The chamber shook with heavy footsteps long before the newcomer appeared. Qi pressure rolled in like a storm front—thick, golden, laced with the sharp edge of peak golden-core power. The scattered hunters stirred, hope lighting their faces as a tall figure stepped through the tunnel entrance.
Elder Huan of the Heavenly Purity Sect. White robes immaculate despite the ruin's dust, long beard flowing, a jade purification staff in one hand and a glowing sect treasure orb in the other. His eyes locked on Wei Chen with cold fury.
"You've gone too far, boy," Elder Huan said, voice booming through the chamber. "Awakening the black altar's evil. Consorting with a demoness. Corrupting Elder Lin Xue. Your sins end here."
Wei Chen wiped blood from his side, fan snapping open. "Sins? We're the ones keeping that thing sealed. Your sect let it weaken over centuries."
Lin Xue stepped beside him, frost qi gathering thicker. "Elder Huan. You know me. I chose this path. The bond strengthens us—and the seal."
Su Mei's chains rattled softly. "Pretty words from a hypocrite. Your 'purity' sects hoard treasures while ancient evils stir."
Elder Huan's face hardened. He raised the orb—pure white light exploding outward, pressing down on demonic and overload signatures alike. Su Mei hissed, chains dimming. Wei Chen's brand burned cold, pulling harder toward the coffin.
"Enough talk. The sect master's decree: capture or purify."
Remaining hunters rose, rallying behind him. Formation banners reignited under his command, golden chains shooting toward the trio.
Wei Chen met the attack head-on. Fan whirlwinds of Nine-Suns fire clashed with purification beams. Lin Xue's ice mirrors reflected chains back at their casters. Su Mei broke free of suppression, corrosion eating through banners.
But Elder Huan was different—peak strength overwhelming. His staff slammed the ground, sending a shockwave of holy qi that cracked Lin Xue's shields and staggered Wei Chen. The orb pulsed, sealing pressure locking Su Mei's movements mid-chain lash.
They fell back toward the coffin, breathing hard.
Then the temptation came.
Direct. Personal. The Frost-Eater's voice in Wei Chen's mind alone—cold, promising, using his own inner tone.
Power… true power… beyond your Nine-Suns… speak one word… your name… and I'll give it to you… crush them all…
The black sun brand flared gold-black. Visions flashed—Wei Chen unstoppable, elders kneeling, the ruin bowing. His overload surged in response, fire rising dangerously hot.
His fan trembled.
Lin Xue noticed first. "Wei Chen?"
Su Mei strained against the orb's light. "Don't listen. It's lying."
Elder Huan advanced, staff raised for a finishing strike. "See? Even your corrupted bond falters."
Wei Chen clenched his teeth. The offer pulled harder—power to protect them, to end the threats forever. Just one word.
But Lin Xue grabbed his hand. Cool frost flowed in, steadying. Su Mei reached out, breaking partial suppression to touch his arm—demonic warmth joining.
The shared flame ignited between them, bright and fierce.
"No," Wei Chen said aloud, voice steady. "I have power already. With them."
The visions shattered. The whisper recoiled, angry.
Wei Chen roared, channeling the bond's full strength. Triple essence exploded from him—golden fire laced with frost and crimson—slamming into Elder Huan's orb. The treasure cracked, light flickering.
Lin Xue's ice spears followed, piercing the elder's defenses. Su Mei's chains wrapped his staff, corroding holy seals.
Elder Huan staggered, shock in his eyes. "Impossible… a peak golden-core…"
The orb shattered completely. Suppression lifted. The trio pressed the advantage—combined attacks driving him back step by step.
Hunters wavered, seeing their leader falter.
Elder Huan planted his staff, desperate final formation blooming—golden lotus blooming underfoot, purifying flames rising.
But the coffin fed on the clash. Cracks widened again. Mist poured thicker.
The whisper returned, weaker but sly.
See… they need more… speak it… save them…
Wei Chen ignored it, focusing on the bond's warmth.
Together, they shattered the lotus. Elder Huan fell to one knee, staff cracking.
"Retreat!" he shouted to his hunters. "Report—this evil is beyond us!"
They fled, dragging wounded, leaving the chamber in echoing silence.
Wei Chen sank to his knees, exhausted. Lin Xue and Su Mei knelt with him, hands linked.
"We won," Su Mei said, grinning through fatigue.
Lin Xue nodded. "And rejected its offer."
But the coffin's mist swirled higher now, forming vague shapes in the air. The voice spoke one last time—clear, patient.
You delayed me… but the name echoes still… and more will come…
The cracks had grown widest yet. A single pale finger breached the obsidian surface.
And from the tunnels, new qi signatures approached—not righteous this time. Wilder. Demonic. Mixed.
The ruin was drawing every faction now.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2026
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