Douluo Continent: Gourmet Prisoner

"Thump...thump...thump..."

The heartbeat-like sound grew clearer, as if it came from the depths of the soul. Shi Yu, following the orange-yellow unicorn, finally arrived at the center of the Forest of Life Rhythm.

What comes into view is a towering tree. Its trunk is so thick that it takes dozens of people to encircle it, and its branches and leaves are as lush as an umbrella. The layers of green exude a rich and awe-inspiring life force.

On the highest branch of the giant tree, only a single, solitary fruit hung.

The man and the unicorn stopped and looked up, their eyes fixed on the fruit.

It is only the size of a longan, with a peel like a living agate, flowing with a golden halo, and inside you can vaguely see golden patterns like blood vessels and veins, which are slowly pulsating with a "thump thump" sound, perfectly blending with the life force of the giant tree.

The two walked slowly toward the giant tree, as if on a pilgrimage. The closer the unicorn got, the faster its heart beat, and a feeling of suffocation rose in its chest. In the end, it could only stop ten meters away from the giant tree, its eyes filled with awe and helplessness.

Shi Yu walked unimpeded to the foot of the giant tree and looked up at the apple that seemed to pulsate with life.

"So warm..." Shi Yu closed her eyes, feeling the scent emanating from the fruit, and tears involuntarily streamed down her face. "It's like returning to my mother's embrace, or like curling up in an egg, enveloped in endless tenderness."

He could clearly feel his heartbeat gradually synchronizing with the pulse of the fruit, as if the two were one.

Just then, the apple of life seemed to sense his feelings, trembled slightly, and fell from the branch. As if drawn by an invisible force, it slowly landed on the ground in front of Shi Yu.

"Grateful for all the ingredients in the world, I'm starting!" Shi Yu held the fruit in both hands, tears still wet on her face, and gently took a bite.

"Click—"

After the crisp sound, an indescribable taste exploded in my mouth.

"I heard it!" Shi Yu's eyes widened, his face filled with shock. "I heard the heartbeat of the forest, the pulse of the earth, and the cheers of the ingredients!"

"The first sip is as refreshing as the first drop of nectar at the beginning of the universe, so pure that it is without a trace of impurity."

"The second breath is a vibrant symphony of millions of lives breaking through the soil in spring, full of vigorous vitality."

"The third bite is like returning to the warmth and tranquility of the womb, where all fatigue and anxiety vanish."

This is not eating food at all, but swallowing the concept of "life" itself.

With each bite, a continuous flow of life energy surged into his body, nourishing his limbs and cleansing his soul.

Shi Yu was immersed in this ultimate experience, swallowing large mouthfuls of food.

Golden juice overflows from the fruit's "vessels," exuding an intensely rich life force that permeates the heart of the forest.

It wasn't until a faint sob was heard that Shi Yu suddenly came to his senses.

He looked down and saw that a small pony had appeared beside him without him noticing.

It has a sky-blue body, rainbow-colored mane and tail, crystal-clear crimson eyes, a pair of small wings on its back, and a colorful unicorn on its forehead covered with a mesmerizing halo. It looks like a combination of the legendary Pegasus and unicorn.

At this moment, the little foal was looking down, tears welling up in its eyes, as it nibbled on the fallen fruit on the ground, occasionally letting out a sob of emotion, clearly immersed in the wonderful taste of the fruit of life.

Shi Yu looked at it, his mind filled with doubt: "Is this still Douluo Continent?"

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the unicorn leader not far away, who was staring longingly at the fruit, his eyes filled with desire, yet unable to approach due to his physical limitations.

"My friend, come and have a taste!" Shi Yu called out.

"I can't get close." The unicorn leader shook his head helplessly. "If I take just one more step, my heart will pound like it's going to explode, and the suffocating feeling will make me lose consciousness."

Shi Yu held the fruit, lost in thought. This apple, pulsating with life, was not an inanimate object, but a "heart of life energy," possessing its own will.

Why did it willingly fall into my hands? And why did I allow the foal to get close?

"I understand!" Shi Yu suddenly looked up, a flash of enlightenment in his eyes, "Only those with pure hearts, vigorous vitality, and a sense of awe and gratitude for all things can approach it and consume it."

Otherwise, it will backfire on you, causing your heart to race and eventually leading to death.

He looked at the unicorn leader: "My friend, try to let go of your worries, feel gratitude for all life, and then slowly approach."

The unicorn leader suddenly realized. Unicorns are inherently pure-hearted, vibrant spirit beasts, and they can also sense the emotions of others.

