## Liam''s Perspective


    Bodhi Gordon''s eyes widened as my power held his de at bay. Disbelief crossed his face.


    "You''re no ordinary cultivator," he hissed.


    "I never imed to be." I pushed back against his sword, my golden qi ring.


    Bodhi jumped backward,nding with practiced grace at theke''s edge. His subordinates regrouped around him, their formation tightening.


    "Master Gordon, we should attack together," one suggested.


    Bodhi''s eyes never left mine. "Who sent you here? Was it the Veridia Guild?"


    "Nobody sent me." I stood casually, letting my power flow naturally. "I was simply cultivating until you interrupted."


    "In our territory?" Bodhi''s face reddened. "Thiske belongs to the Ascendant Saints Order now!"


    The name of that sect sent a burning rage through my veins. Memories of what they''d done to Isabelle shed in my mind.


    "Ascendant Saints Order?" My voice dropped dangerously low. "Then I''m definitely in the right ce."


    Bodhi sensed the change in my demeanor. He raised his hand, signaling his men to ready themselves.


    "Formation Three!" hemanded.


    The twenty subordinates moved with practiced precision, surrounding theke. Five Grandmasters positioned themselves at key points, channeling their qi into the water.


    Theke''s surface began to churn violently.


    "Water Prison Formation!" Bodhi shouted triumphantly. "Let''s see how powerful you are when trapped underwater with nowhere to escape!"


    Theke erupted upward, water spiraling around me in a massive vortex. Theirbined power was impressive – they were trying to drown me in a pir of controlled water.


    I remained still, letting them waste their energy.


    "Is he not resisting?" one of the Grandmasters asked nervously.


    Bodhiughed. "He knows it''s futile! Copse the formation!"


    The water crashed down,pletely engulfing me. To the observers, it looked like I''d been swallowed by theke.


    Under the surface, I activated my Heaven Swallowing Skill. Instead of fighting the water, I let it flow through me, absorbing its energy.


    Above me, they waited for my body to float up.


    I gathered theke''s qi into a tight ball in my core,pressing it until it felt hot asva. Then I released it all at once.


    Theke exploded outward.


    Bodies flew through the air as the water erupted like a volcano. Bodhi and his men were thrown in all directions, crashing into trees and buildings around thepound.


    I stood at the center of the now-emptykebed,pletely dry.


    Phoebe Reeves and her disciples stared in shock from the courtyard. None of them had ever seen someone counter a Water Prison Formation like that.


    Bodhi pulled himself up, coughing water from his lungs. "What kind of monster are you?"


    "The kind that doesn''t appreciate interruptions." I stepped out of thekebed toward him.


    One of his subordinates scrambled to his feet. "Master Gordon! This man is dangerous!"


    "I can see that," Bodhi spat, wiping blood from his mouth.


    Another subordinate, a middle-aged man with a beard, pointed at me. "It''s him! The one who challenged the Veridia Guild! The Order wants him dead or alive!"


    "The Ascendant Saints Order," I said slowly, "has taken something precious from me. I''m going to destroy every member I find until I get her back."


    The bearded man nched. "You dare threaten the Order? Do you know who we serve?"


    "I don''t care if you serve the heavens themselves." My golden qi red brighter. "Anyone associated with the Ascendant Saints Order is my enemy."


    The man pulled out a jade token. "I invoke the protection of Martial Saint Ren! As his direct subordinate, harming me is—"


    I didn''t let him finish. My hand shot out, crushing his throat before he could utter another word. The jade token ttered to the ground.


    "Anyone else want to invoke your masters?" I asked coldly.


    Panic spread through their ranks. Bodhi''s face turned ashen.


    "Grandmasters! Attack together!" hemanded. <i ss="frag-56d8bd">Content<i ss="node-sep"></i>presented<i ss="node-sep"></i>by<i ss="node-sep"></i>*.</i>


    The five Grandmastersunched themselves at me simultaneously. Each was powerful enough to level a small city. Together, they created a storm of destructive energy.


