Liam''s Perspective


    Sara lunged at me, her face twisted with maniacal greed. Her folding fan snapped open, glowing with spiritual energy. I staggered backward, feigning weakness from my "injuries."


    "Look at the mighty Liam Knight now!" she cackled. "Without the Pavilion''s protection, you''re nothing but a wounded animal!"


    I coughed dramatically, clutching my side. "You don''t have to do this, Sara."


    "Oh, but I do." Her eyes gleamed with madness. "Do you know how valuable the resources of the Celestial Apothecary Guild are? With them, I could break through to the seventh rank!"


    She shed her fan through the air. A gust of spiritual energy rushed toward me like a de. I dodged it sloppily, letting it graze my shoulder.


    "You''re even weaker than I expected," she sneered. "This will be quick."


    I needed to draw her inpletely. Make her overconfident. So I stumbled and fell to one knee.


    "The rumors about you were greatly exaggerated," Sara mocked, circling me like a predator. "Everyone spoke of your incredible talent, but I see nothing special."


    "Then whye after me at all?" I rasped.


    "For this!" She made another shing motion with her fan.


    This time, I didn''t have to pretend. The attack was powerful. I felt my skin tear as the wind de cut across my chest. Blood seeped through my robes.


    Saraughed triumphantly. "I''ll take everything you have. Your cultivation base, your treasures, your life!"


    She raised her fan again, and spiritual energy swirled around it. "Let me show you my true power!"


    The air behind her shimmered and distorted. A massive, ghostly tiger materialized - her spirit beast. It roared, shaking the ground beneath us.


    "Impressive," I admitted, rising slowly to my feet.


    Sara''s eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What are you doing?"


    I straightened my posture and wiped the blood from my lips. "Ending this farce."


    Before she could react, I released my true spiritual power. The ground cracked around my feet. The air vibrated with my energy.


    "What?" Sara''s eyes widened in shock. "But your injuries—"


    "Were a trap," I finished for her. "Set to lure out opportunists like you."


    Fear reced the confidence on her face. "Impossible! The Pavilion expelled you!"


    "Did they?" I smirked. "Or did we want everyone to think they did?"


    I moved. Not with the sluggishness of an injured man, but with the speed of a predator. Before she could blink, I was behind her.


    Her spirit tiger lunged at me, but I shed through it with a single energy-infused strike. The beast howled and dissolved into mist.


    "No!" Sara screamed, spinning around to face me.


    Her fan flicked open again, but I caught her wrist. The bones cracked under my grip. The fan ttered to the ground.


    "How?" she gasped, her face contorted with pain and disbelief.


    "Strategic thinking," I said coldly. "Something you clearlyck."


    She tried to pull away, but I held her firmly. "Please," she begged, her voice suddenly small. "I was mistaken. Spare me!"


    "Like you would have spared me?" I asked.


    Her eyes darted around frantically, looking for escape. "I have information! Valuable secrets about the city''s powerhouses!"


    "Toote for bargaining," I said, channeling dark energy into my palm. "You chose your path when you attacked."


    The dark energy flowed from my hand into her body. She convulsed violently as I absorbed her cultivation base. The process was quick and efficient. Within moments, her struggles ceased.


    I released her, and her lifeless body crumpled to the ground. Disappointment washed over me. The energy I''d absorbed from her was minimal – barely enough to notice.


    "What a waste," I muttered, retrieving her folding fan from the ground.


    I examined the weapon curiously. It was finely crafted, with intricate patterns etched into the wooden frame. Not a top-tier treasure, but valuable nheless.


    Perhaps Evelyn might like it. She''d always had a fondness for elegant weapons.


    I set Sara''s body alight with spiritual fire. It burned hot and fast, leaving nothing but ash within minutes. No evidence, no questions.


    Back in my chambers, I cleaned the blood from my chest. The wound was superficial – it would heal by morning. I pulled out my phone and dialed Evelyn''s number.


    "You took your time," she answered without greeting. "I was beginning to think you''d actually been injured." <dfn ss="in-imprint-b">Content presented by *.</dfn>


    Iughed softly. "So you saw through our little performance?"


    "Please," she scoffed. "That announcement was too public, too theatrical. The Pavilion Master would never publicly humiliate a favored disciple unless it was part of a bigger n."


    "Always the shrewd one," I said admiringly. "You''re right, of course. We needed to flush out potential threats before making our next move."


    "And did your trap catch anything worthwhile?"


    "A Sixth Rank Grandmaster named Sara. Ambitious but foolish."


    "Sara?" Evelyn sounded surprised. "She''s been rising quickly in the rankstely. Rumored to have powerful backing."


    "Not powerful enough, apparently," I replied. "I imed a souvenir, though. A rather nice folding fan. Thought you might appreciate it."


    "How thoughtful." Her tone was dry but amused. "Are we still meeting in Oceana City?"


    "Yes. The situation here is bing tooplicated. I need to regroup and gather resources."


    "Good. I have matters to attend to there anyway." She paused. "Be careful, Liam. Your enemies are moving faster than expected."


    "I always am. See you soon."


    I ended the call and gazed out the window. Nightfall was approaching. Time to prepare for departure.


    ---


    At Oceana City''s bustling airport, a private jet touched down on the runway. Its sleek ck exterior bore no markings, but the security personnel snapped to attention as it taxied to a stop.


    The door opened, and Kendrick Langley descended the steps, nked by four stern-faced men in dark suits. His thin face was set in grim determination.


    "Sir," one of the airport officials greeted him nervously. "Wee to Oceana City. Your transportation is ready."


    Kendrick nodded curtly. "Have you located Michael Ashworth?"


    "Yes, sir. He''s been staying at the Oceana Grand Hotel for the past week. We''ve been monitoring his movements as instructed."


    "Good." Kendrick adjusted his sses. "Prepare the containment vehicle. This needs to be quick and clean."


    "Of course." The official hesitated. "May I ask... is this an official Ascendant Saints Order operation?"


    Kendrick fixed him with a cold stare. "This operation is ssified. Remember your position."


    The official paled and stepped back. "Yes, Elder Langley. My apologies."


    As they walked toward the waiting vehicles, one of Kendrick''s men leaned closer. "Sir, our intel suggests Michael Ashworth may have enhanced his security recently."


    "Irrelevant," Kendrick replied dismissively. "He''s an old man ying business games. We''re trained operatives of the Ascendant Saints Order."


    "And if he resists?"


    Kendrick''s lips curved into a thin, humorless smile. "Then we''ll show him why the Ashworth family doesn''t tolerate disobedience. Our orders are clear – bring him back to Veridia City, whatever it takes."


    The ck SUVs pulled away from the airport, merging into the city traffic. Unknown to Kendrick, his arrival had not gone unnoticed. In a small coffee shop overlooking the arrivals area, a young woman lowered her sunsses and reached for her phone.


    The trap I''did in Eldoria had served its purpose. Now, as Kendrick Langley set his sights on Michael Ashworth, a new storm was brewing in Oceana City – one that would soon demand my full attention.