Chapter Forty-Nine: Fight!

As the voice faded, a squad appeared before the crowd, led by a man whose arrogance was palpable, as if the wooden box was already in his possession.

“Mingyue Settlement, Qi Yuan, what do you mean by this?” someone challenged.

The opposing team was strong, their members formidable, and their settlement surpassed theirs in power. Even so, Shi Jiu had no intention of yielding. Before obtaining the Red Pouch, he would have retreated with his people, tail between his legs. But now—what was there to fear?

If you never resist when bullied, you’ll always be bullied. Only by hurting your adversary, making them fear you, will they hesitate to overstep again.

Survival in this post-apocalyptic world required caution and steadiness, but also a ruthless edge.

Shi Jiu was not afraid of a clash between the two squads, nor was he concerned about retaliation from the opposing settlement. He believed it unlikely; though they were somewhat stronger, neither side would lightly risk war between settlements—unless hatred ran deep, or one side could utterly overpower the other. Otherwise, the losses from conflict would be too great for either to bear.

Both sides faced off, Shi Jiu’s squad closing ranks around him, the atmosphere tense and heavy.

Qi Yuan was clearly displeased, feeling his dignity under threat.

“What do you think I mean? Get out of my way! This belongs to me now,” he demanded.

“Get lost, you bastard! Let’s kill these sons of bitches!” Shi Jiu couldn’t hold back any longer. With his strength newly enhanced, his confidence had swelled; yet time and again, he was treated as a target for bullying. If he didn’t vent his anger, he’d suffocate.

Shi Jiu usually presented himself as rational and mindful of the bigger picture. But that was only because he was the captain, responsible for everyone’s safety. In truth, he had a fiery temper, kept in check only by his leadership role.

“Damn them! Trying to steal from us!” someone yelled.

“They think we’re sheep, just waiting to be trampled!” another spat.

His teammates had been barely restraining themselves, waiting for Shi Jiu’s command. Once he gave the order, they surged forward like tigers unleashed, ferociously attacking the other squad.

Qi Yuan was startled, then furious. “Fight! These fools don’t know their own limits!”

As one of Mingyue Settlement’s strongest squads, Qi Yuan was proud—and he knew the relative strength of all nearby settlements. Now a weaker group dared to strike first? How dare they!

Qi Yuan rushed to confront Shi Jiu. His life card was a jade-green serpent; it provided little benefit when bonded, so he typically summoned it to coil around himself, ready to ambush his foes in battle. Shi Jiu was well aware of this tactic and fought with caution.

Shi Jiu’s life card was a red-eyed rat, which enhanced his vision when bonded. Incidentally, snakes and rats had a kind of natural rivalry.

After a few exchanges, Qi Yuan realized Shi Jiu’s strength matched his own: both were at the peak of the first tier.

Qi Yuan grew frustrated. Shi Jiu fought carefully, disengaging after every clash, giving the serpent no chance to strike—a clear sign he knew Qi Yuan’s tricks.

“No wonder you dare challenge me. So your strength has increased. But have your men gotten stronger too?” Qi Yuan could only hope his own squad would prevail. If they defeated Shi Jiu’s people, they could regroup and help him secure victory.

Shi Jiu sliced at Qi Yuan, laughing. “Look at your men before you say that again.”

Qi Yuan felt a pang of unease, but quickly dismissed it as a ploy to distract him.

“Stop playing games! I’ll teach you why the flowers bloom so red!” Qi Yuan snapped.

“Games? Not necessary. Just listen to who’s screaming,” Shi Jiu replied, arms folded, no longer interested in fighting—his squad had already wiped out the opposition.

Qi Yuan listened; the cries of pain sounded all too familiar. Turning, he saw his own men sprawled on the ground, groaning in agony.

His heart chilled at the sight.

Now it was Shi Jiu’s turn to swagger: “Take your men and get out of my sight! You’re an eyesore!”

Qi Yuan’s face darkened, humiliated and furious, glaring at Shi Jiu.

Shi Jiu shot back, “Who are you glaring at? One more look and I’ll give you a pair of black eyes. You really don’t know your place.”

Qi Yuan stalked over to his defeated men, kicking each of them before retreating in disgrace.

Shi Jiu made no move to stop them; killing them here would only deepen the rift between their settlements. If war broke out, his group would suffer most—the opposing leader was third tier, while theirs was only at the peak of the second.

None of them knew Li Kuang had broken through to the third tier; only those involved in that operation were aware.

Mu Kui sauntered over, grinning, “Captain, doesn’t it feel great to show off?”

Chen An chimed in, “Of course! Look, the captain’s smile is almost reaching the sky.”

Shi Jiu laughed, “You’re right, putting those bullies in their place feels amazing!”

With the fight resolved, the squad returned to the wooden box.

The box was a deep azure, shining faintly on its surface. Shi Jiu opened it, revealing a blue-green fruit.

“A second-tier Spirit Fruit!” Shi Jiu exclaimed softly, keeping his voice low for fear of being overheard.

The squad gathered around, faces lighting up at the sight.

“For real! This is worth over a hundred first-tier source pearls—we’ve struck it rich!”

“More than its value, the improvement in cultivation is priceless.”

“But… there’s only one Spirit Fruit,” someone said, voicing the practical dilemma.

Seeing their silence, Shi Jiu spoke, “Alright, put it away for now. We’ll decide later whether to sell or share it. Let’s keep searching these cabins—maybe we’ll find another Spirit Fruit.”

No one objected; the possibility of more made their eyes burn with anticipation. If each could claim one, there’d be nothing to fight over.

Spurred on, the squad began searching rapidly.

They tore through every room, slaying the goblins they encountered. In doing so, they found three more Spirit Fruits, though all were first tier.

The difference between first and second tier was immense—a first-tier fruit was worth perhaps thirty source pearls.

Still, everyone was thrilled. With this opportunity, perhaps they could all break through to the second tier.

The Spirit Fruit was their final stepping stone; a few more, and ascension to the second tier would be all but assured.