I stood over Preston Ironwood''s empty shell, his body now a husk devoid of the spiritual energy I''d drained with my Heaven Swallowing Skill. The rush of power flowing through me was intoxicating—decades of cultivated energy now mine tomand.
"What... what did you just do?" Eamon stammered, eyes wide with disbelief.
I flexed my fingers, feeling strength pulse through every fiber of my being. "I took what he no longer deserved."
Adrian Whitlock observed me with guarded fascination. "The Heaven Swallowing Skill. I''ve only heard legends of such a technique."
"It''s not something I broadcast," I replied, turning my attention to Adrian. His wounds were severe—Preston''s betrayal had left him at death''s door.
I knelt beside Adrian, examining his injuries. A deep gash crossed his chest, and his breathing came in ragged gasps. "Let me help you."
My hands hovered over his chest as I channeled my newly acquired energy. Golden light spilled from my fingertips, seeping into his wounds. Adrian''s eyes widened as the flesh began to knit together before our eyes.
"Remarkable," he whispered. "Your medical skills are..."
"A gift," I finished for him. "One I don''t fully understand yet."
After stabilizing Adrian, I moved to Eamon, whose injuries were less severe but still concerning. The young man winced as my energy flowed into him, healing torn muscles and mending fractured bones.
"We should leave this ce," I said, ncing at Preston''s body. "His allies mighte looking for him."
Adrian nodded weakly. "My residence isn''t far. We can recover there."
---
Three days passed in seclusion at Adrian''s mountain home. I spent most of that time meditating, absorbing and integrating Preston''s power into my own. The energy from the Heaven Swallowing Skill had partiallypensated for my lost Enlightenment Tea, though I knew I would need more resources to reach my full potential.
On the fourth morning, I joined Adrian on his veranda. The old master sat cross-legged, watching the sunrise paint the mountains gold.
"Your recovery has been remarkable," I noted, taking a seat beside him.
Adrian smiled. "Thanks to you. Most physicians would have given me up for dead."
"Not all physicians have my advantages."
Afortable silence fell between us as we watched morning mist curl around distant peaks.
"You know," Adrian finally said, "I''ve been pondering what happened with Preston. You defeated an Eighth Rank Grandmaster while barely a Grandmaster yourself."
I sipped the tea he''d offered. "The heavenly tribtion changed me."
"It''s more than that." Adrian turned to face me. "You''re walking a different path—one that confounds traditional martial artists."
"What do you mean?"
Adrian stroked his beard thoughtfully. "There''s a fundamental difference between cultivation and martial arts. Most don''t understand it anymore."
I leaned forward, intrigued.
"Martial artists like Preston focus on techniques and applications—fighting skills honed through countless repetitions. But cultivators like you focus on the quality of qi itself." Adrian''s eyes gleamed with ancient wisdom. "A tiny drop of true cultivation qi can overwhelm a sea of ordinary martial energy."
This exined much about my unusual progress. "So my Heaven Swallowing Skill..."
"Is quintessentially a cultivator''s technique," Adrian finished. "You don''t just defeat your enemies—you absorb their essence. It''s why Preston, with decades more experience, fell before your power."
Adrian rose slowly, moving to a carved wooden chest in the corner. From it, he withdrew a ceramic bottle sealed with red wax.
"This wine has been aging for thirty years," he said, breaking the seal. "I''ve been saving it for a special asion."
The aroma that filled the air wasplex and intoxicating. Adrian poured two small cups, handing one to me.
"To new beginnings," he said, raising his cup.
I mirrored his gesture. "And settled debts."
The wine burned pleasantly down my throat, leaving behind vors of plum, herbs, and something indefinable—perhaps time itself.
As I set down my empty cup, a realization struck me. "It''s been four days."
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Since?"
"Since Caleb Thorne was supposed to deliver the herbs he promised. The ones I paid for in advance." I frowned, remembering the transaction. "He must think I died in that thunderstorm."
Adrian''s expression darkened. "Thorne has a reputation for... creative interpretations of agreements when circumstances change."
I stood, my decision made. "Then I need to go to Peach Blossom City and remind him of our arrangement."
"Careful, Liam." Adrian''s voice carried a note of warning. "Caleb Thorne isn''t without backing. His family has connections throughout the region."
"So did Preston," I replied simply.
Adrian chuckled, though his eyes remained serious. "Indeed. But I won''t be there to witness your... discussion this time."
"You won''te with me?"
Adrian shook his head. "My wounds need more time. Besides," he added with a wry smile, "I suspect you can handle Caleb Thorne without my help."
I couldn''t argue with that. "Eamon and I will depart today. Thank you for your hospitality—and your wisdom."
Adrian sped my shoulder. "Remember what I told you about the cultivation path. It''s not just about power—it''s about transformation. The Heaven Swallowing Skill gives you strength, but how you use it will define you."
I nodded, taking his words to heart. "I understand."
"Do you?" His gaze was prating. "Power corrupts, Liam. Even righteous power." <samp ss="phantom-imprint">A%lw^ays* rea*d f.rom the so&ur%ce%: *.%</samp>
"I''m not seeking power for its own sake," I assured him. "Only what I need to protect what matters."
Adrian''s expression softened. "Then may your journey be sessful."
---
Two hourster, Eamon and I set out for Peach Blossom City. The young man had recovered well, though he still moved with caution.
"Master Knight," he said as we walked the mountain path, "do you really think Caleb Thorne would deliberately cheat you?"
"People reveal their true nature when they think there are no consequences," I replied. "If he believes I''m dead, why would he fulfill his end of our bargain?"
Eamon nodded grimly. "I understand."
The journey would take us a day and a half—time enough to n my approach. I didn''t intend to harm Caleb unnecessarily, but I had no patience left for those who thought they could take advantage of me.
---
Meanwhile, in Peach Blossom City, Caleb Thorne sat in his study, a smug smile ying on his lips as he counted coins into neat stacks.
"Dismiss the Grandmasters," he instructed his disciple. "We won''t be needing their protection anymore."
The young man looked confused. "Master, are you certain? You said that Knight fellow mighte seeking retribution."
Calebughed, the sound sharp and unpleasant. "Haven''t you heard? A massive thunderstorm struck the eastern mountains three days ago. Our friend wasst seen heading straight into it." His smile widened. "Nature has solved our problem for us."
"But what if he survived?"
"Impossible!" Caleb scoffed. "That storm was unlike any in living memory. Witnesses say lightning struck the same ce repeatedly—a divine punishment. No mere Grandmaster could survive such fury from the heavens."
The disciple bowed, epting his master''s judgment. As he turned to leave, he paused at the doorway.
"Master, don''t forget tonight''s Medicine God event at the Celestial Apothecary Guild."
Caleb''s expression soured. "Damn that Liam Knight. He almost made me forget about it." He stood, brushing imaginary dust from his robes. "The fools at the Guild will be showing off their newest concoctions. We can''t afford to miss it—not when there''s so much to learn from their mistakes."
Outside the window, storm clouds gathered on the horizon, as if heralding an approaching confrontation that Caleb Thorne, in his arrogance, couldn''t begin to imagine.