My fist connected with Killian's chest like a teor striking earth. The shockwave rippled through the air, and the golden energy of the Saintly Body Skill flared around my knuckles before dispersing in an explosive wave. Killian's eyes widened in disbelief as he flew backward, his body crashing through the brick wall behind him.
"Impossible," he gasped, blood spraying from his mouth as he struggled to rise from the debris. "How can an Inner Strength Master possess such power?"
I advanced toward him, the golden aura of the Saintly Body Skill illuminating the alley with an ethereal glow. Every step felt like I was moving through molasses—the technique was draining my energy at an alarming rate, but I couldn't let Killian see my weakness.
"You made a critical mistake," I said, my voice steady despite the fire burning through my muscles. "You assud you knew everything about ."
Killian's eyes narrowed as he observed the golden light flickering around my body. A flash of recognition crossed his face.
"The Saintly Body Skill," he murmured. "But that's a high-level technique. Where did soone like you—"
I cut him off with another punch that sent him skidding across the ground. Not giving him ti to recover, I unleashed a barrage of strikes, each one precise and devastating. The onlookers gasped as Killian, a feared Grandmaster, was being overwheld by soone they'd considered as good as dead minutes ago.
"You talk too much," I said between punches.
Killian managed to block my next strike, his arms trembling from the effort. "I see through your trick now," he said, a cruel smile forming on his bloodied lips. "This technique... it can only last for a short duration. You're burning through your energy reserves at an unsustainable rate."
I didn't respond. He was right, of course. The Saintly Body Skill was already reaching its limit. I could feel my energy being consud like kindling in a wildfire.
Killian's confidence began returning. "All I need to do is outlast you. Once your technique fades, you'll be defenseless."
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small jade bottle.
"What's that?" Killian asked, wariness creeping into his voice.
"Another thing you didn't account for," I replied, popping the bottle open and downing two small red pills. "I'm not just a cultivator. I'm an alchemist."
The effect was almost imdiate. The energy pills—ones I had crafted specifically for ergency situations—flooded my system with revitalizing power. The golden aura around intensified, and Killian's face paled.
"Impossible," he muttered. "No pill can restore energy that quickly!"
I smiled grimly. "These are Spirit Restoration Pills of my own creation. The Celestial Apothecary Guild would pay a fortune for this formula."
It was partly a bluff. The pills would give a temporary boost, but nowhere near enough to fully restore my depleted reserves. Still, Killian didn't need to know that.
I attacked again, driving Killian back with renewed vigor. Each punch carried the concentrated force of my borrowed power. I could see panic beginning to form in his eyes as he realized he might actually lose this fight.
"Who are you?" he demanded, desperation edging into his voice.
"My na is Liam Knight," I said, focusing my remaining energy. "Rember it in your nightmares."
The golden light around my body began to dim—a warning sign that the Saintly Body Skill was reaching its absolute limit. I had perhaps thirty seconds before it dissipated completely. I needed to end this now.
Gathering every shred of energy I had left, I channeled it into my right fist. The golden light condensed, growing brighter and more concentrated until it resembled a miniature sun.
"Holy Fist!" I roared, driving my glowing fist directly toward Killian's chest.
He tried to dodge, but the attack was too swift, too powerful. My fist connected with devastating force, and the concentrated energy exploded outward. Killian's body flew across the market square, crashing through several stalls before coming to rest in a broken heap.
The golden aura around flickered and began to fade. I approached Killian cautiously, keenly aware that my power was draining with each passing second.
Killian lay on his back, blood streaming from multiple wounds. His chest rose and fell in shallow, ragged breaths.
"Finish it," he wheezed. "That's... what you ca to do."
I stood over him, keeping my expression neutral despite the agony tearing through every fiber of my being. The Saintly Body Skill's side effects were beginning to manifest—my muscles were seizing, and my internal organs felt like they were on fire.
"Please," Killian begged, his previous arrogance replaced by naked fear. "I have... sothing valuable. Spare , and it's yours." This chapter was made possible by the community at *.
"What could you possibly offer ?" I asked, fighting to keep my voice steady.
Killian's trembling hand reached into his robe, pulling out a small wooden box. "A rare... herb. Ganoderma Lucidum... five hundred years old. Worth... a fortune to an alchemist."
I recognized the na imdiately. Ganoderma Lucidum of that age was indeed incredibly valuable—a key ingredient in nurous high-level pills.
"How do I know you're not lying?" I demanded.
"Check... yourself," he gasped.
I opened the box carefully, inspecting the red mushroom-like herb inside. It was genuine—and extrely rare.
I closed the box, appearing to consider his offer while desperately trying to hide how quickly my strength was fading. The golden light had dimd to barely a flicker.
"Deliver it to personally at the Golden Leaf Hotel tomorrow at noon," I finally said. "And spread the word about what happened here today. Let everyone know what happens when soone crosses Liam Knight."
Relief washed over Killian's face. "You're... sparing ?"
"For now," I said coldly. "Disappoint , and I'll finish what I started here."
I turned and walked away, maintaining a steady, confident stride until I was out of sight. Only then did I allow myself to stumble, nearly collapsing against a wall. By so miracle, I spotted a taxi and managed to wave it down.
Once inside, I gave the driver an address and slumped back against the seat, my body wracked with pain.
"If it were not for the severe side effects of the Saintly Body Skill, how could I let you go?" I muttered through gritted teeth, finally allowing myself to acknowledge the truth.
My rcy hadn't been rcy at all—it had been my only option. The technique had left utterly defenseless, barely able to move. Had Killian realized my condition, he could have killed with a single blow.
I clutched the box containing the Ganoderma Lucidum, already knowing that Killian would never show up at the hotel. My apparent victory had been nothing but a desperate bluff—a gamble that had paid off only because I'd convinced him of strength I no longer possessed.
Now I needed to recover before my enemies discovered how vulnerable I truly was.
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