Haotian's lips pressed deeper against Yinxue's, his hands tracing along her frame with steady warmth. Her breath faltered, soft moans breaking through despite her frost composure. Every caress sent shivers racing through her, her heart trembling in ways she could not suppress.
Then, with a ripple of golden light, the space prison shattered.
Yinxue gasped as control returned. Her arms moved instantly, wrapping around his neck, pulling him close as if she had feared losing him in that frozen stillness. Her body tensed against his, trembling yet unwilling to let go.
Haotian broke the kiss briefly. His eyes glimmered, and with a single tap of his finger against her forehead, the Union of Dual Souls Sutra seared into her mind.
Yinxue's eyes widened. It was as if she had read the scripture a thousand times, every cycle, every thread familiar. The comprehension struck her so sharply that her lips parted in stunned silence.
Before she could speak, Haotian kissed her again. Her resistance melted, her breath breaking into another moan.
Beside them, Ziyue lay across the bed, her chest still heaving from exhaustion. Her body glistened with sweat, her face flushed beyond recovery. Unlike their past cultivations, this one had left her utterly drained — and she realized dimly that Haotian had pushed the Sutra further, doubling the intensity of its resonance.
Haotian shifted, positioning himself above Yinxue. He pulled back slightly, gazing down at her flushed face. His voice was low but firm. "You are ready now."
Yinxue's cheeks burned crimson. She said nothing, but her body answered — her legs lifted, twining around his waist, holding him close. No words were needed.
Her intent was clear. She wanted this. She wanted him.
Haotian's lips claimed hers once more. Their breaths tangled, heat spiraling higher, until Yinxue gasped aloud. A sharp pain rippled through her body, striking up her spine, breaking the kiss.
Haotian whispered softly against her ear. "It will pass soon. Use the Sutra."
The Union of Dual Souls Sutra awakened fully between them. Golden and frost-blue threads burst outward, spiraling together, wrapping their bodies in light.
The pain dulled, giving way to a flood of warmth and unfamiliar sensation. Yinxue's moans rose as the Sutra cycled through her meridians, her frost qi colliding with his golden aura. Their rhythm deepened, slow at first, then faster as the Sutra carried them into perfect cadence.
In the haze of sensation, Yinxue's thoughts drifted. After two hundred and forty-seven years…
Her body trembled as another wave surged through her. …I have finally reached this moment. To love—and to be loved.
Tears threatened at the corners of her eyes even as her lips curved faintly between gasps. Her first time, after centuries of solitude and restraint, had become more than just cultivation. It was a memorial moment etched into her heart, a step into the Dao of Love she had long resisted.
Her voice broke into his name. "Haotian…!"
The Sutra flared brighter, their qi spiraling in perfect unity. She tensed, her body tightening as the breakthrough consumed her. A cry tore from her lips as her cultivation surged forward, her frost qi reshaping under the resonance of yin and yang.
Haotian's own body tensed as their energies peaked together, his golden eyes blazing with constellations. In unison, they reached completion, their qi flooding outward in a radiant burst.
The chamber shook with the aftershock, then slowly quieted. Yinxue clung to him, her body trembling, her flushed face pressed against his chest as her tears of release mingled with her soft, unsteady breaths.
For the first time in 247 years, her frost had melted.
Ziyue had watched everything.
She had seen Haotian guide Yinxue through her first time, seen the Sect Master's frost melt away after two hundred and forty-seven years of restraint. She had seen the tears, the trembling smile, the way her body and Dao both opened to him at last.
Her heart trembled. Shock pressed into her chest, knowing this moment was no longer hers alone. Yet deep inside, she remembered that morning — when she had sensed Yinxue's feelings, hidden but undeniable. She had known this was coming.
Then… we are sisters, she thought, her lips quivering. Bound by him.
On the bed, Haotian rolled gently, guiding Yinxue to straddle him. She gasped at the shift, her frost composure forgotten as she moved above him. Her voice broke into moans as their rhythm deepened, the Sutra spiraling faster, threads of golden and frost-blue chi weaving in powerful waves.
Ziyue's breath quickened. Watching was unbearable — not from jealousy, but from the intensity of the chi, the love written across Yinxue's flushed face. It was too much to remain apart.
