"Worried about triggering a spacetime paradox? Caution is a good thing."

The Prophet gazed at the azure sea. Without another word, he activated his Ability.

His eyes began to glow with a brilliant golden light. His pupils blazed like the scorching sun, like a pair of eternal golden flames.

Within those eyes, which seemed to be forged from molten Gold, were reflected the infinite transformations of the World. His consciousness soared along the river of time into the future, weaving through a tapestry of all things as he peeked into countless changes and possibilities.

A long while later, the brilliant golden light faded. The chaotic visions before the Prophet's eyes disappeared, and his pupils, once like molten Gold, returned to their reserved black.

"A little interesting..."

He stared blankly into the distance, muttering to himself, as if he had seen some intriguing developments.

"Hey, what did you see? Tell me, tell me!"

Seeing his expression, Lin Yun knew it was something serious and urged him on impatiently.

"If I say it, it won't come true." The Prophet shook his head, refusing to give any spoilers.

"Come on." Lin Yun grew anxious. "Just... just tell me a little bit. Otherwise, how am I, the boss, supposed to maintain my great image in my subordinate's eyes? I told him I'd help him."

The Prophet was unmoved, adamant about not giving spoilers. He calmly watched a seagull take flight with outstretched wings. "Tell him he doesn't need to do anything. The situation will come to him soon enough. You don't need to do anything either. Don't contact the Star Association, don't help him investigate. Just live your life normally."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"...Boss, please, just a little more. The solution, the course of events, key elements, a heads-up on the turning point... even just a few keywords for us to work with would be fine." Lin Yun pressed her palms together and pleaded, shaking them back and forth.

"Bide your time."

The Prophet also pressed his palms together and said calmly, "Amitabha. My good lady, you may leave."

After speaking, he closed his eyes and resumed his seated Meditation, cultivating his mind and body. His intangible life rhythm merged with the heavens and the earth, the ocean waves rising and falling in time with his breath.

"You're not even a monk..."

Lin Yun stopped herself, feeling rather helpless. She knew the Prophet's personality; if he said no spoilers, he meant no spoilers. His current posture was clearly a dismissal. Even if she pestered him here all day, she wouldn't get him to talk.

'Still, judging by the Prophet's reaction, whatever is about to happen seems... not dangerous??'

'That seems like good news.'

"Alright, alright. Thanks for your trouble."

After a simple word of thanks, Lin Yun opened an Any Door again and returned to Hong City.

By this time, the fight between Zhou Chen and Li Xiye was already over.

Zhou Chen had spent the entire fight on the defensive, acting as a punching bag for Li Xiye to vent her anger. Once she had gotten it all out of her system, she naturally stopped.

Lin Yun stepped in at the right moment to act as a peacemaker.

"Calm down. Even though he didn't consider your opinion, he really was doing it for your own good..." As she spoke, she looked at Zhou Chen and waved him over. "You, don't just stand there gawking. Get over here and apologize."

Zhou Chen walked up to Li Xiye, his face filled with remorse, and sincerely apologized. "I'm sorry. I hurt you, and it's all my fault. I'm a bastard. Please, can you forgive me?"

Li Xiye stared at Zhou Chen, seeing the genuine apology on his face. She then let out a weary sigh.

"I forgive you. I'm tired. Let's go home."

Zhou Chen froze. 'After all this, I can still go back to Li Xiye's home?' 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Don't overthink it. It's for the sake of the time loop... I have to write you a letter sixty years from now, right? If I, a key element, am missing, future events won't line up." Li Xiye looked at Lin Yun, who nodded.

"That's right. It could very well lead to a series of complex and troublesome problems."

"Since you're dead set on not accepting, there's nothing I can do. But to ensure the loop proceeds smoothly, and in a way, save the World..."

Li Xiye paused, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, as if mustering all her strength to say, "Then... let's just be friends."

When she finally opened her eyes again, the rims were red as she fought back her sorrow.

Zhou Chen felt a pang of guilt. He could only avert his gaze and apologize again, his head lowered. "I'm sorry..."

"Save it. The way you apologize so casually really makes you look like a scumbag." Li Xiye suddenly smiled. "But for a 'bro,' it doesn't matter if you're a scumbag or not."

"Nice!"

Lin Yun's cheer echoed in Li Xiye's mind. 'Perfect! You just landed a Critical Strike on the scumbag!

'Oho, the plan is going smoothly! He's already softening up and starting to waver. Once you two get home, you can slowly erode his will and break down his defenses!'

That was what she said in private, but on the surface, Lin Yun adopted the profound air of a seasoned veteran. She patted both of their shoulders and said earnestly, "It's good that you've made up. Arguments can deepen a friendship and help you understand each other better."

"Also, kiddo, I just went and asked the Prophet. I had him take a look at the script."

Lin Yun got down to business. "He told me to tell you that you don't need to do anything. The situation will find you soon enough. All you have to do is bide your time."

'As I thought...' Zhou Chen couldn't help but smile bitterly. 'In the end, trouble will still come looking for me.'

'But...'

"Isn't 'do nothing' a little too reckless?"

"He probably meant you don't need to run around investigating anymore. As for pre-battle preparations, you should definitely do some... Here, I'll give you something else good."

As Lin Yun spoke, she opened her hand. A clear light flickered and condensed into a solid black musical note.

"An eighth note?"

Zhou Chen had some knowledge of music theory and recognized the note at a glance.