Under the glow of moonlight, the boys hurried back to the Black Forest on Wyrmy’s back. The great beast, knowing that time is of the essence charged at top speed the entire way with his stubby feet, but it was the following night when they finally arrived.

The boys leapt off before the Land Wyrm stopped and they raced towards the Grey Wolves’ lair like fleeting shadows. When they arrived, all of them unconsciously stopped.

It wasn’t that the Grey Wolves managed to fight back. No, it was the opposite. It was a scene of pure devastation.

Blood splattered across the forest ground. Crimson liquid dripped off the leaves around the place. Entire trees were uprooted, and many torn into pieces from razor-sharp claws. Bodies of both Black Winds and Greys are strewn about on the ground covered in bite marks or torn into pieces.

None of the corpses was eaten. The wolves don’t eat their own kind, but it only made things more gruesome.

Their eyes trailed across all the death and destruction in horror until they saw that deeper in the woods, a great battle is still raging.

Even in the darkness, they could see that it was a defensive battle. The Grey Wolves had retreated into the rocky mound of their lair, restricting the enemy movements, and granting them protection from the crows that were persistently swooping down on them.

“We got to save them!”

“Hit them by the flanks.”

“Roger!”

The five of them charged as a team and dove deep into the middle of the Black Winds. Then, each of them turned towards a predetermined direction and split up.

Of course, this time, the archer found himself alone, without even Alan, his usual protector.

Edward waltzed forward, unfazed by the gleaming fangs that are baring in his face.

“Crushing the mountains, striking the moon!” The beasts that leapt at him were crushed downward with incredible force from his bow, then with a quick spin on his heel, he slashed upwards with outstretched arms and sliced them in two with his wrist blades. It was quick, efficient, and deadly.

The archer continued to walk forward, fearlessly facing a remarkable number of enemies without the safety of distance.

On the other side, Tommy barrelled forward like a human cannonball.

“Formless style, Breaking the swaying cherry blossom!” he whispered as if trying to memorise something he read.

A quick upward sweep with his fist caused the wolves to blast skyward, then with a swift thrust from his other hand, he pounded it – and all that was being it - into obliteration.

Breaking the swaying cherry blossom, he displayed the skill with such amazing strength that it was more akin to crushing the poor cherry tree. There wouldn’t be a need for burial after this.

The Formless Stance is about the intent and without the stance.

Most martial skills emphasise on the form as a little mistake would greatly weaken its effects. However, the genius who created the original Formless Sword removed the correct postures needed to execute the skills. What was left are only two things: The Sword and the result.

These two things are the very ingredients for acquiring Sword Intent, a power that masters strive for. Likewise for the modified Formless Style. Without a sole method to get results had caused the same move in Tommy’s hands to have a style unique to himself, and he believes that having overwhelming power can succeed when a thousand techniques fail.

Surrounded by wolves that looked at him as a prize, Alan softly muttered, “Borrowing the Heavens and returning a hell!”

‘To take control of the enemy’s momentum and use it as one’s own’

His interpretation of this intent caused him to deftly avoid the Black Winds that flew at him with open maws. At the last moment, he used his tonfas like clubs to send an especially unfortunate wolf hurling towards his companions.

In a blurring speed that even these wild beasts couldn’t react to, the flying wolf locked jaws with an incoming pouncing wolf.

The two looked hilarious, as though they were trying to find a way to kiss with their overlarge fangs until they flew away spinning like a wind mail that swept the other wolves away.

To create such a comical result with an attack, the other four boys privately saluted Alan.

“Scattering Petals Technique! Dance of the raindrops!” at Jim’s side, he put into action an idea he had.

A powerful series of thrusts rained down upon those in his path. The sheer viciousness frightened the rest of the pack. However, there was no escape for anyone as the silvery daggers that he threw into the air from the beginning, fell downwards. Though those blades appeared to drop randomly, each accurately punctured the weak of the neck of the Black Winds closest to him. Death has arrived with a wagon.

While he had yet to master combining his techniques, but he managed to use them well consecutively.

At Kairos’ end, the situation is far more brutal than the rest. With his long scythe-like blades at either end of his weapon, there wasn’t a need to attack multiple times.

He drew his Swallow to his side and crouched dangerously, “Piercing the nine heavens!”

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Then, Kairos lightly flew across the battlefield leaving behind a train of his afterimage.

He was like a gentle breeze, a hawk gliding across the skies, but despite the elegance of his technique, he was deceptively swift. In the blink of an eye, he had reached his destination with a path of corpses littered behind him all cleanly sliced in two.

It was a thrust… but everything that was in his way was slashed apart instead of pierced.

Such a martial art can only be possible with a very strong weapon intent, which the formless style is about.

Originally, it was made for Sword Intent: an ability gained from mastering the sword. An ability that Jones had shown proficient in.

Intent, as the word means, is a person’s will for something to happen, and when that is to cut with the sword, then it is called Sword Intent.

If the person willed to cut but nothing happened then, of course, there isn’t any Sword Intent. That is called imagination. But just thinking about cutting an enemy wouldn’t do a thing either.

When a person becomes so used to the sword that they can be called a master, they will be able to picture how a cut will happen down to the minute details. Only then can they form their Ki into a weapon that wouldn’t scatter like the wind when struck and the Sword Intent is formed.

Unfortunately, for one of the most popular weapons on Gaia, the percentage of sword users in their team is a flat zero.

Kairos reckoned that if there are popular weapon intents for Sword, Blade, and Spear, as well as the lesser-known Fist Wind, then other weapons can also be mastered to the same level.

