I sensed them the moment I stepped through the Academy gates. Eight distinct auras, carefully positioned throughout the courtyard. Not ordinary Guild members—these were trained killers.


    The courtyardy deceptively peaceful before me, bathed in moonlight. Stone pathways wound between ornate training tforms and meditation gardens. Any other time, I might have appreciated the craftsmanship. Tonight, it was just terrain to navigate—or die on.


    I took three more steps forward, pretending ignorance. Better to let them think they still had the element of surprise.


    "Liam Knight," a deep voice called from the shadows. "Your intrusions end tonight."


    So much for their patience. They materialized from hiding spots around the courtyard—eight ck-robed figures, each radiating the unmistakable aura of mid-term Military Marquis. Powerful opponents individually. Potentially lethal as a group.


    "The Veridia City Martial Guild sends its regards," said their leader, a broad-shouldered man with a prominent facial scar. "Though I admit, we expected you days ago."


    I kept my expression neutral. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I had other business."


    "It no longer matters," the leader replied, drawing a wicked-looking curved sword. "Your business in this world concludes tonight."


    The eight of them formed a perfect circle around me, cutting off any avenue of escape. Each wore the distinctive ck and gold robes of Guild specialists. This wasn''t some hastily assembled kill squad—these people had trained together, fought together.


    "Let me guess," I said, scanning their positioning. "Emerson Holmes arranged this little reception?"


    A woman with twin daggers at her hips smiled coldly. "Does it matter who signed your death warrant? The result remains the same."


    I needed to assess my options quickly. The courtyard had multiple exit points, but I could already see the faint glow of formation talismans blocking each one. Breaking through would require time I likely wouldn''t have. <dfn ss="meta-ref-static">This chapter was made possible by the *munity.</dfn>


    "At least tell me one thing," I said, my hand casually moving to my sword hilt. "Is Isabelle Ashworth being held here?"


    The leader chuckled. "You won''t live long enough for that information to matter."


    With practiced synchronization, all eight attackers drew their weapons. I pulled my sword free in response, the metal gleaming in the moonlight.


    I struck first, driving my de toward the leader with explosive speed. But instead of the satisfying resistance of flesh, my sword met something far more solid. The man had blocked my attack with a gauntleted hand, the metal glowing with an unusual sheen.


    "ck Gold Stone," he exined with a smirk. "Imported specifically to deal with that fancy sword of yours."


    I disengaged quickly, narrowly avoiding a counterattack from my left. This wasn''t good. They''de prepared specifically for me.


    Time to withdraw and rethink. I feinted right, then made a break for the nearest exit—only to m into an invisible barrier that red golden on impact.


    "Did you really think escape would be that simple?" the dagger woman taunted. "The formations are designed to keep you in, not others out."


    I whirled to face the circle of attackers again, mind racing for a solution. Before I could formte a n, a crushing pressure descended on my mind—a Divine Sense Attack from one of the robed figures in the back.


    My knees buckled as the psychic assault overwhelmed my defenses. Seconds of vulnerability were all they needed. A brutal kick connected with my sternum, sending me sprawling onto the stone pavement.


    "Pathetic," spat the leader. "President Bat was concerned about you? You''re nothing but an amateur ying at things beyond your understanding."


    Before I could recover, golden tendrils of light erupted from the ground, wrapping around my limbs and pinning me in ce. The formation talismans had been more extensive than I''d realized.


    "Emerson Holmes specifically requested we take our time with you," the leader said, approaching with unhurried steps. "But Guild resources are too valuable to waste on prolonged entertainments."


    He raised his hand, and a de-shaped artifact materialized above my chest, pulsing with deadly energy. I recognized it immediately—a Soul Severing Needle, capable of destroying a cultivator''s core along with their body.


    "Anyst words, Knight?" the leader asked, his finger poised to activate the deadly artifact.


    I''d hoped to avoid this, but they''d left me no choice. With a deep breath, I activated my Saintly Body Skill.


    Golden light erupted from within me, zing through my skin and enveloping my entire body in radiant protection. The binding tendrils sizzled on contact with the divine energy, disintegrating into particles of light.


    The leader stumbled back, momentarily blinded. "What the—"


    I didn''t give him time to finish. Breaking free from the remaining restraints, I rose to my feet, the golden aura around me intensifying with each heartbeat.


    "You wanted Liam Knight," I said, my voice resonating with newfound power. "You''ve found him."


    The eight assassins regrouped quickly, but I could see uncertainty in their eyes now. This wasn''t part of their briefing.


    "The golden light," muttered the dagger woman. "Just like the reports from—"


    "Silence!" barked the leader. "It changes nothing. Formation Delta!"


    They moved with practiced precision, arranging themselves in a specific attack pattern. I recognized the formation—designed to counter burst-type energy releases.


    I had to act before theypleted their positioning. Gripping my sword with both hands, I channeled my energy through the de.


    "Nine shes of the Azure Heaven," I intoned, activating one of my most powerful techniques.


    The first sh cut through the air with blinding speed, leaving a trail of golden-blue energy in its wake. The attack headed straight for the formation''s weakest point—the gap between the leader and the dagger woman.


    But instead of striking home, my attack collided with a disk-shaped artifact that one of the assassins had hurriedly produced. The disk absorbed the energy of my sh, spinning rapidly as it processed the power.


    "Did you think we came unprepared?" the assassin holding the disk sneered. "This Reversal Disk can absorb and redirect any energy-based attack."


    With a flick of his wrist, he sent the disk flying toward me. It released my own attack back at me, amplified and corrupted. The st caught me square in the chest, sending me crashing into a stone column.


    Pain exploded through my back and shoulders. The golden light around me flickered momentarily before stabilizing. I tasted blood in my mouth as I pushed myself up from the debris.


    The eight assassins were advancing now, confidence restored by the effectiveness of their artifact. They thought they had me figured out, contained, beatable.


    They were wrong.


    I rose to my full height, ignoring the throbbing pain in my body. The golden light around me intensified, casting long shadows across the courtyard.


    "That was the first sh," I said, raising my sword again. "Let''s see how your disk handles the second."


    My de began to glow with an even more intense azure-gold light as I channeled everything I had into the next attack. The assassins hesitated, the disk-wielder bringing his artifact up defensively.


    Our eyes locked across the battlefield. In that moment, I knew neither of us would back down. One way or another, this ambush would end tonight.


    Iunched forward, my second sh already cutting through the air toward my enemies.