The air in Skybound Sect had changed.
After the night of the Moonlit Pact, Yuefeng's name became more than legend—it became a threat. His dual cultivation breakthroughs, public dominance, and growing discipleship sent ripples across the cultivation world. Some called him the Celestial Flame. Others… whispered darker names.
But none dared challenge him—yet.
At dawn, he stood beneath a maple tree overlooking the arena valley, robes fluttering in the breeze. Lin Xue and Yu Rou stood behind him—tense. Their bond was deeper than ever, but the presence of a third woman loomed like a storm cloud.
Qin Yanyue.
The white-haired envoy of the Azure Abyss Sect appeared again without warning. This time, her spiritual pressure curled through the air like a coiling serpent—quiet but absolute.
"Celestial Master," she said softly, voice like a whisper from an ancient song. "Do you always let your disciples cling to you like vines?"
Lin Xue stepped forward instantly. "Watch your tongue."
Yuefeng raised a hand. "Speak plainly, Envoy."
Yanyue's silver eyes gleamed. "You've gained power through dual cultivation… but power rooted in affection is fragile. It can fracture. Burn. Even betray you."
She circled him like a snow panther.
"I came to offer you something else. A contract. A test."
The wind stilled.
Yuefeng met her gaze. "What kind of test?"
Yanyue unwrapped the silk glove from her hand, revealing a glowing sigil—ancient, blue, and faintly pulsing.
> [System Alert: Soul-Link Duel Challenge Detected]
Challenger: Qin Yanyue
Realm: Core Formation (Early)
Type: Non-lethal
Objective: Survive three exchanges without collapsing bond threads
Reward: Azure Lotus Emblem – Entry into Abyss Vault
Hidden Effect: May alter disciple loyalty or open new disciple slot
Yu Rou scowled. "What the hell is that?"
"She's testing our bond," Lin Xue whispered. "Trying to shatter us."
Yuefeng smirked.
"I accept."
---
They met within a sealed illusion realm—a frost-covered bamboo forest beneath a sky of swirling auroras. A battlefield of the soul.
Qin Yanyue stood across from him, barefoot in the snow, her loose robe swaying as she drew her ice blade. The temperature dropped with every breath.
"You must defend your bond," she said. "But remember: no affection survives unchecked desire. That is where most men fall."
Yuefeng's qi swirled, igniting with golden-orange flame as Lustfire Lotus flared in his dantian. Behind him, spiritual threads shimmered—red and pink, connected to Lin Xue and Yu Rou beyond the realm.
"Then come test it," he said calmly.
She struck.
Their first clash sent snow flying and shattered bamboo exploding. Yanyue's ice blade met Yuefeng's bare palm, glowing with spiritual fire. The sheer impact caused the space around them to warp.
> [First Exchange Passed – Qi Link Stable]
Bond Threads: Unshaken
The second blow was trickier—Yanyue danced with shadows, her movements elegant and dangerously seductive. She weaved illusions into her strikes—visions of Lin Xue screaming, Yu Rou kissing another man, Yuefeng alone in a void.
He bit through the illusions with willpower forged from two lives.
His flame exploded outward, melting the falsehoods.
> [Second Exchange Passed – Affection Channels Protected]
Mind Stability: 92%
But the third strike… was temptation incarnate.
She stepped forward, her blade vanishing. Instead, she pressed her icy fingers to his chest. Her lips neared his ear.
"I can give you power without love. Without weakness. Take me, right now, and I'll open the gates to the Azure Vault."
The air shimmered.
> [System Prompt: Yield = Power | Resist = Loyalty Reinforcement]
Lin Xue: Monitoring Bond
Yu Rou: Monitoring Bond
"Choose."
Yuefeng closed his eyes.
He leaned forward… and whispered in Yanyue's ear:
"I already have what you're offering—only stronger. They give me power with heart."
His fire surged, erupting into a lotus bloom that lifted her off her feet.
She landed gracefully, but her robe was torn, breath uneven, eyes wide.
She smiled—genuinely, for the first time.
"...You passed."
> [Soul Duel Complete]
Reward: Azure Lotus Emblem (Inventory Added)
Hidden Effect Unlocked:
– Qin Yanyue Affection: +15%
– Recruitable in Future Arc
– New Bond Slot Available
The illusion faded.
Back in the real world, Lin Xue rushed to him, grabbing his arm. "She touched you. I felt it!"
Yu Rou huffed. "We're killing her, right?"
Yuefeng just laughed—quiet, powerful.
"Let her live," he said. "She won't be the last to test us."
High above, in the shadowed realm beyond clouds, Mo Tian opened a scroll with Yuefeng's name written in blood.
"I'll be seeing you soon… Celestial Master."