Grassroots Travel: The Star Lord of Another World

Chapter 175: Changing the Heaven and the Sun

Gao Xingchen looked at the enchanting mandala flower on the letter, and doubts filled his heart. Although the content of the letter was brief, it was full of threats, which made him realize that he seemed to be involved in an unknown vortex. He carefully recalled his recent experiences, trying to find some clues from them, but he found nothing.

"Could it be that someone doesn't want me to participate in the Star Alchemy Conference?" Gao Xingchen thought to himself, but he quickly rejected this idea. He had just arrived and had never made enemies with anyone, let alone offended any big shots. Why would someone specifically target him?

Gao Xingchen crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it into the brazier. The dancing flames instantly devoured the letter and illuminated his resolute face. He took a deep breath and put aside the distracting thoughts in his mind. No matter who was behind this, he would not give up this opportunity easily.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye it is the day of the Star Alchemy Conference. On this day, the entire Star Domain City is bustling with activity, and alchemists from all forces gather together, ready to show their strength at this grand event.

Gao Xingchen arrived at the competition venue early, but found that the atmosphere was a little unusual. The surrounding contestants looked at him with hostility, as if he was some unforgivable criminal.

"Brother, what happened?" Gao Xingchen stopped a passing alchemist and asked.

The alchemist looked Gao Xingchen up and down and sneered, "Why, are you still pretending to be stupid? Your alchemy formula has already spread throughout the venue, and you're only now asking me what happened?"

Gao Xingchen was shocked when he heard this. How could the alchemy formula he had carefully researched be leaked? Moreover, judging from the reactions of the people around him, it seemed that everyone already knew his details.

A strong feeling of uneasiness surged in his heart, and Gao Xingchen realized that someone was secretly plotting against him, and this person knew him very well.

He forced himself to calm down and carefully observed the contestants around him, trying to find some clues from them. At this moment, he noticed a pair of cold eyes in the crowd, staring at him intently, full of jealousy and resentment, like a poisonous snake that wanted to devour him completely.

Gao Xingchen followed his gaze and saw a young woman in a purple dress standing not far away. There was a sneer on her face and her eyes were full of provocation.

"Xuan Yu..." Gao Xingchen recognized the woman. She was the daughter of the Xuan family, a famous alchemy family in Xingyu City. She was also one of the popular candidates for this Xingchen Alchemy Conference. She was famous for her ruthlessness and revenge.

Could it be her? But why would she do this?

Gao Xingchen was full of doubts, but he knew that now was not the time to pursue these things. He had to find out the truth as soon as possible, otherwise, he would lose his qualification to compete and even get into bigger trouble.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, then turned and walked towards his alchemy furnace, ready to meet the upcoming challenge.

However, when he opened the storage bag and prepared to take out the materials for refining the pill, his face turned pale in an instant.

He discovered that the precious medicinal materials originally stored in the storage bag had been tampered with by someone at some point!

Gao Xingchen took out the medicinal herbs that should have exuded rich spiritual energy from the storage bag with trembling hands. However, what appeared before his eyes was another despairing scene.

The originally plump and round red blood ginseng was now shriveled and lifeless; the crystal clear ice heart jade dew had become turbid and emitted a pungent strange smell; even the extremely precious Nine Revolutions Golden Lotus had lost its former luster, and the edges of the petals had turned a disgusting black.

"This... How is this possible..." Gao Xingchen muttered to himself, not believing his eyes. These herbs were carefully selected by him, and he spent a lot of effort to collect them. Each one was priceless, but now they were destroyed.

He suppressed his grief and checked the remaining herbs one by one, only to find that without exception, all of them had been tampered with. The herbs that originally contained powerful spiritual power had now become worthless waste, and even emitted a faint toxicity, as if mocking his powerlessness.

Gao Xingchen sat on the ground helplessly, a deep despair overwhelmed him. He had worked so hard for so long and was about to realize his dream, but it was completely destroyed at the last moment. This blow almost made him collapse.

Did he really want to give up? Did he really want to watch his dream shattered?

No, he is not willing to give in!

Gao Xingchen stood up suddenly, his eyes burning with anger. He would never bow to fate, nor would he let those who plotted against him succeed!

He swore to find out the truth, bring the mastermind behind the scenes to justice, and then stand on the stage of the Star Alchemy Conference to prove his strength to everyone!

At this moment, a cold voice sounded in his ears: "What happened?"

Gao Xingchen raised his head and saw Nan Li appeared behind him at some point. There was a hint of worry on her face and her clear eyes were full of concern.

Gao Xingchen opened his mouth, wanting to tell Nan Li everything he had experienced, but he didn't know where to start. He didn't want her to worry about him, and he didn't want her to get involved in this dispute.

However, who is Nan Li? She saw Gao Xingchen's abnormality at a glance, and a bad premonition suddenly rose in her heart.

"Tell me, what happened?" Her tone left no room for doubt.

Gao Xingchen looked at Nan Li's determined eyes, and the last bit of defense in his heart finally collapsed. He took a deep breath and told her everything he had experienced.

