Yan Cijin caught it with both arms.
"Keep it safe!"
"I know!"
Bai Li climbed higher.
The tree became faster.
It was weaker, but its attacks were more desperate.
That made them more dangerous.
Roots cracked through the rooftop.
Branches became spears.
Leaves became blades.
Bai Li fired her revolver while climbing.
Each golden bullet tore open another defensive point.
Yan Cijin shifted below her.
She no longer tried to destroy the tree directly.
Instead, she watched.
She learned its attack patterns.
She counted the gaps.
She called them out.
"Right side! Three branches!"
Bai Li ducked.
"Bottom!"
She jumped.
"Behind!"
She spun and blocked.
"The fruit stem!"
Bai Li fired.
The stem cracked.
She reached it.
The second fruit came free.
This time the tree released a violent scream.
Bai Li almost lost her footing.
Yan Cijin caught the fruit's falling stem with a bolt from her crossbow, slowing it enough for Bai Li to grab it.
"Nice," Bai Li said.