    I met their attack head-on.


    My fist connected with the first Grandmaster''s chest. His ribcage copsed instantly. The second lost his head to a swift chop. The third and fourth I caught by their throats, crushing their windpipes before they could even scream.


    The fifth Grandmaster managed tond a blow on my shoulder. His hand shattered on impact with my Chaotic Body.


    "Impossible!" he gasped, staring at his mangled fingers.


    I ended his suffering with a quick palm strike to his heart.


    All five Grandmasters dead in under ten seconds. The remaining subordinates froze in terror.


    Bodhi Gordon backed away slowly. "You... you''re not human."


    "Coming from the Ascendant Saints Order, I''ll take that as apliment." I stepped toward him.


    He drew his sword again, desperation in his eyes. "I am a half-step Martial Marquis! You cannot defeat me so easily!"


    "Can''t I?" I moved faster than his eyes could track.


    By the time he registered my movement, I was already behind him. My hand rested on his shoulder.


    "You chose the wrong side, Bodhi Gordon." My voice was soft in his ear.


    He tried to turn, to strike with his sword, but his body wouldn''t respond.


    "What did you do to me?" Fear cracked his voice.


    "Pressure points." I tightened my grip. "Now, before you die, tell me where the Ascendant Saints Order is holding Isabelle Ashworth."


    "I don''t know any Isabelle!" he gasped. "I''m just here to im the territory!"


    I scanned his face for deception. He was telling the truth. He was too low in the hierarchy to know about Isabelle.


    "Then you have nothing of value to offer me." I activated my Heaven Swallowing Skill.


    Bodhi screamed as his essence was drawn from his body. His cultivation, his life force, his very being - all flowed into me, strengthening my core.


    When I released him, he copsed to the ground, a withered husk.


    His remaining men fled in panic, scattering into the forest surrounding thepound.


    I let them go. They would spread the word. Liam Knight had dered war on the Ascendant Saints Order.


    Theke began to refill slowly as underground springs pushed water back to the surface. Nature restoring its bnce.


    "You... you really are Liam Knight." Phoebe Reeves approached cautiously, keeping a respectful distance.


    I turned to face her. "Yes."


    "You saved us." She bowed deeply. "Bodhi Gordon came to seize Beaufort Tower. Without you..."


    "I didn''t do it for you." I cut her off. "I have my own reasons for opposing the Ascendant Saints Order."


    Phoebe straightened. "Regardless, you have my gratitude. Beaufort Tower has been my family''s legacy for generations."


    I studied her briefly. She was beautiful, no question. Her dark eyes held intelligence and calction. A survivor, like me.


    "You should leave this ce," I advised. "The Order will send more people when these don''t report back."


    "We have nowhere else to go." Determination hardened her features. "This is our home."


    I shrugged. "Then you''ll likely die here."


    "Unless..." She hesitated. "Unless you stay to protect us."


    I almostughed. "I''m not a guardian for hire."


    "Please." She stepped closer. "Just for a short time. Until we can strengthen our defenses. I''ll make it worth your while."


    The sincerity in her voice gave me pause. I remembered Mariana''s words about building alliances. Beaufort Tower could be a useful base of operations in this region.


    "One night," I conceded. "I''ll stay until morning."


    Relief washed over her face. "Thank you, Master Knight. Please, allow me to show you to our guest chambers."


    The disciples parted respectfully as we walked through the courtyard. Word of what I''d done had spread quickly. Fear and awe painted their faces.


    Phoebe led me to a building separated from the main quarters. Inside, a spacious room awaited with fresh clothes and a basin of warm water.


    "I hope this meets your needs," she said, stepping inside behind me.


    I heard the door close. Then the distinct click of a lock.


    I turned to find Phoebe leaning against the door, her eyes fixed on mine. Slowly, deliberately, she reached down and unzipped her ck miniskirt. It fell to the floor.


    "Allow me to show my personal gratitude, Master Knight." Her voice was husky with intention. "Let''s spend a spring night together."