Wu Chen wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath barely disturbed by the strenuous sword exercises he had just completed. His sparring partner was not faring quite so well, however.

'Wu Chen! Take it easy on your gege!' The red faced, and panting young man threw himself to the ground with a 'huff!', his sword dropping from nerveless fingers.

Wu Chen chuckled and gracefully sat beside his elder brother, silently offering his waterskin. It was quickly snatched from his hands, and Wu Ying gratefully swallowed half the skin in one go.

'I need to be ready for the Festival of Elements.' Wu Chen reminded, his normally cheerful gaze hard and resolute.

'Is that sword so important to you?' His exhausted brother asked between gasping breaths.

Wu Chen's eyes wandered toward the East, his mind on the goal he had set for himself. Shandian, The Lightning Blade. It had been an obsession of his since he was eight, when he saw its power within a dream. It called to him, and he was finally being given the chance to answer.

'Never mind.' Wu Ying grimaced, knowing the answer already, 'I don't know why you're so worried about the festival. You can beat all of us without breaking a sweat. You've been able to since you were 15. The quest will definitely be yours after you beat Wu Peng at the Guardian Ceremony.' He patted Wu Chen's back in support of his brother's chances.

'I'm not really worried about that.' Wu Chen said, taking the waterskin back, 'What I'm really aiming for is that Three-Spirit-Elixir. I'm so close to breaking through into the 9th level. I just need something to give me a push.'

Wu Ying nodded, brushing his dark hair out of his eyes. He knew his brother took both his swordsmanship and cultivation seriously. The frustration with the difficulty in breaking through this time had been bothering him for months now. He could see where the pill would be tempting.

He hadn't used any before as he'd been afraid, and rightly so, that it might damage his cultivation foundations. Too much reliance on external things like elixirs and potions made for a weak cultivator in the long run and might even halt the later stages.

Just then, a small figure in the muted clan colors of silver and light green burst through the trees. His little legs pumped furiously as he waved toward the two men relaxing on the practice field.

'Chen-shixiong! I knew I'd find you here!' He stopped, desperately trying to catch his breath as the two brothers eyed him curiously. Hands on his aching sides, he lifted his adorable face and gasped out, 'Clan Leader is asking for you. The Guardians are going to be chosen today, and he wants you both there for the ceremony.'

Wu Ying rolled his eyes, 'It's not like I will be needing a Guardian. I have no intentions of going on some epic quest. I don't know why he insists on my having to be there.'

'One day you will be the Clan Leader. Don't you think it's important to know your duties and the clan's ceremonies?' Asked Wu Chen, rising gracefully from the ground. He extended a hand toward his brother, who lifted a brow before grasping it and letting himself be lifted as well.

'You are not wrong.' He answered Wu Chen with a grin, 'I can't help but wonder what your Guardian will be like, though.' He laughed at the dark glance Wu Chen shot his way.

'I don't really understand why Chen-shixiong needs a Guardian.' The little boy huffed as they began walking toward the clan buildings in the distance, 'He's the best swordsman, has already entered the late stage of Foundation Building, and he...'

'Is the most handsome cultivator to ever grace our little Sword Clan!' Finished Wu Ying with a hearty laugh. The youth blushed furiously as he glared at Wu Ying.

'Well, he is.' The boy said petulantly, his reddened face scrunched up in embarrassment.

Wu Chen shook his head and patted the young boy on the shoulder, 'Shidi, the Lu Clan has offered their top clansmen as Guardians for many centuries.' He explained calmly, 'It is a tradition that dates back 300 years in repayment for a life debt. According to the Lu Clan, that debt has never been truly repaid. Until it has, they will continue to guard our clan on our Clan Quests.'

Wu Chen lightly rapped the boy on his head as he admonished, 'This is common knowledge, Wu Ming. The Lu Clan is quite honorable. Don't let your pride lose our face with silly questions like this again.'

'Yes, shixiong.' The boy answered contritely.

