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

230: Chapter 230: The Ambition and Undercurrents of the Fire FortressThe candles in the Qing Lin Hall burned brightly, casting the flickering shadows of Nangong Xuan, Su Muxue, Zi Linger, and Elder Qing Lin onto the ancient wooden walls, mirroring the turbulent undercurrents currently surging through the Cangmu Realm.

”Yan Luo, the Fortress Lord of Earth Fire Fortress, is of a violent and greedy nature, with a particular fondness for collecting rare flames and supreme treasures for Artifact Refining.” Elder Qing Lin traced his finger through the air, using Spiritual Qi to sketch a rough map of the Cangmu Realm, marking the volcanic region in the south. ”His cooperation with the Black Fiend Venerable Lord stems solely from his lust for the promised ’Black Fiend Fire Seed’ and a share of our Green Wood Clan’s resources. If we can make him understand that allying with the Black Fiend Forest is like making a pact with a tiger, and may even lead to him getting burned, perhaps we can shake his resolve.”

”Shaken resolve is not enough to achieve our goal,” Su Muxue spoke coolly, her moon-like eyes shimmering with wisdom. ”We need to make him see a more immediate and greater crisis, or an irresistible benefit. What the Black Fiend Forest can offer him, we may also be able to offer, perhaps even more and with greater safety.”

Nangong Xuan nodded in agreement. ”Mu Xue speaks wisely. Benefit and fear are the most effective forces to drive a greedy man. We need an entry point, something that can make Earth Fire Fortress actively interested in us, even dependent.”

His gaze turned to the chaos star core floating by his shoulder. Having been nourished by the sacred spring and having devoured a large amount of Evil Qi, the star Core now appeared even more profound and restrained, with what seemed like a flowing galaxy beneath its dark golden surface.

”Perhaps, ’fire’ is the best entry point,” Nangong Xuan said slowly. ”Earth Fire Fortress reveres flame, pursuing stronger fire seeds and Artifact Refining techniques. And I...” With a slight stir of his mind, the star key symbolizing ”Fire Origin Element” within his Dantian, obtained from the Heart of Molten Fire, glowed faintly. A wisp of incredibly pure Fire Origin Element power, carrying an ancient aura, spread out. Though not blazing, it made everyone present feel a sense of primal pressure.

A glint flashed in Elder Qing Lin’s eyes. ”Little friend, the grade of this flame power is extremely high, far surpassing ordinary earth fire or even the Black Fiend Fire Seed!”

”This fire originates from the Primordial Fire Eye, a minor branch of the source of all flames,” Nangong Xuan explained. ”Although it is not my primary focus, its essence is enough to drive any flame Cultivator to madness. We can use this as an opportunity.”

A preliminary plan quickly took shape in their minds.

Early the next morning, a streak of light quietly flew out from the southern part of Qinglin Forest, heading straight for the volcanic mountains where Earth Fire Fortress was located. Within the light were Nangong Xuan and Su Muxue, who had altered their appearances and suppressed most of their auras. Zi Linger remained with the Green Wood Clan, as her Wood Spirit aura would be too conspicuous at Earth Fire Fortress, and she could also assist in defense.

Not long after they began flying, the Wood Spirit Qi in the air gradually thinned, replaced by an increasingly strong smell of sulfur and a dry, hot atmosphere. The earth turned scorched black, riddled with cracks, with dark red magma churning deep below, occasionally spewing forth waves of scorching air.

Earth Fire Fortress was not a single castle, but a massive fortress complex built against a giant active volcano. Constructed entirely of obsidian and some heat-resistant metal, the fortress was perpetually shrouded in dark red fire clouds and smoke. Countless vents spewed earth fire, and the constant clanging of forging echoed, creating a crude and intensely hot atmosphere.

Nangong Xuan and his companion did not approach the main fortress directly. Instead, they landed on a dedicated obsidian trading plaza on the outskirts. This place gathered Cultivators from all over the Cangmu Realm, mostly seeking Magical Artifacts forged by Earth Fire Fortress or selling rare Ores and fire seeds. A mix of all sorts, it was the ideal place to gather information and make initial contact.

