Nightmare Light

Chapter 207 The Old Tree at the Orphanage
The lines on the Ant Gu Mirror overlap with the information on the map, pointing to a clear conclusion—

Phoenix Street, Qiwu Garden.

Lin Wang grew up in an orphanage.

Lin Wang frowned as he looked at the line of text, his expression gradually becoming serious.

Although his soul was a time traveler, his body still has feelings for this place, or rather, for that period of his childhood.

Lin Wang himself also had a very good impression of the noisy children and teachers in the orphanage.

The location where Vice-Bishop Zhao was hiding in the shadows... happened to be near the orphanage?
Could this be a coincidence?

Hurry up and think of something to do... Think of nothing, just call and ask!
Lin Wang took out his phone and dialed A Zhe's number.

After seven or eight dial tones, Lin Wang thought there was no answer on the other end of the line when the call was finally connected.

From the other end of the phone came A-Zhe's loud, boisterous voice: "Ah! Who is it! Calling at this hour!"

Before Lin Wang could speak, another series of clattering sounds came from the phone.

"Quick! Bring those children here!"

"No! It's not Xiao Guozi! Something's wrong with Xiao Guozi! Put her in the isolation room!"

"What! Even Kaixin is acting strange? Oh my god... how could this be... Holy crap, my phone is still ringing? Hello! Who is this?!"

Something's not right on the other end of the phone... Could something have gone wrong?

Lin Wang tried to remain calm: "Sister A-Zhe, it's me, Lin Wang."

"Lin Wang, I can't talk to you right now. Something happened at the orphanage, and I'm very busy..."

"I'll be there soon."

Lin Wang interrupted A Zhe without saying a word and then hung up the phone.

He turned around and said directly to Bishop Du, "I want to participate in the search for Vice-Bishop Zhao, but I need to go to the orphanage first."

“Mr. Lin Wang, your request is not very reasonable according to the rules of the temple… but I am willing to make an exception for the temple’s distinguished guest.” Bishop Du nodded to Lin Wang with impeccable manners. “Bishop Shi and his legion… as well as another elite force that I personally lead, will participate in this operation.”

After Bishop Du finished speaking, he paused and then said, "Lin Wang, from the perspective of the temple, the nature of Vice Bishop Zhao's matter can be classified as defection, which falls under the internal affairs of the temple."

“I know what you’re going to say,” Lin Wang interrupted Bishop Du. “It’s nothing more than ‘this is temple business, you don’t have to participate…’ or something like that. But, Bishop Du, I think there’s something you haven’t figured out—Qiwu Garden Orphanage is where I grew up.”

He said, slowly and deliberately, "I care about that place."

“In that case, I have no further questions.” Bishop Du nodded solemnly. “Bishop Shi and I…”

"Ahem, please just call me the cook. I'm really not used to being called the bishop."

“Alright, I’ll lead the team. Let’s find the entrance to the Shadow Realm first.”

"I'm going to the orphanage."

After the agreement was reached, everyone boarded the car and set off.

Lin Wang sat in the lead car, heading towards the orphanage.

Although he was anxious, Lin Wang knew that haste makes waste. Instead of worrying, he should use this time to do what he could.

Sitting in the bumpy car, Lin Wang took out the shriveled tree fern fruit and brought it close to his eyes to examine it.

The priest previously mentioned: "Walnuts without light..."

Why does it not respond to divine infusion?
In theory, the fruit of the World Tree should react strongly to divine magic...

Lin Wang mentally invoked the server function: "Analyze this, what's wrong with this fruit?"

[Command received, scanning...analyzing...]

[Fruit health analysis... Sample survival, malnutrition...]

Lin Wang's face twitched: The fruit of the World Tree can be malnourished? Who can he complain to about this?

[Analysis of Fruit Energy Composition... Divine Magic Reserves: Saturated]

[Fruit Energy Analysis... Energy Aspects: Lacking]

[Treatment Recommendation: Release some divine magic energy, then replenish with non-divine magic energy.] Lin Wang asked curiously, "Non-divine magic energy? You mean the energy of lay practitioners from different schools?"

【Yes. 】

"So, I'll have to find some other energy for it... Wait, let me ask one more question: are there different energies in the Shadow Realm?"

[Search...The Shadow Realm is a type of secondary matter interface, filled with a large amount of shadow energy. Although it cannot be used by ordinary practitioners, as a fruit of the World Tree, it can encompass all energy, including shadow energy.]

"That's good, it's on our way." Lin Wang clapped his hands, "As long as we get to the next step..."

The vehicle shuddered slightly and then slowly came to a stop.

Lin Wang peeked outside and saw the main gate of Qiwu Garden appear before him.

He gathered the fruit and stepped out of the car.

"Servo function".

[Server function is ready.]

"Scan the areas with the densest shadows nearby to alert me as I approach."

[Command has taken effect, scanning in progress... The server function must remind the administrator that, for optimal scanning efficiency, it is recommended that the administrator bring a portion of the tree fern tree into the real world.]

"for example?"

[You could consider placing a tree fern leaf above your head; this would provide the best scanning results.]

How can I cross out your formatting?

[Dear Administrator, formatting the server function is a very dangerous suggestion...]

Lin Wang ignored the server function, took out a section of tree fern vine, turned it into a bright green bracelet, put it on his wrist, and walked towards the orphanage.

[Detection in progress... Energy concentration in the surrounding shadows is increasing]

Lin Wang instructed the servo function to report to him every few minutes, then pushed open the door and stepped into the orphanage.

Lin Wang walked through the front porch into the orphanage's courtyard.

There used to be a very large old locust tree in that place.

Lin Wang had a deep impression of that locust tree—when he was little, every summer, when the children played under that locust tree, some caterpillars would fall from the tree, scaring everyone into screaming.

In my memory, that locust tree...

"Huh?" Lin Wang looked at the tree in front of him, his pupils suddenly contracting.

In my memory, this old locust tree was always lush and verdant, with abundant branches and leaves.

However, when I returned this time and saw the tree again, it was withered and rotten, with some black liquid flowing from its trunk, looking extremely miserable.

"Why...why did this tree become like this?"

Lin Wang frowned, his unease growing stronger.

He remained vigilant, summoned a ball of white fire, held it in his hand, and walked towards the old locust tree.

Halfway there, he turned to the shaded side of the tree.

Then, he was surprised again.

The giant trees are clearly separated at the boundary between light and shadow.

In the light, the tree appears withered and could die at any moment.

But in the shadows, it remained lush and verdant, as if nothing had happened.

"Why...why did this tree become like this?"

Lin Wang frowned and pondered.

Just then, a commotion arose from deep within the orphanage.

Lin Wang stopped dwelling on the tree in front of him, turned around, and walked towards the main gate of the orphanage.

(End of this chapter)