Marvin Howard''s face turned ashen as he stared at me in disbelief. The name "Liam Knight" had clearly struck a chord.


    "You''re... you''re *that* Liam Knight?" he stammered, his previous condescension evaporating like morning mist. "The one who—"


    "Yes," I cut him off, enjoying his difort far more than I should have. "The very same."


    I turned away from him and walked toward the car where Conrad was waiting. Behind me, I could hear Marvin frantically whispering to Aislinn, likely giving her a rushed exnation of who I was and why he''d just made a catastrophic social blunder.


    "That was rather satisfying," Conrad remarked quietly as I approached.


    I shrugged. "Small pleasures."


    Before we could get into the car, Marvin rushed over, practically tripping over himself in his haste.


    "Master Knight!" he called out, his voice pitched higher than before. "Please ept my sincerest apologies for my earlier behavior! I had no idea—I mean, you were so modest about your identity—"


    "It''s fine," I said dismissively.


    "Perhaps we could still travel together?" he suggested, desperation clear in his eyes. "As I mentioned, I know the area well, and the Ancient Tower can be... difficult for first-time visitors."


    I nced at Conrad, who gave me a subtle nod. Having someone familiar with the local terrain might be useful, even if that someone was as insufferable as Marvin Howard.


    "Fine," I said. "You and Miss Noble can join us."


    Marvin''s relief was palpable. He quickly arranged for his luggage to be transferred to our vehicle, and within minutes, we were all seated in the spacious car heading toward the mountains.


    "The Ancient Tower is about three hours from here," Marvin exined, having recovered enough of hisposure to slip back into tour guide mode. "It''s one of the most sacred sites in this region, said to be built where heaven and earth intersect."


    "And it''s run by Earth Fiend Valley?" I asked pointedly.


    Marvin shifted ufortably. "Well, yes and no. The Valley maintains and protects it, but they im to do so on behalf of the divine powers. The Tower itself predates their organization by thousands of years."


    "What exactly happens at this Tower?" Conrad asked.


    "Pilgrimse from all over to pray and make offerings," Aislinn interjected, her voice softer but more knowledgeable than Marvin''s. "It''s said that the gods are closer to our realm there, more likely to hear and answer prayers."


    I caught her eye. "And you believe that?"


    She held my gaze steadily. "I believe there are things in this world beyond ordinary understanding."


    The rest of the journey passed with minimal conversation. Marvin attempted several times to engage me in discussion about cultivation techniques or recent developments in the martial world, but I deflected with short, nomittal answers. My mind was focused entirely on ra and Maia, and what awaited us at the Ancient Tower.


    The terrain gradually changed as we climbed higher into the mountains. Lush forests gave way to stark, rockyndscapes dotted with strange formations that seemed unnaturally bnced. The air grew thinner, and an odd pressure settled over us—subtle but unmistakable.


    "Divine energy," Marvin whispered reverently when he noticed me looking out at the peculiar rock formations. "The closer we get to the Tower, the more concentrated it bes."


    I said nothing, but inwardly I was skeptical. The energy didn''t feel divine to me—it felt artificial, manipted, like a cultivation technique designed to impress and intimidate rather than a natural phenomenon.


    As we rounded a final bend in the mountain road, the Ancient Tower came into view. It soared at least three hundred meters into the sky, a perfect cylinder of seamless ck stone that reflected no light. Around its base sprawled aplex of traditional buildings—temples, living quarters, and what appeared to be administrative offices.


    "Magnificent, isn''t it?" Marvin said, awe evident in his voice.


    It was impressive, I had to admit. But something about it also felt wrong—too perfect, too imposing. It reminded me of a weapon rather than a ce of worship.


    Our driver stopped at a designated parking area about half a kilometer from theplex. From here, visitors were expected to approach on foot, a gesture of humility before the divine.


    As we began walking toward the entrance, I noticed figures in dark green robes patrolling the perimeter. They moved with the disciplined precision of trained fighters, not religious acolytes.


    "Earth Fiend Valley disciples," Conrad murmured, having noticed them too.


    The entrance to theplex was marked by an ornate gate adorned with intricate carvings of celestial beings. Beyond it, I could see arge courtyard where visitors were lining up before what appeared to be a checkpoint.


    "What''s happening there?" I asked Marvin.


    He brightened, eager to demonstrate his knowledge. "That''s the Heaven Gate test! Before visitors can approach the Tower itself, they must prove their devoutness."


    "Their devoutness?" Conrad echoed skeptically.


    "Yes! It''s quite fascinating, really," Marvin continued enthusiastically. "Each pilgrim must ce their hand on the Divine Stone Tablet. If they''re pure of heart and true in their faith, the tablet allows them passage. If not—well, they''re politely asked to leave and return when their faith is stronger."


