Above the forest, the Celestial Ruins hovered like a ghostly palace—half-transparent, edged in golden flame, its architecture ancient and otherworldly. Floating jade staircases spiraled toward the clouds. Spirit beasts howled below, afraid to ascend.
Yuefeng and Lin Xue stood at the threshold. Power shimmered all around them.
> [System Quest Activated: "Inheritance of the Fallen Heaven"]
Objective: Enter and survive the first chamber
Reward: Unknown
Bonus: Opportunity to claim Sect Legacy Core
Risk: Extreme
Lin Xue shivered, not from fear—but excitement. She'd grown stronger since the Crimson Veil's fall. Her body had blossomed, her power surged, and her bond with Yuefeng deepened.
Still… she wasn't his only disciple anymore.
Somewhere in the forest, Bai Mei vanished with a swirl of petals—yet her qi echoed inside Yuefeng's dantian, a sweet, burning sensation waiting to be called again.
> [Bond Web Expanded: 2 Active Nodes]
– Lin Xue: Loyalty 74%, Affection 61%
– Bai Mei: Loyalty 33%, Affection 42%
Bonus Active: Qi Pool Sharing Enabled
As they climbed the floating staircase, Yuefeng noticed figures ahead—other cultivators. Not many. Not worthy.
But one… stood out.
She turned, revealing long crimson hair flowing like silk, and a golden phoenix embroidered across her black robe. Her curves were deadly, her eyes sharper than a sword.
She smirked. "You made it too."
> [New Character Detected – "Yu Rou, Phoenix of the Black Flame Sect"]
Cultivation: Foundation Establishment (Peak)
Threat Level: High
Relationship Status: Unknown
System Sync: Partial (???)
Yuefeng's gaze lingered, but not with lust—he was reading her like a page.
She walked forward, eyes drifting from him to Lin Xue, then back. "You reek of dual cultivation… and still stand tall. Impressive."
"Have a problem?" Lin Xue asked coolly.
Yu Rou's smile widened. "Only if he forgets which woman made him scream first."
Before Yuefeng could speak, the ruins pulsed.
A portal opened. The trial had begun.
Inside, the air shifted—weightless and thick with qi. Ancient statues lined a golden hall, their faces masked, their eyes glowing faint blue.
> [Trial One: Resolve and Desire]
"Step forward. Your thoughts will be stripped. Only your truth remains."
Failure: Mental deviation
Success: Legacy Flame Brand (Enhances Cultivation & Bond Strength)
Yuefeng stepped in first.
Illusions flared instantly—images of every moment of temptation. Lin Xue moaning beneath him. Bai Mei arching in spiritual release. Yu Rou whispering sins he hadn't yet tasted.
His breath slowed. He embraced it all.
He did not flinch.
> [Desire Control: Passed]
Bonus Unlocked: +20% Bond Affection Gains
Spiritual Flame Brand Imprinted
New Skill: "Heaven's Pulse – Dual Qi Expansion"
Behind him, Lin Xue trembled—but her eyes never left him.
She stepped into the trial. It was harder for her. She saw Yuefeng with Bai Mei. She saw other women. Her heart cracked—then steadied.
If I break, someone else will take my place.
She roared—and passed.
> [Affection +10%]
[Loyalty Maxed: 100%]
Hidden Reward: Possessive Heart Trait – Slows bond degradation.
Yuefeng caught her as she fell into his arms, breathing hard, her face red, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
"You saw it, didn't you?" she whispered. "Her… him… all of it."
"I did."
"And still… you didn't choose them."
He kissed her—not rushed, not rough—but deep and slow.
Then she climbed onto his lap again, right there in the flame-lit ruin hall, robes falling open. She needed reassurance. He gave it to her.
> [Dual Cultivation Triggered – Flame Brand Boost Active]
+2 Cultivation Stages
Skill Unlocked: Lustfire Lotus Palm
Lin Xue: Foundation Establishment (Early)
Yuefeng: Foundation Establishment (Mid)
By the time they walked out of the chamber, Lin Xue glowed with post-breakthrough power, eyes fierce with love and hunger.
Yu Rou watched from afar, lips curling.
"Oh, Celestial Master... you'll taste my flame soon enough."