

Class: Precious plant.

Ki Type: Yin / Yang

Description: A true rarity of nature, a treasure born where extreme mortality devoured extreme vitality. This tree usually appears very rarely in places where vital and natural Ki abounds, devouring everything in its path, turning beautiful landscapes into desolate lands; Its most peculiar characteristic is that it does not consume all that vital essence but transforms it and combines it with its innate mortal essence, giving birth to fruit with mystical powers.>

Without wanting to waste time Desmond directly used the analysis function on the small fruits on the tree wanting to see why they were so special.

.....

<Soul of twilight. Three-stars class, low level.

Class: mystical fruit.

Ki Type: Extreme Yin / Extreme Yang.

Description: A mystical fruit that condenses the essence of extreme Yin and extreme Yang, its value is difficult to determine since its effects, although powerful, usually depend on who consumes the fruit. Broadly speaking, those who consume this fruit see their body refined by the extreme Yin and extreme Yang energies in the fruit, increasing its strength significantly and obtaining from these energies a skill, understanding, characteristic, or inspiration.>

Just reading the phrase three stars was enough to get Desmond excited, as for the rest of the information? Although Desmond did not fully understand the function of the fruit, he at least was clear that this was a precious treasure rarely seen so the expression of happiness on his face could not be brighter.

Xiauyue and Mei for their part, thanks to the psychic magic by which the translation function of the notebook operated and the fact that the notebook identified them as Desmond’s allies, they had the opportunity to read the description of both the tree and the fruit; so they eyes were now shining brightly.

This fruit was after all the perfect opportunity for them to try to overcome their current strength, as it was not only a natural treasure that offered a significant improvement in their strength but even carried with it the possibility of obtaining a special understanding or ability.

Desmond of course thought similarly but he did not seem very worried that Xiauyue or Mei will try to snatch the fruits from the tree, it is not that his trust in them was absolute or anything like that but at least Desmond believed that trying to snatch the fruits was below of them.

And Desmond was right, as excited as they were to see such a precious treasure waiting quietly for someone to take it, neither of them made a move no matter how fast their hearts beat at the thought of getting such treasures.

Seeing the girls’ restrained attitude, Desmond couldn’t help but smile kindly to himself before using the most nonchalant attitude in the world to take two of the four fruits from the tree and simply toss them into the arms of both beauties.

Both Mei and Xiauyue caught the fruits that were thrown at them by inertia but their gazes were still fixed on Desmond who now calmly kept the other two fruits in his notebook and a question could not avoid escaping from the fragrant lips of both beauties: “Why?”

The question made Desmond stop on his way out of the stone meadow and for the first time made him seriously consider the reason for his actions as the girls might not know it but when it came to his attitude towards them Desmond let himself be guided more by their emotions and state of mind than by any rational criteria.

But no matter how much Desmond thought about it, none of the rational excuses that occurred to him were the real reason behind his actions so after thinking about it for several dozen seconds; He finished shrugging his shoulders and replied with a warm sincerity that he showed few people: “There is no real reason, at least not the kind that you are asking me but if I had to give a reason... that would be that I like you, it is difficult to meet people who can be trusted in a foreign land like this, but no matter how we met you have shown me nothing but kindness and if I had to share my findings of wealth in this forest with someone I would gladly give you a portion to pay for the kindness you have given me ”

Needless to say, a sincere response so full of warmth left Xiauyue and Mei speechless for a moment, but after exchanging a shy look between them, they both approached Desmond with their adorable flushed cheeks and the two girls not saying anything at all, they stood on tiptoe planting a warm kiss on his face.

For a moment Desmond even wondered if he had inhaled some of the poison that he put in the arrow a moment ago causing him hallucinations because I never expected that without asking both girls would take the initiative to kiss him shyly; especially when they didn’t do it at sonic speed like last time.

Ignoring the carnage scene that was still the stone meadow they were in, Desmond had a smile as warm and fresh as a spring breeze as he walked alongside the two blushing girls and intimately stroked the silky hair of both beauties.

Now with less stress and a renewed spirit Desmond commented: “Well, we better get out of here and find a place to camp, the sun is about to set so it is not a good idea to stay out in the open.”

Xiauyue and Mei who had not yet overcome their shyness only exchanged a glance before nodding, who would have thought that having that little act of shyness directed towards Desmond would make the girls feel closer and more intimate with each other; causing them to discreetly hold hands as they followed Desmond leaving the stone meadow.

Of course as sharp as Desmond was, he noticed the intimate little gesture between the girls which caused him a little tenderness as he thought to himself that these girls really made a beautiful couple but remembering the kind of world they lived in Desmond thought he should have a conversation with them at some point about their plans as they would face many difficulties if they wanted to stay together.

Putting those thoughts in the back of his head Desmond decided to concentrate right now on finding a haven in these mountains, although he already had a goal in mind; a small group of caves discreetly set in the side of one of the mountains that Desmond had seen from the stone meadow because he had amplified his senses with mana.

But to get to that area Desmond and company had to continue prowling through the territory where the blood scorpion sect was most active so the group ended up encountering some obstacles along the way.

It was only thanks to the extremely keen senses of Mei and Desmond that the trio managed to evade any large group of enemies while Desmond took it upon himself to liquidate anyone who dared to run alone in these mountains; collecting a small secondary fortune along the way.

By the time they reached the slope Desmond chose as a resting place, the trio had already managed to evade several dozen members of the bloody scorpions while Desmond hunted almost a full dozen of them.

Arriving at the small set of caves, Mei offered to investigate in case there was something dangerous inside the cave and with Desmond tired from the previous battle and scorpion hunting so far he quickly agreed while Xiauyue only reluctantly nodded with concern written all over her elegant face.

After waiting less than a dozen seconds, Xiauyue and Desmond saw Mei emerge unscathed, and It turned out that the cave seemed to have been inhabited by a beast in the winter but this was now unoccupied or at least that was what Mei deduced from her experience in nature.

Quite satisfied with their earnings for the day but also quite exhausted, the trio quickly used some of the surrounding foliage and a gigantic rock that Mei moved smoothly to hide the entrance to the cave before setting up camp and lighting a fire to provide some warmth in these mountains that quickly cooled down as soon as the sun went down.