After hearing Bofeng Yu's explanation, Liu Qing nodded and looked once more at the World Tree towering into the clouds. It looked much the same as it had on his previous two visits, except that an enormous, vivid green fruit now hung from a gnarled branch weaving through the clouds. It pulsed intermittently with fluorescent green light, bathing the surrounding clouds in a swirling emerald haze that lent it an elusive air.
"Dad, since we've already found the Fairy Plate taking shape, why haven't we gone over to secure an advantage and seize it as soon as it emerges?" After observing it for a moment, Liu Yuan took off his sunglasses and turned to Bofeng Yu.
"Liu Qing, what do you think about Liu Yuan's question?" Rather than answer immediately, Bofeng Yu turned to Liu Qing. Palmer, along with Cynthia and Lusana, who had "come around," also looked his way.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Liu Qing did not hesitate. After a little thought to organize his words, he offered his opinion. "I think there are two possibilities. First, we can't approach the World Tree right now, or we wouldn't be observing it from so far away. Second, the major powers are keeping one another in check. None of them wants to make the first move and become everyone else's target."
"Very good! You've only just arrived in Rota, but your grasp and analysis of the situation are both accurate." Bofeng Yu nodded approvingly, then added, "We really can't approach the World Tree right now. An invisible barrier surrounds it. And the major powers are indeed keeping one another in check, spreading out in every direction around the tree. For one thing, they want to avoid pointless conflicts before the Fairy Plate emerges. For another, they want to prevent forces