Number One Dungeon Supplier

"Is it our turn?" Ming asked with a playful grin, his voice barely above a whisper. At that moment, he channelled his energy and whispered the word 'Wind.' Instantly, the Panda Silhouette he commanded responded, a wide grin spreading across its face as its single eye glowed a vibrant green.

In an instant, the ice around them shattered like glass, the shards swirling dramatically as they were swept up by the sudden change in the wind, all moving inexorably toward their target: Jin.

With no other option left, he reached for his permanent talismans, calling it back with a sense of urgency with the exception of the only one he couldn't recall since it was the one controlling the rock formations. As layers of stone rose rapidly to shield him from the impending barrage, it became painfully clear that the manipulation of the wind was far beyond anything he had ever faced.

The power was not just Ming's alone; Yun had joined forces, channelling her Griffin Wind Energy to augment Ming's abilities. Together, they created a tempest, a vortex of swirling winds that seemed to dance with a life of its own.

The ice shards, previously harmless, now felt like they were being guided by an unseen phantom hand, each one expertly directed toward Jin's position. He attempted to fortify his defences using the rock formations, but the wind—oh, the wind!—was relentless. It was as if the very air itself conspired against him.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted; Yun conjured a powerful gust just where Jin stood, an updraft that sent his feet off the ground. Like a puppet on strings, he was yanked upward, his body disoriented. He struggled to regain control, but it was too late. The flying ice shards, sharp and menacing, came slicing through the air from every angle.

Jin could feel the coldness of their approach, the danger palpable. In a desperate attempt, he conjured a Maqi barrier, hoping it would be enough to shield him. But the shards were relentless, piercing through his defences despite his best efforts. The icy projectiles struck him with a fierce intensity, each impact a reminder of how outmatched he was in this battle.

Pain radiated through him, a stark contrast to the swirling chaos around him. Ming and Yun exchanged triumphant glances, their teamwork proving to be an unbeatable strategy. The air crackled with energy, and the thrill of victory was palpable as they witnessed Jin struggle against the elements they had conjured.

It was a thrilling dance of power and skill, the kind that made the heart race and the spirit soar. As the dust settled and the winds began to calm, Jin lay there, battered yet unyielding. He knew he couldn't allow this to be the end but sadly his body did not listen.

As the dust settled in the arena of swirling energies and intense competition, it was evident that Yun and Ming had claimed the first blood, their laughter echoing against the ethereal backdrop of the dull grey barren environment.

Jin found himself sprawled on the ground, the sharp sting of pain radiating from his wounds, vivid reminders of the fall he had taken from a height that felt almost unreal. Blood pooled around him, painting the floor crimson, yet his mentors remained unmoved, sharing a moment of silent triumph while he struggled to regain his composure.

"Congrats to the both of you," Jin managed to utter through gritted teeth, the pain gnawing at him as he activated the self-regeneration talisman embedded within his being. The sensation of healing was a torment in itself; the notorious 'healing worms' worked tirelessly to mend his injuries, but their relentless activity felt like a thousand tiny needles stitching him back together. Even after numerous encounters with this agonizing process, the discomfort never seemed to lessen.

Ming, caught off guard by Jin's remark, turned toward him with a look of genuine surprise. "Wait, do you really believe that this is the end of the activity?" His grandfather's voice rang out, the Panda Silhouette behind him brimming with anticipation, as if sensing the promise of more challenges ahead. Jin winced but managed to raise an eyebrow.

"I would prefer you use your 'undercover' cultivation… or whatever that is. You and Yun seem to have so many weird styles that I lost track of them." His sarcasm didn't mask the admiration he felt for their abilities. Ming, however, shook his head vehemently, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"It's rare for me to fight alongside my daughter. I'm not going to end this with just one round. Besides," he continued, his voice lowering with intrigue, "I know you're on the brink of enlightenment. That trick with the weapon creating multiple talismans? You've got more ideas up your sleeve, don't you?" Jin paused, considering his response.

