Liam''s Perspective


    The doors mmed behind Elder Foster. His threat hung in the air like a poisonous cloud.


    I watched Mariana Valerius, the woman who had risked everything to protect me. Her face remainedposed, but I could sense the tension in her shoulders.


    "You shouldn''t have followed me down here," she said without turning.


    "I couldn''t just hide while you faced danger because of me," I replied.


    She sighed. "Your concern is noted, but unnecessary."


    Before I could respond, the ground trembled slightly. A cold energy swept through the Great Hall. Mariana''s eyes narrowed.


    "He''s not leaving," she muttered.


    The massive doors burst open. Elder Foster stood there, his robes billowing around him. His face was twisted with rage and humiliation.


    "You dare dismiss me?" he snarled. "Do you know who I am?"


    Mariana''s expression didn''t change. "A man who apparently can''t take a hint."


    I tensed, ready forbat. But Mariana ced a hand on my shoulder, pushing me gently backward.


    "Stay out of this," she whispered.


    Foster''s energy exploded outward. The marble floor cracked under the pressure. Several lesser disciples fell to their knees, gasping for breath.


    "The Ascendant Saints Order does not tolerate such disrespect!" he roared. "Hand over Liam Knight now, or face the consequences!"


    Marianaughed softly. The sound was like ice breaking.


    "Consequences? From you?"


    She took three measured steps forward. I felt the shift in the air as she released her own energy. It was like standing next to a raging inferno after feeling only a candle''s warmth.


    Foster''s eyes widened. His confidence faltered visibly.


    "Last chance, Foster," Mariana said quietly. "Leave now, with whatever dignity you have left."


    Instead of retreating, Foster drew his sword. The de gleamed with an unnatural light.


    "Divine Retribution Technique!" he shouted. "Heaven''s Judgment!"


    He shed downward. A blinding arc of energy shot toward Mariana.


    I opened my mouth to shout a warning, but it wasn''t necessary.


    Mariana didn''t move. She simply raised two fingers.


    The massive energy attack split around her, crashing into the walls on either side. The Guild headquarters shook. Dust rained from the ceiling.


    "Is that all?" she asked.


    Foster''s face paled. He took an involuntary step backward.


    "Impossible," he whispered. "That was my strongest attack."


    "And this," Mariana said, "is me barely trying."


    She flicked her wrist. An invisible force mmed into Foster, lifting him off his feet. He crashed through three pirs before hitting the far wall.


    Blood trickled from his mouth as he struggled to stand.


    "You''ve made a grave mistake," he gasped. "The Ascendant Saints Order will not let this stand."


    "Tell your masters," Mariana replied coldly, "that the Celestial Apothecary Guild protects its own. Always."


    Foster limped toward the exit, his pride in tatters. At the doorway, he turned back.


    "This isn''t over. The Umbral Covenant has already been notified of your treachery."


    A chill ran through me at those words. The Umbral Covenant—assassins who specialized in hunting cultivators.


    Foster''s smile was cruel despite his injuries. "They''re already on their way."


    Then he was gone, leaving only the echo of his threat behind.


    I approached Mariana cautiously. "I''m sorry for bringing this trouble to your door."


    She shook her head. "Foster has been looking for an excuse to move against us for years. You simply provided a convenient pretext."


    "But the Umbral Covenant—"


    "Is a problem," she admitted. "But not one we can''t handle."


    An attendant rushed into the hall, bowing hastily. "Pavilion Master! Sentries report movement at the outer perimeter!"


    Mariana nodded, unsurprised. "Escort Young Master Liam back to his quarters. Inform the Fifth Elder I require his presence immediately."


    "I can fight," I protested. "Let me help."


    Her gaze softened slightly. "Your courage is admirable, but misced. You''re not yet strong enough for what''sing."


    The truth stung, but I couldn''t deny it. Against Elder Foster alone, I might have stood a chance. Against the Umbral Covenant? I''d be ughtered.


    "Go with Li Wei," she said more gently. "Rest and recover. Your time wille."


    I reluctantly allowed the attendant to lead me away. As we climbed the stairs, I nced back. Mariana stood alone in the center of the massive hall, her small figure somehow filling the entire space with her presence.


    ---


    In my chambers, I paced restlessly. The attendants assured me that Mariana Valerius was more than capable of handling the situation, but worry gnawed at me.


    "The Pavilion Master once faced three Martial Marquis simultaneously," one young disciple told me proudly. "She defeated them without even drawing her sword."


    "That was years ago," another corrected. "It was five Martial Marquis, and she was reading a book during the entire battle."


    I couldn''t help but smile at their obvious hero worship. Their stories grew more oundish with each telling, but the core message was clear: Mariana Valerius was not someone to be underestimated.


    Still, the Umbral Covenant was notorious for a reason. They specialized in taking down targets that others deemed untouchable.


    A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. The door opened to reveal the Fifth Elder, a stern man who rarely spoke.


    "The Pavilion Master requests your presence," he said simply.


    I followed him through a series of hidden passages I hadn''t known existed. We descended deep below the Guild headquarters, pastyers of security formations that made my skin tingle.


    "What''s happening?" I asked. "Is the Pavilion Master alright?"


    The Fifth Elder''s expression remained neutral. "Ten half-step Martial Marquis from the Umbral Covenant now surround the Guild."


    My blood ran cold. "Ten?"


    He nodded once. "They arrived moments ago."


    I quickened my pace. "We need to help her!"


    "The Pavilion Master doesn''t require our help," he replied calmly. "She requires your presence."


    We stopped before a massive metal door inscribed with countless runes. It radiated ancient power.


    The door swung open silently. Inside was a vast chamber filled with shelves of rare herbs, minerals, and cultivation resources. At the center stood Mariana Valerius.


    "Liam," she greeted me. "Thank you foring."


    "Pavilion Master," I bowed deeply. "I heard about the Umbral Covenant. This is all because of me—"


    She raised a hand, stopping my apology. "Time is short. Listen carefully."


    I fell silent.


    "This is our Guild''s special warehouse. For the next month, it will be your home."


    I blinked in confusion. "A month?"


    "You need to break through to the next level of cultivation," she exined. "These resources will help you achieve that."


    This chapter first appeared on *.


    "But what about the Umbral Covenant? What about you?"


    A faint smile crossed her face. "Your concern is touching, but unnecessary. Focus on your cultivation. When you emerge, you''ll need to be stronger."


    The implication was clear: greater challengesy ahead.


    "Everything you need is here," she continued, gesturing to the shelves. "Use it wisely."


    Before I could ask more questions, she stepped out of the chamber. The Fifth Elder followed her.


    "Wait!" I called. "What are you going to do about the ten half-step Martial Marquis?"


    Mariana paused at the doorway. "Handle them, of course."


    The massive door began to swing closed.


    "Pavilion Master," the Fifth Elder said quietly. "Should I notify the Law Enforcement Elders?"


    Mariana''s voice drifted back to me as the door sealed shut.


    "No need. We''ll greet our guests ourselves."


    The final crack of light disappeared. I heard ancient locks engaging, followed by the hum of a powerful formation activating.


    I was sealed inside, surrounded by treasures beyond imagination, while outside, my protector prepared to face overwhelming odds.


    For the first time since my powers awakened, I felt truly helpless. And for Mariana Valerius''s sake, I vowed to emerge from this chamber stronger than anyone could imagine.