Grassroots Travel: The Star Lord of Another World

Chapter 368 The Storm Within

In the thick fog, the Fire Cloud Evil God approached with a devastating pressure. Gao Xingchen held the unconscious Nan Li in despair and prepared for the final resistance. However, the expected attack did not come, and only a creepy silence spread in the thick fog.

Gao Xingchen suppressed the fear in his heart and carefully extended his spiritual sense, only to find that the Fire Cloud Evil God had disappeared without a trace.

"What's going on? Is it a trap?" Gao Xingchen was full of confusion and anxiety.

He did not relax his vigilance, and continued to walk cautiously through the thick fog with Nan Li. The Sea of Death was strange and unpredictable, and he did not dare to be careless.

Along the way, Gao Xingchen kept replaying the scenes of fighting with the Fire Cloud Evil God in his mind. Every attack and every defense were like sharp thorns that pierced deeply into his heart.

"My strength is still too weak. If I could be stronger, Li'er wouldn't be injured..." Gao Xingchen clenched his fists, his heart full of self-blame and regret.

He began to reflect on his shortcomings in the battle. The power of Huoyun Evil God was unquestionable, but Gao Xingchen was not without a chance. If he could predict the attack route of Huoyun Evil God in advance, if he could use his power more reasonably, perhaps he could avoid this disaster.

"My tactics and strategies are still too immature. I can't be as reckless and impulsive as before." Gao Xingchen secretly made up his mind that he would become stronger, strong enough to protect himself and his loved ones.

Gao Xingchen became more cautious and hardworking during the rest of the journey. While searching for the whereabouts of the Fountain of Life, he also seized every opportunity to practice. He practiced swordsmanship diligently, trying to figure out the attack patterns of the Fire Cloud Evil God over and over again, hoping to find a way to break through.

He also began to learn various combat skills and strategies, hoping to make up for his lack of practical experience. He humbly asked Nan Li for advice, learning how to better use his strength, how to predict the opponent's actions, and how to make the most favorable judgment in the ever-changing battle.

Although Nan Li was unconscious, she seemed to be able to feel Gao Xingchen's determination and efforts. Her brows gradually relaxed, and her pale face regained some color.

Gao Xingchen looked at Nan Li sleeping in his arms, his heart filled with tenderness and hope. He knew that the road ahead was still long, but he would not give up. He would go on bravely for himself, for Nan Li, and for their common future.

However, Gao Xingchen didn't know that a greater crisis was quietly approaching in the depths of the Sea of Death... The thick fog was still pervasive, like a huge veil woven by fate, covering the road ahead. Gao Xingchen stopped in a relatively dry cave and lit a bonfire to dispel the dampness and coldness around him. He carefully placed Nan Li on the soft animal skin, and the hot firelight reflected on her pale face, making her look as fragile as a porcelain doll that would break at the touch.

Gao Xingchen didn't want to take his eyes off Nan Li for a moment, fearing that she would disappear in the blink of an eye. He gently held her hand, feeling her weak pulse, his heart filled with self-blame and worry. If it weren't for his lack of strength, Nan Li wouldn't have been injured, let alone fallen into a coma.

"You must get better. I promised you that I would take you away from here..." Gao Xingchen murmured in a low voice, with a barely perceptible tremor in his tone.

Perhaps sensing Gao Xingchen's anxiety and uneasiness, Nan Li's eyelids trembled slightly and she slowly opened her eyes.

"Xingchen..." Nanli's voice was very weak, as if it came from a distant place.

"Lier, you're awake!" Gao Xingchen was surprised and delighted, and quickly held her hand tightly.

"What's wrong with me?" Nan Li's consciousness was still a little fuzzy. She tried hard to recall what happened before she fell into a coma, but the severe headache made her frown.

"You were seriously injured and are still very weak. Don't think about anything and just have a good rest." Gao Xingchen stroked her cheek with heartache and comforted her softly.

Nan Li's gaze fell on Gao Xingchen's face. His eyes were full of worry and fatigue, and a layer of blue stubble appeared on his chin. It was obvious that he had not had a good rest during this period of time.

