"Stay here!"


    I barely registered Caspian Kane''smand before he stepped in front of me, blocking Colt Knightwood''s deadly strike. The impact of their colliding energies shook the room, sending dust cascading from the ceiling.


    My vision blurred as blood trickled into my eyes. Every breath felt like fire in my broken ribs. Through the haze of pain, I watched Caspian—a man I''d hardly known—risking everything to save me.


    "Get out of my way," Colt snarled, his face twisted with rage. "This doesn''t concern you!"


    Caspian''s voice remained calm. "I can''t do that."


    "Why risk your life for this nobody?" Colt demanded, readying another attack.


    "Because he matters to Miss Ashworth." Caspian''s reply was simple but resolute. "And whatever matters to her, matters to me."


    I struggled to my feet, leaning against the wall for support. "Caspian... don''t."


    He didn''t turn to look at me. "Knight, you need to leave. Now."


    "I can''t just—"


    "You must!" This time his voice cracked with urgency. "Miss Ashworth sacrificed everything for you today. Don''t waste it!"


    His words hit me harder than Colt''s fists had. Isabelle had given up her power, her position, her loyal supporters—all for me. The realization crushed me more thoroughly than my physical injuries.


    Caspian sensed my hesitation. "She believes in you! You''re her only hope now."


    "But what about you?" I asked, coughing blood.


    "I''ve lived my life in service to the Ashworth family. I know my purpose." He shifted into a defensive stance. "You have a greater destiny. Miss Ashworth knows it. I know it."


    Coltughed coldly. "How touching. You''ll both die here today."


    With a sudden burst of energy, Caspian mmed his palm onto the ground. The spatial formation Colt had used to trap me shattered like ss.


    "GO!" Caspian roared.


    I met his eyes for a brief moment—saw the unwavering determination there. With a pained nod, I summoned what little strength I had left and lurched toward the exit.


    Behind me, I heard Colt''s furious voice: "You''ll pay for this interference with your life!"


    Caspian''s reply was calm: "Some things are worth dying for."


    The sounds of violentbat erupted as I staggered into the alley. Each step sent waves of agony through my battered body, but I forced myself forward. Isabelle had sacrificed everything. Caspian was sacrificing his life. I couldn''t waste their gifts.


    Far enough from the building, I copsed against a wall, breathing heavily. My mind raced despite my body''s weakness. Michael Ashworth. I needed to resurrect Michael Ashworth. He was the only one who could challenge Corbin''s authority and free Isabelle''s supporters.


    But how? I needed Grandmaster-level cultivators to assist with the resurrection formation, and Isabelle''s loyal experts were now in Guild custody.


    Then it hit me—my identity as the Master of the Celestial Apothecary Guild. Few knew my face, but my titlemanded respect throughout the martial world.


    With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and essed The Warrior''s Scroll, the martial world''s most prominent informationwork. I created a post:


    *"The Master of the Celestial Apothecary Guild seeks six Grandmasters for an urgent, wellpensated task. Location: Earth Fiend Valley. Time: Immediate. High-risk, high-reward."*


    I added the official verification code that marked me as the Guild Master. Then I waited, each breath painful, each second precious.


    Within minutes, responses flooded in. Grandmasters across Havenwood City expressed interest, many praising the honor of working with the legendary Master of the Celestial Apothecary Guild.


    I selected six with the strongest energy signatures, sending them the exact coordinates. Then I pulled myself up, ignoring the fresh blood staining my shirt. I had to get to Earth Fiend Valley before the chosen Grandmasters arrived.


    The journey was excruciating. Twice I nearly lost consciousness. But the thought of Isabelle, of her sacrifice, kept me moving. I couldn''t fail her. Not again.


    Earth Fiend Valley was a deste ce with unstable energy currents—perfect for performing forbidden techniques without detection. I''d prepared a resurrection formation here days ago, hoping I wouldn''t need to use it.


    As I approached, I sensed someone already waiting. I tensed, ready for another fight despite my condition.


    "Master Knight." Conrad Thornton stepped from the shadows, bowing respectfully. "I feared you wouldn''t make it."


    I rxed slightly. Conrad had been Michael Ashworth''s most trusted advisor. "How did you know I''de here?"


    "Where else would you go?" he replied simply. "This is the only ce with a prepared resurrection formation. And Michael Ashworth is your only hope."


