"The Thornton Family''s influence in Eldoria is more extensive than you might realize," Leopold Shepherd said, his voice grim as we sat in a quiet corner of a café. "Tristin Thornton''s father is not just wealthy—he''s a Grandmaster with connections to every major power yer in the region."


    I sipped my coffee, considering this information. The bronze sword and stone statue sat securely in my backpack beside me, their presence a constant reminder of the danger I''d invited.


    "What exactly does that mean for Liam?" Alistair Northwood asked, leaning forward with concern etched across his face.


    Leopold''s expression darkened. "It means that sooner orter, Liam will face opposition from one of the most powerful families in the country. These aren''t people who forget slights."


    "It wouldn''t be my first powerful enemy," I remarked, thinking of my growing list of adversaries. "And I doubt it will be myst."


    My phone buzzed. A message from Isabelle: [Stay vignt. My sources say someone dangerous is tracking you.]


    The warning sent a chill down my spine, but it also steeled my resolve. Knowing Isabelle was watching over me, even from afar, gave me strength.


    "We should get moving," I said, standing up. "I need to get these artifacts somewhere secure."


    As we walked to the car, Leopold continued his warning. "The Thornton patriarch is reportedly ruthless. He''s crushed business rivals without hesitation and those were legitimate conflicts. You''ve directly challenged his authority by taking something he wants."


    I unlocked my car, gesturing for them to get in. "Then I''ll deal with that when ites."


    The engine roared to life, and we pulled onto the main road. The traffic was light for this time of day, making our journey smooth—too smooth. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I noticed a ck car following us three turns in a row.


    "We havepany," I muttered, checking the rearview mirror.


    Leopold twisted in his seat. "The ck sedan? Has it been there long?" <dfn ss="meta-ref-static">This chapter was first seen on *.</dfn>


    "Too long to be coincidence," I replied, elerating slightly.


    The sedan matched our speed perfectly. There was no doubt now—we were being followed.


    "What''s the n?" Alistair asked nervously.


    I gripped the steering wheel tighter. "I''m going to—"


    My words died in my throat as a figure suddenly appeared in the middle of the road—Alvin Ward, standing perfectly still with an eerie smile on his face.


    "What the hell?" Leopold eximed.


    Acting on pure instinct, I stomped on the elerator rather than the brake. The car lurched forward, straight toward Ward.


    "Liam, what are you doing?" Alistair shouted.


    "That''s not really Alvin Ward," I said through gritted teeth as we hurtled toward the figure. "Or at least, not just him."


    The impact should have been devastating. Instead, our car mmed into an invisible barrier a foot away from Ward''s body. The front end crumpled like an ordion, and we jerked forward violently against our seatbelts.


    Through the shattered windshield, I watched as Ward reached out with one hand and stopped our two-ton vehicle as easily as catching a ball.


    "Stay in the car," I ordered mypanions as I unbuckled my seatbelt. "No matter what happens."


    Ward''s eyes followed me as I climbed out through the driver''s side window, his smile never faltering. "Impressive instincts, Dr. Knight. Most people would have tried to stop."


    "Most people can''t sense what I can," I replied, stepping carefully onto the pavement. "You''re not just Alvin Ward, are you? Something''s controlling him."


    A coldugh escaped Ward''s lips. "Smart boy. The vessel is unimportant. What matters is that you have something I want."


    I kept my distance, evaluating my options. "The bronze sword and stone statue."


    "Precisely." Ward''s eyes gleamed unnaturally. "Hand them over, and I might let you live."


    "What are they to you?"


    Ward tilted his head, considering me. "Ancient artifacts of power beyond yourprehension. They belong to my sect in the southwest—stolen centuries ago."


    "And I''m supposed to just hand them over because you asked nicely?" I challenged, buying time as I subtly gathered my Inner Strength.


    "You''re supposed to hand them over because the alternative is death," Ward replied matter-of-factly.


