The ancient presence finished pulling itself through the deeper gate. The full weight of its body settled onto the nearest platforms, and the cold pressure became crushing. Red eyes the size of shields locked onto the group and stayed there.
Wei Chen felt the claimed fragment pulse hard against his chest. The warning inside it was sharper than before. This being was not simply another shadow construct. It was older, denser, and aware in a way the previous ones had not been.
The rival felt the same thing. His golden energy flickered once before he forced it steady. For the first time since the fight began, he did not immediately attack Wei Chen. His eyes stayed on the massive figure in the gate.
The ancient being did not move at first. It simply looked. The pressure of that gaze alone made several outer disciples drop to one knee. Even some of the stronger disciples had to brace themselves.
Tigress Yu shifted her weight and kept her weapon ready. Zhao Yin's shadows rose higher around her feet. Huo Yan stood close to Lan Qing and Mei Yun, the three of them already preparing their combined power. Lin Xue and Su Mei remained near Wei Chen's sides. The main disciples tightened the formation without needing an order.
The silence stretched.
Then the ancient being spoke. The voice was low, resonant, and carried across the entire sealed area without effort.
"Yang Dragon bloodline. The old seals are broken. You should not be here."
Wei Chen answered without raising his voice. "The seals were already failing. I only finished what time had started."
The red eyes narrowed slightly. The pressure increased.
The rival chose that moment to move. He launched a heavy golden strike at Wei Chen, clearly hoping to use the distraction. Wei Chen met it with a dense burst of Yang from the claimed fragment and forced the rival back several steps. The platform under them cracked further.
Around the main clash the rest of the group kept the residual threats under control. Tigress Yu and Zhao Yin cut down the shadow energy that kept rising under the ancient presence. Huo Yan timed her flames with the ice from Lan Qing and Mei Yun, creating controlled bursts that stabilized the shifting stone. The disciples held the edges and finished anything that slipped past.
The ancient being watched the exchange without interfering. Its gaze never left Wei Chen for long.
During a short stretch where the rival was forced to block, Wei Chen moved past Tigress Yu. He checked the cut on her arm, then rubbed her firmly between her legs while speaking low.
"Stay ready."
She gave a short breath and pressed against his hand for a few seconds before he turned back.
A short time later he pulled Zhao Yin close behind a more stable section. He guided her down, pushed into her mouth, and moved with controlled rhythm while the ancient pressure continued to press against them. She took him quietly until he pulled back and returned to the fight.
The rival refused to disengage. He forced another clash, golden energy flaring hard. Wei Chen met it with the fragment's power and drove him back again. The stone under them split further.
In a brief opening, Wei Chen found Lan Qing steadying her breathing. He dropped lower, parted her legs, and licked her with focused pressure until her thighs tensed and she came with a soft, controlled sound. He stood, wiped his mouth, and moved back into position.
Mei Yun received a short moment while she prepared another cast. He stood behind her, cupped her breasts, and moved his thumbs across her nipples as he spoke close to her ear.
"Keep the mix ready."
She nodded, a light flush on her face, and continued.
The ancient being shifted its weight. The platforms nearest the gate cracked under the movement. Its red eyes stayed fixed on Wei Chen.
"You carry a fragment of the old legacy," it said. "That power does not belong to this era. Return it, or be removed."
Wei Chen felt the claimed fragment pulse once more — not in fear, but in clear recognition and refusal.
The rival's eyes narrowed as he listened. For the first time he seemed to understand that the deeper threat was not only aimed at Wei Chen.
The ancient being raised one massive hand. Cold energy began to gather around its fingers.
The pressure across the entire sealed area spiked.
Wei Chen prepared to meet whatever came next. The rival did the same. The group tightened formation behind them.
The ancient gaze did not waver.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2026
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Next Chapter: 173 - First Judgment
The ancient presence begins its first real action against Wei Chen and the group while the rival is forced to decide where he stands.