Invincible Dad-Chapter 733: It’s Okay, I’m Hallucinating_1

Beibei seemed lost and dispirited.

She didn't even sense the restraints around her had vanished. She just sat blankly on the ground, her small hands clutching the sword.

Xu Lai turned and returned to Haitang Court.

Yan Chunfeng shook her head and, without saying anything, transformed into a streak of light and left Earth. She needed to continue guarding the Southern Immortal Domain.

The Immortal Domain had been thrown into utter chaos by the sudden disappearance of the Snowflower Forbidden Grounds. And all of this was because of Snowflower's disappearance.

Who could have imagined that Snowflower, a being that had survived for a hundred epochs, would abandon the Boundless Sea where she had been rooted for so long, only to settle on Earth, a planet in this remote star system? The reason for this was that the Emperor's Demise Epoch was approaching.

「...」

"Daddy, what's wrong with Beibei?" Xu Yiyi had been tidying up her room in Haitang Court and hadn't seen what happened outside the gate.

"It's nothing." Xu Lai patted his daughter's head and smiled. "Beibei is undergoing her Obsession Tribulation. Let's not disturb her."

"What's an Obsession Tribulation?"

"It's not life-threatening, but it's enough to trap a person in their obsessions for a lifetime. As a major calamity, it's comparable to the Heart Demon Tribulation."

"What's a Heart Demon Tribulation?"

"The Heart Demon Tribulation is..."

Xu Lai picked up Yiyi and set her on his lap, explaining to his daughter the differences between the major tribulations.

The Obsession Tribulation might not seem dangerous, and it was often overlooked by cultivators, but the higher one's Boundary, the more terrifying this tribulation was known to be. It could bind you for a lifetime. However, if one managed to overcome the Obsession Tribulation, their Boundary and comprehension would improve by a massive leap.

For example, Elder Li of the Yunxiao Sect. Before his death, he attempted to break through to the Nascent Soul realm. Even though he didn't succeed, he died without regrets.

As for the Heart Demon Tribulation, it was commonly encountered when a cultivator's cultivation went awry. Demonic and evil cultivators were the ones most likely to face it.

Other tribulations, like the Karmic Tribulation and the Reincarnation Tribulation, were formed in accordance with the laws of heaven and earth. They were matters of life and death and could be collectively referred to as the Major Heavenly Tribulations.

What happened to Ah Zi had always been a thorn in Beibei's heart. Without removing this thorn, Beibei would never truly achieve nirvana.

Having an obsession could be a good thing. However, when that obsession imprisoned a person, becoming shackles and chains, it became something utterly terrifying.

"Daddy, why didn't I have a tribulation when I reached the Golden Core Realm?" Yiyi asked, blinking.

Xu Lai's expression grew serious. "A Heavenly Tribulation is a manifestation of the will of heaven and earth; it doesn't appear one hundred percent of the time. However, a missed tribulation will accumulate and be twice as powerful during the next breakthrough. Usually, only prodigies with exceptional talent encounter such a situation."

"So, does that mean Yiyi's talent is very high?"

"Of course. You are Xu Qingfeng's daughter," Xu Lai said proudly. The offspring of Xu Qingfeng would inevitably be an unparalleled prodigy who could look down upon the entire younger generation of the Immortal Domain. It was etched into her very bloodline, beyond any doubt!

Xu Yiyi playfully stuck out her tongue.

She then adopted a serious, mature tone. "One day, you'll be known as Xu Yiyi's father."

The change in title implied that Xu Yiyi intended to go even further than Xu Lai, to dominate an era at the very least.

Faced with his daughter's 'grand ambition,' Xu Lai burst into laughter, his heart filled with pride. "I look forward to that day!"

Yet, a flicker of melancholy crossed his heart. That day would surely come. But he and Ruan Tang might not be able to witness it.

「...」

「In the evening.」

When Ruan Tang returned home, she was naturally overjoyed to see her daughter. After a moment's thought, she called her sister.

Ruan Lan initially had no intention of answering. But unable to withstand Ruan Tang's relentless calls, she finally answered reluctantly.

