Yao'er retreated into the safety of the cave, his smaller frame now glowing faintly as he began to focus on recovery. His aura, once oppressive and unyielding, was now subdued and flickering, a testament to the toll his breakthrough and subsequent battle had taken.
Standing outside the cave, Tianyang and Yuqing turned their gazes toward the six intruders. The group of cultivators, all at the Void Tribulation Realm, radiated arrogance and menace. The leader, cloaked in dark robes, stood at the forefront, his aura at the peak of the Void Tribulation Realm, exuding an oppressive pressure that caused the air to hum with tension.
Tianyang's eyes narrowed as his spiritual energy surged, the yin and yang energies within him swirling in perfect harmony. Yuqing stood beside him, her gaze cold as ice, her hand tightening on her low divine-grade yin whip, a weapon that shimmered faintly with frost.
"You dared to harm Yao'er," Tianyang said, his voice low and filled with murderous intent. "Now, you'll pay with your lives."
The leader sneered, his lips curling into a mocking grin. "Big words for someone at the mid-Void Tribulation Realm. Do you think the two of you alone can defeat all six of us?"
Yuqing stepped forward, her voice as cold as the frost she wielded. "We don't think—we know."
Without another word, the couple sprang into action, their auras flaring as they launched their attacks.
Tianyang's yang sword, another low-divine grade artifact, sang through the air as he unleashed a devastating slash. The technique, Heavenly Sun Rend(High sky-tier), sent a blazing arc of fiery energy toward the leader. The man raised his spear, a low-divine grade weapon, to block, but the force of the attack sent him skidding back, his boots gouging deep furrows into the earth.
At the same time, Yuqing lashed out with her yin whip, the weapon crackling with frost as she executed her technique, Frozen Lotus Chains(High sky-tier). The icy tendrils snaked through the air, targeting one of the three cultivators who had flanked her. The man barely managed to raise his defensive barrier, but the frost seeped through, freezing his movements and slowing him down.
The group of six quickly split into two teams of three, surrounding Tianyang and Yuqing on either side.
The leader barked orders. "Don't let them separate! Overwhelm them with combined force!"
Despite being outnumbered, Tianyang and Yuqing didn't falter. Instead, they exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them.
"Yuqing, let's test out our new techniques," Tianyang said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Yuqing nodded, her yin whip cracking through the air. "I was thinking the same thing."
Tianyang faced off against three of the attackers, his movements fluid and precise. His sword danced through the air, each swing leaving trails of fiery energy that burned through the ground. The three cultivators worked in tandem, their techniques combining to create a storm of spiritual energy that sought to overpower him.
"Do you think you can take on all three of us at once?" one of the cultivators sneered, launching a barrage of fireballs from his mid-legendary grade staff.
Tianyang deflected the attack with a casual flick of his sword, the fiery projectiles dissipating as they collided with his aura. "I'm not just taking you on," he said, his voice calm. "I'm using you to test my limits."
He activated Solar Tempest, a mid-sky tier technique, summoning a vortex of flames that swirled around him. The flames surged outward, forcing the cultivators to retreat. One of them attempted to counter with a water-based technique, but the sheer intensity of Tianyang's flames evaporated the attack before it could reach him.
The leader of the group growled in frustration. "Don't let him overwhelm you! Attack together!"
The three men unleashed a coordinated strike, their weapons glowing with spiritual energy. Tianyang grinned, his sword glowing brighter as he channeled his energy. With a single slash, he unleashed Blazing Horizon, a powerful attack that tore through their combined assault and sent them staggering back.
On the other side of the battlefield, Yuqing faced her own trio of opponents. Her movements were graceful and deadly, her yin whip sword slicing through the air with precision.
One of the cultivators lunged at her with a high-grade legendary sword, but Yuqing sidestepped effortlessly, her whip coiling around his arm and freezing it solid. With a flick of her wrist, she shattered the ice, sending him tumbling to the ground.
The remaining two cultivators attacked in unison, one wielding a mid-legendary spear and the other casting a series of wind blades from his high-unique talisman. Yuqing activated Frost Lotus Domain, a high-sky tier technique that covered the ground in a layer of ice. The domain slowed their movements, giving her the advantage.
"You're too slow," she said, her voice cold and mocking.
She lashed out with her whip, the icy weapon carving through their defenses and forcing them back. With a wave of her hand, she summoned a hailstorm of icy shards, the fragments slicing through the air and targeting her opponents with deadly precision.
After several minutes of testing their techniques, Tianyang glanced toward Yuqing. She was still engaged in combat, her movements as precise and deadly as ever.
