I watched Evelyn Norton''s retreating figure disappear down the hotel corridor. Her midnight visit had left me with more than just the pulsating Demonic Beast Core in my hands—it had given me food for thought about alliances and power.


    The jade box felt heavy in my palm. I closed the door and leaned against it, examining the dark, glistening core. Grade four. Rare and dangerous.


    "So this is her idea of an investment," I muttered to myself.


    I carried the box to the table, clearing away thest of Caleb''s herbs to make space. Under themplight, the core seemed to throb with dark energy—alive despite being separated from its original host.


    Most cultivators wouldn''t dare consume such a thing. The stories of horrible deaths and twisted mutations were legendary. Yet Evelyn had survived the process, even thrived from it.


    "Everyone wants something," I reminded myself of her parting words. She hadn''t been subtle about her ultimate goal—alliance with someone she believed would rise to prominence. A calcted risk, as she''d called it.


    I pried the core from its container, feeling its unnatural warmth against my skin. Unlike ordinary beast cores, this one had a strange pattern etched across its surface—swirling lines that seemed to move when I wasn''t looking directly at them.


    "She mentioned a surprise," I recalled. Evelyn had hinted that this particr core contained something special, beyond its raw power.


    My cultivation technique, the Nine Secrets Heaven Refining Method, was uniquely suited for absorbing various energies. If anyone could safely integrate this core, it would be me.


    Decision made, I sat cross-legged on the floor, ced the core on my palm, and began circting my energy.


    "Here goes nothing," I whispered, pressing the core against my dantian.


    The moment it touched my skin, pain erupted through my body. Not the expected burning sensation of foreign energy, but something deeper—as though the core was rearranging my very structure.


    I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to remain conscious as waves of agony washed over me. The core began dissolving, its essence seeping into my meridians like liquid fire.


    Hours passed in a haze of pain and struggle. Just when I thought I couldn''t endure anymore, something shifted—my dantian, the energy center at my core, began to transform.


    It expanded, contracted, then reshapes itself entirely. My consciousness was dragged into my own body, witnessing the metamorphosis from within. The barriers that had previously limited my energy cirction were being reconstructed, optimized.


    By dawn, the process wasplete. I opened my eyes, feeling fundamentally different.


    I stood up, marveling at the sensation. My body felt denser, more solid. When I pressed my finger against the wooden table, it left an indentation in the surface.


    "This is..." I trailed off, clenching my fist. The raw physical power was extraordinary. Not just an increase in energy reserves, but aplete enhancement of my physical form. Nоtе: Chесk М_VLЕМРY_R fоr аny соrrесtiоns.</abbr>


    Testing my new limits, I struck the stone wall of the room—carefully, not wanting to damage the hotel. My knuckles didn''t even redden from the impact.


    "So this was her surprise," I murmured with growing excitement. The core hadn''t just bolstered my cultivation; it had remodeled my physical structure, hardening my body beyond normal human limitations.


    With this enhancement, I might be close to breaking through to the second level of the Monastic Stage. The thought sent a surge of anticipation through me.


    I opened the window, letting the morning light stream in. The fresh air carried the scents of the awakening city—cooking food, burning incense, people starting their day.


    A knock at the door interrupted my contemtion.


    "Liam? Are you awake?" Eamon''s voice called from the hallway.


    I opened the door to find him fully dressed for travel.


    "We should leave soon if we want to reach Veridia City before nightfall," he said, then paused, studying my face. "You look different. Did something happen?"


    I smiled, knowing he could sense the change in my energy. "I had an unexpected breakthroughst night."


    Eamon raised an eyebrow but didn''t press for details. "Congrattions. I''ll wait downstairs while you pack."


    After he left, I gathered my belongings quickly, including the herbs I''d taken from Caleb. As I secured thest bag, a nagging feeling tugged at my mind—something important I was forgetting.


    I dismissed the sensation. Whatever it was, it couldn''t be more urgent than our journey to Veridia City. Isabelle was waiting, and that took priority over everything else.


    ---


    The sun beat down mercilessly on the Eldoria Battle Zone training grounds. Dust swirled in the hot breeze as soldiers moved throughbat drills with practiced precision. At themand tent, the atmosphere was considerably less harmonious.


    William Vance shifted ufortably under Commander Wood''s impatient re.


    "It''s been three days," Commander Wood said, his weathered face creased with irritation. "Your miracle alchemist hasn''t shown up, hasn''t sent word, and hasn''t responded to any messages."


    William wiped sweat from his brow, keenly aware of the dozen officers watching the exchange. "I''m sure there''s an exnation, Commander. Liam Knight gave his word."


    "Words are cheap," Commander Wood replied, turning to study the map spread across the central table. Red markers indicated enemy positions, blue ones their own troops. "What we need are results, not promises."


    A young officer stepped forward. "Sir, the Dragon Tiger Team is falling behind schedule. Without specialized training, they won''t be ready for the uing exercises."


    William''s stomach tightened. The Dragon Tiger Team—Eldoria''s elite fighting unit—had been counting on Liam''s promised training. Their performance would directly reflect on William''s judgment in rmending him.


    "We can''t wait any longer," Commander Wood decided. "Zane!"


    A tall, hard-faced young man emerged from the group of officers. Zane Avery, Commander Wood''s personal disciple and one of the Battle Zone''s rising stars.


    "Yes, Commander?" Zane''s voice carried the confidence of someone who knew his worth.


    "Take over the Dragon Tiger Team''s training. Use Ignazio Bellweather''s methods—I''ve approved his training n."


    William felt his influence slipping away. "Commander, if we could just wait one more day—"


    "This isn''t a debate, Vance," Commander Wood cut him off sharply. "Your friend had his chance. Bellweather''s techniques are battle-proven. His disciples lead three of the five top-ranked battle zones."


    Zane''s lips curled into a subtle smirk. "I''ve studied under Master Bellweather personally. The Dragon Tigers will be in capable hands."


    William recognized the threat to his position. If Zane seeded where Liam had failed to even show up, it would damage William''s standing permanently.


    "With all due respect, Commander," William tried once more, "Liam Knight''s methods are revolutionary. He single-handedly improved the Riverbend medical corps by—"


    "I don''t care what he did in some backwater town," Commander Wood interrupted. "This is Eldoria Battle Zone—we face the empire''s most dangerous enemies. I need reliable people, not vanishing alchemists with grand promises."


    The officers around the table nodded in agreement. William felt their collective judgment weighing on him.


    "Preparations for Ignazio''s arrival will begin immediately," Commander Wood continued, moving tokens across the map. "He''ll be bringing his personal guard and equipment—make sure all amodations are ready."


    William''s jaw tightened. The arrival of someone as prestigious as Ignazio Bellweather wouldpletely overshadow any contribution Liam might eventually make. It was a devastating blow to the alliance he''d been trying to build.


    "Bellweather will observe ourbat exercises next week," Commander Wood said, looking around the table. "I want every unit at peak performance. Our ranking depends on it."


    The implications were clear. Eldoria Battle Zone had ranked third for years, never able to break into the top two positions. Commander Wood''s career advancement hinged on improving that ranking.


    "But..." William hesitated, then forced himself to continue. "Liam Knight said that Eldoria Battle Zone would be first this year..."


    The tent fell silent. Every eye turned to William.


    Commander Wood''s expression darkened. "First? Based on what? Pills and empty promises?"


    William swallowed hard, suddenly regretting his words. Without Liam present to back them up, such bold ims only made him look foolish.


    "Well, Vance?" Commander Wood pressed, leaning forward. "How exactly did your absent alchemist n to make us number one?"