Liam''s Perspective


    "The true heart of this formation has always been me."


    The Guardian''s words hit me like a punch to the gut. I''d been wrong. Destroying the tower had aplished nothing.


    I stepped back, my muscles tensing for another fight. Energy gathered in my palm—what little I had left. The Guardian watched me, its eyes tracking my every move.


    Then something unexpected happened. It smiled.


    "Well yed, young cultivator," it said. Its form began to shimmer, growing less substantial by the second. "You destroyed the container, and now the formation cannot sustain itself."


    I blinked in confusion. "But you said—"


    "I am the heart, yes. But even hearts need vessels." Its voice grew fainter. "Take the tree. You''ve earned it through cleverness, not just strength."


    The Guardian''s form dissolved into mist, scattering on the night breeze. I stood there, momentarily stunned by this turn of events.


    Elder Foster''s voice broke the silence. "Don''t just stand there gawking! The tree is unprotected!"


    Reality snapped back into focus. I lunged forward, reaching for the Three Pure Ancient Tree. Its silver leaves trembled as my fingers closed around the slender trunk.


    The tree shrank instantly, condensing into a size norger than my forearm. I tucked it securely into my inner robe.


    A whistling sound cut through the air. I ducked just as Foster''s Sundering Spear embedded itself in the ground where I''d been standing.


    "Hand it over, Knight!" Foster roared, his face contorted with rage. "That tree belongs to the Ascendant Saints Order!"


    I didn''t waste breath replying. My body was running on fumes now. The only option was flight.


    "Shrinking Ground Into An Inch!" I activated the movement technique, and the world blurred around me.


    I felt Foster''s attack miss by inches as I surged forward, putting distance between us. Behind me, I heard him bellowing orders to his men.


    "After him! Don''t let him escape with the tree!"


    Pain shot through my side with each breath. Those broken ribs hadn''t fully healed. The tree pressed against my chest, surprisingly warm through the fabric of my robe.


    I pushed harder, racing through the streets of Forestpeak City. People blurred past as mere shapes. I had one destination in mind: the airport.


    Foster was gaining. I could feel his presence closing in, his qi signature burning like aet on my heels.


    "Knight!" His voice carried over the distance between us. "You can''t outrun me forever!"


    He was right. My reserves were dangerously low. The Shrinking Ground technique was draining what little energy I had left.


    I spotted an alley to my right and veered sharply. The narrow passage was crowded with garbage bins and discarded furniture. Perfect.


    I dropped the movement technique as I turned the corner, conserving energy. Behind me, Foster shot past the alley entrance, still moving at full speed.


    I copsed against the wall, chest heaving. Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. My body was at its limit.


    Mymunicator vibrated. I pulled it out with shaking hands.


    "We''ve lost him momentarily," a voice reported. "Fan out and search every street. He can''t have gone far."


    Foster''s men. They were coordinating a search pattern.


    I dragged myself deeper into the alley, finding a recessed doorway to hide in. The Three Pure Ancient Tree pulsed gently against my chest, almost like a second heartbeat.


    "Hold on," I whispered to it. "We''re not caught yet."


    I reached for my phone and pulled up the flight schedules. There was a midnight departure to Riverbend Town. If I could make it there, I''d have a chance. The Celestial Apothecary Guild would protect me.


    Footsteps approached the alley entrance. I pressed myself against the doorway, barely breathing.


    "Check down there," someone ordered.


    A beam of light swept across the alley. I remained perfectly still, counting the seconds.


    "Nothing here," the searcher reported. "Moving to the next sector."


    The footsteps receded. I released the breath I''d been holding.


    Moving carefully, I slipped out from my hiding ce and headed deeper into the alley. It had to connect to another street. I needed to put more distance between myself and Foster''s men.


    Twenty minutes of navigating back alleys brought me to the airport''s outer perimeter. I was drenched in sweat, my legs threatening to buckle with each step.


    Security was minimal at this hour. I blended with a group ofte-night travelers, keeping my head down. My appearance was surely suspicious—torn clothes, dirt-streaked face—but I didn''t have time to clean up.


    I purchased a ticket with thest of my cash and hurried to the gate. The flight was boarding in ten minutes. I might actually make it.


    Then I felt it. Foster''s qi signature, moving through the main terminal. He''d tracked me here.


    I ducked into a restroom, locking myself in a stall. My hands trembled as I pulled out mymunicator again.


    There was only one person who could help me now.


    "Pavilion Master," I typed quickly. "Elder Foster of the Ascendant Saints Order pursues me. I''ve secured the Three Pure Ancient Tree but am injured and nearly drained. The Umbral Covenant may join the hunt. Seeking sanctuary at the Guild."


