Julia's words hit like physical blows, each one hamring ho the vast gulf between Isabelle Ashworth and myself.
"The Ashworth family is the most powerful clan in Veridia City," she continued, her voice dripping with disdain. "They have connections to every major business, political office, and martial arts sect. Miss Ashworth herself is being pursued by the heirs of multiple prominent families."
I stood in my doorway clutching the package of herbs, feeling smaller with each passing second. The secretary's eyes swept across my shabby apartnt visible behind , her lip curling slightly.
"Whatever Miss Ashworth sees in you is beyond my understanding," she said. "But let give you so advice – stay away from her. People like you don't belong in her world. You'll only bring her trouble."
With that final barb, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking sharply against the worn hallway floor.
I closed the door slowly, leaning my forehead against it as her words echoed in my mind. The Ashworth family of Veridia City. Everyone knew that na. They were legendary – not just wealthy, but influential beyond asure.
And Isabelle was their princess.
Setting the package on my table, I stared at the premium herbs within. They probably cost more than three months of my salary. To Isabelle, it was likely pocket change – a casual gift she wouldn't think twice about.
"The princess of the Ashworth family," I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief.
For a mont, despair threatened to overwhelm . How could I ever asure up to soone like her? What could I possibly offer a woman who could have anything – or anyone – she wanted?
My eyes drifted to the jade pendant hanging around my neck. It pulsed with a soft green light, as if responding to my emotions.
"No," I said firmly, gripping the pendant. "I refuse to think that way."
My father, whoever he was, had left this inheritance for a reason. The ancient knowledge flowing through wasn't ant to be wasted on self-pity.
I looked at the herbs again, this ti with determination rather than sha. If Isabelle Ashworth was that high above , then I would simply have to climb. I would ascend until I stood on equal footing with her – or die trying.
With renewed purpose, I cleared my workspace and laid out the herbs. According to the knowledge from my pendant, I could use these ingredients to refine Qi Gathering Pills – a powerful cultivation aid that would accelerate my progress trendously.
Ti seed to blur as I worked. I crushed, mixed, and processed the herbs with growing confidence. My first attempt failed, the mixture turning black and emitting a foul odor. My second attempt showed promise but ultimately collapsed in the final stage.
I wiped sweat from my brow, refusing to give up. "Third ti's the charm," I muttered, carefully asuring out another batch of ingredients.
Hours passed. On my fifth attempt, the mixture finally coalesced into small, glowing green pills. I stared at them in amazent – I had done it! I'd successfully refined Qi Gathering Pills!
Without hesitation, I took five pills and swallowed them. The effect was imdiate and intense. Energy surged through my ridians like liquid fire. I dropped to my knees, gasping as the power coursed through , breaking through barriers and expanding my capacity.
When the sensation finally subsided, I felt... different. Stronger. More solid. Rising to my feet, I flexed my hands, marveling at the energy coursing through them. According to my inherited knowledge, I had advanced to the Second-Layer Qi Refining Stage – a significant leap forward.
Testing my new strength, I punched the air experintally. The movent created a small shockwave that disturbed the papers on my table. A smile spread across my face. This was just the beginning.
---
The next morning, a knock at my door pulled from ditation. I opened it to find Isabelle standing there, more beautiful than I rembered in a simple blue dress that probably cost more than my entire apartnt. Behind her stood a man – tall, burly, with the watchful eyes of a professional bodyguard.
"Good morning, Liam," she said with a warm smile. "May we co in?"
I stepped aside, suddenly conscious of my humble surroundings in a way I hadn't been before. Now that I knew who she truly was, every crack in the wall and worn piece of furniture seed to scream my inadequacy.
"Thank you for the herbs," I said as they entered. "They were... extrely helpful."
Isabelle's eyes widened slightly as she looked at , and I wondered if she could see the change in – the new strength that humd beneath my skin.
"You look different," she said softly.
"I feel different," I admitted.
The bodyguard remained by the door, his eyes constantly scanning the room, body tense like a coiled spring.
Isabelle gestured to him. "This is Magnus. He works for my family. After what happened with Roman, I thought... well, I thought you might need protection."
Magnus gave a curt nod, his expression neutral but his eyes assessing.
A day ago, I might have gratefully accepted her offer. But now, with power flowing through my veins and my recent advancent, sothing else stirred within – pride.
"That's very thoughtful," I said, eting Magnus's gaze steadily, "but I don't think it's necessary anymore."
Isabelle frowned. "Liam, you don't understand. Roman has connections. There could be—"
"I understand more than you think," I said, surprising myself with my calm confidence. "But I've made so progress of my own recently. I might even be a match for your bodyguard now."
Magnus's eyebrows shot up, and a small, incredulous smile played at the corners of his mouth. He looked to Isabelle.
"Miss Ashworth," he said in a deep voice, "would you mind if I tested Mr. Knight's claim? With your permission, of course."
The tension in the room thickened. Isabelle looked worried.
"I don't think that's a good idea," she said. "I brought you here to protect him, not to fight him."
"It would just be a friendly assessnt," Magnus assured her. "No real harm will co to him."
I felt a flash of irritation at his tone – as if I were so fragile thing that needed to be handled with care. TextacquiredfromM|V|LEMP&YR.
Before Isabelle could respond, I stepped forward. "It's fine, Isabelle. I'd actually welco the opportunity."
She looked between us, concern evident in her eyes. "Magnus, I don't want—"
"It's not necessary," I interrupted, feeling a surge of confidence that would have been unimaginable to just days ago. I looked directly at Magnus with a challenge in my eyes. "My hands are still a bit heavy, and I might hurt you..."
Magnus's expression shifted from mild amusent to surprise, then to sothing harder. Isabelle's mouth fell open slightly at my audacity.
The bodyguard stepped away from the door, squaring his shoulders as he faced fully. The friendly assessnt had just beco sothing more serious.
"Liam, what are you doing?" Isabelle whispered, her eyes wide with concern.
But I held my ground, the power of the Second-Layer Qi Refining Stage thrumming through my body. For the first ti in my life, I wasn't backing down. For the first ti, I truly believed I might win.
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