I stood in awe as the Celestial Apothecary Guild transformed before my eyes. What was once a bustling marketce of alchemical knowledge had be my personal sanctuary—my pathway to power.


    "Elder Knight, we''ve prepared the first batch of Vitality Enhancing Pills," Sofia announced, carefully cing a jade box before me. "First Elder Ignazio personally oversaw the final refinement stage."


    I opened the box with reverent hands. Inside, twelve crystalline pills gleamed with an inner light, each one representing hours of meticulous work by the Guild''s finest alchemists.


    "This is... extraordinary," I whispered, lifting one to examine it closer. "The quality far exceeds what I expected."


    Sofia beamed with pride. "The Pavilion Master instructed us to spare no expense. We used thousand-year Golden Sunroot as the base material instead of the standard century-old variety."


    The implications weren''t lost on me. Golden Sunroot was among the rarest medicinal herbs in Eldoria. A thousand-year specimen would cost more than most nobles earned in a lifetime.


    "Please convey my deepest gratitude to everyone involved," I said, carefully returning the pill to its box.


    "There''s more," Sofia continued, her eyes bright with excitement. "Three more elders arrived from our eastern branch this morning. They''ve brought additional rare ingredients specifically for your Meridian Expansion Elixir."


    I shook my head in disbelief. "The Guild is dedicating too many resources to me."


    "Not at all," came First Elder Ignazio''s voice from behind us. The elderly alchemist approached with measured steps, his expression serene but determined. "The Pavilion Master believes your potential warrants this investment. We trust her judgment implicitly."


    "Still, I can''t help feeling that—"


    "Save your strength for cultivation, Elder Knight," Ignazio interrupted gently. "Each moment you spend in gratitude is a moment lost in preparation."


    He was right, of course. With only six months until Isabelle''s forced wedding, I couldn''t afford sentiment. I needed power—the kind that could shake the foundations of the Ashworth and ckthorne families.


    "When will the Meridian Expansion Elixir be ready?" I asked.


    "Three days, if all goes well," Sofia replied. "Though you should finish consuming these Vitality Pills first."


    I nodded, making my decision. "I''ll begin immediately. Please ensure I''m not disturbed for the next several days unless absolutely necessary."


    "Of course, Elder Knight. I''ll arrange for meals to be left outside your door."


    With the precious box in hand, I returned to my quarters, sealing the door behind me. The room had been specially prepared for intensive cultivation—purification arrays etched into the floors and walls, spirit-gathering formations activated in each corner.


    I ced the box on a small table and settled onto the meditation mat at the center of the room. After a few deep breaths to center myself, I took the first pill from the box and ced it on my tongue.


    The effect was immediate and intense. As the pill dissolved, liquid fire seemed to flow through my veins, racing along my meridians and saturating my cells with potent energy. I gasped, fighting the instinct to reject the overwhelming power.


    *Focus, Liam. Control the energy. Don''t let it control you.*


    I channeled the surging power ording to the cultivation technique from my awakened memories, guiding it through the twelve major meridians in precise patterns. Hours passed as I battled to absorb and refine the pill''s essence, sweat soaking through my robes.


    When the energy finally stabilized, I opened my eyes, feeling the unmistakable sensation of advancement. In a single session, I''d progressed from the early secondyer of the Monastic Stage to the peak of the sameyer.


    One pill. One breakthrough.


    With newfound determination, I reached for the second pill.


    ---


    Days blurred together as I consumed pill after pill, pushing my cultivation to unprecedented heights. After each breakthrough, I would rest briefly before continuing the cycle—consume, absorb, breakthrough, rest. My body ached constantly, but the pain was proof of my transformation.


    By the time I emerged from seclusion half a monthter, I had advanced from the secondyer of the Monastic Stage to the fifth—a journey that would normally take years of dedicated cultivation. <strong ss="ref-87eaea">Thetest chapters are always avable first on *.</strong>


    When I finally opened my door, Sofia was waiting outside with fresh clothes and a pot of tea.