"In a way. One could say I'm compensating for my lack of actual Panda Techniques with magical skills?" he admitted, a slight smile creeping onto his face. "I've learned a lot from Suzaku and Zeru, but it feels like they only laid the groundwork for me. Using Maqi to conduct magical spells is much more my style."

Yun chimed, her curiosity piqued. "So, you want to go the route of a magic swordsman? A Sword Magus?"

Jin nodded, the gears in his mind whirring with possibilities. "Exactly. Imagine harnessing the essence of both magic and martial arts—a perfect fusion of power and finesse which so many people in our world could not do." His excitement bubbled over, igniting a spark in the air around them.

But at the same time, he unknowingly found himself at a crossroads. As his elders stood in front of him, the shadow of his lineage grappled with the teachings of his ancestors while in hopes to strive and forge his own path. Jin had previously thumbed through the well-worn manual handed down by Grandma Yuan, but always felt a sense of uncertainty washing over him.

The Astral Panda Techniques, while intriguing, seemed overly simplistic, leaving him to question their effectiveness in the battles that lay ahead. "But I'm also unsure, to be honest," Jin confessed, looking up in his memory for the manual's teachings.

"These techniques feel too broad, too simple. Are they really the best way to handle the challenges I'll soon face?"

His father, Grandpa Ming, who was known for his wisdom and strength, observed his struggle with a gentle smile. He swung his sword, the ice shards shimmering in the air around him, a testament to his mastery. "Remember, the manual is merely a reference. True mastery comes from your ability to adapt and innovate. You have the right to create your own version of the Astral Panda Style."

Jin hesitated, the weight of his grandfather's words heavy on his shoulders. "But I haven't even achieved Mana and Chi unity. Who am I to redefine something so significant?"

Ming nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging his doubts. "If I were to impart some old man's wisdom. A simple advice regardless. Your journey is your own. The manual was crafted with the System's assistance, designed to guide you. But in battles, especially when faced with an anti-magic field, your body and weapon skills will be the only things by your side."

This echoed in Jin's mind, a reminder that power comes not just from mystical forces but from skill and determination.

"I encountered the Banned Emperor Assassin, who created an anti-chi field," Yun recalled, reminding Jin about her death. "You have to assume that they can manipulate both magic and chi fields, so you have to be prepared."

"Heh, don't worry too much," Jin interjected, his confidence palpable. "Even when my magic and chi are sealed, I still have the System. I can create dungeon instances and summon alternate dimensions without relying on magic or chi, although it does take a toll on me.""

"What do you mean by that? Are you saying you've encountered Void Energy?"Ming questioned almost immediately, knowing that there is always Newton's Third Rule in effect.

"Yes," Jin replied sheepishly, scratching his head. "Didn't I mention it before?"

"No. So, I'd like to see you manipulate that energy in front of me…take it as a demonstration exercise," Ming encouraged, the spark of intrigue lighting his eyes.

"It's not as easy as you think," Jin admitted. "I can conjure the dimensional plane using Void Energy, but that's where my abilities end. At first, it was exhausting, but I practiced in Atopia until I could do it on a whim. Still, manipulating Void Energy requires more finesse than it seems."

"I see," Ming replied, trying to form something in his mind to aid Jin but nothing gives. "Maybe you should keep experimenting with that energy. It might just become your secret weapon and let's see how far you can push this," Ming said. "Try conjuring those dimensions; I want to witness the extent of your imagination."

Jin nodded and began the intricate but fast casting, weaving threads of void energy as the air around them crackled with its presence. The ground trembled, and an alternate dimension began to unfurl before their eyes, revealing a landscape that shimmered and danced with possibilities.

Both Yun and Ming realised upon seeing the dimension gate that while the Astral Panda Techniques provided a starting point for Jin, his true power lay in his ability to adapt, to merge broad techniques with his unique vision.