The helicopter''s door slid open,manding everyone''s attention. I narrowed my eyes against the whipping wind as a young man stepped out, his movements deliberate and unhurried.


    He couldn''t have been older than twenty-five, with sharp features and an air of absolute entitlement. His tailored ck suit looked obscenely out of ce among our weather-worn cultivation gear. Behind him followed two elderly men, both radiating the unmistakable aura of Third Rank Grandmasters.


    "That''s impossible," Conrad whispered beside me.


    I knew what had shocked him. Despite his youth, the neer''s energy signature clearly marked him as an Inner Strength Master—a level that typically took decades to achieve.


    "Who is he?" I asked Evelyn, keeping my voice low.


    She frowned slightly. "Melvin ckthorne. He''s from a branch of the ckthorne Family of Veridia City."


    My stomach tightened at the name. The ckthorne Family was legendary—and not in a good way. Even in Havenwood City, their reputation for ruthlessness was well-known.


    "Branch family?" I rified.


    "Yes," Evelyn nodded. "But don''t be fooled. Even their branch membersmand more resources than most main families in smaller cities."


    Melvin surveyed the crowd with obvious disdain, his gaze sweeping over us like we were insects beneath his notice. The rotors of the helicopter slowed to a stop, allowing his voice to carry easily across the clearing.


    "I see we have quite the gathering of..." He paused, lips curling into a smirk. "...aspirants."


    The word dripped with condescension.


    "Let me be direct," he continued. "I''m here for the Divine Medicine. The ckthorne Family has imed it."


    Murmurs rippled through the crowd. A young man near the front—barely more than a boy—stepped forward.


    "You can''t just im it," he protested. "We all have equal right topete—"


    He never finished his sentence.


    One of the elderly Grandmasters moved with blinding speed. A sh of energy, a spray of blood, and the young man copsed, his chest caved in.


    "Anyone else wish to dispute the ckthorne Family''s im?" Melvin asked casually, as if discussing the weather rather than standing over a cooling corpse.


    Silence fell like a shroud.


    I clenched my fists, disgusted by the casual brutality and the crowd''s immediate submission. These were supposedly powerful cultivators, yet they cowered before a family name.


    "Pathetic," I muttered to Conrad.


    "Careful," he warned. "The ckthornes aren''t to be trifled with."


    Before I could respond, Dirk Buchanan pushed his way forward, bowing deeply to Melvin. <strong ss="phantom-imprint">My V&irtu-a+l* L!ibrary# E-m.pi%r%e (*) h.o@s+ts the or%i$gin^a@l$.</strong>


    "Young Master ckthorne," he gushed, "what an honor to have you join us. I''m Dirk Buchanan of the Northern Cultivation Alliance."


    Melvin barely nced at him. "And?"


    Dirk''s smile faltered only slightly. "And I wanted to assure you of ourplete cooperation. We would never stand against the illustrious ckthorne Family''s interests."


    I nearly vomited at the disy. But Dirk wasn''t done.


    "In fact," he continued eagerly, "many of us would be honored to assist you in securing the Divine Medicine."


    Others quickly followed his lead, offering their services, pledging allegiance, betraying their own ambitions in the face of greater power.


    "Are they serious?" I whispered to Conrad. "After all the preparation, they''re just going to hand it over?"


    "That''s how it works when a major family gets involved," Conrad replied grimly. "Better to curry favor than make enemies."


    I shook my head. "Not for me."


    Melvin seemed satisfied with the show of subservience. "Very good. At least some of you understand your ce." His eyes scanned the crowd again. "Now, I''m looking for someone in particr. I believe he''s here."


    My instincts red a warning.


    "A man named Liam Knight," Melvin announced.


    The blood in my veins turned to ice.


    Dirk''s face lit up with malicious glee. He immediately pointed in my direction. "He''s right there, Young Master ckthorne! That''s Liam Knight!"


    All eyes turned to me. I kept my expression neutral despite the fury building in my chest.


    "Stay calm," Evelyn whispered beside me. "Remember who you''re dealing with."


    Melvin approached, his two Grandmaster shadows following closely behind. The crowd parted before him like water.


    "So, you''re Liam Knight," he said, looking me up and down with obvious disappointment. "Hardly impressive."


    I met his gaze without flinching. "And you''re Melvin ckthorne. Equally unimpressive."


    The crowd gasped. One of the Grandmasters took a threatening step forward, but Melvin held up a hand to stop him.


    "Bold words from a man in your position," he said, smiling thinly. "I''ve heard interesting things about you, Knight."


    "All good, I hope," I replied coolly.


    His smile widened. "Not particrly. But what intrigues me most is your rtionship with Isabelle Ashworth of the Ashworth Family."


    The mention of Isabelle''s name sent a jolt through me. I kept my face carefully nk, but my heart hammered against my ribs.


    "You seem surprised that I know," Melvin continued. "Did you think your little romance was a secret? My cousin Dashiell has been quite... vocal about his interest in Miss Ashworth. And about themoner who dares to stand in his way."


    So that was it. Dashiell ckthorne—whoever he was—had his sights set on Isabelle. And now his family was targeting me.


    "Dashiell has been pursuing Isabelle for some time now," Melvin added casually. "He doesn''t appreciate thepetition."


    The threat was unmistakable. The ckthorne Family viewed me as an obstacle—one they intended to remove.


    I felt Conrad tensing beside me, ready to act if necessary. Evelyn remained still, but I could sense her gathering her power, prepared for whatever mighte next.


    The crowd watched with morbid fascination. Many seemed pleased to see me in trouble, especially after my earlier disy of "weakness" had convinced them I was no threat.


    I thought of Isabelle—her smile, her strength, her unwavering faith in me—and found the calm I needed.


    "I''m aware of that," I replied evenly, meeting Melvin''s gaze directly. "But what the hell does that have to do with me?"