"Yuqing," he called out, his voice cutting through the noise of battle. "It's time to finish this."
Yuqing turned her head slightly, her whip snapping as she forced one of her opponents back. She met his gaze and nodded. "Let's use our newly learned technique. It's time to end this."
The two of them moved closer together, their energies beginning to merge. Tianyang's fiery aura intertwined with Yuqing's icy presence, the two forces balancing each other perfectly.
They activated Fusion of Ice Dragon and Fire Phoenix, a fragment of a low immortal-tier technique. As they channeled their energy, a massive ice dragon and a fiery phoenix materialized in the air, their forms crackling with raw power.
The six cultivators froze in fear, their expressions turning to panic as they realized the scale of the attack.
"Impossible!" the leader shouted. "That kind of power… it's beyond Void Tribulation!"
The ice dragon roared, its breath freezing the ground below, while the fire phoenix screeched, its flames scorching the air. The two creatures surged forward, their energies merging into a devastating attack that hurtled toward the six cultivators.
The moment the attack struck, the six men were encased in ice, their bodies frozen in mid-motion. A second later, the fire phoenix unleashed a burst of flames, reducing the ice sculptures to ash.
The battlefield fell silent, the only sound the crackling of residual flames.
As the dust settled, Tianyang and Yuqing stood side by side, their auras calming as they retracted their energy.
"We overdid it," Yuqing said with a small smile, her yin sword coiling back into its sheath.
Tianyang chuckled, sheathing his yang sword. "They deserved it."
They turned and headed back to the cave, where Yao'er was still recovering. Tianyang reached for Yuqing's hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. "Let's help him recover quickly. The commotion we caused will have alerted the other overlords of this forest."
Yuqing nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "Agreed. We can't afford to stay here any longer."
---
Inside the quiet cave, Yao'er lay in his smaller form, his azure scales dulled by exhaustion. The once-mighty dragon was now curled up like a small, fragile creature, his breathing uneven as he struggled to recover from his earlier battles and breakthrough.
Tianyang and Yuqing entered the cave, their expressions softening as they saw their companion. The murderous intent that had consumed them during the fight was now replaced by concern and tenderness.
Tianyang crouched beside Yao'er, placing a hand on the dragon's head. His voice was warm but firm. "Rest easy, Yao'er. We're here now."
Yao'er lifted his head weakly, his crimson eyes shimmering with a mix of gratitude and shame. "Masters… forgive me. I wasn't strong enough."
Yuqing knelt on Yao'er's other side, gently stroking his scales. Her touch was cool and soothing, a stark contrast to Tianyang's fiery presence. "Don't be foolish, Yao'er. You've done more than enough. It's our turn to take care of you."
Tianyang nodded, his hand glowing faintly as he channeled a small stream of spiritual energy into Yao'er. "You've always stood by us. Now it's time for us to return the favor."
The couple exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. Without a word, they sat cross-legged on either side of Yao'er, their hands resting on his body.
Tianyang and Yuqing activated the Transcendent Unity of Sun and Moon Breathing Technique, a cultivation method that harmonized their yin and yang energies. A golden and silver glow enveloped them, their energies intertwining like threads of light.
As their energies merged, the glow spread to Yao'er, wrapping him in a cocoon of warmth and vitality. The bond between the three of them, strengthened by the Yin and Yang Dual Contract, allowed their energies to flow seamlessly into Yao'er's body.
Tianyang closed his eyes, his voice steady. "Focus on amplifying the harmony. We need to balance the flow perfectly."
Yuqing nodded, her breathing synchronized with his. "I know. Let's give him everything we can."
The cave filled with a gentle hum as the energies continued to flow. Yao'er's body began to glow faintly, his scales regaining their luster as the combined energy healed his wounds and replenished his strength.
As the process continued, the connection between Tianyang and Yuqing deepened. The dual contract not only linked their energies but also their emotions, allowing them to feel each other's thoughts and feelings as if they were their own.
Yuqing opened her eyes briefly, her gaze soft as she looked at Tianyang. "You're pushing yourself too hard," she said, her voice a gentle whisper.
Tianyang smiled faintly, his eyes still closed. "I can handle it. Yao'er needs us."
Yuqing reached out, her fingers brushing against his. "We're in this together. Don't carry the burden alone."
Her touch sent a ripple of warmth through him, grounding him in the present moment. He opened his eyes, meeting her gaze. "I know. And I'm grateful for you."
The energy around them pulsed, the glow intensifying as their bond strengthened further. Yao'er stirred beneath their hands, his body beginning to radiate vitality once more.
