## Liam''s Perspective


    The impact was catastrophic.


    My fist connected with Elder Foster''s chest, unleashing the full fury of the Divine Dragon''s power. The st sent him hurtling backward, his body crashing through three stone pirs before mming into the far wall.


    The entire Great Hall shuddered. Cracks spiderwebbed across the ceiling. Dust and debris rained down all around us.


    "Impossible!" Foster screamed, blood gushing from his mouth. "You''re just a boy!"


    I stalked toward him, my body still radiating golden light. The Dragon''s power coursed through me, wild and untamed.


    "Where is she?" I demanded.


    Foster coughed up more blood. His eyes darted to the four Martial Marquis Weapons still hovering in formation.


    "You may have survived one attack," he wheezed, "but let''s see you handle all four at once!"


    He made a desperate hand sign. All four artifacts—the bronze bell, an ancient sword, a ck cauldron, and a jade seal—began to glow with blinding intensity.


    Thebined pressure was immense. The floor beneath my feet cracked. The air grew so heavy it felt like breathing underwater.


    I didn''t hesitate. I charged straight at them.


    "Suicidal fool!" Fosterughed maniacally.


    The four weapons unleashed their power simultaneously. A tidal wave of destructive energy surged toward me from all directions.


    I closed my eyes for a split second, diving deeper into the wellspring of power Jackson had helped me unlock. The Dragon''s blood in my veins burned hot.


    "DRAGON''S ASCENSION!"


    My body erupted with golden fire. The shockwave met the weapons''bined assault head-on.


    For a moment, the world went white.


    The explosion rocked the entirepound. Walls copsed. Support beams shattered. The grand ceiling of the Great Hall—a structure that had stood for centuries—began to give way.


    Through the chaos, I saw Foster''s expression shift from triumph to horror.


    The four weapons, legendary artifacts of the Ascendant Saints Order, were cracking under my power. Publication<i ss="node-sep"></i>courtesy<i ss="node-sep"></i>of<i ss="node-sep"></i>*.


    "No... NO!" Foster screamed. "This is impossible! Those are Martial Marquis Weapons!"


    I pushed harder, channeling everything I had into my attack. The Dragon''s power responded, surging through me like an inferno.


    The bronze bell shattered first, fragments flying in all directions. The ancient sword followed, splitting down the middle before exploding into dust.


    Foster scrambled backward on all fours like a terrified animal. His fear-filled eyes locked with mine as the cauldron and jade seal began to crack.


    He turned to flee.


    "I''m not done with you!" I roared.


    But the coward was already running, abandoning his precious artifacts to save his own skin. He disappeared through a hidden door just as the final two weapons exploded.


    The st threw me back several yards. Inded hard, my body aching from the strain of channeling so much power.


    All around me, the Great Hall of the Ascendant Saints Order was copsing. Centuries of history crumbling to dust.


    I didn''t care.


    I pulled myself to my feet and scanned the rubble. There had to be survivors who could tell me where Mariana was being held.


    Through the settling dust, I spotted movement. A young disciple, no more than twenty, trapped under fallen debris.


    I lifted the stone b pinning him down and yanked him up by his cor.


    "The detention cells," I growled. "Where are they?"


    The young man trembled. "Please... don''t kill me."


    I tightened my grip. "The Pavilion Master. Where is she?"


    "She''s not here!" he blurted out, eyes wide with terror.


    "What?"


    "She was never here! Elder Foster lied to you!"


    I mmed him against a broken pir. "Don''t lie to me!"


    "I swear!" He raised his hands in surrender. "The Pavilion Master was taken by the Veridia City Martial Guild two days ago!"


    This couldn''t be right. "Elder Foster said she was being held here."


    "He wanted you toe! It was a trap!" The young man was sobbing now. "The Guild took her for her own protection... because Elder Foster wanted to execute her!"


    I released him, my mind racing. "Is she alive?"


    He nodded quickly. "Yes! She''s under Guild protection in Veridia City. Elder Foster was furious when he found out."


    Relief washed over me, followed immediately by rage. Foster had lured me here with a lie, hoping to kill me with the ancient weapons. But Mariana was safe. That''s what mattered.


    "Go," I told the young disciple. "Run far from here. The Ascendant Saints Order is finished."


    He scrambled away without looking back.


    I stood in the ruins of the once-mighty hall, my breathing steadying. The immediate danger was past, but my fury remained. The Order had tried to kill me, tried to kill Mariana, and now they would pay the price.


    I took out mymunication talisman and channeled energy into it.


    "Corbin Ashworth," I spoke the name clearly. "I know you can hear me."


    The talisman glowed briefly before a voice responded.


    "Liam Knight," Corbin''s voice dripped with disdain. "To what do I owe this unpleasant surprise?"


    "Is she there? Is Mariana at the Guild?"


    His chuckle made my blood boil. "Of course she is. Did you really think the Ascendant Saints Order could hold her? The Guild protects its own."


    So it was true. She was safe.


    "Why didn''t you tell me?" I demanded.


    "And spoil the fun of watching you tear apart one of our rival organizations? Please." His tone was smug. "You''ve done the Guild quite a favor today, destroying the Ascendant Saints Order. Perhaps we should thank you."


    My grip tightened on the talisman. "Where is Isabelle?"


    A long pause. "My niece is preparing for her wedding to Dashiell ckthorne. The ceremony is in three days."


    The news hit me like a physical blow.


    "She would never agree to that," I said through gritted teeth.


    "She doesn''t have to agree. It''s already decided." Corbin''s voice hardened. "Stay away from Veridia City, Liam. You''ve made enough enemies."


    "Tell Dashiell something for me," I said, my voice deadly calm.


    "Oh?"


    "His wedding day will be his death anniversary."


    I crushed the talisman in my hand before Corbin could respond.


    Standing amidst the destruction I''d caused, I made my decision. The Ascendant Saints Order had failed to kill me. The Veridia City Martial Guild thought they could use Mariana against me. And now they nned to force Isabelle into marriage.


    They would all learn their mistake.


    I walked to what remained of the central altar. On it sat amunication crystal—one that would broadcast my message to every major sect and family in the region.


    I channeled my energy into it and spoke clearly:


    "I am Liam Knight. Today, the Ascendant Saints Order tried to kill me. They failed. Let this destruction be a warning to anyone who threatens those under my protection."


    The crystal glowed, sending my words far and wide.


    "From today on, Liam Knight and the Ascendant Saints Order will have a life-and-death feud."


    I crushed the crystal and walked away from the ruins, leaving behind nothing but dust and a promise of vengeance.