Liam''s Perspective


    I stared at the fragments of Sofia''s shattered token. Her loyalty touched me, but guilt gnawed at my conscience. She''d sacrificed her position for a deception she knew nothing about.


    "Sofia, you shouldn''t have done that," I said, my voice low.


    "I''ve made my choice." Her eyes zed with conviction. "If they can''t see your worth, I want no part of them."


    I turned away, hiding the conflict on my face. Outside the window, dawn painted Eldoria in soft gold. Beautiful, but I couldn''t appreciate it. My mind raced with calctions and contingencies.


    Dashiell ckthorne woulde for me soon. The wedding was approaching, and I stillcked the strength to defeat him. The realization burned in my chest like acid.


    "We need to elerate our ns," I told Eamon and Sofia. "With the Pavilion''s protection gone, we''re exposed."


    Eamon nodded grimly. "What''s our next move?"


    "Resources," I replied. "We need spirit stones, rare herbs, anything to boost my recovery and strength."


    Sofia''s face hardened with determination. "I still have connections in the underground markets. I''ll see what I can find."


    As they left to make preparations, I sank into meditation, assessing my true condition. My powers had grown significantly sinceing to Eldoria, but would it be enough? The gap between me and a Military Marquis like Dashiell remained vast.


    I might need to embrace darker paths sooner than nned.


    ---


    In Veridia City, Corbin Ashworth sat in his opulent study, fingers steepled before him as Kendrick Langley delivered his report.


    "The news is confirmed, sir. Liam Knight has been expelled from the Celestial Apothecary Guild. The Pavilion Master herself made the announcement."


    Corbin''s thin lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Interesting. Without the Guild''s backing, he''s significantly weakened."


    "Indeed." Kendrick adjusted his spectacles. "Though I must say, this development was unexpected. The Pavilion Master seemed quite protective of him previously."


    "People fall from favor all the time." Corbin waved his hand dismissively. "What matters is that one obstacle has removed itself."


    Kendrick cleared his throat. "With your permission, sir, I''d like to request consideration for an elder position in the Ascendant Saints Order. My contributions to your family''s interests—"


    "Have been noted," Corbin cut him off. "We''ll discuss your advancementter. For now, there are more pressing matters."


    The door opened, and Zara Beaumont entered. Her silk dress rustled as she approached Corbin''s desk.


    "I have information you might find troubling," she said without preamble. "It''s about your father."


    Corbin''s face darkened. "Duane? What has that old fool done now?"


    "He''s secured financial backing from the Trade Federation in Oceana City. His new business venture is flourishing."


    "Oceana City?" Corbin''s fingers tightened on his armrest. "That puts him dangerously close to our southern operations."


    Zara nodded. "There''s more. He''s been meeting with several disgruntled branch family members. Former supporters of yours who felt... overlooked in recent distributions of family resources."


    Silence filled the room. Corbin rose from his chair and walked to the window, staring out at the sprawling cityscape below.


    "My father was always a stubborn man," he said finally. "Even after I exiled him from the family, he refuses to fade away gracefully."


    "What would you like us to do?" Kendrick asked.


    Corbin turned, his expression cold and calcted. "Kendrick, I''m reassigning you. Forget about Liam Knight for now. He''s a useless person without backing, no longer our priority."


    "Sir?"


    "Go to Oceana City. Find my father." Corbin''s voice hardened. "Bring him to me. Alive, but ensure he cannot resist."


    Kendrick bowed. "It will be done."


    "And Liam Knight?" Zara inquired.


    Corbin returned to his desk. "Let him rot in Eldoria. Without resources or protection, he''ll either flee or be destroyed by his enemies. Either way, he''s no longer our concern."


    ---


    Back in Eldoria, I stood on the practice field behind my vi, pushing my body throughbat forms. Sweat soaked my clothes despite the cool morning air.


    Conrad watched from the sidelines, his young face creased with concern. "Master, shouldn''t you be resting?"


    "Rest won''t defeat Dashiell ckthorne," I replied, executing a lightning-fast strike that split a wooden training dummy in half.


    "But with your injuries—"


    "Injuries heal," I cut him off. "Time is what Ick."


    I sensed Sofia approaching before I saw her. She carried a small pouch, her expression grim.


    "Bad news?" I asked, pausing my training.


    "The merchants are afraid," she said. "Word of your expulsion has spread. No one wants to risk the Guild''s displeasure by helping you."


    I took the pouch from her. Inside were a few low-grade spirit stones andmon herbs, barely enough for basic cultivation. <samp ss="in-imprint-b">Thanks for reading—brought to you by *.</samp>


    "This is all?" I couldn''t hide my disappointment.


    Sofia nodded apologetically. "Everyone''s watching which way the wind blows. Without backing, doors close quickly in this city."


    I closed my fist around the meager supplies. "Then we''ll have to open them ourselves."


    "What do you mean?" Conrad asked.


    "We can''t wait for resources toe to us. We need to actively seek them." I turned to Sofia. "The abandoned mines in the eastern mountains—I''ve heard rumors they still contain spirit stone veins too dangerous for normal miners to extract."


    Sofia''s eyes widened. "Those caves are unstable! There''s a reason they were abandoned."


    "Danger and opportunity often walk hand in hand," I replied. "We leave at dusk."


    As Sofia and Conrad went to prepare, I returned to my chambers to meditate. I needed to center myself before tonight''s expedition.


    I had barely settled into position when a cold sensation swept over me. My spiritual sense red in warning.


    Someone was approaching. Someone powerful.


    I rose and moved to the window. A lone figure walked up the path to my vi—a woman in her thirties with short ck hair and the confident stride of a seasoned fighter.


    I recognized the aura immediately: Sixth Rank Grandmaster.


    This was no social call.


    I stepped outside to meet her, maintaining a calm facade despite the rm bells ringing in my mind.


    "Liam Knight," she called out before I could speak. "I am Sara. We have matters to discuss."


    Her tone left no room for pleasantries. I noticed her eyes scanning me, assessing my condition with clinical precision.


    "What business brings a Grandmaster to my door?" I asked.


    "You carry something valuable," she replied bluntly. "Something that doesn''t belong to you."


    I maintained a neutral expression. "I''m afraid you''re mistaken."


    "Am I?" Her smile didn''t reach her eyes. "The rumors say you possess a treasure that grants extraordinary healing abilities. A treasure you stole."


    "Rumors are often unreliable," I said carefully.


    "Perhaps." She took a step closer. "But I''ve been watching you, Liam Knight. Your rise was too meteoric, your skills too advanced for your years of training." Her smile turned predatory. "And now that you''ve lost the Pavilion''s protection, I''m here to im what you''ve been hiding."


    My muscles tensed, ready forbat. "And if I have nothing to give?"


    "Then I''ll take something else." Her spiritual power surged visibly around her. "Your cultivation. Crippling you will ensure you cause no more trouble."


    I assessed my options quickly. Without my full strength, fighting a Sixth Rank Grandmaster directly would be suicide. I needed to stall, to find an advantage.


    "You''re not the first toe for me," I said. "Why attack alone? Others will surely follow."


    Saraughed, the sound sharp and cold. "But I don''t want to share the treasure on you with others."


    Her greed would be her downfall. As sheunched forward, spiritual power condensing around her fists, I prepared for the most desperate fight of my life.