# Chapter 4: Unlikely Allies
The morning sun cast long shadows across the Stonestep town square of the Grandcrest kingdom as The Sovereign materialized from a pillar of light. His white robes billowed dramatically, golden threads catching the sunlight as he raised his arms toward the gathering crowd. Several townsfolk stopped to stare, some dropping their market purchases in awe.
"Behold," his voice resonated with unnatural power, "your new god stands before you."
A fruit vendor squinted at him. "You're blocking my stall."
The Sovereign's eye twitched. "I am the wielder of Divine Authority. Your petty commerce means nothing before—"
"Yeah, yeah. Either buy something or move along." The vendor waved him aside with a wrinkled hand.
The Sovereign's serene expression cracked. His eyes blazed with golden light as he lifted a finger, reducing the fruit stall to ash. "Perhaps now you understand the weight of divine—"
"Did you just destroy my oranges?" The vendor's voice carried more irritation than fear.
"Your insolence will be your undoing!" The Sovereign's voice boomed across the square. "This town will kneel before my Divine Authority or face cleansing!"
In the distant countryside, Kasian sat cross-legged before a steaming bowl of noodles, his expression one of intense concentration. "The thickness is almost perfect," he muttered, measuring a single noodle between his fingers. "But the elasticity..." He shook his head, disappointed. The noodle-making competition had drawn him fifty miles away, and he intended to judge every bowl personally.
Back in town, a group of lower-ranked warriors from the Association had assembled, their badges gleaming in the morning light.
"Rank 47: Thunder Fist Zhang!" A muscular warrior stepped forward, chest puffed out.
"Rank 53: Swift Blade Chen!" A slender woman twirled her sword.
"Rank 61: Iron Shield Wang!" A stout man planted his feet firmly.
The Sovereign regarded them with the mild interest one might show an ant carrying a particularly large crumb. "How quaint. The Association sends its pawns."
Thunder Fist Zhang charged first, his fist crackling with energy. "You'll learn respect for the Association's might!"
The Sovereign didn't move. A pulse of golden light erupted from his body, and Zhang crashed through three market stalls.
Swift Blade Chen's sword became a blur of motion, cutting through the air from multiple angles. "Divine Authority or not, you'll fall to our combined strength!"
Another casual gesture. Chen's sword shattered, and she collapsed to her knees, gasping.
Iron Shield Wang raised his legendary defense, a technique said to withstand dragon strikes. The shield lasted precisely two seconds before both it and Wang went flying.
"Is this truly the strength of your warriors?" The Sovereign's voice dripped with contempt. "Perhaps I should demonstrate true power—"
"Excuse me."
The Sovereign turned to find Lei Ming standing in the middle of the street, wearing simple training clothes. No dramatic stance, no glowing energy, just the steady posture learned from countless push-ups.
"Another ant comes to be crushed?" The Sovereign smiled indulgently.
"Actually," Lei Ming rolled his shoulders, "I've been doing my basics."
Several watching warriors groaned. "Not this again—"
Lei Ming moved. No flash, no dramatic technique name, just efficient motion born of endless repetition. His punch connected with The Sovereign's barrier, and for the first time, the self-proclaimed god took a step back.
"What?" The Sovereign's eyes widened. "How did you penetrate my divine protection with such a simple—"
"You'd be surprised," Lei Ming replied, launching another basic combination, "what proper form can do."
The Sovereign snarled, unleashing a wave of golden energy that Lei Ming barely dodged. Each blast left craters in the ground, but Lei Ming's fundamentals kept him moving, surviving far longer than anyone expected.
Lei Ming's legs trembled with exhaustion as he dodged another blast of golden energy. His fundamentals had carried him far, but The Sovereign's power was overwhelming.
"Admirable effort," The Sovereign sneered, gathering energy between his palms. "But ultimately futile."
The blast came faster than Lei Ming could dodge. He crossed his arms, bracing for impact—but it never came. A shadow flashed before him, and the golden energy scattered harmlessly.
"Your stance is good," Aria Blackthorn remarked casually, lowering her blade. "But your recovery time needs work."
Lei Ming managed a tired smile. "The famous Shadow Blade, here to add to her legend?"
