Transmigrating Into a Fantasy World: Signing in During Pregnancy, Reaching the Summit with My Childhood Sweetheart

148: Chapter 148: The Qing Law Trial and the Traces of CorruptionFacing the icy gaze and unquestionable interrogation of the Wood Spirit Warrior leader, Nangong Xuan and Su Muxue did not show the slightest hint of panic. They knew full well that in this ancient forest governed by different Laws, any overreaction could be seen as a provocation, sparking unnecessary conflict.

Su Muxue took half a step forward and gave a slight nod to indicate she bore no hostility. She did not speak directly. Instead, she circulated the Taiyin Star Power within her body, blessed by the cihang origin heart, suppressing its chilling aspect and leaving only the purest, most nourishing, gentle aura. Like the clear light of moonlight, it slowly radiated outwards. Simultaneously, she transmitted a clear and gentle intention through Divine Thought, attempting to communicate:

”Respected Forest Hunters, we come from afar and do not tread upon this sacred woodland with malice. We have come seeking a lost ’star key,’ which is connected to a great calamity that is about to sweep through the worlds. We sense its presence deep within this forest.”

A barely perceptible ripple flashed in the Wood Spirit leader’s amber eyes. The pure life aura emanating from Su Muxue and the gentle Dao Rhyme belonging to the cihang origin heart lingering on that Taiyin Jade Talisman caused his icy scrutiny to ease slightly. He could sense that the other party’s aura was not entirely incompatible with the forest; it even carried a trace of a rare blessing from ancient natural power.

But he did not let his guard down immediately. His gaze turned to Nangong Xuan beside her, whose aura was even more profound and restrained. ”Him. His power... is full of finality and silence. It runs counter to the green law.” The leader’s spear remained pointed at Nangong Xuan, the wariness in his tone undiminished. The Nirvana Dao Rhyme that Nangong Xuan was desperately suppressing was, to the vibrant Wood Spirits, like a torch in the night—too conspicuous and glaring.

Nangong Xuan met his gaze calmly, offering no defense and not releasing his power. He merely slowly raised his hand, palm facing up. An extremely faint wisp of Nirvana Dao Rhyme, dark gold with a hint of warm luster, appeared. But instead of spreading, it was gathered with exquisite precision within a tiny space, forming a minute, balanced vortex that continuously cycled between creation and destruction.

”Destruction is also the beginning of rebirth,” Nangong Xuan’s voice was low and calm, also responding via Divine Thought. ”Power itself is neither righteous nor evil; it depends on the intent of its wielder. We come also to warn—a corrupting force known as ’the dark side’ may have already quietly extended its tendrils to erode this sacred woodland.”

”the dark side? Corruption?” The Wood Spirit leader frowned deeply. A subtle commotion arose among the warriors behind him as they exchanged glances. They seemed not entirely unfamiliar with the term, yet it carried a deep wariness and... a hint of barely perceptible fear?

At that moment, the chaos star core floating beside Nangong Xuan’s shoulder emitted a soft hum. Lin Mo’s thoughts transmitted an urgent discovery: ”Father, Mother! On them... especially near the golden markings on that leader’s forehead, and on the wooden parts of the weapons held by those warriors over there... there are extremely faint, almost life-force-integrated threads of gray Death Qi! It’s different from the tarnished silvery-gray energy in Tian Yuan City. It’s more like... the opposite of vitality, an extreme form of ’withering’! Very well hidden, but it can’t escape the Perception of the evolved Star Core!”

Hearing this, both Nangong Xuan and Su Muxue inwardly tensed. The cihang origin heart’s premonition had come true! the dark side’s erosion had indeed already penetrated here in another form!

Su Muxue immediately transmitted Lin Mo’s discovery, along with a trace of concern, to the Wood Spirit leader via Divine Thought: ”Hunter, please be vigilant. We sense a hidden ’withering’ force clinging to you. It may originate from the ’Dark Side’ erosion we spoke of. This is not an accusation, but a warning.”

Upon hearing this, the leader’s expression changed drastically. He subconsciously reached up to touch the golden, lightning-like marking on his forehead—a symbol of power and honor. For the first time, a look of doubt and uncertainty appeared in his eyes. He turned sharply, his gaze sweeping over the warriors behind him like electricity, especially focusing on their weapons crafted from the branches of ancient trees.

One warrior holding a dark green wooden bow seemed uneasy under the leader’s stare. The leader strode over, took the bow without a word, and carefully probed it. At first, nothing seemed amiss. But when he infused his own pure Wood Spirit power into the bow, attempting to activate the natural runes within, a faint, almost imperceptible thread of grayish aura seeped from a minute grain near the grip. Wherever this aura passed, the subtle life veins inside the bow seemed to instantly lose vitality, becoming fragile and dull!

Although this wisp of gray aura was quickly washed away and concealed by the surging Wood Spirit power, the momentary sensation of ’withering’ was undeniably real!

”Hmm—” All the surrounding Wood Spirit Warriors saw this and immediately let out suppressed gasps and murmurs. Their gazes towards Nangong Xuan and Su Muxue instantly became complex, with hostility greatly diminished and suspicion and curiosity greatly increased.

The leader abruptly looked up at Nangong Xuan and Su Muxue again. His eyes were now completely different, filled with gravity and a trace of barely concealed appeal for help: ”Outsiders, what... do you truly know? This ’Withering Breath’... has indeed appeared quietly in some corners of the forest in recent years, especially near some ancient Holy Lands. It is difficult to detect and even harder to eradicate, clinging like a bone-deep ulcer, slowly eroding the vitality of the ancient trees... The Elders call it ’The Ringworm of Silence’ and have strictly sealed the news to avoid panic...”

