"Jun, stay alert and seize any openings. With you by my side, we can secure a swift victory." Xing said as he unsheathed his katana, gripping it with both hands. Sunlight glinted off the pristine blade`s belly. Jun grunted, leveling his spear at Dango`s head.

　　"It`s not every day that I get the honor of burying a father and son in the same grave. Hope you both enjoy your walk to Hell," Dango said, lunging forward and sweeping his mace at Jun`s legs. Jun leaped straight up as Xing thrust his katana toward Dango. With a swift rotation of his mace, Dango deflected the blade.

　　Before he could seize the opportunity, Jun came crashing down. "The tiger leaps into the fray!" Jun shouted. The tip of his spear grazed Dango`s forearm, and a rush of wind enveloped the wound. The superficial scratch transformed into a finger-width slice.

　　Dango stepped back. "Some trick ya got," he grumbled. The wound pulsed with riken and ceased bleeding.

　　"This accursed woman, I refuse to believe she`s as powerful as our Patriarch," Fourth Elder Raia exclaimed, spitting a mouthful of blood.

　　"Raia, take a moment to rest. Wanu, Shinu, and I will take the lead," Winryu interjected, jumping in front of Raia. The three Foons charged together, encircling Bing in a whirlwind of rapid movements. Nine flickering and transparent after-images, three of each Elder, trapped her.

　　"Pathetic tricks of the weak," Bing sneered. A blinding flash of light erupted from her Tool. Without their vision, Wanu and Shinu collided, dissipating their illusion. Winryu managed to remain on his feet, but his after-images faded. Approaching Wanu, Bing raised her Tool high—a staff with a lantern chained to the end. The light within the lantern transitioned from brilliant white to sinister blood-red. As Bing began to swing, her strike was halted.

　　"Let`s not be too hasty, young one. Bing, was it? I`d like to think those who are wise could settle a dispute without bloodshed. Perhaps you`d be interested to try some tea instead of battle?" Heles stood behind her, his bo staff tangled in the lantern`s chain.

　　"Interesting, you`re not an Expressionist yet you have a Tool? Is it a reminder of your failure to ascend, or do you just wish to copy those who are strong?" She scoffed and untangled her chain from his staff.

　　"Years ago I encountered a young master. He told me the Tool chooses its owner, and that this staff had chosen me. Though it is my shame to not have glimpsed the Expression Realm, this staff still chose me. I will honor it until my end." Heles` voice was calm and smooth, his breath never faltering.

　　"You old fools have no shame, fighting seven against one? The other clans will brand you as cowards." She planted her staff into the ground, resting a hand on her hip.

　　"I suppose it would be shameful. If we lost, that is," Raia said, rejoining the fight.

　　Winryu, Shinu, Wanu, Raia, Grisham, Hao, and Heles arranged themselves in a seven-pointed formation. Channeling their riken, they pooled their energy into the center. Heles announced, "Even if you are a realm above us, the Feather Foon Formation should prove your opponent." Torrential gusts of wind gathered in the area between the elders. The wind gained a visible outline in a shape that resembled a human.

　　Bing picked at her nails and stifled a yawn. The windy fighter stalked toward her and threw a punch. Raising just two fingers, she intercepted the fist. A hint of intrigue washed over her, the formation`s power felt equivalent to someone who had recently ascended to the Expression Realm. Before she could swipe at the windy fighter, a strange sensation ran up her arm to the elbow. A thin, bloodied streak spiraled around her arm. "Color me impressed, you seven aren`t useless." Bing proceeded to swipe the windy fighter away, dissipating its form. "My generosity extends only once. Surrender, swear your lives to my service, and I`ll guarantee your survival," Bing said.

　　The Elders replied with a resolute and unanimous no`, before pouring more riken into the formation. The windy fighter rose once more.

　　Bing huffed and dodged the attack rather than blocking. When she countered, the windy fighter distorted and reformed. She clicked her tongue and gave a roll of her eyes. It would take far longer than she cared to exhaust the elders of the riken. She decided it was more efficient to break the formation. She swiped her staff, the lantern trailing behind the tip, and a breath of red flames spewed out at the Foon Elders. A shield of wind intercepted and smothered the flames. Bing grumbled and spewed another wave of fire to the same result.

　　"You will not see victory today, vixen," Heles grunted, pouring another portion of his riken into the formation.

　　"We would`ve won already if that moronic mercenary hadn`t left. Your beloved patriarch is a fool to think you stood a chance." Bing swiped at the windy fighter, disrupting its shape, and slung another wave of fire at the elders.

