By the next morning, the Crimson Sect was buzzing.
Whispers. Heat. Rumors.
Lucien's name spread like fire in dry wind.
"Did you hear? He cracked Selene's purity seal…"
"He made the twin disciples beg…"
"He passed through the Forbidden Garden and walked out stronger."
They weren't exaggerations.
They were warnings.
And the Sect Master had noticed.
The Grand Courtyard filled with disciples. Tiered stone balconies overflowed with eager onlookers. Crimson banners fluttered overhead, stained with ancient spells that shimmered faintly under the morning sun.
Lucien stood among the crowd, calm, composed, his crimson robe lazily tied at the waist, revealing a slice of toned chest and the Soulbind mark on his neck glowing faintly.
"Lucien Blackthorn."
A voice echoed through the courtyard — deep, firm, impossible to ignore.
At the center stood Sect Master Yurei, cloaked in black-gold robes, silver mask hiding his face. Beside him sat three elders and one woman — masked, robed, but unmistakably powerful.
> [System Notification: Major Event Triggered – Courting Trial Begins]
[Reward: Inner Chamber access + Elite Yin Selection rights + Title: Crimson Throne Candidate]
[Warning: Failure results in system cooldown + aura suppression for 3 days]
Yurei raised a hand.
"This trial is not one of fists or blades," he declared. "But of influence. Emotion. Control. You will enter the Courting Arena — a place woven with ancient Yin illusion arrays."
His voice turned sharp.
"You will be placed before three elite Yin cultivators. One will hate you. One will desire you. One will test you. You must awaken all three."
Lucien smiled slowly.
"Finally," he murmured. "A test worth taking."
[Trial Begins: Courting Arena Activated]
[Yin Array Set – Challenge Level: High]
[Time Limit: 1 hour]
The world around him flickered — and changed.
He now stood in a lush garden laced with red flowers, swirling mist, and three women seated on floating lotus thrones before him.
Each was beautiful in a different way.
Left: A violet-haired woman with cold, emotionless eyes — arms folded, gaze full of disdain.
Middle: A redhead with wild eyes and a teasing grin — legs crossed, tongue grazing her lips.
Right: A veiled figure — body wrapped in dark silks, unmoving, unreadable.
> [Target 1: Disdainful Yin – Will resist all advances. Melt her walls.]
[Target 2: Lustful Yin – Will play, tease, but not submit easily. Tame her desire.]
[Target 3: Hidden Yin – Unknown personality. Unlock it.]
Lucien cracked his neck. "Let's dance."
He started with the redhead — Lustful Yin.
"Come to flirt?" she smirked, eyeing his body openly.
Lucien didn't reply with words.
He stepped close, slowly untying his robe just enough to let it hang off one shoulder.
Her pupils dilated.
He extended a hand. "Let's skip the lines. Touch me. See if I'm worth it."
She bit her lip. "Cocky."
Lucien leaned in. "Confident."
> [Ecstasy Aura triggered. Lust Level: 61%]
[Emotional Sync: Active. She's playing — and slipping.]
She tried to take control — pulled him onto the lotus bed, straddled him.
But Lucien flipped her effortlessly, whispered something in her ear.
She shivered.
And moaned.
He didn't even need to strip her. The way he looked at her made her feel naked.
Her body trembled against his — and she whispered, "You could make me beg."
Lucien smiled. "I will. But not yet."
> [Lustful Yin Subdued – Complete.]
He turned next to the veiled woman.
The Hidden Yin.
Silent.
Still.
But not dead.
He stood in front of her, waiting.
One minute.
Two.
Three.
Then, without warning, he knelt.
Not in surrender — but reverence.
And said softly, "You've been ignored too long, haven't you?"
Her fingers twitched.
Her veil lifted slightly.
Tears rimmed her glowing silver eyes.
Lucien reached out and touched her hand — gently.
Her body lit up with Yin runes, the veil falling away to reveal a beauty so untouched it felt like pain just to look at her.
She whispered, "Don't ruin me."
He said, "I'll release you."
> [Hidden Yin: Awakened]
[Bond Level: Linked | Future Path: Soul Fusion Available]
Last was the cold one.
The violet-haired Disdainful Yin.
She stood as he approached, eyes like blades.
"You think you're special?"
Lucien didn't flinch. "No. I know I am."
She raised a hand, striking at his chest with a whip of pure Yin energy.
He let it hit.
The burn sizzled against his skin — and he smiled through the pain.
She snarled. "Why aren't you angry?"
"Because," he said, voice low, stepping into her space, "your anger is the closest thing to desire you've allowed yourself."
He grabbed her wrist. Pulled her forward.
And kissed her.
Hard.
Not lustfully.
Desperately.
She gasped — her whip vanished.
> [Emotional Wall Broken – Target Reacting]
[Resistance Falling: 87% → 41% → 12%...]
She trembled.
And kissed him back.
Harder.
When Lucien opened his eyes — all three women stood before him.
Eyes glowing.
Breathing hard.
Awake.
Wanting.
His robe was torn. Lip bleeding. Aura blazing.
> [Trial Complete: All Yin Activated]
[Reward: Crimson Throne Candidate Title Granted]
[New Skill: Seduction Field – Passive area charm on all Yin Sources within 10 meters]
Lucien stepped out of the illusion into the courtyard.
Every eye on him.
Even Sect Master Yurei leaned forward.
"He passed?" someone whispered.
"He tamed all three?" another gasped.
Liliane, in the crowd, smiled darkly. "Of course he did."
Yurei stood. "Lucien Blackthorn. You are now a Crimson Throne Candidate."
Cheers erupted.
But Lucien?
He just stood there, calm.
Because he knew — this was only the beginning.
And now, even enemies would smile to his face... and plot in bed.
---
To Be Continued...
---
Next Chapter: Bed of Blades — Seducing the Assassin Disciple [18+]
She was sent to kill him. But when she gets too close, desire starts mixing with danger...