Liam''s Perspective


    The mountain air bit at my face as I stood in the courtyard of my secluded vi in Eldoria. This remote location had served as my sanctuary for the past week, giving me space to n my next move. The videos circting online showing me in retreat had achieved exactly what I wanted—my enemies now believed me weakened, perhaps fatally so.


    A sharp pain jolted through my shoulder. The injuries weren''t just for show. Those three masters from Divine Dragon Street hadnded some serious hits. Still, I''d heal. Time was all I needed.


    The sound of footsteps crunching on gravel caught my attention. I turned to see a familiar figure approaching from the forest path.


    "Conrad," I called out. "You''re earlier than expected."


    Conrad Thornton strode into the courtyard, his lean frame radiating an unusual energy. His normally cautious expression had been reced by one of fierce determination.


    "Liam," he nodded. "I couldn''t wait any longer. The rumors about your condition are spreading like wildfire."


    "Good," I replied. "Let them think I''m finished."


    Conrad stepped closer, his voice dropping. "There''s something you should know. I''ve decided to stop hiding."


    "What do you mean?"


    He flexed his hand, and a golden light suddenly emanated from his skin. The air around him seemed to ripple with energy.


    "My holy body," he said simply. "I''ve kept it secret for years, afraid of the attention it would bring. But seeing you stand against impossible odds has given me courage."


    I stared at the golden glow. Conrad''s "holy body" was a rare physique that enhanced his natural abilities far beyond normal limits. It was no wonder he''d kept it hidden—such gifts made one both valuable and vulnerable.


    "Are you sure about this?" I asked. "Once revealed, you can''t take it back."


    Conrad''s jaw tightened. "I''m sure. I''m with you, Liam. Whateveres."


    His deration hung in the air between us, a pledge of loyalty I hadn''t expected but deeply appreciated. Before I could respond, a cold voice cut through our conversation.


    "How touching."


    We whirled around. Three figures stood at the entrance to the courtyard. I recognized them immediately—Sixth Rank Grandmasters, all of them. Their leader, a tall woman with raven hair, stepped forward with a sneer.


    "Liam Knight," she pronounced my name like it was poison. "You''re not as hard to find as you think."


    "Sara," I acknowledged her calmly. "I don''t recall inviting you to my home."


    Saraughed, the sound sharp and humorless. "We don''t need invitations. The price on your head is enough reason for us to be here."


    The two men nking her moved outward, creating a triangle formation around Conrad and me. Standard tactics for when you outnumber your opponents.


    "You''ve been causing quite a stir," Sara continued. "The videos showing your... difficulties... have been most entertaining. Is it true your dantian is damaged beyond repair?"


    I remained silent, letting her believe what she wanted.


    "Whatever condition he''s in," Conrad spoke up, "he won''t face you alone."


    Sara turned her gaze to Conrad, assessing him with cold eyes. "A Third Rank Grandmaster dares to challenge me? Know your ce, boy."


    Conrad''s face flushed with anger. The golden light around him intensified. "My rank doesn''t define my capability."


    Sara''sughter echoed through the courtyard. "Listen to this one! He thinks he can fight a Sixth Rank!"


    That was her mistake. Conrad had spent his life being underestimated, and her mockery was the final straw. Before I could stop him, heunched forward, his movement so fast it left a golden afterimage.


    Sara''s eyes widened in shock as Conrad''s fist connected with her chest. The impact sent her flying backward into a stone wall. The other two Grandmasters stared in disbelief.


    "Holy body," one of them whispered.


    Sara pulled herself from the rubble, blood trickling from her mouth. Her shock quickly transformed into rage. "You''ll pay for that!"


    She thrust her hands forward, releasing a st of energy that tore through the air toward Conrad. He tried to dodge, but the attack was too wide, too fast.


    I moved without thinking, cing myself between Conrad and the st. My arms crossed in front of me as I absorbed the impact. Pain exploded through my body, but I remained standing.


    "Liam!" Conrad shouted. <strong ss="ref-04a920">This content is presented by *.</strong>


    I spat blood onto the ground. "I''m fine."


    Sara and herpanions regrouped, their expressions now wary. They''d expected an easy victory over a crippled man and an inexperienced youth. Instead, they''d found formidable resistance.


    "Enough games," Sara snarled. "We know you possess the Celestial Phoenix Cultivation Method. Hand it over, and we might let you live."


    Iughed despite the pain. "That''s your motivation? You think I''ll just give you one of the most powerful cultivation methods in existence?"


    "You don''t have a choice," one of the men spoke up. "Your dantian is damaged. The method is wasted on you now."


    "Even if you refuse," Sara added, gloating, "you''ll die here today. The difference is whether your friend dies with you."


    I nced at Conrad, who stood ready to fight despite being outnumbered. His loyalty was touching but possibly fatal for both of us.


    "You''re trapped, Liam Knight," Sara dered, raising her hands for another attack. "No one''sing to save you. No one even knows you''re here."


    Just as her energy began to gather, a domineering female voice cut through the tension.


    "When did the elder of my Celestial Apothecary Guild have to take orders from a small character like you?"


    All heads snapped toward the new arrival. A tall, statuesque woman with flowing auburn hair stood at the entrance to the courtyard. Her body radiated power that dwarfed everyone present, and her skin seemed to glow with an otherworldly light. Her eyes, sharp and prating, fixed on Sara with unveiled disdain.


    Sara''s face drained of color. "You''re... you can''t be..."


    The woman stepped forward, her movements fluid like flowing water. With each step, the earth seemed to tremble slightly, as if acknowledging her might.


    "Can''t be who?" she asked, her voice simultaneously melodious and threatening. "Say it. I want to hear you say my name."