The denser cold energy finished gathering around the ancient being's hand. The pressure across the sealed area rose until the air itself felt heavy. Several outer disciples were forced down to one knee again. Even the stronger ones had to brace.
The being released the wave.
This one was heavier than the previous three. It swept across the platforms in a wide, crushing arc. Stone cracked and broke. Black mist was driven outward in a visible ring. Wei Chen met it with a full surge of Yang from the claimed fragment. The two forces collided hard in front of the main group. The impact split the platform beneath him and forced the entire line back several steps, but the wave did not break through.
Tigress Yu and Zhao Yin held their ground beside him. Huo Yan, Lan Qing, and Mei Yun layered ice-flame barriers that absorbed part of the residual force. The disciples kept the edges from collapsing completely.
The rival was caught farther out. His golden energy flared as he blocked, and even he was driven back across broken stone.
When the wave faded, the ancient being lowered its hand slowly. The red eyes never left Wei Chen.
"You continue to resist," it said. "The judgment will not stop."
It began gathering cold energy once more.
The rival recovered his stance and looked between Wei Chen and the ancient being. For the first time since the deeper gate had opened, he did not immediately attack. Calculation was clear in his eyes. The greater threat was no longer something he could ignore.
Wei Chen did not give him time to decide in peace. He drove a dense burst of Yang at the rival, forcing him to block and give ground. The rival answered with a heavy golden strike of his own, but his attention remained divided.
Around them 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 platforms. The disciples finished anything that slipped past.
During a short stretch where the rival was forced to defend, 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 rise. She took him quietly until he pulled back and returned to the fight.
The ancient being's next wave began to form. The pressure climbed higher than before. Platforms at the edges started 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 gathering cold force 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 rival finally made his choice. Instead of attacking Wei Chen again, he turned a portion of his golden energy toward the ancient being and launched a heavy strike of his own. The attack landed against the being's shoulder and forced it to shift its weight, but it did not do significant damage.
The red eyes moved briefly to the rival, then returned to Wei Chen.
"Two insects," the being said. "The judgment will cover both."
The cold energy around its hand grew denser still.
Wei Chen felt the fragment pulse hard in warning. The next wave would be stronger than anything that had come before.
The ancient being raised its hand fully.
The pressure across the entire sealed area spiked to a new height.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2026
All rights reserved.
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Next Chapter: 175 - Shared Judgment
The ancient presence turns its full power against both Wei Chen and the rival as the next wave of judgment begins to fall.