## Liam''s Perspective


    I watched the Man with the Mustache work, his hands moving with practiced precision. After absorbing so much dark energy from the Dragon Vein eruption, my power had increased dramatically. But it wasn''t enough. To reach the next level and have any chance of rescuing Isabelle, I needed more. Much more.


    "How do you know exactly where to dig?" I asked, studying his methodical movements.


    He tapped his nose and winked. "Trade secret, my friend. You have your cultivation techniques, I have my tomb-sensing abilities."


    His fingers traced invisible patterns in the dirt. After our encounter with the Dragon Vein, we''d traveled to this remote location based on his insistence that something "special" awaited us here.


    "There!" he eximed suddenly, dropping to his knees. "Feel that? The soil temperature changes right here."


    I knelt beside him, pressing my palm against the ground. He wasn''t wrong. A subtle warmth radiated from beneath the surface.


    "What does it mean?"


    "It means," he grinned, "we''ve found a Dark-Bright Energy Grave. Very rare. Very valuable."


    He pulled various tools from his pack - a bronzepass, small silver bells, and a pouch of reddish powder. With theatrical flourish, he sprinkled the powder in a circle around us.


    "Is all this necessary?" I asked, impatient.


    "Absolutely! These tombs have protections. One wrong move and..." He dragged a finger across his throat.


    I watched skeptically as hepleted his ritual, muttering incantations under his breath. Just as I was about to question him again, the ground trembled beneath us.


    "Stand back!" he warned.


    The earth split open, revealing a perfectly square entrance about six feet across. Stone steps descended into darkness.


    "How did you do that?" I asked, genuinely impressed.


    "Told you. Trade secret." His mustache twitched with pride. "Shall we?"


    We descended into the tomb. Unlike the crude burial sites I''d seen before, this one disyed remarkable craftsmanship. The walls bore intricate carvings depicting scenes of ancient battles and celestial bodies.


    "Look at the stonework," the Man with the Mustache whispered reverently. "Perfect joints without mortar. This was built by masters."


    The main chamber opened before us, illuminated by a strange bluish light emanating from the walls. y pots lined stone shelves along the perimeter. In the center stood a raised tform holding various ornaments and what appeared to be weapons.


    "Treasure!" the Man with the Mustache eximed, rushing forward.


    "Wait!" I called, but he had already reached the center.


    Nothing happened. No traps sprung, no curses activated. He turned back with a triumphant smile.


    "Already disarmed everything with my ritual," he exined, gesturing for me to join him.


    I approached cautiously, examining the artifacts. Gold coins, jade ornaments, and several sealed jars that appeared to contain herbs caught my attention.


    "These herbs," I said, pointing to the jars. "Could they be what I need?"


    The Man with the Mustache shrugged. "Possibly. This tomb is situated near a Dragon Vein. The ancients knew what they were doing when they buried their dead."


    My heart raced as I opened one of the jars. Inside were dried, ckened nts that crumbled slightly at my touch. I channeled a small amount of energy to test them.


    Nothing happened.


    "No qi," I said, disappointment heavy in my voice. "These herbs are useless."


    The Man with the Mustache was busy examining gold pieces. "What did you expect? These are burial offerings, not actual medical supplies."


    I set the jar down, frustrated. The Reincarnation Pill required specific ingredients, including a five-thousand-year-old medicinal herb with intact qi. Without it, saving Isabelle would be impossible.


    "How old would you say this tomb is?" I asked, suddenly struck by a thought.


    He paused his looting to consider. "Based on the construction style and burial artifacts... I''d say around three thousand years. Maybe older."


    Three thousand years. Not quite five thousand, but still ancient. I picked up the jar again, studying its contents with new interest.


    "The herbs themselves might be useful," I mused. "Age sometimes matters more than qi content."


    "For what exactly?" The Man with the Mustache asked, his attention suddenly focused entirely on me.


    I hesitated. The Reincarnation Pill was a closely guarded secret. Revealing my ns could be dangerous, even to this odd ally.


    "Just something I''m working on," I replied vaguely.


    The Man with the Mustache set down the gold piece he''d been examining and turned to face me fully. His expression had changed, bing unexpectedly serious.


    "You''re trying to make a Reincarnation Pill, aren''t you?" he asked quietly.


    I froze. "How do you know about that?"


    A slow, knowing smile spread across his face. "I know many things, Liam Knight. More than most would guess."


    He stepped closer, lowering his voice even though we were alone. "The Reincarnation Pill requires five ingredients: the tears of a thousand-year ice worm, blood essence of a fire dragon, a five-thousand-year herb touched by both light and dark, the heart of a spirit beast, and the meridian dust of a fallen cultivator."


    My shock must have shown on my face, because he chuckled.


    "Surprised? I told you tomb raiding is a science. Ancient knowledge is my specialty."


    "Where did you learn about the Reincarnation Pill?" I demanded.


    He waved dismissively. "Here and there. The important question is: do you have all the ingredients?"


    I remained silent, calcting how much I should reveal.


    "I''ll take that as a no," he continued, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "The five-thousand-year herb is always the hardest to find. Nearly impossible these days."


    He was right. I had managed to gather the otherponents through various means, but the herb had eluded me. Without it, the pill couldn''t bepleted.


    "These herbs are too young," I admitted finally. "And theyck the required qi signature."


    The Man with the Mustache circled the chamber, examining the walls with newfound interest. After a moment, he turned back to me.


    "That bronze mirror you found in the Dragon Vein pit," he said casually. "May I see it?"


    I narrowed my eyes. "Why?"


    "Humor me." <code ss="phantom-imprint">The M|@V|!L@E&M&PYR^ [emailprotected]</a> w+o.rke$d h@ar&d* on this cha#p@t!er.</code>


    Reluctantly, I retrieved the mirror from my spatial ring. Its ck surface gleamed coldly in the tomb''s blue light.


    The Man with the Mustache''s eyes widened with barely contained excitement. "Just as I thought. A Soul-Reflecting Mirror from the Dao Dynasty. Extremely rare."


    "What''s it worth to you?" I asked, sensing an opportunity.


    He met my gaze, his expression calcting. "Perhaps we can help each other."


    "Go on."


    He paced the chamber slowly, building tension before speaking again. "What if I told you I''ve been searching for that exact mirror for decades? And what if I mentioned that I happen to possess certain... rare items that might interest a pill maker such as yourself?"


    My heart quickened. "Be specific."


    The Man with the Mustache stopped pacing and faced me directly. His usual nervous energy had vanished, reced by a businessman''sposure.


    "Not only do I know about the Reincarnation Pill, but I also have the required ingredients," he said, a sly grin spreading beneath his mustache. "If you''re willing, you can exchange that bronze mirror with me. What do you think?"