## Liam''s Perspective


    The morning sun cast long shadows across Jade Moon Vi as I surveyed what was once a derelict courtyard. Now it bustled with life. Disciples in freshly minted robes moved with purpose, carrying herbs, scrolls, and cultivation tools. Our transformation had been swift and deliberate.


    Three days. That''s all it had taken to resurrect this ce from the ashes.


    "Master Knight!" A young disciple approached, bowing deeply. "The new members have assembled in the main hall as requested."


    I nodded, satisfaction warming my chest. "How many?"


    "Three hundred and seventeen, sir. More arrive by the hour."


    Perfect. Exactly the pressure I needed.


    The main hall buzzed with excitement as I entered. Hundreds of eager faces turned toward me, conversation dying instantly. These weren''t elite cultivators—just ordinary people with dreams of advancement. Dreams I could leverage.


    "Wee to Jade Moon Vi," I announced, my voice carrying to every corner. "You''ve made a wise choice joining us."


    I paused, letting my gaze sweep across the crowd. Some looked nervous, others hopeful. All were useful pawns in my game against Phoebe Reeves.


    "As promised, all members will have ess to our resources, including supervised time at Iceheart Lake." This elicited murmurs of excitement. "Additionally, each of you will receive one Divine Energy Pill to elerate your cultivation."


    The murmurs turned to gasps. Divine Energy Pills were rare treasures, typically reserved for the elite.


    "Training begins tomorrow at dawn. Dismiss."


    As the crowd dispersed, Phoebe approached me, her face a mask of strained politeness.


    "Mr. Knight, may I have a word?"


    I gestured toward a private alcove. Once alone, her facade cracked.


    "What are you doing?" she hissed. "Three hundred people? Theke cannot sustain so many!"


    I shrugged. "They won''t all use it simultaneously."


    "That''s not the point!" Her voice trembled with barely contained anger. "Iceheart Lake is sacred, not some public bath!"


    "It''s a resource," I corrected coldly. "One that''s been underutilized."


    Phoebe''s eyes narrowed. "Is this your strategy? Flood my ancestral home with strangers to force my hand?"


    "I don''t know what you mean," I replied innocently. "I''m simply building the vi as agreed. The fact that it pressures you to share your little secret is merely... convenient."


    Before she could respond, another disciple interrupted with a bow. "Master Knight, the first batch of Divine Energy Pills is ready for inspection."


    I nodded. "Excuse me, Phoebe. Duty calls."


    Her re followed me as I walked away. The hook was set.


    ---


    Night had fallen by the time I entered my private alchemy chamber. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I hunched over a bubbling cauldron. This was my third straight night without sleep.


    The Divine Energy Pills weren''t just bribes for new members. Each one required intense concentration and precise control of my spiritual energy. The exhaustion was worth it—these pills would cement loyalty and create dependence. Building an organization required both fear and reward.


    A knock interrupted my focus.


    "Enter," I called, not looking up from my work.


    The door creaked open. Phoebe stood there, expression softer than earlier. Pride swelled in me—she wasing around faster than expected.


    "You should rest," she said, eyeing the dark circles under my eyes.


    I shook my head. "Can''t. Still have eighty pills to finish by morning."


    She stepped closer, watching my hands work with practiced precision. "Where did you learn such advanced alchemy?"


    "Here and there," I answered vaguely. No need to mention my ancient inheritance or Jackson''s teachings.


    "The vi''s transformation is... impressive," she admitted reluctantly. "I never imagined what this ce could be."


    I allowed myself a small smile. "This is just the beginning."


    Silence stretched between us as I continued working. Finally, Phoebe spoke again.


    "The disciples speak highly of you. They believe in your vision."


    "People always want to believe in something," I replied. "I''m just giving them the opportunity."


    Another long pause. She was wrestling with something internally.


    "If I were to help you advance to Military Marquis," she said carefully, "what would be of Iceheart Lake? Of my home?"


    I set down my tools and faced her directly. "It would continue as it is now, under your stewardship. With one difference—it would have my protection."


    "Your protection," she echoed skeptically.


    "Yes. Against anyone who might seek to im it."


    Understanding flickered in her eyes. She wasn''t naive. She knew what my words implied.


    "I need time to consider," she said finally.


    I nodded, returning to my work. "Don''t take too long."


    As the door closed behind her, I allowed myself a genuine smile. The pieces were falling into ce.


    ---


    The next morning, I personally distributed Divine Energy Pills to the new disciples. Their gratitude was palpable, their loyalty growing by the minute. Some even knelt before me, swearing oaths of service.


    From the corner of my eye, I spotted Phoebe watching, her face aplex mixture of emotions. She understood what I was building—a force, a foundation of power centered on her preciouske.