She sat up suddenly, her violet eyes burning. Without hesitation, she moved to Haotian's side, pressing against him, her hand finding his arm, her lips brushing his shoulder.
Haotian turned, his golden gaze meeting hers. He smiled — not in surprise, but as though he had known she would come.
The Sutra shifted again, expanding to welcome her.
That night, the chamber blazed with golden, violet, and frost-blue light. Yin and yang spun in endless cycles, their cultivations weaving into one rhythm, one flow. The three of them moved as a single harmony, their voices and breaths echoing through the sealed room.
When dawn finally broke, their energies still lingered, the afterglow of their cultivation painting the air in soft light.
From that day on, Ziyue and Yinxue no longer stood apart. They were bound not just by their love for Haotian, but by the Sutra itself. Their closeness deepened, and the sight of the two women leaning toward one another — lips meeting in quiet, passionate kisses while Haotian held them both — became a natural rhythm of their shared cultivation.
The chamber was quiet save for the steady rhythm of three breaths mingling in the air. Dawn's light filtered through the frost-glass windows, catching the faint glow of lingering chi still hanging in the air from the night-long cultivation.
Ziyue stirred first, her lashes fluttering as she turned to her side. The warmth of Haotian's chest was still beside her, but it was Yinxue she met first — the Sect Master lying on the other side, her veil gone, her usually composed face softened with traces of weariness and flush.
For a heartbeat, neither spoke. The silence was thick with memory.
Awkwardness flickered between them. Their eyes darted away, then back again. They remembered everything — the resonance, the closeness, the way their qi had mingled under Haotian's guidance.
Ziyue's lips curved faintly, a nervous smile trembling. Yinxue pressed her lips together, her frost composure cracking at the edges.
But then both glanced to the center — at Haotian, still reclining between them, his golden eyes half-lidded, watching with amusement. The realization struck them together: he was the bridge, the bond tying them as more than disciples, more than rivals. Sisters.
The weight lifted. Both exhaled softly, a quiet acceptance passing between them.
They rose reluctantly. Ziyue slipped from the bed first, retrieving her robe from where it had fallen and wrapping it quickly around her shoulders. Yinxue followed, slower and more deliberate, smoothing her hair and drawing her frost-blue robe back into place with trembling fingers. Even with her composure, she could not hide the faint red still warming her cheeks.
Haotian watched from the bed with his usual grin, his gaze amused as the two women dressed in silence, their movements careful but betraying the glow of their cultivation.
Once ready, Ziyue and Yinxue moved toward the chamber door. Their steps were steady, though hesitant, as though uncertain how to face the world outside together.
Just as their hands brushed the frame, Haotian's voice cut lightly across the silence."Wait."
They turned back, startled. Haotian was already rising, fastening his robe lazily, his golden eyes glimmering with that familiar mix of mischief and certainty.
He crossed the chamber to Ziyue first. Without hesitation, he cupped her chin and kissed her. She stiffened for a moment, then melted, her eyes closing as she accepted him fully. When he pulled away, her face was crimson, her breath uneven.
Yinxue's eyes widened in shock. He wouldn't—
But he turned to her next. She instinctively stepped back, but Haotian moved faster, catching her wrist and drawing her close. His lips met hers, silencing her muffled protest. For an instant she struggled — then her body betrayed her, yielding, her breath breaking into a moan as she kissed him back.
Ziyue chuckled softly from the side, covering her smile. She had once faced the same trial, and knew exactly what Haotian was doing.
When Haotian finally pulled away, a faint trail lingered between his lips and Yinxue's. He wiped his mouth with a grin, then leaned to whisper in her ear."Your drool makes you very appealing. Now you are ready."
Yinxue froze, scarlet flooding her cheeks until it seemed steam rose from her. She wiped her lips hurriedly, then struck his chest in playful protest. "Shameless!"
Haotian laughed openly, his amusement unrestrained. Ziyue laughed as well, delighted at the sight of the usually untouchable Sect Master undone so completely.
At last, the chamber door opened and the three stepped out together.
