novelraw Chapter 181
Chapter 181
Linus didn’t interrupt Leon’s thoughts. He had plenty of time, and as long as Leon was willing, he could wait forever for the next question.
“So, if I eat my first Starfruit, there shouldn’t be any unexpected problems, right?”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Leon took out the Starfruit, holding it in his hands as he asked Linus.
“Of course. The first Starfruit is basically harmless—unless you eat too fast, choke, and there’s no one around to help. In that case, you might choke to death before it turns into power.” Linus deliberately joked to ease Leon’s nerves.
“Alright then, I’m eating it. There’s no pre-meal ceremony or anything, right?” Leon muttered as he lifted the Starfruit.
“Of course not. Eat, child. I’ll be right here with you,” Linus said gently.
Leon nodded, then bit into one side of the Starfruit.
With the first bite, rich juice and smooth, jelly-like flesh burst on his tongue. But instead of tasting fruit, his mouth was filled with a flavor he had almost forgotten—the taste of the fried rice his father once cooked for him.
He wasn’t surprised. Starfruit always evoked the most profound taste from one’s memories, the so-called “taste of home.” Each person’s experience was different.
It had been so long since Leon had tasted this flavor. Greedily, he devoured the Starfruit until every last bite was gone, licking his lips when finished.As the chewed Starfruit traveled down his throat and into his stomach, a warm current began to spread outward from his navel. It flowed through his entire body before rushing straight to his mind.
For a moment, Leon’s vision blurred. Countless scenes from his past flickered before him—some joyful, some sorrowful, others simple and mundane.
Finally, the images settled on an old man. Behind him stood towering rice stalks with massive golden grains, so heavy they bent low, forming a canopy. Beneath their shade, the old man slept peacefully.
The old man suddenly opened his eyes, smiling kindly. “Child, have you eaten?”
“I have,” Leon answered immediately. The old man’s smile widened with joy.
The scene faded, Leon’s vision returning to normal. Facing Linus’s concerned gaze, he opened his mouth but felt a dampness in his eyes.
“Who did you see?” Linus handed him a clean handkerchief, curious.
“An old grandpa I’ll never forget in this life,” Leon replied seriously.
“An old grandpa, hmm?” Linus thought Leon might be speaking of an old friend of his. His expression softened with warmth and envy. “It’s fine. The Starfruit simply brings back your most important memories. What ability did you gain?”
“I don’t know.” Leon shook his head and stood up. He could clearly feel his body had grown stronger—more power, quicker reflexes—but no special ability.
Just as he thought he’d only gained physical enhancement, the system prompt finally arrived.
“You have received the protection and blessing of an otherworldly heroic spirit. Special ability—Cool Shade Beneath the Rice unlocked.”
“Cool Shade Beneath the Rice: Doubles the chance of giant crops appearing on the farm. Doubles yield for certain crops. Harvesting specific crops may grant a chance of obtaining high-quality seeds.”
Leon stared at the familiar phrase. It was what the old man had always spoken of—his dream of prosperous agriculture. He finally understood why farming felt like an instinct rooted in the Dragon Bloodline, as natural as a greeting.
“Have you eaten?” “I have.”
That casual exchange carried the deep-seated respect and longing for food that lay in the hearts of all children of Huaxia.
And this blessing made Leon feel the encouragement and protection from the soil where his roots once lay.
“Don’t know? Maybe it just hasn’t triggered yet. Don’t worry. Even without a special ability, the physical boost from a Starfruit is a huge gain. And your limit isn’t just one fruit—you can always try again next time,” Linus said, thinking Leon felt disappointed.
But Leon simply smiled. “Thanks, old man. I feel great—better than ever.”
Linus nodded. Though he didn’t know exactly what had happened, he chose to believe Leon’s words upon seeing his heartfelt smile.
“How was it? Eating your first Starfruit?”
“Good. It brought back memories I almost lost,” Leon said with emotion.
“Haha, is that so?” Linus chuckled. “You’ll have more chances to find other Starfruit. I hope you get used to that feeling.”
“I will.” Leon tilted his head back to look at the sky. After a moment, his gaze returned to Linus. “Old man, what ability did you get from your first Starfruit?”
“Me?” Linus blinked, then stretched out his hand. A gentle breeze brushed Leon’s cheek, carrying Linus’s voice to his ears—even though Linus’s lips never moved.
“This is the ability I got from my first Starfruit: Wind’s Voice. It lets me send my voice through the wind and hear distant voices it carries back.”
“That’s a handy ability,” Leon mused. It wasn’t a combat skill, but used well, it could be the perfect tool for an information broker.
“Yes. It lets me chat with friends far away.” Linus smiled, then offered more comfort. “The ability granted by a Starfruit usually matches your needs or hidden desires. I think yours is the same—you just haven’t realized it yet.”
If you enjoyed this chapter, please consider subscribing to me on (www./RomayStories)! Your support helps me dedicate more time to bringing you high-quality translations faster, and lets you enjoy chapters ahead of public release.