## Liam''s Perspective


    "This half-step Martial Marquis is nothing?" The voice echoed across the courtyard, dripping with menace.


    I remained hidden, watching the scene unfold from the shadows near theke. Bodhi Gordon strode into thepound like he owned it, nked by twenty men in formation. Power radiated from him in waves. Not quite a full Martial Marquis, but close enough to terrify everyone present.


    Phoebe Reeves stiffened, her face a mask of practiced calm. The pretender who''d been using my name looked ready to faint.


    "Sect Master Reeves." Bodhi Gordon gave a mocking bow. "I''vee a day early. I hope that''s not inconvenient."


    "Master Gordon," Phoebe said, her voice admirably steady. "We weren''t expecting you until tomorrow."


    Bodhi''s eyes swept over her figure with undisguised lust. "I couldn''t wait to see Beaufort Tower... and its beautiful Sect Master."


    One of his men snickered. The sound echoed in the tense silence.


    "What brings you here?" Phoebe asked.


    "Orders from the Ascendant Saints Order." Bodhi''s smile widened. "Beaufort Tower is to be seized immediately as the foundation for our new sect."


    Phoebe''s face went pale. "That''s impossible. This tower has belonged to my family for generations."


    "Times change." Bodhi stepped closer. "Though I might be persuaded to let you maintain... certain privileges. If you''re willing to serve under me."


    The double meaning wasn''t lost on anyone. Several of his menughed openly now.


    "How dare you!" The fake Liam suddenly stepped forward. "You will show respect to Sect Master Reeves!"


    All eyes turned to him. Bodhi Gordon looked amused. "And who might you be?"


    "I am Liam Knight!" The imposter dered, though his voice cracked slightly. "Guardian of the weak and enemy to tyrants like you!"


    I almostughed. His performance was pathetic.


    Bodhi studied him with narrowed eyes. "Liam Knight? The same Liam Knight who challenged Veridia City Martial Guild?" He turned to one of his subordinates. "Zhang, test him."


    A burly man with a scar across his face stepped forward. "With pleasure, Master."


    The fake Liam raised his hands in what he clearly thought was an impressive stance. "Prepare yourself!"


    Zhang didn''t even bother with a stance. He simply flicked his wrist.


    A wave of qi knocked the imposter off his feet. He crashed into a wall, blood spurting from his nose.


    "Pathetic," Zhang spat. "This isn''t Liam Knight."


    Bodhi walked over to the fallen man and grabbed him by the throat. "Who are you really?"


    "Please..." The man choked. "I''m nobody... just a wandering cultivator. I thought... I could use his name for protection."


    "You thought to steal my position?" Bodhi squeezed tighter. "To interfere with my ns?"


    "No! I just wanted... I heard you wereing tomorrow. Thought I''d... impress the Sect Master... get some benefits before you arrived."


    Phoebe''s face showed her disgust and betrayal.


    "You''re not even worth killing." Bodhi threw him to the ground.


    The imposter scrambled to his knees. "Thank you, Master Gordon! I''ll leave immediately—"


    A de shed. The imposter''s head rolled across the courtyard.


    "I changed my mind," Bodhi said, wiping his sword. "Liars irritate me."


    Phoebe took a step back, her eyes wide with fear.


    Bodhi turned his attention back to her. "Now, about our arrangement..."


    One of his subordinates suddenly interrupted. "Master Gordon, before we proceed with thedy, we should check theke. The reports mentioned unusual qi fluctuations from there."


    Bodhi frowned at the interruption but nodded. "Lead the way. I want to see this phenomenon myself."


    I silently retreated deeper into the shadows as they approached theke. This was gettingplicated. I''d intended to return to the underwater spring for more cultivation, but now these interlopers were heading straight for it.


    Bodhi and three of his men reached theke''s edge. One dipped his hand in the water.


    "There''s definitely a powerful qi source below," he confirmed. "The reports were urate. This is perfect for the Ascendant Saints Order''s new sect foundation."


    Bodhi smiled. "Excellent. Let''s investigate further."


    Without hesitation, they dove into the water. I cursed under my breath. They were heading straight for my cultivation spot. I had to move quickly.