He took a deep breath, as if making a decision: ”This matter is of great importance, beyond my authority to decide. You must come with me to see the ’Green Law Council.’ Whether your words are true or false, whether your intentions are good or evil, will be judged by the Elders and the ’Sacred Luo Ancient Tree’!”

He waved his hand. The surrounding Wood Spirit Warriors, though still vigilant, all sheathed their weapons and cleared a path. Clearly, the appearance of ’The Ringworm of Silence’ had given significant weight to Nangong Xuan and Su Muxue’s warning.

”Follow closely. Do not touch any plant without permission. Do not deviate from the path I lead. The depths of the forest are far more dangerous than the edges.” The leader said gravely, then turned, his figure moving like a wisp of green smoke, swiftly and lightly navigating the incredibly complex forest. His steps seemed casual but followed a peculiar rhythm, each footfall landing on a node where vitality was most concentrated and the Laws most stable.

Nangong Xuan and Su Muxue immediately followed closely behind. With the Wood Spirit Warriors leading the way, their progress became much faster. They traversed the fantastical depths of the forest, witnessing many wonders unimaginable to the outside world: giant flowers flowing with nectar, tranquil pools inhabited by glowing jellyfish, natural signposts formed by countless fireflies... This forest was a world unto itself, containing endless mysteries and dangers.

Lin Mo operated the Star Core at full power, greedily recording and analyzing everything while focusing even more intently on perceiving the deeply hidden ’Withering Breath.’ He discovered that the deeper they went into the forest, although the aura remained faint, it seemed to become slightly more active, as if watching from the shadows.

After traveling for about an hour, the scenery ahead suddenly opened up.

In a huge forest clearing stood dozens of ancient trees far more massive and ancient than those surrounding them. Their gnarled branches intertwined, forming a vast, natural wooden hall in the air. At the center of the hall stood the most colossal ancient tree, its trunk covered in profound golden markings. The life pressure it emitted was tangible, inspiring awe. This was one of the Holy Lands of the Wood Spirit race—the Green Law Hall, and one of their Sacred Trees, the ’Sacred Luo Tree.’

Around the clearing stood dozens of powerful Wood Spirits, male and female, dressed in more archaic attire, clearly all important figures of the tribe. Leading them were three Elders clad in robes woven from various leaves and vines, holding ancient wooden staves. Their eyes were as deep as ancient wells, their auras profound—they were all at the Nascent Soul Stage!

The Hunter leader who had guided them stepped forward quickly, knelt on one knee, and reported the situation rapidly in an ancient language.

The gazes of the three Elders instantly focused on Nangong Xuan and Su Muxue. Their eyes seemed capable of piercing all disguises, reaching the essence. Especially upon sensing the deeply hidden Nirvana Dao Rhyme within Nangong Xuan and the pure, mixed blessing aura of Taiyin and life emanating from Su Muxue, surprise flashed in their eyes.

The Grand Elder in the center, with a mark of a tender green leaf on his forehead, slowly spoke. His voice, ancient and authoritative, sounded directly in their minds: ”Travelers from afar, the matter reported by the Hunter concerns the forest’s survival. Regarding the ’Dark Side’ and ’Withering Breath’ you speak of, do you know their origin? And how can you prove you are unrelated, and not the source of this calamity?”

The moment of trial had arrived.

Nangong Xuan stepped forward, meeting the Grand Elder’s gaze without fear. He did not answer directly. Instead, he opened his palm, and that dark golden vortex of Nirvana Dao Rhyme appeared once more.

”Proof? Words are feeble. Perception is truth,” he said calmly. ”Please, Elder, perceive this power. Is it pure Nirvana, or does it contain that corrupting taint?”

Simultaneously, the chaos star core flew out from Su Muxue’s embrace, hovering in mid-air. Lin Mo’s consciousness concentrated, and the Star Core emitted a gentle Chaos light, slowly shining upon a seemingly lush shrub at the edge of the clearing not far away, whose interior had actually been eroded by an extremely faint thread of ’Withering Breath.’

Under the illumination of the Chaos light, that deeply hidden gray aura was laid bare, writhing slightly as if being burned, trying to hide but unable to escape!

”This is my son, Lin Mo, who has merged with the Star Core and can discern the Qi of all things,” Su Muxue spoke at the opportune moment, her voice clear and bright. ”It was he who first detected that lurking mark of withering, even before your Hunters. We come seeking the star key to also gather strength to oppose this source of Nirvana—’the dark side.’”

The three Elders’ gazes fixed tightly on the faint gray aura forced out by the Chaos light on the shrub. Their expressions became extremely grave. They looked at each other, seeing shock and confirmation in each other’s eyes.

The Grand Elder slowly closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them again, now containing more sorrow and resolve: ”... The Sacred Luo Tree also conveys a lament, confirming your words. This ’The Ringworm of Silence’ is indeed not something you brought, but originates from the forest’s own hard-to-perceive dark corners. It has grown increasingly rampant in recent years, difficult to eradicate.”

He looked at the Nirvana vortex in Nangong Xuan’s palm and nodded: ”Your power, though it is Nirvana, is pure and balanced, containing within it the vitality of rebirth. It is fundamentally different from that filthy, corrupting Withering Breath.”

The atmosphere immediately eased.

But then the Grand Elder’s tone shifted: ”However, the green law is strict. Outsiders wishing to enter the forest’s Core and approach the ancient Holy Lands where the ’Sacred Life Artifact’ (star key) might be stored must still pass the ’Sacred Luo Tree’s’ trial. You must prove you possess a pure heart of nature and gain the forest’s own recognition.”

He lightly tapped his wooden staff on the ground. ”Are you willing to accept the ’Green Law Trial’?”