## Liam''s Perspective


    I turned away from the imposter and the confused Sect Master. Their drama wasn''t my concern. The strange qi signature pulled at me like a physical force, drawing me deeper into thepound. I followed it without hesitation, ignoring Phoebe''s shouts behind me.


    "Stop him! Where do you think you''re going?"


    Guards moved to block my path. I sidestepped them easily, my body flowing like water between their clumsy attempts to grab me. The source was close now. Very close.


    I pushed through a wooden door at the back of thepound and found myself facing a small, secludedke. The water''s surface shimmered with an unnatural blue glow. This was it. The source of the strange qi.


    The guards caught up to me, weapons drawn. Phoebe and the fake Liam weren''t far behind.


    "What are you doing?" Phoebe demanded. "This area is restricted!"


    I ignored her, focusing on the water. Something about it called to me on a fundamental level. I knelt at theke''s edge and dipped my fingers in. Pure, ancient qi surged up my arm like lightning.


    "Thiske," I said without looking back, "is connected to an underground spring of concentrated qi."


    "Nonsense," the imposter scoffed. "I would have sensed such a powerful source."


    I stood and faced them. "No, you wouldn''t. Your senses are as fake as your golden light."


    Without waiting for a response, I dove into the water. Theke was surprisingly deep, extending far below what seemed possible. I swam downward, following the strengthening current of qi. My lungs burned, but I pushed deeper.


    Finally, I found it—a narrow gap in theke bed where pure, crystalline qi flowed upward like an underwater geyser. This wasn''t just any energy source. This was primordial qi, the kind that could supercharge cultivation.


    I positioned myself directly in the flow and began to absorb it. The power rushed into my meridians, filling them to bursting. My dantian expanded, greedily consuming the ancient energy. This was exactly what I needed to prepare for my confrontation with the Veridia City Martial Guild.


    Minutes passed as I floated in the underwater current, my body transforming the raw qi into usable power. My cultivation level surged, pushing me closer to a breakthrough. When my lungs finally demanded air, I reluctantly swam back to the surface.


    I broke through the water''s surface with a gasp, finding Phoebe Reeves and several guards waiting anxiously at theke''s edge. The imposter stood behind them, his expression a mix of curiosity and caution.


    "What did you find down there?" Phoebe asked, her hostility now tempered with interest.


    I pulled myself from the water. "A spring of ancient qi. It''s likely what''s been causing your water ''contamination.'' It''s not harmful—quite the opposite. This spring could be the foundation of a powerful cultivation method."


    "Ridiculous," the fake Liam interjected. "If such a treasure existed here, it would be widely known."


    I ignored him, addressing Phoebe directly. "The spring has likely only recently connected to thiske. The flow will continue to strengthen. You''ve stumbled upon a precious resource."


    Phoebe''s eyes narrowed with calction. "You speak with confidence for someone I don''t believe."


    I shrugged, water dripping from my clothes. "Believe what you want. I''ve found what I came for."


    I walked past them, heading back toward thepound''s exit. I had no interest in convincing them of my identity. The qi spring would give me the boost I needed—that was all that mattered.


    ---


    From across the courtyard, I watched as Phoebe pulled the imposter aside, speaking in hushed but urgent tones. Their conversation was private, but with my enhanced senses, I could hear every word.


    "Can you truly help us defend Beaufort Tower?" she asked him, anxiety clear in her voice.


    The fake Liam puffed out his chest. "Of course. My reputation speaks for itself."


    "I''ve heard Bodhi Gordon ns to seize it by force," Phoebe whispered, fear evident in her trembling hands. "He''s a half-step Martial Marquis. His backing from the Ascendant Saints Order makes him untouchable."


    The imposter''s confidence wavered slightly. "Bodhi Gordon? The local tyrant?"


    "Yes," Phoebe nodded. "He''s determined to take control of Verdant City, starting with Beaufort Tower."


    "A half-step Martial Marquis is nothing," the fake Liam dered loudly, though I noticed his knuckles whitening. "I''ll handle him easily."


    Phoebe''s relief was palpable. "Then the promise stands. If you help us defend against Bodhi Gordon, I''ll... I''ll do whatever you asked for." Her voice dropped even lower. "Even though the price is high."


    The imposter''s eyes lit up with greedy anticipation. "I''m a man of my word, Sect Master Reeves. Your tower will be safe."


    I frowned. Whatever this fraud had demanded from Phoebe, it was clearly something she was reluctant to give. Not my problem, though. I needed to continue my cultivation with the qi from the spring.


    Just as I turned to leave, a disciple came running into the courtyard, face pale with panic. "Sect Master! Sect Master Reeves! Bodhi Gordon has been spotted approaching Beaufort Tower with twenty of his men!"


    The blood drained from the imposter''s face. His performance of confidence copsed instantly. I saw him swallow hard, his eyes darting around as if searching for an escape route.


    Phoebe turned to him, desperation in her eyes. "Master Knight, we need your help now. Please, remember your promise."


    The fake Liam''s hands trembled slightly. "I... of course. Just give me a moment to... prepare my techniques."


    This chapter is from the collection at *.


    His eyes met mine across the courtyard, and in that moment, I saw pure terror. He knew he was trapped in his own lie, about to be exposed when faced with a genuine threat.


    I should have walked away. These people meant nothing to me. Their problems were not mine. I needed to focus on gaining strength for my own battles, for saving Isabelle.


    But something about Phoebe''s desperate hope and the imposter''s mounting fear kept me rooted in ce.


    A voice suddenly boomed from the direction of thepound entrance. It was deep, imposing, filled with arrogance and power.


    "This half-step Martial Marquis is nothing? Who''s talking madly?"


    The imposter''s face wentpletely white. His mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air.


    Bodhi Gordon had arrived, and the pretender''s game was about to end violently.