85: Prison World 2

"This is... Flame Lord's power?!" a guard shrieked in terror. "Impossible! Flame Lord has long since..."

Xiao Yan didn't give the guard a chance to finish. He formed hand seals, and the cyan-silver flames transformed into a Fire Dragon that swept through the corridor. The Flame Demon Guards frantically resisted, but their flames were like child's play before this Advanced power, and in a flash, half of them turned to ash!

The remaining guards, seeing the unfavorable situation, turned and fled. Xiao Yan didn't pursue them; instead, he quickly turned to chase Ling Xiao. When he arrived at the staircase leading to the lowest level, a chilling sensation suddenly surged from below—it wasn't the cold of temperature, but a malevolence that reached directly into the Soul!

"Ling Xiao!" Xiao Yan shouted, rushing down the stairs at full speed.

The lowest level was a massive circular space. In the center, a crystal as black as ink floated, with countless red energy lines extending from it, connecting to twelve special prison cells around it. Ling Xiao stood before one of the cells, his silver light forming a shield to resist the attacks from the black crystal.

Even more alarming was the sight of twelve tall figures clad in black armor standing at the edge of the circular space—they were far stronger than ordinary guards, each exuding a pressure no less than that of a high-level Dou Sheng!

"The Twelve Flame Demon Generals..." Xiao Yan recognized these beings. Ancient records stated that they were Flame Lord's most powerful warriors, who later betrayed Flame Lord and defected to Chaos Devourer.

"Another one coming to die," the leading Flame Demon General sneered. "Good, the Black Pagoda Seed still lacks some nourishment."

Xiao Yan ignored the provocation, his gaze fixed on the prison cell behind Ling Xiao. Through the bars, he saw a gaunt figure curled in the corner, with thicker energy lines wrapped around him than the other prisoners.

In that instant, the Bloodline connection made Xiao Yan's heart almost stop—it was his father! The once proud and vigorous Xiao Family Head was now tormented beyond recognition!

"Father!" Xiao Yan's voice trembled with rage.

The figure in the cell trembled slightly and slowly raised his head. When Xiao Yan clearly saw that face, an unprecedented killing intent exploded in his chest—Xiao Zhan's eyes were replaced by two empty, scarred holes, his face covered in hideous scars, and his cracked lips moved, but no clear sound emerged.

Ling Xiao's silver light shield had already begun to crack under the black crystal's attack. Xiao Yan forced himself to calm down and analyze the situation: with the Twelve Flame Demon Generals and that bizarre black crystal, a direct confrontation had little chance of success. But his father was so close; he absolutely could not give up!

"Ling Xiao," Xiao Yan transmitted through Mental Energy, "I'll hold them off; you find a chance to save Father!"

Ling Xiao nodded imperceptibly, a hint of determination flashing in his silver eyes.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, and cyan-silver flames formed armor on his body. He no longer suppressed the power of Flame Lord's Fire, allowing this ancient and violent energy to fill his entire being. The images he saw with his right eye became even clearer—the weaknesses of those red energy lines, the structural flaws of the black crystal, the old wounds on the Flame Demon Generals... everything was laid bare!

"The Flame Lord's successor..." one Flame Demon General narrowed his eyes. "Kill him, and the Black Pagoda Seed can complete its final metamorphosis!"

The Twelve Flame Demon Generals attacked simultaneously, various flame attacks pouring down like a storm. Xiao Yan's figure flickered, narrowly dodging most of the attacks, while the few that hit were neutralized by Flame Lord's Fire. He formed hand seals, and a cyan-silver fire ring spread out from his body, temporarily forcing the enemies back.

"Ling Xiao, now!"

Ling Xiao seized the opportunity to rush towards Xiao Zhan's cell, his silver light transforming into a sharp blade that cut the lock. Just as he was about to enter, the black crystal suddenly shot out a jet-black beam of light!

"Watch out!" Xiao Yan tried to help, but it was too late.

In the nick of time, Xiao Zhan, from who knows where he found the strength, suddenly lunged out of the cell and pushed Ling Xiao away! The black beam struck Xiao Zhan's shoulder, instantly melting flesh and revealing bare white bone!

