"Hehe." Anda giggled. "What's wrong with letting him play protagonist? Just imagine it. A Spirit Beast from our family ends up saving the world. Wouldn't that be the most unique story ever recorded in history? Our Leyan Family would be famous forever."
"Uhh… I don't know about that." Leyvi shook his head. "We're far more likely to be remembered because people labeled him as the most delusional Spirit Beast in history."
"That might happen too." Anda nodded with a playful smile. Then her expression shifted slightly. "Oh, right. Speaking of Mr. Bison, when you were in seclusion—working so hard to win Miss Barbara's heart—Senior Lapin told me something strange. His cloud reached the place you described, but he couldn't find any of them. Only a few weak demonic beasts and normal animals were there. No gathering of beasts like you mentioned."
Leyvi rolled his eyes. What do you mean working hard to win Barbara's heart? I was cultivating diligently, okay?
But then the rest of her words sank in. His smile vanished.
"Eh? They're gone? Not just those two, but the entire legion of demonic beasts that worshipped them as well? What's going on? Did I imagine it? No… no, that can't be." Leyvi frowned deeply.
"Yes. Senior Lapin even searched the whole region after that, but he still didn't find anything." Anda confirmed.
Leyvi fell silent, lost in thought.
They couldn't have been wiped out by something, could they? No, that didn't make sense. Even if they were too far for him to sense a distress signal, his spiritual imprint would have shattered the moment they died, and he would have felt the backlash instantly. The fact that nothing happened meant they were still alive. So then… where did they go? Did they migrate? Vanish somewhere else entirely?
He let out a long sigh. "Where could they have gone? Without the worldwide spiritual sense, finding them will be close to impossible. And that was just a special phenomenon… not something I can summon whenever I want."
Although the thought of never seeing Mr. Bison and Stripey again left a strange emptiness in his chest, what weighed on him more was Scarlet. If she never returned, her three daughters would be devastated. Each time he imagined their little faces looking for their mother, he felt a pang of guilt tighten in his heart.
If even Senior Lapin couldn't find them, then his own chances were slim to none.
"We can only hope they're heading toward the colossal tree. We'll be going there later as well. That's our only chance to find them," Anda said while dispersing the tusk barrier.
"Eh? We're still going there? Why? I thought all we had to do was wait for Senior Lapin to locate the portal. Why bother going ourselves?" Leyvi asked in surprise.
Anda's expression grew serious as she met his gaze. "Exactly. That's why we're going there."
Leyvi's eyes widened as realization dawned. "Don't tell me the portal is there?" he said, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Yes." Anda nodded. "Not just one portal, but many—perhaps all of them. Senior Lapin didn't dare send his clouds too close to the tree, but he learned this from people who ventured near."
A chill ran down Leyvi's spine. The portals were supposed to appear at random across the world. If every single one was clustered at the colossal tree, then it was clear the tree itself was behind it. That could only mean it was planning something.
But what? To lure them? That didn't make sense. The colossal tree was already the strongest existence in this world. If it wished, it could annihilate every living thing on the continent. Why waste effort drawing in weaklings like them?
And yet, with the portals there, they had no choice.
Leyvi sighed inwardly. In the end, they would still have to face the tree.
"You know, Leyvi…" Anda interrupted his thoughts, her voice edged with frustration, "I think all of this must have something to do with Lin Wei."
Leyvi blinked. "Lin Wei? You mean… because of his protagonist influence?"
"Yes. You were right when you said we should keep our distance so we don't end up as fodder side characters in his story. But I didn't expect his protagonist's plot to reach this far, pulling us in anyway. Now I'm just… annoyed!"
Her tone sharpened with anger, and the air around her shimmered faintly as the temperature rose.
"Alright, alright. Calm down, Anda. There's no need to get worked up over it. We don't have proof that all that occurred was influenced by him. It's still just our suspicion," Leyvi said, gently massaging her shoulders as he always did to cool her down.
