The Registry captain drove the banner into the north road. The copper seal struck the packed earth, and a wave of force ran toward the grain carts.
Wei’s shield line met it. The students planted their feet and raised the boards together. The first surge hit hard enough to push the front row back a step. One student caught the second row’s arm and held the gap closed.
“Keep the carts behind the wall!” Wei shouted.
The drivers pulled the last wagon into shelter. Bai stayed at the mill gate and counted each load as it passed. The miller’s blue lamp still burned above the door; the grain was safe for now.
Yan activated Blood Ignition. The art’s life-burning cost became renewed vitality, and strength surged through his limbs. He felt the familiar warmth spread from his dantian, brightening his breath and giving each step more force.
Three-Step Ash Run carried him through the opening between two riders. He did not need to stop one art before using the next. His Dao Domain kept his practiced methods working together, while the enemy’s weapons remained a threat he had to meet with his body and skill.
The captain swung his staff. Yan ducked beneath the first strike and cut across the man’s path. A rider came at Yan from the side with a hooked blade. Yan turned his shoulder and let the blade scrape over the reinforcement around his arm, then struck the rider’s wrist. The hook fell from his hand.
