"Did you ever pass this cultivation skill on to Preston Ironwood?"


    I watched Adrian''s face carefully, looking for any hint of deception. My entire strategy hinged on his answer.


    Adrian''s expression darkened. He looked away, unable to meet my eyes.


    "I did," he finally admitted. "I taught him everything I know."


    The weight of his words hit me like a physical blow. My one advantage, gone.


    "Everything?" I pressed, desperate for some sliver of hope.


    Adrian nodded slowly. "When I took him as my disciple, I held nothing back. The Shrinking Ground Into An Inch technique—he''s had years to perfect it."


    I turned away, running my hand through my hair in frustration. The duel was tomorrow, and my best strategy had just evaporated.


    "I''m sorry, Liam," Adrian said, his voice heavy with regret. "I had no way of knowing we would end up here."


    I took a deep breath, forcing myself to think clearly. "It''s not your fault. I need to find another way."


    "Perhaps there''s something else in your father''s legacy?" Adrian suggested. "Something Preston wouldn''t know?"


    The jade pendant against my chest seemed to grow warm at his words. My father''s techniques—most were far beyond my current cultivation level, but perhaps there was something I could use, something unexpected.


    "I''ll find something," I said with more confidence than I felt. "Let''s head back. I need to review the jade slip contents again."


    As we walked back toward Havenwood City, my mind raced through possibilities. Preston would expect me to use the techniques Adrian had taught him. I needed to surprise him with somethingpletely different.


    Something only I could do.


    ---


    At the Ironwood mansion across town, Preston lounged in his private garden, sipping fine wine as the evening breeze rustled through ornamental trees. His servant refilled his cup without being asked.


    "Tomorrow''s the day," Preston mused aloud. "The day I crush that upstart once and for all."


    "You seem very confident, young master," the servant observed.


    Prestonughed. "Why wouldn''t I be? I possess everything Adrian Whitlock ever taught me, plus the resources of the Ironwood family. Knight is nothing but a lucky beginner who''s about to learn his ce."


    He drained his cup and stood, stretchingzily. "Make sure my ceremonial robes are prepared for tomorrow. I want to look my best when I humble him before the entire city."


    ---


    Back at Adrian''s residence, I sat cross-legged on the floor of my room, the jade slip glowing softly between my palms as I sifted through its contents. Hours had passed since our return, and exhaustion tugged at the edges of my consciousness.


    Most techniques required cultivation levels far beyond mine—Saint Realm abilities that I could only dream of mastering someday. But one section caught my attention:bat applications of spiritual energy that relied more on precision than raw power.


    One technique in particr stood out—the Void Palm. Unlike most energy attacks that relied on overwhelming force, this technique created a vacuum effect, drawing an opponent''s energy away from them at the moment of contact. It was subtle, efficient, and precisely what I needed.


    But learning it in one night? That would be nearly impossible.


    I closed my eyes, willing myself to focus despite my fatigue. One night was all I had.


    ---


    Morning came too soon. I awoke with a start, the jade slip still clutched in my hands. My head throbbed from the intense study, but a sense of calm determination had settled over me.


    I''d barely scratched the surface of the Void Palm technique, but I understood its principles. Whether that would be enough against Preston remained to be seen.


    After washing and changing into the clothes Adrian had provided—in but well-made fighting garments—I headed to the main hall. Adrian was waiting, a simple breakfastid out on the table.


    "Did you find anything useful?" he asked as I sat down.


    I nodded, reaching for a steamed bun. "Something that might work. It won''t be pretty, but it might be enough to survive until I can find an opening."


    Adrian studied my face. "You look terrible. Did you sleep at all?"


    "Enough," I lied, biting into the bun. "How long until the duel?"


    "Four hours. Enough time for you to rest a bit more."


    I shook my head. "No. I need to practice what little I''ve learned."


    After breakfast, I retreated to the courtyard for somest-minute refinement of the Void Palm. The technique was frustratingly elusive—I could feel the theory guiding my movements, but the energy maniption remained imprecise.


    Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, Adrian was calling me back inside. "It''s time to prepare," he said.


    As I was about to follow him, a sharp knock came at the front gate. Adrian frowned, then went to answer it.


    I heard voices—Adrian''s and someone else''s, deep and unfamiliar. Curious, I moved closer to the front hall but remained out of sight.


    "Caleb, this is unexpected," Adrian was saying. "What brings you here today of all days?"


    The authentic version is on *.


    "Can''t an old friend pay a visit? Especially when that friend might be in danger," the man named Caleb replied.


    I heard footsteps as they moved into the reception room, and their conversation became clearer.


    "What danger?" Adrian asked, confusion evident in his voice.


    I edged closer, staying hidden behind the doorway. Through the crack, I could see Adrian and his visitor—a tall, broad-shouldered man with graying hair at his temples and the bearing of a wealthy merchant.


    "This new apprentice of yours," Caleb said. "The one who''s dueling Preston Ironwood today. I''ve heard concerning things."


    Adrian''s brow furrowed. "Liam? What about him?"


    "They say he appeared from nowhere, with mysterious abilities and unknown origins." Caleb''s voice dropped lower. "Some say he''s using you, Adrian. That once he''s learned what he can, he''ll turn on you like all the others."