"No." Aria's eyes remained fixed on The Sovereign. "Just a warrior doing her job. Though I wouldn't mind some backup."
The Sovereign's laughter echoed across the square. "The legendary Aria Blackthorn! Have you come to claim credit for another miracle? Perhaps you'll say your secret technique dispersed my divine power?"
"Actually," Aria shifted into a basic defensive stance, "I was thinking of something more practical."
She moved with precise efficiency—no flashy techniques, just years of hard-earned skill.
Aria moved with a calm, focused precision that showed her years of experience. She didn’t waste any energy on fancy moves; each step, each swing of her blade was exact and careful. Her stance stayed low, steady, so she could switch smoothly from defense to offense without losing her balance.
As Lei Ming struck forward with his basic attacks, Aria matched his movements, staying close to him. Her blade circled around him, protecting him when he left a gap, and guiding him forward with subtle motions. When he aimed a thrust, she would angle her sword just right to force The Sovereign’s block a little off, leaving an opening in his defenses. She moved to Lei Ming’s blind spots instinctively, drawing The Sovereign’s focus while giving Lei Ming the chance to strike.
When Lei Ming’s timing slipped, Aria would adjust, snapping her sword into position at just the right moment. Together, they created a steady rhythm of attack and defense. Her strikes were aimed precisely, using her understanding of weak points in the body—not to be brutal, but to be effective. A small twist of her wrist could disrupt The Sovereign’s balance, forcing him to adjust. She used the force of her movements carefully, never wasting energy, and always aware of how gravity and momentum could help her.
They moved as one. Lei Ming’s solid basics kept them grounded, while Aria’s expert skill brought a quick, smooth rhythm to their fight. When she parried, her blade absorbed just enough of The Sovereign’s force, redirecting it to make Lei Ming’s next strike hit harder. It was a flow of simple, practical skill with no need for showy techniques.
The Sovereign’s confidence began to crumble. He found himself defending from strange angles, his aura fading under their constant attacks. Frustration showed in his face as he tried to deal with Aria’s approach. Every small move, every shift of her foot, was a calculated attack, aimed both at his weak points and at keeping him off balance.
The Sovereign's smug expression faltered as he was forced to block attacks from multiple angles. "Impossible! Such simple techniques shouldn't—"
"That's the point," Lei Ming grunted, landing a solid body blow that made the self-proclaimed god stumble. "Simple works."
For several minutes, they pushed The Sovereign back. Aria's practical swordwork complemented Lei Ming's basic strikes perfectly. The watching crowd began to murmur with hope.
Then The Sovereign's eyes blazed with fury. "ENOUGH!" A massive wave of golden energy exploded outward, sending both warriors skidding backward. "I will not be made a fool of by such inferior—"
"BEHOLD!"
The booming voice drew every eye to the rooftops. There stood Jin Wei, silhouetted against the sun. But something was... different. Gone were his elaborate robes with their golden threading. Missing were the seven ceremonial rings he always wore. His usual perfectly coiffed hair was tied back simply.
Instead, he wore plain training clothes, similar to Lei Ming's. A murmur of shock rippled through the crowd.
"Is that really Jin Wei?"
"Where's his Celestial Dragon armor?"
"Did he lose a bet?"
The Sovereign raised an eyebrow. "Another interruption? And who might you be?"
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Jin Wei opened his mouth, clearly ready to launch into one of his famous monologues. Then he stopped. A slight smile touched his lips.
"Actually," he said, jumping down to join Lei Ming and Aria, "titles don't matter much anymore."
Lei Ming stared. "Jin Wei? You look... normal."
"Turns out," Jin Wei settled into a basic stance that mirrored Lei Ming's, "normal isn't so bad."
Aria's lips twitched. "No elaborate entrance speech?"
"I thought we could skip that part." Jin Wei's eyes remained focused on The Sovereign. "Sometimes the basics are enough."
The Sovereign looked between the three warriors, divine composure cracking into confusion. "What mockery is this? The great Jin Wei, reduced to such... simplicity?"
"Not reduced," Jin Wei corrected, his voice carrying none of its old theatrical flair. "Refined."
