Grassroots Travel: The Star Lord of Another World

Chapter 196 New clues

Gao Xingchen clenched his fists, frowned, and was extremely anxious. Granny Wu's words weighed on his heart like a huge rock, making it hard for him to breathe. Xiao Hei's condition was critical, and a month was like an insurmountable gap between him and hope. He hoped that all this was just a nightmare, and when he woke up, Xiao Hei would still be alive and kicking around him.

Nan Li gently held Gao Xingchen's hand, her beautiful eyes filled with worry and determination. She knew that now was not the time to be sad and desperate, they had to cheer up, for Xiao Hei and for their future.

At this moment, a familiar figure appeared at the gate of the courtyard, breaking the heavy atmosphere. "Mr. Gao, Miss Nanli, sorry to bother you." It was Deacon Zheng, who had a smile on his face and held an ancient scroll in his hand.

"Deacon Zheng, why are you here?" Gao Xingchen asked puzzledly.

"Mr. Gao, after I heard about Xiao Hei's situation, I went to the library on purpose and found some records about the cultivation of spirit pets, which may be helpful to you." Deacon Zheng said as he handed the scroll in his hand to Gao Xingchen.

Gao Xingchen took the scroll and opened it impatiently. It contained densely packed records of various spiritual pet cultivation methods. One paragraph caught his attention:

"Spirit crystals are formed by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. They contain powerful energy and can help spirit beasts break through bottlenecks and improve their strength..."

Gao Xingchen's heart began to beat violently. Could this be Xiao Hei's only chance of survival? He continued to read on and saw the following words:

"However, the conditions for the formation of spiritual crystals are harsh. They are mostly found in places where spiritual energy gathers and are nourished by the essence of the sun and the moon all year round. What's more, they need to be tempered by heavenly thunder and earthly fire before they can take shape..."

Gao Xingchen frowned again when he read this. Spirit crystals are so precious, how easy is it to find them?

Deacon Zheng seemed to see his worry and said with a smile: "Mr. Gao, don't be discouraged. Although spiritual crystals are rare, there are clues. I heard that someone once found traces of spiritual crystals in the depths of the Misty Forest."

Misty Forest? Gao Xingchen's heart moved. That was one of the most dangerous places in the Nine Star Realm, full of unknown dangers.

"Deacon Zheng, thank you for your information. I will go to the Misty Forest to look for the spirit crystal now." Gao Xingchen said with a firm look in his eyes and his tone full of determination.

Nan Li also stood up, tightened his grip on the sword, and said firmly: "I will go with you."

Gao Xingchen looked at the heroic woman in front of him, and his heart was filled with emotion and warmth. He knew that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles there were ahead, they would fight side by side and never give up.

Gao Xingchen stood up suddenly, his eyes burning with flames, as if a drowning man had grabbed the last straw. "Misty Forest! I'll go right away!"

Nan Li also stood up, and the knuckles of his fingers holding the hilt of the sword were distinct, exuding a chilling chill. "I'll go with you."

Deacon Zheng looked at the two young men in front of him, and he was filled with admiration. Gao Xingchen's deep feelings for his pet and Nan Li's firm support for her lover moved him. "Wait a minute," he raised his hand to stop them, "The Misty Forest is full of dangers, and you two need to be fully prepared."

Gao Xingchen took a deep breath, suppressed the emotions in his heart, and nodded solemnly. "Deacon Zheng is right, we are too impatient. Please give us some advice."

Deacon Zheng smiled slightly, walked to the table, and spread out a map. He pointed to a dark green area on the map and said, "The Misty Forest is shrouded in thick fog all year round. The terrain is complex and monsters are rampant. Even experienced adventurers dare not easily set foot in it. According to ancient records, spirit crystals are mostly born in places where spiritual energy gathers, such as..." He paused and pointed to a place marked with a skull on the map, "such as this Death Swamp."

