## Liam's Perspective
I stepped onto the rocky plateau, imdiately spotting Erson Hols. His Guild uniform glead in the sunlight, a symbol of the power he wielded so arrogantly.
"Knight." Erson's voice was cold as ice. "What an unpleasant surprise."
"The feeling's mutual," I replied, scanning the surrounding Guild mbers. Six half-step Martial Marquises flanked him, ready to attack at his command.
Hols smirked. "You're either brave or foolish to show your face here."
"Or maybe I'm just tired of your Guild's gas." I kept my stance relaxed but ready. "How many more sches and traps before you realize I won't be intimidated?"
"This isn't about intimidation." Erson's eyes narrowed. "The Guild Council has marked you as a threat. Your continued defiance only confirms their judgnt."
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "And here I thought you were just following orders. You actually believe in this corruption."
"What you call corruption, we call necessary order." Hols took a step forward. "The martial world needs structure. Hierarchy. People who know their place."
"People like you, giving orders? People like , bowing down?" I shook my head. "That world is ending, Hols. I'm making sure of it."
Tension crackled between us like lightning. His n shifted nervously, hands moving to their weapons.
"Elder Feng was quite clear," Hols said quietly. "You're to be eliminated if you interfere with Guild business again."
"Threats from a man who can't even face himself." I deliberately turned my back on him, surveying the plateau instead.
Two young cultivators stood nearby, watching our exchange with wide eyes. The woman was slender but strong, with determination etched into her features. The man beside her was clearly her brother – they shared the sa sharp eyes and cautious stance.
"Who are they?" I nodded toward the pair.
Hols scowled. "More trespassers. The Knightwood siblings. Independent cultivators who refuse to register with the Guild."
I walked toward them, ignoring Hols's warning glare. "I'm Liam Knight."
The young woman bowed slightly. "Amiya Knightwood. This is my brother, Jovan."
"We heard about the Dragon Vein," Jovan explained, his voice low. "We need the resources to advance our cultivation."
Before I could respond, Hols cut in. "Which they won't be getting. The Guild has claid this entire area."
"Under what authority?" I challenged.
"The only authority that matters." Hols's smile was cold. "Power." This соpy wаs gеnеrаtеd frоm соntеnt аt
I turned back to the siblings. "Are you allied with any faction?"
They exchanged glances before Amiya answered. "No. Most major powers demand too much in return for protection."
"Smart," I nodded. "Most would rather own you than help you."
Hols laughed harshly. "And what? You're offering your protection instead? A lone cultivator against the Guild?"
"I am," I said simply, holding Amiya's gaze. "The Jade Moon Villa stands with those who seek freedom from tyranny."
"The Jade Moon Villa?" Jovan's eyes widened. "You're its founder?"
Hols stepped between us. "Enough of this recruitnt speech. Knight, this Dragon Vein is now Guild property. Leave imdiately."
I ignored him, walking past the siblings toward the center of the plateau. A small pool of clear water lay there, supposedly the heart of the Dragon Vein. I needed to find the Primordial Essence Herbs rumored to grow here.
Kneeling beside the pool, I placed my hand near the water's surface. Sothing was wrong. I couldn't sense any Dragon Vein Qi. Not even a whisper of the powerful energy that should be flowing here.
"Strange," I murmured.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted a familiar figure lurking behind a boulder. The man with the mustache caught my gaze and quickly ducked away. What was he hiding?
"I warned you, Knight." Hols's voice hardened. "Step away from the pool."
Rising slowly, I turned to face him. "There's no Dragon Vein here, Hols. Soone fed you false information."
"Impossible." Hols frowned. "Our intelligence—"
"Is wrong," I finished for him. "Or perhaps soone wants both of us here for another reason."
The sound of approaching footsteps silenced our argunt. A young man in expensive robes strode onto the plateau, his bearing aristocratic and arrogant. My jaw clenched involuntarily. Soren Ashworth.
"Vice President Hols," Soren called out, then stopped abruptly upon seeing . "Knight? What's this dog doing here?"
"Careful, Soren," I warned. "The last Ashworth who called that regretted it."
Soren's face flushed with anger. "You think your victory over Dominic ans anything? That was luck, nothing more."
Hols placed a restraining hand on Soren's shoulder. "Young Master Ashworth, this isn't the ti."
"When better?" Soren shrugged off Hols's hand. "The Guild wants him dealt with. I can handle it."
"You?" I couldn't help laughing. "You're not even worth my ti, boy."
Soren's eyes flashed dangerously. "I've advanced considerably since we last t. I'm a peak Grandmaster now."
"Congratulations," I replied dryly. "So was I, when I defeated your cousin Dominic. A half-step Martial Marquis, if I recall correctly."
Hols stepped between us. "Soren, your father entrusted with your safety. Engaging Knight is not part of our mission here."
"My father doesn't understand what's at stake." Soren's voice rose with emotion. "The Ashworth family's reputation has been tarnished. I will restore it by crushing this upstart!"
I watched this exchange with growing interest. Corbin Ashworth clearly hadn't approved this confrontation. Was Soren acting on his own?
"You should listen to Hols," I advised, turning away dismissively. "Go ho to your father. Tell him I'm still coming for Isabelle, and nothing will stop ."
"You dare speak her na?" Soren's face contorted with rage. "She's destined for Dashiell Blackthorne, not so commoner trash!"
My patience snapped. "That wedding will never happen. Dashiell will fall just like Dominic did."
"Enough!" Hols barked. "Soren, control yourself. Knight, this is your final warning."
The tension on the plateau was palpable. The Knightwood siblings had backed away, clearly wanting no part in this conflict. The man with the mustache had completely disappeared.
Hols turned to Soren again, his voice low but carrying clearly in the mountain air. "This isn't the place, nor the ti. Knight is dangerous, more than you realize."
"If he can defeat a half-step Martial Marquis as a Grandmaster, then why can't I!" Soren retorted, his eyes never leaving mine as he moved into a fighting stance.
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