The two concealed their auras, strolling through the plaza like ordinary Loose Cultivators, while their Divine Sense quietly spread out, catching snippets of gossip.

”...Did you hear? The Black Fiend Forest suffered a major setback near the Green Wood Clan a few days ago; a Nascent Soul Fiend General was almost captured!” ”Really? Since when have those wooden blocks of the Green Wood Clan become so tough?” ”Seems like outsiders intervened, with formidable methods—a strange black sword that can even annihilate Evil Qi...” ”Hmph, those shady characters from the Black Fiend Forest will burn themselves sooner or later. But the Fortress Lord seems to be in a good mood recently. Rumor has it the Black Fiend Venerable Lord sent another strand of high-quality ’Nether Fiend Underworld Fire’...” ”Tsk tsk, Nether Fiend Underworld Fire... That’s a vicious flame that can directly temper the Divine Soul. The Fortress Lord is probably going into seclusion for Artifact Refining again...”

Useful information continuously flowed into Nangong Xuan’s mind. The Black Fiend Forest indeed had not concealed their failure, possibly even exaggerating the threat of the outsiders to spur Earth Fire Fortress into faster action. And Yan Luo obtaining a new fire seed meant his guard was likely at its lowest, his pride at its Peak.

Just then, a commotion arose in the center of the plaza. The crowd parted to either side, revealing a young man wearing the attire of an Earth Fire Fortress Core Disciple, his expression arrogant, pointing and berating a stall owner: ”...You dare ask for three ’fire-melt crystals’ for this pile of junk? Be sensible, sell this worthless stone and that withered branch together to me for one fire-melt crystal, otherwise, hmph!”

The stall owner was a Human Race Cultivator, only at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment. Under the pressure of the Earth Fire Fortress Disciple, his face turned pale, but he still protected an unremarkable, dusty gray stone sphere and a charred, lightning-struck-looking withered branch on his stall, gritting his teeth. ”Senior Brother Liu, these... these are truly heirlooms from my family. If I weren’t urgently in need of fire-melt crystals to save someone, I would never sell them... Three, I really can’t go any lower...”

Senior Brother Liu flew into a rage upon hearing this, raising his hand to overturn the stall. ”You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!”

Just as his palm was about to descend, a slender yet powerful hand gently rested on his wrist. Senior Brother Liu felt an irresistible force surge through him; his entire arm instantly went numb and weak, completely immobilized!

He turned his head in shock and anger, seeing an ordinary-looking man in blue robes (Nangong Xuan) with a restrained aura standing beside him.

”Who are you? How dare you meddle in Earth Fire Fortress’s affairs?!” Senior Brother Liu blustered, trying to break free but finding the other’s grip like an iron clamp.

Nangong Xuan didn’t even glance at him, his gaze falling on the dusty stone sphere and the charred branch. A flicker of surprise, barely perceptible, passed through his eyes. With his Divine Sense and the Perception of the Nirvana Sword Intent, he could vaguely sense that within these two objects lay an extremely subtle yet exceptionally ancient and pure energy fluctuation—definitely not ordinary items!

He tossed three crimson, jade-like crystals imbued with pure fire energy (fire-melt crystals obtained from Elder Qing Lin) to the stall owner and said calmly, ”I’ll take these.”

The stall owner was stunned, then overjoyed. He hurriedly handed the stone sphere and branch to Nangong Xuan, abandoning his stall entirely, and disappeared into the crowd.

Senior Brother Liu’s face turned livid with anger, but intimidated by Nangong Xuan’s unfathomable strength, he dared not act out. He could only glare fiercely and mutter, ”You just wait!” before slinking away.

Nangong Xuan stored the two items, exchanged a glance with Su Muxue, and turned to leave this troublesome place.

”You two, please wait.”

