Chapter 173: Child of the World (Growable), the World

“Before I realized it, seven months have passed since I obtained the Multiverse Fishing System.”

“Time really does fly.”

Ye Xuan let out a faint sigh.

With his lifespan extended and a goal to pursue, his life became full and busy; if not for the system’s monthly reminder of fishing attempts, he might not even notice time passing.

The breakthrough in his life tier, the comprehensive growth of his abilities, and the Five Elements bloodline granted by the Fire Shadow Stone—just as Angel Zhi Xin had once perceived—had long shattered his lifespan limit beyond a thousand years, and it continued to rise with his strength.

Under these circumstances, his perception of time was bound to differ from ordinary people’s.

Fortunately, not yet.

If in the future he became so absorbed in cultivation that he forgot to fish and wasted his monthly attempts, he wouldn’t be disappointed—but he’d still feel a tinge of regret.

Fishing attempts cannot be accumulated; this is the only flaw in the Multiverse Fishing System.

“System, begin fishing.”

As Ye Xuan spoke, the scene before him instantly shifted.

In an instant, he stood amid an endless star river, his feet resting on countless shimmering world-points like scattered stars; a simple fishing rod materialized in his hand, its shaft glowing with a faint radiance.

Without the awe or hesitation of his first time, he flicked his wrist, and the fishing line sank silently into the vast sea of worlds.

As he waited, a flicker of anticipation stirred in his heart.

The last item he fished up—the “Hongyun Qitian Bug”—though merely an eighth-transformation fortune bug from a bug world with low overall system strength and power—had brought him four Multiverse Treasures and the dimensional being, the Fire Kirin.

The Flame Dragon Armor, in both rank and upper limit, surpassed the “Hongyun Qitian Bug” itself, yet he still acquired it due to fortune’s influence.

Logically, having fused the “Hongyun Qitian Bug,” his fortune far exceeded his former self, so this fishing reward should likely be even greater—but Ye Xuan didn’t believe the “Hongyun Qitian Bug” could influence the system’s fishing.

In fact, because his last reward had been so abundant, he suspected this one might balance out, yielding an item of modest rank.

As Ye Xuan thought this, the fishing line suddenly tautened! His wrist instinctively lifted, and the rod bent into a full moon.

From the depths of the star river, a brilliant streak of light surged against the cosmic current, its radiance obscuring countless surrounding stars.

“What is this…?”

Ye Xuan’s pupils shrank sharply; after six fishing attempts, he had never seen such dazzling light!

【Ding】

【Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: Rank—Child of the World (Growable)】

The system’s voice echoed in Ye Xuan’s ear, and at the same time, a flood of information surged into his mind.

【Item Name: Rank—Child of the World (Growable)】

【Origin World: Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World】

【Item Information: Originates from the rank possessed by Reinhard van Astrea in “Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World.” The bearer will be favored by the World’s Will.】

【Item Traits: Destiny’s Chosen. The World’s Will actively adapts to the bearer’s growth path; all things will assist their strengthening in the most ideal manner.】

【Wish Fulfillment: Whatever the bearer desires will become reality, unless the bearer himself does not desire it.】

【Misfortune Immunity: Any accident, ambush, or curse will be automatically corrected by World Rules, never affecting the bearer.】

【Note: Due to differences between the current world and the origin world, the degree of favor is limited, but the growth ceiling is higher.】

【Note: World favor manifests as Blessings upon the host, influenced by the origin world’s rules.】

【Note: Reinhard van Astrea, as the most favored person in “Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World,” possesses “Acquired Blessings”—the world grants him blessings according to what Reinhard van Astrea desires;】

【Note: Before becoming the world’s most favored person, the host does not possess “Acquired Blessings.”】

“.”

Silence.

Long silence.

After a long while, Ye Xuan snapped back to reality, a look of utter disbelief slowly spreading across his face.

“No…”

“You’re telling me I fished up what?”

Ye Xuan couldn’t believe it—not joking, he genuinely couldn’t believe it.

