## Liam''s Perspective
I opened my eyes, feeling thest waves of energy settle into my body. The spiritual herbs in the warehouse around me werepletely drained, reduced to dried husks. Thousands of rare nts—worth a fortune—had fueled my transformation.
I took a deep breath and assessed my new strength. The power coursing through my veins was unlike anything I''d experienced before. I could feel it in every cell, every breath.
"Incredible," I whispered, flexing my fingers. Golden energy crackled between them.
But something felt off. I''d expected to break through to half-step Martial Marquis, yet the sensation wasn''t what my inherited memories described. I closed my eyes and consulted those ancient memories again.
"Consummate Inner Strength Grandmaster Realm," I muttered in shock.
This was rare—incredibly rare. Most cultivators passed through Inner Strength realms quickly on their path to Martial Lord. Few ever reached the Consummate stage, choosing instead to advance to the next major realm.
I punched forward experimentally. The air split with a thunderous crack. My speed, my strength—they had increased dozens of times over.
"This power... it''sparable to a half-step Martial Marquis. Maybe even stronger in some ways."
But this created a new problem. My cultivation path had diverged from themon route. The standard methods to reach Martial Marquis wouldn''t work for me now.
I paced the warehouse, thinking. My father''s memories held the answer—the Reincarnation Pill. Created to help those in my exact situation, it could forge a path to the next realm.
The ingredients scrolled through my mind: Thousand-Year ck Ginseng, Nine-Leaf Spirit Grass, Dawn Essence Pearl... resources so rare they barely existed anymore. And the pill required two Pill Masters with Purple Spirit Fire working in tandem.
I sighed, looking at the barren shelves around me. Guilt washed over me. I''d consumed the Guild''s precious resources without permission.
"I''ll have to ask Mariana for help again," I said quietly. "Assuming we can free her first."
I walked toward the warehouse door, feeling the powerful formations still sealing it. I''d need a few more hours before I could safely exit.
---
Outside, in the Guild''s grand hall, chaos reigned. The First Elder stood on the central tform, surrounded by his loyal guards. Below him, the Second Elder knelt, blood streaming from his face.
"Let this be a lesson to all who question my authority!" the First Elder thundered, his voice echoing through the hall. "I am Pavilion Master now!"
The crowded hall was silent. Dozens of alchemists watched with horror and fear as the Second Elder endured another vicious kick.
"You were always weak," the First Elder sneered, grabbing the Second Elder by his hair. "Still defending that boy even now?"
The Second Elder spat blood. "Liam Knight is worth ten of you."
The First Elder''s face contorted with rage. He raised his hand, dark energy gathering at his fingertips.
"Pavilion Master!" a voice called from the crowd.
The First Elder paused, anger briefly reced by pleasure at his new title. "What is it?"
An elderly alchemist stepped forward. "The Second Elder is our most skilled pill refiner. Killing him would be wasteful."
The First Elder considered this, then lowered his hand. "Always practical, Sixth Elder. Very well."
He turned to his guards. "Take him to the warehouse. Let him witness Knight''s emergence." His mouth twisted into a cruel smile. "When Knight finally stumbles out—weakened and vulnerable—he can watch as we destroy his champion."
Four guards dragged the bloodied Second Elder away. Several younger alchemists followed, supporting their injured elder when the guards weren''t looking.
---
Night fell over the Guild. Two figures huddled outside the sealed warehouse door—the Second Elder, his wounds hastily bandaged, and the Fifth Elder, who nced nervously over his shoulder.
"You''re taking a risk being here," the Second Elder whispered.
The Fifth Elder shrugged. "Someone needs to y thepliant servant. It gives me freedom to move, to protect our people."
"How many have fled?"
"Thirty-two so far. I''ve helped them escape to our southern branch."
The Second Elder nodded weakly. "Good. If Knight fails—"
"He won''t," the Fifth Elder interrupted. "I saw his potential the moment he arrived. The First Elder sees only a threat to his ambition, but Knight is something else entirely."
Suddenly, both men tensed. The warehouse door''s Forbidden Power was wavering, its glow diminishing rapidly.
"It''s opening!" the Fifth Elder gasped. "But it''s too early—the seals should hold for another day at least!"
The massive door began to creak inward, golden light spilling through the widening gap.
The Second Elder struggled to his feet, eyes fixed on the slowly opening door. "He''sing."
---
Inside, I felt the seals giving way under my power. I hadn''t nned to break out yet, but my control was still adjusting to my new strength. Each breath I took seemed to challenge the formations around me.
I approached the door, knowing what awaited me outside. The Guild would be in turmoil. The First Elder would have consolidated his power. And Mariana—she was still a prisoner, possibly being tortured.
Time was running short for her. For Isabelle too.
I needed allies. I needed resources for the Reincarnation Pill. Most of all, I needed a n to face ten half-step Martial Marquis assassins.
The door swung open fully. Standing in the threshold, I saw the Second Elder''s battered face, the Fifth Elder''s surprised expression. Behind them, a small group of loyal alchemists gasped as golden light emanated from my skin.
"Master Knight," the Second Elder whispered, dropping painfully to one knee. "You''ve returned to us."
I stepped forward, helping him rise. "What happened to you?"
"The First Elder''s version of diplomacy," the Fifth Elder answered bitterly. "He''s dered himself Pavilion Master."
I nodded slowly, absorbing this information. "And Mariana? Any news?"
The Fifth Elder''s expression darkened. "Rumors only. She''s been transferred from the Saints Order''s prison to Veridia City."
Ice formed in my veins. Veridia City meant the Martial Guild—and their infamous interrogation chambers.
"We have little time," I said firmly. "The First Elder has hired assassins from the Umbral Covenant to hunt me. Ten half-step Martial Marquis."
The Second Elder paled. "You can''t face such numbers alone, not even with your new power."
I looked at the small group of loyal alchemists. These people had risked everything by standing against the First Elder. They deserved honesty. <b ss="frag-4adff2">This<i ss="node-sep"></i>chapter<i ss="node-sep"></i>was<i ss="node-sep"></i>made<i ss="node-sep"></i>possible<i ss="node-sep"></i>by<i ss="node-sep"></i>the<i ss="node-sep"></imunity<i ss="node-sep"></i>at<i ss="node-sep"></i>*.</b>
"I didn''t reach half-step Martial Marquis as expected," I told them quietly.
Their faces fell. Hope dimming in their eyes.
"I achieved something rarer," I continued. "The Consummate Inner Strength Grandmaster Realm."
The Second Elder''s eyes widened. "But that''s—"
"Nearly extinct," the Fifth Elder finished. "No one has reached that realm in decades."
I nodded. "And to advance further, I need specific resources. Rare ones."
The Second Elder straightened despite his injuries. "Tell us what you need. Whatever remains in this Guild is yours."
I smiled gratefully. "First, I need information. Everything you know about the Martial Guild''s security in Veridia City."
The Fifth Elder stepped closer. "I have contacts there. Old friends who owe me favors."
"Good," I replied. "Because we''re going to rescue Mariana Valerius."
A murmur ran through the small crowd—fear mingled with excitement.
"And then?" the Second Elder asked.
I looked toward the Guild''s main hall, where the First Elder reigned. Golden light shed in my eyes.
"Then we reim what''s ours."
The warehouse door closed behind me with a decisive thud. The path ahead was dangerous, perhaps suicidal. But within my veins flowed new power, and in my heart burned a promise—to save those I loved, whatever the cost.