Chapter 7: Ash and Blood — The Crimson Crown Hunt
The desert sands parted under the twins' foresight.
"Something wakes beneath the old dynasty's bones," Yinlei murmured, eyes glimmering.
Zarah nodded grimly. "The Thorn Garden. My ancestors warned us — no one enters and returns sane."
Feiyan narrowed her gaze. "That's where the Crown Princess sleeps, isn't it?"
Jin Yue turned toward the blood-red mountains.
"It's time we woke her up."
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The Trial of the Crimson Crown
The Thorn Garden was a nightmare of petrified trees, blood-choked rivers, and flowers with fangs.
Jin Yue's group advanced cautiously. The ground pulsed with demonic Qi — erotic, dangerous, addictive.
Zarah trembled. "It's feeding off desire… and regret."
"Perfect," Jin Yue muttered. "Let it taste mine."
At the center, a throne of obsidian thorns.
On it, a woman chained in molten silver — her body curled in ecstasy and agony. Her eyes opened slowly, like blades.
Selene Duskthorn smiled.
"So… another man comes to claim me."
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The Thorn Pact
Selene's voice slithered through the air, seductive and mocking. "You reek of harem arrogance and rebellion."
Jin Yue stepped forward. "And you reek of power buried under pride."
She laughed. "Good. Let's see if your soul is as hard as your words."
With a flick of her wrist, the thorn chains snapped. She descended, fire blooming around her form — dark crimson and gold.
"Defeat me… or serve me."
The battle was swift and brutal.
She was fast, her martial style a dance of blades and kisses, each strike laced with illusion and lust.
Jin Yue caught her by the waist, blood dripping from his mouth, and kissed her forcefully — his Soulflame pouring into her throat.
She gasped.
Then moaned.
Then shattered.
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Bonding the Crimson Sovereign
They lay entangled on the thorn-throne, bodies slick with sweat and blood.
Selene's legs coiled around him like vines. "You've ruined me," she whispered, trembling. "Now I'll ruin kingdoms for you."
> Soul Bond Achieved: Selene Duskthorn – Crimson Crown Princess (Blood Rank: Royal Half-Demon)
Trait Unlocked: Thorned Sovereignty – Increases resistance to mental charms and grants dominion over demonkind within range.
Domain Awakened: Infernal Garden — A Qi field that strengthens bonded allies and weakens enemies via pleasure-pain corruption.
Dual Path Progress: 100% — Stage 2 Achieved: Soul Flame Ascendant
Flames surged skyward.
Jin Yue's aura exploded, casting his mark across the skies.
He had ascended.
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