"Decision ti," I said, my smile growing colder as I watched Adrian's confidence falter. "But I don't think it's going to go the way you planned."
Adrian's face twitched with uncertainty before he masked it with bravado. "Get him!" he barked at his n.
The four thugs rushed toward , their heavy footsteps crunching on the gravel. I remained perfectly still, feeling the energy within coil like a serpent ready to strike.
The first man reached , swinging a aty fist toward my face. I sidestepped with minimal movent, my hand shooting out to grip his wrist. With a quick twist, I heard the satisfying crack of bone. His scream pierced the air as I used his montum to hurl him into the second attacker.
"Is this all Nora Donovan's lapdog could muster?" I taunted, advancing toward the remaining two n who hesitated, exchanging nervous glances.
Adrian's face contorted with rage. "What did you call ?"
"You heard ," I replied, my voice deceptively calm. "Everyone knows you're just Nora's errand boy. Did she send you after , or is this your pathetic attempt to impress her?"
His nostrils flared as the third man charged at , attempting a tackle. I stepped into his charge, driving my knee up into his solar plexus. As he doubled over gasping for breath, I brought my elbow down on the back of his neck, dropping him to the ground.
The fourth man pulled a knife, its blade glinting in the sunlight. "Stay back!" he warned, voice trembling.
I didn't bother replying. Instead, I channeled qi into my legs and closed the distance between us in a blur. Before he could react, I had disard him and delivered a palm strike to his chest that sent him flying backward into a decorative stone pillar. He slid down, unconscious before he hit the ground.
Adrian's eyes widened with growing terror. He scrambled backwards, pulling out his phone. "My father will hear about this! You've just signed your death warrant!"
I walked toward him, unhurried. "Your father should have taught you better manners."
"Stay away from !" he shrieked, stumbling over his own feet.
When I reached him, I knelt down and grabbed his ankle. "You wanted to kneel, Adrian? Let show you sothing instead."
With calculated precision, I struck both his kneecaps. The sickening crack was followed by Adrian's agonized screams. I stood up, brushing dust from my clothes as I watched him writhing on the ground.
"Consider this rcy," I said quietly. "Had you threatened Isabelle directly, you wouldn't have legs at all."
A sleek black car pulled up to the villa's entrance, and an older man in an expensive suit rushed out. His eyes widened at the scene before him – his son whimpering on the ground surrounded by unconscious bodyguards.
"What is the aning of this?" he demanded, though there was less authority in his voice than I expected.
"Mr. Lyons," I greeted him calmly. "Your son decided to ambush on this property with intent to harm and humiliate . I defended myself."
Adrian's father looked at his son with what appeared to be disappointnt rather than concern. "Adrian has always been... impulsive."
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by his lack of outrage. Then I understood – a wealthy man like him cared more about connections and power than his son's wounded pride.
I reached into my pocket and withdrew a black card, letting the older Lyons see the embossed golden insignia of Leopold Shepherd.
His eyes widened with recognition. "That's... you're associated with Leopold Shepherd?"
"We have an understanding," I replied simply, putting the card away.
Adrian's father imdiately changed his deanor. "I... must apologize for my son's behavior. He clearly doesn't understand the bigger picture."
Adrian looked up at his father in disbelief. "Dad! He broke my fucking knees!"
"Be quiet, Adrian," his father snapped. "You're lucky he didn't do worse." He turned back to . "Please, allow to make ands. This property – consider it yours. I purchased it months ago as an investnt, but I'd be honored if you would accept it as compensation for this... unfortunate incident."
I couldn't hide my surprise. The title to an entire villa for breaking his son's knees? Leopold's influence ran deeper than I'd realized.
"I accept," I replied, seeing an opportunity. The villa's location and architecture were perfect for cultivation. I could feel rich natural qi flowing throughout the property – likely why it had belonged to a prominent family in the first place.
"Excellent," Mr. Lyons said, visibly relieved. "I'll have the paperwork delivered today. And I'll ensure Adrian understands the consequences of bothering you again." The reference version of this chapter is on *.
As Adrian was carried away, still cursing and threatening, I turned to Eamon who had watched the entire confrontation without needing to intervene.
"Well," he said with a slight smile, "that was efficient."
"And profitable," I added. "Help secure the periter. I need to begin imdiately."
---
Hours later, with the property secured and a basic formation array established, I sat cross-legged in what must have once been the villa's grand study. Before lay a wooden box containing the three rare herbs I'd acquired: Spirit Cloud Grass, Nine-Return Root, and Starfall Flower.
Eamon stood by the doorway, his expression curious. "Are you sure you can refine these yourself? Most alchemists train for decades."
"The knowledge is here," I tapped my temple. "Passed down through my bloodline." The ancient mories from my awakened heritage felt as natural to as my own experiences.
I carefully arranged a portable furnace in the center of the room. "These herbs will allow to create Qi Gathering Pills. With them, I can reach the Foundation Establishnt Stage rapidly."
Eamon nodded. "I'll stand guard. No one will disturb you."
As he left, I focused on the task at hand. I placed the herbs in specific positions and began channeling qi into the furnace. The tal grew hot, glowing with an otherworldly light as I manipulated the temperature with careful precision.
Hours passed as I maintained absolute concentration. The herbs gradually broke down, their essences intertwining in the superheated chamber. Sweat poured down my face, but I didn't dare wipe it away – a single mont's distraction could ruin everything.
---
anwhile, hundreds of miles away in South City, a young man with sharp features stood on a balcony overlooking the city. Behind him, several followers waited attentively.
"So the Ashworth girl has left Havenwood City," Asher Lane mused. "And this Liam Knight remains alone."
"Yes, Master Lane," one of his followers confird. "Reports say he's been moving around the city, seemingly making preparations for sothing."
Asher smiled coldly. "The Knotweed should rightfully belong to soone who understands its value. This country bumpkin likely doesn't even know what he possesses."
"Will you go yourself, Master Lane?" another follower asked reverently.
"Of course. South City's genius alchemist versus so unknown upstart?" Asher laughed. "It won't even be a challenge. Prepare for departure. We leave for Havenwood City tomorrow morning."
---
Back at the villa, I felt the qi within the furnace reaching its critical point. With careful movents, I guided the essence into its final form, compressing the energy into solid pills.
Suddenly, the pressure beca too great. The furnace shook violently, and despite my efforts to stabilize it, exploded with a deafening bang. I shielded my face as fragnts scattered across the room.
When the smoke cleared, I stared in amazent at what remained. Where I had hoped to create perhaps ten or twelve pills, a small mountain of gleaming, perfectly ford Qi Gathering Pills lay scattered across the floor.
"Twenty-eight!" I exclaid, counting quickly. "Far more than I imagined!"
I picked one up, feeling the condensed power thrumming within it. With these, my path to the Foundation Establishnt Stage was assured – and my enemies would soon discover just how foolish their underestimation had been.
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