The white light carved through the darkness, forcing the Abyss Devourer to recoil with a shriek of pain. Lin Tian pushed himself up, his Dragon's Eyes adjusting to the brightness.
Then he saw her.
A woman stood at the center of the battlefield, her presence radiating divine energy. She was draped in flowing white robes embroidered with silver runes, her long platinum hair cascading like moonlight. Her piercing violet eyes glowed with celestial power.
"The Saintess…" Xia Ling whispered, stunned.
Lin Tian had heard of her before—Li Qingyue, the Saintess of the Radiant Temple. A woman said to possess the purest light energy in the realm. But what was she doing here?
Li Qingyue's gaze locked onto Lin Tian, unreadable. "So, you are the one who holds the Dragon's Heart."
Before he could answer, the Abyss Devourer let out a guttural roar, lunging toward her.
She didn't even blink.
With a graceful motion, she raised her hand, and a radiant spear of light materialized in her grasp. With one fluid motion, she hurled it forward.
The spear pierced through the Devourer's chest, golden chains erupting from the wound. The creature shrieked, its body writhing as divine energy consumed it. Within seconds, it disintegrated into nothingness.
The battlefield fell silent.
Li Qingyue lowered her hand, her violet eyes settling on Lin Tian. "We need to talk."
Bai Xianyu, who had been watching with narrowed eyes, smirked. "Another one, huh? Seems like trouble follows you everywhere, Lin Tian."
Zhao Yue crossed her arms, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Lin Tian exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "It's not like I planned this."
Li Qingyue stepped forward, completely ignoring the others. "You carry the Dragon's Heart, but you lack control. If you continue this way, Xirath will break you."
Lin Tian's jaw tightened. "Then teach me."
Li Qingyue studied him for a moment, then nodded. "I will. But know this—training with me will not be easy. And if you are weak…"
Her voice dropped, her gaze cold.
"I will end you myself before the Abyss does."
Aftermath
That night, as the group camped, the tension in the air was thicker than ever.
Li Qingyue remained distant, speaking only to Lin Tian when necessary. But every now and then, he caught her watching him, as if measuring his worth.
Bai Xianyu was less amused than usual, her flirtations tinged with an unusual sharpness. "A saintess, really? You do have a type."
Zhao Yue still hadn't spoken to Lin Tian since the night before, but her lingering gazes told him she had a lot to say—when she was ready.
Su Lan, ever observant, sighed. "I hope you know what you're doing, Lin Tian."
Lin Tian chuckled tiredly. "I don't. But I'll figure it out."
As the night deepened, he glanced toward Li Qingyue once more. She sat alone, gazing at the stars. A woman of divine power, yet she had looked at him like he was something she needed to fix.
Lin Tian exhaled.
Between Xirath's looming threat, the growing tensions among the women in his life, and his unresolved emotions…
Things were about to get very, very complicated.