The air over the courtyard shimmered like a blade poised between two worlds.
Azure Sky disciples stood stiff as statues on one side, radiating "pure virtue."
The Evil Path students lounged on the other, drinking tea brewed with what smelled suspiciously like blood and confidence.
And at the center—Li Ming and Yin Qing stood face to face atop the dual formation.
One half of the platform glowed cerulean, humming with the tranquil rhythm of righteous qi.
The other pulsed black and violet, thick with demonic resonance.
Between them, the merging seal carved itself into reality—half lotus, half flame, spinning lazily like it wasn't sure whether to purify or corrupt.
Headmaster Yan Luo's voice echoed across the valley:
"Paired cultivation—step one! Establish spiritual resonance without dying!"
"Encouraging," Li Ming muttered.
Bai Guo, watching from the stands, squawked. "Try not to vaporize her! Or worse—marry her by accident!"
"Excuse me?" Yin Qing said, eyebrow raised.
