Chapter 70 - Chapter 71: The Selfless Sacrifice

The silence hung heavy, broken only by the sound of Chen Jiuzhang's 二叔 pushing through the dissipating smoke of Wu Laogou's talismans. Su Nian was the first to break the stillness, her voice firm and unwavering. "I'll do it. I've lived a life of battles and hardships. If my end can save this realm, then so be it."​Before she could take a step towards the Heart of the Realm, Zhang Chengying grabbed her arm. "No way. You're not going alone into this madness. I've faced death more times than I can count. Let me be the one to make this sacrifice."​Shen Qingluan, her face pale but resolute, stepped forward. "Both of you, stop. We need someone with a connection to the ancient arts, someone who can guide the ritual properly. I'm the best chance we have."​Wu Laogou let out a gruff laugh, though his eyes were filled with pain. "You young ones think you're the only ones who can be heroes? I've seen more in my years than all of you combined. This old dog still has one last fight in him, and I'll be damned if I let any of you throw your lives away when I can do it instead."​Chen Jiuzhang listened to his friends argue, his heart aching. But before he could interject, Luna spoke up, her voice soft yet carrying a weight that silenced everyone. "There's no time for this. We must choose quickly, or all will be lost."​Just then, Chen Jiuzhang's 二叔 emerged from the smoke, his eyes ablaze with fury. "You think you can decide your fates so easily? None of you will touch the Heart!" He raised his staff, and a wave of dark energy surged towards the group.​In a flash, Chen Jiuzhang stepped forward, raising the crystal - key. A shield of light materialized, blocking the attack, but the force behind it sent him stumbling backward. His 二叔 took advantage of the momentary distraction and charged towards the Heart of the Realm.​"Stop him!" Chen Jiuzhang shouted.​Su Nian's chains flew through the air, wrapping around his 二叔's ankle and yanking him to the ground. But he quickly recovered, unleashing a blast that sent her crashing into the wall. Zhang Chengying was next, his broken peachwood sword crackling with electricity as he lunged at the man. Their weapons clashed, the impact creating a shower of sparks.​As the battle raged on, Chen Jiuzhang knew he couldn't let his friends sacrifice themselves. He had a connection to the crystal - key, to the Heart of the Realm, and to his 二叔. This was his fight. Making a decision, he turned to Luna. "Tell me how to perform the ritual. I'm the one who will do it."​Luna's eyes widened in horror. "Jiuzhang, you can't. This is a death sentence."​"I have to," he said, his voice steady. "It's my responsibility. I brought us this far, and I won't let my 二叔 destroy everything."​With a heavy heart, Luna nodded and began to whisper the incantations of the ancient ritual into his ear. As Chen Jiuzhang listened, he prepared himself for what lay ahead, knowing that the fate of the Gui Xu Secret Realm now rested solely on his shoulders.