Liam''s Perspective


    I stared at the massive entrance to the Hydrating Tower, my body still heavy with exhaustion. The ancient structure loomed before me, dark stone rising toward the twilight sky. Despite the destruction I''d unleashed on the Kaelen estate, this tower remained untouched.


    "Incredible," I muttered, cing my palm against the cool stone surface.


    As I approached the entrance, an invisible force mmed into me. I staggered backward, nearly falling. A powerful repelling barrier shimmered momentarily, revealing intricate runic patterns before fading from sight.


    "A spiritual seal." I frowned, examining the doorway more carefully.


    I tried again, channeling what little spiritual power I had left into my palm. The barrier red to life, pushing back with even greater force. This time, I did fall,nding hard on my ass.


    "Damn it." I spat blood onto the ground.


    My body felt hollow, drained from using the Spiritual Fire Seal. The Divine Dragon Power within me was barely a flicker. In this state, I couldn''t hope to break through.


    How did Dudley enter? There had to be a key or a technique.


    I examined the entrance more carefully. Ancient symbols were carved into the stone archway. They seemed familiar, yet I couldn''t ce them. My vision blurred as I tried to focus. I needed rest, badly.


    I settled down at the base of the tower, my back against the smooth stone wall. From here, I could see the devastation I''d caused. The once-proud Kaelen estatey in ruins. Smoke still rose from several locations.


    "Not my most subtle work," I muttered with a weakugh.


    I closed my eyes, focusing on my breathing. The jade pendant at my chest felt warm against my skin. Even now, it worked to restore my depleted energy, but the process was painfully slow.


    "Just need a day," I whispered. "Maybe two."


    As my consciousness began to drift, I couldn''t help but recall Dudley''s words. One day, he''d said. One day before he''de for me.


    My dream state was interrupted by the faint chime of mymunication band. I groaned, opening my eyes to see the holographic disy shing urgently.


    "What now?" I mumbled, tapping to ept the iing message.


    Mariana Valerius''s face appeared in the hologram, her expression grim. "Liam, are you alright? Where are you?"


    "Hydrating Tower," I replied, my voice hoarse. "Kaelen estate."


    Her eyes widened. "The tower? You''ve found it?"


    "Can''t get in. Barrier." My words came out clipped, fatigue making full sentences difficult.


    "Listen to me carefully," Mariana said. "Have you seen The Warrior''s Scroll today?"


    I shook my head. "Been busy. Killing Kaelens."


    "Dudley Lowell has issued a formal challenge to you."


    That got my attention. I sat up straighter, ignoring the pain shooting through my body. "When?"


    "Three days from now. In Eldoria. It''s all over the forums." Mariana''s face was tight with concern. "But that''s not all. He''s iming he''s reached half-step Martial Marquis."


    "He has." I confirmed grimly. "Felt his power. It''s real."


    Mariana was silent for a moment. "Then you need to recover quickly. The entire martial world is watching this challenge. Everyone is saying you don''t stand a chance."


    "Probably right," I admitted. "Need time."


    "I''m sending resources to your location. Medical supplies, energy crystals. They''ll arrive by dawn." Mariana''s voice was firm. "Don''t move from there unless absolutely necessary."


    I nodded, too tired to argue. "Any word on Isabelle?"


    Mariana''s expression softened slightly. "She''s safe. We''ve moved her to the secondary location as nned. Focus on recovering your strength."


    The hologram flickered out as the call ended. I leaned back against the tower wall, processing this new information.


    A formal challenge through The Warrior''s Scroll. Dudley was making this very public. The entire martial world would be watching our confrontation. If I failed to show, my reputation would be ruined. If I showed up weak, I''d be killed.


    I closed my eyes again, sinking into a meditative state. I needed every minute of recovery time.


    Hours passed. The night grew cold, but the stone of the tower radiated a gentle warmth that kept mefortable. Strange, considering stone usually held the cold.


    When I opened my eyes next, sunlight was streaming through the ruins. I''d slept through the night.


    I checked my cultivation base. Maybe thirty percent recovered. Not nearly enough, but better than nothing.


    Mymunication band chimed again. This time, it wasn''t a call but a notification from The Warrior''s Scroll. I tapped it open.


    The headline made me wince: "DUDLEY LOWELL ACHIEVES HALF-STEP MARTIAL MARQUIS: LIAM KNIGHT''S DAYS NUMBERED!"


