The ancient being closed its massive hand. Cold energy gathered around its fingers in a dense, swirling mass that made the air itself feel solid. The pressure across the sealed area spiked hard enough that several outer disciples dropped to one knee again.
"Return the fragment," the being said. Its voice carried without effort. "Or be judged."
Wei Chen did not move to hand anything over. The claimed fragment pulsed once against his chest, steady and refusing.
The ancient being released the gathered energy.
A wide wave of pure cold force swept across the platforms. It was not a simple blast. It carried weight and intent, pressing down on everything in its path. Platforms cracked. Black mist was pushed outward in a visible ring.
Wei Chen met the wave with a dense surge of Yang from the fragment. The two forces collided in front of him and the main group. The impact split the stone under his feet and forced him back several steps, but the wave did not break through. Tigress Yu and Zhao Yin braced beside him. Huo Yan, Lan Qing, and Mei Yun layered ice-flame barriers that absorbed part of the residual force. The disciples held the edges as best they could.
The rival was caught on the outer edge of the same wave. His golden energy flared hard as he blocked, and even he was forced to give ground.
The ancient being watched without expression. When the wave faded, it raised its hand again.
Wei Chen did not wait for the second judgment. He drove a concentrated burst of Yang straight at the being's chest. The attack landed with clear force and forced the massive figure to shift its weight, but it did not stagger far. The red eyes narrowed slightly.
The rival chose that moment to attack Wei Chen again, clearly hoping to use the opening. Wei Chen met the golden strike with another dense burst and pushed him back. 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 pressure. Huo Yan timed her flames with the ice from the other two queens, creating controlled bursts that stabilized the shifting stone. The disciples finished anything that slipped past.
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 ancient being gathered cold energy for a third time. The pressure rose higher than before. Platforms at the edges began to break away and fall into the void.
Wei Chen felt the claimed fragment feed him another clear surge. He used it to keep both the rival and the ancient wave from breaking the group's position.
In a brief opening, he 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 third wave of cold force came down harder than the first two. Wei Chen met it with everything the fragment would give him. The collision cracked the main platform in a wide circle and forced the entire group to shift to more stable stone. The rival was driven even farther back.
The ancient being lowered its hand slowly. The red eyes stayed locked on Wei Chen.
"You resist," it said. "Interesting. Then the judgment will continue."
It began gathering cold energy once more, denser and heavier than before.
At the same time the rival recovered his stance and looked between Wei Chen and the ancient being, calculation clear in his eyes.
The next wave was already building.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2026
All rights reserved.
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Next Chapter: 174 - Continued Judgment
The ancient presence intensifies its attack while the rival is forced to decide whether to keep fighting Wei Chen or deal with the greater threat.