Liam''s Perspective


    The stone door slidpletely open, revealing a swirling mist within the tower. My skin tingled as pure qi rushed out like a flood, nearly knocking me backward. This was what I''d been searching for.


    "Incredible," I whispered, stepping inside.


    The interior was surprisingly spacious. Circr walls lined with pale blue runes rose up toward a distant ceiling. Five levels were visible, connected by a spiraling staircase that hugged the wall. Each floor was marked by a thick ring of translucent crystal embedded in the stone.


    The air itself seemed alive. I took a deep breath, and energy flooded into my meridians. My depleted power began replenishing at a rate I''d never experienced before.


    "This is even better than Enlightenment Tea," I muttered in amazement.


    I moved toward the staircase, each step bringing a new wave of energy into my body. By the time I reached the second floor, I''d recoveredpletely from my previous exhaustion.


    The qi grew denser as I ascended. By the third floor, it was like swimming through spiritual honey. My cultivation base hummed with power, rapidly condensing and strengthening.


    "So this is how Dudley did it," I said to myself, understanding why he''d been so protective of this ce.


    I continued upward. The fourth floor''s qi density was almost overwhelming. I could see it now—misty streams of blue-white energy swirling around me like living ribbons.


    When I reached the fifth floor, I nearly fell to my knees. The qi here was so concentrated it felt like standing in liquid light. At the center stood a small pedestal with a crystal bowl filled with clear water.


    I approached cautiously, my every cell screaming with the energy absorption. The water in the bowl rippled without any breeze, glowing faintly from within.


    "The heart of the Hydrating Tower," I realized.


    I removed my pendant and held it near the water. The jade glowed in response, resonating with the energy. The water began to swirl faster, creating a small vortex in the bowl.


    Without hesitation, I dipped my hands into the water. Cold fire shot through my veins. I gasped as pure, condensed qi flooded my meridians.


    My cultivation base roared in response. The blockages that had been slowing my progress dissolved instantly. Energy surged through channels that had been barely developed before.


    I sat cross-legged beside the pedestal, closed my eyes, and began to cultivate in earnest.


    Hours passed like minutes. The tower''s qi circted through me, reshaping my spiritual foundation. My Divine Dragon Power, previously weakened, now burned bright again within my core.


    When I finally opened my eyes, I knew I''d advanced significantly. From Martial Master of the Ninth Rank, I''d pushed through to Grandmaster of the Third Rank in a single session.


    "Dudley spent weeks here," I murmured, understanding how he''d achieved half-step Martial Marquis. "I only have days."


    I looked around the empty tower. This ce was a treasure beyond measure—a cultivation elerator that could transform a skilled practitioner in record time.


    Mymunication band chimed. Two days had passed since I''d entered the tower. The message was from Mariana:


    "Dudley making public statements about your cowardice. Only one day remains before the deadline. What''s your position?" <samp ss="phantom-imprint">The ful%l- s.e%r!ie@s is h-os*ted on My Vir.tu.a+l Libr.ary E+mpi$re,% kno-w&n. as *.</samp>


    I typed back quickly: "Found cultivation treasure. Need more time. Can the duel be dyed?"


    Her response came immediately: "Impossible. His reputation is tied to this challenge. If you don''t appear, he''ll target your allies."


    I cursed under my breath. Even with my rapid advancement, I wasn''t ready to face a half-step Martial Marquis. I needed at least another week in this tower.


    "Understood," I replied. "Continuing preparation."


    I considered my options. Moving the tower was impossible—it was bound to this location by ancient foundations. I couldn''t risk leaving, not when each hour here advanced my cultivation by what would normally take weeks.


    "I''ll have to risk a closed-door cultivation session," I decided.


    I returned to the center of the fifth floor and sank back into meditation, pushing my cultivation to the limits. The tower''s energy embraced me, feeding my rapid advancement.


    ---


    Dudley Lowell stood on the main tform of Eldoria City, surrounded by reporters and martial enthusiasts. His tailored suit emphasized his powerful build, and his expression was one of controlled frustration.


    "This is the second day," he announced to the gathered crowd. "Liam Knight continues to hide. Perhaps he knows his defeat is inevitable."


    A reporter raised her hand. "Mr. Lowell, what will you do if Knight doesn''t appear tomorrow?"


    Dudley''s eyes narrowed. "Then I will im victory by default. The martial world will know who truly deserves respect."


    "Will you target his associates as you suggested previously?" another reporter asked.


    Dudley paused, considering his words carefully. "I am not a barbarian. My family is rising through legitimate means. Targeting innocents would tarnish our reputation."


    The truth was moreplicated. Dudley wanted to crush Liam''s allies, but his father had been explicit—their family''s rise must appear righteous. Attacking those connected to Liam without provocation would damage the image they were cultivating.


    "I will give Knight until noon tomorrow," Dudley dered. "After that, his cowardice will be confirmed for all to see."


    As the crowd dispersed, Dudley returned to his hotel suite. The room was luxurious, befitting his status. He poured himself a ss of whiskey and stared out at the city lights.


    "Where are you hiding, Knight?" he muttered, swirling the amber liquid.


    His cultivation base had stabilized at half-step Martial Marquis. The Hydrating Tower had been the key—weeks of cultivation in its qi-rich environment had elerated his progress beyond anything natural.


    When Knight had destroyed the Kaelen estate, Dudley had feared the tower would be damaged. Finding it intact had been a relief. Once he defeated Knight publicly, he nned to return there and push for full Martial Marquis.


    His phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. An unknown number. Dudley usually ignored such calls, but something made him ept this one.


    "Dudley Lowell speaking."


    A cold, measured voice responded: "Roderick ckthorne from the Hernandez Family of Veridia City."


    Dudley''s grip tightened on his ss. The Hernandez Family was one of the Four Great Houses of Veridia—far more powerful than his own family.


    "To what do I owe this honor?" he asked, keeping his voice steady.


    "I''ve been watching your challenge to Liam Knight with great interest," Roderick said. "The Hernandez Family has its own grievances with Knight. Perhaps we could assist each other."


    Dudley''s pulse quickened. An alliance with a Veridia Great House would catapult his family''s status.


    "I''m listening," he replied, as the implications of this unexpected call began to unfold.