"Father!" Xiao Yan's eyes were bloodshot, and he rushed towards the cell recklessly.

How could the Twelve Flame Demon Generals let this opportunity pass? Various killing moves simultaneously assailed Xiao Yan's back! At this critical moment, the entire space suddenly trembled violently, followed by the ceiling collapsing with a roar—a blue light fell like a meteor, precisely blocking behind Xiao Yan!

An extremely cold storm instantly swept through the entire space, freezing all of the Flame Demon Generals' attacks. Amidst the flying ice crystals, Xiao Bing's figure slowly stood up, his left eye ice-blue, his right eye deep blue, surrounded by an unprecedentedly powerful Extreme Ice Power!

"Xiao Bing?!" Xiao Yan looked at his suddenly appearing younger brother in shock.

"Brother, I'm late," Xiao Bing said simply, his gaze sweeping over the severely wounded Xiao Zhan, the coldness in his eyes deepening. "Mystic Light truly is a traitor; the Source World side has already been dealt with."

Before more could be said, the Twelve Flame Demon Generals had already regrouped their offense and charged. Xiao Bing snorted coldly, forming a complex hand seal: "Xuanming Ice Soul Art · Extreme Cold Domain!"

Centered on him, deep blue ice crystals spread out like a tide, freezing even the air in their path. Three Flame Demon Generals who charged at the front instantly turned into ice sculptures, while the others retreated in disarray.

Xiao Yan took the opportunity to rush to his father's side. Xiao Zhan leaned weakly in his arms, his trembling hand fumbling for his son's face: "Little... Yan'er? Is it really... you?"

"It's me, Father," Xiao Yan's voice choked. "I'm here to take you home."

Two lines of bloody tears flowed from Xiao Zhan's empty eye sockets: "You... shouldn't have come... They are cultivating... a false seed of the plane... trying to replace the true one..."

Ling Xiao suddenly shouted: "Watch out! The black crystal is about to erupt!"

The black crystal floating in the center trembled violently, countless cracks appearing on its surface, and ink-black energy seeped out. The Twelve Flame Demon Generals, instead of being alarmed, showed fanatical expressions: "It's finally mature! The Black Pagoda Seed will devour all of your power!"

The jet-black energy lunged towards everyone like a living thing. Xiao Bing's Extreme Ice Domain was actually unable to fully block it, being eroded bit by bit. Xiao Yan handed his father to Ling Xiao for protection, and he himself stood beside his younger brother: "Let's go together!"

Xiao Bing nodded, and both of them simultaneously activated their strongest powers. The cyan-silver Flame Lord's Fire and the deep blue Xuanming Extreme Ice converged in the air; logically, they should have canceled each other out, but to their shock, the two energies actually began to Fusion!

"This is..." Xiao Bing felt the Ice Soul Art in his body operate on its own, resonating with his elder brother's flames, "the... balance point that Aunt Ice Soul mentioned!"

The fused energy presented a strange silver-blue color, neither fire nor ice, but some higher-level existence. When the jet-black energy lunged, this silver-blue energy met it head-on—

There was no earth-shattering explosion, only absolute silence. Wherever the silver-blue energy passed, everything stood still. The movements of the Flame Demon Generals, the energy released by the black crystal, even the dust in the air... all froze in place, and then from the point of contact, gradually transformed into shimmering ice-flame crystals!

"Ice-Flame Era..." Xiao Bing unconsciously uttered the name, as if he had known of this move's existence all along.

In just a few breaths, the entire space became a gigantic ice-flame sculpture. The Twelve Flame Demon Generals, the black crystal, the Devour Formation... all were frozen in silver-blue crystals, maintaining their last postures.

Ling Xiao walked over, holding Xiao Zhan, his silver eyes filled with shock: "This is... the power of ice-fire Fusion?"

Xiao Yan and Xiao Bing were also in shock; they could feel that the potential of this Fusion technique was far from exhausted. But now was not the time for research; Xiao Zhan's condition was getting worse.

"We must go back immediately," Xiao Bing examined his father's injuries, his face grim. "These injuries... cannot be healed by ordinary means."