    "Wee back, Elder Knight," she said with a warm smile. "You''ve been missed."


    I stretched, feeling the new power coursing through my body. "How are things with the Guild?"


    "Busier than ever," she replied, pouring me a cup of fragrant tea. "The Pavilion Master has returned from her trip, and she''s asked to see you once you''re presentable."


    I nodded, epting the cup gratefully. "And outside the Guild? Any news I should know?"


    Sofia hesitated, ncing around before lowering her voice. "Mr. Snyder and his group are still camped outside Riverbend Town, waiting for you. They''ve been there for nearly three weeks now."


    "Let them wait," I said, sipping the tea. The warm liquid soothed my parched throat. "What about... any news from Veridia City?"


    Sofia''s expression turned sympathetic. "Nothing specific about Miss Ashworth, if that''s what you''re asking. But rumors say the Ashworth and ckthorne families are growing impatient with your extended stay here."


    *Isabelle.* My chest tightened at the thought of her, alone and surrounded by enemies. Soon, I promised silently. Soon I''ll be strong enough toe for you.


    After washing and changing into fresh robes, I made my way to the Pavilion Master''s quarters. Mariana Valerius was seated at her desk, reviewing scrolls when I entered.


    "You look stronger," she observed without looking up. "The pills served their purpose, it seems."


    "Thanks to you and the Guild," I replied, bowing deeply. "I don''t know how to repay such generosity."


    She finally raised her eyes to meet mine. "Tell me, Liam Knight, do you understand why I''ve invested so heavily in you?"


    I considered my words carefully. "Because you see potential in me. Or perhaps because you have some use for me."


    A small smile yed at the corner of her mouth. "Both are true, in their way. But primarily, I recognize in you something rare—a man worthy of breaking the established order."


    "The established order?"


    "The families, the guilds, the sects—all ying their power games while ordinary people suffer." She stood, moving to the window that overlooked Havenwood City. "Michael Ashworth once had the chance to change things but chose instead topromise."


    I joined her at the window, watching the city below. "And you believe I won''tpromise?"


    "I believe you can''t afford to," she replied simply. "The path you''ve chosen leaves no room for half-measures. Either you will rise high enough to challenge the Ashworths and their ilk, or you will be crushed beneath their heel."


    Her words sent a chill through me, not because they were threatening, but because they were true.


    "Michael Ashworth came to see me while you were in seclusion," she continued. "He was... concerned about the Guild''s apparent favoritism toward you."


    I tensed. "What did you tell him?"


    "The truth—that my support is for Liam Knight, not for or against the Ashworth family." She turned to face me fully. "Make no mistake, young man. When you leave here, you''re walking into a storm of your own making. The Guild can offer sanctuary and resources, but the battles ahead are yours alone to fight."


    I nodded, epting her warning. "I understand. And I''m grateful for everything you''ve done."


    She dismissed my gratitude with a wave of her hand. "Prove yourself worthy of it. That''s all I ask."


    ---


    Meanwhile, in Riverbend Town, Mr. Snyder paced anxiously outside the local inn, his patience wearing thin.


    "Three weeks," he muttered to hispanions. "Three damned weeks we''ve been waiting, and still no sign of him."


    "The innkeeper says the Celestial Apothecary Guild has been unusually active," one of his men reported. "All their senior alchemists recalled, supplies flowing in constantly. Something big is happening in there."


    Snyder clenched his fists. "Knight is behind it somehow. I''m sure of it."


    "What do we do now, boss? The Sterling family is growing impatient."


    "We wait," Snyder decided grimly. "Knight has to emerge eventually. And when he does, we''ll be ready."


    ---


    In Veridia City, the topic of the Celestial Apothecary Guild''s strange behavior had be the subject of heated discussion on The Warrior''s Scroll, the premier martial arts forum.


