Liam''s Perspective


    The pure rush of power surging through my body felt intoxicating. I stood at the edge of Mist Valley, preparing to harvest the rare herbs that would propel me to the Transcendent Stage. My phone buzzed in my pocket, breaking my concentration. I typically ignored calls while cultivating, but something made me check it this time.


    Twenty-seven missed calls. All from Eamon.


    A cold sensation washed over me. Something was wrong.


    I immediately dialed him back. He answered on the first ring.


    "Liam! Where the hell have you been?" Eamon''s voice was strained, panicked.


    "Cultivating in seclusion. What''s happened?"


    "Dudley Lowell is here in Eldoria. He''s gonepletely insane. Six family heads are dead. All of them connected to you."


    My blood ran cold. "What? When did this start?"


    "Four days ago. It''s a systematic purge. Anyone who''s ever supported you is being targeted."


    I clenched my fist so hard my knuckles turned white. "What about you and Sofia?"


    "Strangely, he''s ignoring uspletely. But Conrad and Adrian publicly refused to denounce you yesterday. Lowell swore to erase their families by sunrise."


    My mind raced through calctions—distance, time, priorities. "Where''s Conrad now?"


    "At his estate with minimal security. Most of his men were killed in the first attack."


    "And Adrian?"


    "Fortified at Whitlock Tower. But Liam... Lowell isn''t alone. He''s brought reinforcements from Veridia. Even with your strength—"


    "I''ming back. Now." I cut him off.


    "Hurry. I don''t think Conrad has much time."


    I ended the call and immediately activated the Golden Phoenix Step. My body blurred as I raced through the forest at inhuman speed. The trees whipped past in green streaks.


    Elderly Conrad Thornton had stood for me when it would have been easier to bend. I wouldn''t let him pay for his loyalty with his life.


    ---


    Conrad Thornton sat in his study, gazing out the window at the manicured gardens of his ancestral estate. The morning sunlight cast long shadows across thewn. His loyalty to Liam might cost him everything, but some principles weren''t negotiable.


    A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. Uncle Armando, his oldest retainer and friend, entered with a tray of tea.


    "The perimeter sensors are active, sir," Armando said, his weathered face creased with worry. "Though I doubt they''ll slow him much."


    Conrad nodded, epting the tea. "No word from Knight?"


    "None, sir. Mr. Greene continues trying to reach him."


    Conrad sipped the hot liquid. "I always knew my stubbornness would be the death of me."


    "Sir—"


    "It''s alright, Armando. My father died defending his principles. I can do no less."


    A distant explosion shook the house, rattling the teacup in Conrad''s hand.


    "He''s here," Conrad said calmly. "Please, Armando, take the eastern passage. There''s no need for you to die today."


    The old retainer straightened his back. "I''ve served the Thornton family for forty-three years. My ce is by your side."


    Before Conrad could argue further, the study door sted open. Splinters of expensive wood scattered across the carpet. Dudley Lowell strolled in, brushing dust from his immacte suit.


    "Such a lovely home," Dudley said, ncing around. "Shame it will be rubble by noon."


    Conrad ced his teacup down and stood slowly, leaning on his cane. "Mr. Lowell. I expected you''de yourself rather than send your thugs again."


    Dudley''s smile was cold. "Important matters require a personal touch. You''ve made quite a statement, old man. Refusing to kneel. Defending Knight''s honor."


    "I stand by every word."


    Dudleyughed. "Admirable but foolish. Knight has abandoned Eldoria. He''s noting back to save you."


    Armando stepped protectively in front of Conrad. "You''ll have to go through me first."


    Dudley raised an eyebrow. "A butler? Really?" He flicked his wrist dismissively.


    A ball of concentrated energy shot from his hand, striking Armando in the chest. The old retainer flew backward, crashing into the bookshelf. Blood seeped from his mouth as he slumped to the floor.


    "Armando!" Conrad cried out, hobbling toward his fallen friend.


    "He''s still breathing," Dudley said casually. "For now. I can make his passing painless if you reconsider your position."


    Conrad knelt beside Armando, checking his pulse. The loyal retainer''s eyes fluttered open.


    "I''m sorry, sir," Armando wheezed. <i ss="in-imprint-a">Content first released on *.</i>


    "Save your strength," Conrad whispered. He turned to Dudley, his eyes burning with hatred. "You think killing an old man and his butler makes you powerful? You''re nothing but amon thug with cultivator abilities."


