ETR | Chapter 88

But that's how prophecies are, including several times before, only fragments without context. If you want to analyze the meaning behind these fragments, you can only rely on your own speculation.

This time, Qin Lou would rather his deductions be wrong, just like last time, so that Xiao Wan and Xueman wouldn't be in any danger. Maybe he's just overthinking things.

However, he still shared his thoughts with Xiao Xueman, just in case the worst-case scenario really happened.

Xiao Xueman listened and was genuinely stunned for a moment.

"I thought something was going to happen to Xiao Wan. Luckily," he lowered his head and even smiled a bit, "if it's about me, I'll handle it myself. I won't have so many concerns."

He said he wasn't worried, but Qin Lou couldn't relax.

"Xueman..." His hands were trembling, "Maybe my thoughts are wrong, right?"

Xiao Xueman replied, "No, Qin Lou, when I saw Xiao Wan today, I already had some suspicions."

Xiao Wan's talent in alchemy, his vines becoming more and more like his own, Xiao Xueman noticed these things. If these don't indicate anything, then Xiao Wan's awakening of his domain today can't be ignored.

He didn't know if it was because he encountered a water-type Feng Lingru, but his fire-type was severely restrained, almost useless in the later stages. Xiao Wan used wood-type vines, and in the end, his awakened domain showed no trace of fire-type.

Moreover, Xiao Xueman had already checked, and Xiao Wan's awakened domain was almost identical to his own.

That was the domain of the Tianxi Divine Tree, something Xiao Xueman was very familiar with.

Now that Qin Lou mentioned it, it only made him more certain.

A heaven-defying spiritual plant like the Tianxi Divine Tree, including the Anyu Loulan, is restricted by rules due to its immense power. Only one can exist; they can't form a group, or it would disrupt the balance.

But whether hybrids can bypass this rule is still undetermined.

Spiritual plants lack mobility and self-awareness; they don't merge spiritual power with other spiritual entities to produce offspring. In other words, only a spiritual plant that has shape-shifted might have offspring, thus having the possibility of being a hybrid.

Qin Lou is a hybrid, but he doesn't serve as a reference. The Anyu Loulan just happened to die for other reasons at that time, so Qin Lou naturally isn't bound by this rule.

Apart from him, Xiao Xueman had no other reference information.

But when Xiao Wan was born, he was just a small, cute fruit. Xiao Xueman didn't feel any threat, so he naturally assumed that hybrids might have skirted the rules.

Only now did he realize that there are no loopholes in the rules.

A hybrid Tianxi Divine Tree is still a Tianxi Divine Tree, as long as its half of the abilities grow strong enough.

Xiao Wan just hasn't been recognized yet. He was too weak initially, unable to reach the line of the Tianxi Divine Tree. But a fruit buried in the soil will eventually grow until it becomes a recognized tree.

Although he has dual attributes, his main attribute has always been wood-type.

It was already somewhat apparent when he fought Lu Ming. On stage, he turned into a small tree.

In the recent battle, his domain ability was directly triggered, which was already as clear as it could be.

“Do we still have time now?” Qin Lou, listening to all this, seemed to think of something, and a glimmer of hope rose in his heart.

“The Tianxi Divine Tree is born with the Spirit God tier. Maybe Xueman will only be in danger when Xiao Wan grows to that point, giving us plenty of time to prepare.”

Even if Xiao Wan is exceptionally talented, reaching the Spirit God tier in a century is already a very fast progression.

A century is enough time for them to do many things.

Xiao Xueman shook his head. If it were before this final, it would be easier to say, but it happened this time. He awakened his domain, or rather, was forced to reveal it by Feng Lingru.

A domain is an ability that only exists at the Spirit God tier.

"Xiao Wan just awakened, and his domain ability is unstable, or rather, it's just a prototype. It hasn't been fully recognized by the rules yet, so indeed, I still have time," Xiao Xueman said, "but not much."

Even if Xiao Wan stops cultivating now, it’s useless.

He’s already reached this point, and his abilities are already there. Even if he doesn’t actively cultivate, his spiritual power will circulate and gradually help him improve, albeit slowly.

But for Xiao Xueman, this isn’t a long-term solution.

They need to start looking for a solution now.

He must go to the Tai Xu Secret Realm.

Not to mention acquiring treasures, the mine itself is a culmination of spiritual power, and the secret realm even more so.

The secret realm is the place with the densest spiritual power on the entire continent. The closer to the center, the more so.

It’s said that top-level secret realms are the places closest to the rules, and there might be a way.

Xiao Wan was still asleep.

Qin Lou was previously very unsettled, but Xiao Xueman managed to stay calm, at least on the surface.

The two of them didn't discuss these matters in front of Xiao Wan, even though Xiao Wan was asleep and definitely couldn't hear them.

"When he wakes up, I'll talk to him about this," Xiao Xueman said, "at least so he won't be so scared."

Of course, he would be careful with his words. After all, this was just a hypothesis he and Qin Lou came up with, not necessarily the actual situation.

Since he would be leaving for a while, he should let Xiao Wan know why. Besides, this matter also concerns him.

