Baishi's decision instantly drew the attention of her sisters.
They stared at the strange, spiral-patterned fruit in her hand with wide eyes.
Lady Ningguang wanted them to eat this? What exactly did it do?
They looked at Ningguang curiously, waiting for an explanation.
"This is a Devil Fruit. Legend has it that it is the incarnation of a sea devil. Eating it grants unique abilities, but the price is that the user becomes a 'landlubber,' rejected by the sea."
Ningguang explained the effects and the cost to the three sisters. Their expressions shifted from curiosity to shock.
A fruit that granted powers? That was heaven-defying.
It sounded even more exaggerated than the legendary Visions.
The only drawback was the inability to soak in water.
For girls who loved a hot bath, that was indeed a heavy sacrifice.
Compared to men, women generally enjoyed baths more—soaking in a tub, letting the warm water wash away the day's fatigue. It was a ritual of comfort.
But if they ate this fruit, that simple pleasure would be denied to them forever.
For most women, that was a hard pill to swallow.
The three sisters fell silent for a moment, weighing the cost.
"I've told you the effects and the side effects. The reason I'm offering this to you is because you are the ones I trust most. You are my closest aides. Only you can be trusted with this power."
Seeing their hesitation, Ningguang spoke softly. "Which of you is willing to eat it? If none of you want to, it doesn't matter. I can consider others."
If the fruit's power was as Felix described, she truly needed it to stay within her inner circle.
Outsiders were too risky.
Betrayal was always a possibility, and with a power this dangerous, she couldn't take that chance.
Hearing Ningguang's words, Baishi didn't hesitate any longer. "Lady Ningguang, I'll eat it. Serving you is my greatest joy."
Baishi adored Ningguang. For her mistress, she would do anything.
Eating a strange fruit? That was nothing.
It wasn't poison. It granted power. It would allow her to serve Ningguang better. That was worth giving up baths.
She could just use a wet towel to wipe herself down in the future.
"We can do it too!"
Baiwen and Baixiao, who had been about to speak, chimed in hurriedly when they saw Baishi step up.
Compared to the power to help Ningguang, the side effect was trivial.
"Since Baishi spoke first, let her have it."
Ningguang handed the fruit to Baishi. "As for you two, when I open more fruits in the future, I'll give them to you. No need to rush. Go on, Baishi. Eat it."
"Yes, Lady Ningguang."
Baishi took the fruit with both hands. Under the expectant gazes of Ningguang and Keqing, she took a bite.
"Ugh... what a weird taste."
The moment she bit into it, a strange, foul flavor filled her mouth. It wasn't unbearable, but it was certainly unpleasant.
She didn't chew much. She quickly devoured the rest of the fruit in three or four large bites.
As soon as she swallowed the last piece, Baishi felt a strange sensation wash over her. She closed her eyes to focus on it.
Time passed slowly in the silent room. Finally, she opened her eyes.
"Well?"
Ningguang looked her up and down. "I still don't sense any elemental power from you. You look exactly the same. Can you use the ability?"
To her senses, Baishi remained an ordinary human. There was no fluctuation of Electro, Geo, or any other element.
"I can."
Baishi nodded.
Then, right in front of Ningguang and Keqing, she turned toward a nearby wooden cabinet and activated her ability.
She didn't chant. She didn't summon energy. She just reached out.
In an instant, the solid wooden cabinet lost its rigidity. It collapsed into a flat, soft sheet, fluttering silently to the floor like a piece of fabric.
"Hmph?"
The sudden transformation made Ningguang's pupils constrict. She immediately waved her hand, levitating the flattened cabinet into her grasp.
The heavy furniture was gone. In her hands was something that felt like cloth but retained the cabinet's texture.
"Incredible."
Ningguang examined the flattened object, her voice filled with awe. "I didn't sense any energy movement at all. It just... changed. It became flat instantly."
At this moment, Ningguang confirmed her suspicion. Felix, the shopkeeper, was absolutely not an ordinary person.
He likely possessed a similar power—one that defied the elemental laws of Teyvat.
"Is it really that simple?"
Beside her, Keqing stared at Baishi, then at the paper-thin cabinet in Ningguang's hands, her face a mask of shock.