"Ruan Lan is dead. If you have business with her, you'll have to burn some paper offerings."

"..."

"It's not that serious," Ruan Tang said, exasperated. "Come home." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Home?" Ruan Lan's sob was dramatically exaggerated. "What home do I have? That jerk Xu Lai is definitely laughing at me right now."

"He doesn't know that you know he's Venerable Qingfeng."

"Really?" Ruan Lan asked, pleasantly surprised. Does that mean I can come back to life?

"Yes. But if you don't come back, he'll find out tonight."

"Don't, don't, don't!" Ruan Lan panicked. As long as I pretend I don't know, he won't know either. That way, I can keep mooching meals off him every day! Heaven knows I've lost over ten pounds recently; my chest has completely disappeared. My poor 36E is gone! And I'm going to add it all to Xu Lai's tab.

Ruan Lan delightedly packed her belongings and announced to her friends in the dorm, "I'm outta here, don't miss me!"

"..."

Inside the dorm were two other girls dressed lightly for the heat, one leaning back in a chair and the other lying on her bed. They were Li Li and Yu Xiaoxiao.

Startled by her words, the two girls said with teary eyes, "Lan Lan, we can't bear to see you go..."

"I can't bear to leave you guys either." Ruan Lan wiped away a tear. "This place is my second home. I'll never forget you!"

"Mhm, mhm."

The three of them enacted a farewell scene so dramatic and emotional it could rival a life-or-death parting.

But as soon as Ruan Lan dragged her luggage out of the dorm, she heard bursts of cheering from behind her.

"Oh my God, Ruan Lan is finally leaving!"

"Li Li, let's go to the supermarket at the school gate and buy a couple strings of firecrackers. We'll celebrate tonight."

"..."

Ruan Lan's smile froze. Just a few days ago, they were talking about being together forever, being best friends for life. And now this? Some best friends they were. So fake! No, 'fake' wasn't even the right word. Their friendship was made of thin air!

She couldn't help but push the door open again. The dorm, which had been buzzing with joy a moment before, instantly fell silent.

"Hmm?" Yu Xiaoxiao, who was lying in bed playing on her phone, poked her head out and took off her headphones.

Li Li looked up from her book, the *Classic of Mountains and Seas*.

The two girls looked at Ruan Lan at the same time. "What's wrong?"

"..."

Ruan Lan scratched her head. Did I just imagine that?

She coughed. "Nothing, nothing. I just wanted to tell you guys to come over to Haitang Court for a meal sometime. The school cafeteria food is so bad."

"Okay!" the two girls eagerly agreed.

Ruan Lan closed the door, completely bewildered.

The next moment, unconcealable laughter once again spilled out from the dormitory.

WHOOSH!

Ruan Lan flung the door open with the speed of a lightning strike, but the scene she expected didn't materialize.

The dorm was quiet. Yu Xiaoxiao was only halfway through pulling her head back under the covers, and Li Li was still in the same position as before. The confusion on their faces only deepened. "Lan Lan, what's actually wrong?"

"Nothing... I must be hearing things," Ruan Lan said, rubbing her temples before closing the door again.

Then she immediately opened it again.

"?"

Yu Xiaoxiao and Li Li were now looking at her as if she were a patient.

Yu Xiaoxiao even said sincerely, "Why don't you stay tonight? I'll take you to the school clinic tomorrow."

"ARGH!" Ruan Lan slammed the door and stormed off.

This is bad, this is bad. I'm hearing things... Maybe it's because I've been starving lately. I have to have a feast tonight to recuperate.

Worrying the whole way, Ruan Lan returned to Haitang Court and saw Beibei standing silently at the entrance, lost in thought. She was about to greet her but realized something was off about her state.

It seems like... deep meditation?

Ruan Lan looked away with a hint of envy. I haven't even managed to enter that state myself yet.

She pushed the main door open.

"Sis," Ruan Lan announced excitedly, "your beautiful, gentle, kind, and adorable little sister is home!"