Nan Li listened quietly, her brows furrowed tighter and tighter. She had never thought that someone would plot against Gao Xingchen so insidiously behind his back, and act so cruelly, clearly not wanting him to turn over.

"I will get to the bottom of this matter." A cold light flashed in Nanli's eyes, and his tone was so cold that it made people shudder.

She turned and left, leaving only one sentence echoing in the air: "Just prepare for the competition, and leave the rest to me."

Gao Xingchen looked at Nan Li's departing back, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He knew that Nan Li would definitely seek justice for him, and he also believed that he would be able to overcome the difficulties before him and finally realize his dream!

After Nan Li left Gao Xingchen's room, her face darkened. Who was it? Who was so vicious that he destroyed Gao Xingchen's medicinal materials on the eve of the competition and ruined his future?

"This matter is definitely not simple." Nan Li thought to herself. Her slender fingers tapped the table lightly, and her mind kept replaying the people and things related to Gao Xingchen. Suddenly, a name flashed through her mind like lightning, and her heart was shocked - Xuan Yu!

Xuan Yu, a genius disciple of Tianxing Sect, is also an alchemist and the most fanatical one among Nan Li's many suitors. He is arrogant and conceited, and has always regarded Gao Xingchen as a thorn in his side. Gao Xingchen's close relationship with Nan Li has planted the seeds of jealousy in his heart.

"Could it be him?" Nan Li had a bold guess in her mind, and she decided to meet Xuan Yu in person.

Nan Li came to Xuan Yu's residence, which was a magnificently decorated courtyard, just like Xuan Yu's flamboyant personality. Nan Li went straight to Xuan Yu's alchemy room, and a familiar medicinal fragrance came to her nose. Xuan Yu was facing away from her, concentrating on refining a furnace of elixirs.

"Senior Brother Xuanyu, long time no see." Nanli's cold voice rang out in the room.

When Xuan Yu heard Nan Li's voice, his body froze. He turned around slowly and forced a smile on his face: "It turned out to be Fairy Nan Li. What brings you here?"

"I heard that someone had tampered with Gao Xingchen's medicinal herbs, so I came here to take a look." Nan Li's tone was calm, but there was a sharp edge hidden in her voice. She stared at Xuan Yu with sharp eyes, not missing any slight changes in expression on his face.

Xuan Yu pretended to be surprised: "Oh? There is such a thing? This is really unfortunate. But what does this have to do with me?"

"Whether it matters or not, you know it in your heart." Nan Li said in a cold tone, "Xuan Yu, I warn you, don't do such despicable things again, otherwise, don't blame me for being rude!"

"Despicable?" Xuan Yu laughed as if he had heard a funny joke. "Nan Li, you slandered me for a piece of trash? I tell you, Gao Xingchen doesn't deserve to be with you. Only I am worthy of you!"

Nan Li did not speak, but looked at Xuan Yu coldly, her eyes full of disappointment and disgust. She turned and left, leaving Xuan Yu alone in the room, her face terribly gloomy. Nan Li left Xuan Yu's courtyard, but her heart was even heavier. Xuan Yu's reaction and the undisguised jealousy in his words made her sure that Gao Xingchen's experience was related to him. However, she had no evidence, and she could not prove him based on speculation alone.

When she returned to Gao Xingchen's residence, Nan Li saw him staring blankly at the messy table of medicinal herbs. The precious spiritual herbs that had been prepared had now turned into a pile of worthless powder, emitting a pungent smell.

"Xingchen, what happened?" Nanli asked in a calm tone, but her heart ached.

Gao Xingchen raised his head and forced a smile: "Nothing, just an accident. My medicinal herbs..."

He paused and said nothing more, but he could not hide the loneliness and frustration in his eyes. He knew what this game meant to him. It was his chance to prove himself and change his fate. But now everything was ruined.

"Don't worry, there is still time, we can find another way." Nanli walked forward, gently held his hand, trying to give him strength.

Gao Xingchen held her hand with his backhand, feeling the warmth of her palm, and a warm current surged in his heart. Yes, there is still time, he can't just give up like this.

"I'm fine, don't worry, I can definitely handle it." Gao Xingchen took a deep breath, his eyes rekindled with fighting spirit. He began to tidy up the messy desk and cleaned up the damaged herbs one by one.

Nan Li stood quietly by the side, watching him busy, with mixed feelings in her heart. She knew that Gao Xingchen had a tenacious spirit that never gave up, which was also what she admired about him.

"Instead of waiting for death, it's better to give it a try!" Gao Xingchen suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with determination. He decided to use the only materials he had and try an unprecedented method of alchemy. This was an extremely risky approach, and if he was not careful, he would fail, or even go crazy.

"Are you sure? This is too dangerous!" Nan Li looked at him worriedly. She didn't want him to risk his life for the competition.

"Trust me, I can do it!" Gao Xingchen gave her a firm look and turned to devote himself to new refining.

Time passed by minute by minute, Gao Xingchen concentrated on controlling the Dan Fire, with beads of sweat oozing out of his forehead. He kept trying and adjusting, trying to create a miracle under limited conditions.

Nan Li stood by and watched over him silently. Her heart was filled with worry, but also with expectation. Gao Xingchen, can he create a miracle in a short time?