"Death Swamp?" Gao Xingchen and Nan Li looked at each other, and saw solemnity in each other's eyes. Just hearing the name, one can tell how dangerous this place is.

"Yes, the Death Swamp is located in the center of the Misty Forest. It is filled with miasma all year round, and there are countless poisonous insects and ferocious beasts hiding in it. It can be said to be a place where one is almost certain to die." Deacon Zheng said in a serious tone, "But it is also the place with the most abundant spiritual energy. Rumor has it that someone once saw colorful clouds rising into the sky there, which is very likely a sign of the appearance of the spiritual crystal."

Gao Xingchen said without hesitation, "Even if it means going through mountains of swords and seas of fire, for Xiao Hei, I will go and give it a try!"

"I will lend you a helping hand." Nan Li's voice was cold and firm, like a sword drawn from its sheath, carrying an unstoppable momentum.

Deacon Zheng looked at them with satisfaction, and took out a jade slip and a bottle of elixir from his bosom. "It contains some information about the Death Swamp, which may be helpful to you. In addition, this bottle of elixir is called Miasma-avoiding Pill, which can temporarily isolate you from the erosion of miasma. Take it with you in case of emergency."

"Thank you, Deacon Zheng!" Gao Xingchen and Nan Li took the jade slip and pills and thanked Deacon Zheng solemnly.

"You two are welcome. Saving spiritual pets is my job. I wish you two a safe trip and hope you can find the spiritual crystal and save Xiao Hei as soon as possible." Deacon Zheng said with a bow.

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li did not stay any longer. After bidding farewell to Deacon Zheng, they immediately began to prepare to enter the Misty Forest. They knew that the road ahead was full of unknown dangers, but for Xiao Hei, they were fearless and had no hesitation. What secrets were hidden in the Death Swamp? Could they successfully find the Spirit Crystal and save Xiao Hei's life?

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li did not delay for a moment and immediately set off for the Misty Forest. They asked experienced adventurers in the city for information, bought maps, anthelmintics, antidotes and other necessary supplies, and adjusted their own conditions to the best.

The outer edge of the Misty Forest was filled with mist and swaying shadows of trees, full of mystery and danger. Gao Xingchen released Xiao Hei from the spirit beast bag. The little guy lay weakly on his shoulder, his breath was weak, which made people feel distressed.

"Xiao Hei, don't worry, I will definitely find the spirit crystal and cure you." Gao Xingchen gently stroked Xiao Hei's hair with a firm tone.

Nan Li held a long sword in his hand and walked in front of the team, observing the surrounding environment vigilantly. The misty forest was full of dangers, with all kinds of poisonous insects and ferocious beasts appearing one after another. If you are not careful, you will fall into danger.

Following the clues provided by Deacon Zheng, they cut through the thorns and went deep into the misty forest. On the way, they were attacked by poisonous spiders, trapped in a psychedelic swamp, and even confronted a ferocious unicorn bear. Every crisis was dangerous, but Gao Xingchen and Nan Li relied on their tacit cooperation and extraordinary strength to overcome the danger in the end.

"Be careful!" Nan Li shouted, and the long sword in her hand stabbed out like lightning, cutting a poisonous snake hiding in the bushes and waiting for an opportunity into two pieces.

“That was a close call!” Gao Xingchen broke out in a cold sweat and looked at Nan Li gratefully, “Luckily you’re here.”

Nan Li nodded slightly, a trace of worry showing on her cold face: "This Misty Forest is more dangerous than rumored. We must be more cautious."

Gao Xingchen nodded solemnly, he knew Nan Li was right. Their destination was the Death Swamp, the most dangerous place in the Misty Forest, and if they were not careful, they would be doomed.

After several days of arduous journey, they finally reached the edge of the Death Swamp. The scene before them was horrifying, the swamp was filled with miasma, emitting a nauseating stench, and bubbles occasionally emerged from the black mud, as if something terrible was lurking in it.