    I nced back at the car, making sure Leopold and Alistair remained inside. "I''ve heard death threats before. They rarely impress me."


    Ward''s pleasant demeanor vanished, reced by cold fury. "Then perhaps a demonstration is in order."


    He moved with blinding speed, covering the distance between us in an instant. His hand shot out, aiming for my throat, but I managed to dodge at thest second. My training with Jackson had improved my reflexes beyond what an ordinary person could achieve.


    "Good," Ward nodded approvingly. "You''re notpletely helpless. That will make this more interesting."


    I struck back with a qi-infused punch that should have sent a normal man flying. Ward caught my fist easily, squeezing until I felt my bones creak.


    "Is that all?" he taunted.


    In response, I channeled more Inner Strength, building up energy in my core before releasing it in an explosive burst. The force finally broke Ward''s grip, pushing him back several steps.


    His expression shifted from amusement to intrigue. "You''ve cultivated Inner Strength. Impressive for one so young."


    I didn''t waste breath responding, insteadunching into a series of attacks thatbined martial arts with my energy maniption. Ward parried each strike effortlessly, but I could tell he was evaluating me, measuring my capabilities.


    "Enough games," he finally said, blocking my roundhouse kick. "Let me show you true power."


    The air around him darkened, as if light itself was being consumed. ck tendrils of energy began to twist around his body, emanating a malevolence that made my skin crawl. When he extended his hand, a wave of this dark energy shot toward me.


    I tried to dodge, but the darkness expanded, enveloping mepletely. My muscles seized, my body bing immobilized as the dark energy wrapped around me like living chains.


    "This is dark energy cultivation," Ward exined, approaching slowly. "A forbidden art that few can master. Your Inner Strength is nothingpared to it."


    The darkness tightened, squeezing my chest until breathing became difficult. I struggled against its grip, but my movements were severely restricted.


    "Now," Ward said, standing before me, "I''ll ask one more time. Where are the artifacts?"


    Through gritted teeth, I managed to respond. "In... my backpack... in the car."


    Ward smiled coldly. "A wise decision. I''ll retrieve them after I''ve finished with you."


    He raised his hand, preparing to deliver a killing blow. I closed my eyes, focusing inward. If I was going to die, I''d go down fighting.


    Something strange happened then. As I concentrated, I became aware of the dark energy surrounding me in a new way. Instead of fighting against it, I tried something instinctive—I began to absorb it.


    Ward''s eyes widened as the tendrils of darkness started flowing into my body. "What... what are you doing?"


    I felt the dark energy entering my system, expecting pain or resistance. Instead, it merged with my own energy, strengthening me. With each passing second, I absorbed more, my immobility gradually fading.


    "This is impossible," Ward hissed, increasing the flow of dark energy. "You should be dying!"


    But the more he sent, the stronger I became. The darkness that had been choking me now fueled me, mixing with my Inner Strength in a way that felt both foreign and strangely natural.


    Ward stumbled backward, shock written across his features. "You... you''re absorbing dark energy. But that would mean—"


    I broke free of thest of his energy binds, standing tall as power surged through my veins. "It means your n failed."


    "No," Ward shook his head in disbelief. "You''re cultivating qi, Inner Strength, AND dark energy simultaneously. That''s not possible unless..."


    Understanding dawned on his face, followed by unmistakable terror. "You''re a chaotic body! A vessel capable of cultivating contradicting energies!"


    I didn''t understand the significance of what he was saying, but his fear was clear. "What does that mean?"


    Ward''s eyes now held genuine dread. "It means you must die here, before you realize what you truly are."


    He gathered an even greater amount of dark energy, his whole body pulsing with malevolent power. "Die, chaotic body! Your existence threatens everything!"


    "What is a chaotic body?" I demanded, preparing myself for his attack. "What am I?"


    Ward''s face contorted with desperate rage. "You will have no chance to know, go to hell and ask Yama!"


    He lunged forward, darkness exploding from his hands like a tsunami of shadow, aimed directly at my heart.