The obsidian coffin shuddered violently, cracks racing across its surface like lightning in black stone. The pale arm that had breached now lengthened into a full limb, shoulder and torso pushing through with grinding force. Gold-black mist swirled thicker, coalescing into vague outlines—tall, elongated, featureless yet radiating ancient hunger. The chamber's temperature plummeted, frost riming the walls despite the gathered qi.
Wei Chen stood firm, Lin Xue and Su Mei at his sides, hands linked. The destruction of the curse fragment had forged their bond deeper—shared flame burning steady and bright, a golden core edged in pure frost and vivid crimson. Lin Xue's qi flowed freer than ever, no longer chained by cold pain. Strength hummed in their meridians, a quiet breakthrough settling like warm sunlight.
But the Frost-Eater grew stronger for it.
Freeing her… only feeds me more… the voice boomed, echoing from the emerging form. Your fire tastes sweeter now… Wei Chen…
The mist solidified further—head forming, eyes opening as glowing slits. It towered halfway out, one hand clawing at the stone edges to pull the rest free.
Factions reacted in waves. Sect masters and imperial generals poured in from every tunnel—dozens, then hundreds. Holy treasures gleamed, phoenix banners snapped, demon lords floated on corruption clouds, beast kings roared with primal fury. The chamber swelled with power, air crackling under clashing auras.
At first, chaos. Righteous sects chanted purification arrays against demons. Imperial forces demanded order, blades cutting through beast lines. Accusations flew—"You woke it!" "Your greed draws it!"
But the emerging form shifted focus. Its gaze swept the crowd, voice layering over everything.
All of you… names ripe for taking… doors waiting to open…
Cold influence spread. Cultivators staggered, eyes flashing gold-black. A sect elder turned on his own, whispering frozen vows. An imperial captain froze mid-command, hand reaching for the coffin.
Panic rippled. Leaders shouted orders. "Unite! Seal it before it claims us all!"
Uneasy truce formed in heartbeats. Factions turned toward the common threat—arrays linking, banners merging, primal roars joining demonic chants. Power poured toward the coffin: holy light, phoenix fire, corrosion veils, beast earth wards.
The emerging form recoiled slightly, mist fraying at the edges.
Wei Chen felt the pull strongest—his brand blazing in recognition. The voice whispered privately again.
They delay… but you can end it… speak your name… join me… true immortality…
He ignored it, squeezing Lin Xue and Su Mei's hands. "Our bond's the anchor. We lead the seal."
Lin Xue nodded, frost qi surging pure and sharp. "No fragment left to exploit. We burn it shut."
Su Mei's eyes gleamed. "Let's show them real power."
They stepped forward as one, triangle flaring bright. Shared flame shot outward—golden waves carrying frost precision and crimson bite. Where it touched the combined faction efforts, power harmonized. Holy light gained heat, phoenix fire cooled to control, corrosion sharpened, earth wards ignited.
The barrage slammed the coffin. The emerging torso cracked, mist screaming as it retreated inch by inch. The hand clawed desperately, but new chains—woven from every faction—wrapped its arm, pulling back.
For a moment, hope rose. Cracks narrowed. The form sank lower.
Then it adapted.
The voice shifted, mimicking leaders' tones—sect master's authority, general's command, demon lord's temptation.
False orders spread: Attack the branded one… he feeds me…The ice woman still carries my seed…The demoness invites me in…
Doubt flared again. Weapons wavered. Some turned toward the trio.
Wei Chen roared over the chaos. "It lies! Feel the seal holding—our bond proves it!"
He pulled Lin Xue and Su Mei closer, shared flame exploding in a dome around them—then expanding, washing over the nearest factions. Warmth cut through cold influence, clearing eyes, steadying hands.
Lady Vira shook off doubt first, chains rejoining the effort. Grom roared approval, beasts adding full strength.
The tide turned. Combined power redoubled, slamming harder. The form sank to shoulders, then neck—mist thinning, voice weakening to angry hisses.
No… Wei Chen… you cannot…
The head submerged last, eyes glaring until the final slit closed. Cracks sealed with grinding finality—new layers of multi-faction wards glowing bright.
Silence fell, broken only by heavy breathing.
The coffin stood whole again. Quiet. Contained.
Factions lowered weapons slowly, staring at the trio in the center—exhaustion mixed with wary respect.
A sect master bowed slightly. "Your bond… held us together."
An imperial general nodded. "The empire acknowledges the debt."
Lady Vira smiled faintly. Grom thumped his chest.
Wei Chen exhaled, pulling Lin Xue and Su Mei into a weary embrace. "It's sealed. For good this time."
But deep beneath the obsidian, far in the sealed dark, a single pulse remained—faint, patient.
The brand on Wei Chen's chest warmed once. Not in pain.
In warning.
Something still listened.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2026
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