After several hours, the glow around them began to fade. Yao'er stretched his wings, his scales shimmering like polished metal. His aura, now stronger than before, filled the cave with a sense of majesty and power.
"Thank you, Masters," Yao'er said, his voice filled with emotion. "I'm fully restored now. You've given me more than I could ever repay."
Yuqing smiled, patting his head. "We're family, Yao'er. There's no need for repayment."
Tianyang nodded, a playful glint in his eye. "But if you want to thank us, how about staying out of trouble for a while?"
Yao'er let out a rumbling laugh, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I'll do my best, Master Tianyang."
The three of them shared a moment of lighthearted laughter, the tension from earlier finally easing. But the reprieve was short-lived.
Yuqing's expression turned serious as she looked toward the cave entrance. "We need to leave. I can sense powerful presences approaching. The overlords of this forest won't ignore the commotion we caused."
Tianyang stood, his hand instinctively reaching for Yuqing's. "She's right. We've overstayed our welcome."
Yao'er shrank back to his smaller form, leaping into Tianyang's arms. "I'll stay close, Masters. Let's go."
The trio left the cave, moving swiftly through the dense forest. The mist hung thick around them, shrouding their movements as they made their way toward the core of the Misty Forest.
As they traveled, Yao'er looked up at his masters, his voice filled with curiosity. "Masters, I've been wondering… why are you still at the mid-Void Tribulation Realm after your year-long retreat? Shouldn't you have advanced by now?"
Tianyang chuckled, a teasing smile on his lips. "Why, Yao'er? Are you regretting signing the contract with us? Your realm is almost the same as ours now."
Yao'er's eyes widened, his voice trembling with emotion. "No! Never! I would never regret that!"
Yuqing placed a reassuring hand on his head, her voice gentle. "Don't worry, Yao'er. He's just teasing you."
She glanced at Tianyang before continuing. "The truth is, we've chosen not to advance. Our recent breakthroughs came too quickly, and if we rush further, it could leave an inner demon in our hearts. That might lead us to be possessed."
Tianyang nodded, his expression serious. "There's also another reason. The ruins we're heading toward have prohibitions. Only cultivators below the Ascendant Realm can enter. If we advance too far, we'll miss our chance."
Yuqing smiled softly, her gaze affectionate. "Besides, we're not in a rush. Strength isn't just about cultivation levels. It's about understanding, harmony, and growth."
Yao'er listened intently, his earlier doubts fading. He leaped into Tianyang's arms, nuzzling against him. "Thank you, Masters. I feel better now."
Tianyang and Yuqing laughed, the lighthearted moment easing the tension of their journey.
---
The trio moved swiftly through the dense Misty Forest, the mist curling around their figures like ghostly tendrils. The deeper they ventured, the thicker the air became, laden with spiritual energy and the ominous aura of hidden predators.
Yao'er, now in his smaller form, perched comfortably on Tianyang's shoulder. His bright eyes scanned the surroundings, his sharp instincts alert for any sign of danger.
Tianyang and Yuqing walked side by side, their hands brushing occasionally. Despite the dangers that lurked in every shadow, their bond provided a sense of calm amidst the chaos.
---
The forest was a paradox of beauty and peril. Towering trees with leaves of every imaginable hue formed a vibrant canopy above, their branches heavy with spiritual fruits and flowers. Streams of crystal-clear water wound through the undergrowth, their surfaces shimmering with the glow of moonlight.
But beneath the surface beauty lay danger. The trees whispered ominously in the wind, and the distant growls and roars of powerful beasts echoed through the forest.
At one point, they passed by a river where a pack of Low-Heaven Beast realm Frost Wolves stood on the opposite bank, their icy eyes locked onto the trio. Tianyang placed a protective arm around Yuqing, his voice low. "Stay ready, just in case."
The wolves growled but ultimately backed away, sensing the overwhelming power radiating from the couple and their dragon companion.
---
As they journeyed, the trio occasionally crossed paths with other cultivators. Some traveled in groups, their robes marking them as disciples of various factions. Others were lone wanderers, their eyes wary as they gauged the strength of those they encountered.
One such encounter occurred near a cliffside path. A group of five cultivators, all at the late Void Tribulation Realm, stood blocking the way. Their leader, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward, his gaze lingering on Yuqing.
"Well, well," he said with a smirk. "What do we have here? A lovely couple and their pet dragon. This forest isn't safe for people like you."
Tianyang's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing in his gaze. "Move aside trash," he said coldly.
The man laughed, his companions joining in. "And what if we don't? How about you leave that pretty lady with us, and we'll let you go?"