As they passed through the halls, disciples turned and stared. The glow around Ziyue and Yinxue was unmistakable, their faces radiant from cultivation. Whispers spread quickly. Yet more telling was Yinxue's subtle stiffness, the faint wobble in her step — an unspoken truth that needed no words.
And at the center of it all was Haotian, smiling as always, the bond that now tied them together.
The corridors of the Moon Lotus Sect buzzed with hushed voices long before the morning bells called the disciples to assembly. Wherever Ziyue and Yinxue passed, eyes followed, whispers blooming like wildfire.
"Did you see them?" one disciple gasped, her cheeks pink. "The Sect Master… her face glowed like the moon itself."
"And Elder Ziyue was the same!" another chimed in. "Both of them — radiant, as if the heavens poured blessings straight into them."
"It wasn't just their glow," a third whispered, leaning close. "Did you see the way the Sect Master walked? She—she seemed unsteady, like she'd just finished a great battle. No… like she—"
Her voice cut off as her cheeks burned crimson. The group dissolved into giggles, though each secretly believed the same rumor.
Word spread quickly: Sect Master Yinxue and Elder Ziyue had both shared in something beyond cultivation. They had touched a resonance with Haotian that none of the disciples could fully describe — yet every glance at their faces seemed to confirm it.
By the time the assembly bells rang, the courtyard was alive with unspoken wonder. Disciples gathered in neat lines, though the whispers refused to die down, frost-blue robes rippling like waves across the square.
Haotian appeared at the front with his easy smile, his golden eyes sweeping over them. His presence alone silenced the courtyard.
He raised a hand casually. "In four days," he said, his voice warm and direct, "I will give you all a lesson — on the Dao."
A ripple of shock and delight spread across the gathered disciples.
Haotian continued, his grin widening. "Each of you must choose your Dao. You've all trained hard — many of you already stand at the peak of Soul Transformation. But to step forward, you need more than technique. You need your path. In four days, I'll guide you — and those who are ready will break through into the Dao Comprehension Realm."
Excitement burst through the crowd. Many clasped their hands together, eyes shining. For disciples who had once thought their limits were near, to be guided directly into Dao Comprehension by Haotian himself was beyond imagination.
But among the sea of eager faces, one remained clouded.
Shuyue stood at the back, her fists clenched tight at her side. She was still at the peak of the Nascent Realm — unable to cross that barrier no matter how many cycles she endured. The gossip she had overheard earlier still rang in her ears: whispers of the Sect Master's glow, the way she had walked, the laughter shared between her, Ziyue, and Haotian.
Her heart ached fiercely.
So it's true… Sect Master Yinxue also… loves him.
Her heart-seal pulsed, binding her emotions, yet unable to erase the sharp pang. She lowered her gaze, unwilling to meet anyone's eyes, torn between envy, devotion, and the weight of her unspoken feelings.
Around her, disciples whispered of breakthroughs to come, but Shuyue felt only the cold iron of being left behind.
Four days passed swiftly. By dawn, the Moon Lotus Sect's grand courtyard was filled with every disciple. Frost-blue robes lined the square in perfect rows, the air alive with anticipation. Even Shuyue, quiet and withdrawn, stood among them, her gaze fixed on the man at the front.
Haotian stood there with his easy smile, golden eyes bright. Though he was not of the sect, all eyes turned to him with reverence. His presence drew silence without effort.
"You've all reached this point," he began warmly. "Your cultivation is strong. Your qi is refined. But that alone won't carry you further. To step into the Dao Comprehension Realm, you must claim a Dao. It is the truth you walk, the foundation of your strength, and the shape of your destiny."
The disciples listened intently, their breaths held.
"Choose carefully," Haotian went on. "Some Daos are sharp and direct — like the Dao of the Sword. Others are ruthless, like the Dao of Killing or the Dao of Slaughter. And some speak to the heart — the Dao of Desire, the Dao of Love, even the Dao of Lust. Each Dao shapes not only how you fight, but who you become."
At those words, Yinxue and Ziyue jolted, their composure breaking for just a heartbeat.
Dao of Love… Dao of Lust…
Since that night, Haotian had not left either of them alone, drawing them into dual cultivation without pause. To hear him speak these Daos aloud now — openly — made their hearts stir. Both wondered the same thing: Did this tie back to his Dao of the Universe? That he encompasses all things — even these Daos of the heart?
