Year 4126 of the Central Calendar
Month of Summer Gales, Day 3
Mingzhen City, Shen Family Compound
The training yard rang with the hiss of blades through morning air. Disciples practiced in rows, their green sashes fluttering like reeds in wind.
Shen Wu stood at the center, hands behind his back, his silver hair tied neatly. He gestured for Jian to step forward.
Shen Wu: "Feng Jian, today you begin learning the art of our family—the Wind Dance Style. Remember: the wind is soft, but it can carve stone. The lighter your blade, the heavier its strike when carried by Qi."
He motioned to a young instructor, Mistress Yuika, who carried scrolls.
Yuika: "There are four foundational techniques. Memorize them not with your eyes, but with your breath."
She unrolled the parchment, inked diagrams swirling like moving air.
The Four Techniques of Wind Dance
Yuika (demonstrating):
Zephyr Draw – unsheathing cut amplified by Qi.
"Faster than sight. The blade catches wind, turning a flick into a storm."
Cyclone Veil Step – evasive footwork.
"Each step adds weight by borrowing wind. You'll appear lighter, yet hit heavier."
Whispering Edge – subtle, slipping cut.
"Your strike rides airflow. Even a blocked attack will pass through with force."
Tempest Rising Fang – spiral slash.
"Upward wind, carrying foes skyward. As subtle as bamboo, as violent as typhoon."
Jian (bowing): "I will master them."
He drew his blade, imitated the first movement. The blade whispered through air, but without force. Disciples watching at the sidelines muttered.
Disciple A (whispering): "His cut has no weight."
Disciple B: "Flame-less and wind-less. What use is he?"
Jian ignored them, sweat dripping as he repeated the Zephyr Draw again and again until his arms ached.
Year 4126, Month of Summer Gales, Day 12
Training Yard, Midnight
The courtyard was empty. Lanterns swayed faintly. Jian stood alone, repeating Whispering Edge under the moonlight. His feet blistered, his breath ragged.
He paused, closing his eyes. Within his body, Qi surged—not singular, but divided. One flow was sharp and quick: Wind Qi. The other was steady, grounding: Natural Qi.
Jian (thinking):Two currents? They fight each other… but what if…
He exhaled, trying to layer them. For a moment, his blade quivered as if alive. A faint gust burst from its edge, scattering dust.
Jian (softly): "I can use both."
Year 4126, Month of Autumn Winds, Day 8
Sparring Grounds
By now, Jian's relentless training was a rumor. Disciples gathered as he faced Shen Kai, an older cousin, already renowned for his Wind Dance.
Shen Kai (mocking): "Exile from Central dares challenge me? Fine. I'll end this quickly."
They clashed. Kai's blade moved flawlessly, Cyclone Veil Step turning each strike into a blur. Jian matched him—feet gliding, strikes whispering.
Onlookers gasped as Jian used Whispering Edge, his strike slipping past Kai's parry to graze his sleeve.
Disciple (whispering): "Impossible… he mastered Whispering Edge in months?"
Another: "No, look—he layers something else beneath it."
Jian inhaled, Natural Qi stabilizing, Wind Qi spiraling over it. His blade whistled, growing heavy though his movement was light. He unleashed Leafstorm Barrage, chaining cuts until Kai staggered back, disarmed.
The courtyard fell silent.
Shen Wu (smiling faintly): "The boy has found his rhythm. Gale… Style."
Year 4126, Month of Winter Frost, Day 2
Lost Plains Hunt
A pack of grey wolves (Rank B+) circled. Jian led the younger hunters. His twin blades shimmered, Wind Qi dancing around them. He pivoted with Cyclone Veil Step, dodging a lunge, then countered with Tempest Rising Fang, sending a wolf crashing skyward.
Hunters shouted in awe.
Hunter: "He moves like the wind itself!"
But Jian's eyes were fixed on the horizon—where two titans clashed: the Thunderhawk and the Earthbrand Ravager. Wind against stone. Sky against earth.
He clenched his blades, whispering to himself.
Jian: "I see it now… balance. Root and leaf. Earth and sky."
Qi surged within him, Natural and Wind entwined. His movements transcended the four family techniques.