Liam''s Perspective


    Corbin Ashworth''s office was exactly what you''d expect from one of Veridia City''s most ruthless power brokers. Opulent but tasteful. Dark wood and leather. Artifacts of power disyed like hunting trophies.


    And kneeling before him was Kendrick Langley, barely alive.


    "I wounded him," Kendrick rasped, his body trembling with effort. "Knight''s dantian. I struck it with a murderous intent weapon."


    Corbin''s face remained impassive, but his eyes narrowed. "You expect me to believe you damaged Liam Knight''s cultivation core?"


    "I don''t just expect it. I know it." Kendrick coughed violently, blood spattering the expensive carpet. "My attack prated his defenses. His power is already diminishing. Within weeks, he''ll be a shell of himself."


    I knew this conversation was happening. Mywork of informants had grown extensive. What I hadn''t anticipated was Kendrick''s survival or his desperation to ingratiate himself with my enemies.


    Corbin circled Kendrick like a predator. "If what you say is true, whye to me? Why not finish him yourself?"


    "Look at me." Kendrick gestured to his ruined body. "Knight ensured I couldn''t follow. But you—you have resources. You have reason."


    "And what do you want in exchange for this... information?" Corbin''s voice dripped with skepticism.


    Kendrick prostrated himself. "Let me serve the Ashworth family. I have talents that could be useful to you."


    Corbin''sugh was cold. "Serve us? A failure who couldn''t even kill his target properly?"


    "I may have failed to kill him, but I''ve ensured his downfall." Kendrick looked up, desperate ambition in his eyes. "The great Liam Knight is weakening by the day. His cultivation is damaged beyond repair."


    I watched the memory of this conversation through the eyes of a servant I''d turned months ago. Corbin''s expression was calcting. He didn''t fully believe Kendrick, but he wanted to.


    "Very well," Corbin finally said. "You''ll join the Ascendant Saints Order. Prove your worth there."


    Kendrick''s eyes widened. Even in his broken state, he recognized the significance. The Ascendant Saints Order was one of the most prestigious sects in Veridia City—secretly controlled by the Ashworths.


    "Thank you, Master Ashworth. You won''t regret this."


    "I better not," Corbin replied coldly. "Now get out of my sight. Report to Elder Zhao tomorrow."


    The memory ended there. My informant had been dismissed before hearing more. But I''d learned enough.


    "Liam, you need to stop that!" Eamon''s voice broke through my thoughts.


    I opened my eyes. We were in our lodgings in Eldoria, three days after my battle with Kendrick. I''d been practicing a breathing technique, deliberately forcing blood up my throat.


    "I''m fine," I said, wiping my mouth.


    "You''re not fine! You''re making yourself worse!" Eamon paced frantically. "Sofia will be here soon. What will she think?"


    "Exactly what I want everyone to think." I rose from my meditation position. "That I''m gravely injured."


    Eamon stopped pacing. "You''re... doing this on purpose?"


    "Of course I am." I nced at the window. "Rumor is the most powerful weapon in the martial world."


    Three days ago, news of my victory had dominated The Warrior''s Scroll, the premier informationwork among cultivators. Today, whispers of my injury were beginning to circte.


    A knock at the door interrupted us. Sofia Carrera entered, her eyes immediately finding the blood-stained cloth in my hand.


    "It''s getting worse," she said, rushing to my side.


    Sofia was a talented healer from the Celestial Apothecary Guild. More importantly, she was loyal to Mariana Valerius, my closest ally. I trusted Sofia, but I needed her reactions to be genuine.


    "It''s manageable," I said, then deliberately coughed up more blood.


    Her face paled. "Manageable? Your dantian is severelypromised! I can sense the damage from here!"


    Always read at the source—*.


    "Which is why we need to elerate our ns," I said. "What have you learned about Flood Dragon Vige?"


    Sofia hesitated, clearly wanting to focus on my health, but my stern look made her continue.


    "It''s as you suspected. Flood Dragon Vige hosts thergest underground martial artspetition in the eastern provinces. Fighters from across the continent gather there."


    "And the prize?" I pressed.


    "ess to the Crimson Lotus Library." Sofia''s voice lowered. "They say it contains cultivation techniques dating back to the Ancient War."


    Eamon frowned. "That''s your big n? Enter a fighting tournament while you''re injured?"


    I ignored him, turning to Sofia. "When is the nextpetition?"


    "In two weeks," she replied. "But Liam, in your condition—"


    I coughed dramatically, making sure blood sttered visibly on the floor. Sofia gasped, her concern nowpletely genuine.


    "We should return to the Guild," she insisted. "Pavilion Master Valerius has resources that could help stabilize your condition."


    "No," I said firmly. "We proceed as nned."


    The door suddenly creaked. All three of us froze. Someone had been listening.


    I signaled Eamon with my eyes. He nodded slightly, then casually walked to the window. "Quite a crowd gathering in the market today."


    While he spoke, I sent a pulse of spiritual sense out, identifying our eavesdropper. Just as I suspected—one of Reginald Talbot''s men. Perfect.


    I coughed violently, ensuring the sound carried through the door. "Damn this injury," I growled loud enough to be heard. "My power decreases by the day."


    Footsteps hurried away from our door. The spy was gone, carrying exactly the information I wanted spread.


    Sofia looked confused. "Liam, what are you—"


    "Tell me more about Flood Dragon Vige," I interrupted. "Who controls it?"


    Still bewildered by my behavior, Sofia continued hesitantly. "The Three Venerable Masters. They''re all former Martial Saints who''ve gone into seclusion."


    "And the participants?"


    "Anyone can enter, but few survive the preliminary rounds." Her eyes narrowed. "Liam, you can''t possibly be thinking ofpeting in your condition."


    I smiled enigmatically. "What better time to fight than when everyone believes I''m weak?"


    Later that evening, as I stood alone on the balcony, I sensed another presence watching from the shadows. I pretended not to notice, deliberately leaning heavily on the railing, appearing exhausted.


    The Warrior''s Scroll would carry new headlines tomorrow. Liam Knight, severely injured. His cultivation damaged. The invincible prodigy, finally vulnerable.


    Let theme. Let them all believe I was weakening.


    Sometimes the appearance of weakness is the greatest strength.


    In the distance, lightning shed over the mountains where Flood Dragon Vigey hidden. My path forward was clear. While my enemies celebrated my downfall, I would prepare for my greatest deception yet.


    I deliberately stumbled as I turned to go inside, making sure my observer saw. Then I coughed up more blood—genuine this time, as forcing these disys wasn''t without consequences.


    "Liam!" Sofia called out in rm, rushing to the balcony. "You''re getting worse! Look at all this blood!"


    I allowed her to help me inside, knowing my performance had its intended audience. The wheels were in motion.


    Flood Dragon Vige awaited, and with it, the next step in my n to save Isabelle.