    I slipped into theke from a different angle, diving deep with practiced ease. The underground current guided me back to the gap where the pure qi flowed upward like a geyser.


    I''d just positioned myself in the flow when I sensed them approaching.


    Through the clear water, I saw Bodhi and his men swimming down. Their eyes widened when they spotted me bathing in the qi stream.


    I remained calm, continuing to absorb the energy. No point hiding now.


    We locked eyes underwater. Recognition dawned on Bodhi''s face. He hadn''t expected to find anyone here, let alone someone already essing the secret qi source.


    One of his men pointed at me, then made a shing gesture across his throat. Even underwater, the meaning was clear: Kill the intruder.


    Bodhi nodded, drawing his sword. The de glowed with qi energy even beneath the water.


    I sighed internally. I hadn''te looking for a fight, but they''d found me anyway. Always someone trying to kill me these days.


    Bodhi propelled himself toward me, sword aimed at my heart. His subordinates spread out to cut off my escape routes.


    I remained still, continuing to absorb the qi stream until thest possible moment.


    Then I moved.


    Water exploded around us as my Chaotic Body responded to the threat. Golden light swirled with darkness, creating a vortex that threw Bodhi backward.


    His men''s faces registered shock. This was no ordinary opponent.


    We couldn''t speak underwater, but we didn''t need words. They''de to im this ce as their own. I was in their way.


    One of them attacked from my left, a spear thrust aimed at my side. I caught it with my bare hand, channeling the absorbed qi directly into my palm. The spear shattered.


    Theke water around us began to bubble and churn as our qi energies collided. This wouldn''t end well for the underwater environment. I needed to take this fight to the surface.


    I kicked upward, bursting from the water like a missile. Bodhi and his men followed momentster.


    Wended on different sides of theke, facing each other across the rippling surface. <cite ss="in-imprint-a">Thetest chapters are always avable first on *.</cite>


    "Who are you?" Bodhi demanded, water streaming from his clothes. "How dare you trespass on Ascendant Saints Order territory!"


    I almostughed. "Your territory? Since when?"


    "Since I imed it." His eyes narrowed. "You''re absorbing the qi from the secret spring. You know what''s down there."


    "I found it first," I said simply.


    "Kill him," Bodhi ordered his men. "He knows too much."


    The three subordinates spread out, preparing to attack. I stood my ground, letting the golden light of my Saintly Body Skill flow visibly across my skin.


    One of them hesitated. "Master Gordon... his qi signature... could he be—"


    "Attack!" Bodhi shouted.


    They rushed me simultaneously from three directions. Predictable. I waited until thest moment, then unleashed a wave of pure qi that knocked all three back.


    Bodhi''s eyes widened. "That technique... who are you really?"


    I straightened up, letting my full aura re. "You wanted to meet Liam Knight? Well, here I am."


    His face paled, then darkened with rage. "Impossible! You''re supposed to be in Veridia City!"


    "I get around," I said dryly.


    Across thepound, I could see Phoebe Reeves watching with astonishment. The realization that she''d been deceived by an imposter—and that the real Liam Knight had been right under her nose—was dawning on her face.


    Bodhi Gordon took a step back, reassessing the situation. "If you truly are Liam Knight, then you''re even more valuable dead. The Ascendant Saints Order has ced a bounty on your head."


    "They''ll need to do better than sending you." I shifted my stance slightly, preparing for his attack.


    His face contorted with fury. "I am Bodhi Gordon! Half-step Martial Marquis and future Elder of the Ascendant Saints Order! You are nothing but a lucky upstart!"


    He charged, sword zing with qi. The water of theke parted before his attack, creating a momentary trench.


    I stood my ground, gathering the energy I''d absorbed from the spring. As his de descended, I raised my hand.


    Our energies collided with a thunderous crash. Light exploded outward, blinding everyone watching.


    When the re faded, Bodhi stood frozen, his sword stopped just inches from my palm.


    "Impossible," he whispered. "How did you—"


    I smiled. "That''s the problem with half-steps, Bodhi Gordon. They''re never quite enough."