    After the ceremony, she approached again.


    "Walk with me," she requested quietly.


    We strolled through the vi grounds, past training disciples and renovated buildings.


    "In three days, you''ve aplished what I couldn''t in years," she admitted. "The vi breathes again."


    "Is that admiration I hear?" I asked, unable to resist needling her.


    She sighed. "Perhaps. But also concern. This rapid growth draws attention. Attention we may not want."


    "Meaning?"


    "The Ascendant Saints Order has noticed our activities. Their scouts have been watching our gates."


    I feigned surprise. "Josiah''s men? Here?"


    "You shouldn''t have antagonized him," she chided. "He''s not someone to trifle with."


    I waved dismissively. "He''s a problem for another day."


    "No," she said firmly, stopping to face me. "He''s a problem now."


    Something in her tone made me tense. "What happened?"


    "A messenger came while you were distributing pills. Josiah Hale has issued an ultimatum. We have three days to disband Jade Moon Vi, or he''ll destroy it—and everyone inside."


    I maintained a calm exterior, though inwardly I was celebrating. This was exactly the pressure I needed.


    "How certain are his threats?" I asked.


    "Very." Fear tinged Phoebe''s voice. "He''s a Military Saint. He could level this entireplex with a wave of his hand."


    I frowned thoughtfully. "That ces us in quite the predicament."


    "Us?" Sheughed bitterly. "This is your doing! You''ve brought this danger to my doorstep!"


    "Our doorstep," I corrected gently. "And yes, perhaps I''ve elerated matters. But Josiah would havee for Iceheart Lake eventually. People like him always do."


    Her shoulders slumped as the truth of my words sank in.


    "What do we do?" she asked, suddenly sounding much older than her years.


    I gazed at the disciples training in the courtyard. "We have three options. Comply and disband. Fight and likely die. Or..."


    "Or?" she pressed when I trailed off.


    "Or I reach Military Marquis and face him on more equal footing."


    Phoebe shook her head. "Even as a Military Marquis, you''d be outmatched."


    "Perhaps," I conceded. "But it would give us a chance."


    We walked in silence for several minutes before I spoke again, voice carefully measured. <i ss="frag-098dee">Find<i ss="node-sep"></i>the<i ss="node-sep"></i>trantion<i ss="node-sep"></i>on<i ss="node-sep"></i>MV&LEMPYR.</i>


    "There''s something else to consider, Phoebe. What happens to Iceheart Lake if you die?"


    She stiffened. "What?"


    "If Josiah attacks and you perish," I continued matter-of-factly, "who inherits theke? Does it pass to a family member? Or would it be property of the Ascendant Saints Order?"


    Her face paled as the implication hit her. "They... they would im it. There''s no one else."


    I nodded solemnly. "So either way, Josiah gets what he wants. Unless..."


    "Unless I help you be strong enough to defend it," she finished, voice barely a whisper.


    I stopped walking, turning to face her fully. "The choice is yours. But remember—three days."


    Leaving her with that thought, I returned to the main hall where more disciples awaited my attention. My n was unfolding perfectly. Sometimes, the best way to gain an ally was to create amon enemy.


    ---


    That evening, I found Phoebe meditating beside Iceheart Lake. Moonlight reflected off the crystalline surface, bathing everything in ethereal blue light.


    "Have you decided?" I asked quietly, sitting beside her.


    She opened her eyes slowly. "Why do you want this so badly? The truth this time."


    I considered lying but opted for a partial truth instead. "Someone I love is being held prisoner. Only with greater power can I free her."


    Something in my voice must have convinced her, because her expression softened.


    "This woman must be extraordinary."


    "She is," I affirmed. "Worth any price."


    Phoebe gazed out across theke. "My grandmother entrusted this ce to me with strict instructions. The secret of the gap—the technique to break through to Military Marquis—was to be shared only with one who would protect Iceheart Lake with their life."


    "And you don''t believe that''s me," I stated, not a question.


    "I don''t know what to believe anymore." She sighed deeply. "But I do know that Josiah Hale cannot be allowed to possess this ce."


    She turned to me, eyes searching mine. "If I help you, you must swear to defend thiske against all threats. To preserve its sanctity. To keep it from bing a tool for power-hungry men."


    "I swear it," I replied without hesitation. The oath was genuine enough—I had no interest in destroying theke.


    Phoebe nodded slowly, reaching some internal resolution.


    "Rather than giving Iceheart Lake to the Ascendant Saints Order," she murmured, almost to herself, "it''s better to entrust it to Mr. Knight."


    My heart raced. This was it—the breakthrough I needed.


    "Tomorrow night," she said, her voice stronger now. "Under the full moon. Come alone, and I''ll show you how to cross the gap."