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li took the miasma-avoiding pill, took a deep breath, and stepped into this forbidden land of death. They walked along the edge of the swamp with difficulty, looking for any clues about the spirit crystal.

Finally, they found an important clue next to a collapsed stone tablet. Ancient words were engraved on the stone tablet, recording a place called "Moon God Altar". It is said that it is the place where spiritual energy gathers and the cradle of spiritual crystals.

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li suppressed their excitement and continued to go deeper into the Death Swamp according to the instructions on the stone tablet.

After many hardships and dangers, they finally found the legendary Moon God Altar. This is an ancient relic, and among the broken walls, one can vaguely see the former glory. In the center of the altar, a crystal stone emitting colorful rays of light was suspended in the air, emitting a powerful spiritual fluctuation. It was the spiritual crystal they had been looking for!

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li were ecstatic, however, just when they were about to obtain the spirit crystal, an unexpected obstacle appeared and blocked their progress.

The space around the altar suddenly twisted, forming an invisible barrier that separated them from the spirit crystal. Gao Xingchen tried every possible way, but was unable to break through the barrier.

"What's going on?" Gao Xingchen frowned, with an ominous premonition in his heart.

At this moment, a cold voice suddenly sounded in their ears: "Want to get the spirit crystal? Wishful thinking!"

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li turned around suddenly, and saw a figure in a black robe slowly walking out of the shadows with a sinister smile on his face. It was their old enemy - Wang Lie!

"Wang Lie!" Gao Xingchen gritted his teeth and spat out these two words, his eyes burning with anger. He never thought that Wang Lie would appear here and set up obstacles to prevent them from obtaining the spirit crystal.

"It seems that you have found the spirit crystal. You have worked so hard." Wang Lie sneered, "But, this spirit crystal is mine now!"

Gao Xingchen's heart sank. He knew that a fierce battle was inevitable. The invisible barrier that blocked them and Wang Lie's sudden appearance seemed to indicate that all this was not accidental. Could it be that there was a deeper connection between Wang Lie and the spiritual crystal they had been looking for? Gao Xingchen and Nan Li stared at the barrier in front of them. It was like a transparent wall, isolating them from the spiritual crystal in the center of the Moon Goddess Altar. The barrier seemed invisible and intangible, but it emitted a terrifying energy fluctuation, as if it could burst out with destructive power at any time.

"What the hell is this thing?" Gao Xingchen tried to touch it with his hand, but was bounced back by a powerful force, and a numb feeling came over his palm.

Nan Li frowned, she drew out the long sword in her hand, the sword body glowed with a cold light, and the sharp sword energy pointed directly at the barrier, "Break!"

However, the sword energy hit the barrier, but it was like a drop in the ocean, without causing any ripples. The barrier remained solid, like an insurmountable chasm.

"It's useless," a teasing voice came from behind them, "This barrier is set up using the power of the Moon Goddess Altar. Unless you have the power to destroy the entire altar, you can't break it."

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li turned around suddenly, only to see Wang Lie slowly walking out of the shadows with a sinister smile. He was wearing a black robe, exuding a suffocating sense of oppression, as if he were a demon from the abyss.

"Wang Lie!" Gao Xingchen growled with gnashing teeth, his eyes burning with anger. He never expected that Wang Lie would appear here, and set a trap in advance to prevent them from obtaining the spirit crystal.

"It seems that you have found the spirit crystal. You have worked so hard," Wang Lie sneered, his eyes full of mockery and greed, "But, this spirit crystal is mine now!"

"Don't even think about it!" Gao Xingchen roared, knowing that a fierce battle was inevitable. However, the invisible barrier that blocked their way and Wang Lie's sudden appearance made him feel uneasy. All this did not seem to be accidental. Could it be that there was a deeper connection between Wang Lie and the spiritual crystal they had been looking for?

This thought flashed through Gao Xingchen's mind like lightning, filling him with doubt and vigilance. He realized that their battle with Wang Lie was far from over, the obstacles before them were just the beginning, and a greater crisis was yet to come.