The three warriors stood together, facing the self-proclaimed god. Each had learned their own lesson from a certain wanderer—lessons about true strength, honest effort, and the power of simplicity.
Meanwhile, fifty miles away, Kasian carefully sampled another bowl of noodles. "Hmm," he mused, "the broth ratio is off by 0.2 percent. Amateur mistake."
# The Breaking Point
The Sovereign's golden energy crackled against Lei Ming's basic defensive stance. Sweat dripped down his face as he held firm, creating an opening that Aria instantly exploited.
"Your left side," Jin Wei called out, his tone carrying a hint of his old instructional superiority. "Basic Form Three would work better than Two here."
Lei Ming adjusted without complaint. "The Third Rank warrior would know, I suppose?"
"Former Third Rank," Jin Wei corrected, launching a surprisingly simple but effective counter-attack. "Though I must say, that wandering buffoon would be proud of your basics." His voice carried an odd mix of irritation and respect.
Aria rolled her eyes while parrying a blast. "Still holding that grudge, Jin Wei? He did beat you with one finger."
"A fluke!" Jin Wei proclaimed, then caught himself. "I mean... a learning experience." He executed a perfect basic kick that would have made any training instructor proud. "When I face him again, he'll see how I've mastered the fundamentals."
"If you can find him," Lei Ming grunted. "He's probably critiquing someone's cooking right now."
Their combined assault pushed The Sovereign back step by step. Lei Ming's foundational techniques created openings, Aria's practical strikes exploited them, and Jin Wei's refined basics delivered devastating follow-ups.
The combined assault was relentless, driving The Sovereign backward one step at a time. Lei Ming’s strikes, though fundamental, were fierce and unyielding, breaking apart The Sovereign’s defenses bit by bit. Each time Lei Ming created even the smallest gap, Aria was there, quick as lightning, her blade slipping through with ruthless efficiency. And where Aria’s attack ended, Jin Wei’s began, swift and precise.
Jin Wei moved like a master of Murim, his presence calm and unbreakable, with a sharp, practiced grace that made every strike feel like the point of a spear. His basics were polished to perfection, each motion honed through countless battles. When he attacked, there was no hesitation—just pure, focused power. His fist would follow Aria’s blade, striking hard where she had weakened The Sovereign’s defenses. Jin Wei’s movements were smooth yet powerful, like a flowing river with the force to carve through stone.
They wove their attacks together in flawless synchrony, each of them playing a part in the rhythm of the fight.
Lei Ming drove forward, his punches hammering into The Sovereign’s guard, keeping him off balance and preventing any chance to regroup. Aria’s blade was like a whisper of steel, slipping between defenses in precise, almost surgical strikes aimed at weak points, forcing The Sovereign to guard places he normally wouldn’t. Then Jin Wei would step in, his movements deliberate yet unstoppable. His strikes had the weight of an avalanche, each one building on the last.
The Sovereign’s aura flared, desperately trying to keep up with the onslaught. His face, once confident and composed, started to show cracks as sweat formed on his brow. Each time he blocked Jin Wei’s powerful strikes, Aria’s blade would flash from an unexpected angle, forcing him to redirect. Every time he tried to counter Lei Ming’s punches, Jin Wei was there, his attacks shifting to exploit the slightest misstep.
Jin Wei’s refined basics were deceptively simple yet devastating. When he struck, his fists were heavy and accurate, his weight perfectly aligned behind each blow. His footwork was flawless, shifting to cover Lei Ming’s side or to open up space for Aria’s blade. With every step, he created an opening, giving his companions more opportunities to attack. It was a display of mastery—his attacks felt like they could shatter bones, and his movements flowed with a grounded strength that few warriors could match.
Finally, The Sovereign stumbled back, his defenses shaken by Jin Wei’s powerful assault. His calm broke, his voice trembling with fury. “Enough of this farce!” he roared, his aura flaring wildly.
The Sovereign's perfect composure finally cracked. "Enough of this farce!"
Golden light erupted from his body, transforming into massive pillars that shattered buildings. The sky itself seemed to crack, revealing glimpses of divine realms.
"Behold true Divine Authority!"
