## Liam''s Perspective


    The morning sun bore witness to three unwee visitors approaching our guild gates. I recognized them immediately from my position on the perimeter wall. Josiah Hale led the procession, his ornate robes announcing his status as the Ascendant Saints Order''s Sect Master. Behind him shuffled Elder Foster, eyes darting nervously. The third figure made my blood boil—Dudley Lowell, the man who''d tried to kill me twice.


    "Open the gates for Sect Master Hale!" shouted one of our disciples.


    I leaped down from the wall,nding softly in the courtyard. Fifth Elder Teng was already moving to greet the visitors.


    "Sect Master Hale, to what do we owe this unexpected visit?" Fifth Elder asked with measured politeness.


    Josiah Hale didn''t even look at him. "Where is Knight? Bring him to me now."


    "The Celestial Apothecary Guild isn''t your personal domain," Fifth Elder replied coldly. "State your business or leave."


    Elder Foster stepped forward, face twisted with anger. "How dare you speak to the Sect Master that way!"


    Without warning, Foster lunged at Fifth Elder, hand formed into a w strike aimed at his throat.


    I moved without thinking. In three strides, I crossed the courtyard and intercepted Foster''s attack, catching his wrist mid-strike. He strained against my grip, but might as well have been pushing against a mountain.


    "Still picking fights you can''t win, Foster?" I squeezed until I felt the bones in his wrist grind together.


    Foster howled in pain. I released him with a push that sent him stumbling back.


    "Liam Knight," Josiah Hale''s voice cut through the tension like a de. "You''ve caused me considerable trouble."


    I turned to face him directly. "The feeling''s mutual."


    "Give me one reason why I shouldn''t kill you where you stand."


    I smiled coldly. "I can give you several, but here''s the most relevant—you''re not strong enough."


    Dudley Lowell stepped forward, hatred burning in his eyes. "You arrogant bastard! You think because you''ve gained some power, you can—"


    "Be silent, Dudley," Hale snapped without looking at him.


    The courtyard fell silent. Guild disciples gathered at a safe distance, watching the confrontation unfold.


    "I see you''ve brought your attack dogs," I said, gesturing to Foster and Lowell. "Did you need the moral support?"


    Hale''s face flushed red. "I''vee to settle a score. You''ve insulted my sect and interfered with my affairs once too often."


    "Your affairs?" Iughed. "You mean your pathetic attempt to steal our Fifth Elder''s research?"


    The air around us grew heavy with murderous intent. Josiah Hale was a Martial Marquis—far beyond my current level. If he decided to attack, I''d need every trick I possessed just to survive.


    A familiar voice cut through the tension. "My, my... is that Josiah I see at my doorstep?"


    Every head turned. Mariana Valerius approached from the innerpound, her newly ascended power radiating with every step. The morning light seemed to bend around her, casting an ethereal glow on her form.


    "Pavilion Master Valerius," Hale acknowledged stiffly.


    Mariana''s lips curved into a smile that never reached her eyes. "It''s been what—thirty years since you knelt before me, begging for your life?"


    The color drained from Hale''s face. Several disciples nearby exchanged shocked nces.


    "You exaggerate," he hissed.


    "Do I?" Mariana stepped closer. "I remember it clearly. You on your knees, tears streaming down your face, pleading that I spare you."


    Please read this chapter on its original tform—*.


    "Lies!" Hale''s fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.


    "Is that why you''ve avoided me all these years, Josiah? Embarrassment?" Her voice was deceptively gentle. "Or is it because of your... condition?"


    Hale went rigid. "That''s enough."


    "What condition?" I asked, sensing a weakness to exploit.


    Mariana''s eyes glittered with malice. "Should I tell them, Josiah?"


    "I''m warning you," he growled.


    "Or perhaps it''s why you''ve never married? Never fathered children?" She continued as if he hadn''t spoken. "Such a shame for a man of your position."


    Understanding dawned on me. I couldn''t suppress a smile. "You''re impotent?"


    The courtyard went deathly quiet. Several disciples coughed ufortably.


    Hale''s face turned from white to purple. "You dare—!"


    "Is that why you''re alwayspensating?" I pressed on, enjoying his difort. "The grand titles, the aggressive posturing—all to make up for what you can''t do in the bedroom?"


    Elder Foster looked horrified. Dudley Lowell stared at his master with new eyes.


    "Sect Master, is this true?" Foster whispered.


    "SILENCE!" Hale roared.


    Mariana shrugged elegantly. "Some things even the greatest physician cannot cure. I tried my best when he came to me, desperate for a remedy."


    Hale''s breathing became ragged. Veins bulged on his forehead as he struggled to contain his fury.


    I couldn''t resist twisting the knife. "All these years building your Ascendant Saints Order, and no heir to pass it to. How... inadequate you must feel."


    Something snapped in Josiah Hale''s eyes. Any pretense ofposure vanished.


    "I WILL KILL YOU!" he screamed, power exploding outward in a shockwave that cracked the stone beneath our feet.


    His hands formed a series ofplex gestures. Golden light erupted from his palms, coalescing into a massive sphere of destructive energy. The air around us howled with the sheer force of his technique.


    "HEAVEN SEVERING PALM!"


    The golden sphere shot toward me, expanding as it came. I raised my arms in defense, knowing it wouldn''t be enough. This attack could level mountains.


    But before it reached me, Mariana stepped between us. She lifted one hand, palm outward, facing the oing destruction with serene confidence.


    "Always so emotional, Josiah," she said calmly. "Your technique is powerful, but sloppy when you lose control."


    The golden sphere mmed into an invisible barrier inches from her outstretched hand. Energy crackled and spat as the two forces collided.


    For a heartbeat, time seemed to freeze. Then Mariana''s fingers curled slightly.


    "My turn," she whispered.


    The golden spherepressed, shrinking to half its size in an instant. Then, with a flick of her wrist, she sent it hurtling back toward Josiah Hale.


    His eyes widened in shock. He clearly hadn''t expected her to deflect his attack, let alone return it. The sphere streaked toward him, trailing golden light.


    "IMPOSSIBLE!" he shouted, desperately forming defensive seals.


    The impact shook the entirepound.