It was about that moment when hell broke loose. Tang Yin gazed at Chen Xin, who let her go. Knowing she would do it either way, she short-forwarded. 

Blue river grass from the Arena covered her path as she ran ontop of it. Her feet hitting the thin strands as she balancedherself with spirit power. Xiao Wu let out a silent whimper as the others were confused, yet silently made their choices. 

Thus was the time to make a choice. The energies bursting from everyone were a spectacle of multi-hues that illuminated the surroundings. Spirit pressure in the air that would have crushed most people. A silver-blue light around Tang Yin burst forward as she twirled her blades, standing straight in front of Xiao Wu, who was still looking slightly frightened, her ears pressed close to her head, leaning backward. 

It was not even a question for her. Never had been and never would be.

Spirit Beast or not, Xiao Wu was her people, and she protected her people. On principle. 

The air above them rumbled and growled, yet another unfamiliar Aura spread through the air, thundering down upon them, drawing all gazes to it. It was as tremendous as Bibi Dongs, but different. Where she was cold, this one was frozen, harsh icyness, and Yin noted with surprise and a tang of something she was keenly familiar with. 

A familiarity she had not expected to ever feel again, one she had rejected for all the reasons that counted. The moment of distraction, not one she could afford, but it happened anyway, she turned around, and above her in the sky, clad like a beggar in a raggy coat, leather pants, and a white shirt with patchwork on it, stood her father, his brown hair hanging down his shoulders, his eyes on the ground. Nine rings illuminated the sky around him as the clouds above it twisted like a vortex. 

Tang Yin felt her breath hitch. Yes, right, that was true. Her father was also a spirit master. 

Then she turned around back to Bibi Dong, whose gaze was firm on her father. Her gaze was cold, but it was not angry; it was as if she didn't care. She was not watching an enemy. 

Instead, she rose from the ground and stormed towards her father. 

"Clear Sky  douluo." Behind her, Chen Xin said and grabbed her from behind in her inattention that did not register him as any kind of threat. "We need to get you to safety." 

"Wha..." Then she was ripped away with a scream. 

"Teach!" She thundered as the air thundered past her, and the surroundings were only a blurry landscape. 

"Quiet!" He thundered. "This is no fight for you!" 

Yin wanted to object when she suddenly saw that Ning Rong Rong, Ning Feng, and others were similarly forcibly dragged away by various people. The city flowed past them, and the landscape was a messy blur. Tang Yin wanted to object, wanted to do something, anything, but she knew it herself; she did not stand a chance. That was a battle too big for her. The powers that fought were too strong; in comparison to them, she was nothing but a gust of wind instead of a storm. So she clamped her mouth shut and let herself be dragged off. It was not comfortable, nor in any manner or way, but it was a necessity. Once they were away, Chen Xin set her and Rong Rong down on the ground, watching as the others did the same with their respective charges.

Around them, it was utterly silent. Nothing but a rustle of leaves in the wind and the chirping of birds around them, as there was nothing but utter peace. 

It was equal parts jarring, and still, the faces made it familiar. 

All of Sherk's nine devils were assembled in one place. 

Tang Yin, Ning Rong Rong, Xiao Wu, Ning Feng, Tang San, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar. 

"Well, that was...surprising. I was really looking forward to kicking Spirit Halls' collective asses." Oscar said with a daredevil smile on his face, trying to loosen the tense situation. "But what are we going to do now? I mean, except Yin, who still has her sea god exams to pass?" 

"I honestly don't know." Xiao Wu muttered. "I mean...don't...don't you mind?"

"Huh?" The others looked at her, confused. Then Feng stepped forward and smiled at Xiao Wu, the two had been best friends ever since way back. 

"Y-You are s-still the s-same." She said. "Wu i-is Wu." 

"Right." Ma Honjun shrugged, adding. "Nothing about it. We have been hanging around for too long together to mind anything now." 

"Yep, totally," Yin said and then sent her a loopsided grin. "You know that better than anyone. At this point, no one here cares." 

"You are crazy," She muttered when Tang San put his hand on her shoulder. 

"I promised. If anyone harms my family, they have to walk over my dead cold corpse." He said. "That will never change. You are family Wu." Xiao Wu's eyes filled with tears.