The strongest judgment wave yet came down like a collapsing mountain.
Cold force far denser than anything before swept across the sealed area. Platforms shattered. Entire sections of floating stone broke away and fell into the void. The pressure hit Wei Chen's group and the rival at the same time with crushing weight.
Wei Chen poured everything the claimed fragment would give him into a defensive surge of Yang. The collision in front of him cracked the platform in a wide circle and forced the entire line back. Tigress Yu and Zhao Yin braced hard beside him. Huo Yan, Lan Qing, and Mei Yun layered every ice-flame barrier they could form. The disciples held the edges as best they could, but several outer disciples were driven to their knees by the sheer force.
The rival was thrown even farther. His golden energy flared violently as he blocked, and for a moment he was forced down on one knee before he managed to stand again.
When the wave finally faded, the sealed area looked broken. Large gaps had opened between platforms. The black mist swirled in disordered currents. The ancient being stood unmoved near the deeper gate, red eyes still fixed on Wei Chen.
"You reach your limit," it said. "The next judgment will end this."
It began gathering cold energy once more. The pressure that rose this time felt qualitatively different — heavier, more focused, and carrying a clear intent to finish the resistance.
Wei Chen felt the claimed fragment pulse hard. The connection was still strong, but even it registered the rising danger. He did not wait for the next wave. He drove a dense burst of Yang at the rival to keep him off-balance, then turned part of his power toward the ancient being in a probing strike. The attack landed against the being's chest and forced it to shift its weight, but the damage was limited.
The rival recovered and looked between the two threats. His earlier calculation had hardened into something closer to urgency. He launched a heavy golden strike at the ancient being rather than at Wei Chen, clearly deciding the greater danger had to be addressed.
The group around Wei Chen used the brief space. Tigress Yu moved first, cutting down rising shadow energy with sharp, efficient motions. Zhao Yin's shadows bound a cluster of residual threats long enough for the disciples to finish them. Huo Yan worked closely with Lan Qing and Mei Yun, their combined ice-flame bursts stabilizing the most damaged platforms.
Wei Chen moved through the short recovery with less of the earlier pattern. He stopped beside Tigress Yu, checked the fresh strain in her arm, and rubbed her firmly between her legs while speaking in a low voice.
"We're not done. Stay sharp."
She answered with a short breath and a tight nod before returning to position.
He found Zhao Yin a moment later near a more stable section of stone. This time he only pulled her close for a brief, controlled moment, pushing into her mouth just long enough to take the edge off the tension before releasing her again. She wiped her lips and moved back to the front without needing further instruction.
The ancient being's next gathering of power continued. The air grew heavier. More platforms at the edges began to crack.
Wei Chen passed Lan Qing while she was steadying her breathing. He dropped lower for a short moment, licked her with focused pressure until her thighs tensed, then stood and returned to the main line. The contact was brief and functional rather than drawn out.
Mei Yun received only a quick, firm touch as he passed — a hand on her breast and a quiet word to keep the mix ready — before he moved on.
The rival committed more of his remaining strength against the ancient being. His golden energy struck the being's shoulder and forced another shift, but the red eyes barely lingered on him before returning to Wei Chen.
"You both continue," the being said. "Then the final judgment will cover the entire field."
The cold energy around its hand reached a new density. The pressure across the sealed area climbed past anything previous.
Wei Chen felt the fragment pulse in clear warning. The next wave would not be something they could meet the same way.
The ancient being raised its hand.
Both Wei Chen and the rival prepared to meet the breaking point.
The final judgment began to fall.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2026
All rights reserved.
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Next Chapter: 177 - Final Judgment
The ancient presence releases its strongest attack yet, forcing Wei Chen, the rival, and the group into a decisive moment that will determine who survives the sealed area.