When Teresa Taylor realized it was a serious question, she relaxed noticeably and answered without hesitation, "The roses on the police station's courtyard wall."

Roses... another one.

James Lone asked again, "What about the old man in your group? Where did he get his from?"

Teresa was surprised. "How do you know Mike Brown has an ability?"

Mike Brown's ability, enhanced hearing, had no obvious external manifestations and was extremely subtle.

But in James Lone's perception, the ginger-like glow inside Mike's body was as clear as day. There was no hiding it from his abilities.

James smiled charmingly. "I'm not telling you."

Teresa gritted her teeth in frustration. "Then I'm not telling you either!"

James reached into his pocket—or more accurately, his personal storage space—and pulled out a Perception Fruit. "How about this? I'll trade you for the information."

He had nearly depleted his supply of Perception Fruits and needed someone like Teresa to help him replenish them. Besides, every woman in his group had the ability to enhance their perception—why should Teresa be an exception?

James believed in equality, after all.

Beyond that, he considered Teresa's stubborn and overly principled nature a liability. If she went to the TV station aid point, there was a good chance she'd get herself killed. Giving her perception abilities would significantly increase her survival chances—and help him gather more intel in the process.

Teresa's breathing quickened. "You... you have more ability fruits? Why haven't you eaten them?"

She understood their value better than anyone.

Teresa was a natural martial arts prodigy with unparalleled talent for learning and understanding techniques. But her grandfather had always said her physical constitution was average—below average even for a woman—which severely limited her combat potential.

The Blood Burst Fruit she had eaten had completely transformed her weaknesses and brought her to new heights. It had been life-changing for her.

If she could get another one...

James repeated his question. "Where did Mike Brown's ability fruit come from?"

Teresa immediately replied, "The green onions he grows on his balcony."

James frowned.

Every ability he had come across seemed to originate from different plants.

Succulents, weeds, roses, green onions, ivy...

What's the connection here?

The plants seemed completely unrelated. Did the growth of these fruits have nothing to do with the plants themselves?

If not, what determined their growth? Was it the location?

James felt stuck and decided to set the thought aside for now.

Teresa reached out her hand. "Give it to me."

James pulled the fruit back, out of reach.

Teresa's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're backing out of the deal?!"

"'Backing out' sounds so harsh." James grinned mischievously. "The price isn't enough. Did you really think a single piece of information was worth an ability fruit? What else do you have to trade?"

Teresa went silent.

She had to admit, he had a point. Ability fruits were priceless treasures.

But what else could she offer?

Does he want... Teresa's face darkened. "I won't stay here with you. Forget it!"

James rolled his eyes. Like I'd want you to stay.

A dangerous woman like her as a companion would be far too risky. Sending her far away was a much safer option.

Without responding to her accusation, James simply stared at Teresa, waiting. "Think about what else you can offer. If you don't have anything, I'll take the fruit back."

Teresa grew anxious. After a brief moment of hesitation, she said, "Fine! I'll teach you a breathing technique. If you're lucky, you might feel something. But no guarantees."

"Breathing technique?" James scoffed. "Like that qi nonsense for kids? Do I look stupid to you?"

Teresa's expression grew serious. "I didn't believe it either—until the purple mist appeared. Then I suddenly started sensing a powerful energy here." She pointed at her lower abdomen. "This technique was taught to me by my grandfather. I've practiced it since I was a child and never felt anything. The only benefit was falling asleep faster. But now it's different. During battles, I can feel a distinct flow of energy there."

James's pupils contracted.

The spot she pointed to was exactly where he had observed the "ginger glow."

She didn't have perception abilities, yet she had somehow pinpointed its location.

Could she be telling the truth?

What was this energy? Qi? Inner power?

And why was it connected to the purple mist?

Wasn't the mist supposed to cause evolution? How did that relate to something as mystical as qi?

Was this some sort of spiritual revival?

If it was, why did it lead to the evolution of plants and animals?

More importantly, why hadn't humans evolved like everything else?

And how did the ability fruits fit into all this? They didn't seem to align with the idea of "spiritual energy" at all.

James's thoughts spiraled into confusion. The cause of the world's sudden evolution felt more mysterious than ever.

"What can this energy do?" he asked seriously.

"Something like this."

Teresa stood upright, perfectly still, and then, without exerting any visible effort, her body glided backward over a meter, as if an invisible force had yanked her.

This time, from up close, James clearly saw the "ginger glow" within Teresa's body flare up, spreading throughout her frame before vanishing.

James narrowed his eyes.

He had always been curious about the "ginger glow" inside ability users.

He'd assumed it was related to their abilities, but when he used his own powers, the glow never reacted.

Now, for the first time, he had seen someone actively channel the energy from the glow.

This breathing technique might hold the key.

"Deal. The breathing technique for the fruit."

Teresa asked, "What does this fruit do?"

James wasn't about to tell her the truth. Shaking his head firmly, he replied, "How should I know? I haven't eaten it."

Teresa didn't press further, realizing it was a pointless question. "Fine. I'll teach you the technique. Follow my lead."

"First, calm your mind. In simpler terms, stay quiet and lower your heart rate as much as possible..."

"Next, as you breathe, imagine there's an invisible energy—qi—floating around you. Try to absorb it..."

"What is this 'qi' exactly?" James asked skeptically.

Teresa shrugged. "How should I know? That's just how my grandfather explained it to me."

James raised an eyebrow. "You're using it now and still don't know? Are you sure you're not lying to me?"

Teresa snorted. "No idea! I can use it, but I don't know where it comes from. Just imagine it's there and try to absorb it. Believe it or don't—up to you."

James frowned but continued listening.

He couldn't prove or disprove her words, so he chose to go along for now.

The faint green glow around Teresa reassured him she wasn't lying.

A few minutes later, Teresa finished explaining the details.

James stood still, adjusting his breathing as he attempted the technique for the first time.

As she watched, Teresa couldn't help but brag, "Don't rush. It took me six months before I noticed any effects—my grandfather said I was a once-in-a-century prodigy... huh?"

She froze mid-sentence.

James's body slid backward, defying all physical logic. The movement was short—barely ten centimeters—but it was undeniably real.

Teresa's jaw dropped. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

James grinned. "You're just slow. Took you six months for something this simple?"

Teresa stammered, "That's not right! My grandfather said I was a once-in-a-century martial arts genius!"

James patted her on the shoulder. "I get it. We're all our grandfather's little darlings, aren't we?"

Damn it! Teresa's face turned black with frustration.

The blow to her ego was devastating.

Satisfied, James handed the Perception Fruit to Teresa.

This ability was the perfect remedy for his current combat weakness—his awareness was sharp, but his body couldn't always keep up.

"Here, it's yours. By the way, what's this breathing technique called?"

Teresa, still sulking, muttered, "It doesn't have a name. My grandfather just called it a breathing technique."

"Got it. We're even now," James said, nodding. With a single leap, he phased through the floor and vanished.

"This can't be right!" Teresa groaned, grabbing her hair in frustration. "Was my grandfather just messing with me all along?"