## Liam's Perspective
Pain. Blinding, searing pain raced through my body. The final fragnt of the Ice Heart was too much. Every ridian in my body felt like it was being torn apart.
"Argh!" I collapsed to my knees, clutching my chest.
My dantian roiled with unchecked power. Ice crystals ford on my skin, spreading rapidly across my arms. I was freezing from the inside out.
"No... not like this," I gasped.
The breakthrough to Military Marquis was within reach, yet slipping away. The Ice Heart's power was overwhelming instead of transforming .
I forced myself into a ditation pose despite the agony. My consciousness dove inward, confronting the raging storm of energy. The cold was absolute. rciless. Deadly.
My thoughts turned to Isabelle. Her captivity. Her suffering. I couldn't fail now.
"Control it," I commanded myself. "Don't fight the cold. Beco it."
Sothing shifted. Instead of resisting the Ice Heart's energy, I embraced it. Welcod it. The change was imdiate.
The ice spreading across my skin receded. My ridians, instead of shattering, began to expand. Energy flowed where before it had been blocked.
A crack appeared in the barrier to Military Marquis realm.
Then another.
And another.
The barrier shattered completely. Power surged through in a relentless wave, reforging my body from within. My spiritual sense expanded exponentially, suddenly able to perceive the entirety of Jade Moon Villa and beyond.
I'd done it. Military Marquis realm at last.
When I opened my eyes, frost coated the walls of my chamber. My breath ca out in visible puffs despite the sumr heat outside.
"Isabelle," I whispered, "I'm coming for you."
A knock at the door interrupted my mont of triumph.
"Master Knight!" It was Kim, one of the newer disciples. Her voice trembled. "They're here! The Ascendant Saints Order! Master Phoebe says to co quickly!"
I rose to my feet, feeling my new power humming beneath my skin.
"I'll be right there."
---
I erged to find Jade Moon Villa in chaos. Disciples ran in all directions, so carrying valuables, others weapons.
Phoebe Reeves stood at the main gate, her face pale but determined. Behind her, the senior disciples ford a protective line. This chapter was made possible by the * community.
Beyond them stood Josiah Hale and at least fifty Ascendant Saints cultivators.
"Where is Liam Knight?" Josiah demanded as I approached. "Bring out the upstart who dares challenge my authority!"
Phoebe's eyes flicked toward . Relief washed over her face.
"Master Hale," she said carefully, "there's no need for conflict. We can discuss—"
"The ti for discussion has passed!" Josiah cut her off. "You harbored a man who insulted the Ascendant Saints Order. Now you'll all pay the price."
I stepped forward. "I'm Liam Knight."
Josiah's eyes locked onto . His aura flared, testing mine. For a mont, confusion flickered across his face. He'd expected a Military General at most, not the power level I now radiated.
"So," he said, recovering quickly, "the rat erges from his hole."
"This isn't necessary," I said. "Your quarrel is with , not Jade Moon Villa."
Josiah laughed. "You think you can dictate terms to ? I am Josiah Hale, Sect Master of the Ascendant Saints Order and Military Saint!"
"And yet you bring fifty n to face one opponent," I observed coolly. "Not very confident for a Saint."
His face darkened. "Your insolence knows no bounds. I ca not just to kill you, but to make an example of everyone who sheltered you."
Phoebe stepped forward. "Master Hale, perhaps we can offer compensation. The Iceheart Lake—"
"Silence!" Josiah roared. "I'll take the lake after I've razed this place to the ground!"
I looked at Phoebe. "Get everyone to safety. This isn't your fight."
"But—"
"Go," I insisted. "Now."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Everyone, retreat to the inner sanctum!"
As the disciples withdrew, Josiah sneered. "Running won't save them. No one defies the Ascendant Saints and lives."
"You're not touching anyone here," I said, centering my stance. "This ends between you and ."
Josiah laughed again. "Such bravado from a new Marquis. Yes, I can sense your recent breakthrough. But the gap between us remains vast."
I didn't respond, gathering my energy instead. The cold power of the Ice Heart stirred within , ready to be unleashed.
"Master!" One of Josiah's followers stepped forward. A vaguely familiar face. "I can show you where he's been hiding."
My blood ran cold. A traitor within Jade Moon Villa.
"Wyatt Chen," I muttered, recognizing the disciple who had arrived just weeks ago.
Phoebe's face contorted with rage. "You treacherous—"
"Very good," Josiah cut her off. "Show everything."
Wyatt bowed. "The upstart has a secret chamber where he's been cultivating. This way."
Josiah smiled cruelly. "Excellent. n, secure the periter. No one leaves. I'll deal with Knight personally."
I clenched my fists. The betrayal stung, but I couldn't focus on that now. Josiah was coming for , and I needed every advantage.
"Phoebe," I said quietly, "go. Protect the others."
She hesitated. "Be careful, Liam. He's not just powerful—he's ruthless."
I nodded, watching as Wyatt led Josiah toward my private chamber. The other disciples retreated deeper into the villa compound.
Minutes later, Josiah burst into my ditation room, his eyes sweeping the frost-covered walls.
"Interesting," he remarked. "The Ice Heart's energy. So that's how you managed your breakthrough."
I stood in the center of the room, unmoving. "Leave Jade Moon Villa now, and I'll let this go."
Josiah's laugh was genuine this ti. "You'll 'let this go'? Boy, do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
"A bully hiding behind his sect's reputation," I replied evenly.
His eyes narrowed dangerously. "I've crushed insects with more power than you. Your pathetic breakthrough ans nothing."
"Then why bring an army?" I challenged. "Why not face alone?"
"To eradicate all trace of your existence," he said simply. "After today, no one will rember Liam Knight or Jade Moon Villa."
I felt a cold rage building inside . Not just for myself, but for everyone here. For Phoebe who had trusted with their greatest treasure. For the disciples who had accepted .
"I won't let you hurt these people," I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
"You have no say in the matter." Josiah's aura exploded outward, golden light filling the room.
I stood my ground as the pressure washed over . It was imnse—far beyond anything I'd faced before. The gap between a new Military Marquis and an established Military Saint was painfully obvious.
But I didn't flinch.
"Last chance," I warned, drawing on my newly forged power.
Josiah's patience snapped. With a roar of fury, he unleashed his full aura.
The walls cracked. Furniture splintered. Nearby disciples were thrown off their feet by the pressure wave.
The battle for Jade Moon Villa had begun.
Reviews
All reviews (0)