The Rank—Child of the World?

From Reinhard van Astrea, the Sword Saint of “Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World”?

Could something like this even be fished up?

True, the system had said it could fish up any tangible or intangible item—abilities, items, talents, ranks—from all worlds—but the first rank he fished up was this—“Child of the World”? Wasn’t that a bit excessive?

This wasn’t Xiao Yan’s “Fate Chosen One,” who spent three years as a waste before gradually growing strong; this was the true Child of the World, the one the world feared losing—undisputedly one of the strongest in “Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World.”

He was among the rare few who, though not the protagonist of their world, were called “True Protagonist” and “Author’s Daddy.”

Ye Xuan took a deep breath, forcing his emotions to settle, and recalled all information about “Reinhard van Astrea.”

Reinhard belonged to the Sword Saint Astrea lineage and served in the Royal Guard.

As the current Sword Saint with the world’s strongest power, he was known as “Knight Among Knights,” a household name in the capital and the only being capable of standing against the Witch of Envy—though their compatibility prevented a clear victor.

He was strict, honest, upright, courageous, humble, courteous, and dedicated to protecting the kingdom’s prosperity; he also possessed the bravery to protect the weak, tirelessly aiding distressed citizens even on holidays, earning him the immense trust of the people as a national hero.

But none of that mattered most—what mattered was the favor he possessed as the “Child of the World.”

In the “Re:Zero” world, at birth, people received blessings through the Ode Soul Power—Ragna Pool, called Blessings.

Most are born without Blessings; those born with them instinctively know their Blessing, while some Blessings are limited to specific races.

According to the setting, only 1% of the world’s population possesses Blessings, most of which are useless; 0.1% possess useful Blessings; 0.01% possess rare Blessings; 0.001% possess highly practical Blessings; 0.0001% possess extremely rare Blessings; 0.00001% possess multiple Blessings.

Reinhard possessed at least 251 Blessings.

Yes, at least—not merely.

Once “Acquired Blessings” activated, the world granted him whatever he needed.

He was, without doubt, the Child of the World—except the story’s perspective centered on Subaru Natsuki.

Ye Xuan had obtained Reinhard’s “Child of the World” Rank; though he wouldn’t enjoy the same treatment in the real world, even a fraction of it would be terrifying enough.

After all, in terms of world tier, whether it was Qi Revival or dimensional invasion, the real world’s potential far surpassed the “Re:Zero” world.

“Hongyun Qitian Bug, stacked with the ‘Child of the World’ Rank…”

“Damn. Have I really become the protagonist?”

Even so, Ye Xuan’s smile refused to fade—who would turn down better fortune, being favored by the world?

It was fortunate this was the real world, and the “Hongyun Qitian Bug” and “Child of the World” Rank didn’t originate from the same world; otherwise, their fusion might have produced a ninth- or even tenth-transformation bug.

“System, claim the reward and begin fusion.”

Without hesitation, Ye Xuan spoke directly to the system.

As his voice faded, the system space pulsed with starlight; the streak of light containing the “Child of the World” Rank dissolved into countless star particles, slowly merging into his soul’s core.

The fusion process was strangely calm—no anomalies, no agonizing transformation; it was a rank, not power; like spring rain nourishing silently, Ye Xuan felt only a fundamental elevation, as if the entire world gently embraced him.

When he opened his eyes again, the system space remained glittering with stars, seemingly unchanged; but as he willed himself to exit, the entire star river rippled with strange waves.

【Rank Fusion Complete】

【Detecting Host’s World Consciousness in Slumber. Establishing Connection with World Consciousness…】

The instant Ye Xuan stepped out of the system space, before even glancing at reality, his consciousness was drawn into an ethereal state.

He “saw”—no, perceived—a vast, hazy consciousness before him, slowly unfolding like a water lily awakened by sunlight.

“What is this…?”