    Adrianughed, the sound sharp and disbelieving. "That''s absurd. Liam is nothing like Preston."


    "You always see the best in people, my friend. It''s your greatest weakness." Caleb reached into his robes and withdrew a small box. "That''s why I''ve brought you this."


    He opened the box to reveal a withered root, its surface red and gnarled like an ancient, twisted carrot.


    Adrian''s eyes widened. "Is that—"


    "A five-hundred-year-old blood ginseng," Caleb confirmed with obvious pride. "Nearly impossible to find these days. It will boost your cultivation significantly, enough to handle this Liam character if he tries anything untoward."


    I frowned, listening to this stranger casually suggest I was some kind of threat to Adrian. The ginseng, though—that was interesting. Such a rare medicinal ingredient could easily be worth a small fortune.


    "Caleb, this is unnecessary," Adrian protested. "Liam is not a threat to me."


    "Take it anyway," Caleb insisted. "For my peace of mind. And if I''m wrong about your apprentice, you can use it to help him instead."


    Adrian hesitated, then epted the box. "Thank you for your concern, but I assure you it''s misced."


    Caleb smiled, but the expression didn''t reach his eyes. "Perhaps. But now that I''ve delivered my gift, let me tell you why I really came."


    I tensed, sensing something off about this entire interaction.


    "I need something from your apprentice," Caleb continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "A medicinal form he possesses. I''ve tried to acquire it through normal channels, but he''s been... uncooperative."


    Adrian''s posture stiffened. "What form?"


    "The one for rejuvenation. My sources say he used it to restore youth to an old woman in the market district. Such a form would be worth a fortune."


    "And what exactly are you proposing?" Adrian''s voice had grown cold.


    Caleb leaned forward. "Help me subdue him after the duel. Whether he wins or loses, he''ll be weakened. We can force him to hand over the form, and I''ll make it worth your while." He patched a false smile on his face. "I''ve brought another ginseng just like this one as payment."


    I''d heard enough. The man wasn''t just suspicious of me—he was actively plotting against me. And worse, he thought Adrian would betray me for some roots.


    Before Adrian could respond, I stepped out from my hiding ce.


    "Why wait until after the duel?" I asked casually, walking into the room.


    Both men turned toward me, startled by my sudden appearance. Adrian looked mortified that I had overheard the conversation, while Caleb''s face registered shock, then rapid calction.


    "You must be Liam Knight," Caleb said, recovering quickly. "I was just—"


    "Plotting to kidnap and rob me," I finished for him. "Yes, I heard."


    Without hesitation, I walked directly to Caleb, plucked the box containing the ginseng from the table where Adrian had set it, and pulled out the precious root.


    "This looks useful," I remarked, turning the ancient ginseng over in my hand.


    Caleb''s face reddened. "That''s not yours! I gave it to Adrian!"


    "As payment to betray me," I said calmly. "Which means it''s evidence of attempted bribery."


    Before anyone could react, I brought the ginseng to my mouth and took arge bite as if it were amon carrot.


    Caleb''s eyes bulged in horror. "Are you insane? That''s a five-hundred-year-old blood ginseng! Worth more than you could earn in ten lifetimes!"


    I chewed thoughtfully, savoring the incredibly bitter yet strangely sweet taste. Immediately, I could feel its potent energy spreading through my body like liquid fire.


    "Tastes expensive," Imented after swallowing. "Got any more?"


    Caleb lunged forward in rage, but Adrian stepped between us. "Caleb! Control yourself!"


    "Do you have any idea what you''ve done?" Caleb shouted at me, his face contorted with fury. "That ginseng was meant to be carefully processed and used over months, not eaten raw like a peasant''s turnip!"


    I took another deliberate bite, maintaining eye contact as I chewed. The energy surging through me was bing almost ufortable—like trying to contain an ocean in a teacup.


    "You mentioned a second ginseng," I said after swallowing. "I''d like that one too. Consider itpensation for your murder plot."


    "This is outrageous!" Caleb turned to Adrian. "Are you going to allow this thief to—"


    "Thief?" Adrian interrupted, his voice dangerously quiet. "You came into my home under the guise of friendship, offered me a gift with hidden strings attached, and then proposed I betray someone under my protection. Who exactly is the thief here, Caleb?"


    Caleb''s mouth opened and closed several times, like a fish out of water. "I... I was only trying to protect you!"


    "By plotting murder?" I asked, taking another bite of the ginseng. The energy was bing almost unbearable now, pulsing through my meridians with increasing pressure.


    Caleb red at me with naked hatred. "You have no idea who you''re dealing with, boy."


    I finished thest of the ginseng and smiled at him. "Actually, I think you''re the one who has no idea who you''re dealing with."


    As I spoke, the tremendous energy from the blood ginseng reached a critical point in my body. My meridians, expanded from consuming all those Earth Rank pills, suddenly found themselves hosting more power than I''d ever handled before.


    Something was happening—something unexpected.


    And from the look of absolute terror blooming on Caleb Thorne''s face as he stared at me, it was visible to everyone in the room.