"With just the two of you? An Inner Strength Master and a newly-promoted Grandmaster?" Adrian shook his head in contemptuous disbelief. "Do you really think you stand a chance against me?"


    I felt my power surging through my veins, a calm fury building inside me. "You''d be surprised what I''m capable of when someone I care about is in danger."


    Adrian''s eyes narrowed as he prepared another attack. Behind him, Conrad was still working on ra''s shackles, his fingers moving frantically against the ancient locks.


    A st of dark energy erupted from Adrian''s palms, hurtling toward me like a storm cloud. I met it head-on, my bronze sword slicing through the darkness, dispersing most of it. The remaining energy crashed into me, sending me skidding backward.


    "Liam!" ra''s weak voice called out.


    The sound of her pain fueled my resolve. I steadied myself and charged forward, moving faster than even I thought possible. My de became a blur of light as I attacked, forcing Adrian to defend instead of continuing his ritual.


    "Impossible," he hissed, barely blocking my strikes. "Your power shouldn''t have grown this much!"


    I didn''t waste breath responding. Each swing of my sword carried my rage, my determination to protect ra from these monsters who saw her as nothing but a resource.


    From the corner of my eye, I saw Conrad finally break through thest shackle. ra copsed into his arms, too weak to stand.


    "Get her out of here!" I shouted, redoubling my assault on Adrian to keep his attention fixed on me.


    Conrad lifted ra''s limp form and headed toward the cave entrance. Adrian noticed toote.


    "No!" he roared, attempting to redirect his attack toward them.


    I intercepted him, my sword connecting with his chest, drawing first blood. He staggered back, shock written across his face as he touched the wound.


    "You... cut me?" Disbelief colored his voice.


    Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, I delivered a powerful kick to his midsection, sending him crashing into the ritual tform.


    "Conrad, how is she?" I called without taking my eyes off Adrian.


    "Alive, but barely," Conrad replied from the cave entrance. "They drained much of her energy."


    Adrian got to his feet, rage distorting his features. "You have no idea what you''ve interrupted! The resurrection of our ancestor would have changed everything!"


    "I don''t care about your ancestor," I spat. "I care about the innocent girl you were willing to sacrifice."


    Heughed bitterly. "Innocent? She''s a walking dark energy vessel! Created for this very purpose!"


    His words hit me like a physical blow. "What are you talking about?"


    "Why do you think pure dark energy bodies are so rare?" Adrian sneered. "They don''t ur naturally. They''re cultivated, prepared..."


    Before he could continue, the fallen elders began to stir. Despite their wounds, they were far from defeated.


    "Master Adrian," one croaked, struggling to his knees. "Allow us to handle this intruder."


    Adrian''s eyes gleamed with renewed confidence. "Yes. Show our guest the true power of Earth Fiend Valley."


    The elders moved to surround me, theirbined dark energies forming a suffocating pressure in the cave. I gripped my sword tighter, preparing for their attack.


    "Eight Great Elders!" Adrian called out. "Assemble!"


    Six more figures materialized from the shadows of the cave, each radiating immense power. I was suddenly facing eight masters, theirbined strength creating a crushing force field around me.


    "Binding Chains of Earth!" they chanted in unison.


    Dark metallic chains burst from the ground, wrapping around my limbs with unnatural speed. I struggled against them, but they tightened with each movement.


    Adrian approached me slowly, his wound seemingly forgotten as he savored my predicament.


    "Finally," he gloated, circling me like a predator. "The famous Liam Knight, bound and helpless."


    I continued to fight against the chains, but they seemed to feed on my resistance, growing stronger. Tо rеpоrt еrrоrs, plеаsе visit thе оriginаl pоst оn М|VLЕМРYR.


    "I''ve changed my ns," Adrian dered, addressing his elders. "The girl is weakened but will recover. We can use herter." He fixed his gaze on me. "But this one... his chaotic body is perfect for the ritual. And after we''ve drained his energy, I''ll take possession of his body."


    Cold dread washed over me at his words. Not for myself, but for what would happen if Adrian gained control of my abilities.


    "Never," I growled, renewing my struggles.


    Adrianughed. "Save your strength. Those chains were forged specifically to contain beings more powerful than yourself."


    He turned to his elders. "Prepare him for the ritual. And send someone to recapture the girl."


    As they moved toward me, I closed my eyes, diving deep into my inner core. I found the reserve of power I''d been cultivating, the essence of both light and dark energy swirling together in perfect bnce.


    "What''s he doing?" one of the elders asked nervously.


    "It doesn''t matter," Adrian dismissed. "The chains will hold."


    I let thebined energies fill mepletely, pushing against my limits. The chains began to vibrate against my skin.


    "Master Adrian..." an elder warned, sensing the change.


    Toote.


    With a primal roar, I released everything at once. The chains shattered like ss, fragments exploding outward with such force that the elders were thrown back against the cave walls.


    I stood free, golden light and dark shadows alternating across my body in waves. Adrian''s face contorted with shock and fear.


    "Impossible!" he gasped. "Those chains could hold a Martial Saint!"


    "I''m not your ordinary cultivator," I said, my voice deadly calm as I advanced on him.


    The elders tried to regroup, but I moved too quickly. My sword became an extension of my will, cutting through their defenses as if they were paper. One by one, they fell back, bleeding and broken.


    Adrian retreated, his earlier confidence evaporating. "Wait! This is a misunderstanding!"


    I continued my approach, unmoved. "A misunderstanding? You were draining ra''s life force for your ritual."


    "The girl will recover!" Adrian insisted desperately. "Take her! And aspensation, I can offer you Earth Fiend Valley''s most powerful medicinal pills. They''re yours!"


    I paused, watching him squirm. He mistook my silence for consideration.


    "We could even be allies," he continued eagerly. "Earth Fiend Valley''s resources at your disposal. Think of what we could aplish together!"


    Conrad reappeared at the cave entrance, his expression grim. "Liam, ra''s stable but unconscious. We need to leave soon."


    I nodded to him before turning back to Adrian. "You hurt an innocent girl. You nned to drain me and steal my body." My voice dropped dangerously low. "And you think some pills will make that eptable?"


    "They''re not just any pills," Adrian pressed. "And why care so much about onemon girl? There are millions like her."


    The dismissive way he spoke about ra, about human life, ignited something deep inside me.


    "That''s where you''re wrong," I said coldly. "Each life has value. ra isn''t just some resource to be used and discarded."


    Adrian scoffed. "Such noble sentiments from someone rapidly climbing the ranks of power." His eyes narrowed cunningly. "But let''s be honest –mon people are like grass to those of us who walk the path of cultivation. They live and die without significance."


    I studied him for a long moment, seeing the rot at the core of his worldview – the same elitism and cruelty I''d encountered throughout my journey.


    "Seriously, I don''t know where you get your sense of superiority," I finally responded, my voice ice-cold. "For you,mon people are like grass, but for me, aren''t you the same?"