　　"You`re wrong. Under his guidance, we will see victory," Hao protested.

　　"Have you deluded yourself that far? Your Expressionists are trying to run before they learn to crawl. Your patriarch may be a match for Dango, but that doesn`t mean you`ve won. Brogle is who Xing should`ve fought." A wry smile spread across Bing`s cherry lips. Her tongue traced her top lip before she spoke again, "Brogle is stronger than Dango. Oops, clan secret." She winked.

　　The Elders stiffened, their breaths nearly caught in their chests. Before today, they would`ve defended the boys as prodigies for their contributions to the clan. Having reached the Expression Realm by sixteen years though, it proved their talent was Heaven-defying. Even the previous patriarch, Haoran, the greatest Foon to have lived, was twenty-one years before his ascension. Xing had been twenty-five years, and full of vitality when he succeeded the title from his grandfather. And now Jun, at just twenty-four years, had ascended.

　　Jun had achieved remarkable feats, including attaining the prestigious status of Honorable` in the Whipping Winds Sect at just eighteen years. Xing had publicly announced it, but the Elders were privy to a darker truth. When he was promoted, fifty pills had been sent to the clan as a gift. Xing had exchanged these pills for a WindGrace pill. He had planned to bless their youngest daughter when she would come of age three years later.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

　　Instead, Zelek was blessed with the pill, leaving nothing for Jun`s younger sister. Regardless of this, Jun still managed to enroll his sister in Whipping Winds Sect with a stipend larger than any initiate disciple should receive. He honorably continued a legacy of strong Seekers in the main family. One would describe his actions as nothing less than admirable. However, he still couldn`t compare to Enril and Zelek.

　　"Heles, I need to go help the boys. Can you cover my portion?" Winryu asked.

　　Heles nodded. "The responsibility falls on your shoulders, Winryu. Only you can reach them in time. May Heaven bless you. Now, go!" His skin paled, and his white enhancement intensified. Steam billowed from his body, merging into the formation, as his skin tinged pink.

　　Winryu darted twenty meters in a single step. Bing swiped through the windy fighter and charged her flames once more. A small, red dot appeared on Heles` chest as the lantern`s glow grew brighter.

　　With each swipe, Dango was caught off-guard and subjected to a counterattack from the father-son duo. His arms were a mess of small cuts, and a particularly large slice marked his cheek. Jun and Xing had not yet received a single wound. Dango`s mace began to vibrate and hum as he poured his riken into it. "Try this," he shouted as he raised his mace overhead. Jun deflected the attack with a horizontal swipe of his spear. The mace landed flat in the soil. Xing landed a kick square in Dango`s midsection that sent him sliding back.

　　Xing sheathed his sword, assuming a lowered stance, and tightened his grip on the hilt as the wind swirled around him. He stared into Dango`s bloodshot eyes. As he drew the sword, it launched out of the scabbard, as though wind itself lived inside. The blade drew a horizontal line straight at Dango. This was Foon Xing`s signature technique, the FlashWind Slash.

　　In a panic, Dango spun his mace as it reddened. Sparks began to fly from the mace until a shield of fire formed. His CrowFire Shield Technique blazed in its full glory. Xing`s blade met the wall of flame head-on, taking on a dull, red hue. With a satisfied tut, Dango gloated at Xing.

　　Jun appeared behind his father, and the glowing white tip of his spear thrust forward into the flaming shield. This was Jun`s Wielder technique, StonePiercer.

　　The shield of flame flickered and wavered before dissipating into a shower of sparks. Jun`s spear halted just a centimeter from Dango`s neck. He panted, his grip tightening as the spear quivered. Dango`s laugh echoed through the air. "Guess the brat ran out of steam. Too b-" A crescent of wind sliced at Dango. Blood began to pour from his neck.

　　"Did you forget, Dango? It`s been years since you saw my technique. You were careless. If you mobilize your entire Reserve, the wound will hinder you for a half year, if I had to guess. Your pride will suffer for eternity, however." Xing sheathed his blade and turned to Jun. "You`re quite the warrior, Jun. Know that I am proud of you and that you bring honor to the clan.

　　"It would be unfilial of me to ignore the plight of the clan." He puffed a large breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

　　"I will keep watch over this filth. It is not my wish to deliver death. Roll your Filter and recover, then go assist the Elders." Xing knelt and laid his katana across his lap. His eyes locked onto Dango, who held his neck with bloody fingers.

