The two young shamans approached to the apple tree with a look of wonder and doubt. One of them was still injured and in pain so he was not really in condition to run away far. Since the the group they don't want to meet again left the area, they decided to stay for a while healing their wounds.
As the night approaches, the energy of the golden apples in their environment became more evident. Like the stars in the sky, gold-coloured spots appeared from various parts of the tree. And the golden apples were slowly swaying because of the light breeze in the air. Their movements resembled the dance of a group of fireflies.
Two young shamans who witnessed this dance were looking hypnotised. Meng Hao couldn't turn his eyes anywhere else than the apples. Like a puppet, he approached the tree with irregular steps. Xiao Yan was also in the same situation, but he couldn't move because his body was still aching with every step.
The restriction of his body saved him from this hypnosis. When he saw that his friend walking towards to the apple in the tree as a zombie, he shouted:
- Meng! Wake up! You must not approach that tree! Damn it, wake up!
Although Xiao Yan was yelling that was because of unknown. Normally he wouldn't even need to warn Meng Hao if he was sure that apple tree was just a plant. Because Meng Hao was a special shaman at experts at controlling plants, especially poisonous ones. However, what if this huge thing is not a plan but a monster that acts like a plant? He also figured out that apple tree was taller since they discovered it. This was not normal! And certainly this huge tree will attract many other beast and also other humans. He was injured too. Countless tragedic scenarios surfaced in his mind.
Meng Hao reached for an apple. The mysterious colour of the apple and the sparkle on its surface were as if absorbing his soul. He couldn't look anywhere else. At that moment, there came a smell, which he had never sniffed before.
This smell was very nice, kind and charming. Meng Hao imagined himself watching the pink sky as he lay on the clouds. He wanted to smell more. He had different dreams in every breath he took. He didn't even know how his cheeks leaned against the surface of the golden apple. He was drooling. When he opened his eyes, he found only a small piece of the golden apple in his hand. He looked up at Xiao Yan fearfully.
- What have I done?
"How do you feel?! " Xiao Yan looked at his friend with worry. His friend lost against the creature's charm and had eaten the apple. He couldn't help because but worry. If he wasn't injured, maybe he could've been in the same situation too.
Meng Hao looked pensively at the piece of apple in his hand and waved the other hand at his friend. He frowned and closed his eyes. After a while, he started making some strange noises and grabbed his stomach.
"What's happening?!" Xiao Yan crawled towards Meng Hao. But at that moment, Meng Hao stood up and started to laugh crazily.
"Possession??" Xiao Yan felt his blood run cold.
A yellow-green shield was formed around Meng Hao. His cheeks were red and sweaty, but there was a big smile on his face.
"I can feel I breakthrough to a new realm" He said with great excitement.
"WHAT?!" Xiao Yan's eyes grew. This. If this is true, this apple was some kind of treasure!
Xiao Yan crawled as quickly as possible to the nearest tree branch, and his hands were shaking. But the moment he touched an apple, all his excitement, anxiety, and all other feelings disappeared. Only happiness! Just like Meng Hao, when he opened his eyes again, he had already finished an entire apple.
Shortly thereafter, the wounds on Xiao Yan's body healed and his energy level began to increase. The effects of this fruit were miraculous.
They looked each other with sparkling eyes.