Wei Liang moved the instant the ground began to shake, closing the distance toward Yin before the ritual could finish, seventh gate flaring at full intensity.
"Now," Xu shouted. "Whatever's completing, stop it before it locks into place."
Yin didn't retreat. He raised one hand almost casually, and the strike Wei Liang sent crashing toward him simply dissolved against some invisible barrier a foot from impact.
"That won't work," Yin said, unbothered. "Not yet."
Garrow and Liu Che moved to flank, but the robed figures positioned throughout the compound finally stirred, blocking their approach with disciplined efficiency that made clear they'd been waiting for exactly this moment rather than simply observing passively.
"Feng Yao," Wei Liang called out. "Now. The tandem sequence."
Feng Y
