## Liam's Perspective
The clearing fell silent as the Guild mbers ford a tight periter around us. Four of them broke formation, each unsheathing identical weapons that glead with an unnatural blue light.
"Martial Marquis Weapons," the Man with the Mustache whispered behind . "We're in serious trouble."
I sized up our opposition. Eight regular Guild mbers and four wielding special weapons. Not impossible odds, but not great either.
"Nathen Ayers," the Guild commander announced, pointing at a young man among the Cold sect mbers. "You stand accused of illegal dark cultivation and conspiracy against the Veridia City Martial Guild."
Nathen stepped forward, his emaciated fra trembling not with fear but with rage. "What proof do you have of these accusations?"
The commander laughed. "Look at yourself! Your body bears all the evidence we need. Dark cultivation corrupts both body and soul."
"And who decided dark cultivation was illegal?" Nathen shot back. "You did! The Guild monopolizes all cultivation resources while condemning those who seek alternative paths!"
"The law is the law," the commander stated coldly. "Dark cultivation destabilizes the natural order."
"Natural order?" Nathen's voice rose with passion. "You an your order! Where only the elite can access resources while the rest of us starve for spiritual energy!"
I watched this exchange with growing interest. The young man had guts.
"Enough talk," the commander signaled his n. "Arrest them all. Use the Marquis Weapons if they resist."
The four weapon bearers stepped forward, their blades humming with power. The Cold sect mbers huddled together, fear evident in their hollow eyes.
I'd heard enough. Ti to step in.
"Impressive tools you've got there," I called out, casually walking between the Guild mbers and their targets. "Compensating for sothing, perhaps?"
All eyes turned to . The commander's face darkened with recognition.
"Liam Knight," he spat. "The traitor himself. This day keeps getting better."
I smiled lazily. "Happy to improve your day. Though I doubt you'll be smiling much longer."
The commander pointed his sword at . "You're outnumbered and outranked. Those weapons can subdue Martial Marquis cultivators. You don't stand a chance."
I turned my back on him—a deliberate insult—and addressed Nathen instead.
"These Guild lackeys giving you trouble?" I asked conversationally.
Nathen looked confused by my casual deanor. "They... they want to arrest us for cultivating the only way available to us."
"Typical Guild hypocrisy," I nodded. "They've been doing this for centuries."
The commander's face reddened. "You dare turn your back on ?"
"I've seen more threatening house cats," I replied without turning around. "Hey, Nathen, I have a proposition for you."
"What... what kind of proposition?" he asked, bewildered.
"I'll handle these Guild puppets for you. In exchange, I want to borrow the Yin Side beneath your feet. Just temporarily."
The Cold sect leader stepped forward. "The grave is our lifeblood. Without it—"
"You'll all be arrested anyway," I finished for him. "Not much of a choice, is it?"
The commander had heard enough. "Take him down!"
Two Guild mbers charged from behind. Without turning, I sidestepped the first attacker and caught the second's wrist, twisting until I heard a satisfying crack. His scream echoed through the clearing as his weapon clattered to the ground.
"Is that the best you've got?" I asked, finally turning to face the commander.
His face had gone pale. "You... you're the one who challenged the Ascendant Saints Order."
"And wounded Vice President Erson Hols," added another Guild mber fearfully.
"Oh, you've heard of ," I grinned. "I'm flattered."
The commander's shock quickly turned to determination. "It doesn't matter what you've done before. No one man can stand against the Veridia City Martial Guild."
"Let's test that theory, shall we?" I rolled my shoulders and took a fighting stance.
"Use the Martial Marquis Weapons!" the commander ordered. "Now!"
The four weapon bearers surrounded , their blue-glowing blades creating a cage of energy. I felt their power trying to suppress my cultivation, to lock down my ridians.
"These weapons were forged specifically to subdue rogue cultivators," the commander explained smugly. "Even if you were at the Martial Marquis level—which you're not—you'd be helpless against them."
I laughed. The sound startled everyone.
"You think these toys impress ?" I channeled both light and dark energy through my body, creating a swirling aura around . "Let show you what real power looks like."
The weapon bearers attacked in perfect synchronization. Their movents were flawless, clearly the result of countless drills and practice.
Too bad practice doesn't prepare you for the impossible.
I caught the first blade between my palms, feeling its energy trying to invade my ridians. My Chaotic Body rejected the invasion, channeling the energy back into the weapon itself. Cracks appeared along its surface.
"Impossible!" the wielder gasped.
I kicked him square in the chest, sending him flying. The second attacker slashed at my back, but I spun and grabbed his wrist, forcing his own weapon against the third man's blade. The impact created a shock wave that knocked both n off their feet.
The fourth slashed downward with all his might. I raised my arm and let the blade strike directly.
It shattered on contact with my skin.
"What are you?" he whispered, staring at the broken hilt in his hand.
"Soone who's sick of your Guild's bullshit," I replied, then struck him with an open palm to the chest. He collapsed instantly, unconscious.
The commander was backing away now. "You can't do this! These weapons are symbols of the Guild's authority!"
"Your authority ans nothing to ," I said, advancing on him. "Your rules, your monopolies, your persecution—it all ends when people stop fearing you."
The remaining Guild mbers attacked in desperation. I moved through them like a ghost, striking pressure points and breaking weapons with contemptuous ease. In less than a minute, they were all on the ground.
Only the commander remained standing, clutching his weapon with white knuckles.
"The Guild will hunt you forever for this," he threatened, voice trembling.
"Let them try." I gestured toward the three fallen Martial Marquis Weapons. "Pick those up. Take them back to your masters. Tell them Liam Knight sends his regards."
With a swift movent I couldn't follow, the Man with the Mustache appeared behind the commander and knocked him unconscious with a chop to the neck.
"Was that necessary?" I asked.
He shrugged. "Just making sure he delivers the ssage."
I turned back to the stunned Cold sect mbers. Nathen and their leader stared at with expressions caught between fear and awe.
"Now, about that grave..." I began. This content originates from *, My Virtual Library Empire.
Before I could finish, the three remaining Martial Marquis Weapons began to vibrate on the ground. Blue light intensified around them.
"What's happening?" Nathen asked.
The Man with the Mustache backed away quickly. "Final safeguard! They're going to—"
All three weapons exploded simultaneously with a deafening crack, sending shards of tal and energy in all directions. When the light faded, nothing remained of them but dust.
"Self-destruct," the Man with the Mustache finished. "The Guild doesn't like losing its toys."
I looked at the weapon fragnts littering the ground. With four Martial Marquis Weapons destroyed, I'd just escalated my conflict with the Guild beyond any possibility of reconciliation.
Good. I was tired of half asures.
"Still want to make that deal?" I asked Nathen, gesturing toward where we both knew the ancient grave lay hidden.
The Cold sect leader stepped forward, his black eyes fixed on with newfound respect.
"The energy is yours," he said quietly. "Anyone who stands against the Guild so effectively is welco to our resources."
Nathen nodded in agreent. "We'll show you to the exact center of the Yin Side. It's where the energy is most concentrated."
As they led toward a small, unassuming building at the compound's center, I could feel the dark energy already calling to from below, promising the power I would need to save Isabelle.
The Man with the Mustache fell into step beside . "You realize what you just did, right? Breaking those weapons is like spitting in the Guild President's face."
I smiled grimly. "Good. It's about ti soone did."
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