The Crimson Flame Sect descended into chaos within hours.
Enforcement squads sealed every gate. Outer disciples were confined to quarters. Inner disciples patrolled the skies on flying swords, divine senses sweeping like searchlights.
Zhao Wuji had given them a single day's grace—his final mercy.
But mercy had limits.
Xiao Yang, Su Qingxue, and Ling Xue'er moved through hidden passages beneath Jade Phoenix Peak—secret tunnels Su Qingxue had discovered centuries ago during her early days as an outer disciple. The passages were narrow, damp, lit only by faint glowing spirit crystals.
They moved in silence, hands linked, qi suppressed to the lowest possible level.
Su Qingxue led, silver hair tied back, face set in grim determination.
Ling Xue'er walked in the middle, small hand gripping Xiao Yang's tightly.
Xiao Yang brought up the rear, constantly checking behind them, middle Nascent Soul aura ready to erupt if needed.
They emerged at the mountain's base, near the sect's outer barrier—a shimmering dome of crimson flame formations.
Su Qingxue placed her palm against the barrier.
Her ice phoenix essence flowed in—cool, precise.
The flame parted just enough for three people to slip through.
They stepped into the outside world.
Free.
For the moment.
The moment the barrier resealed behind them, the heavens noticed.
Dark clouds gathered instantly above the three lovers—unnatural speed, swirling with violet lightning.
Heavenly tribulation.
Not for individual breakthroughs.
But for their bond.
A punishment tribulation—rare, vicious, reserved for those who defied natural order, violated heavenly laws of dao companions, or committed acts that threatened the balance of yin and yang.
The sky roared.
Purple-black thunder rumbled like the laughter of the heavens.
Su Qingxue's face paled.
"This… this is for us. For what we've done. For loving in a way the heavens forbid."
Ling Xue'er trembled.
"I've heard of these. They say those who survive grow stronger. Those who fail… their souls scatter."
Xiao Yang pulled both women close.
"We will survive. Together."
The first bolt descended—thick as a pillar, violet-black, carrying the weight of heavenly judgment.
Xiao Yang stepped forward.
His peak-grade Heavenly Yang Essence flared—golden light erupting like a newborn sun.
He raised both hands.
The bolt struck his palms.
Pain exploded through his body—bones cracking, meridians burning.
But his yang essence devoured the tribulation lightning, refining it, turning punishment into nourishment.
He roared.
The bolt shattered into harmless sparks.
The heavens grew angrier.
Second bolt—thicker, faster.
This time, Su Qingxue and Ling Xue'er moved with him.
Ice phoenix wings unfurled from Su Qingxue's back.
Moonlight yin formed a silver shield around Ling Xue'er.
They channeled their yin into Xiao Yang's yang.
The trinity resonance activated once more.
Golden, ice-blue, and silver light braided into a perfect spiral.
The second bolt hit the spiral.
It shattered instantly—dissipated into gentle rain.
The clouds darkened further.
Third bolt—three-headed, each head carrying the wrath of a different heavenly law: betrayal of dao companion, theft of purity, defiance of fate.
This one was massive—enough to kill Nascent Soul experts.
Xiao Yang looked at his lovers.
"Hold me."
They wrapped their arms around him—Su Qingxue at his front, Ling Xue'er at his back.
Three hearts beating as one.
Three dantians aligned perfectly.
The bolt struck.
The mountain shook.
Lightning illuminated the sky for miles.
When the light faded, the three lovers stood—clothes scorched, hair singed, but alive.
The tribulation clouds lingered, then slowly dispersed.
No fourth bolt.
The heavens had acknowledged them.
A soft rain fell—cleansing rain, carrying faint spiritual essence.
Their cultivations surged.
Xiao Yang reached late Nascent Soul.
Su Qingxue broke into late Nascent Soul.
Ling Xue'er advanced to late Nascent Soul.
They collapsed to their knees in the rain, laughing through tears.
"We did it," Ling Xue'er whispered.
Su Qingxue kissed her forehead, then Xiao Yang's lips.
"We are no longer just lovers. We are a dao triad. The heavens themselves recognize us now."
Xiao Yang pulled them both into his arms.
"Then let's disappear. Find a hidden realm, a secret mountain. Build our strength. And when the time comes… we return. Stronger. Unbreakable."
They rose together.
Hand in hand in hand.
The sect's pursuit would come.
Zhao Wuji would hunt.
Zhao Tian would rage.
But for now, the three lovers walked into the wilds—free, united, and burning brighter than any heavenly flame.
Behind them, the crimson barrier of the sect glowed faintly in the distance.
Ahead lay uncertainty.
But they walked forward without fear.
Because whatever came next…
They would face it together.