Austin and Dominic lacked a solution, even a clear understanding of the problem. Austin and the others relied entirely on Dominic's assessment: a virus, not a symbiote. Questions of detoxification and recovery loomed. However, faith was paramount; doubt, they knew, was a precursor to failure.

"Hehe..." Dominic chuckled nonchalantly. He remained unperturbed. Life or death held little sway over him.

Dominic had dedicated his life to traditional medicine. Though not entirely satisfied with his achievements, he had nonetheless made a name for himself and found great joy in his few apprentices. As for Austin…

Dominic turned to his grandnephew. "Even though this stinking brat has always angered me and done plenty of stupid things, he has finally become a doctor. It doesn't matter if I die or not. It's just that I can't die right now."

"Don't worry, I won't die," Dominic reassured him. "I haven't scolded you enough yet."

"Go ahead and scold me, Uncle Dom! I like it when you do that. You must keep scolding me for the next few decades!" Austin replied hastily.

Dominic glared, then burst into laughter. He couldn't die yet; not now. Austin's guilt would be unbearable if Dominic perished.

"Since it's a virus, we can't defeat it using the same methods as a symbiote," the older man continued, adjusting his posture. Exhausted, he pressed onward. Sleep, he feared, might be a one-way journey.

"Okay, I understand! We must find a way to defeat this virus." Realizing the infection was viral, not symbiotic, Dominic acknowledged his previous research had been misguided. His extensive reading on symbiotes had led him astray.

'How can we overcome it if I initially went in the wrong direction?' he mused.

After a moment, Dominic said, "Lily..."

"Lily left to find a solution, as did Alexander," Austin replied vaguely, shielding Dominic from undue worry. "Don't worry. They're both competent. Surely they'll find a way."

"Didn't you look down on my apprentice?" Dominic asked, a playful eyebrow raised, complacency evident.

Austin remained silent before finally conceding, "I respect her!"

Previously, his feelings had been mixed. While admiring Lily, he’d harbored dissatisfaction. Even now, acceptance struggled. Her medical skill, composure, and courage surpassed his own.

Witnessing the horrors he’d endured, fear had been inescapable. Yet, Lily, fully aware of the danger, had entered the "lion's den" without hesitation. Her bravery commanded his respect.

Dominic chuckled at his grandnephew's words, then sighed. "It's just a pity that..."