One night at the Houyan palace descended into darkness. I think fog engulfed the whole palace. Ju Ying looked through his window.
"They chose the worst possible time," Ju Ying said, and grabbed his walking stick. He leaned on it as he walked out.
He looked around but all he could see was fog. He tripped and then looked down to see someone on the floor.
He got on his knees.
"Lao, rest well," Ju Ying said. As he got up he heard the sound of a blade flying mid-air. He tilted his head and evaded it.
He had a few more heading his way. Using his walking stick he swatted them away.
Suddenly a man jumped at him with a flying kick. He gently guided him away, disappearing in the fog behind him.
All of a sudden, a chain cut through the fog, and Ju Ying ducked. Before he realized, another chain pierced the fog and wrapped around his arm.
Then more chains flew in, and they wrapped around his other arm, legs, and neck.
Restrained, a man walked out of the fog. He was dressed in all black. He has on a black masquerade mask with a sad face.
"Where is the eternal flame?" the man asked. Ju Ying stood there as cold chains caressed him.
The man placed his hand on Ju Ying's head and his eyes rolled to the back of his head.
"Yes, show me the eternal flame." the man laughed menacingly.
The masked man noticed Ju Ying start to glow. The intensity of the glow kept increasing until he started pulsating.
"So close, come on old man. Give up the flame."
The masked man said just before a shockwave blew him and everyone back. The shock wave blew the whole place clear.
On the floor were the Masked man and his goons. Standing in the middle was Ju Ying.
The moonlight shone directly on him, revealing his shredded physique. His muscles forced their way out, shredding his clothes.
Ju Ying ripped the chains and what was left of his shredded clothes from his body. Even though he was muscular, his hair was still gray.
"I should have known it would not be that easy," the masked man said as he got back on his feet.
The masked man clapped, he slowly pulled his hand apart materializing a sword as he did. His lackeys had on similar masks. They all got up and surrounded Ju Ying.
He picked up his walking stick. One of the masked men's goons lunged at him. Without hesitation, he swung his walking stick at him.
The cane hit him in the head shattering on impact. He immediately continued with a spinning kick in the opposite direction.
Unfortunately for the goon, it was a hook kick. With his leg hooked to his neck, he followed through. He smashed his head into the ground breaking the mask.
The mask fell off and Ju Ying noticed he had no face.
The masked man lunged at Ju Ying, swinging his sword at him. Left then right, the masked man kept swinging but Ju Ying evaded all.
He punched him in the gut and the masked man stumbled back.
"Faceless spell, you really want to keep your identity a secret," Ju Ying said.
The masked man coughed out blood and charged at Ju Ying again. This time he did not move.
Just as the masked man was about to strike him he stopped. He grabbed onto the masked man's sword and held on tightly.
The masked man pulled on the sword but Ju Ying would not let go. He squeezed till the sword shattered.
Like sparks, they died out before they hit the ground.
From behind, one of the masked men's goons stabbed him. Ju Ying turned around and grabbed him by the head.
All of a sudden a flame engulfed him Charing him instantly. By then the fog was close, and the rest of the masked men disappeared into it.
Months after the gray fog attack.
The thirteen clans gathered at the Phoenix grand hall for the end of the fiscal year ceremony.
The whole room was filled with murmurs. The marble walls carried their murmur across the room.
The thirteen clans were all part of the Phoenix sect, with the Ju Clan leading the sect.
A gong rang, and the room fell silent.
"I introduce the third Flame, Honorable Chief Ju Ying the fourth." a young man in plain white silk robe said.
An old man was escorted to a platform in front of the crowd. Ying dragged his feet as he walked. He was in a green robe with gold accents. Behind him was the sect banner.
A blazing Phoenix with spread-out wings. The Phoenix was in red and gold with a white background.
Ju Ying took a seat on a padded stool in front of the other clan members. After he was seated the other clan members took their seats.
"I thank you all for your hard work. Before we start, I want to say something about the eternal flame. I have made a decision. I will tell you what it is after the ceremony. To show my appreciation, I have a gift," Chief Ju Ying said. He gestured at his attendant who waved over a servant.
They walked toward his attendant with a chest of all sizes. They placed it in front of Chief Ying.
"Fujishima Kaito, for your exceptional discovery in beast research. I award you a rear ingredients box," Chief Ying said and Kaito walked up to collect his gift. The crowd cheered, with his clan cheering the loudest.
He bowed to Chief Ying in appreciation, then went back to his seat.
"Zhao Beifang, for the discovery of your new blood potion. I award you an Epic Ingredients Box," Ying said, and looked through the crowd for Beifang.
As the crowd roared, Beifang got up and walked to collect his gift.
Ju Ying continued to award members of his sect.
"About my decision on the eternal flame. I have decided not to choose a vessel for my next reincarnation," Ju Ying announced and murmurs filled the air.
"Lord Flame, sorry to question your decision but what if the flame is inherited by our enemies?" a man in a purple robe said.
"Brother Li Enlai, the flame used to choose its own master. It will do so again," Ju Ying said, and Enlai bowed and took his seat.