Liam''s Perspective


    "How many?" I demanded, my knuckles white around the phone.


    William''s voice crackled through the speaker. "Ten. All half-step Martial Marquises at minimum."


    Ten. My heart hammered against my ribs. One half-step Martial Marquis from the Ascendant Saints Order was already pushing my limits. Ten from the Umbral Covenant was a death sentence.


    "You need to abandon the tower," William continued. "Even with your abilities, those odds are—"


    "Not an option." I cut him off, scanning the chamber.


    "This isn''t about pride, Liam. The Umbral Covenant doesn''t take prisoners."


    I closed my eyes, centering myself. "September 9th is less than two weeks away. Without this tower''s resources, I can''t reach the strength needed to save Isabelle."


    A heavy sigh came through the line. "At least tell me you''re not alone."


    The silence that followed was answer enough.


    "Damn it, Knight! I''ll mobilize what forces I can, but—"


    "No," I said firmly. "Focus on protecting your family. This is my fight."


    I ended the call before he could argue further. The weight of the situation settled on my shoulders. The Ascendant Saints from one direction. The Umbral Covenant from another. And me, trapped in the middle.


    Perfect. Let them fight each other for the scraps after I''m done.


    I double-checked my formation gs. The Nine Netherworld Killing Formation hummed with dark energy, ready to activate at mymand. But against so many elite cultivators? It would buy minutes at best.


    My phone buzzed again. This time, a message from Sofia:


    "Isabelle''s wedding preparations elerated. Ceremony moved to September 7th. Two days earlier than nned."


    My blood ran cold. Two days. They''d stolen two precious days from me.


    I mmed my fist into the stone floor, cracking the ancient surface. Time was the one resource I couldn''t replenish.


    The sound of footsteps echoed from the tower''s entrance. Too soon for the Umbral Covenant. Must be the Ascendant Saints.


    I channeled energy into the tower''s defensive formations, then made my way silently to the third floor, where I could observe the entrance without being seen.


    A group of seven figures entered the tower''s first floor. Their leader, a stout man with silver hair and a neatly trimmed beard, radiated power that made the air around him warp.


    Elder Foster. Had to be.


    "Spread out," hemanded his subordinates. "Find Knight and bring him to me. Alive if possible."


    One of his men, a weasel-faced cultivator, stepped forward. "Elder, what about the tower?"


    Foster''s eyes gleamed with greed as he surveyed the ancient structure. "The tower is our priority. Knight is merely an obstacle."


    I smiled grimly. At least we were clear about where we stood.


    Two Grandmasters started climbing the stairs toward my position. I retreated silently to the fifth floor, formting my strategy. Direct confrontation was suicide. I needed to iste and eliminate them one by one.


    The tower trembled suddenly, its ancient foundations groaning. Below, Elder Foster was attempting to bypass my formation with brute force.


    "Fool," I muttered. The tower''s defenses were linked to my life force now. His attacks only weakened the structure, not my control of it.


    The first Grandmaster reached the fourth floor. I could sense his caution as he probed for traps.


    I waited until he stepped onto the fifth floor before striking. My Heaven Swallowing Palm caught him square in the chest, crushing his ribcage before he could even register my presence.


    As his life force flowed into me, I dragged his body behind a pir. One down.


    The second Grandmaster called out, "Brother Chen?"


    When no answer came, he hurried up the stairs, alert but unprepared for my attack from above. The Phantom de technique sliced through his neck, nearly decapitating him.


    Two down. Five to go.


    Elder Foster''s voice boomed from below. "Knight! I know you''re here. Let''s discuss this reasonably!"


    I remained silent, absorbing the second Grandmaster''s energy.


    "The Hydrating Tower is Ascendant Saints property by ancient treaty," Foster continued. "But we''re willing to negotiate terms for your... cooperation."


    Cooperation. Right.


    I moved to the edge of the stairwell. "What terms?" I called down, my voice echoing through the tower.


    There was a pause. Then Foster replied, his tone conciliatory. "Safe passage. Andpensation for your discovery."


    "Not interested."


    "Don''t be hasty," Foster''s voice hardened slightly. "You''ve eliminated two of my men. Impressive, but it changes nothing."


    I smirked. So he knew.


    "Here are my terms," I countered. "I need three days undisturbed in this tower. After that, it''s yours." <i ss="ref-3ee931">Thank you for reading. This was brought to you by *.</i>


    A low chuckle reached my ears. "Three days? Ambitious."


    "That''s my offer."


    Another pause. I could almost hear the calctions running through Foster''s mind.


    "One more condition," I added. "A ten-thousand-year-old herb as payment."


    This time the silence stretched longer.


    "Those are steep demands," Foster finally replied. "But perhaps we can amodate you. Come down and we''ll finalize the details."


    Like hell.


    "Send everyone else away first," I countered. "Just you and me."


    "Very well."


    I watched through a crack in the floor as Foster instructed his remaining men to wait outside. They looked reluctant but obeyed.


    When they were gone, Foster called up again. "It''s just us now, Knight. Will youe down?"


    I descended slowly, every sense on high alert. Foster stood in the center of the first floor, hands sped behind his back, a picture of elderly wisdom.


    "Liam Knight," he greeted me with a slight bow. "Your reputation precedes you."


    I stopped at a safe distance. "As does yours, Elder Foster."


    His eyes crinkled at the corners. "I hope we can be reasonable men. This tower has stood for thousands of years. It can wait three more days."


    "And the herb?"


    Foster spread his hands. "A fair exchange for such a valuable discovery. We can have it delivered within the day."


    The perfect lie delivered with perfect sincerity. Almost impressive.


    "Then we have an agreement," I said, matching his false warmth.


    "Excellent." Foster smiled. "I''ll inform my associates that we''ve reached an amodation."


    I nodded politely. "I''ll be on the fifth floor. No interruptions."


    "Of course, of course." Foster moved toward the entrance. "Three days. Not a minute more."


    "Not a minute more," I echoed.


    As Foster left the tower, I returned to the fifth floor, activating additional security measures. The tower was mine for now, but I knew better than to trust Foster''s word.


    Through the window, I watched him rejoin his subordinates. His friendly demeanor vanished instantly.


    "Get me the Sundering Spear," he hissed to the weasel-faced man. "That arrogant pup thinks he can demand a ten-thousand-year herb from me? We''ll kill him tonight and take the tower."


    The subordinate''s eyes widened. "But Elder, the Sundering Spear is a Martial Marquis Weapon. Using it here might damage the tower."


    Foster''s face darkened. "I don''t care. Knight dies tonight."


    I smiled grimly as I moved away from the window. Some people were so predictable.


    The real question was: who would reach me first? The Ascendant Saints with their Sundering Spear, or the Umbral Covenant''s ten half-step Martial Marquises?


    Either way, I had preparations to make. The tower''s secrets wouldn''t unveil themselves.


    As I settled into meditation stance on the central tform, I muttered, "Let the games begin."


    The Hydrating Tower hummed around me, ancient power stirring beneath my fingertips. Whatever happened next, I would be ready.