Bonds and Bloodlines
Chapter 14: Bonds and Bloodlines
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"They want to own her. They want to silence me.
But I don't belong to their world. I'm here to tear it down."
—Qin Feng
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Golden Ice Temple – Medical Wing
Zihan lay in bed, breathing steadily, color returning to her cheeks.
The healers had done their job. The bone shard hadn't pierced her heart — just barely.
Qin Feng sat beside her, one hand resting on hers.
She stirred, eyes fluttering open.
"You… look like shit," she whispered.
He smiled.
"I almost lost you."
She touched his face gently.
"You won't. Ever."
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[Bond Boost – Zihan: Core Stage → Heart Stage]
[Passive Unlocked: Warm Presence – Qin Feng gains passive healing when Zihan is near]
---
He stayed with her a while longer, not saying much. Just holding her hand.
And for once… everything felt still.
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1. Yun'er's Moment
Later that night, Qin Feng stepped outside for air.
Yun'er waited for him under the moonlit archway, dressed in soft robes that shimmered like morning mist.
"You left before I could say anything," she said quietly.
"You don't have to."
"I want to."
She walked closer.
"When I met you, I thought you were the storm I needed to avoid. But now…"
She rested her head against his chest.
"You're the one I pray to before I sleep."
He placed a hand on her waist.
"You always saw through me."
"And I still stayed," she whispered. "I always will."
---
[Bond Progress – Yun'er: 75%]
[Affection Passive: Sacred Trust – Temporary power boost when fighting beside her]
---
They didn't kiss.
They didn't need to.
But something between them locked in place that night — something deeper than just attraction.
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2. The Marriage Offer
By morning, the sect was buzzing again.
A royal envoy had arrived — warriors in silver robes with a blizzard crest on their backs.
They knelt before the tournament elders and delivered a message sealed in frost.
"The Ice Moon Sect formally requests a soul-binding union between Mei Xue and our Saint Prince.
We offer land, techniques, and divine relics in exchange."
Silence.
Then gasps.
The elders turned toward Mei Xue, who stood quietly in the corner.
Everyone watched her.
Including Qin Feng.
---
Su Mei scoffed. "They're trying to buy her."
Yun'er frowned. "Soul-binding means they'll never let her go."
Ziyue folded her arms. "They're scared she's slipping through their fingers."
Lian Ruo popped a fruit into her mouth. "I'd say yes just to start a war."
---
Mei Xue looked at the message. Then tore it in half.
"I don't belong to anyone."
The room froze. Literally.
Snow fell from the ceiling.
The envoy stood. "This is an insult."
Qin Feng stepped forward.
"She's not a prize. She's a person."
The envoy turned sharply. "And you? What are you to her?"
Before he could answer—
Mei Xue said: "He's the only man I've never wanted to kill."
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[System Alert: Mei Xue Bond Progress – 70%]
[New Trait Unlocked: Ice Loyalty – Cannot be forced to marry others while bond is active]
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The Ice Moon Sect left… but they didn't bow.
They would be back.
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3. Divine Signal
That night, as Qin Feng meditated on a mountain peak, his system flared violently.
[Emergency Notification – Interference Detected]
[A Divine Thread Has Pierced Your Fate Line]
His body froze.
In his vision, a white flame appeared.
Not hot. Not cold. Just… absolute.
A voice spoke.
"You are not part of the script. But now you are watched."
"Ascend. Or be erased."
"Choose your god."
Then it vanished.
Qin Feng opened his eyes, breathing hard.
Lightning crackled across his back. The mark of the villain began to burn… shifting slightly.
And for the first time, he understood:
He was being summoned.
Not just to fight.
But to pick sides in a war far bigger than this continent.
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[System Update: Divine Realm Side Quest Unlocked]
[Optional Path: Ally with a God-Faction OR Challenge All]
---
He laughed to himself.
"They really want me to choose a god?"
He stood up.
"Fine."
"I'll become one instead."
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4. The Thunder Queen's Declaration
The next morning was calm.
Until it wasn't.
The arena crowd was waiting for the final four match announcements when Ziyue walked up to the center stage — uninvited.
Disciples murmured. Elders whispered.
She raised a hand and summoned thunder to silence them all.
"I have a declaration to make."
Qin Feng blinked from the balcony.
"Oh no."
Ziyue pointed straight at him.
"I, Ziyue of the Storm Cliffs, claim Qin Feng as the man I will marry."
The crowd exploded.
Su Mei burst out laughing.
Yun'er choked on her tea.
Lian Ruo smirked.
Zihan fainted.
Mei Xue raised one eyebrow.
Ziyue kept going.
"Anyone who challenges that… can fight me."
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[System Update: Ziyue Bond Path Locked In – Public Claim]
[Affection Surged: 85% | All Rival Bonds Under Stress]
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Qin Feng rubbed his temples.
"This harem's going to kill me before the gods do."
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"I'm not afraid of love.
I'm afraid of who I'll have to hurt because of it."
—Qin Feng
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TO BE CONTINUED…
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Coming up in Chapter 15:
The final 4 tournament battle begins
Lian Ruo and Ziyue fight side by side (and it's chaos)
A traitor from within the sect makes their move
Qin Feng unlocks a forbidden lightning technique in the heat of battle.