"Have you been taking care of me?" Nan Li asked.

"Well, I can't lose you." Gao Xingchen did not deny it, his eyes were firm and persistent.

A warm feeling surged in Nanli's heart. She knew that Gao Xingchen truly cared for her and loved her.

"I'm sorry to trouble you again..." Nan Li's voice lowered. She felt like a burden and always needed Gao Xingchen's protection.

"Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about!" Gao Xingchen gently scratched her nose and said lovingly, "You are the most important person to me. It is my responsibility to protect you."

Nan Li's mouth corners slightly lifted up, revealing a faint smile. Gao Xingchen's company and encouragement rekindled hope in her originally gloomy heart.

In the next few days, Gao Xingchen took good care of Nan Li, cooked a light broth for her, and used his spiritual power to nourish her body. Under Gao Xingchen's careful care, Nan Li's injuries gradually improved, and her complexion became much rosier.

In his spare time, Gao Xingchen began to try to share his experiences and insights during this period with Nanli, including his reflections on the battle, his desire for strength, and his confusion about the future.

Nan Li listened quietly, nodding her head in agreement from time to time. Gao Xingchen's frankness and sincerity made her see the fragility and anxiety hidden deep in his heart. She realized that Gao Xingchen was not just a reckless and impulsive boy, but also had delicate emotions and deep thoughts.

Nan Li opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't say it. She needed time to sort out her thoughts, and then she would tell him her deepest thoughts and feelings without reservation.

Nan Li's eyes became deep, and she recalled the thrilling battle before she fainted. Although she tried her best to hide her weakness, Gao Xingchen keenly noticed her inability. Nan Li understood that in front of a powerful enemy, her and Gao Xingchen's strength seemed insignificant.

"Xingchen, am I a burden to you?" Nan Li's voice was very soft, but it was like a huge rock, hitting Gao Xingchen's heart heavily.

Gao Xingchen held Nan Li's hand tightly and said firmly: "Li'er, don't say such things again! We are a whole. No matter what difficulties we encounter, we must face them together!"

Nan Li shook her head, with a trace of self-blame in her eyes: "No, Xingchen, I must face up to my own shortcomings. If you hadn't arrived in time this time, I'm afraid..."

Gao Xingchen knew that Nanli had a strong sense of self-esteem and didn't want to be a burden to anyone. He interrupted her and said softly, "Li'er, each of us has our own strengths and weaknesses. The important thing is to support each other and make progress together. You are proficient in assassination and can always win by surprise at critical moments, and I..."

Gao Xingchen paused, and his tone was a little more self-deprecating, "Although I have a lot of passion, my strength is not strong enough to protect you."

"No, Xingchen, you are already very strong." Nan Li held Gao Xingchen's hand and encouraged him, "Do you remember the first time we met? At that time, you were just a young boy, but now, you have grown into a strong man who can stand on your own."

Gao Xingchen was silent. Nan Li's words made him realize that he had indeed made great progress during this period, but he could not stop there. He had to become stronger in order to protect his beloved and achieve his goal.

"Li'er, you are right. I cannot be satisfied with the status quo." Gao Xingchen's eyes became firm. He stood up and looked at the thick fog rolling outside the cave, as if he saw a road full of challenges in the future. "I must find the fountain of life, break through my own bottleneck, and become a truly strong man!"

Nan Li also stood up, walked to Gao Xingchen, stood shoulder to shoulder with him, and said firmly: "I believe in you, Xingchen! Let's work hard together!"

In the following days, Gao Xingchen and Nan Li began to consciously conduct actual combat drills, learning from each other's combat skills and complementing each other's weaknesses. Gao Xingchen focused on improving his strength and speed, while Nan Li focused on practicing how to use his assassination skills more flexibly.

On a sunny afternoon, Gao Xingchen was practicing a new sword technique. He learned this sword technique from an ancient book. It was extremely powerful, but difficult to practice. He swung the sword in his hand over and over again, sweat soaking his clothes, but he had no intention of stopping.

