Grassroots Travel: The Star Lord of Another World

Chapter 355: Good luck and good fortune

"Stars... Stars..."

Gao Xingchen heard someone calling him in a daze. The voice was weak and familiar, with a hint of anxiety that was difficult to conceal. He tried hard to open his eyes, but found that his eyelids were heavy as if filled with lead, and his whole body was sore and weak, as if he had been crushed by a giant beast.

"Ahem..." Gao Xingchen finally managed to cough weakly, and then he barely opened his eyes. What came into view was a blue sky, white clouds, a breeze blowing on his face, and a hint of the fragrance of green grass. He looked around blankly and found himself lying in a valley, surrounded by mountains, green trees, birds singing, and flowers blooming, just like a paradise.

"Xingchen, you finally woke up!" Nan Li burst into tears of joy when she saw Gao Xingchen wake up. She quickly helped him up and asked anxiously, "How do you feel? Are you feeling unwell?"

Gao Xingchen shook his head, struggled to sit up, looked around, and asked in confusion: "Where is this? Why are we here?"

"I don't know either." Nan Li shook her head, her beautiful eyes full of worry, "I only remember that the teleportation array was activated, and then I don't know anything."

Gao Xingchen heard this and remembered what happened before. His face suddenly became serious. He looked down at his injuries. Although he was no longer bleeding, his clothes were torn and the wounds were still aching. It was obvious that his injuries were not light.

"Xiaobai..." Gao Xingchen suddenly remembered something and hurriedly turned around to look for Xiaobai, only to find that it was lying quietly not far away, motionless, with a weak breath, and obviously seriously injured.

"Xiaobai!" Nanli exclaimed, and hurriedly ran to Xiaobai, held it in his arms, and kept calling its name, but Xiaobai never responded at all, as if it had lost its life.

"Xiaobai, wake up! Don't scare me!" Nanli's tears rolled down like pearls from a broken string, dripping on Xiaobai's body, but unable to awaken its sleeping soul.

Gao Xingchen's heart sank when he saw this. Xiaobai was Nanli's pet, and they were like sisters. Now that Xiaobai's life or death was uncertain, Nanli's mood could be imagined.

He endured the pain in his body, walked to Nanli, patted her shoulder gently, and comforted her softly: "Nanli, don't worry too much, Xiaobai is a lucky person, and he will be fine."

Nan Li raised her head, looked at Gao Xingchen with tears in her eyes, and said in a choked voice: "Xingchen, do you think Xiaobai will be okay? It has no reaction at all now, I... I am so scared..."

Gao Xingchen opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but found that he couldn't give any promises at all. He could only hold Nan Li's hand tightly and pass his strength to her, hoping to bring her some comfort.

At this moment, a light sound of footsteps came from not far away. Gao Xingchen and Nan Li immediately became alert. Looking up, they saw an old man in a gray robe with white hair and beard slowly walking towards them...

"Who?" Gao Xingchen struggled to stand up, protecting Nan Li behind him, and stared at the approaching old man with vigilant eyes. Although he was seriously injured, Gao Xingchen still tried to keep his spirits up. He knew that in this unknown place, any relaxation could bring fatal danger.

The old man smiled slightly, his face was full of wrinkles, but his eyes were kind and there was no hostility at all. He looked at the young couple in front of him, with a complicated look in his eyes, "Don't be nervous, kids, I'm here to help you."

"Help us?" Gao Xingchen was even more confused. The old man in front of him had a strong aura and was unfathomable. He was definitely not an ordinary person. But they had just arrived, so how could someone help them?

The old man seemed to see through his doubts and said slowly: "I know you are looking for a way to unlock the seal of the Heart of the Stars. I can help you."

"What?!" Gao Xingchen and Nan Li heard this and their eyes widened in shock. The Heart of the Stars was Gao Xingchen's biggest secret, and he had never revealed it to anyone except Nan Li. How could this old man know it?

The old man did not explain, but looked at Gao Xingchen deeply, "Child, the power of the stars in you cannot be hidden from my eyes. My name is Xuanjizi, and I am one of the guardians of the Heart of the Stars."

"Guardian?" Gao Xingchen was even more confused. He had never heard that the Heart of the Stars had a guardian.

Xuanjizi sighed and said slowly: "The Heart of the Stars is of great importance. It concerns the safety of the entire Nine Star Realm, so there will be guardians guarding it in every generation. And I am one of the guardians of this generation."

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li were stunned. They had never thought that the mysterious power in Gao Xingchen actually related to the fate of the entire Nine Star Realm.

"Senior, you said you can help us unlock the seal of the Heart of Stars, is that true?" Nan Li asked anxiously. She knew too well the importance of the Heart of Stars. If the seal could be unlocked, Gao Xingchen's strength would improve by leaps and bounds, and they would no longer have to hide from pursuit like they do now.

Xuanjizi nodded and said, "I can help you, but this requires you to complete a task."

"What mission?" Gao Xingchen and Nan Li asked in unison.