A wave of power sent market stalls flying toward a group of civilians. Lei Ming dove forward, his basic stance somehow holding against the divine onslaught. Aria appeared in a flash, cutting through debris before it could harm anyone, while Jin Wei...
"WITNESS THE MIGHT OF— ahem." Jin Wei stopped himself mid-pose. "I mean, everyone behind the fruit stand. Now."
The trio fought desperately as The Sovereign's power grew. Each blast they blocked left another building damaged, each defense cost them more ground. Their reformed techniques, while effective, were reaching their limits.
"Your 'basics' fail you," The Sovereign sneered. "Where is your precious simplicity now?"
Lei Ming's arms trembled as he blocked another blast. Aria's movements, while still precise, had slowed notably. Even Jin Wei's perfect form was faltering.
"Perhaps," The Sovereign continued, "the great Jin Wei regrets abandoning his superior techniques? Your Celestial Dragon Style would serve you better than these... peasant moves."
Jin Wei's eye twitched. For a moment, his old arrogance surfaced. "I'll have you know I was the youngest warrior to achieve Third Rank in—" He stopped, then laughed. "Actually, none of that matters anymore."
"What matters," Lei Ming pushed himself up from one knee, "is not giving up."
Aria nodded, readying her blade. "Simple as that."
"Simple as that," Jin Wei agreed, his voice carrying both humility and pride. "Though I must say, I execute these basics far more elegantly than either of you."
The Sovereign raised both hands, divine light condensing into a massive sphere. "Then die with your simple techniques!"
The battle took a sudden, brutal turn.
Jin Wei launched himself at The Sovereign, aiming a powerful, straight punch meant to end the fight. But in an instant, The Sovereign shifted, a strange, dark energy gathering around his fist. With a single, devastating counterpunch, he struck Jin Wei square in the chest. The force was immense. Jin Wei’s eyes widened as he felt the impact, like a thunderbolt tearing through his body, sending him flying backwards. He soared through the air, crashing down far from the battlefield, leaving Aria and Lei Ming alone to face the overwhelming power of The Sovereign.
Aria and Lei Ming exchanged a quick, determined glance. They both knew they were in trouble without Jin Wei’s strength, but they refused to back down. They charged together, hoping their combined efforts could buy time.
The Sovereign’s response was swift and merciless. He moved faster than either of them expected, his strikes landing with bone-rattling accuracy. Aria tried to block, her blade flashing in defense, but he smashed through it with sheer force. His fist drove into her shoulder, sending a wave of pain down her arm. She staggered, struggling to keep her balance.
Lei Ming pushed forward, aiming to counterattack, but The Sovereign was waiting. With a brutal swing, he slammed his fist into Lei Ming’s ribs, the impact crushing the air from his lungs. Lei Ming gasped, stumbling back, barely able to hold his stance. The Sovereign showed no mercy, striking him again and again, each blow heavy and ruthless.
Aria managed to regain her footing, her vision blurred by pain, but before she could act, The Sovereign’s hand shot out, gripping her by the wrist. He pulled her close, then delivered a crushing punch to her stomach. The air left her in a strangled gasp, her body crumpling as she fell to her knees, clutching her side.
Lei Ming tried to help her, his face twisted in anger and desperation, but The Sovereign turned to him, eyes gleaming with cruel delight. He struck Lei Ming down with a savage kick, sending him sprawling across the ground. Lei Ming barely had time to breathe before The Sovereign’s boot pressed down on his chest, pinning him helplessly to the dirt.
Aria struggled to stand, her body screaming in pain, yet her spirit remained unbroken. But even she knew she was at her limit. Blood trickled from her lip, her arms shaking as she raised her blade one last time. The Sovereign only laughed, a cold, mocking sound, as he watched her struggle. To him, it was a game—a twisted display of power over two warriors who could no longer fight back.
For Aria and Lei Ming, each passing moment felt heavier, the weight of defeat closing in as they lay battered and broken, waiting—hoping—for a miracle to save them.
---
Jin Wei felt something shift inside him as he watched Lei Ming and Aria struggle against The Sovereign's onslaught. The old him would have declared some grand technique name. Instead, he closed his eyes, remembering countless hours of basic forms.
