The herbs for my seclusiony forgotten in my room as I stood outside the Pavilion Master''s residence, still reeling from my unceremonious ejection earlier. My shoulder throbbed where Mariana''s finger had flicked me—a casual gesture that had sent me flying like a ragdoll.


    I took a deep breath and knocked again.


    "Enter," came her dispassionate voice.


    I pushed open the door, finding Mariana Valerius seated cross-legged on a meditation cushion. The fragrant scent of Enlightenment Tea filled the air—a rare brew said to cost more than most cultivators earned in a decade.


    "Third Elder," she acknowledged without opening her eyes. "You''re persistent. I''ll give you that."


    "Pavilion Master, I need rity," I said, standing respectfully at the threshold. "Your words earlier—"


    "Were perfectly clear," she interrupted, finally looking at me. "Go to Veridia City. Find Isabelle Ashworth. Time is running out."


    I frowned. "But my cultivation n—"


    "Can wait," she snapped, setting down her teacup with enough force that I worried it might crack. "You think hiding away to cultivate is more important than what awaits you there?"


    Her piercing gaze made me shift ufortably. There was something she wasn''t telling me, something crucial.


    "Is Isabelle in danger?" I asked, my heart rate quickening.


    Mariana''s expression softened slightly. "Not her. Not directly." She paused, studying my face. "You look so much like him sometimes. Especially when you''re worried."


    "Like who?" I asked, momentarily distracted.


    "That''s not important now," she replied, waving her hand dismissively. "What matters is that Michael Ashworth''s time grows short. The man who once helped your father is dying, and his daughter will soon face challenges she cannot ovee alone."


    My blood ran cold. "Michael is dying? How do you know this?"


    Instead of answering, Mariana rose fluidly to her feet. "Your father was also stubborn. Never taking the direct path when he couldplicate things."


    Before I could process her words, her palm struck my chest. I found myself airborne again, sailing backward through the doorway.


    "Go to Veridia City, Knight. That''s all you need to know."


    The door mmed shut, leaving me sprawled in the courtyard.


    "Dammit!" I punched the ground, frustration boiling over. Why did powerful cultivators always speak in riddles?


    I returned to my quarters, mind racing. Michael Ashworth dying? I''d met the man only briefly, but his connection to Isabelle—and apparently to my mysterious father—made this news devastating.


    Unable to sleep, I wandered the Guild grounds, eventually finding myself at the ornamental pond. The moonlight shimmered on its surface, illuminating the colorful carp swimmingzily below.


    As I watched, one ancient fish floated to the surface, its once-vibrant scales now dull with age. It struggled weakly, clearly in its final moments.


    I knelt by the water''s edge, oddly transfixed by the dying creature. Something about its struggle resonated with me.


    "Everything has its time," came Mariana''s voice from behind me.


    I didn''t turn around. "Even carp die of old age," I murmured, watching the fish''sbored movements.


    "Just as men do," she said softly. "Even great men."


    The realization hit me like a physical blow. "This is what you were trying to tell me. Michael Ashworth is dying of natural causes—old age—not from some attack or poison."


    "Finally," Mariana sighed. "I was beginning to think you''d make me spell it outpletely."


    I turned to face her. "But why the secrecy? Why not just tell me directly?"


    "Some knowledge must be earned," she replied cryptically. "And some truths are better discovered than delivered."


    I looked back at the dying fish. "Isabelle will be devastated."


    "She will need someone strong beside her. Someone who understands loss." Mariana''s voice carried unusual gentleness. "The Ashworth family will fracture when Michael passes. Old feuds will reignite. And the girl you care for will be caught in the center."


    I nodded, understanding atst. My personal cultivation goals would have to wait. Some things were more important.


    Without thinking, I reached into the pond, cradling the dying carp in my palms. Closing my eyes, I channeled my qi, feeling the warmth flow from my core, through my arms, into my hands.


    "What are you doing?" Mariana asked sharply.


    "I don''t know if I can help Michael," I said, concentrating on the fish, "but I won''t ept that death is inevitable. Not without trying."


    Golden light surrounded my hands, seeping into the carp''s body. I felt its life force—weak but still present—and gently coaxed it stronger.


    Seconds passed. Then minutes. Sweat beaded on my forehead from the effort.


    Finally, the fish twitched in my hands. Its dull scales gradually regained their vibrant red and gold colors. When I lowered it back into the pond, it swam away with renewed vigor.


    I looked up to find Mariana staring at me, her expression unreadable.


    "Interesting," was all she said before turning away.


    "I leave for Veridia City tomorrow," I called after her.


    She paused but didn''t look back. "Good."


    ---


    Morning came quickly. I packed my few possessions, including the newly refined pills I''d created. Sofia met me at the Guild entrance, her face lined with concern.


    "You''re leaving? So soon after bing Third Elder?"


    I nodded. "I have urgent business in Veridia City."


    She studied me carefully. "This is about Isabelle Ashworth, isn''t it?"


    "Her father is dying," I said simply.


    Sofia''s eyes widened. "Michael Ashworth? But he''s one of the most powerful men in Veridia!"


    "Even power can''t defeat time," I replied, remembering the carp. <dfn ss="story-note-vis">This vеrsiоn is sоurсеd frоm МV3L3МРYR.</dfn>


    The Fifth Elder appeared, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "The Guild will miss your skills, Knight. But duty calls where it will."


    I bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your guidance, Elder. I''ll return when I can."


    "Before you go," he said, "perhaps you should see the Pavilion Master onest time. She rarely takes interest in our new members, yet she''s been unusually attentive to your progress."


    Sofia nodded in agreement. "It''s true. I''ve never seen her so... invested."


    I hesitated, remembering ourst encounter. "Will she even see me?"


    "Only one way to find out," the Fifth Elder replied with a knowing smile.


    As I turned toward Mariana''s residence, Sofia caught my arm. "Liam," she said softly, using my first name for once, "be careful in Veridia City. The capital''s politics are deadlier than anybat technique."


    I sped her hand briefly. "I will."


    Walking through the Guild grounds onest time, I reflected on how much had changed since my arrival. From desperate supplicant to Third Elder in such a short time—life''s twists continued to surprise me.


    The guards outside Mariana''s residence straightened as I approached. "Third Elder," they acknowledged with respect—a stark contrast to the contempt I''d faced upon my arrival.


    "Is the Pavilion Master avable?" I asked.


    The senior guard nodded. "She''s expecting you."


    Of course she was. I took a deep breath and steeled myself for one final confrontation with the enigmatic woman who seemed to know more about my past—and my future—than I did myself.


    Whatever awaited me in Veridia City, I had a feeling this conversation would be equally important.


    I knocked on the door, my resolve hardening with each passing second. For Isabelle, I would face whatever came next—whether it was Mariana''s cryptic wisdom or the deadly politics of the capital.


    The door swung open, revealing Mariana seated exactly as she had been yesterday, tea steaming before her.


    "Well?" she asked, her prating gaze meeting mine. "Are you ready to hear what I really have to tell you?"