After finding the mask with ra, I knew I needed to act quickly. Nine days. That''s all I had before my nned breakthrough would reveal itself to everyone above.


    "ra, I think this dark energy suits you perfectly," I said, watching how naturally she''d handled the mask that had rejected me so violently.


    She twirled the mask between her fingers. "You really think so? It feels... familiar somehow."


    "I do. Which is why you should stay down here to cultivate." I pointed to a secluded alcove away from the main chamber. "The energy concentration is strongest here. It will elerate your progress significantly."


    ra''s eyes widened. "But what about you? Aren''t you staying too?"


    "I''ll be nearby," I assured her. "But we should cultivate separately. Our methods are different."


    She nodded, clutching the mask to her chest. There was something in her eyes—something ancient and knowing that hadn''t been there before.


    "Don''t worry about me," she said with surprising maturity. "I''ll be fine."


    I found my own spot and began my preparations. The Grandmaster realm awaited, and I couldn''t afford mistakes. My enemies were gathering above us like vultures, unaware of the storm I nned to unleash.


    On the third day, I sensed movement at the pit''s entrance. Sammy Taylor''s impatience was growing. Perfect.


    I climbed halfway up, making sure to look exhausted and slightly desperate.


    "Mr. Knight, have you found anything?" Sammy called down, his voice echoing in the vast space.


    I wiped sweat from my brow dramatically. "There''s... something powerful down here. A weapon, I think. But it''s sealed behind ancient formations. I need more time."


    One of Sammy''spanions—a thin man with suspicious eyes—stepped forward. "How do we know he''s not stalling?"


    Sammy hesitated. I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. He was young, ambitious, but inexperienced as a leader—a weakness I could exploit.


    "The Ashworth family sent you to retrieve something of value, didn''t they?" I asked carefully. "If you force me to rush, we might lose it forever. Or worse, trigger its defenses."


    I paused, letting that sink in. "Imagine exining to Master Corbin that you destroyed what could have been the family''s greatest acquisition."


    Fear flickered across Sammy''s face. He''d be held responsible for any failure.


    "Two more days," he decided.


    "I need at least six," I countered. "The formations are intricate."


    After some negotiation, we settled on five more days. I pretended to be grateful—a man desperate for any concession.


    As I descended back into the darkness, I smiled. Time was exactly what I needed.


    "What was that about?" ra asked when I returned.


    "Just buying us some insurance," I replied, sitting cross-legged to resume my cultivation.


    The next few days passed in intense focus. While ra absorbed the dark energy with remarkable efficiency, I cycled through my meridians repeatedly, strengthening each one in preparation for my breakthrough.


    On the seventh day, I sensed another disturbance above—raised voices, barely contained anger. I climbed up again to find Sammy''s group in heated argument.


    "Everything alright?" I asked innocently.


    Sammy red at one of hispanions. "Fine. Just discussing our... arrangement with the Ashworth family."


    I nodded sympathetically. "It must be difficult serving such a powerful family. I imagine the rewards are... unevenly distributed."


    The thin man who''d doubted me earlier scoffed. "Some of us work for scraps while others are promised positions of influence."


    Sammy''s face reddened. "That''s enough, Wei!"


    I pretended not to notice the tension. "The weapon below appears to be designed for a single wielder. Whoever masters it would gain tremendous advantage."


    I let the implication hang in the air before descending again, satisfied at the seed of discord I''d nted. Let them squabble and distract themselves while I worked.


    On the ninth day, my preparation wasplete. My meridians felt like steel cables, my energy core pulsing with barely contained power. The time hade. <b ss="meta-ref-static">My Virtual Library Empire (*) appreciates your readership at the source.</b>


    "ra," I called softly. "I''m about to advance to Grandmaster."


    She looked up from her meditation, the dark mask resting in herp. "Will it be dangerous?"


    "Yes," I admitted. "A breakthrough at this level will attract a heavenly tribtion. Lightning, maybe worse."


    Her eyes widened with concern. "Should I help somehow?"


    I shook my head. "No. Stay hidden and continue cultivating. Whatever happens, don''t interfere."


    With ra safely tucked away in her alcove, I climbed to the middle section of the pit—high enough for what came next, but still below ground level.


    "Sammy!" I called upward. "I''ve broken through the final seal! The treasure will appear soon!"


    His eager face appeared at the rim. "How soon?"


    "Minutes," I lied. "Gather your men. You''ll want witnesses for this."


    As footsteps scurried above, I sat in the lotus position and closed my eyes. No more deception. No more hiding. I would show them exactly who they were dealing with.


    I released the restraints on my energy, letting it flood through every channel at once. My body trembled with power as I pushed toward the threshold of Grandmaster. The familiar sensation of a breakthrough approached—like standing at the edge of a vast cosmic waterfall, preparing to dive in.


    "What''s happening down there?" Sammy''s voice echoed distantly, concern recing his earlier enthusiasm.


    I didn''t answer. Couldn''t answer. I was beyond words now, consumed by the transformation taking ce.


    The air grew heavy. Static electricity crackled around me. And then—the sky responded.


    Even from below ground, I felt it. The sudden pressure change. The gathering storm.


    "By the heavens!" someone shouted from above. "Look at the sky!"


    Dark clouds materialized out of nowhere, swirling directly over the pit. Lightning shed between them—not normal lightning, but crackling arcs of purple and gold. A column of darkness formed at the center of the storm, pointing directly down at me.


    The first bolt struck the ground at the pit''s edge. The second came closer. The earth shook with each impact.


    "What have you done?" Sammy screamed down at me, his face a mask of terror as he peered over the edge.


    I opened my eyes and smiled up at him through the gathering storm.


    "I never said what kind of treasure wasing," I said, my voice resonating with new power. "I just needed time."


    The darkness descended, enveloping mepletely. The heavenly tribtion had begun, announcing my advancement to the world. When it cleared, I would emerge as a Grandmaster—and nothing would stand in my way.


    Lightning cracked directly overhead, illuminating the terror on every face above me.