The air in the druidic town grew heavy. Lanterns flickered in the evening breeze, casting long shadows over the warriors gathered in the open plaza. Tian Zhen stood at the center, his obsidian robes shifting slightly with each movement, his eyes sharp as he regarded the group before him.
But it was not just his presence that had stiffened the air.
Xue Mor stepped forward, her voice low as she spoke to Raikai and Shinryu.
"The war has already begun."
Raikai's usual grin faltered slightly. "Which empires?"
Xue Mor's expression was grim. "Phoenix Cry and the Obsidian Shadow Empire."
Shinryu's silver eyes narrowed. "And we're caught in the middle."
Xue Mor nodded. "The Moonlit Abyss Sect provided this intelligence. The Obsidian Shadow Empire is making its move, and Tian Zhen's presence here is no coincidence. This is a power play. They are testing the strength of our generation."
Raikai's fingers twitched in anticipation. "So we weaken their younger generation as much as possible before war truly erupts?"
Xue Mor met his gaze. "Exactly."
Raikai grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Sounds like fun."
But before he could step forward—
A shadow moved.
Shin Keilan had already stepped into the open, his Eternal Arms, a finely crafted soul-grade crossbow, resting in his grip. His stance was calm, controlled—but his eyes were cold.
He leveled the crossbow at Tian Zhen.
"I will kill you today."
Tian Zhen chuckled, amused. "Is that so?"
The Dance of Shadows
Keilan didn't waste time.
The first shot came without warning.
A silver bolt streaked through the air—aimed straight for Tian Zhen's heart.
Tian Zhen's body flickered, vanishing an instant before the bolt struck. Black Lotus Step.
He reappeared five paces to the side.
But Keilan was already adjusting. His crossbow rotated, and before Tian Zhen had fully regained his footing—
Three more bolts shot forward.
Tian Zhen twisted, dodging the first two—but the third sliced his shoulder.
His smirk faltered.
"Fast," he admitted. "But—"
Keilan was already moving.
With a flicker, he vanished into the shadows.
The Phantom Step Technique.
The crowd watching gasped as Keilan's presence disappeared entirely. Even Tian Zhen's sharp gaze flicked left and right, attempting to track him.
Then—a bolt came from the rooftops.
Tian Zhen barely deflected it with his blade.
Another came from the side. He spun, avoiding it—only for a third to graze his cheek.
Keilan wasn't giving him time to breathe.
From the shadows, the crossbow spoke death.
But Tian Zhen was no fool.
The Counterattack
His sword disappeared into its sheath.
Instead of attacking wildly, Tian Zhen closed his eyes.
Then—his foot tapped the wooden ground.
A pulse of obsidian energy erupted outward, spreading like a sonar wave.
Keilan, hidden in the darkness, felt it instantly.
He had been marked.
Tian Zhen's eyes snapped open. His smirk returned.
"Found you."
His blade flashed.
Keilan barely dodged, twisting in the air as a deep gash appeared on his arm.
For the first time in the fight, he was wounded.
The crowd murmured. Had Tian Zhen turned the tide?
Keilan, however, remained eerily calm.
The blood dripping from his arm didn't bother him.
If anything—he smiled.
Tian Zhen's smirk faltered. "What's so funny?"
Keilan's voice was low.
"I let you find me."
Tian Zhen's eyes widened slightly.
Then—he moved to step forward—
And staggered.
His breath hitched. His fingers twitched.
Something was wrong.
Then he saw them—tiny, nearly invisible wires glinting under the lantern light.
They had been placed all around the battlefield.
Since the moment Keilan vanished, he had been setting a trap.
And now—Tian Zhen was caught.
Keilan raised his crossbow one final time.
He fired.
Tian Zhen, still bound by the wires, couldn't dodge.
The bolt pierced his shoulder, twisting his entire body from the impact.
Blood splattered onto the ground.
He gasped, staggering backward—but he did not fall.
The wound was deep. But it wasn't fatal.
Keilan clicked his tongue. He had missed the kill.
Tian Zhen's eyes burned with fury.
The Gathering Storm
A sharp voice rang out—
"Enough!"
The gathered warriors turned as one.
The Black Lotus Sect's members, faces twisted in anger, were already drawing their weapons.
Tian Zhen's bloodied hand clutched his sword tighter. "You think this is over?"
Keilan said nothing, his crossbow still aimed.
But before the battle could explode—
Shinryu stepped forward.
His silver eyes gleamed under the lantern light, his posture calm but absolute.
"I suggest," Shinryu said evenly, "that you reconsider."
Tian Zhen's gaze locked onto his. For a brief moment, neither warrior moved.
Then, the Black Lotus Sect's prodigy clicked his tongue. "Tch. I see how it is."
With a flick of his wrist, he sheathed his sword.
"We'll settle this another time," Tian Zhen muttered. Then, turning to his followers, he motioned for them to leave.
Slowly, one by one, the Black Lotus Sect warriors withdrew.
But as he left, Tian Zhen cast a final glance toward Keilan.
A promise of vengeance.
Keilan only smirked.
A Decision Made
As silence settled over the town once more, the group of seven warriors turned back to their discussion.
The fight had revealed everything they needed to know.
Torra Yun stepped forward. "We've seen enough."
He turned to Shin Aoren.
"You are the strongest, but this battle showed that tactics matter just as much as brute strength."
Aoren didn't argue. He had won many battles with sheer power—but this was something different.
Torra Yun nodded. "I'll take the role of leader."
Shin Aoren crossed his arms but smiled faintly. "Then I'll be vice-leader."
The decision was made.
As they turned to leave, the lanterns flickered once more—
A storm was coming.