Liam's Perspective
I opened my eyes, surprised at my own clarity of thought. The cultivation session had been intense, but effective. Energy coursed through my ridians with newfound strength. Not quite a half-step Martial Marquis yet, but undeniably closer.
A quick test confird what I already sensed. My spiritual power had increased by at least thirty percent. Still not enough, but progress nonetheless.
I moved toward the door, eager to check if the month was up. My hand stopped before touching it. Invisible barriers of energy humd against my palm – the Pavilion Master's seal was still intact.
"Damn it," I muttered, pulling back.
The month wasn't over. Mariana's power signature remained fresh in the energy matrix. She had sealed in here for my own protection, but it felt like a prison now. After yesterday's breakthrough, I was itching to test my new abilities.
I returned to my ditation mat. Patience was necessary, even if unwelco. The Ascendant Saints Order wouldn't hesitate to kill if they found . Better to complete my seclusion and erge stronger.
Sitting cross-legged, I resud my cultivation. The Three Pure Ancient Trees' essence still circulated through my system, though less intensely than before. My body was adapting, absorbing what it could handle.
"Just a little more," I whispered to myself. "One more push."
I closed my eyes and dove deep into my spiritual core, letting the world fade away.
---
In a hidden corner of the Celestial Apothecary Guild's outer compound, Maxim Huxley nursed his wounded pride. The bruises on his face had mostly faded, but the humiliation burned brighter than ever.
His fellow Elder, Foster, paced nearby, equally agitated.
"You said it would be easy," Foster spat. "You said the Pavilion Master was overrated."
Maxim's fists clenched. "How was I supposed to know she'd been hiding her true strength? The intelligence was wrong!"
"Tell that to the Sect Master," Foster replied bitterly. "His ssage this morning was... unpleasant."
Both n fell silent, rembering Josiah's scathing rebuke. Five cultivators defeated without a single casualty on the Guild's side. A complete disgrace to the Ascendant Saints Order.
"We need another approach," Maxim finally said. "A direct confrontation won't work."
"What do you suggest? Poison? Assassination?"
"Sothing more... subtle."
A shadow detached itself from a nearby wall. "Perhaps I might offer a solution, gentlen."
Both n whirled around, hands flying to their weapons. A thin man in elegant black robes stood watching them, an amused smile playing on his lips.
"Dudley Lowell," Maxim growled in recognition. "What's a snake like you doing here?"
Dudley's smile widened. "The sa thing as you, I imagine. Seeking opportunity in chaos."
Foster's eyes narrowed. "What opportunity?"
"The Celestial Apothecary Guild is... inconvenient for many powerful people," Dudley said smoothly. "My employer included. We share a common goal."
"And what would that be?" Maxim asked warily.
"Removing the current Pavilion Master from power."
A tense silence followed. Maxim and Foster exchanged glances.
"We've already tried," Foster said flatly. "You saw how that ended."
Dudley reached into his sleeve and withdrew a small jade box. "That's because you tried to defeat her directly. A foolish approach against soone of her caliber."
He opened the box, revealing a single, unassuming white pill. "This is a Spirit Severing Pill. Odorless, tasteless, and completely undetectable by spiritual senses."
Maxim's eyes widened. "Those are banned. The formula was supposed to be destroyed centuries ago."
"And yet, here one is," Dudley replied. "One dose will temporarily sever the connection between a cultivator and their spiritual core. For approximately six hours, your Pavilion Master will be no stronger than an ordinary mortal."
Foster reached for the pill, but Dudley snapped the box shut.
"Not so fast. My employer doesn't offer such gifts without assurance of... mutual benefit."
"What do you want?" Maxim demanded.
Dudley's eyes glead. "Just a promise that when you take control of the Guild, certain exclusive formulas will find their way to my employer."
"Done," Maxim said without hesitation.
Foster looked less convinced. "How do we administer it? The Pavilion Master trusts no one completely."
Dudley's smile turned predatory. "That's not entirely true. There is one person..."
---
Night had fallen by the ti Maxim Huxley slipped through the shadows toward a secluded pavilion. The eting place was deliberately chosen – far from prying eyes, yet still within the Guild's outer boundaries.