Ling Xiao suddenly walked towards the frozen black crystal: "Wait... I want to see what this 'false seed of the plane' really is..."

He carefully placed his hand on the crystal's surface, and silver light seeped into it. As his investigation deepened, Ling Xiao's face grew increasingly unsightly: "This isn't a simple replica... They are trying to create a new Spirit of the Plane, but they are using the power of Chaos Devourer! If they succeed..."

Before he could finish, the crystal suddenly cracked, and a wisp of black Qi shot out, heading straight for Ling Xiao's glabella! Xiao Yan and Xiao Bing attacked simultaneously, but they were still a step too late—the black Qi disappeared into Ling Xiao's forehead, and the young man immediately fell to his knees in pain!

"Ling Xiao!" Xiao Yan quickly supported him.

Ling Xiao trembled all over, a wisp of black Qi flashed in his silver eyes, but it was quickly suppressed. He spoke with difficulty: "I'm... fine... The Spirit of the Plane's instinct rejects it... But I saw... they are cultivating false seeds in more than just this one place..."

Xiao Bing made a decisive decision: "Let's go back first! The spatial passage won't last much longer!"

The three quickly retreated with Xiao Zhan. As they passed through layers of prison cells, the imprisoned powerhouses all cast hopeful glances. Xiao Yan hesitated slightly, then stopped: "We can't just leave like this."

He activated Flame Lord's Fire, destroying the main Devour Formation. As the Formation failed, the energy lines on the prisoners' bodies broke one after another.

"Thank you, benefactor!" an excited prisoner said. "We will never forget this kindness!"

Xiao Yan said no more, only nodded in acknowledgment, then quickly left with his family. As they rushed out of the pyramid, the entire sky had turned an ominous dark red, and the ground began to tremble—the false seed of the plane was destroyed, and this world was collapsing!

"Where's the passage?" Xiao Bing asked urgently.

Ling Xiao pointed to a distant silver light: "Over there! But it's already becoming unstable!"

The four rushed towards the passage at full speed. As the world's collapse intensified, huge cracks appeared in the ground, and burning fragments fell from the sky. Just as they were about to reach the passage, a black shadow suddenly shot out from underground—it was the last Flame Demon General! Half of his body had been frozen by the Ice-Flame Era, yet he still madly lunged towards Ling Xiao, who was holding Xiao Zhan!

"Die, Spirit of the Plane!" the Flame Demon General roared, gathering all his power in his hand.

In the nick of time, Xiao Zhan, from who knows where he found the strength, suddenly broke free from Ling Xiao and used his body to block in front! The Flame Demon General's attack directly pierced his chest!

"Father!" Xiao Yan and Xiao Bing roared simultaneously.

Xiao Bing instantly froze the Flame Demon General, while Xiao Yan caught his falling father. Xiao Zhan's mouth overflowed with blood, but he showed a relieved smile: "This time... finally... I protected... you..."

"Don't talk, Father! We'll go back for treatment immediately!" Xiao Yan's voice trembled.

Ling Xiao suddenly shouted: "The passage is closing! Hurry!"

Xiao Bing quickly carried his father on his back, Xiao Yan and Ling Xiao followed closely, and the four rushed into the violently fluctuating spatial passage. The moment they entered, an earth-shattering explosion sounded behind them—the prison world had completely collapsed!

The passage was extremely unstable, with various spatial turbulences raging. Xiao Bing led the way, his Extreme Ice Power forming a protective shield; Xiao Yan covered the rear, his Flame Lord's Fire dispelling the pursuing spatial cracks; Ling Xiao maintained the stability of the passage in the middle, while temporarily stabilizing Xiao Zhan's injuries with the power of the Spirit of the Plane.

After a long and difficult journey, a light finally appeared ahead. The four rushed out of the passage, falling heavily onto the Source World ground—landing right on the Ancient Clan Sacred Mountain's Star Observation Platform!

"We're back!" Xiao Bing immediately checked his father's condition, his face growing even grimmer. "Not good! The injuries have worsened!"

