[distracted as he was at first, Cao Pi definitely didn't see the ear damage. Oof, sorry about that. His brow knits in the briefest expression of regret before he speaks clearly and more directly.]

Yes, it was only a theory. That the World Eaters do not completely get rid of the light they consume, it's still inside them in some form. It is only a guess...

[the startled cry and the point work to redirect him from idly pontificating about light to see a most splendid sign of life]

...ah! It's...real. Not a dark shadow version of a plant, a real plant.