Qin Lou hesitated, "Xiao Wan..."

"He's grown up and should know these things," Xiao Xueman glanced at him, "You and I both know that sometimes the truth isn't as painful as the concealment."

Qin Lou fell silent. The two of them stood outside the room, the night wind blowing through, chilling to the bone.

Xiao Xueman lowered his head, thinking of something else. Besides analyzing matters concerning himself, Qin Lou was also involved.

If he wasn't around, and Qin Lou wasn't either, and for a long time, otherwise, Xiao Wan wouldn't need to manage the Wangtian Immortal Gate.

Xiao Wan also has a quarter of the Anyu Loulan bloodline. Could it be that he also repels Qin Lou?

But this thought was quickly dismissed by Xiao Xueman. Xiao Wan's fire-type is a secondary attribute, and he didn't inherit the most important prophecy ability of the Anyu Loulan. When he transforms, he doesn't resemble the Anyu Loulan.

Perhaps as he is gradually recognized by the rules, his transformation leans towards the Tianxi Divine Tree, which has the strongest bloodline talent.

The fire-type from the Anyu Loulan is just an additional ability, and its aura isn’t strong enough to repel Qin Lou.

So what did Qin Lou encounter?

Qin Lou had also thought of this, but unlike Xiao Xueman, this was the most comforting part of his speculation.

No matter what he and Xiao Xueman went through, maybe they just left the First Heaven to travel elsewhere, like the last time they went to the Thirteenth Heaven.

Maybe they did encounter misfortune, but at least he and Xueman would be in the same state, whether in life or death, always by his side.

In this lonely night, Xiao Xueman didn't know when Qin Lou reached out and gently embraced him.

Xiao Xueman didn't push him away immediately, understanding Qin Lou's current feelings.

"Thank you, Qin Lou," he said softly, "Whether the prophecy can be changed or not, knowing in advance is better than not knowing."

Qin Lou didn't speak, resting his head on Xiao Xueman's shoulder. Clearly, it was Xiao Xueman who was facing a great calamity, but he seemed more nervous, as if drawing strength.

"No matter what..." he whispered, "Xueman, I'm always here."

Xiao Xueman was silent for a moment, then said, "I know."

His words were almost inaudible, but Qin Lou, being close, heard them.

The challenges brought by the prophecy were something these two had experienced before, deeply and indelibly. Perhaps because of those memories, Xiao Xueman didn't push him away.

Hopefully, this time, like before, there will be a glimmer of hope.

The next day, Xiao Wan woke up.

His mind was still a bit fuzzy, but much better than before.

The Blue Sea Competition doesn’t emphasize ceremony.

Although there’s an award ceremony, it’s not mandatory to attend. The rankings are already set, and everyone knows them.

During the match between Xiao Wan and Yun Rong, they had the prizes sent over and just made a brief appearance at the award ceremony.

But after the finals, many people went straight to rest, needing time to recuperate, Xiao Wan included.

When he woke up, the prizes and trophy from the Blue Sea Competition had already been delivered.

Besides the Blue Sea Competition prizes, he also received gifts from the Chamber of Commerce, even more than last time.

Yun Rong, the little cat, was also enthusiastic about visiting him, but seeing Xiao Wan recovering, he didn't stay long.

"My daddy and I are going back to the clan for a few days," Yun Rong said before leaving, "You rest well here, and wait for me to come back."

Xiao Wan nodded.

After the well-wishers left and friends departed, the room was left with just the father and son.

Xiao Wan was clearly very happy, even humming a little tune.

"Daddy, when Yun Rong comes back, shall we return to the Middle Realm?" he said while organizing his rewards, planning to sell some unnecessary items. Xiao Wan also remembered the money he won, which would be credited soon.

With the Blue Sea Competition over, the Middle Realm is currently the best environment for Xiao Wan's cultivation.

But Xiao Xueman didn't respond.

Xiao Wan, not getting an answer, looked at his daddy in confusion.

"Daddy?"

Xiao Xueman had his back to him.

"I have something to tell you, Xiao Wan," he sighed, "about you and me. We can't return to the Middle Realm for now."

He chose his words carefully, then explained the prophecy situation to Xiao Wan, emphasizing that many things were just his and Qin Lou's speculations, not necessarily what would happen.

After he finished speaking, he looked at Xiao Wan again and found his son's eyes already filled with tears.

How long had it been since Xiao Wan cried?

"Why are you crying?" Xiao Xueman lifted his sleeve, gently wiping away the tears, "You just won first place, you're not a child anymore."

Xiao Wan sniffled and spoke, "If I hadn't insisted on winning first place, if... I weren't so competitive, would this have happened?"

"How can you think that way? Xiao Wan, this is the rule," Xiao Xueman sighed, "It's not something you or I can decide. You did nothing wrong, don't overthink it."

Xiao Wan hugged his waist, not speaking.

"I'm serious, Xiao Wan, don't be sad," Xiao Xueman said, "No one is at fault. Dwelling on this now is meaningless. The rules aren't decided by us, but who says we can't change them?"