    As we neared the checkpoint, I could see the process more clearly. Each visitor would step up to a rectangr stone b mounted on a pedestal. They would ce their palm against it, and after a moment, either a soft blue light would emanate from the stone, or it would remain dark. Those who received the blue light were permitted to pass through an otherwise invisible barrier; those who didn''t were escorted away by robed attendants.


    "Seems arbitrary," I observed.


    Marvin looked scandalized. "It''s divine judgment, Master Knight! Nothing could be less arbitrary."


    When we reached the line, I studied the "Divine Stone Tablet" more carefully. To most, it probably appeared mystical and ancient, but to my trained eye, it was clearly a sophisticated artifact designed to assess and extract divine sense from those who touched it. Not to test faith, but to steal energy.


    "Ladies first," Marvin said with a gant gesture toward Aislinn when we reached the front of the line.


    One of the green-robed attendants stepped forward. "Women are exempt from testing," he said smoothly. "The divine powers recognize their innate spiritual purity."


    I narrowed my eyes at this convenient exemption but said nothing as Aislinn was guided through the invisible barrier.


    "I''ll go next," Marvin volunteered eagerly. He ced his palm against the stone tablet with reverent care.


    The stone glowed blue almost immediately. Marvin turned to us with a smug smile. "Pure of heart," he dered, before joining Aislinn on the other side.


    Conrad went next, and after a moment''s hesitation, the stone glowed for him as well. He passed through the barrier with a thoughtful frown.


    Finally, it was my turn. I approached the tablet cautiously, extending my senses to examine it more thoroughly before making contact. Yes, definitely designed to drain divine sense—but for what purpose?


    The attendant cleared his throat impatiently. "Your palm, sir."


    I ced my hand on the cold stone. Immediately, I felt a tugging sensation as the tablet attempted to draw on my divine sense. I instinctively pulled back, protecting my energy from being drained.


    The stone remained dark.


    "I''m afraid youck sufficient devotion," the attendant said with practiced sympathy. "Perhaps after a period of contemtion and purification—"


    "No," I interrupted. "I''m going in."


    The attendant''s sympathetic expression hardened. "That''s not possible. The Heaven Gate does not open for the unworthy."


    "Liam," Conrad called from beyond the barrier, his voiceced with concern. <b ss="meta-ref-static">Your support at * keeps the series going.</b>


    Marvin stepped forward, looking embarrassed. "Master Knight, it''s no great shame. Many fail on their first attempt. You can return another day, after—"


    "This is ridiculous," I said, ring at the attendant. "Your stone isn''t measuring devotion; it''s stealing energy. I simply refused to let it take mine."


    Several nearby pilgrims gasped at my sphemous usation. The attendant''s face darkened with anger.


    "Such talk is offensive to the divine powers," he warned. "Leave now, before—"


    "Before what?" I challenged. "Before you admit this is all a scam?"


    Two more green-robed figures appeared at the attendant''s side, their hands resting on the hilts of concealed weapons.


    "Liam," Conrad called again, more urgently this time. "Perhaps we should reconsider our approach."


    Marvin was practically dancing with anxiety on the other side of the barrier. "Master Knight, please! Even Grandmasters cannot breach Heaven Gate by force. It''s futile!"


    I stepped back from the tablet, studying the invisible barrier. It was indeed powerful—a formation that had likely stood for centuries, reinforced by the energy stolen from countless "pilgrims."


    The attendant smirked, mistaking my assessment for surrender. "Wise decision. Return when you''ve learned proper respect."


    I looked through the barrier at Conrad, Aislinn, and the agitated Marvin. "Stand back," I warned them.


    "Liam, don''t—" Conrad began.


    But I had already made my decision. I clenched my right fist, drawing on the power within me. Golden light began to emanate from between my fingers, growing brighter with each passing second.


    The attendants stepped back in rm. One of them shouted for reinforcements.


    "No man can defy Heaven Gate!" the lead attendant dered, though his voice now trembled slightly. "It is protected by divine—"


    "There''s nothing divine about this barrier," I said quietly. "Just stolen power used to control and manipte."


    I drew my fist back, the golden light now so intense that onlookers had to shield their eyes.


    "Last chance," I told the attendants. "Let me pass willingly, or I break your precious gate."


    The lead attendant''s face contorted with rage and fear. "sphemer! Heretic! Guards!"


    More green-robed figures appeared, forming a line before the barrier. Beyond them, I could see Conrad preparing for conflict, his stance shifting subtly into a defensive position.


    "So be it," I said.


    I drove my glowing fist forward, directly into the center of the invisible barrier. The impact reverberated through the courtyard like a thunderp, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.


    For a moment, nothing seemed to happen. Then a single, hairline crack appeared in the space before me—a fracture in what should have been invincible.


    The guards'' eyes widened in disbelief. The pilgrims behind me began to back away rapidly.


    I pulled my fist back for a second strike, the golden light burning even brighter than before.


    "Impossible..." the lead attendant whispered.