Before the man could finish his sentence, a burst of fiery energy erupted from Tianyang's palm, forcing the group to retreat in alarm. Yuqing stepped forward, her voice calm but icy.
"You've made a grave mistake."
The battle that followed was swift and brutal. Tianyang and Yuqing worked in perfect harmony, their techniques dazzling and devastating. Yuqing summoned a storm of ice shards, each one glowing with the faint aura of a Divine-Tier, Low-Grade Ice Art. Meanwhile, Tianyang's fiery strikes burned with the intensity of a Divine-Tier, Low-Grade Flame Art.
The group of five stood no chance; within moments, they were mercilessly slaughtered.
---
After the battle, the trio paused to rest near a serene lake. Tianyang and Yuqing sat side by side, their hands intertwined. The gentle lapping of the water and the chirping of spirit birds created a rare moment of peace.
"These small fry are getting bolder," Tianyang remarked, his tone light but his eyes sharp.
Yuqing nodded, leaning her head on his shoulder. "It's to be expected. The closer we get to the ruins, the more desperate people will become."
Yao'er, lying at their feet, chimed in. "Let them come. With the two of you, they don't stand a chance."
Tianyang laughed, ruffling the dragon's head. "That's the spirit, Yao'er."
---
After several days of travel, passing through rivers, dense forests, and countless beast dens, the trio finally arrived at the edge of the ruins. The sight before them was breathtaking.
The ruins were an ancient structure carved into the side of a massive mountain, its towering spires reaching toward the heavens. The stone walls were covered in intricate carvings, depicting battles between gods and demons. A faint, otherworldly glow emanated from the entire structure, a testament to its mystical origins.
Surrounding the ruins was a massive crowd of cultivators. There were disciples from major and minor sects, warriors from empires and kingdoms, and even rogue cultivators who had come seeking fortune. The air buzzed with excitement and tension as they waited for the barrier to dissipate.
---
At the center of the crowd stood the barrier, a shimmering dome of golden light that pulsed with an ancient, powerful energy. It was impenetrable to anyone below the Ascendant Realm, and even then, it required the combined efforts of five Ascendant Realm cultivators to open.
The trio observed from a distance, staying hidden among the trees. Tianyang's voice was low as he addressed Yuqing. "We'll need to recover our energy before making a move. This crowd will only grow more chaotic as time goes on."
Yuqing nodded, her gaze scanning the crowd. "Agreed. Let's find a quiet spot nearby."
They retreated to a secluded area, where they sat in meditation to restore their spiritual energy. Yao'er coiled up beside them, his aura steadily growing as he absorbed the ambient energy of the forest.
---
After several hours of waiting, the crowd's buzz grew louder. Four powerful auras descended upon the ruins, silencing the crowd.
The first was an elderly man in flowing silver robes, his presence as steady as a mountain. The second was a woman in crimson armor, her fiery aura radiating dominance. The third was a middle-aged man with a scholarly appearance, his eyes sharp and calculating. The fourth was a towering man with a thunderous aura, his muscular frame exuding raw power.
Each of them was at the Early Ascendant Realm, their presence overwhelming the gathered cultivators.
As the crowd murmured in awe, a young disciple stepped forward, addressing one of the Ascendant Realm cultivators. "Master, with you, there are four seniors present. But where is the fifth senior? Without them, the barrier cannot be opened."
Before the cultivator could reply, a sudden stir spread through the crowd.
---
The crowd's tension was palpable as the silence stretched, broken only by the occasional whisper or gasp. The powerful auras of the four Ascendant Realm cultivators dominated the clearing, their mere presence enough to make the gathered cultivators feel like ants before giants.
But the oppressive silence shattered when two figures emerged from the treeline, flanked by a glimmering dragon perched on the man's shoulder.
Tianyang and Yuqing strode confidently into the open, their expressions calm and composed despite the hundreds of eyes turning toward them. Yuqing's hand rested lightly in Tianyang's, her delicate features glowing with an otherworldly beauty. Her icy blue robe shimmered under the sunlight, complementing her serene but commanding presence.
Tianyang's fiery aura flickered faintly around him, his crimson robe flowing behind him like a blazing flame. His gaze was sharp and unwavering, scanning the crowd with a mix of determination and indifference.
The dragon, Yao'er, perched elegantly on Tianyang's shoulder, his azure scales reflecting the light in dazzling patterns. Though small in his reduced form, the immense pressure of his aura betrayed his true might as a Divine Beast at the Mid-Divine Beast Realm.
