## Liam''s Perspective


    Pain. Blinding, searing pain raced through my body. The final fragment of the Ice Heart was too much. Every meridian in my body felt like it was being torn apart.


    "Argh!" I copsed to my knees, clutching my chest.


    My dantian roiled with unchecked power. Ice crystals formed on my skin, spreading rapidly across my arms. I was freezing from the inside out.


    "No... not like this," I gasped.


    The breakthrough to Military Marquis was within reach, yet slipping away. The Ice Heart''s power was overwhelming me instead of transforming me.


    I forced myself into a meditation pose despite the agony. My consciousness dove inward, confronting the raging storm of energy. The cold was absolute. Merciless. Deadly.


    My thoughts turned to Isabelle. Her captivity. Her suffering. I couldn''t fail now.


    "Control it," Imanded myself. "Don''t fight the cold. Be it."


    Something shifted. Instead of resisting the Ice Heart''s energy, I embraced it. Weed it. The change was immediate.


    The ice spreading across my skin receded. My meridians, instead of shattering, began to expand. Energy flowed where before it had been blocked.


    A crack appeared in the barrier to Military Marquis realm.


    Then another.


    And another.


    The barrier shatteredpletely. Power surged through me in a relentless wave, reforging my body from within. My spiritual sense expanded exponentially, suddenly able to perceive the entirety of Jade Moon Vi and beyond.


    I''d done it. Military Marquis realm atst.


    When I opened my eyes, frost coated the walls of my chamber. My breath came out in visible puffs despite the summer heat outside.


    "Isabelle," I whispered, "I''ming for you."


    A knock at the door interrupted my moment of triumph.


    "Master Knight!" It was Kim, one of the newer disciples. Her voice trembled. "They''re here! The Ascendant Saints Order! Master Phoebe says toe quickly!"


    I rose to my feet, feeling my new power humming beneath my skin.


    "I''ll be right there."


    ---


    I emerged to find Jade Moon Vi in chaos. Disciples ran in all directions, some carrying valuables, others weapons.


    Phoebe Reeves stood at the main gate, her face pale but determined. Behind her, the senior disciples formed a protective line. <code ss="meta-ref-static">This chapter was made possible by the *munity.</code>


    Beyond them stood Josiah Hale and at least fifty Ascendant Saints cultivators.


    "Where is Liam Knight?" Josiah demanded as I approached. "Bring out the upstart who dares challenge my authority!"


    Phoebe''s eyes flicked toward me. Relief washed over her face.


    "Master Hale," she said carefully, "there''s no need for conflict. We can discuss—"


    "The time for discussion has passed!" Josiah cut her off. "You harbored a man who insulted the Ascendant Saints Order. Now you''ll all pay the price."


    I stepped forward. "I''m Liam Knight."


    Josiah''s eyes locked onto me. His aura red, testing mine. For a moment, confusion flickered across his face. He''d expected a Military General at most, not the power level I now radiated.


    "So," he said, recovering quickly, "the rat emerges from his hole."


    "This isn''t necessary," I said. "Your quarrel is with me, not Jade Moon Vi."


    Josiahughed. "You think you can dictate terms to me? I am Josiah Hale, Sect Master of the Ascendant Saints Order and Military Saint!"


    "And yet you bring fifty men to face one opponent," I observed coolly. "Not very confident for a Saint."


    His face darkened. "Your insolence knows no bounds. I came not just to kill you, but to make an example of everyone who sheltered you."


    Phoebe stepped forward. "Master Hale, perhaps we can offerpensation. The Iceheart Lake—"


    "Silence!" Josiah roared. "I''ll take theke after I''ve razed this ce to the ground!"


    I looked at Phoebe. "Get everyone to safety. This isn''t your fight."


    "But—"


    "Go," I insisted. "Now."


    She hesitated, then nodded. "Everyone, retreat to the inner sanctum!"


    As the disciples withdrew, Josiah sneered. "Running won''t save them. No one defies the Ascendant Saints and lives."


    "You''re not touching anyone here," I said, centering my stance. "This ends between you and me."


    Josiahughed again. "Such bravado from a new Marquis. Yes, I can sense your recent breakthrough. But the gap between us remains vast."


    I didn''t respond, gathering my energy instead. The cold power of the Ice Heart stirred within me, ready to be unleashed.


    "Master!" One of Josiah''s followers stepped forward. A vaguely familiar face. "I can show you where he''s been hiding."


    My blood ran cold. A traitor within Jade Moon Vi.


    "Wyatt Chen," I muttered, recognizing the disciple who had arrived just weeks ago.


    Phoebe''s face contorted with rage. "You treacherous—"


    "Very good," Josiah cut her off. "Show me everything."


    Wyatt bowed. "The upstart has a secret chamber where he''s been cultivating. This way."


    Josiah smiled cruelly. "Excellent. Men, secure the perimeter. No one leaves. I''ll deal with Knight personally."


    I clenched my fists. The betrayal stung, but I couldn''t focus on that now. Josiah wasing for me, and I needed every advantage.


    "Phoebe," I said quietly, "go. Protect the others."


    She hesitated. "Be careful, Liam. He''s not just powerful—he''s ruthless."


    I nodded, watching as Wyatt led Josiah toward my private chamber. The other disciples retreated deeper into the vipound.


    Minutester, Josiah burst into my meditation room, his eyes sweeping the frost-covered walls.


    "Interesting," he remarked. "The Ice Heart''s energy. So that''s how you managed your breakthrough."


    I stood in the center of the room, unmoving. "Leave Jade Moon Vi now, and I''ll let this go."


    Josiah''sugh was genuine this time. "You''ll ''let this go''? Boy, do you have any idea who you''re talking to?"


    "A bully hiding behind his sect''s reputation," I replied evenly.


    His eyes narrowed dangerously. "I''ve crushed insects with more power than you. Your pathetic breakthrough means nothing."


    "Then why bring an army?" I challenged. "Why not face me alone?"


    "To eradicate all trace of your existence," he said simply. "After today, no one will remember Liam Knight or Jade Moon Vi."


    I felt a cold rage building inside me. Not just for myself, but for everyone here. For Phoebe who had trusted me with their greatest treasure. For the disciples who had epted me.


    "I won''t let you hurt these people," I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.


    "You have no say in the matter." Josiah''s aura exploded outward, golden light filling the room.


    I stood my ground as the pressure washed over me. It was immense—far beyond anything I''d faced before. The gap between a new Military Marquis and an established Military Saint was painfully obvious.


    But I didn''t flinch.


    "Last chance," I warned, drawing on my newly forged power.


    Josiah''s patience snapped. With a roar of fury, he unleashed his full aura.


    The walls cracked. Furniture splintered. Nearby disciples were thrown off their feet by the pressure wave.


    The battle for Jade Moon Vi had begun.