A low, magnetic voice suddenly rang out. The crowd parted again as a handsome young man in dark red robes, with eyes that flickered like flames, walked forward slowly, surrounded by a group of Earth Fire Fortress Disciples. His aura had clearly reached the Peak of the Golden Core Middle Stage, and the Fire Origin Element power within him was pure and surging, far surpassing that of Senior Brother Liu.

”It’s the Young Fortress Master, Yan Feng!” someone exclaimed in a low voice.

Yan Feng’s burning gaze fixed on Nangong Xuan, lingering for a moment on the three high-quality fire-melt crystals he had just produced. A playful smile curled at the corner of his mouth. ”Your Excellency, your face is unfamiliar, yet you spend so generously. Might you be interested in our Earth Fire Fortress’s ’Fire Derivation Assembly’?”

Nangong Xuan’s heart stirred. According to Elder Qing Lin, the Fire Derivation Assembly was Earth Fire Fortress’s decennial event, aimed at exchanging fire-based Divine Abilities, showcasing strange fire seeds, and trading fire-based treasures. Fortress Lord Yan Luo would personally preside over it.

This was the perfect opportunity to get close to the Core of Earth Fire Fortress!

Nangong Xuan’s expression remained calm as he cupped his hands. ”So it is the Young Fortress Master. I am Xuanye, and this is my wife, Su Xue. I have long admired the fame of the Fire Derivation Assembly and naturally yearn to attend, but lacked the means.”

Yan Feng laughed heartily. ”Brother Xuanye, your strength is extraordinary, and you have an eye for treasures,” he said, referring to the stone sphere and branch. ”You are precisely the kind of talent our Fire Derivation Assembly seeks. In three days, the assembly will be held in the ’Molten Fire Grand Hall’ within the fortress. With this token, you two may pass unimpeded.”

He tossed over a crimson jade token engraved with flame patterns.

Nangong Xuan caught the token and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, ”Thank you, Young Fortress Master. We will certainly come to impose upon you then.”

”We await your esteemed presence,” Yan Feng said with a meaningful smile before turning and leaving with his entourage.

After leaving the obsidian plaza and returning to their temporary cave dwelling, Su Muxue spoke softly. ”That Yan Feng seems to have ulterior motives.”

”Yes,” Nangong Xuan nodded. ”The way he looked at us wasn’t mere recruitment. It was more like scrutinizing prey, or... probing. That stone sphere and withered branch are probably not simple either.”

He took out the two items and examined them carefully. The Nirvana Sword Intent slowly permeated them, and Taiyin Star Power meticulously washed over them.

After a moment, the dusty surface of the stone sphere began to flake off, revealing a crystalline, translucent crimson Core within. A pure and gentle aura of True Solar Fire spread out!

”This is... solar essence crystal?!” Su Muxue exclaimed in surprise. This item contained a wisp of solar Origin True Fire, offering immense benefits for Cultivating fire-based or pure yang Cultivation Techniques, and could also suppress Yin evils. It was extremely rare.

As for the charred withered branch, stimulated by the Taiyin Star Power, it actually revived with a faint trace of vitality. The charred surface peeled away, revealing an interior as green as jade, with faint lightning patterns flickering.

”This... seems to be a remnant branch of some divine wood struck by heavenly lightning, containing a wisp of life-and-death Lightning Tribulation power and undying vitality!” Nangong Xuan was also astonished. The value of these two items far exceeded three fire-melt crystals!

”The people of Earth Fire Fortress didn’t recognize their worth, but Yan Feng might have seen some clues,” Su Muxue mused. ”His invitation likely isn’t just about attending the assembly.”

Nangong Xuan toyed with the crimson jade token, his eyes profound. ”No matter. We’ll just play along. The Fire Derivation Assembly in three days will be the first step in our plan to contact Yan Luo and implement our strategy of sowing discord.”

He looked towards the most majestic Molten Fire Grand Hall deep within Earth Fire Fortress, sensing the faint, heart-palpitating waves of scorching heat emanating from it.

A storm was about to erupt in that land of magma and flame.

