Chapter 48: It

Under Da Liu's soothing, Xiao Tao was no longer resistant to the researchers and the tests.

She approached the various testing instruments with a look of half-understanding.

Although the researchers were also seeing this mimetic Golden Powder Peach Demon Tree for the first time and were very curious, they all maintained their professional standards and stayed at their posts, not delaying the testing at all.

Race, age, Spirit Power value, primary attributes—there was nothing to say about these; the results were consistent with what was shown on Ge Bai's Spirit Plant Cultivation Manual.

When it came to the skill measurement stage, a small problem arose.

Xiao Tao jumped around on the skill testing platform, simply unwilling to actively use her skills.

"Student Ge Bai, we see that this Golden Powder Peach Demon Tree is still a bit young; is it possible she hasn't mastered her skills very well?"

"If that's the case, we can skip this measurement stage for now."

A beautiful researcher with delicate features and gold-rimmed glasses looked at Xiao Tao's test data and thoughtfully offered them a way out.

She also thoughtfully added, "You don't need to worry; generally, Golden Powder Peach Demon Trees only master the Spirit-Restoring Peach skill around the age of two."

Ge Bai felt the researcher's kindness and returned a friendly smile, but she didn't follow the researcher's lead.

"Could you wait a moment? Let me discuss it with Xiao Tao, please?"

Naturally, there was no objection to that.

Ge Bai walked to the edge of the testing platform and crouched down to look Xiao Tao in the eye, while Da Liu stood on Ge Bai's shoulder, swaying its willow branches.

"Tao, Tao."

Seeing Ge Bai come over, Xiao Tao hopped to the edge of the testing platform and affectionately acted spoiled toward Ge Bai.

"Xiao Tao, can you condense a fruit that restores Spirit Power?"

"I can, Xiao Tao is a peach tree."

A milky, soft telepathic voice sounded in Ge Bai's heart.

Ge Bai was delighted; Xiao Tao was smarter than she had imagined.

"Then, Xiao Tao, how about you condense a fruit now?" she coaxed gently.

"No, Xiao Tao doesn't like bearing fruit."

Hearing Xiao Tao say this, a few black lines flashed behind Ge Bai's head. This child had quite the personality; as expected of a sapling split from Taoyaoniang, she inherited the exact same character of a fruit tree that didn't like bearing fruit.

Beside them, Da Liu let out a snicker, "Bai Bai, Xiao Tao and Taoyaoniang sound exactly the same when they talk about fruit!"

Ge Bai rubbed her forehead, organized her thoughts, and continued to coax.

"Just condense one tiny one, okay? We'll take the fruit for the researchers to test, and then I'll bring it back and give it to you."

Xiao Tao shook her head, but she could see Ge Bai's persistence.

"I don't want the fruit. Giving the fruit to Da Liu or Bai Bai is fine, but not to others."

Hearing Xiao Tao say this, Ge Bai's heart softened. So that was what Xiao Tao cared about.

"Then Xiao Tao is truly the best. Da Liu just consumed Spirit Power and hasn't recovered yet, so I have to rely on Xiao Tao."

Da Liu's Spirit Power consumption wasn't particularly high, and it just so happened it hadn't drunk the nutrient solution provided by the research institute yet.

"After the researchers finish testing the fruit, I'll give it to Da Liu to eat. They will be careful with the testing."

Having received the promise, Xiao Tao nodded with satisfaction. Without transforming back into the Golden Powder Peach Demon Tree form, she closed her eyes tightly, and Spirit Power surged.

A peach branch extended from beneath her leaves, and at the tip of the branch, a tiny white-pink peach condensed at a speed visible to the naked eye. Xiao Tao actively severed the connection between the Spirit-Restoring Peach and herself, and the peach branch instantly dissipated into points of light.

Da Liu was quick-witted, extending its willow branches to catch the falling Spirit-Restoring Peach.

Ge Bai patted Xiao Tao's head, lifted her back onto her shoulder, placed her beside Da Liu, and then took the Spirit-Restoring Peach from Da Liu's willow branches. After a rough glance, she handed it to the beautiful researcher with gold-rimmed glasses.