---
Gasps rippled through the crowd like a wave, whispers and murmurs growing louder with each passing second.
"Who are they? So young yet exuding such power!"
"That beast… isn't that a Divine Beast? But how is it contracted to both of them?"
"And their cultivation… Mid-Void Tribulation Realm? How can they exude such a terrifying presence?"
The four Ascendant Realm cultivators, initially indifferent to the newcomers, narrowed their eyes as they examined the trio. The thunderous cultivator was the first to break the silence, his deep voice booming across the clearing.
"Who are you, young ones? And how did you form a contract with a beast of this level? Even those of us at the Ascendant Realm would find it impossible."
Yuqing's gaze was steady as she stepped slightly behind Tianyang, allowing him to take the lead. Her hand lightly tightened around his, a silent gesture of support.
Tianyang met the thunderous cultivator's gaze head-on, his voice calm yet carrying a commanding tone that echoed throughout the clearing. "Our contract is none of your concern, Senior. But I can assure you, it is through our hard work and bond—not luck or theft."
The scholarly cultivator, intrigued, adjusted his spectacles. "Interesting. The only explanation for such a phenomenon would be… could it be the Dual Contract of antiquity?"
A murmur swept through the crowd at his words. The crimson-armored woman turned her sharp gaze to the scholarly cultivator. "Explain."
The scholar nodded. "The Dual Contract is a legend, a forbidden bond from the ancient times. It requires not only an unbreakable bond and unconditional love between the cultivators but also mastery of Yin and Yang energies and perfect synchronization in their cultivation paths. Furthermore, the beast must willingly acknowledge them as its family, and the bond must receive the blessing of the beast's predecessors."
The silver-robed elder stroked his beard thoughtfully. "And the beast must originally be several realms weaker, allowing the contract to be forged while still granting the cultivators room to grow alongside it. For two to achieve this simultaneously…"
He trailed off, his gaze fixating on the trio with a mixture of awe and respect.
---
Tianyang stepped forward, his aura flaring slightly, silencing the crowd with its intensity. He looked directly at the four Ascendant Realm cultivators, his voice steady.
"We have a solution for the current predicament. We may not be at the Ascendant Realm, but our bond and contract allow us to amplify and merge our energies as one. Together, we can unleash a single strike that matches the power of an Early Ascendant Realm cultivator. It will be enough to breach the barrier."
Gasps erupted once more, and the scholarly cultivator's eyes widened in astonishment. "A combined strike? You can harmonize your energies to such a degree?"
Yuqing finally spoke, her voice soft yet firm. "Our bond is unshakable, and our energies are perfectly synchronized. If the four of you seniors agree, we can provide the fifth force needed to break the barrier. However, we have a condition."
The crimson-armored woman crossed her arms, her expression curious. "And what would that condition be, girl?"
Yuqing's gaze remained steady as she replied, "After we unleash our combined strike, we will be completely drained of spiritual energy. We demand that no one enters the ruins until we have fully recovered."
The crowd immediately burst into uproar, many shouting protests and accusing the duo of arrogance.
"How dare they make demands of the Ascendant Realm seniors?"
"Do they think their lives are worth more than everyone else's here?"
As the murmurs grew louder, one of the disciples from the crowd couldn't hold back his words. "They're only at the Mid-Void Tribulation Realm! How can they possibly help break the barrier without an Ascendant Realm cultivator?"
But the thunderous cultivator silenced the crowd with a wave of his hand, his booming voice cutting through the noise. "Quiet!"
He turned to Tianyang and Yuqing, his expression unreadable. "You are bold to make such a request. But I understand your reasoning. Very well, you have my word. No one will enter the ruins until you have recovered."
The crimson-armored woman and the scholarly cultivator exchanged glances before nodding. "We agree," they said in unison.
The silver-robed elder gave a small smile. "It seems we have no choice. Let us proceed."
---
Tianyang and Yuqing exchanged a glance, their unspoken bond evident in their eyes. Yao'er, still perched on Tianyang's shoulder, gave a small nod of approval.
Stepping forward, the trio positioned themselves near the barrier, their auras flaring as they began to merge their energies. A faint golden light enveloped them as the Yin and Yang energies within Tianyang and Yuqing harmonized perfectly, creating a resonance that amplified their power.
The crowd watched in awe as the golden light grew brighter, intertwining with the faint dragon aura radiating from Yao'er. The combined energy was overwhelming, causing many cultivators in the crowd to stagger backward, their faces pale from the sheer pressure.
The four Ascendant Realm cultivators also stepped forward, their own energies flaring as they prepared to channel their power into the barrier.