I leaned back in my seat, still processing what had just happened. The Earth Fiend Valley Ancestor—a being who had terrified disciples for generations—was now nothing but consumed energy within me. His knowledge, his power, his essence... all mine.


    "Are you alright?" Conrad asked, studying my face.


    "Better than alright," I replied, unable to suppress a slight smile. "I''ve gained more than I expected from this trip."


    Conrad raised an eyebrow. "You seem different. What exactly happened with that Ancestor?"


    I nced around the cabin before lowering my voice. "I devoured his divine sensepletely. His knowledge, techniques, formations—they''re all mine now."


    Conrad''s eyes widened. "That''s... that''s not supposed to be possible."


    "Many things I do aren''t supposed to be possible," I said with a shrug. "But I''ve discovered something important about my divine sense. I can strengthen it by consuming others''."


    A shadow crossed Conrad''s face. "That''s a dangerous path, Liam. Consuming other cultivators'' divine sense... it''s considered one of the cruelest acts in the martial world."


    I understood his concern. Not long ago, I would have recoiled at such a thought myself. But circumstances had changed me.


    "I know," I said quietly. "But I didn''t exactly have a choice with Adrian or the Ancestor. They attacked me first."


    The ne hit a patch of turbulence, jostling us in our seats. As the aircraft steadied, I nced toward the rear of the cabin where Maia sat watching over ra''s unconscious form.


    "Besides," I continued, "I need every advantage I can get. The Ashworth family, the Veridia City Martial Guild—they won''t show me any mercy. Why should I handicap myself with moral limitations they don''t observe?"


    Conrad didn''t answer immediately. When he did, his voice was heavy with experience. "Just be careful. Power gained that way exacts its own price."


    I nodded absently, my thoughts already drifting to what awaited me after wended. I had three sacks full of pills from the Earth Fiend Valley''s storage, knowledge from their Ancestor, and the strength gained from multiple breakthroughs. Once back in Havenwood City, I could seclude myself for a proper advancement.


    Then I could finally head to Veridia City. To Isabelle.


    My heart ached at the thought of her. How long had it been since I''d seen her face? Too long. But soon, I promised myself. Soon.


    "What''s that?" Conrad suddenly asked, pointing toward the back of the cabin.


    I turned to see ra sitting bolt upright, her eyes wide open. Maia had backed away, looking startled.


    "ra''s awake," I said, unbuckling my seatbelt.


    We hurried down the aisle as ra''s gaze locked onto Maia with frightening intensity.


    "You," ra said, her voice unnaturally deep for a child. "You betrayed me."


    Maia paled, taking another step back. "ra, please... you need to rest."


    "You sold me out," ra continued, rising from her seat. "You told them what I was."


    I stepped between them, cing a gentle hand on ra''s shoulder. "ra, it''s me. Liam. You''re safe now."


    Her eyes shifted to me, softening slightly. "Liam? You... you came for me?"


    "Of course I did," I said, kneeling to meet her at eye level. "I promised I would protect you, remember?"


    Tears welled in her eyes. Sheunched herself into my arms, her small body trembling. "They hurt me," she whispered. "They kept taking my blood, saying it was special."


    I held her tightly, anger burning in my chest. Children should never suffer such cruelties.


    "It''s over now," I promised. "They can''t hurt you anymore."


    The pilot announced our imminentnding in Eldoria Province. I returned ra to her seat, buckling her in before taking the spot beside her. Maia wisely chose to sit elsewhere.


    Afternding, we stepped into the terminal to find William Vance waiting anxiously. When he saw his daughter, hisposure crumbled. <dfn ss="in-imprint-a">Find this chapter''s source on *.</dfn>


    "ra!" he cried, rushing forward.


    ra hesitated before running into her father''s arms. William wept openly, holding her as though she might disappear again.


    "Thank you," he said to me over ra''s head, tears streaming down his face. "Thank you for bringing her back."


    I nodded. "We should talk about her safety. This might happen again if certain precautions aren''t taken."