Suddenly, Gao Xingchen felt a powerful force surging from his body. The long sword in his hand seemed to become a part of his body. Every movement was full of power and beauty. He closed his eyes and felt the power with his heart. The essence of swordsmanship kept emerging in his mind.

"boom!"

With a loud bang, Gao Xingchen swung the sword in his hand suddenly. A sharp sword energy broke through the air and split a huge rock in the distance into two halves.

Gao Xingchen slowly opened his eyes, his eyes full of surprise and excitement. He knew that he had finally broken through the bottleneck and realized the true meaning of this sword technique.

"That's great, Xingchen!" Nan Li had been watching the battle on the side. Seeing Gao Xingchen's breakthrough, she also smiled with relief.

Gao Xingchen walked over to Nan Li, hugged her in his arms, and said excitedly: "Li'er, I succeeded! I finally broke through!"

Nan Li gently patted Gao Xingchen's back and said softly, "I know you can do it!"

However, just as they were immersed in joy, a strong sense of oppression suddenly descended, covering the entire valley...

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li looked at each other, and an ominous premonition arose in their hearts.

"What's wrong?" Gao Xingchen asked vigilantly, tightening the sword in his hand.

Nan Li's face was solemn, and he said in a deep voice: "The Fountain of Life is in front of us, but it seems that..."

Gao Xingchen's heart suddenly sank. He followed Nan Li's gaze and saw a huge shadow at the end of the thick fog, like a dormant giant beast, emitting a suffocating and terrifying aura...

The thick fog rolled like invisible hands, swallowing up all the light in the valley. Gao Xingchen and Nan Li walked forward cautiously, and every step was like walking on the edge of a knife, which was terrifying.

"Be careful!" Nan Li warned in a low voice. The dagger in her hand flashed a faint blue light, reflecting her solemn expression.

Gao Xingchen nodded and tightened his grip on the sword. He knew that they had entered the enemy's territory.

The thick fog gradually dissipated, and the scene before him made Gao Xingchen gasp.

Deep in the valley was a huge swamp, with dark green mud rolling with disgusting bubbles and emitting a nauseating smell. In the center of the swamp, there grew a huge old tree, with lush branches and leaves that blocked out the sun.

However, what attracted Gao Xingchen's attention was not the ancient tree, but the monsters lurking around the ancient tree.

They have different shapes and ferocious faces, some have sharp fangs, some are covered with hard scales, and some even have three heads and six eyes. There are so many of them, so densely packed, that the entire swamp is blocked.

"What kind of monsters are these?" Gao Xingchen asked in a low voice, with a hint of trembling in his voice.

Nan Li shook her head, her face solemn: "I don't know either. I have never seen such a creature."

Just then, a monster discovered Gao Xingchen and Nanli. It let out a deafening roar, opened its bloody mouth, and pounced towards them.

"Be careful!" Gao Xingchen grabbed Nan Li and dodged to the side.

The monster missed its target and fell heavily to the ground, splashing mud. It roared unwillingly and struggled to get up, but its body was too big and it was difficult to move.

Gao Xingchen did not miss this opportunity. The sword in his hand turned into a flash of lightning and pierced into the monster's throat fiercely.

"Roar!" The monster let out a shrill scream, and its huge body fell to the ground with a bang, stirring up a cloud of dust.

However, this is just the beginning.

The other monsters were attracted by their companions' screams and rushed towards Gao Xingchen and Nanli.

"We must break through the siege as soon as possible and reach the Fountain of Life!" Gao Xingchen said loudly, waving the sword in his hand continuously, forcing back the monsters one by one.

Nanli nodded, and the dagger in his hand turned into cold light, reaping the life of the monster.

However, there were too many monsters to kill. Gao Xingchen and Nan Li gradually felt exhausted and had more and more wounds on their bodies.

"We can't go on like this, we will be exhausted to death here!" Gao Xingchen was extremely anxious.

At this moment, a mysterious figure appeared in front of Gao Xingchen and Nan Li. His voice seemed to come from the sky, with an irresistible majesty:

"Children, only by uniting together can we defeat the enemy before us!"