## Liam's Perspective
Jackson Harding's words echoed in my mind long after our eting ended. "You need to reach the Military Marquis realm at minimum," he had said. "Only then will you stand a chance against the Guild's outer defenses."
I paced restlessly in my quarters, each step sending jolts of pain through my recovering body. The Military Marquis realm. It might as well have been the moon. Most cultivators spent decades—if not their entire lives—trying to reach such heights. And I needed to do it quickly.
Isabelle's face flashed before my eyes. Was she scared? Hurt? The Guild had taken her for a reason, and that reason terrified more than anything.
A knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts.
"Enter," I called, hoping for news—any news.
Mariana stepped inside, her expression grim. "I've made initial inquiries about Isabelle's whereabouts."
I stopped pacing. "And?"
"The Guild has denied any involvent."
"That's bullshit!" I slamd my fist against the wall, ignoring the pain that shot up my arm. "We know they took her!"
Mariana's eyes hardened. "Control yourself, Liam. Rage without direction is useless."
I took a deep breath, forcing my emotions back under control. "What's our next step?"
"I'll be traveling to Veridia City personally tomorrow," she said. "As Pavilion Master, I have certain... privileges that might grant more information."
Hope flickered in my chest. "Let co with you."
Mariana shook her head. "Impossible. Your presence would only complicate matters. Besides, you need to focus on your recovery and training."
"While Isabelle suffers?" My voice cracked. "I can't just sit here doing nothing."
"Would you rather storm the Guild now and die at their gates?" Mariana's tone was sharp. "What good would that do Isabelle?"
I turned away, unable to argue with her logic yet unwilling to accept it. "Every mont we delay—"
"Is a mont you grow stronger," she finished. "Trust , Liam. The Guild won't harm her needlessly. Whatever their purpose in taking her, it requires her alive and well."
I wasn't reassured. "How long will you be gone?"
"A week at most. During that ti, I expect you to work with Jackson on your cultivation."
She left without another word, leaving alone with my thoughts and fears.
The next few days passed in a blur of training and ditation. Jackson Harding was a harsh taskmaster, pushing beyond what I thought possible. But even as my strength slowly returned, my mind remained fixed on Isabelle.
On the seventh day, Mariana returned. I knew imdiately from her expression that she had no good news.
"What happened?" I demanded as soon as we were alone.
She sighed heavily. "The Guild's defenses were impenetrable—both physically and politically. They've erected additional barriers since my last visit years ago."
"Did you learn anything at all?" I couldn't keep the desperation from my voice.
"Only rumors," she admitted. "The Guild has apparently established a new research facility in their inner sanctum. Access is restricted to the highest levels of their hierarchy."
"Research?" The word sent chills down my spine. "What kind of research?"
"Blood cultivation, according to my sources." Mariana's expression darkened. "It's said they're studying... unique bloodlines."
Isabelle's bloodline. It had to be. The realization crashed over like an icy wave.
"I need to go there," I said, already moving toward the door. "Now."
Mariana caught my arm. "And do what exactly? Die gloriously at their doorstep?"
"I can't wait anymore!" I shouted, pulling away from her. "Every day that passes is another day she suffers!"
"And rushing in half-prepared ensures she'll never be rescued at all," Mariana countered, her voice rising to match mine. "Think, Liam! The Guild has existed for millennia. Their security is beyond anything you've encountered."
I slumped against the wall, the fight draining out of . "Then what do we do?"
"We continue with the plan," she said, her voice gentler now. "You train. I gather intelligence. When the ti is right—"
A commotion outside interrupted her. Voices raised in alarm, footsteps rushing toward us.
The door burst open, and a guild mber bowed hastily. "Pavilion Master, forgive the interruption. Michael Ashworth has arrived and demands to see Liam Knight imdiately."
Isabelle's grandfather? Here? My heart jumped to my throat.
"Show him in," Mariana ordered, shooting a warning glance that clearly said: *Be careful.*
Michael Ashworth entered the room with the quiet authority of a man accustod to power. Despite his age, he stood straight-backed and proud, his piercing eyes finding mine imdiately.
"Leave us," he commanded the guild mbers. After a mont's hesitation, even Mariana inclined her head respectfully and departed.
We stood in silence for several heartbeats, asuring each other.
"You've caused quite the upheaval, young man," Michael finally said.
"Your granddaughter was being forced into marriage," I replied, refusing to show weakness. "I did what was necessary." Content presented by *.
"And now she's in the hands of the Guild," he stated plainly. "Do you know why?"
"If I did, I'd already be there getting her out," I shot back.
Michael's lips twitched in what might have been the ghost of a smile. "Headstrong. Just like your father."
The casual ntion of my father froze in place. "You... knew my father?"
Michael walked to the window, gazing out at the guild grounds. "I thought you might have figured it out by now. Why do you think I sent Isabelle to deliver that token to you three years ago? It wasn't random chance."
My mind raced. "What are you saying?"
"Your father arranged everything," Michael said simply. "Your marriage into the Sterling family. Your eventual eting with Isabelle. All of it."
The revelation hit like a physical blow. "That's impossible. I never even knew my father."
"No, you didn't," Michael agreed. "But he knew you. Watched over you from afar. He believed you and Isabelle were a perfect match—two pieces of a greater whole."
I struggled to process this information. My entire life—even my chance encounter with Isabelle—had been orchestrated? "Why? For what purpose?"
"That, I don't know entirely," Michael admitted. "Your father was... enigmatic in his explanations. But I do know this: the Guild's interest in Isabelle likely stems from their knowledge of his plans."
"So her abduction is because of ?" The thought was unbearable.
Michael turned to face . "Not because of you—because of what you represent together. The Guild fears the union your father envisioned."
"Is she safe?" I asked, the question that had haunted day and night.
"For now," Michael nodded. "The Ashworth na still carries weight, even with the Guild. They won't harm her unnecessarily. But they will keep her isolated and study her bloodline extensively."
A small asure of relief washed over , quickly replaced by determination. "I need to know everything about my father. Who he was. What he wanted. Why he never ca for ."
Michael studied for a long mont. "Are you sure you're ready for those answers? So truths can be more devastating than ignorance."
"I need to know," I insisted. "Everything I thought I understood about my life has been a lie. If I'm going to save Isabelle, I need the complete picture."
Michael nodded slowly. "Very well. Ask your questions, and I'll tell you what I know."
I took a deep breath, facing a mont I'd dread of since childhood. "Then... where is he? What kind of person is he? And why have I never t him?"
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