I stared at Caspian Kane''s back as he walked away from our table. His words had left me shaken to my core. Three months. Three months before Michael Ashworth''s death would unleash a power struggle that would ce Isabelle directly in harm''s way.


    But something else bothered me even more. The casual, almost dismissive way Caspian had spoken about the gap between my strength and what I would need to face.


    "Caspian," I called out, rising from my chair. "Wait."


    He turned, one eyebrow slightly raised. "What is it?"


    "I need to see it," I said, my voice steady despite my inner turmoil. "I need to understand exactly how much distance exists between my current strength and what I''ll need to survive in Veridia City."


    A flicker of interest crossed his face. "You want me to show you my strength?"


    "Yes." I nodded firmly. "Not just tell me—show me."


    Caspian studied me for a long moment, then gave a slight nod. "Very well. The courtyard behind this establishment should be empty at this hour."


    My heart pounded as I followed him through the bar''s back door into a small, stone-paved courtyard lit only by moonlight. The space was enclosed by high walls, offering privacy from curious eyes.


    "You''re certain about this?" Caspian asked, removing his suit jacket and folding it meticulously over a wooden bench.


    "Completely certain." I rolled my shoulders, calling upon my Inner Strength. Golden light began to shimmer across my skin as I activated the Third Layer of my Saintly Body Skill. "I need to know what I''m up against."


    Caspian''s lips curved into the barest hint of a smile. "Attack me however you wish. Don''t hold back."


    I didn''t waste time with words. Gathering my energy, Iunched forward with my most powerful technique—the Absolute Beginning Sacred Fist. My fist glowed with concentrated power as I aimed directly for his chest with enough force to shatter stone.


    He didn''t move. Didn''t even raise his hands.


    My fist connected solidly with his chest—and it was like punching a mountain. The impact jarred every bone in my body, pain shooting up my arm. Caspian hadn''t moved an inch, his expression unchanged.


    "Is that all?" he asked quietly.


    Gritting my teeth against the pain, I unleashed a flurry of attacks, each one powered by my full strength. Kicks, punches, elbow strikes—I poured everything I had into breaking through his defense.


    Nothing. It was like attacking a statue made of indestructible material.


    Then, without warning, Caspian moved. His hand shot out faster than my eyes could track, catching my wrist in mid-strike. His grip was like iron.


    "You''ve improved remarkably in such a short time," he said calmly. "But it''s not nearly enough."


    With a casual flick of his wrist, he sent me flying across the courtyard. I crashed into the wall hard enough to crack the stone, pain exploding through my back and ribs. Before I could recover, he was there, lifting me by my throat.


    "In Veridia City, this level of strength might intimidatemon folk," he said, his voice still conversational despite holding me aloft with one hand. "But to the Ashworths? To the ckthornes? You would be less than nothing."


    He threw me again. This time, I crashed through the wooden fence at the edge of the courtyard, splintering itpletely.


    Iy in the debris, tasting blood, every breath sending shards of pain through my body. Several ribs were broken, possibly my arm as well.


    Caspian walked slowly toward me, adjusting his cuffs. "This is what awaits you in Veridia City. Not a fair fight—utter domination. They won''t give you time to show your techniques or demonstrate your will. They''ll crush you like an insect and move on without a second thought."


    I struggled to sit up, spitting blood. "I get it."


    "Do you?" He stood over me, his silhouette blocking the moonlight. "Dashiell ckthorne is significantly stronger than you are now. Corbin Ashworth could kill Dashiell with the same ease I just demonstrated on you. And there are others in Veridia City who make Corbin look like a child."


    The truth of his words hit harder than his physical blows. "Then what chance do I have?"


    His expression softened slightly—the first real emotion I''d seen from him. "You have the same chance all great cultivators have had throughout history—talent, determination, and time."


    "Time we don''t have," I reminded him bitterly.


    "Then you mustpensate with the first two." He extended a hand, helping me to my feet. "Your talent is exceptional. Your determination, I can see in your eyes even now. But your approach needs to change."


    I winced as my broken ribs shifted. "What do you mean?"


    "You''ve been reactive—waiting for challenges toe to you, responding to threats as they appear. That path is too slow." Caspian''s eyes bored into mine. "To save Isabelle, you must be the aggressor."


    He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small, ornate box. "This is a spatial magic artifact. Learn to operate it. Inside are resources that will help elerate your growth."


    I took the box, feeling its weight in my palm. "Why are you helping me like this?"


    "I told you—I''m bound to protect the Ashworth bloodline''s happiness." He turned to leave, then added over his shoulder, "And despite your current weakness, you''ve shown potential I haven''t seen in centuries."


    With that, he was gone, leaving me wounded and thoughtful in the ruined courtyard.


    I limped back to my amodation, my mind racing despite the physical pain. After healing my injuries with the Saintly Restoration Technique, I examined the box Caspian had given me. It was inscribed withplex runes that seemed to shift under my gaze.


    Activating my Inner Sight, I began to study its mechanism. By dawn, I still hadn''t figured out how to open it.


    Instead, I reached for the sack of pills from Earth Fiend Valley. If I couldn''t ess Caspian''s resources yet, I would use what I had.


    One by one, I consumed the pills, my body absorbing their energy as I cultivated the Storm Dragon Scripture. The power flowed through my meridians, strengthening my foundation.


    Hours passed. Then days. I lost track of time, focused entirely on breaking through to a higher realm.


    On the third day, I felt it—the barrier between the Seventh and Eighth Layers of the Foundation Establishment Stage. With a final push of will and energy, I shattered it.


    Power flooded through me like a tsunami breaking through a dam. My aura expanded, stronger and more refined than before. I had reached the Eighth Layer.


    But it wasn''t enough. I knew that now. <i ss="meta-ref-static">Content first released on *.</i>


    I consumed more pills, pushing my body to its limits. By nightfall, I was on the verge of the Ninth Layer—just one step away from the peak of Foundation Establishment.


    Taking a break from cultivation, I turned my attention back to the spatial artifact. With my enhanced spiritual perception, I finally understood its mechanism. Channeling my energy in a specific pattern, I activated it.


    The box shimmered and expanded, revealing a pocket dimension filled with cultivation resources—herbs, pills, weapons, and ancient scrolls. Caspian''s gift was worth a fortune.


    As I examined the contents, a realization crystallized in my mind. Caspian was right—I had been too reactive, too passive. Waiting for strength toe to me instead of seizing it.


    I needed to change my approach. Completely.


    Reaching for mymunication device, I contacted Conrad Thornton.


    "Sir Liam," his respectful voice came through. "How may I serve you?"


    "Conrad," I said, my voice filled with newfound determination, "arrange a meeting with the Four Great Families of Eldoria for tomorrow."


    "All four?" He couldn''t hide his surprise. "May I ask the purpose of such a gathering?"


    I looked at my reflection in the window—stronger than before, but not yet strong enough. Not nearly.


    "At the bottom, growth must be apanied by the plundering of resources," I told him, my voice hardening with resolve. "This King of Eldoria cannot just be an empty title."


    The silence on the other end told me Conrad understood perfectly what I meant. After a moment, he replied, "It will be done, Sir Liam."


    I ended the call, turning back to the resources Caspian had provided. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of my new approach. No more waiting. No more reacting.


    If I was going to save Isabelle, if I was going to challenge the Ashworth dynasty, I needed to be bold. I needed to be ruthless.


    I needed to be the kind of force that even Corbin Ashworth would think twice about opposing.