Xiao Yan also checked, his heart sinking to the bottom—his father's body was filled with Chaos Devourer's contamination, coupled with old injuries accumulated over many years of torment, ordinary treatment methods were completely ineffective.

"Grand Elder! Quickly call the Grand Elder!" Xiao Bing shouted to the Ancient Clan members who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion.

The Grand Elder quickly arrived, and after seeing Xiao Zhan's tragic state, he gasped: "This is... the Xiao Family Head?!" He quickly examined him and shook his head, "This old man is powerless... unless..."

"Unless what?" Xiao Yan asked urgently.

"Unless we find the Life Spring's water... But that Secret Realm has long since..."

Ling Xiao suddenly interrupted him: "No, there's still another way." He looked at his two elder brothers. "Three Souls Resonance... We just triggered part of the power during the battle; if we can fully activate it..."

Xiao Yan and Xiao Bing exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously. The three surrounded Xiao Zhan in the center, each activating their powers—cyan fire, Extreme Ice, and silver light converged again, this time even more harmoniously and smoothly. The three energies formed a rotating energy sphere above Xiao Zhan, then transformed into a fine rain that sprinkled down.

A miracle happened! The wounds on Xiao Zhan's body began to slowly heal, and the Chaos Devourer's contamination was purified little by little. Although the process was extremely slow, it was indeed effective!

"It's working!" Xiao Bing said joyfully.

However, just as the treatment reached a critical moment, Ling Xiao suddenly swayed, and black Qi flashed in his silver eyes again—it was the wisp of black energy that had previously invaded his body acting up! The Three Souls Resonance was immediately interrupted, and the energy sphere fluctuated violently.

"Ling Xiao!" Xiao Yan wanted to help but dared not let go, otherwise his father would die instantly.

Ling Xiao gritted his teeth and persevered: "I... can do it... The Spirit of the Plane... will not yield..."

At this critical moment, Xiao Zhan suddenly raised his hand and gently pressed it on Ling Xiao's forehead: "Child... don't force yourself... You've already... done very well..."

Surprisingly, with Xiao Zhan's touch, the black energy within Ling Xiao's body actually calmed down! The Three Souls Resonance stabilized again, and the treatment was able to continue.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the three ran out of power and had to stop. Xiao Zhan's condition had stabilized; although he was still very weak, he was at least out of danger.

"Father..." Xiao Yan held Xiao Zhan's hand. "How did you..."

Xiao Zhan smiled weakly: "I don't know either... I just felt... that the darkness within that child... was very familiar..."

The Grand Elder arranged for Xiao Zhan to be sent to the best recovery room. When only the three brothers remained, Ling Xiao finally spoke of his discovery: "I saw in the Black Pagoda Seed... that Chaos Devourer has cultivated false seeds in at least six worlds. If all are completed, they can twist the plane's rules and awaken the Void Devourer prematurely!"

Xiao Bing's expression was grim: "We must accelerate our progress in finding the true seed of the plane."

Xiao Yan nodded, then suddenly remembered something: "Ling Xiao, when you touched the false seed, did you sense the location of the true seed of the plane?"

Ling Xiao closed his eyes in thought, then opened them a moment later: "Only a vague sensation... The next one might be in the 'Starfall Land'..." He paused, "Also, during the Three Souls Resonance, I vaguely saw... a burning star falling into the sea..."

"Burning star..." Xiao Yan mused, "Could it be..."

Before he could finish, an Ancient Clan guard ran over in a panic: "Three sirs! This is bad! A large number of spatial cracks have appeared around the Sacred Mountain, and unknown creatures are invading!"

The three immediately rushed to the scene. They saw the sky around the Sacred Mountain filled with cracks, and countless monsters resembling Flame Demons were pouring out of them. Even more unsettling was that these monsters all carried that familiar black energy aura—identical to the false seed in the prison world!

"They're coming after us..." Xiao Bing said coldly.

Xiao Yan's right eye flickered with cyan-silver light, and Flame Lord's Fire danced in his palm: "Then let them come and never return!"

Ling Xiao stood between his two elder brothers, his silver hair swaying without wind: "This time... we Three Souls are one, fighting side by side!"