Chapter 103: Hoisting a Stone Only to Drop It on One’s Own Foot

[You still have time to complain about what the forest looks like? Take a look at your own body first.]

The system was anxious as well, urging her to hurry up.

Ning Xianyu reached up to touch her neck and, sure enough, it had already turned to wood.

She must look terrifying now—her entire head and neck had transformed into wood, like a puppet.

Stiffly, she turned to face the Overlord, wanting to say something, but found she couldn’t open her mouth; her vocal cords seemed locked.

The White Lotus followed closely, speaking with feigned kindness and pity: “Sister, you’re so pitiful—you can’t even speak anymore. Senior, we must hurry.”

Xuanyuan Tunhan glanced at Ning Xianyu but said nothing, only surveying their surroundings.

Suddenly, he struck out with a powerful palm, devastating a section of the forest.

After that strike, the forest looked different.

The White Lotus hurriedly said, “Senior, you can’t attack the trees.”

But it was too late; the Overlord had already acted.

She rushed forward anxiously and grabbed Xuanyuan Tunhan’s hand: “Senior, look at your hand!”

His hand had unmistakably turned to wood, completely immobile.

The White Lotus rolled up his sleeve, revealing that his entire arm had also become wooden.

Looking further up, it was all wood—his entire arm had likely transformed.

Ning Xianyu found this strange—her own petrification began at her face, but the Overlord’s started at his hand and spread so rapidly.

The White Lotus explained, “I forgot to tell you: this forest works that way. If you attack the trees, the attacker’s hand quickly turns to wood, and the transformation spreads even faster.”

She appeared remorseful. “Senior, I should have told you sooner.”

Ning Xianyu gestured at her; if she could speak, she would have scolded her long ago.

[You should’ve said it earlier! What kind of nonsense is telling us only after something happens?]

The system agreed emphatically: [Exactly! She’s too wicked. I think she did it on purpose, just to turn you into wood so you’d be alone beside the Overlord.]

Ning Xianyu secretly thought so too.

[Wuwuwu, once I’m dead, she’ll be proud to stay by the Overlord’s side.]

The system found this odd: [Shouldn’t you be happy? That’s your goal after all. Cheer up! Next month, I’ll help you find a good body.]

Ning Xianyu lowered her head and ignored the system.

She didn’t know why; she should have felt joy, but for some reason, she just felt annoyed.

---

Just thinking about the White Lotus strutting around beside the Overlord, basking in his favor, made her want to lash out.

The system fell silent as well, and after a pause, suddenly asked: [Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for the Overlord and can’t bear to leave him?]

“Get lost. I feel like my heart’s turning to wood—don’t waste your breath.”

The Overlord’s destruction of the forest had no lasting effect; soon, the trees reverted back.

The three silently studied the surrounding trees for a moment.

Ning Xianyu couldn’t figure it out—this formation was incredibly powerful. How were they supposed to escape?

They tried flying upwards, but a barrier prevented ascent.

Even the Overlord couldn’t lead them out.

Ning Xianyu pointed at the White Lotus.

She knew the forest well and must know how to escape.

The White Lotus understood her meaning but pretended to be confused.

Ning Xianyu was furious—this vile woman feigning innocence?

She stormed forward, attempting to shove the White Lotus into a tree.

Once this great White Lotus turned to wood too, she would be desperate to leave.

But the White Lotus seemed to anticipate the attack, dodged swiftly, and feigned kindness by supporting her.

“Sister Ni, what’s wrong? Is your petrification speeding up?”

Ning Xianyu seized the chance to shove her again. The White Lotus fell to the ground, crying.

“Sister Ni, I was only trying to help you. Why would you push me?”

She scrambled up and hid behind Xuanyuan Tunhan, clutching his sleeve as she sobbed.

“Senior, we need to find a way out quickly. I think Sister Ni’s mind is affected; she’s close to breaking.”

Ning Xianyu glared fiercely at her, wishing she could tear the White Lotus apart.

The system urged her to stay calm, not to take it personally—this was all part of the plan. The White Lotus’s current behavior was exactly what they wanted.

But Ning Xianyu couldn’t help herself.

She didn’t realize how terrifying she looked now—her face and neck wooden, eyes red and fierce, resembling a monster.

The White Lotus felt triumphant.

This woman was truly foolish—how could she face a man with such a face?

---

Men would see you at your ugliest and never love you again.

Ah, such a pitiful girl.

Xuanyuan Tunhan watched Ning Xianyu’s anger and couldn’t help but smile a little.

This was just like shooting oneself in the foot—a fool.

To Ning Xianyu, his smile was mockery, proof that he was defending the White Lotus.

That lecherous scoundrel—faithless, fickle, shameless.

Furious, Ning Xianyu turned and left.

She decided to part ways with these two, letting the pair of scoundrels cling to each other.

Unfortunately, she only took a couple of steps before Xuanyuan Tunhan dragged her back.

The pull of the golden ring still held her tight; she couldn’t get far.

Angrily, she kicked the tree roots twice.

Still unsatisfied, she drew the Universe Sword and swung fiercely ahead.

Xuanyuan Tunhan hadn’t stopped her; the sword cut through the air.

Ning Xianyu felt as if she hadn’t struck a tree but a thin membrane. At that moment, something broke through, and a fresh, different scent flooded her senses.

Her sword continued slicing, widening the tear in this barrier until a huge opening appeared before her.

Beyond the gap, lush green trees shaded the area, filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers. She even saw people.

It was a town—beyond the trees lay a bustling settlement, with many people walking about and laughing loudly.

What was going on?

Ning Xianyu was puzzled when suddenly her face and throat itched. She coughed, touched her face, and realized she had reverted back.

She smiled brightly at the Overlord: “I’m back! I’m healed.”

Wonderful—now she could pin the White Lotus down and teach her a lesson for daring to harm her.

But when she looked at the Overlord’s face, she froze.

This usually unflappable man looked worried, quickly stepping forward to steady her.

Ning Xianyu felt his figure grow faint, her strength drained as if sucked away.

Then darkness overtook her, and she fainted.

She didn’t notice the worry deepening on Xuanyuan Tunhan’s face as he swiftly sheathed her sword.