To gain Weapon Intent is often the ultimate task for many martial artists, and only those with incredible mental fortitude and irrefutable talent may succeed. It is generally used as the divider between genius and regular, but the original creator of the Formless Sword found a method to develop Sword Intent, though it ultimately proved imperfect.

After Kairos had remodelled it into the Formless Style which accommodates all weapons, the way to discover their own Weapon Intent has opened up.

The five of them wouldn’t pass up any chance in their paths to becoming stronger. They cut their paths through the route of wolves until they stopped with the Black Winds before them, and the Greys’ lair at their back.

The Grey Wolves seeing that their human friends have arrived quickly exited their lair and joined the fray. For a moment, the tides of battle found a delicate balance.

At this time, at a far-away place within this forest, a soft blue light hovered in the air.

From it, a blaze of blue lightning fell from the skies and struck the Black Winds, its light flood across the forest. Vison quickly returned but by this time the black wolves had changed in appearance. These beasts had grown to almost twice their size. Their yellowed eyes became completely white and yellow lightning danced upon their fur.

*Grrrrooouu!!*

These unearthly creatures roared, furious and pained, as a mindless rage overtook them.

Kairos, they have turned into Storm wolves! It must be because of the artefact. The Grey Wolves are asking you to retreat into their lair

The boy made a decision swiftly, and he turned towards his friend and shouted, “Alan, your secret art!”

Alan gave him a nod then started chanting.

“Upon this ground I carve the flames of vengeance.

Onto the Heavens I cast the light of victory.

By my hands I hold both Life and Death!

I summon thee, apotheosis of true War!

Minerva (九天玄女), unleash thy will!”

A beautiful blue glow enveloped him as he spoke. His voice was a whisper, a quiet prayer, but it caused the world to tremble. A silhouette of a goddess appeared hovering behind him. Beautiful lights cast down upon his figure from the heavens above, and when those rays touch the ground, flames started erupting from it like flaming serpents, leaping about him.

The image of Minerva was haunting, but the fearsome Storm Wolves that were full of bloodlust started trembling. Their eyes filled with dread and they whimpered pathetically, scampering back in great fear of the goddess before them. No mortals could face of the divine might of Minerva without reeling.

The Tonfas in Alan’s grasp began to glow in distinctive white and black, giving off a pleasant feeling that is filled with life, and at the same time, the terrifying whisper of murder.

He rose his arms, stretching them backwards while whirling his weapons in his hands as he charged up his attack.

The wind whipped around Alan’s spinning Tonfas as the blazing fire that is rolling along with the ground spread in a circle. The flames as if having a life of its own blazed outwards and chased down all his enemies. Then, like sacred spears of light, the gentle light that was cast upon him turned into divine rays that pierced through the swarm of crows and bats above. One by one, the fliers were decimated, blasted thoroughly by the powerful lasers, and even the canopy was left riddled with holes.

“Okay, I’m done preparing,” Alan said with a smile.

Jim looked at him with sparkling eyes and open admiration. Such power and it was only the preparation?! Wow!

The others, however, barely managed not to roll their eyes. The gaudiness is really at another level of a genius. However, the fire and the intense light were effective protection as he unleashes his Secret Art.

Like a spring uncoiling, Alan swung his tonfas forward, and the two energy rings sliced outwards at stunning speeds.

The wheel-like circles, cut across the floor, leaving two large gushes in the ground as they grew larger while they travelled. Anything in their way, no matter beast, trees, or rocks, are all turned into dust as they raced across.

The Storm Wolves turn and flee, but it was those that did not get away that was lucky. The survivors didn’t have time to celebrate when they felt terrible despair as the flame tongues followed behind the two halos. Frightening screams pierced the forest as the demon wolves were burned to ash. Their howling cries turned the stomachs of every boy, even the one who did this.

After a while, Alan slumped to his side, completely drained.

A large section of the black forest in front of him has turned into a clearing. The moon poured its gentle light down, and for the first time in many years, the forest soil is no longer touched by darkness

This time, Alan increased the area his secret art covered to take down as many enemies as possible, and his targets were not only the wolves that are grounded but also the many fliers. It was a big move that nearly wiped out his reserves. The others smiled at his achievements and relaxed. Their tension drained, now that the Storm Wolves has been deterred and their concern now falls to the Greys.

The boys gathered by Alan’s side, ready to help him into the lair with the Grey Wolves, but quite suddenly a storm rolled through the trees to their overhead. This unnatural climate is a demonic spell brewed by the combined might of alphas Storm Wolves.

The canopy of the forest became completely engulf with cloud, yet no rain fell. Then before anyone could move, a bright light exploded amid them that dyed the world white, and a deafening blast of hot air follows. The violent thunderbolt threw all five of them back, crashing into whatever was in their path.

Then at the place they landed, another such blast struck. And shortly after, another. After five of such strikes, the terrible sound finally stopped. Soil rained down in its aftermath, and a great cloud of dust covered the place. The Grey Wolves nearby, held their breath in fearful silence, as their ears still hummed from the explosion.

Then slowly, the dust settled, restoring the visibility once again.

The ground appeared charred by the lightning, and everything in the vicinity turned to dust.

But right in the middle where the attacks are concentrated, there were patches of green grass. And upon it, lies a few stirring bodies. The boys are covered with soot, but otherwise alive.

Surrounding them is a faint, half-broken barrier made by the Formless Style, Ripples upon a tranquil lake. Next to Kairos, a blackened stick is rapidly disintegrating into dust.