    I hit send, then waited, heart pounding. Seconds stretched into a minute. Had she received it? Would she respond?


    Mymunicator vibrated with a single word: "Okay."


    I smiled despite the pain. The Pavilion Master wasn''t one for lengthy messages, but her "okay" carried the weight of a promise. She would help.


    The final boarding call echoed through the terminal. I slipped out of the restroom, moving quickly toward my gate. Foster''s energy was moving closer, but I had just enough lead.


    I was thest passenger to board. As the doors closed behind me, I caught a glimpse of Foster bursting into the terminal area, his face a mask of fury when he spotted me through the window.


    The ne taxied away from the gate. I sank into my seat, exhaustion washing over me in waves.


    "Where are you headed?" the elderly woman beside me asked pleasantly.


    "Riverbend Town," I replied, keeping my voice casual despite the agony in my ribs.


    "Lovely ce," she nodded. "Business or pleasure?"


    I thought of Foster, who was undoubtedly booking the next flight to follow me.


    "Neither," I said. "Survival."


    She blinked in confusion, but I had already closed my eyes, feigning sleep. I needed to conserve my strength for whatever awaited in Riverbend Town.


    The flightsted just over an hour. I spent it in a state of half-consciousness, one hand pressed against the tree hidden in my robe. Even in my depleted state, I could sense its incredible power, dormant but vast.


    When wended, I was the first one off the ne. The terminal in Riverbend Town was smaller, less crowded. Perfect for spotting pursuers.


    I hailed a taxi outside, giving the driver the address of the Celestial Apothecary Guild. As we pulled away from the curb, I saw Foster exiting the terminal. He''d caught the next flight, just as I''d feared.


    The taxi wound through the streets of Riverbend Town. Dawn was breaking, painting the eastern sky in shades of pink and gold.


    "Here we are," the driver announced, pulling up to the imposing gates of the Guild.


    I paid him and stepped out. The Guildpound spread before me, an oasis of calm in the awakening city. Ancient trees lined the pathways, and the scent of medicinal herbs filled the air.


    The gates opened before I could announce myself. A young apprentice bowed deeply.


    "Master Knight," he greeted me. "The Pavilion Master is expecting you."


    The title "Master Knight" still felt strange to hear. Within the Guild, I was respected, not scorned.


    "Thank you," I replied, following him inside.


    Guards lined the main path, more than usual. The Pavilion Master had prepared for trouble.


    I was led to a small chamber where a physician waited. Wordlessly, he began treating my injuries. His hands glowed with healing qi as he worked on my broken ribs.


    "The Pavilion Master will see you in an hour," he informed me. "Rest until then."


    I nodded gratefully, letting my eyes close as the healing energy flowed through my battered body.


    When I awoke, the worst of my injuries had been addressed. I could breathe without pain, though exhaustion still weighed heavily on me.


    The apprentice returned to escort me to the Pavilion Master''s chamber. As we walked, I sensed the Guild''s defenses activating—Foster had arrived in the vicinity. <em ss="meta-ref-static">The genuine article resides on M|V|L&EMPYR.</em>


    The Pavilion Master sat behind her desk, calm andposed as always. Her ageless face revealed nothing of her thoughts as I entered and bowed.


    "You''ve caused quite a stir," she remarked without preamble.


    "I secured what we needed," I replied, carefully extracting the Three Pure Ancient Tree from my robe.


    Her eyes widened slightly—the most surprise I''d ever seen her disy.


    "So you have." She gestured for me to ce it on her desk. "And made an enemy of the Ascendant Saints Order in the process."


    "They were never our friends."


    "True enough." She examined the tree without touching it. "This will advance our research considerably."


    I hesitated before speaking again. "I need to ask a favor."


    "Beyond sanctuary from Elder Foster?" A hint of amusement colored her tone.


    "I need to improve my strength quickly," I said bluntly. "Half-step Martial Marquis isn''t enough anymore."


    She studied me in silence for a long moment. "What you ask isn''t easy. Your dantian requires enormous quantities of qi to advance."


    "I know." My hands clenched at my sides. "But I''m out of time. Isabelle needs me to be stronger."


    The Pavilion Master stood, moving to the window. Outside, Guild disciples were reinforcing the protective arrays. Foster wouldn''t breach them easily, but he could wait.


    "If you want to improve your strength in a short amount of time," she said finally, "there is only one way."


    She turned and pointed through another window—this one facing the Guild''s main herbal warehouse.