"The Heart of the Stars was originally composed of several pieces of star fragments, but due to an accident, the fragments were scattered in every corner of this unknown land. Only by collecting all the star fragments can we restore the power of the Heart of the Stars and unlock the seal." Xuanjizi said solemnly.

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li looked at each other and knew in their hearts that this would be a journey full of unknowns and challenges.

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li faced such an important mission without hesitation. "We are willing to accept this mission!" Gao Xingchen's eyes were firm and his tone was full of strength. He knew that this was not only for himself, but also for the entire Nine Star Realm. Nan Li also nodded firmly. She would always stay with Gao Xingchen and face everything with him.

Xuanjizi looked at them with relief, "Good boy, I was right about you." He stretched out his withered hand, and an ancient compass and a glowing crystal ball appeared in his palm. "This compass can guide you to find the direction of the star fragments, and the crystal ball can help you sense the danger nearby."

Gao Xingchen solemnly took the compass and crystal ball, "Senior, we will definitely live up to your trust!" He knew that these two treasures were the key to their mission.

"Remember, star fragments contain great power, but also come with great danger. You must be careful and act within your ability." Xuanjizi warned in a serious tone, "I no longer have the ability to help you. You will have to rely on yourselves for the rest of the journey." After saying that, his figure gradually became illusory and finally disappeared into the air.

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li looked at the place where Xuanjizi disappeared, their hearts full of respect and gratitude. They knew that they had a great responsibility and were full of confidence that they would find all the star fragments, unlock the seal of the Heart of Stars, and save the Nine Stars Realm!

Gao Xingchen looked down at the compass and crystal ball in his hands. The compass needle was spinning wildly, as if pointing in a certain direction. The crystal ball was also emitting a faint light, foreshadowing unknown dangers and challenges. He took a deep breath, turned his head and looked at Nanli and the unconscious Xiaobai, "Let's go and look for star fragments!"

With hope and determination, they resolutely embarked on the journey of searching for star fragments. What awaits them ahead? Can they successfully find all the star fragments? All this is still unknown...

When Gao Xingchen woke up again, he felt sore all over, as if he had been crushed by countless boulders. He struggled to open his heavy eyelids and found himself in an unfamiliar cave. The light in the cave was dim, and he could vaguely see moss growing on the damp stone walls.

"Nanli? Xiaobai?" He called weakly, his voice terribly hoarse.

The only response he got was silence.

Gao Xingchen's heart tightened, and he tried to stand up despite the severe pain, but he found that his spiritual power was exhausted and he couldn't move at all. He could only look around anxiously, hoping to find Nanli and Xiaobai.

"Son, are you awake?"

An old voice came from the cave entrance, and an old man in coarse linen clothes slowly walked in. The old man had white hair and beard, a kind face, and a simple wooden stick in his hand, and he seemed to be trembling with every step he took.

Gao Xingchen looked at the old man warily and asked with all his might, "Who are you? Where are Nanli and Xiaobai?"

The old man did not answer his question, but walked to his side and put his withered fingers on his wrist. A warm energy slowly flowed into Gao Xingchen's body, making his originally dry meridians feel comfortable.

"Don't worry, kid. Your companions are fine. They are just badly injured like you." The old man withdrew his hand and said calmly, "I am just a casual cultivator in the mountains. I found you by chance and saved you."

Gao Xingchen was relieved, but he was still full of doubts: "Where is this place? Why are we here?"

The old man smiled and pointed outside the cave, saying, "This is deep in the Misty Forest. I don't know how you got here. But since you're awake, just rest and recover. When you're well, I'll tell you more slowly."

In the next few days, the old man took good care of Gao Xingchen and Nanli, treated their injuries and provided them with food. With the help of the old man, Gao Xingchen and Nanli's injuries gradually improved, and Xiaobai also woke up from his coma.

"Thank you for saving my life, Senior." Gao Xingchen said gratefully, "We still have important things to do. Can you tell me how to leave the Misty Forest?"

The old man pondered for a moment and said slowly: "The Misty Forest is full of dangers. It is not easy to leave. However, I know a place that may be able to help you."

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li felt a glimmer of hope in their hearts, and quickly asked, "Where?"

The old man did not answer directly, but said meaningfully: "You came here to find star fragments, right?"

Gao Xingchen was shocked. This old man actually knew the purpose of their trip! Could it be that he knew the whereabouts of the star fragments?

"Senior, do you know where the star fragments are?" Gao Xingchen asked anxiously.

The old man shook his head and pointed outside the cave and said, "I don't know where the star fragments are, but I know that deep in the misty forest, there is an ancient relic, and there may be the answer you want to find hidden there."

Gao Xingchen and Nan Li looked at each other, their hearts filled with anticipation and anxiety. Ancient ruins, unknown dangers, can they find clues to the star fragments?

"Children, the journey is long, you must be prepared." The old man looked at them with a hint of worry in his tone, "Remember, some things are destined, and you must not force them."

After saying that, the old man turned and left the cave, leaving Gao Xingchen and Nan Li alone, looking at his receding figure, lost in thought. They didn't know what the old man meant, but they knew that the journey to find star fragments had just begun.