The formation filled Floor Nine with white light.
Wu Nian held the northern node. His staff anchored a shield around the linked fighters. Ling Yue held the west, where nine frost blades turned in a tight ring. Guang Ming stood at the south and drew their combined power into his sword.
Ninety-seven elders fed them everything they had.
A huge blade of light took shape above Austin. The work lights flickered. Dust jumped across the floor.
Austin pulled welding goggles over his eyes. The formation looked impressive, but it broke National Spark Code Article 250. It was a bootleg extension cord plugged into a bathroom outlet. Power moved in both directions. No lead fighter could be removed by force without sending the surge through the others.
“Release your nodes when I catch the strike,” he called.
Guang Ming answered with the attack.
The blade fell.