    I nodded weakly. "The Grandmasters will be here soon."


    Conrad frowned at my condition. "You look terrible. Let me help." He produced a pill from his robes. "Energy-restoration elixir. It won''t heal your injuries, but it will keep you standing until this is done."


    I swallowed it gratefully, feeling a surge of artificial strength through my battered body. "Thank you."


    One by one, the six Grandmasters arrived. They eyed me with mixtures of respect, curiosity, and shock at my battered appearance.


    "Gentlemen," I greeted them, standing as straight as my injuries would allow. "You''ve been summoned for a task of utmost importance."


    "Master of the Celestial Apothecary Guild," an older Grandmaster spoke, bowing deeply. "Your reputation precedes you. We are honored."


    I reached into my robe and produced my elder token from the Celestial Apothecary Guild. The ancient jade glowed with mystical energy, confirming my identity.


    "The task is simple but dangerous," I exined. "We will perform a resurrection ritual."


    Murmurs spread among the Grandmasters. Such techniques were forbidden, the penalties severe.


    "The reward will be substantial," I assured them. "And your identities protected."


    Conrad stepped forward. "We will be resurrecting Michael Ashworth."


    The murmurs grew louder. One Grandmaster spoke up: "Michael Ashworth? The former head of the Ashworth family?"


    I nodded. "His granddaughter needs him now more than ever."


    Their expressions changed at the mention of Isabelle. Many respected her, and all knew of her current predicament. News traveled fast in martial circles.


    "I will participate," the oldest Grandmaster dered. The others quickly followed suit.


    With their agreement secured, I led them to the center of the valley where the formationy hidden. With a pulse of energy, I activated it. Glowing lines appeared on the ground, forming intricate patterns that hummed with power.


    "Conrad," I said, "bring him."


    Conrad nodded and disappeared momentarily. He returned carrying two bodies: Michael Ashworth''s preserved corpse and an unconscious young man.


    "Who is that?" one of the Grandmasters asked, pointing to the young man.


    "A willing vessel," Conrad exined. "Michael''s spirit will inhabit this new body."


    I''d never met Michael Ashworth in life, but I''d heard enough stories. He had been Isabelle''s protector, her guide. And now, perhaps, he would be her savior. <strong ss="story-note-vis">Cоntеnt first rеlеаsеd оn М_VLЕМ_РYR.</strong>


    "Take your positions," I instructed the Grandmasters. "Channel your energy into the formation when I give the signal."


    Each took their ce at one of the formation''s vertices. Conrad carefully ced Michael''s body in the center, with the vessel beside it.


    I moved to the formation''s apex, the position requiring the most energy output. My injuries screamed in protest, but I ignored them.


    "Begin," Imanded.


    The Grandmasters channeled their energy into the formation. Lines of power connected each participant, flowing toward the center where the two bodiesy. Conrad joined the circle, his contribution steadier than the others''.


    I drew on every reserve of strength I had left. Blood seeped through my robes as wounds reopened, but I didn''t falter. For Isabelle. For the promise I''d made. For the future we might still have.


    The formation glowed brighter, pulses of energy washing over us in waves. The vessel''s body began to twitch, back arching as Michael''s spirit fought to enter.


    "More power!" I shouted over the roaring energy.


    The Grandmasters pushed harder. Conrad''s face strained with effort. And I... I gave everything. Blood leaked from my ears, my nose, my eyes as I channeled more than my broken body could safely provide.


    For what seemed like hours, we maintained the flow. My vision darkened at the edges. My consciousness slipped, but I fought to stay aware. Not now. Not yet.


    Finally, the formation''s light began to fade. The energy stabilized, then dispersed. The vessel''s bodyy still.


    Too still.


    Had we failed? Had all this been for nothing?


    The Grandmasters slumped in exhaustion. Conrad moved to my side, supporting me as my legs threatened to give way.


    "Is it done?" I asked weakly.


    Conrad''s eyes remained fixed on the vessel. "We''ll know soon."


    I pulled away from Conrad''s support, stumbling toward the center of the formation. Blood dripped from my chin onto the ground as I knelt beside the vessel.


    "Michael," I whispered. "Isabelle needs you."


    For a long moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the vessel''s fingers twitched. His chest rose with a deeper breath.


    And his eyes—Michael Ashworth''s eyes in a new body—began to open.