Ling Tian Sword God-Chapter 727 - 725: The Soul Returning Ceremony_1

The vast and endless Hundred Thousand Mountains exuded an extremely ancient, primeval aura. Here, the forests were infinite, filled with venomous insects and fierce beasts—danger was everywhere.

WHOOSH!

A human figure darted through the forest, stepping on rotting branches and fallen leaves—it was none other than Ling Chen.

He had been painstakingly searching in these Hundred Thousand Mountains for seven full days, tirelessly seeking Xu Ruoyan's whereabouts. However, his efforts had yielded no results.

Xu Ruoyan seemed to have vanished as if she had evaporated from this land. No matter how Ling Chen called out or searched through the countless mountains, rivers, caves, and even abysses, he could not find any trace of her.

After seven days of this, Ling Chen felt utterly exhausted.

He had given up on continuing the search.

He had searched every place he could think of. If I continue like this, I'll likely die of exhaustion in this wilderness before finding Xu Ruoyan.

Perhaps I should first return to the Barbarian Village, meet up with the High Priest and the others, and then we can make further plans.

Finding Xu Ruoyan is not a matter of a day or two, but saving Xia Yunxin's life cannot be delayed.

Ling Chen's current mental state was terrible; his eyes were dull and lifeless, devoid of their usual spirit. He was a far cry from his former spirited self. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

First, Xia Yunxin had sacrificed her soul for him. Then, Xu Ruoyan disappeared after shielding him from the Shadow Demon's possession, and her whereabouts were unknown. These successive blows, even to one with Ling Chen's resolute will, left his heart feeling utterly empty.

The most important people in his life were leaving him one by one—Ling Tianyu, Liu Xiling, Xia Yunxin, Xu Ruoyan... They had either left him or their fates were unknown. At this moment, as he looked around, he realized he had become utterly alone.

"Brother Ling Chen!"

Just as Ling Chen was feeling somewhat lost, a familiar shout suddenly rang out beside him. Ling Chen looked up and saw a majestic giant eagle flying towards him. Upon the eagle's back was a burly figure—it was none other than Wutugu, Clan Leader of the Barbarian Lie Mountain Tribe.

"Leader Wutugu."

Ling Chen's eyes lit up. He had been worried about where to find the High Priest and Xia Yunxin's whereabouts. Unexpectedly, Wutugu appeared before him.

"Brother Ling Chen, I've finally found you!"

Wutugu also had a look of joy. He glanced around and then asked, "Where is Miss Xu?"

He had already learned about the Shadow Demon being annihilated. All the Shade Ghosts surrounding the Barbaric Temple had vanished, and the Barbarian warriors they controlled had regained their senses.

The only possible explanation for this was that the Shadow Demon had been annihilated.

"She's missing, and I wasn't able to find her."

Ling Chen shook his head, a dejected expression on his face.

"Missing?"

Wutugu was stunned. He didn't know about Xu Ruoyan being targeted by the Shadow Demon for possession and thought something else had happened. He immediately comforted Ling Chen, saying, "You don't have to worry too much. The terrain of the Hundred Thousand Mountains is complex; it's normal that you haven't found Miss Xu yet. I will gather the Barbarian Tribe's hunters and have them search for her with all their might. We will surely find her."

"Then I'll be relying on your help."

Ling Chen's eyes lit up slightly, and he cupped his fists to Wutugu. After all, the Hundred Thousand Mountains are the territory of the Barbarian Tribe, and they naturally know this area best. Perhaps Wutugu can indeed help me find Xu Ruoyan.

"By the way, is the High Priest alright?" Ling Chen asked, feeling a bit relieved.

"He's fine." A look of gratitude emerged in Wutugu's eyes. "Thanks to your intervention, the rebellion has been quelled. The High Priest has returned to the Barbaric Temple and is preparing to perform the soul-returning ritual for your friend."

"Really? Then let's return to the Barbaric Temple immediately."

The thought of Xia Yunxin possibly being awakened brought a long-awaited smile to Ling Chen's face. After so many setbacks, this was finally a piece of good news that cheered him up.

"Let's go!"

Wutugu nodded. Immediately, the two figures moved, disappearing into this vast mountain range.

「The Barbaric Temple.」

To prepare for the soul-returning ritual for Xia Yunxin, the entire Barbaric Temple was bustling with activity. Many Priests of the Temple even set aside the reconstruction work to focus on the preparations for the ritual.

Because Ling Chen had saved the entire Barbaric Temple, and indeed the entire Barbarian Tribe, the debt of gratitude they owed him was immense. Now that Ling Chen needed their help, they naturally had to do everything in their power to awaken Xia Yunxin, thereby repaying Ling Chen's immense favor.

By the time Ling Chen and Wutugu returned to the Barbaric Temple, preparations for the ritual were mostly complete. They were only waiting for the High Priest himself to begin the ceremony.

In the previous battle with the Shadow Demon, the High Priest had forcibly summoned the Spirit of the White Tiger, which was a tremendous drain on him. He had then been severely injured by the Shadow Demon and had almost died. He had spent nearly half a month recuperating before his injuries barely healed.

Given the High Priest's frail and aging body, he had only managed to survive this long thanks to the Longevity Fruit. This severe injury was a fatal blow to him. Even an abundance of Elixirs would struggle to restore his body to a state of complete health.

Inside the Barbaric Temple, in an enclosed Ice Stone Chamber, several figures stood.

In the center of the Ice Stone Chamber was an ice bed, upon which lay a stunningly beautiful woman with a delicate, jade-like grace. The woman's face was bloodless, and she lay peacefully, like a sleeping beauty.

With the ice bed at its center, the floor of the entire stone chamber was covered by an Array Formation—a Blood Array formed by the Essence Blood of various Exotic Beasts, meticulously daubed to create the pattern.

The High Priest slowly approached the ice bed, his steps somewhat unsteady. At this moment, everyone, including Ling Chen, watched the High Priest, who stood beside an ice stone platform, with bated breath.

Ling Chen involuntarily clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on the High Priest's aged figure and Xia Yunxin's face, veiled in a light, white mist. Even he, with his steely resolve, began to tremble slightly.

Finally, could Xia Yunxin truly be awakened?

The High Priest's body swayed slightly. Those behind him stirred with concern. Ling Chen quickly stepped forward to support him, asking in a grave tone, "Are you alright?"

"I'm alright." The High Priest waved his hand with a smile, but his complexion seemed to worsen further. Every wrinkle on his ancient face appeared to deepen, as if wringing out the last vestiges of his life force.

"High Priest, perhaps you should rest for a few more days. Are you sure you can perform the soul-returning ritual in your current state?" Ling Chen was very concerned about the High Priest's health. In his current condition, Ling Chen feared the High Priest might collapse before the ceremony was even completed.

"I'm afraid if I delay a few more days, I won't even have the strength to cast a spell." The High Priest shook his head and sighed. "My body weakens day by day. If the ritual isn't performed soon, I fear I will no longer be able to help you in the future, Brother Ling Chen."

"Then please, do not overexert yourself."

Ling Chen could only reluctantly nod. It seems the High Priest's injuries are far more severe than I imagined, and his time is likely near. If the ritual isn't performed now, I'm afraid an accident might occur, and the chance will be lost forever. Throughout the entire Wildlands, only the High Priest knows how to use this unique art.

Despite this, I'm still worried. The High Priest's survival is paramount. If anything happens to him, then all hope is lost.