Watching the Spirit-Restoring Peach being taken away, Xiao Tao pouted, looking unhappy, and tilted her head to lean against Da Liu's trunk. Da Liu was very sensitive to Xiao Tao's emotions and extended a willow branch to tap Xiao Tao's leaves, signaling her to be patient.

The beautiful researcher carefully took the Spirit-Restoring Peach and placed it into the testing instrument. This was her first time seeing such a small Spirit-Restoring Peach, and she didn't know how the Spirit Power content within the fruit would be.

At this moment, Ge Bai's Spirit Sense stirred, and she opened the Spirit Plant Cultivation Manual.

【Skill: Spirit-Restoring Peach - Entry (5/100)】

Xiao Tao condensing one Spirit-Restoring Peach added 5 points to the skill proficiency? This was much faster than Da Liu stacking proficiency bit by bit.

It seemed she still had to trick Xiao Tao into working hard.

The research institute's testing instrument quickly yielded results: it was an entry-level proficiency Spirit-Restoring Peach. Although the fruit looked a bit small, the Spirit Power content was quite high for an entry-level one.

As soon as the test was finished, the beautiful researcher handed the Spirit-Restoring Peach back to Ge Bai. The test results looked very normal, with nothing particularly eye-catching.

However, some of the information about this fruit was different from the original records in the database.

Ge Bai calmly took the fruit and, as agreed, handed it to Da Liu.

It didn't seem to be Da Liu's first time eating a fruit; after its willow branches wrapped around the fruit and it circulated its Spirit Power, the Spirit Power contained in the fruit was quickly transferred into Da Liu's body, and the fruit subsequently turned into points of light and vanished.

Da Liu's internal Spirit Power recovered significantly, and even its willow branches became lustrous. Da Liu, Xiao Tao, and Ge Bai didn't feel anything was wrong, but the surrounding researchers, including Professor Luo Wan, all fell silent in unison.

"What's wrong?" Ge Bai felt the atmosphere around her was off and asked in confusion.

The beautiful researcher swallowed, stepped forward somewhat awkwardly, "Um? The test just now didn't seem comprehensive. Could you please communicate with your Pet Beast and condense another Spirit-Restoring Peach?"

Hearing the researcher say this, the look of confusion on Ge Bai's face deepened.

Professor Luo Wan hadn't paid much attention after seeing Xiao Tao's initial test data, but now he refocused his attention here and spoke up to clear Ge Bai's confusion.

"Generally, the fruit of a Golden Powder Peach Demon Tree can only be consumed by Spirit Beasts; I have never seen a Spirit Plant fruit that also has an effect on Spirit Plants. And..."

After pondering for a moment, Professor Luo Wan added.

"After Da Liu used the Spirit-Restoring Peach, its Spirit Power recovered too rapidly. Usually, after a Spirit Beast uses a normal Spirit-Restoring Peach, it slowly recovers its Spirit Power value over a long period, and the effect is worse than using a nutrient solution."

After hearing Professor Luo Wan's explanation, Ge Bai instantly got the difference between the two.

A normal Spirit-Restoring Peach is just a daily recovery supplement, and there are many alternatives, which is why the Golden Powder Peach Demon Tree's Spirit-Restoring Peach isn't particularly famous.

Perhaps some Spirit Beasts have a preference for peach-type fruits, which is why the Spirit-Restoring Peach has a certain market, but its market value isn't high.

But the effect shown by Xiao Tao's Spirit-Restoring Peach was a completely different concept.

According to the system, this Spirit-Restoring Peach can be used not only by Spirit Plants and Spirit Beasts but even by humans.

Coupled with the fact that it raises the Spirit Power state almost instantly after use, this is no longer a daily supplement; it's a trump card in battle.

In many battles, the use of nutrient solutions and other recovery potions or equipment is not allowed, but the healing and recovery skills of Pet Beasts are not prohibited. Xiao Tao's Spirit-Restoring Peach already belongs to the category of rapid recovery skills.

Understanding what the researchers meant, Ge Bai also wanted to take this opportunity to get a more detailed test, so she had to coax Xiao Tao again.

"Xiao Tao, can you condense another fruit?"

"I just saw Da Liu tasting it with such relish, and I want to taste it too."

When it came to coaxing Xiao Tao, Ge Bai didn't even care about her face anymore.