Conrad''s energy-infused palm descended toward me like a meteor, warping the very air with its power. The massive hand technique grewrger as it approached, casting a shadow that seemed to swallow me whole. Iy broken in the dirt, blood pooling beneath my shattered body.


    "Die!" Conrad roared.


    The impact was catastrophic. Earth erupted skyward in a violent explosion, sending debris and dust billowing outward. The crowd shielded their faces as a shockwave rippled through the Eastern Cemetery, knocking over smaller grave markers.


    Conrad Thornton stood tall, satisfaction etched on his weathered face as he stared at the smoking crater where I hadin.


    "Such arrogance," he said, turning to address the stunned onlookers. "Let this be a lesson to anyone who—"


    A golden light pierced through the settling dust.


    "Impossible!" someone from the crowd gasped.


    I emerged from the destruction, my body enveloped in a pulsing dark golden aura. Blood still covered me, but the bone that had protruded from my arm was no longer visible. My torn clothes fluttered in the energy emanating from my body.


    "The secondyer," I said, my voice steady despite the pain still coursing through me. "I achieved the secondyer of the Saintly Body Skillst night."


    Conrad''s eyes widened. "Secondyer? You''re bluffing!"


    I didn''t waste breath on a response. Instead, I lunged forward with newfound speed, closing the distance between us before Conrad could retreat. My fist connected with his chest, the impact creating a thunderous crack that echoed through the cemetery.


    For the first time, the Grandmaster staggered backward.


    Shock registered on his face as he steadied himself. "How dare—"


    I pressed my advantage, unleashing a flurry of strikes that forced him to defend. Each blow carried the enhanced strength of my cultivated body, now fortified by the secondyer of my technique.


    "Impossible," Conrad muttered as he blocked another punch. "You were half-dead just moments ago!"


    "You underestimated me," I said,nding a kick to his ribs that made him wince. "Everyone always does."


    Our exchange became a blur of movement, too fast for ordinary eyes to follow. For every three strikes Conradnded, I returned two. Though his attacks still hurt, they no longer threatened to shatter my bones.


    From the corner of my eye, I caught Caspian Kane''s intense gaze, his eyebrows raised in surprised assessment.


    Conrad suddenly leapt backward, creating distance between us. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth – evidence that at least one of my blows had broken through his defenses.


    "Enough!" he bellowed, his face contorted with rage. "You''ve forced my hand, boy. The Thornton family''s ultimate technique is too good for trash like you, but I''ll make an exception just this once."


    The air around him began to shimmer as he channeled his energy differently. The temperature dropped noticeably, creating frost on nearby gravestones. <mark ss="phantom-imprint">Chapt&e#r% so.u^r!c$e:. My V^ir*t.u-al! L#ib+r#a$ry Empi-re# (*)!.</mark>


    Caspian Kane stepped forward slightly, his expression concerned. "Conrad, that technique in this popted area—"


    "Stay out of this, Kane!" Conrad snapped without taking his eyes off me. "The disrespect ends today."


    His hands formed aplex series of gestures, trailing blue light in their wake. "Divine Dragon Fist," he intoned, his voice resonating with power. "Ancestral technique of the Thornton lineage!"


    The energy above him coalesced into two massive dragon heads, their eyes glowing with malevolent blue light. Each wasrger than a horse, their ethereal bodies twisting in anticipation of the kill.


    Miguel Pratt edged closer to Caspian. "Perhaps we should intervene," he muttered. "That technique could damage half the cemetery."


    "Wait," Caspian replied, his eyes fixed on me. "I want to see how the boy responds."


    I assessed the twin dragons hovering above Conrad, feeling their devastating power. A direct hit would overwhelm even my enhanced defenses. I reached for the bronze sword at my waist – a simple weapon I''d brought as backup.


    "Your little sword won''t save you!" Conradughed. "Divine Dragon Fist: DESCEND!"


    The twin dragons roared in unison, sending a chill through everyone present before diving toward me with terrifying speed.


    I raised my bronze sword, channeling my energy into the de. The metal glowed faintly, but even I knew it wouldn''t be enough.


    The first dragon head crashed against my sword with overwhelming force. Metal shrieked in protest, the de bending backward at an impossible angle before shatteringpletely. The impact drove me to one knee.


    The second dragon bore down on me immediately after. With my sword destroyed, I raised my bare arm to block. The dragon''s jaws mped around my forearm, ethereal teeth sinking into flesh. I screamed as cold fire seemed to burn through my veins, the dragon''s energy working to freeze my body from within.


    "You see?" Conrad called out triumphantly. "This is the difference between us! This is the power of generations!"


    Blood flowed freely down my arm as I struggled against the dragon''s grip. My golden aura flickered, straining against the freezing energy trying to overwhelm it.


    Caspian Kane finally stepped forward, his face grim. "Enough, Conrad. You''ve made your point."


    Conrad ignored him, pushing more power into his technique. The dragon heads grewrger, their grip on me tightening.


    I fell to both knees now, my injured arm hanging uselessly at my side. Conrad approached slowly, savoring his victory.


    "Anyst words, Liam Knight?" he asked, standing over me.


    I looked up at him, blood dripping from my mouth. Then, unexpectedly, I smiled.


    Conrad faltered. "What are you smiling about, fool?"


    "You asked why I chose to meet you here, in this specific part of the Eastern Cemetery," I said, my voice strained but clear.


    Confusion crossed Conrad''s face. "What?"


    "You never questioned why I''d arrange our confrontation in this exact location," I continued, forcing myself back to one knee. "You''re so predictable. So arrogant."


    "Stop stalling," Conrad snarled, though uncertainty had crept into his voice.


    My smile widened. "I''ve been observing the Thornton family for weeks. I knew you''de personally if I hurt your brother. I knew you''d use your ultimate technique when pushed."


    Realization dawned in Caspian Kane''s eyes. "He nned this," he whispered, almost admiringly.


    "nned what?" Miguel Pratt demanded.


    I gathered what remained of my strength, looking Conrad directly in the eyes.


    "You asked if I have anyst words," I said, my voice gaining strength with each word. "Yes. Do you know why you''re going to die today, Conrad Thornton?"


    Conrad''s face darkened with renewed fury. "You insolent—"


    "Because..." I roared, mming my palm against the ground, "I set up a formation here long ago! Old bastard, you''re the one who''s going to die!"


    The earth beneath us suddenly illuminated with hidden runes, glowing lines appearing in aplex pattern that stretched across the entire area. The cemetery ground lit up with angry red light, revealing the trap I''did three days earlier.