    William''s expression sobered. "Of course. Please, let''s discuss this at my home."


    An hourter, we sat in William''s study, ra having been put to bed under the watch of trusted servants.


    "I believe ra''s body may be special," I said carefully. "That''s why they targeted her specifically."


    Maia, who had been quiet since the ne, finally spoke up. "They called her something in Earth Fiend Valley. A ''pure dark energy body,'' I think."


    Conrad inhaled sharply. "Are you certain that''s what they said?"


    Maia nodded. "Yes. They seemed very excited about it."


    "What does that mean?" William asked, fear evident in his voice.


    Conrad steepled his fingers. "A pure dark energy body is extremely rare—perhaps one in several hundred million births. Those who possess it naturally generate dark energy without cultivation."


    "Why would that make her valuable?" I asked, though I had my suspicions.


    "Two reasons," Conrad exined. "First, their blood and essence can be refined into powerful divine medicines. Second, and perhaps more dangerously..." He hesitated.


    "Go on," William insisted.


    "If someone with a pure yang body were to... unite with a pure dark energy body, they could experience tremendous advancement in strength."


    The implication hung heavily in the air. I felt sick at the thought.


    "She''s just a child," I said, disgust evident in my voice.


    "I know," Conrad replied somberly. "But there are those in the martial world who wouldn''t hesitate to use her that way once she''s older."


    William looked devastated. "What am I supposed to do? How can I protect her?"


    "I have some ideas," I said. "But for now, increase your security and tell no one about her condition. I''ll return when I can to discuss more permanent arrangements."


    After ensuring ra would be safe for the immediate future, I headed home. My body thrummed with energy, eager for the breakthrough I''d been postponing.


    The moment I stepped through my door, I headed straight for my cultivation chamber. I had everything prepared—pills, formations, privacy. Finally, I could advance uninterrupted.


    I settled into position, ready to begin the process of breaking through to the next level. With the resources I''d gathered and the knowledge I''d gained, this advancement should be straightforward.


    Just as I closed my eyes, preparing to sink into meditation, I sensed a disturbance. Three powerful presences approaching my home.


    I barely had time to stand before my door shattered inward. Three figures strode through the splintered remains—two men and a woman, each radiating overwhelming power. They wore ck robes emzoned with a blood-red symbol I recognized immediately: the Umbral Covenant.


    "Liam Knight," the leading man said, his voice cold and dismissive. "How disappointing to find you so... small."


    I didn''t waste time with words. Iunched myself forward, gathering my most powerful attack. But before I could evenplete the movement, invisible force mmed into me from all sides.


    I crashed against the wall, pinned in ce by crushing pressure. No matter how I struggled, I couldn''t move an inch.


    "Peak Form Grandmaster," I managed to gasp out, recognizing their level of cultivation. "All three of you."


    The womanughed, the sound devoid of warmth. "He can at least recognize his betters. That''s something, I suppose."


    "We''ve been hearing such interesting rumors," the second man said, stepping closer. "A nobody from Havenwood City killing Martial Lords, defeating Young Masters, even challenging Martial Marquises. We thought perhaps you might be worth recruiting."


    I struggled against the invisible bonds. "Not interested in joining your cult."


    The leader''s expression darkened. "The Umbral Covenant isn''t a cult. We are the future of cultivation. And you..." His eyes narrowed as he studied me. "You''re not even worth killing."


    "Shall we take him anyway?" the woman asked. "The Covenant always needs test subjects."


    The leader considered it, his eyes cold. "Perhaps. His body seems unusually resilient, despite his pathetic strength."


    Panic surged through me. I''de so far, gained so much power, yet against true elites like these, I was helpless. All my victories, all my growth—meaningless in the face of their overwhelming strength.


    Just as the leader reached toward me, a new voice cut through the room.


    "Who gave you permission to enter Pyro''s territory?"


    The three Covenant members whirled around. Standing in the doorway was a figure I couldn''t quite make out from my position, but whose presence radiated authority and power.


    The invisible force pinning me wavered slightly as the Covenant members faced this unexpected interruption.