　　Jun stomped and groaned as his Filter displayed a five. "I`ll be off, Father." He turned to head West, but something blurred past them in multiple rushes of wind.

　　"What was that, Jun? I don`t dare take my eyes off him lest he try some cruel ploy," Xing sneered.

　　"I think it was Elder Winryu." Jun scratched his head while looking East. "Did they win already? Or is he&" Jun wrenched his lips shut.

　　"Go assist the Elders, son. Winryu has his reasons," Xing commanded and Jun dashed away, spear in hand.

　　Bing unleashed a concentrated beam of flames. A spear tip intercepted the beam, deflecting it across the dried grass. "Sorry I`m late, Elders. We will win this day," Jun announced, stabbing at the lantern.

　　Bing regained control of her staff and smirked. "Interesting, you`ve already dispatched Dango? It won`t help those two boys, though. You may as well mourn them now," she laughed.

　　Jun`s eyes narrowed at Bing as he addressed the Elders, "What does she mean? Father is watching Dango as we speak."

　　Bing doubled over, holding her stomach, laughing. "What a fool. He would rather see Dango live than save two of his clansmen. It`s rare to find such a fool."

　　Elder Heles spoke up, "Jun, all we can do is focus on what is at hand. We must win, regardless of whatever she says. Together we must grasp victory." Jun nodded and twirled his spear overhead.

　　"You`re still wet behind the ears, boy. Let me show you what a Tool can do." She lunged forward and swiped the lantern at Jun. He shoved his spear straight through the chain and tangled the two together. A vicious shoving match ensued.

　　Seizing the opportunity, the Elders willed the windy fighter to flank Bing. With a half-hearted kick, she dispatched the creation, though a small scrape adorned her ankle. "Pathetic, even with eight of you, you can`t do more?" she laughed in Jun`s face.

　　"Elders," Jun said through clenched teeth. "I don`t have enough riken for my techniques. My luck was poor with my roll. I have to ask you to deliver a decisive strike." He shoved at Bing, pushing her back a step before she retaliated. Jun`s knotted hair became messy and flowed down his back.

　　Raia offered, "Heles, We need to open the formation to its ultimate form lest we lose this battle. I`ll lead it, you`re too exhausted."

　　Heles shook his head and said, "Raia, I am the First Elder for a reason. It is my ninety-ninth year, and unless I step into the Expression Realm, it is impossible for me to live past the hundredth year. Allow me to secure the future of our clan with this last act." Heles circulated his entire Reserve and poured it into the formation while the other Elders increased their contributions. With the increased flow of riken, the windy fighter gained a more solid appearance, tinged with a hint of green among wisps of wind. Heles shouted, "Phizen Bing, consider this my gift to you for your visit today. I hope you enjoy our secret technique, the Chaotic Chorus!" The winds that formed the windy fighter had been in a smooth pattern; however, they now grew tumultuous and disorganized, gathering into a storm of conflicting winds.

　　"What is this power?" Bing tried to wrench her Tool free and retreat, but Jun kept her entangled.

　　"Not a chance in hell I`m letting you go. You will finish what you started," Jun roared, his white knuckles bleeding as they tightened around the spear`s shaft.

　　The torrents of wind approached, shredding her clothes and then her flesh. Her blood-curdling screams were swallowed by the chaotic flow of wind. Each gust fought to taste her flesh. The winds knew only how to consume, their indiscriminate hunger chewing Jun as he thwarted Bing`s desperate attempts to escape.

　　After thirty seconds, the winds granted Bing a reprieve. The Elders had depleted their Reserves, Heles collapsed, and the windy creation disappeared.

　　Bing`s body was a bloodied mess, her torn and blood-stained clothes clinging to her. She scrambled to her feet and ran from the field, nursing her shredded body with her remaining riken. Jun hobbled to the Elders with his spear as a cane. "Elder Heles, I hope you can forgive me for being so weak." Jun dipped his head as he sniffled.

　　Heles` breathing was ragged and labored. "It is the job of the old to nurture the young." His raspy words came in shorter bursts. "My sacrifice& will pave& younger generations& Jun, please& help those two boys." Heles raised a shaky hand and pointed East.

　　Jun knelt and clasped the hand and held it to his forehead. "Please, forgive me Elder Heles. I have no riken remaining. I`ve failed you." His hands quivered as he slammed his eyes shut.

　　Heles took a deep breath. "You`ve made this old man proud, Jun." He grunted and clutched his chest. "Do not blame yourself for my condition." His voice cracked, "I just wish to see those boys safe." He closed his eyes.