A choice between life and death, brothers reunited

The link between Lin Ye's and Ace's minds reached its peak at that moment. Their thoughts were completely synchronized, sharing every sensation and all their power. More astonishing still, a familiar voice suddenly rang out clearly in their minds:

"I can see you! Keep going!"

It was Luffy's voice, no longer a faint echo but a call brimming with energy and hope, as though he were right beside them.

"Luffy!" Ace cried excitedly, sensing his younger brother's presence more clearly than ever before.

That momentary distraction gave the member of the Five Elders an opening. He violently broke free of Lin Ye's energy restraints, but his body was noticeably less agile than before, with some parts already becoming solid. Ace caught the change and immediately unleashed a full-power strike:

"Flame Emperor: Red Lotus!"

A massive lotus of flame bloomed from Ace's palm and struck the elder directly. This time, the attack truly inflicted damage. The flames consumed part of his solidified body, making him howl in agony.

"We have to complete the ritual now!" Lin Ye shouted, pulling Ace swiftly back to the center of the altar. They stood on opposite sides of the purple pillar of light and extended their hands to the positions indicated by the star chart, touching the nodes of the energy network.

"Now!"

At their touch, all seven keys released a deafening resonance. Seven beams of different colors shot from the keys and converged on the central pillar of light. Its color began to change, shifting from pure purple to a rainbow spectrum of seven colors.

The ritual officially began. Energy flowed across the altar, forming a perfect cycle. But just as Lin Ye immersed himself in the ritual's workings, he suddenly discovered a crucial detail—the description in the ancient texts was incomplete.

Through direct