The blade whistled downward.
Zhao Feng's sword, fueled by rage and jealousy, sliced toward Li Xian's throat with killing intent sharp enough to cut stone.
The chains rattled violently as Li Xian jerked his head aside, sparks flying where steel scraped iron. Blood welled at his collarbone, but he was grinning.
"Still so predictable, Zhao Feng."
Zhao Feng roared, pressing forward, his strikes wild and furious. Each clash rang through the chamber, sparks showering.
But before his blade could pierce again—
A dagger intercepted, sparks flying. Mei Ling's lithe figure blurred, her dagger locking Zhao Feng's sword. Her smirk gleamed in the dim lantern light.
"Pathetic. Even chained, he's more composed than you."
"Shut up!" Zhao Feng snarled, kicking her back, his eyes bloodshot. "You're both demons!"
"Demons…" Mei Ling whispered, her smile curving sharper. Her gaze slid to Li Xian, lingering on his exposed chest, the crimson glow in his eyes. "…Maybe I like demons."
The system purred:
> [Target Mei Ling: Desire intensifies.]
[Affinity +15%. Seduction Progress – 65%.]
Zhao Feng trembled with rage, but Su Yao's voice cut through, sharp and commanding.
"Enough!"
A blast of pure spiritual energy surged from her palm, striking the floor between them. Cracks spiderwebbed through the stone, dust swirling. Her veilless face glowed faintly under the lantern, her eyes hard as ice — yet trembling beneath.
"Zhao Feng, if you kill him here, you shame the sect!"
He turned to her, voice cracking. "Yao… Why do you defend him? Don't you see? He's poisoning you with every word, every glance!"
Her lips parted, but no sound came. She turned her head — toward Li Xian.
And in that silence, he laughed. Low, dark, intoxicating.
"Poison?" he drawled. "No. She defends me because she remembers."
Su Yao froze.
Li Xian leaned forward against the chains, his voice a low murmur that seeped into every ear.
"She remembers the vows whispered in the moonlight. The promises she made to a man she thought lost. And deep down, she knows — that man still exists."
Her jade-like fingers curled tightly at her side.
The system chimed:
> [Target Su Yao: Affection +15%. Seduction Progress – 50%.]
[Hidden Emotion: Longing.]
Zhao Feng's face twisted with horror. "No… No! You won't take her from me again!"
He lunged with killing intent, but Mei Ling was already there, intercepting, her dagger grazing his cheek, drawing blood.
"You're boring me," she purred, her dark eyes never leaving Li Xian. "He's chained, dying, yet he still steals every heartbeat in this room. And you, Zhao Feng? You're nothing."
The words struck deeper than any blade.
Zhao Feng's eyes blazed. He raised his sword for a final, desperate strike.
But the heavens roared above, thunder shaking the chamber.
The system screamed:
> [Heavenly Suppression triggered!]
[Host lifespan reduced: 2 days → 1 day.]
[Warning: Critical threshold reached.]
Li Xian's body shuddered, crimson light erupting from his veins, his bloodline roaring against the heavens. Chains cracked, stone trembled.
Even Zhao Feng stumbled back, eyes wide with terror.
Su Yao gasped. Mei Ling's lips parted, pupils dilating.
Li Xian lifted his head, blood dripping down his chin, his smile wicked, his voice a dark whisper that shook them all:
"Tonight… none of you will leave unchanged."
The chains began to break.