    Dudley''s face darkened. "You speak bravely for someone about to die."


    "We all die eventually," Conrad replied, standing shakily. "The only question is what we stand for when our timees."


    Something in Conrad''s defiance seemed to enrage Dudley. His cultivator aura red violently, cracking the windows and sending papers swirling around the room.


    "Enough philosophy. Let''s discuss reality. Where is Knight? My sources say you''ve maintained contact."


    "I have no idea where he is. And if I did, I wouldn''t tell you."


    Dudley stalked forward. "The Nightshade poison coursing through your friend''s veins will reach his heart in approximately ten minutes. Tell me what you know about Knight, and I''ll provide the antidote."


    Conrad nced at Armando''s increasingly pale face. For a moment, he hesitated.


    "Don''t... tell him... anything," Armando gasped.


    Dudley sighed dramatically. "Loyalty. How touching and ultimately useless." He formed another energy ball in his palm, this onerger and pulsing with deadly intent. "Last chance, Thornton."


    Conrad straightened his spine as much as his aged body would allow. "Do your worst."


    "As you wish." Dudley pulled his arm back to strike.


    Conrad closed his eyes, ready for the end.


    The blow nevernded.


    Instead, arge hand grabbed the energy ball, absorbing itpletely. Conrad''s eyes snapped open to see a familiar figure standing between him and Dudley.


    "Dudley," a cold voice said, "I didn''t expect you toe here to die."


    Conrad nearly copsed with relief. "Liam!"


    I stood there, my body radiating power, my eyes locked on Dudley''s suddenly uncertain face. The Golden Phoenix Step had pushed my body to its limits, but I''d made it in time.


    Dudley recovered quickly, his surprise turning to a smirk. "Knight. How considerate of you to save me the trouble of hunting you down."


    I nced back at Conrad and the injured Armando. My jaw tightened at the sight of the loyal old retainer struggling for breath. I turned back to Dudley, my voice deadly calm.


    "Youe to my city, murder my allies, and attack a defenseless old man? You''ve made yourst mistake."


    Dudleyughed. "Your city? Is that what you think?" He circled me slowly. "While you''ve been away ying cultivator, I''ve been systematically dismantling your support base. Six family heads dead. Most of the others have pledged loyalty to me."


    "And yet," I replied coldly, "here stand Conrad and Adrian, refusing to bend. That tells me everything about the legitimacy of your power."


    I knelt briefly beside Armando, checking his condition. The poison was advanced, but not beyond my abilities. I pressed my palm against his chest, channeling healing energy into his body. The ck veins spreading across his skin began to recede.


    "Impressive," Dudleymented. "But healing won''t save you from what''sing."


    I finished stabilizing Armando and stood to face Dudley. The power I''d gained in the Hydrating Tower surged through me, eager to be unleashed.


    "Conrad," I said without taking my eyes off Dudley, "get Armando to safety."


    "But Liam—"


    "Now." My tone left no room for argument.


    As Conrad helped his friend limp toward the door, Dudley''s eyes narrowed. "You think I''ll just let them walk away?"


    I smiled coldly. "You''re not concerned with them anymore. You''ve got a much bigger problem."


    "Oh?" Dudley raised an eyebrow. "And what would that be?"


    "Me."


    I unleashed my cultivator aura, letting the full weight of my power fill the room. The floor cracked beneath my feet. The remaining windows shattered. Books flew off shelves.


    For the first time, uncertainty flickered across Dudley''s face as he sensed the dramatic increase in my strength. His surprise quickly turned to rage.


    "Impossible! You were barely at the mid-level of Enlightenment Stage when west met!"


    I took a step forward, forcing him to take a step back. "You should have killed me when you had the chance, Dudley. Now you get to experience what happens when you threaten what''s mine."


    Dudley''s face contorted with fury. "This changes nothing! You think your little power boost makes a difference? I still have all of Veridia behind me, and half of Eldoria already kneeling at my feet!"


    I rolled my shoulders, preparing for the fight ahead. "I don''t need everyone. Just those worth keeping."


    Dudley formed two massive energy balls, one in each hand. His aura expanded to match mine. "Then let''s settle this, once and for all."


    The air between us crackled with deadly intent.


    "After I kill you," he snarled, "I''ll finish what I started with the old man and his butler. Then the Whitlock family. Then everyone else who ever spoke your name with respect."


    My eyes turned cold as ice. "You won''t leave this room alive."