"Ancient Dragon City...? So are you still inside the Mystic Realm or not?" Meixiu asked him after hearing his story.
"I don’t think so."
"But you still have your cultivation base, right? Shouldn’t your cultivation base return to your original cultivation base— maybe a little more after you leave the place?" Meixiu asked.
"Now that you mention it, I still had my Mystic Realm cultivation base at the Ancient Dragon City. Maybe it’s a phenomenon because I didn’t leave the Mystic Realm the proper way?"
"That’s the only logical explanation for it, I guess," Meixiu mumbled.
"Anyways, what are you going to do now? Do you have a way to return to the Mystic Realm?"
"I have no idea how to return, but the Dragon Emperor said he’ll try to do something about it, so we can only rely on him for now."
"Do you want me to tell the Sect Master and the others?" Meixiu then asked.
"I don’t want them to worry so let’s keep this a secret for now, and it’s not like we’re in danger or anything," Yuan said.
"Okay."
Sometime later, Meixiu left his room whilst Yuan went back inside the game, mostly because he wanted to sleep in the Dragon Palace that was much more comfortable than his own room, just like Wang Xiuying.
"Ahhh, this bed is perfect..." Yuan closed his eyes and fully indulged himself in the comfort, feeling as though he was surrounded by fluffy clouds, and he quickly fell asleep.
The following morning, Yuan was woken up by a knock at the door.
"Yuan, are you awake?" Xi Meili’s voice resounded from outside.
"Yes... I am awake..." Yuan responded in a sleepy voice.
"I just want to let you know that breakfast will be ready soon so if you’re hungry, just go to the dining room in about an hour."
"Okay. I’ll be there." Yuan said to her.
Shortly after waking up, Yuan logged off for Meixiu’s breakfast.
"By the way, Doctor Wang texted me this morning. He said that he’ll be here in a bit."
"Okay."
About half an hour after breakfast, Doctor Wang knocked on their door.
"I know this is a bit earlier than usual, but I’ll be busy later, so I hope you don’t mind." Doctor Wang said after he arrived.
"Don’t worry about it, Doctor Wang. I’m grateful that you would come here even when you’re so busy."
Doctor Wang proceeded to check Yuan’s health and body.
"As expected, your body is growing stronger and stronger. However, it’s very weird that despite having a body that’s healthier than even some athletes, you are still unable to move your body, almost like there is an invisible force preventing you from moving."
"If I wasn’t a doctor, I would believe that you had been cursed or something." Doctor Wang said.
"Cursed? Haha... That’s very funny, Doctor Wang." Yuan chuckled, as he didn’t believe in these kinds of things.
"I am serious, Young Master. Your situation makes no sense at all. You’re not sick. Your body is fine. We have tested your blood, your bones, your muscles— everything. However, we couldn’t find anything wrong with your body. I also don’t believe in superstitions, but your situation is making me doubt my own beliefs!" Doctor Wang said.
"..."
After a moment of silence, Yuan said, "Meixiu, are you here?"
"Yes, I am."
"Sorry, but can you leave for a moment? I’d like to speak with Doctor Wang privately."
"Okay," Meixiu said before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
"We’re alone now, Young Master. What do you have for me?" Doctor Wang asked him.
Yuan didn’t say anything, only lifting one of his arms a little off the bed.
"WHAT?! Y-YOU—"
"Lower your voice, Doctor Wang!" Yuan quickly interrupted him.
Doctor Wang subconsciously covered his mouth with his hands, and he stared at Yuan with his eyes wide with shock.
Once he’d calmed down enough, he spoke, "Y-Young Master... Since when can you...?"
"A couple of weeks ago, I guess," Yuan said.
"I’m sorry for keeping this a secret, but I wanted to wait until I could move properly so that I could surprise you all."
"Who else besides myself knows about this?" Doctor Wang asked him.
"Only you and Miss Meifeng know about this," Yuan said.
"Meifeng? Meixiu’s mother?"
"Yes."
"Tell me more about this, Young Master. Did it suddenly happen? Or did you do something special?" Doctor Wang asked.
"Well... My recovery began when I started playing Cultivation Online."
"What? That super popular game that’s currently dominating the world? My granddaughter also plays it."
"This is going to sound crazy, but I think the game somehow affects our real body as well. Although I have no concrete proof, I have a feeling that’s what is happening." Yuan said.
"Indeed, that does sound a little... No, it definitely sounds crazy." Doctor Wang agreed with him.
"I know, but Doctor Wang, do you remember when I was covered in that smelly stuff?"
"The impurities? There’s no way I could ever forget about that, and I can still smell the stench very clearly." Doctor Wang shuddered just thinking about the stench.
"Well, to tell you the truth, that also happened to me when I was playing the game. I ate some kind of treasure that cleansed all of the impurities from my body. When I logged off the game, I was shocked to find out that it’d also happened to my real body."
"Hmmm..." Doctor Wang pondered with a serious look on his face.
"I understand. I will do my own investigation as well. If it’s true that this game can somehow affect the real body, it will have some serious implications that could change the world." Doctor Wang said.
"Oh, I’ll also keep this matter between us, so you don’t have to worry about that."
"Thank you, Doctor Wang."
"Anyways, it’s a great thing that you’re finally recovering. It’s been long overdue. I cannot wait to see you walk on your own again." Doctor Wang said with a genuine smile on his face.