"Hmph! And why shouldn't I be mad?" Anda snapped. "Because of him, we all got separated. He ruined our plan to explore this world together. And now even the portals are tied to that damned tree. I'm sure it's trying to lure Lin Wei in and kill him. And if we want to return home, we'll be dragged into his mess too!"
Leyvi was silent. Could Lin Wei really be a protagonist or something like that? He had always treated Lin Wei as one, keeping his distance because of what Anda sensed in him and the uncanny similarities between Lin Wei and the protagonists in the cultivation novels he had read with Sayu.
Still, he had never been entirely sure. It could have been just a coincidence. But now, the likelihood seemed to be growing with every passing thought.
The more he considered it, the more it made sense. When he saw Lin Wei in that pyramid with his two wives, their cultivation had been advancing at an astonishing pace. And unlike the others, they had likely never been separated after arriving here.
Moreover, the pyramid itself was filled with array formations far beyond anything Leyvi had ever seen. According to this world's history, array formations hadn't developed yet, meaning that the pyramid shouldn't exist here. Clearly, it must have come from somewhere far more advanced than his world.
Shit. If he really is a protagonist, does that mean he's destined to save this world? Is he going to take on that colossal tree? How is that even possible?
Well, it has nothing to do with us. Brother Lin Wei, good luck on your quest as a protagonist. We'll be cheering for you from afar.
"Husband, I'm enjoying the massage, but your hands stopped. What are you thinking about?" Anda asked.
"Oh, right. I was thinking about Lin Wei. Anda, what's your plan now? If this situation really involves him, and we go there, we might just become fodder later," Leyvi said, resuming the massage as his hands moved expertly over her shoulders, kneading, pressing, and hitting all the right spots.
"Hmm… whether we get involved or not, we still have to go there if we want to return home. First, we investigate, because Senior Lapin couldn't gather enough details. We still don't know the exact location of the portals," Anda replied, her eyes closed as she relaxed under Leyvi's skillful hands.
"If Lin Wei really ends up facing the tree…" She slowly opened her eyes, a hint of frustration in them. "Hmph! We just stay away and wait until it's over. Why should we get involved? You're not going to help him just because he's your friend, right? I forbid it!"
Leyvi blinked, then laughed. "Hahaha! My panda wife is finally embracing our family motto! That's right, Anda. We mind our own business and don't be busybodies. Don't worry. From what I saw before, Lin Wei is handling things well with his wives. I don't think he needs our help."
Anda rolled her eyes. "I'm not saying I stopped being a busybody. I just don't want to get involved with Lin Wei specifically because of his protagonist identity."
"What? It's over… my wife admitted she's a busybody. Leyan Family motto… please forgive us…" Leyvi said dramatically, slumping his head onto Anda's shoulder.
"Hehehe. It can't be helped. If I want to recruit more ladies, I must be a busybody." She giggled and pecked him on the cheek.
Leyvi straightened, shaking his head. "I don't agree. Nala and Selene came to us on their own. Proof you don't need to meddle," he countered, his tone firm but playful.
"That's only two. Not enough. I want more ladies. That's why I need to be a busybody. Hehe."
"Ugh… Anda, my wife… you're betraying our family motto… how can I face it now…" Leyvi clutched his chest, playing the drama again.
Anda rolled her eyes. Nobody takes that motto seriously except you, she thought.
Anda suddenly let out a mischievous smile. "Husband, about Barbara… I'll leave her to you, okay?"
"Huh?" Leyvi lifted his head, blinking in surprise.
"I mean… you can't always rely on me to bring wonderful ladies into our family. You have to help me too. And don't you think she would benefit our family greatly?"
Anda's smile widened, brimming with mischief.
"So go for it! Make her yours! Bring out the playboy in you and charm her!" she encouraged, eyes sparkling.
Leyvi was speechless. How on earth had the conversation steered in this direction?