    "The Guild hasn''t epted a singlemission in weeks," onementator noted. "Not even from the Four Great Families!"


    "I heard they''re developing some revolutionary new pill," another spected.


    "Whatever it is, it must be important for the Pavilion Master to dedicate all their resources to it."


    As these discussions spread, they eventually reached the ears of Corbin Ashworth, who summoned Roderick ckthorne to his private study.


    "This situation with the Guild troubles me," Corbin admitted, pouring wine for his guest. "My sources confirm they''ve rejected all external requests for the past three weeks—even our own."


    Roderick epted the wine with a frown. "What could possibly warrant such exclusive focus?"


    "Or who?" Corbin countered, his expression darkening. "Knight has been at the Guild for nearly a month now."


    "You think they''re supporting him?" Roderick''s voice rose in disbelief. "The Celestial Apothecary Guild would never risk alienating the Four Great Families for some nobody."


    "Unless that nobody has something they want," Corbin muttered, staring into his wine. "We''ve underestimated Knight before. I won''t make that mistake again."


    In another wing of the Ashworth mansion, Dashiell ckthorne was consulting with his personal cultivator, his handsome face twisted with rage.


    "I want him dead," Dashiell hissed. "Thismoner has humiliated me for thest time."


    "Patience, young master," the cultivator advised. "Knight is under the Guild''s protection for now. But once he emerges..."


    Dashiell''s eyes gleamed with malice. "Yes. Once he emerges, I''ll show him what happens to insects who challenge the ckthorne family."


    ---


    In her chambers, Isabelle Ashworth sat by the window, her delicate hands moving skillfully across a canvas. Despite her family''s best efforts to iste her from all news, servants'' whispers still reached her ears. Liam was alive. He was growing stronger.


    Hope bloomed in her heart as she painted his face from memory—strong jaw, determined eyes, the gentle smile he reserved only for her. The painting was nearlyplete, a secret rebellion against her captivity.


    "He''s still just amoner," came a cold voice from the doorway.


    Isabelle startled, nearly knocking over her easel as she turned to find Corbin Ashworth watching her with contemptuous eyes.


    "Uncle," she acknowledged stiffly.


    "Painting your lowborn hero?" he sneered, approaching to examine her work. "How pathetic."


    Isabelle stepped between him and the canvas. "What I do in my private time is not your concern."


    "Everything about you is my concern," Corbin snapped. "You are an Ashworth. Your actions reflect on our family."


    "A family that imprisons me and forces me to marry a man I despise," she retorted, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. "Just like you forced my mother to marry against her will."


    Corbin''s face darkened dangerously. "Watch your tongue, girl."


    "Why? Because I speak the truth?" Isabelle challenged, finding courage in her anger. "Everyone knows what you did to my mother—how you manipted and controlled her until she—"


    The p came without warning, the force of it sending her stumbling backward. Her canvas ttered to the floor.


    "Your mother was weak," Corbin snarled, towering over her. "Just like you."


    Isabelle touched her stinging cheek, tears welling in her eyes—not from pain, but from fury. "My mother was right about you. You''re a monster."


    With a roar of rage, Corbin seized the fallen painting and tore it to shreds before her eyes.


    "The wedding date has been set," he announced coldly as pieces of the canvas fluttered to the floor. "One month from today, you will marry Dashiell ckthorne. Any further defiance will be met with severe consequences."


    Isabelle stared at the destroyed painting, her heart breaking anew. "He''lle for me," she whispered. "Liam wille."


    A cruel smile twisted Corbin''s lips. "I''m counting on it." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "You like him, don''t you? Fine, then I''ll kill him right in front of you, with my own hands!"


    As he stormed from the room, Isabelle knelt among the tattered remains of her painting, a single piece with Liam''s eye still intact clutched in her trembling hand.


    "Please be strong enough," she whispered to the fragment. "Please be strong enough to survive what''sing."