He waited, tension building with each passing minute. Had his ssage been intercepted? Had his contact lost courage?
A figure appeared, moving cautiously between patches of moonlight. Chief Enforcent Elder of the Celestial Apothecary Guild, Tang Wei, renowned for his loyalty to the organization.
Or so everyone thought.
"Speak quickly," Tang said tersely. "My absence will be noticed."
Maxim wasted no ti. "How long have you served as Chief Enforcent Elder?"
Tang's expression hardened. "Twenty-three years."
"And in those twenty-three years, how many tis were you considered for Pavilion Master?"
A flash of bitterness crossed Tang's face. "Three tis. Passed over each ti."
Maxim nodded sympathetically. "Because Mariana Valerius keeps blocking your advancent."
"She claims I'm too rigid in my thinking," Tang spat. "Too traditional."
"She fears your strength," Maxim corrected. "She knows you'd make a better Pavilion Master."
Tang said nothing, but his eyes betrayed his thoughts. The seed had been planted long ago – Maxim was rely watering it.
"What do you want from ?" Tang finally asked.
Maxim produced the jade box. "A chance for you to claim what you deserve."
He explained the pill's effects, watching Tang's expression shift from shock to calculation.
"And after?" Tang asked. "The Ascendant Saints Order will still want control."
Maxim smiled. "We need a figurehead who understands practical matters. Soone who won't interfere with our broader goals."
"Soone like ," Tang concluded.
"Precisely. Pavilion Master Tang Wei. It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"
Tang stared at the box for a long mont. Decades of resentnt warred with his oath of loyalty. Thank you for reading. This was brought to you by *.
"I'll need to think about this."
Maxim's smile disappeared. "There's no ti for thinking. The Sect Master returns tomorrow with reinforcents. This opportunity vanishes then."
Tang took the box, his decision made before he'd even realized it.
"How will I know when to act?"
"When Mariana is incapacitated, we'll launch our assault," Maxim explained. "Be ready to assu command of the Guild's defenses."
Tang nodded, slipping the box into his robes. "What about Liam Knight?"
"Leave him to us," Maxim replied. "His seclusion chamber will beco his tomb."
---
Morning ca too quickly for Tang Wei. He'd barely slept, replaying his decision over and over in his mind.
"There are no eternal friends," Dudley had told him during their brief eting after his encounter with Maxim. "Only eternal interests. Your interest is becoming Pavilion Master. Act accordingly."
The Spirit Severing Pill felt unnaturally heavy in his pocket as he prepared the Pavilion Master's morning al. A simple porridge – her preference on days when important decisions needed to be made.
His hands didn't shake as he crushed the pill into a fine powder. Twenty-three years of passed-over promotions. Twenty-three years of watching others advance while he remained stagnant.
The powder dissolved instantly, leaving no trace in the steaming porridge.
Tang arranged the tray carefully, adding a pot of fragrant tea and fresh fruit. Everything normal. Everything as it should be.
He climbed the steps to Mariana's private quarters, each footfall carrying him further from loyalty and closer to ambition. The guards nodded respectfully as he passed. They knew better than to question the Chief Enforcent Elder.
Mariana was already awake, reviewing reports at her desk. She looked up as he entered, offering a tired smile.
"Elder Tang. Early as always."
"You need your strength, Pavilion Master," he replied, setting down the tray. "Especially today."
She glanced at the docunts before her. "Yes, our scouts report the Ascendant Saints Order is mobilizing a much larger force. Josiah himself may co."
A flicker of guilt passed through Tang, quickly suppressed. She trusted him completely – as she had for over two decades.
"All the more reason to eat," he insisted, pushing the bowl of porridge closer to her. "You've been working too hard these days."
Mariana nodded absently, still focused on the reports.
Tang watched anxiously as she picked up the spoon.
"Drink it while it's hot," he urged, his voice betraying nothing of his inner turmoil.
Mariana paused, the spoon halfway to her mouth. For a terrible mont, Tang thought she sensed sothing wrong.
Then she smiled at him. "Always looking after , Elder Tang. What would I do without you?"
The spoon moved toward her lips.
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