Chaos erupted in the chamber as factions surged forward. Righteous cultivators chanted sealing hymns, golden chains shooting toward Lin Xue. Imperial soldiers advanced in formation, phoenix blades drawn to "extract" her. Lady Vira's demons hesitated, then backed fully away, corrosive seals fading. Grom's beasts retreated to the walls, growling but unwilling to risk the cold taint.
Wei Chen moved first—fan snapping wide, Nine-Suns fire exploding in a protective ring around them. "No one touches her!"
Su Mei's chains lashed out, crimson arcs deflecting the first wave of attacks. Lin Xue tried to stand, frost qi flaring weakly, but pain doubled her over. Ice crystals spread across her chest like frozen veins, the curse gripping tighter than ever.
The Frost-Eater's voice laughed through the coffin, cold satisfaction echoing.
Yes… feel it tighten… she is mine… unless you yield…
Wei Chen dropped to one knee beside Lin Xue, pulling her against him. "Hold on. We end this now."
Su Mei pressed close on her other side, chains forming a defensive dome. "The fragment—it's waking fully. We have to burn it out."
Outside the dome, clashes began—righteous and imperial forces turning on retreating demons and beasts, accusations flying. The chamber shook with qi explosions, dust raining from the ceiling.
Inside their small sanctuary, Wei Chen linked hands with both women. "Deep cycle. All of it. I'll push the Yang through her channels—burn the cold fragment at its root."
Lin Xue met his eyes, pain sharpening her blue gaze. "It'll hurt you too. The overload—"
"I don't care," he said fiercely. "You're not freezing on me."
Su Mei nodded. "We balance it. My corrosion eats the edges, your frost guides the path. His fire does the rest."
They closed the triangle fully—foreheads touching, breath syncing. The shared flame ignited brighter than ever, golden core blazing with frost rims and crimson threads.
Wei Chen guided first—scorching Yang pouring into Lin Xue's meridians like sunlight through ice. She gasped, body arching as heat met frozen curse. The fragment resisted, cold spiking in her heart, trying to pull his fire inward and trap it.
Su Mei's demonic essence flowed next, sharp and devouring, gnawing at the fragment's edges. Lin Xue cried out softly, frost qi swirling wildly before steadying under the corrosion's bite.
"Hold it," Wei Chen murmured. "Guide my fire deeper."
Lin Xue focused through pain, her cool Yin wrapping his Yang like protective silk, directing it straight to her frozen core. The curse fragment pulsed black-gold, fighting back—visions of endless winter flashing in her mind, promises of peace if she surrendered.
But the bond held. Their combined essence pressed harder.
Wei Chen's overload stirred dangerously—Yang building too fast, meridians heating. Sweat beaded on his brow, brand throbbing in rhythm with the coffin.
"More," Lin Xue whispered. "I feel it cracking."
He pushed everything—Nine-Suns fire surging in a controlled blaze. Su Mei's corrosion intensified, eating deeper. Lin Xue's frost compressed it all, trapping the fragment in a vice of ice and flame.
The curse shrieked silently. Black-gold shards flared in her chest—then shattered.
A wave of cold exploded outward from Lin Xue, flash-freezing the air inside their dome. But Wei Chen's fire met it head-on, burning the remnants to harmless vapor. The frost on her skin melted away. Color returned to her cheeks.
Lin Xue exhaled long and steady, eyes clearing. "It's… gone. Truly gone."
Su Mei grinned through fatigue. "Told you. Together."
Wei Chen pulled them both close, shared flame settling warm and stable. A soft breakthrough rippled through all three—meridians widening, cores strengthening. Lin Xue's curse chains fell away completely, her frost qi now pure and free.
But the victory cost.
The coffin roared—obsidian surface cracking wide as the fragment's destruction fed it backlash power. Mist poured thick, forming a pale arm that breached fully, fingers clawing toward them.
Outside, the battles paused. All eyes turned to the awakening.
The Frost-Eater's voice boomed clear and furious.
You burned my chain… but the door opens wider… Wei Chen… your name will be mine yet…
The arm lengthened, shoulder emerging. Gold-black eyes formed in the mist above.
Factions backed away in horror—alliance forgotten, self-preservation rising.
Wei Chen stood, helping Lin Xue and Su Mei up. New strength hummed in their veins, but exhaustion lingered.
Lin Xue's voice was steady steel. "We sealed it once. We'll do it again."
Su Mei's chains reformed, brighter. "This time, for good."
But the arm reached fully now—hand opening, palm up, as if inviting.
And from every tunnel, more qi converged—heavier, stronger. Sect masters. Imperial generals. Demon lords. Beast kings.
The true convergence had begun.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2026
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