I could feel everyone''s eyes on me as Dominic walked away, his threat still hanging in the air like poison. The students around us whispered excitedly, no doubt already spreading word of what had just transpired. First a blood contract with the Guild Master, now a challenge to the Ashworth family patriarch—I''d certainly given them plenty to talk about.


    "That was... bold," Daphne Grenville said, stepping forward from the crowd. Her usually serene face showed genuine concern. "Taking on both the Guild and the Ashworths in the same month? Most would consider that suicidal."


    "Most aren''t me," I replied, though the weight of mymitments pressed heavily on my shoulders.


    Daphne studied me with appraising eyes. "No, they certainly aren''t. You''ve surprised us all today, Liam Knight."


    Brian Bradford appeared beside her, his massive frame towering over everyone else. "Gotta say, kid, you''ve got more guts than brains. But I respect it." He pped a hand on my shoulder that would''ve knocked a weaker man to the ground. "When this is all over—assuming you survive—I''d like to discuss a business opportunity."


    "Business opportunity?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.


    He grinned, his scarred face crinkling. "Later. You''ve got enough on your te right now."


    Daphne''s expression suddenly turned serious. "Speaking of which, you should know something about Broderick."


    "What about him?"


    She lowered her voice. "He''s not entirely human. The rumors say he''s actually a Heaven Swallowing Python that achieved human form."


    The Man with the Mustache gasped dramatically. "A Heaven Swallowing Python? Those are supposed to be extinct!"


    "Clearly not," Daphne replied dryly. "Ms. Hayward found him as a hatchling and raised him to be her perfect weapon. His natural abilitiesbined with her training make him... formidable."


    I absorbed this information, turning it over in my mind. A mythical beast in human form would exin Broderick''s unusual aura.


    "Does it matter what he is?" I asked finally. "Beast or human, he bleeds the same."


    The Man with the Mustache tugged nervously at his cor. "Heaven Swallowing Pythons are resistant to most poisons, can regenerate limbs, and possess natural energy that rivals Martial Saints. So yes, I''d say it matters quite a bit!"


    I shrugged, unwilling to show any doubt. "Unless he''s already reached Martial Saint level, it changes nothing."


    Daphne''s eyes widened slightly, seemingly impressed by my confidence. "Well then, I wish you luck, Liam Knight. You''re certainly making things interesting around here." <var ss="phantom-imprint">Enj+o!y.i$n!g the st.o!r@y? D!i.sc*o+ve&r@ m.or.e on M%|%V*|%LEM*6P&Y.R!.#</var>


    As the crowd finally dispersed, The Man with the Mustache pulled me aside.


    "Are you actually not worried, or is that just for show?" he whispered urgently.


    "A bit of both," I admitted. "But fear won''t help us now. We need to focus on preparation."


    He nodded, though he still looked troubled. "What''s our next move?"


    "The Mystic Realms," I said. "We need ess to more resources if I''m going to be ready in time."


    His eyes widened. "The Mystic Realms? Those are incredibly dangerous, and most are controlled by—"


    "The Veridia City Martial Guild," I finished for him. "I know. But not all of them. There must be others we can ess."


    The Man with the Mustache stroked his facial hair thoughtfully. "Well... I might know of a few independent realms. But getting in won''t be easy."


    "When has anything worth doing ever been easy?" I asked with a wry smile.


    He sighed dramatically. "I suppose if we''re going to die anyway, we might as well do it spectacrly. Count me in."


    "d to hear it," I said, genuinely relieved. Despite his cowardly tendencies, he''d proven to be a valuable ally.


    We left The Aegis Academy behind us, making our way back to Jade Moon Vi in thoughtful silence. The weight of today''s events settled around me like a heavy cloak. In just one month, I would face a mythical creature in human form with my life on the line. And if I somehow survived that, Dominic Ashworth would be waiting.


    All for Isabelle.


