Liam''s Perspective


    The skeletal warrior''s de rushed toward my neck as spells converged from behind. Death approached from all sides.


    I had one chance.


    "Nine shes!" I roared, activating the forbidden technique Jackson Harding had taught me.


    My body ignited with blinding golden light. Nine ethereal swords materialized around me, each glowing with destructive power. The technique threatened to tear my meridians apart, but I had no choice.


    The swords shot outward in a perfect circle, intercepting the iing spells and slicing through the skeleton in the same instant.


    A deafening explosion rocked the forest as the techniques collided. Trees splintered. Earth heaved. A shockwave sted outward, flinging my attackers through the air.


    When the dust settled, the skeleton stood frozen, its massive frame bisected in multiple ces. For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then, with a hollow groan, it copsed into a pile of lifeless bones.


    Across the clearing, Orion Valois let out a blood-curdling scream. His body convulsed violently, dark energy pouring from his eyes and mouth. The death spirit''s destruction had rebounded on its master.


    "No... impossible..." he gasped before slumping forward, lifeless.


    I staggered, blood dripping from my mouth. The Nine shes had taxed my already wounded body tremendously. But I couldn''t show weakness. Not yet. <mark ss="meta-ref-static">Content presented by *.</mark>


    Several of my attackers were picking themselves up, assessing the situation with wide eyes.


    "He... he killed a death spirit," one whispered.


    "And Orion with it," another added.


    I spat blood and straightened my shoulders. "Who''s next?"


    They exchanged nervous nces. The skeleton''s defeat had shaken their confidence. But I saw the calctions behind their eyes. I was wounded. Exhausted. Vulnerable.


    A burly cultivator stepped forward, fists crackling with lightning. "He''s weakened! Attack together!"


    Six of them charged at once. Under normal circumstances, I would have retreated, regrouped. But fury still burned in my veins.


    My Absolute Beginning Sacred Fist technique activated automatically. Golden light wrapped around my arms as I met the first attacker head-on.


    My fist connected with his chest. Bones shattered. He flew backward, dead before he hit the ground.


    The second managed tond a blow to my ribs. Pain red, but I grabbed his arm and twisted. The crack of breaking bones was followed by his scream.


    "Heaven Swallowing Skill," I growled, cing my palm on his forehead.


    His energy drained into me in a violent rush. His skin withered, eyes sinking into his skull as I consumed his power. He copsed, a desated husk.


    The others faltered, horrified by the disy.


    "Monster!" one shouted, backing away.


    I advanced relentlessly. "You came to kill me. Don''t act surprised when I return the favor."


    Two more fell to my fists, their techniques useless against my determination. Another tried to flee but copsed when I hurled a dagger into his back.


    Thest dropped to his knees. "Mercy! I was forced to—"


    I silenced him with a swift strike to the throat. There was no room for mercy today.


    Silence fell over the blood-soaked clearing. I stood amid the carnage, chest heaving, absorbing the remnant energy from my fallen foes.


    My wounds were severe. The skeletal warrior''s de had cut deep, and several spells had found their mark. Blood soaked my clothing, and my limbs trembled with fatigue.


    I limped to the riverside and copsed on the bank, using what little energy remained to begin healing myself. The battle had been costly, but I''d gained much. My cultivation had advanced significantly from absorbing so much power.


    I closed my eyes, focusing on recovery.


    "Impressive disy," a voice called out.


    My eyes snapped open. A man stood on the opposite bank—middle-aged, with a thin face and calcting eyes. He wore the robes of a Formation Master.


    "Kendrick Langley," I identified him, remembering the information Mariana had provided about powerful figures in the region.


    He smiled slightly. "You know of me. I''m ttered."


    I watched him warily. "You were hiding the entire time."


    "Observing," he corrected. "I wanted to see if the rumors about you were true." He gestured to the bodies scattered across the clearing. "They were understated, apparently."


    I didn''t respond, maintaining my focus on healing.


    Kendrick crossed the shallow river, approaching casually. "You can rx. I have no quarrel with you."


    "Then leave," I said bluntly.


    His eyebrows rose. "So inhospitable. After I remained neutral during your battle?"


    "Neutral isn''t the same as an ally."


    He chuckled. "True enough."


    Without invitation, he sat down on a nearby rock, studying me with undisguised interest. "Your technique... it''s unlike anything I''ve seen before. The way you consumed that man''s energy. Fascinating."


    I remained silent, my senses alert despite my exhaustion.


    "You know," Kendrick continued conversationally, "I''ve been searching for an advanced cultivation method for years. My progress has stalled at Peak Form Grandmaster."


    "Not my problem," I replied.


    His expression hardened. "I think it could be. You see, I''ve been watching you longer than you realize."


    The hairs on my neck stood up. Something in his tone had changed.


    "You really are naive, aren''t you?" Kendrickughed softly. "Did you think I was just passing by? That I happened to witness your battle by chance?"


    I tensed as his true intentions became clear.


    "I''ve been tracking you for days," he continued, rising to his feet. "Waiting for the perfect moment. And now here you are—powerful, yes, butpletely drained. Unable to defend yourself."


    Energy began to swirl around his hands, forming intricate patterns of a high-level formation technique.


    "Your methods will be mine," he dered. "After I kill you, I''ll extract the knowledge from your corpse. Formation Masters have ways of retrieving memories from the recently deceased."


    I looked up at him, blood still trickling from the corner of my mouth. "You think I''m defenseless?"


    "I know you are," he replied confidently. "I counted every technique you used. Measured how much energy each consumed. You''re running on empty, Liam Knight. Your bluff won''t work on me."


    Kendrick''s formation grew moreplex, the air distorting around him. "Anyst words before I end your meteoric rise?"


    I slowly reached into my pocket. "Just one question."


    "Oh?" He paused, amused.


    "Did you really think the Master of the Celestial Apothecary Guild would enter battle without preparation?"


    Before he could process my words, I withdrew a handful of recovery Pills and tossed them into my mouth.


    Kendrick''s confident expression copsed as he watched the Pills disappear down my throat. "No... that''s not—"


    Energy surged through my body, instantly replenishing my depleted reserves. My wounds began closing at a visible rate. The golden aura of my Saintly Body red back to life, brighter than before.


    I rose to my feet, my exhaustion vanishing as the Pills took effect. The tables had turned in an instant.


    "Now," I said, cracking my knuckles as Kendrick''s face drained of color. "Let''s discuss your n to kill me."