    Below was footage of Dudley demonstrating his new power level. The video showed him facing off against ke Merritt, a well-known Martial Master. ke had been formidable when I''d met him months ago.


    Dudley dispatched him with a single palm strike.


    Thements section was a battlefield:


    "Knight is finished. No way he can match this power level."


    "Half-step Marquis at his age? Dudley Lowell is the true prodigy of our generation."


    "cing all my bets on Lowell. Sorry, Knight fans."


    I scrolled further, finding a small minority still supporting me:


    "Don''t count Knight out yet. Remember when he defeated three Martial Masters simultaneously?"


    "Knight has the Divine Dragon Power. That''s not something to dismiss easily."


    But even my supporters sounded doubtful.


    I closed the forum and leaned back, considering my options. I needed to get into this tower. Something inside had elerated Dudley''s cultivation. Perhaps it could do the same for me.


    I forced myself to stand, legs shaking slightly. My strength was returning, but too slowly. I approached the tower entrance again, studying the barrier more carefully.


    The runes carved into the archway seemed to pulse faintly as I drew near. I recognized elements of ancient script I''d seen in texts from the Celestial Apothecary Guild''s archives.


    "Water," I muttered, tracing one symbol. "Spirit. Ascension."


    This tower wasn''t just about hydration. It was a cultivation elerator, specifically designed to enhance water-attribute techniques.


    I ced my hand against the barrier again. This time, instead of pushing, I tried to match my energy to the barrier''s frequency. The repelling force lessened slightly but remained firm.


    "Need more strength," I concluded, stepping back.


    I returned to my resting spot, settling down to continue my recovery. As the day progressed, I periodically checked The Warrior''s Scroll. Each hour brought new spection about the uing fight and more footage of Dudley''s newfound power.


    One video particrly caught my attention. Dudley stood atop the Hawthorne Familypound in Central ins, addressing a crowd.


    "Liam Knight hides behind his reputation," he dered. "But I''ve surpassed him now. In three days, I will expose him as the fraud he is." <samp ss="ref-8d134e">To support our work, please read on *.</samp>


    An older man stepped forward—Kedrick Lowell, Dudley''s uncle. "Nephew, perhaps you should reconsider. Knight possesses the Divine Dragon Power. Even with your advancement—"


    Dudley cut him off with a dismissive wave. "The Divine Dragon Power is wasted on him. After I defeat him, I''ll take it for myself. It belongs in stronger hands."


    The crowd cheered.


    I closed the video, anger providing a momentary surge of energy. Take my Divine Dragon Power? The arrogance was breathtaking.


    Night fell once more. I continued my meditation, feeling my strength slowly returning. By morning, I estimated I''d recovered about fifty percent of my power. Not ideal, but perhaps enough.


    I stood before the tower entrance as dawn broke. The barrier seemed to shimmer more visibly in the early light.


    "No more waiting," I decided. "Time to see what secrets you''re hiding."


    I gathered my recovered spiritual power, focusing it into my palm. The jade pendant at my chest grew warm, lending its strength to mine. I could feel the Divine Dragon Power stirring within me, weak but responsive.


    "Open," Imanded, pressing my hand firmly against the barrier.


    The repelling force pushed back hard, but I held my ground. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I poured more energy into my palm.


    The runes on the archway began to glow, one by one. First blue, then green, then a brilliant white.


    "I said," I growled, my voice rising, "OPEN!"


    I heard a crack. Then another. The barrier wasn''t breaking—it was acknowledging me. The runes shed in sequence, a code being verified.


    "Almost there," I muttered through gritted teeth.


    The barrier pulsed once more, pushing back with renewed strength. I staggered but didn''t fall.


    "I''ve had enough of closed doors," I snarled, thinking of all the barriers I''d faced in my life—the Sterling family''s disdain, the Martial Guild''s opposition, and now this tower''s stubbornness.


    With a final surge of power that left me gasping, I pushed against the barrier.


    The runes red blindingly bright, then went dark. I felt the repelling force vanish abruptly.


    The massive stone door of the Hydrating Tower began to move, sliding sideways with a deep rumbling sound.


    "Finally," I whispered as darkness gaped before me.


    Behind that doory the power that had transformed Dudley Lowell into a half-step Martial Marquis. The power I needed if I wanted any chance of surviving ouring confrontation.


    I stepped forward, ready to im what had been denied to me.