Liam''s Perspective


    "Yes, I know it sounds crazy," Reginald said, his eyes darting around my hotel room. "But I''m desperate. There''s a Mystic Realm opening near the riverside. Ancient artifacts, cultivation resources—things that could help us both."


    I studied his face. The nervous twitching, the sweat beading on his forehead, the way he couldn''t maintain eye contact. ssic signs of deception.


    "When did you discover this Mystic Realm?" I asked casually.


    "Just yesterday! I was exploring the area and felt strange energy pulses. The entrance will only be essible today at sunset."


    Of course. Sunset. Perfect timing for an ambush.


    "And you came straight to me? Your father''s killer?" I leaned against the wall, arms crossed.


    "Who else could I turn to?" Reginald''s voice cracked. "I have no resources, no connections. But you—you have the strength to explore it safely."


    I made my decision. "Fine. I''ll go with you."


    Relief flooded his face too quickly. "Thank you! You won''t regret this!"


    "I hope not," I replied. "For your sake."


    ***


    We walked along the riverside path as the sun began its descent. The water flowed peacefully beside us, a stark contrast to the tension in the air.


    "How much farther?" I asked. Thetest chapters are uploaded first on *.</abbr>


    "Just around this bend," Reginald said, his pace quickening. "There''s a small clearing where the energy is strongest."


    I nodded, following him. The path narrowed as it curved around a cluster of trees. Perfect spot for an ambush. Limited visibility, difficult escape routes.


    We reached the clearing—a t stretch ofnd surrounded by dense vegetation on three sides and the river on the fourth.


    "Here," Reginald announced, stopping in the center. "This is where I felt the energy."


    I stepped into the clearing, scanning the surroundings. No visible threats, but my senses detected multiple presences concealed in the treeline.


    "So, Reginald," I said calmly, "are they paying you well for this betrayal, or did you volunteer out of family loyalty?"


    His face paled. "W-what do you mean?"


    "The ambush. Was it your idea or theirs?"


    "I don''t know what—"


    "Save it." I cut him off. "I knew from the moment you knocked on my door."


    Panic flooded his features. "They''ll kill me if I don''t deliver you!"


    "Then run." I turned my back to him, facing the treeline. "Now. While you still can."


    He stood frozen for a moment, then bolted away from the clearing, disappearing back down the path.


    "You cane out now!" I called to the surroundings. "Your bait has fled!"


    Silence answered me. Then movement. Dark figures emerged from the woods, spreading out in a semi-circle facing me. I counted fourteen in total. All cultivators. All armed.


    Orion Valois stepped forward, his cold eyes assessing me. "Liam Knight. You''re more perceptive than we anticipated."


    "And you''re exactly as predictable as I expected," I replied.


    Kael Westwood moved to Orion''s right—a mountain of muscle with hands like sledgehammers. Beside him, the elderly Kendrick Langley, whose frail appearance belied deadly skill.


    "We want the cultivation technique you acquired from the stairway to heaven," Orion stated tly. "Give it to us, and your death will be quick."


    Iughed. "Fourteen against one, and you''re still offering terms? I''m ttered."


    "Don''t be," Kendrick said. "You''re surrounded by Peak Form Grandmasters. Each capable of ending your life."


    Suddenly, a voice rang out from the group. "Except his physical body is exceptionally strong! The strongest I''ve ever seen! He could probably take on three of us at once in closebat!"


    Everyone turned to stare at the speaker—a nervous man with a thin mustache I recognized as Eamon Greene, still poorly disguising himself as Bryce Osborne.


    Orion red at him. "Thank you for the tactical assessment of our target," he hissed.


    "Sorry!" Eamon replied, then immediately continued, "Just don''t let him use his Spirit Palm technique—it can damage internal organs without leaving external marks!"


    "Shut up, Bryce!" Orion snapped.


    I suppressed a smile. Eamon''s bizarre behavior was actually helping me gauge their intentions and knowledge.


    "As I was saying," Orion continued, turning back to me, "surrender the technique and die with dignity."


    "And if I refuse?" I asked.


    "Then we activate the Five Elements Destruction Array we''ve prepared," Kendrick answered. "It will drain your energy and leave you helpless."


    "Watch out for the formation stones!" Eamon shouted suddenly. "They''re hidden at five points around you! Each stone represents an element and—"


    "BRYCE!" Orion roared. "One more word and I''ll kill you myself!"


    I casually shifted my stance, subtly positioning myself closer to one of the formation stones I''d already spotted.


    "You have thirty seconds to decide," Orion said, his patience clearly wearing thin.


    Before I could respond, Eamon blurted out, "Remember, Orion can''t use his secret technique today because his meridians are damaged from overtraining! And Kendrick''s back injury makes him vulnerable to direct strikes!"


    The clearing fell silent. Orion''s face contorted with rage as he stalked toward Eamon, who cowered backward.


    "What is wrong with you?" Orion hissed, grabbing Eamon''s cor.


    "I''m nervous! I talk when I''m nervous!" Eamon squeaked.


    I couldn''t help but chuckle. "Interesting team you''ve assembled, Valois."


    Orion released Eamon with a disgusted shove and turned back to me. "Enough games. Your time is up."


    "Wait!" Eamon called out again. "We should be careful! Liam Knight defeated the legendary Glenn Talbot! He has techniques none of us have seen!"


    "We know that," Kael growled. "We''ve been tracking him for weeks."


    "And he healed Pavilion Master Mariana''s injuries! She mighte looking for him!"


    "SILENCE HIM!" Orionmanded. Two men immediately moved to restrain Eamon, who continued to struggle.


    Kael Westwood stepped forward, his massive frame blocking the setting sun. "This is pathetic. All this nning, this borate trap—for what? One man?" He turned to face me directly. "I''ve heard stories about you, Knight. They say your physical power is unmatched."


    I remained silent, watching him carefully.


    "But I don''t believe it," Kael continued, pounding his fist against his chest. "My Iron Body technique has been perfected over twenty years. No physical attack can prate my defense."


    "Don''t engage him alone!" Eamon yelled through the hands covering his mouth. "That''s what he wants! He''ll pick us off one by one!"


    Kael''s face darkened with anger. "Shut up, you fool! You think I can''t handle him myself?"


    "Kael''s physical power is impressive," Eamon continued, somehow breaking free of his captors, "but Liam''s is far superior! I''ve seen him punch through solid stone without effort!"


    This was clearly the wrong thing to say. Kael''s face flushed dark red.


    "Superior? To ME?" he roared. He turned to face me fully, eyes zing. "Is that true, Knight? You think you''re stronger than me?"


    I shrugged. "I don''t waste time thinking about it."


    "Enough!" Orion shouted. "We take him together, as nned!"


    But Kael was beyond listening. His pride had been wounded in front of his peers.


    "No," he said firmly. "This has be personal." He stepped forward, leaving the group behind. "Knight and I will settle this man to man."


    "This isn''t the n," Kendrick warned.


    "ns change," Kael replied without looking back. He stopped ten paces from me, his massive frame tensed forbat. "If I can''t exchange a few moves with him today, I won''t be satisfied for the rest of my life!"