Wei Chen sat cross-legged in the center of the chamber, Lin Xue on his left, Su Mei on his right. Their hands rested linked—his palms against theirs, fingers intertwined. The air still hummed with the warmth of their shared essence, golden light pulsing softly from the bond ropes that now connected all three in a glowing triangle.
The Frost-Eater's half-formed body had retreated deeper into the crack, its borrowed shapes dissolving into swirling mist. But the cold hunger remained, pressing against their barrier like a distant storm.
"We can't just hold it back," Wei Chen said quietly. "We have to seal it. Turn what we've built into something permanent."
Lin Xue nodded, silver hair falling over her shoulder. "Our essences are balanced now—frost, fire, and demonic corrosion woven together. If we cycle them fully, we can forge a true flame seal. One hot enough to burn away its lies."
Su Mei's lips curved in a tired smile. "And strong enough to keep it trapped a little longer. But it will cost us. We'll have to open our cores completely to each other."
Wei Chen met their eyes in turn. "No secrets. No holding back. I trust you both with everything."
Lin Xue's cheeks warmed faintly. "And we trust you."
They closed their eyes together, breathing in unison. Wei Chen guided the flow—his scorching Nine-Suns Yang pouring outward like rivers of sunlight. Lin Xue met it with her cool Yin, frost qi wrapping around his heat like silk ribbons. Su Mei added her demonic essence, sharp and wild, threading through the gaps and binding tighter.
The first cycle was gentle, a slow merging that drew soft gasps from all three. Warmth spread through their meridians, easing the strain of the long battle. Wei Chen felt Lin Xue's curse retreat further, her core stabilizing under his steady fire. Su Mei's lingering corruption burned away, leaving only clear strength.
On the second cycle, the flow deepened. Hands tightened. Lin Xue leaned closer, forehead resting against Wei Chen's shoulder as qi surged between them. Su Mei pressed to his other side, her breath warm against his neck. The bond ropes glowed brighter, pulsing with shared heartbeats.
Wei Chen coaxed them higher. "Let it build. Feel every thread."
A shiver ran through Lin Xue as the essence crested. She gripped his hand harder, a quiet moan escaping as her channels opened fully. The pleasure was pure cultivation now—meridians widening, seals lighting up along their arms and chests. Su Mei arched slightly, eyes fluttering, demonic markings shifting to gold as the combined power refined her bloodline.
The third cycle pushed them to the edge. Heat and coolness swirled into a single flame—golden at the center, edged in frost and crimson. It rose above them like a living aura, then sank back down, pressing into the stone floor and racing toward the cracked wall.
Where it touched the fissure, the mist hissed and retreated. The crack narrowed visibly, stone knitting together with a low grinding sound. The Frost-Eater's presence recoiled, its hungry pulse growing faint.
Wei Chen opened his eyes first. "It's working."
Lin Xue exhaled slowly, color returned to her cheeks. "I feel… stronger than I have in years. The curse is almost quiet."
Su Mei stretched, grinning. "And I could corrupt an entire sect right now if I wanted. But I'd rather stay here."
They shared quiet laughs, the tension easing for the first time in days. Wei Chen pulled them both into a loose embrace, pressing a gentle kiss to Lin Xue's temple, then Su Mei's. The bond felt unbreakable—three strands forged into one rope.
But the moment of peace shattered with a distant boom.
Dust sifted from the ceiling. Another boom followed, closer. Voices echoed faintly through the ruin tunnels—shouts, the ring of swords, the crackle of formation flags being planted.
"Hunters," Su Mei said, standing swiftly. "Righteous sect dogs, by the sound of their chants."
Lin Xue rose beside her, frost qi gathering in her palms. "They must have tracked the disturbance. Or the black sun brand called to them somehow."
Wei Chen stood last, Nine-Suns fire flaring bright along his arms. The seal had bought them strength, but not time. The crack in the wall had narrowed to a thin fracture, mist barely visible behind it—but the Frost-Eater still waited, patient and cold.
More booms. Stone cracked somewhere above. Torchlight flickered at the far entrance to the chamber.
"They're breaking through the outer wards," Wei Chen said. "And they'll find us exhausted if we don't move."
Lin Xue looked at the sealed wall, then back to him. "We can't leave the door unguarded. If they disturb it…"
Su Mei cracked her knuckles. "Then we finish this quickly. Burn through them before they know what hit them."
Wei Chen folded his fan with a snap, eyes gleaming with that familiar naughty spark. "Together. Like always."
The first righteous cultivator stepped through the broken entrance—white robes, golden sword raised, righteous fury on his face.
He never saw the triple flare of frost, fire, and crimson that met him.
But behind the sealed crack, something ancient stirred again. A single gold-black eye opened in the darkness, watching. Waiting for the moment the new disturbance gave it another chance to speak a name.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2026
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