68: Mysterious Ritual 1

Night fell, and inside the tent at the center of the allied forces' temporary camp.

The Heart of Chaos floated between the three, emitting a soft red glow that cast a bloody hue on Xiao Yan’s translucent energy body, Xiao Bing’s tired but resolute face, and Ling Xiao’s weak, pale complexion. Old Yao sat to the side, his ancient scroll open to the page detailing the 'Trinity' ritual, his brows deeply furrowed.

"So, the only way to purify the corruption within Ling Xiao's body..." Xiao Bing's voice was dry, "is for one of us three to willingly become a vessel, absorbing all of the Chaos Devourer's corruption into ourselves?"

Old Yao nodded heavily, his fingers gently tracing the obscure text on the ancient scroll: "According to the records left by Flame Lord, while the Heart of Chaos can purify corruption, an invasion as deep as Ling Xiao's Soul requires a being of equal status to act as a 'transfer point.'"

Xiao Yan's light projection drifted to Ling Xiao's side, an invisible "hand" gently stroking his younger brother's silver hair. Although he had no physical body, the concern was clearly palpable: "There must be another way."

Ling Xiao lowered his head, his silver hair falling to obscure his expression: "Actually... this is fair. The Chaos Devourer was coming for me anyway; I should bear it..."

"No!" Xiao Bing sharply interrupted, "You've just broken free from control; your Soul is fragile. Contacting the corruption again will surely kill you!"

Silence fell within the tent, broken only by the faint, slow rotation of the Heart of Chaos. Old Yao looked at the three young men, then suddenly closed the ancient scroll: "This old man will go check other texts. You all... discuss this properly." He stood up and left, his hunched back a heartbreaking sight.

After Old Yao left, Ling Xiao lifted his head, tears in his silver eyes: "Brother, listen to me. I've been trapped in the Forbidden Ground for tens of millions of years; I've long grown accustomed to solitude. If someone must be Sealed, I am the most suitable candidate."

Xiao Yan's light projection fluctuated violently: "Absurd!"

"Ling Xiao," Xiao Bing pressed his hand on his younger brother's thin shoulder, his voice low, "You've just gained freedom; we've only just reunited... This shouldn't be your end."

Ling Xiao, however, smiled, a maturity beyond his age in his expression: "But this is my mission. A Spirit of the Plane is inherently the guardian of the plane of origin; sacrificing oneself to preserve the Plane is only natural."

Xiao Yan floated between the two, his light projection stretching out as if to embrace them: "If there's to be a sacrifice, it should be me. I no longer have a physical body; my energy form can better resist the corruption's erosion."

"No!" This time, Xiao Bing and Ling Xiao objected simultaneously.

Xiao Bing stared at his brother's light projection, complex emotions in his eyes: "You've already lost your body to save everyone; are you going to lose your Soul too?" He patted his own chest, "I once had the Heart of Chaos within me; I'm best suited to be the vessel."

The three argued endlessly, unable to convince each other. Finally, Ling Xiao sighed: "Let's stop arguing. The ritual shown by the Heart of Chaos requires complete willingness, otherwise it won't succeed. How about... we each state our reasons and let the Heart of Chaos choose?"

Xiao Yan and Xiao Bing exchanged glances, then reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Ling Xiao was the first to place his hand on the Heart of Chaos, speaking softly: "I've lived too long, so long that I've forgotten the warmth of sunlight. Tens of millions of years of solitude in the Forbidden Ground have made me understand the preciousness of life. Precisely because of this, I am even more unwilling to see billions of living beings suffer because of me." Tears streamed down his face, "Let me, one last time... be a competent Spirit of the Plane."

The Heart of Chaos flickered slightly, its red glow softening.

Xiao Yan's light projection then enveloped the Heart of Chaos. Although there were no words, a memory was transmitted through the energy—the pain of his Soul scattering after self-detonation, the confusion during recombination, and... the relief upon seeing his two younger brothers safe and sound. Finally, a firm resolve: "I have died once; I fear no return."

A hint of green light emerged within the red glow of the Heart of Chaos.

When it was Xiao Bing's turn, he remained silent for a long time. His right hand rested on the Heart of Chaos, his left hand unconsciously touching his chest—where the Heart of Chaos used to be, now empty.

"I don't have any grand principles," Xiao Bing finally spoke, his voice very soft, "It's just... if someone has to bear the pain, I'd rather it be me." He looked at Xiao Yan, "You protected me since I was little; now it's my turn." Then he looked at Ling Xiao, "You've just arrived in this world; you shouldn't leave like this."

The Heart of Chaos pulsed violently, three-colored lights intertwining and flowing, seemingly making a difficult choice.

Just then, the tent curtain was violently thrown open, and Old Yao rushed in, panting: "I found it! There's another method!"

The three simultaneously turned to Old Yao, only to see the old man clutching a severely damaged ancient text, his fingers trembling with excitement: "The ancient clan's secret 'Heart for Heart' Forbidden Art! It requires no one's sacrifice, but it demands three Saint-Rank Heavenly Supreme to offer their lifelong cultivation as a price!"

Xiao Bing quickly steadied the tottering Old Yao: "Teacher, please slow down, what Forbidden Art?"

Old Yao calmed his breathing and quickly explained: "This is a secret method to transfer Soul corruption. Through three powerful individuals constructing a 'Cage of Purification,' the corruption is temporarily Sealed, then slowly purified by the Heart of Chaos. But the spellcasters will lose all their cultivation and become Mortals."

Hope rekindled in Ling Xiao's eyes: "Three Saint-Rank Heavenly Supreme... are there still so many powerful individuals in the allied forces?"