    I touched the dragon mark on my arm, feeling the power pulsing beneath my skin. It wasn''t enough yet. I needed more.


    When we arrived at Jade Moon Vi, I immediately called a meeting with my inner circle. The Man with the Mustache stood beside me as ra, Frederick, and several other trusted members gathered in the main hall.


    "I need ess to the Immortal Bane Sect," I announced without preamble.


    ra''s eyes widened. "The Immortal Bane Sect? But they''re—"


    "Dangerous, reclusive, and notoriously selective about who they allow into their territory," I finished. "I know. But they have resources we need."


    Frederick frowned. "What resources could be worth that risk?"


    "Ancient herbs that grow only in their Mystic Realm," I exined. "Herbs that could help me advance my cultivation rapidly."


    The Man with the Mustache cleared his throat. "Finding a way in won''t be simple. The Immortal Bane Sect has been isted for centuries."


    I turned to him. "You have three days to find us ess."


    His jaw dropped. "Three days? That''s impossible!"


    "Make it possible," I said firmly. "Use whatever resources and contacts you need. Spare no expense."


    He spluttered for a moment, then sighed in resignation. "I suppose I should start packing for another suicide mission."


    "I want toe," ra said suddenly, her young face set with determination.


    I studied her for a moment. The power within her was growing, bing more unpredictable. Perhaps it would be better to keep her close where I could monitor her.


    "Alright," I agreed. "But you follow my instructions exactly. No wandering off."


    She nodded eagerly, clearly excited by the prospect of adventure.


    As the meeting concluded and everyone dispersed to prepare, I retreated to my private meditation chamber. I needed to center myself, to prepare my mind and body for what wasing.


    I had just settled into my meditation pose when I felt it—a foreign presence brushing against my consciousness. My eyes snapped open as I recognized the intrusion.


    Ms. Hayward''s divine sense.


    The tracking mark she''d ced on me during our earlier confrontation was still active, monitoring my every move. Anger shed through me. Even with the contract in ce, she was still trying to gain an advantage.


    I closed my eyes again, focusing on the unwee presence. It felt like a small barb embedded in my spiritual core, almost invisible unless you knew to look for it. Clever, but not clever enough.


    Drawing on my cultivation, I surrounded the foreign energy with my own power, isting itpletely. Then, with one powerful surge, I crushed it.


    The divine sense shattered like ss, the connection severed instantly. I opened my eyes, satisfaction coursing through me. Let her try to spy on me now.


    ---


    In her private chambers at the Veridia City Martial Guild, Ms. Hayward jerked upright, her meditation disrupted by a sharp painncing through her mind. Her divine sense connection had been forcefully broken—something that should have been impossible for someone of Liam Knight''s cultivation level.


    "Impressive," she murmured, rubbing her temple. "Very impressive indeed."


    Broderick, who had been standing guard nearby, stepped forward. "What happened, Master?"


    "Our friend Mr. Knight just surprised me again," she replied, her voice cool despite her irritation. "He managed to break my tracking mark."


    Broderick''s eyes narrowed. "Should I—"


    "No," she cut him off. "The contract prevents direct action for now." A cold smile curved her lips. "Anyway, the heavenly guardian book has been signed. He can''t escape!"


    She rose gracefully, walking to a nearby cab where an ancient scrolly unfurled. On it was aplex diagram of the bloodline awakening ritual—the very one she had promised Isabelle Ashworth ess to.


    "He fights so desperately for this woman," she mused, tracing the intricate patterns on the scroll. "Such devotion is... exploitable."


    Broderick bowed his head. "I will not fail you in the duel, Master."


    "See that you don''t," she replied sharply. "Mr. Knight is proving to be more resourceful than anticipated. We cannot underestimate him again."


    She rolled up the scroll and returned it to its case. One month. One month to prepare her disciple for battle. One month to ensure that when Liam Knight finally fell, he would fallpletely.


    And fall he would. The heavenly guardian book guaranteed it.