(End of Chapter 230)

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Subsequent Outline Preview (Leading to Conclusion):

1. Turmoil at the Fire Derivation Assembly: Nangong Xuan and his companion attend, causing a sensation with the solar essence crystal/divine wood remnant and their own strength, successfully capturing Fortress Lord Yan Luo’s great interest. Simultaneously, they secretly expose the hidden dangers of the Black Fiend Fire Seed and the true ambitions of the Black Fiend Forest, planting seeds of doubt in Yan Luo’s heart.

2. Internal Strife in Earth Fire Fortress: The discord sows effect. Cracks appear in the relationship between Yan Luo and the Black Fiend Forest. The Black Fiend Forest retaliates covertly, triggering conflict within Earth Fire Fortress. Nangong Xuan and his companion take advantage of the Chaos to gain benefits, either obtaining key treasures (like the Earth Core Lotus Fire) or joining forces with Yan Luo to severely damage the Black Fiend Forest’sHidden forces.

3. Crisis of the tree of life: The main force of the Black Fiend Forest takes the opportunity to launch a major assault on Qinglin Forest, attempting to seize the ancestral wood’s heart. Nangong Xuan’s trio and the Green Wood Clan fight side by side in a bloody battle. Zi Linger communicates with the tree of life to stimulate its potential. Su Muxue purifies Evil Qi with Taiyin Star Power. Nangong Xuan shatters the Void Demon Summoning Array with the Nirvana Sword Intent. At the critical moment, Lin Mo’s consciousness awakens initially, controlling the star Core to erupt and devour a large amount of dark side power, turning the tide of battle.

4. Counterattack on Black Fiend Forest: Join forces with Earth Fire Fortress (even if not fully assisting, at least ensuring neutrality) to counterattack the Black Fiend Forest’s lair. Reveal that the Black Fiend Venerable Lord is actually an ancient Cultivator corrupted by dark side power. In the final showdown, Nangong Xuan and Su Muxue combine their swords, Nirvana and Taiyin merging, triggering a resonance with the Great Dao, completely purifying the Black Fiend Venerable Lord and destroying the dark side channel.

5. Star Core Perfection, Moer Awakens: After this battle, the star Core devours sufficient energy and dao rhyme, reaching complete Perfection. Lin Mo’s consciousness fully awakens. Although still in an infant’s body, he can now communicate clearly and has preliminary control over the star Core’s power, his strength and potential comparable to a True Immortal.

6. Return to the Xianxia World: Using the power of the tree of life and the star Core, open a stable passage back to the Xianxia world. Return bearing the friendship of the Green Wood Clan and the resources of Earth Fire Fortress (if subdued).

7. Settling Scores, Reaching the Pinnacle: Upon returning, sweep through hostile forces like the Tiangong Sect with thunderous momentum, investigate and rescue his mother. Nangong Xuan and Su Muxue’s Cultivation continuously breaks through (True Immortal, Immortal King, Immortal Emperor...) in constant battles. Their paths of Nirvana and Taiyin are constantly perfected, ultimately fusing into a unique ’Nirvana Taiyin’ or ’Chaos Grandmist’ Great Dao. Lin Mo grows rapidly, becoming their strongest ally.

8. Final Battle, Mastering Heaven and Earth: The source of the dark side power (possibly a fallen ancient Dao-Grade existence) reveals itself, becoming the greatest crisis for all realms. Nangong Xuan, Su Muxue, and Lin Mo (possibly grown up), the family of three, unite all righteous forces across the myriad realms for the ultimate battle. In the end, through their ultimate comprehension and Fusion of Nirvana, Taiyin, and chaos star core power, the three join forces to rewrite the rules of the Great Dao, utterly annihilating the source of the dark side.

9. Conclusion: Peace and order are restored across the myriad realms. Nangong Xuan and Su Muxue stand hand in hand atop the pinnacle of the Great Dao, looking down upon all realms, jointly mastering heaven and earth, becoming legendary existences. Lin Mo also becomes an independent Dao-Grade powerhouse. The family is reunited, eternally guarding the cosmos.