On a trans-dimensional level, Ye Xuan “gazed” upon the blue consciousness; it seemed to sense his presence and suddenly rippled with gentle warmth.

【Child】、【Favor】、【Destiny’s Chosen】… countless thoughts beyond language converged in the void; the Blue Star’s consciousness trembled, naively, like a mother recognizing her long-lost child.

In its eons of slumber, it had nurtured countless Fate Chosen Ones—but never before had it felt such closeness.

Not only did he carry more fortune than any previous Fate Chosen One, he also bore the World’s Blessing—but this blessing didn’t seem to originate from it?

How could this be allowed?

In a daze, Ye Xuan felt warm light particles seep into his soul—the Blue Star’s consciousness instinctively offering a gift, manifesting as Blessings upon him.

Though not as extreme as Reinhard’s, as the Blue Star’s consciousness gradually awakened and Ye Xuan’s weight in this world increased, he would one day reach the same level of world favor as Reinhard.

As the connection neared its end, Ye Xuan seemed to hear the Blue Star’s consciousness whisper, childlike:

【.Be… good…】

Then the blue radiance returned to stillness, resuming its long slumber.

When Ye Xuan opened his eyes again, his consciousness had returned to reality; yet now, the image of that vast, blue world consciousness remained vivid in his mind.

“Is this the Blue Star’s Will?”

He murmured softly, his palm unconsciously pressing against his chest; even with his current fifth-rank power, before that boundless planetary consciousness, he was but a single grain in the ocean.

Though the gap between fifth-rank and eighth-rank was immeasurable, that majestic, profound, and motherly warmth surpassed any imagination he’d ever held.

Was this the nature of all planetary consciousnesses—or was the Blue Star uniquely special?

This question lingered in Ye Xuan’s mind, but he quickly suppressed it.

“Thinking about this now is too early.”

Ye Xuan shook his head; he still had a long way to go before reaching the eighth-rank realm capable of truly comprehending such an existence.

Better to focus on steady growth than to reach for the stars; when his strength was sufficient, answers would come naturally.

Ye Xuan closed his eyes and focused, carefully sensing the new power within him; the blessing bestowed by the Blue Star’s consciousness now flowed through him as Blessings:

1. 【Sword Saint’s Blessing: Can slay the unslayable, and maximizes the sword’s potential】

【Note: You seem to really like swords.】

2. 【Evasion Blessing: Distant attacks cannot hit you】

【Note: Watch out for ambushes.】

3. [Blessing of Arrows: Your ranged attacks always hit.]

[Note: Isn’t an arrow also a sword?]

4. [Blessing of Elements: Immune to 80% of attacks involving metal, wood, water, fire, earth, ice, lightning, light, and darkness.]

[Note: Elements are quite dangerous things.]

5. [Blessing of First Encounter: If the attack is visible, the opponent’s first attack will always miss (even if from blind spots or unconscious intent).]

[Note: Ambushes aren’t just about ranged attacks, are they?]

6. [Blessing of Reappearance: If the attack is visible, the opponent’s second and all subsequent attacks will always miss.]

[Note: It might be better to end it in one go.]

7. [Blessing of the Sky: Your power increases during clear skies, rain, overcast conditions, hail, daytime, and nighttime (stackable).]

[Note: Go on, defeat your enemies!]

8. [Blessing of the Spirit: Great resistance to spiritual attacks, though not immune.]

[Note: You seem really worried about being hypnotized.]

9. [Blessing of the Phoenix: You may resurrect once.]

[Note: You must not die.]

10. [Blessing of the Phoenix – Continuation: When the Phoenix Blessing is triggered, it automatically reappears without any limit on the number of times.]

[Note: Life is a precious thing indeed.]

“Is this the favor granted to the Child of the World?”

“It’s truly beyond description.”

Ye Xuan, feeling the myriad blessings flowing within him, couldn’t help but sigh.

Too excessive. Really, far too excessive.

Every single one of these blessings seemed absurdly overpowered to him.

(End of Chapter)