Wu Ying laughed lightly. 'Don't be so serious, didi. Little Wu Ming has been your biggest fan since he was in swaddling clothes!'

Wu Chen rolled his eyes, and Wu Ming just wanted to dig a hole and bury himself in it.

How could he not have a horrible case of hero worship toward this man? He was everything Wu Ming wanted to be! He was what every young cultivator in the Wu Clan wanted to be.

Wu Chen was quite famous already throughout the cultivation world, even though he was still considered a junior. Only 18, and he had already broken through to the 8th stage of Foundation Building. Some went so far as to speculate that he would most likely create a Golden Core before he even turned 20. Certainly, it was an unprecedented cultivation speed amongst the current population of cultivators.

If that wasn't enough, he was well known as a dual-wielder of swords. His two-handed abilities were graceful as well as deadly. Members of various clans flocked to the Wu Clan regularly to either challenge him to a duel or to watch as his blades flashed and slashed like an immortal from ancient myths. His short sword, Xiao Lei, had been passed down to him from his mother. His abilities with the clan's lightning techniques led her to pass it to him rather than his older brother, Wu Ying.

That expert control of lightning only added to his reputation. It had been the cause of multiple invitations from various masters to either become their personal disciple or join their clan through an arranged marriage. Even some immortal sects had shown interest!

Wu Chen never entertained any of these seriously. In his usual calm and elegant manner, he politely declined each and every invitation personally, leaving a great many broken hearts behind.

The winding path led the three through a small copse of trees and suddenly opened onto a bright avenue that neatly cut through the various traditional styled homes and workplaces of the distinguished Wu Clan.

Many voices welcomed the trio back, and the brothers responded with cheery waves. It was obvious that the handsome duo was very popular with their clansmen, especially the women, as they made their way towards the Hall in the center of the compound.

Their father stood poised at the top of the stairway leading to the imposing Wu Hall. Its ancient wooden walls were decorated in numerous reliefs of battle scenes and Clan Quests that had brought honor and prestige to their Sword Clan. It was the largest building in the compound and could easily hold hundreds beneath its green tiered pagoda roof tiles. It wasn't often filled during the year, but it was always crowded during the festival. Sounds of many voices could be heard drifting from its heavy wooden doors.

Reaching the top of the stairs, all three bowed respectfully and greeted their Clan Leader. Clad in the silver and soft green robes of the clan, he was an impressive man who could still wield the sword on his hip with the best of them.

Appearing to be in his 50's, although he had been the leader for over a hundred years, he had smiling eyes with laugh lines in the corners. His greying hair was held in a low ponytail with a simple silver ribbon. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest and nodded in response to their polite greeting.

Leader Wu Bao glanced at his two sons and couldn't help the wave of pride he felt.

Wu Ying had his father's looks. Dashing and handsome, with his high brow and chiseled features, his smile was always ready. A lock of hair constantly seemed to fall into his phoenix eyes no matter how hard his servants tried to control the wayward strands. He was steadfast, honorable, and took his administrative duties seriously considering his age. One day, he would make a fine Clan Leader.

Wu Chen took after his mother. His fox eyes were delicate and sparkled with hidden laughter. His brow was noble, and his lashes long. He was stunning to look at, causing many hidden glances and surprised gasps wherever he went. His long, thick hair was pulled into a high ponytail for practice, but it still reached down to his lower back like waves of glistening ebony. Standing before his proud father, he seemed to shine in the silver and green sparring robes, their understated beauty perfectly matching the youth before him.

Wu Bao cleared his throat, reining in his fatherly pride in lieu of his duties as Clan Leader.

'It seems you have forgotten the Guardian Ceremony.' He admonished his sons, 'I expect you both to be properly dressed and ready within an incense stick worth of time. Now go.'

He waved at them impatiently as they quickly bowed and ran toward their homes. He knew he didn't have to worry. His sons had never disappointed him. He smiled to himself as he shooed the young Wu Ming in to help prepare for the ceremony.