Chapter 82: Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches

Night had fallen. A sudden downpour swept across Wuling City, the tempest tossing heavy clouds overhead, thunder flashing and rumbling ceaselessly within their depths.

“Old She, it’s me!”

Through the torrent, a car sped swiftly, slicing through the curtain of rain until it stopped before She’s residence.

A creak echoed as Old She opened the door, revealing another elderly man who stood smiling at him from the threshold.

“Well, She Gongyu, here I am—aren’t you going to let me in for a spell?”

Seeing She lost in thought, the old man, named Lin Quan, chuckled and scolded him lightly.

“Come in, come in. I truly hadn’t expected it would be you, Old Lin.”

“If I didn’t come, I feared that the Heavenly Spirit Fruit might just vanish into thin air!”

Lin Quan raised his hand, and only then did Old She notice the small box it held.

“Is this—?”

“Yes, inside is the Heavenly Spirit Fruit.”

Once inside, Lin Quan sipped hot tea and casually tossed the small box onto the table, as though it contained not a treasure but an ordinary gift.

“Old She, you’ve given me a real headache this time. The Heavenly Spirit Fruit is meant for cultivating our Celestial Stems and Earthly Branches—they’re our future deterrent.”

Hearing this, Old She laughed.

“Celestial Stems and Earthly Branches? Don’t talk to me about them. We poured everything into their training, and in the end, they wouldn’t even step onto the battlefield!”

Lin Quan looked at his old friend, smiling with squinting eyes. “Old She.”

“Yes?”

“The times have changed!”

Indeed, times were changing; She Gongyu was keenly aware of this, and so he fell silent. For him, the greatest fear was not death, but being abandoned by the tide of history.

“Now, our selection for the Celestial Stems and Earthly Branches is extremely strict. The mistakes of the past will not be repeated.”

“That’s good, very good.”

The Celestial Stems and Earthly Branches were a formidable team established by the authorities, each member powerful in their own right, and the Heavenly Spirit Fruit was usually reserved for them. To bring out a fruit this time was an exception; though none voiced their discontent, Lin Quan could sense some were unhappy.

When two men who had weathered the storms of life sit together, reminiscence comes easily, and so they chatted deep into the night.

At dawn, the two elders departed together, heading for Digital Hospital in Wuling City.

“Old She, the ultimate evolution of the Tyrannosaurus is riddled with problems—great safety risks. Giving him the Heavenly Spirit Fruit is a waste.”

Seated in the car, Lin Quan lamented, glancing at She. Though he admired the boy’s courage and devotion, had the choice been his, he would never have offered the fruit. A Tyrannosaurus destined to struggle with ultimate evolution was, in his eyes, unworthy of such a prize.

“He may yet work a miracle,” She replied, holding the small box with a gentle laugh.

“Let’s hope so!” Lin Quan shook his head, resigned.

An hour later, the pair arrived at Digital Hospital once more. They were greeted by the hospital director, Gao Tianming.

“Old She, and this gentleman is...?”

Gao Tianming hesitated; anyone accompanying She Gongyu must surely be distinguished.

“No need to mind him!” Old She waved his hand dismissively and strode ahead.

“Hey, old fellow,” Lin Quan smiled, shot Gao a glance, and hurried after She, their drivers and bodyguards trailing behind.

“Old She, third floor, bed 307!” Gao Tianming called out, regaining his composure.

...

Zhao Jie stared bewildered at the two elderly men who had suddenly appeared at his bedside. He could not fathom why, upon waking, he found them standing like guardian deities by his bed, so startled he almost imagined seeing the spirits Black and White, come to claim his life.

He rubbed his brow, feeling his brain torn apart every second, pain his constant companion. Cautiously, he asked, “Are you here to be admitted as patients, too?”

Admitted?

Hearing the word, Old Lin glanced at his companion with a subtle expression.

So this young man doesn’t even know who you are, and yet you’re willing to give him a Heavenly Spirit Fruit? You’re truly generous!

“No, we’re here to see you,” Old She cleared his throat.

“So, how are you? Is your recovery going well?”

To see me?

Zhao Jie quickly realized—they must be officials.

That made sense; ordinary people could not enter this hospital.

“My recovery is poor. My head aches, and my digital partner is still unconscious.”

Lin Quan paused, surprised. Wasn’t this the moment to say, “I’m recovering well, thank you for your concern”? This wasn’t quite what he’d expected.

“I know, I know. Don’t worry, we’re aware of your situation. We’ve come to help you,” Old She nodded warmly, gazing kindly at Zhao Jie lying in bed.

“You can cure Agumon?”

At the mention of help, Zhao Jie sat up, excitement shining in his eyes.

“Not exactly—we can cure your problem,” Old She’s smile faltered; when it came to digital monsters, he truly had no solution.

Fine.

Zhao Jie’s smile faded. He had hoped they could heal Agumon, but curing his own headaches would be good, too. It meant he could attempt digital fusion again, possibly awakening Agumon.

“All right, enough talk. Here, eat this fruit.”

Old She opened the box, revealing a crystal-clear, fist-sized fruit.

“If I eat it, my headache will be cured?”

Zhao Jie looked incredulously at the elders. He remembered the doctors saying his brain trauma could only heal through his body’s own resilience. Could this fruit really heal him?

“Will you eat it or not? If not, give it back!”

Seeing Zhao Jie hesitate, Lin Quan snapped. So many had fought for this fruit, and now it fell into the hands of this boy, who hesitated so.

What a waste!