Bai Li stared up.
"You're saving the hardest one for last."
Yan Cijin walked closer.
"Maybe it knows you're stubborn."
"Maybe."
Bai Li looked at the final fruit.
Then she looked at Yan Cijin.
"We do it together."
Yan Cijin nodded.
The final climb began.
Both women moved.
Bai Li led.
Yan Cijin followed.
The tree attacked them with everything it had left.
But now it was different.
The once overwhelming power had weakened. Its branches were slower. Its roots were thinner. The golden radiance was fading.
Still, it was dangerous.
A branch struck Yan Cijin.
Bai Li caught it.
She pushed it aside.
"Stay behind me."
Yan Cijin frowned.
"No."
Bai Li looked back.
Yan Cijin raised her revolver.
"We're doing this together."
Bai Li stared at her for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Fine."
They climbed together.
Yan Cijin fired at the branches.
Bai Li cut the openings.
They reached the final fruit.
The fruit was different from the others.
Its glow was almost white gold.