It quickly adjusted its mindset, letting its awe for life and gratitude for nature well up in its heart, and walked step by step toward the apple that pulsates with life.

This time, the feeling of suffocation in my chest disappeared, and my heartbeat was steady and strong.

It walked up to the fruit and carefully took a bite.

A warm energy instantly surged into my body, as if I had traveled through time and returned to the days when I was just born and was gently cared for by my mother.

All the fatigue and regrets vanished in this moment.

"Mom..." Tears streamed down the unicorn leader's face, dripping onto the ground and nourishing a new green shoot.

As the man and his two horses ate, their bodies began to radiate a dazzling light.

Shi Yu was enveloped in a soft white light, like a Pokémon about to evolve, and the life force around him grew stronger.

The unicorn leader was enveloped in a thick, earthy-yellow light, making its aura even more composed and powerful.

The foal was surrounded by colorful light, and its small wings fluttered gently, emitting a dazzling halo.

This is a leap in the level of life, an evolution towards a higher dimension!

As the last bite of fruit was swallowed, the light gradually faded.

Shi Yu felt the changes within his body. His soul power level had not increased at all, but his life level had undergone a qualitative leap—his vitality was becoming more vigorous, his recovery ability was becoming astonishing, his bones were as clear as jade, his skin was fair and smooth yet incredibly tough, and his heartbeat was steady and powerful, as if it could resist all erosion.

"This is... the ultimate earth attribute!" The unicorn leader exclaimed in shock as it sensed the changes within itself.

"My body is no longer weak, and my elemental affinity has reached its peak!" The little pony jumped up excitedly, its small wings flapping, and it even briefly lifted off the ground. "My body is completely healed! I can use all the elements, and I can finally fly!"

Shi Yu looked at the foal and asked with a smile, "What's your name? Where are you from?"

The unicorn leader explained, "This child was born prematurely in our tribe. He was born with the amazing talent of controlling all elements, but unfortunately, he is extremely weak and has never been able to move normally."

"All of us unicorns pampered her as she grew up, teaching her everything we knew, but we could never improve her health. Fortunately, everything in the forest was very kind to her, and she was always grateful and never complained about her fate."

It remarked, "It seems that this destiny has not only guided you, but also this child. Perhaps the two of you were born to be partners."

The unicorn leader looked at the foal and said gently, "Child, you've always wanted to see the outside world, but your body wouldn't allow it before. Now, the opportunity is right in front of you. Would you like to leave with Shi Yu?"

"I do!" the little pony answered firmly without hesitation.

Shi Yu reached out her hand to it, a sincere smile on her face: "Then be my companion, and come with me to see this vast world and taste more delicious food!"

The little pony looked up at Shi Yu, its eyes full of trust, and gently placed its little hoof on his palm: "Okay!"

"You don't have a name yet, do you?" Shi Yu asked.

The foal shook its head.

"You've always longed to fly, to soar freely in the sky, haven't you?"

"Yes!" The little pony nodded vigorously, its eyes full of longing. "Before, I could only look at the birds in the sky, and I was so envious."

"From now on, your name will be Yunbao!" Shi Yu said with a smile. "I hope you can soar freely in the vast sky like a cloud, reaching for the heavens!"

"Rainbow Dash!" the pony murmured, shouting excitedly, "What a cool name! I love it!"

As the sun set, Shi Yu led Yun Bao to the edge of the Summer Forest, preparing to leave.

In the distance, they saw a group of unicorns standing there, their eyes filled with reluctance.

"My friend, thank you for bringing me the method to harvest the apples of life, and thank you for healing Rainbow Dash." The unicorn leader stepped forward and said solemnly, "You will always be our friend and a distinguished guest of the Forest of Seasons."

"Rainbow Dash, take good care of yourself from now on, and remember to listen to your partner."

"Come back and visit us often!"

We'll miss you!

The unicorns spoke up, their eyes filled with tears.

Rainbow Dash nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face. "I will! I will definitely come back, and I'll bring all the delicious food from outside to share with everyone! Thank you all for taking care of me all these years!"

It turned its back to everyone and cried softly. It was afraid that if it looked at everyone else for even a second longer, it wouldn't be able to leave.

"Hey, you little crybaby, it's time to go." Shi Yu gently patted its shoulder.

"I'm not a crybaby! Crying isn't cool at all!" Rainbow Dash wiped away her tears and said stubbornly, then flapped her wings and followed Shi Yu's footsteps.

The figures of a man and a horse gradually faded into the distance in the afterglow of the setting sun, embarking on a new journey.

The unicorns of the Four Seasons Forest remained standing, gazing in the direction they had left, and lingered there for a long time.