From the back, a disciple raised her hand nervously. "Senior Brother Haotian… what of the elemental Daos? Frost, ice, water…?"
Haotian nodded in approval. "Good. The Dao of Frost, the Dao of Ice, the Dao of Water — even the Dao of Mist or Moonlight — these are natural fits for your sect. They align with your foundation, strengthen your combat, and will feel familiar to many of you."
Another disciple called out, "Senior Brother, what if someone wanted a different Dao?"
Haotian smiled. "That is possible. Difficult, but possible. You might pursue the Dao of Flame. At first, flame and frost will fight against each other. But with patience, you could harmonize them. If you succeed, you won't simply hold two Daos. You'll create something greater — a Dao of Fire and Ice, a Dao of Contradiction made whole. The journey will be hard, but it will open paths few can ever reach."
A ripple of awe passed through the disciples. Excitement shone in their eyes, ambition burning to life.
But at the edge of the crowd, Shuyue stood silent. Her fists clenched. Unlike the others, she had not even reached Soul Transformation — still trapped at the peak of the Nascent Realm. No matter how many cycles she endured, her heart-seal strangled her progress.
Every disciple around her seemed on the cusp of Dao Comprehension, their faces alight with hope. And she… she could not even take the first step.
I'm being left behind, she thought bitterly. Even if Haotian guides them, what good is it for me? At this realm… I can't follow him.
Her chest ached, but she forced herself to remain still, her eyes lowered, unwilling to betray the turmoil inside.
Haotian's voice rose, steady and warm. "In four days, I'll guide you again. Each of you will step forward to meet your Dao. Don't fear the challenge. Your Dao is your truth — and once chosen, it will carry you through every storm."
The disciples bowed in unison, their voices bright with gratitude.
But Shuyue's gaze stayed lowered, her heart heavy, her path still locked in shadow.
The night before his departure, Haotian lay in bed with Yinxue and Ziyue at his side. Their bodies still glowed faintly with the lingering resonance of the Union of Dual Souls Sutra, the frost-blue and violet threads of qi weaving gently into his golden aura.
Yinxue rested with her head on his shoulder, her fingers tightening slightly against him. Ziyue curled close on the other side, her breathing still uneven. For days, neither had been apart from him; their nightly cultivation had become rhythm, comfort, and bond.
"You said it's to the north," Yinxue murmured, her usually calm voice carrying an edge of unease. "Three days in the frozen lands is no simple journey."
Ziyue lifted her gaze, worry flickering in her violet eyes. "Haotian… must you really go alone?"
He smiled, his golden eyes soft as he looked at them both. "It's only three days. I'll be fine. There's something I need there — a heavenly treasure, and it won't wait forever. I'll return before you miss me."
Yinxue's lips pressed into a line, but she said nothing more. Ziyue clung tighter to his arm, reluctant but trusting.
By morning, the bells of the Moon Lotus Sect rang across the courtyard. The disciples gathered in neat lines, elders standing at the fore. Every gaze fixed on Haotian as he stepped forward in his traveling robes, Yinxue and Ziyue flanking him before the crowd.
He raised a hand casually, his smile as bright as ever. "While I'm away, don't waste the time. Reflect on yourselves. Search for your Dao. Try to step into comprehension."
A unified chorus answered him, voices crisp with determination: "We will try our best, Senior Brother Haotian!"
The elders behind them bowed as well. "Haotian, rest assured — we will watch over the sect."
Haotian grinned. "Good. Then when I return, I'll see how far you've come."
Without further ceremony, he lifted from the ground, golden qi streaming beneath his feet. The disciples and elders bowed as one, watching him ascend into the morning sky.
He turned north, the chill in the air thickening with each passing mile.
Below him, the world gave way to frozen plains and jagged ridges of ice. The landscape bore scars of the battle where he had once stood alone against the frost wolf and the tide of twenty-five thousand beasts. Even now, the land carried the memory — frozen craters, shattered glaciers, and qi traces that whispered of slaughter and victory.
It was here, in this land of frost and silence, that his search for the heavenly treasure would begin.