The frozen plains surrounding the Temple of Eternal Light had long stood untouched by warfare. For centuries, the Northern Ice Kingdom was considered impenetrable—a place where faith replaced fear, where the people trusted in prophecies rather than politics.
That peace shattered beneath the march of the Order of Hollow Light.
At Yue Ling's command, the once-holy warriors clad in white now stormed the outposts of "heretics"—secret demon cultivators, rebel nobles, and ancient sects who had refused to bow to the new Dark Saint. Their blades gleamed not with righteousness, but with silent obedience.
Snow turned red.
And prayers turned to screams.
In the center of the carnage, Yue Ling stood atop a shattered altar. Her black and silver robes whipped in the icy wind. In her hand, the Flame of Contradiction—a sword that radiated both holy light and cursed fire—dripped with blood.
She looked down at the bound figure before her: High Oracle Fen, the very man who had declared her the Messiah.
He trembled, bloodied and broken, yet still defiant.
"You… you are not the Saint I foresaw. The real Saint would never do this," he croaked.
Yue Ling's voice was cold, devoid of mercy. "You foresaw light descending upon snow. That was me. You just never imagined the light would burn instead of blessing."
"You're no savior," he spat.
"No," she whispered. "I'm something better."
Behind her, a great symbol formed in the sky—a black lotus wrapped in chains of silver flame. Thousands of soldiers knelt in worship, their chants echoing across the frozen landscape:
"Hollow Light… guide us.""Dark Saint… lead us.""In shadow, we find truth!"
Priyanshu stood at a distance, arms crossed, watching as another prophecy turned to ash. Elira, perched on a frozen ledge nearby, laughed softly. "They kneel fast when hope dies."
Han Xie snorted. "Fools always do."
But Priyanshu's focus was deeper. He was watching the thread of control—how it wrapped around Yue Ling now. She had stopped doubting. She had started commanding.
And most importantly…
She enjoyed it.
DING! Subjugation Progress – Region: Northern Ice Kingdom: 92% CompleteLoyalty Thread: Yue Ling – Absolute Obedience (Emotional Dependency Formed)Unlocked Passive: "Saint of Chains" – All oaths made to Yue Ling become soul contracts.
Later, in the newly converted "Temple of the Hollow Star," Priyanshu met with the top generals now fully under their control.
General Rong knelt. "We have completed the purge, my Lord. The 'resistance' is dead. Only whispers remain."
General Lang added, "But… there is one problem. The Celestial Snow Sect at the far reaches of the polar spine has begun summoning their guardian beast. They claim Yue Ling's rise is heresy. They're calling upon the ancient Frost Guardian—Xuebao, the Ice Phoenix."
Yue Ling smiled, stepping forward. "Let them."
Priyanshu raised an eyebrow. "You're confident?"
Her eyes burned. "Let them bring their divine beast. I will break it. In front of their sect. In front of their gods."
"Good," he said. "Then let's show the heavens what happens when a saint stops kneeling."
That night, in her private chambers, Yue Ling sat beside Priyanshu. No titles. No masks.
Only silence.
Then she whispered, "Do you… regret breaking me?"
He turned to her. "I didn't break you. I freed you."
A moment passed.
Then she leaned forward resting her head on his shoulder, eyes closed. For the first time, her expression softened.
And in that stillness, Priyanshu smiled faintly.
DING! Companion Bond Progress: Yue Ling – Phase 2 InitiatedStatus: Bound by Will, Tied by Shadow.