"Your basics bore me," The Sovereign sneered. "Show me the legendary Jin Wei's true power!"
A slight smile touched Jin Wei's lips. "As you wish." He settled into a stance that made several watching Association members gasp.
"The Celestial Dragon form?" Lei Ming recognized the traditional starting position.
"With a few... adjustments." Jin Wei's movements flowed like water—the dramatic flourishes stripped away, leaving only refined efficiency. His ki blazed with familiar golden light, but instead of dispersing into spectacular patterns, it concentrated into his core.
The Sovereign raised an eyebrow as Jin Wei attacked. The first strike carried all the power of the Celestial Dragon style, but none of its usual wasted motion. The second came faster than the traditional form allowed, basic footwork creating perfect balance.
"What is this?" The Sovereign's barrier crackled, actually straining against the assault. "This isn't the technique I've heard of—"
"The old me," Jin Wei continued his combination, each move flowing naturally into the next, "would have called this 'Divine Celestial Dragon Emperor's Sixteen Sacred Strikes.'" He almost laughed at how ridiculous it sounded now. "But really, it's just good basics applied properly."
The Sovereign's golden barriers shimmered with a fierce intensity as he braced himself against Jin Wei's relentless onslaught. The crowd stopped breathing, their eyes glued to the barriers as they groaned and splintered under the brutal force of Jin Wei's strikes. A silence filled the watchers, the air heavy with a clear tension.
Would the Sovereign's defenses hold, or would Jin Wei break through and seize the upper hand?
The result was uncertain, the crowd's hearts pounding as they waited anxiously to see who would win this battle of giants.
Then The Sovereign's expression darkened. "Enough games." Divine power exploded outward, shattering Jin Wei's perfect form and sending him crashing through a market stall. "Your 'improved basics' are still nothing before true divine might!"
Lei Ming helped Jin Wei up as Aria covered their position. "That was amazing! How did you—"
"Turns out," Jin Wei winced, his voice carrying equal parts pride and humility, "those boring exercises actually do improve everything else. Though I still say my form is more elegant than yours."
The Sovereign loomed over them, divine power turning the sky golden. "A valiant effort. But even refined mortal techniques cannot stand against—"
The blast came just as a familiar voice pierced the chaos, its sharp cry cutting through the cacophony like a lightning bolt cleaving the sky :
"Did someone put coriander in this? Amateur mistake."
As if a thunderclap, the voice, filled with raw chi, boomed, a frightening sound that made the blood run cold.
Everyone turned to see Kasian walking casually through the destruction, carefully balancing a bowl of noodles. His eyes were fixed on the contents, seemingly oblivious to the divine battle around him.
"Another insect?" The Sovereign frowned. "Can't you see I'm busy demonstrating divine might?"
"Mm." Kasian slurped a noodle. "Speaking of demonstrations, this broth is actually quite decent. Almost perfect temperature too."
Jin Wei's eyes lit up with a mixture of annoyance and anticipation. "You! Where have you been? I've mastered the basics you spoke of! I demand a rem—"
The Sovereign's patience snapped. "DIE!" He launched his most powerful attack yet, a beam of pure divine energy that turned the air itself golden.
Kasian lifted his free hand, still focused on his noodles. The blast stopped dead against his palm, golden energy dispersing like mist.
"Oh?" Kasian finally looked up, showing the first hint of interest. "That actually had some weight to it." He took another bite of noodles. "Maybe try putting your back into it more?"
The Sovereign stared in disbelief. "Who... what are you?"
"Just a guy who appreciates good noodles." Kasian's eyes brightened slightly. "Though I wouldn't mind seeing what else you can do. That divine whatever-it-was seemed promising."
Lei Ming, Aria, and Jin Wei watched with a mixture of exasperation and awe. Their hard-fought battle, their growth, their desperate defense... and here was Kasian, treating it all like a mild diversion over lunch.
"I've spent months training in basics because of you!" Jin Wei couldn't help but shout. "I threw away my Celestial Dragon techniques! I demand you acknowledge my growth!"
"Hm?" Kasian glanced at him blankly. "Have we met?"