## Liam's Perspective
I watched the mixture of shock and fury play across Julian Radford's face as I pocketed the Water Tortoise core. The cosmic form had drained more than I'd let on, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing weakened.
"Knight!" Julian's voice cracked like a whip. "That beast was Guild property. The core belongs to us."
I turned slowly to face him. "Funny, I don't recall that rule being ntioned before the others claid their cores."
Several expedition mbers shifted uncomfortably. Dominic Ashworth's hand moved to his sword hilt, his eyes calculating as they darted between Julian and .
"The rules changed when you murdered a valuable Earth-rank creature," Julian snarled.
"Murdered?" I raised an eyebrow. "You summoned it specifically to kill ."
Julian's face darkened. "Hand over the core, or—"
"Or what?" I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "You'll summon sothing bigger? Go ahead. I need the practice."
We stood there, locked in silent combat, until Julian finally backed down. He spun away, barking orders at his subordinates to clear the demolished tortoise carcass.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted Dashiell Blackthorne conferring with several aristocrats. His usually composed face was flushed with frustration.
"This is outrageous," he hissed to his companions. "A nobody from Havenwood with that kind of power? There must be so trick."
Dudley Lowell, standing nearby, scoffed loudly. "What's outrageous is your continued underestimation of Knight. Has he not humiliated you enough already, Blackthorne?"
Dashiell's head snapped toward Dudley. "Watch your tongue, Lowell. Your family's standing has fallen so far that you're barely better than Knight yourself."
"And yet here we both are," Dudley replied coolly, "watching while he accomplishes what you could not."
I moved away, letting their argunt fade behind . Frederick Cohen approached, his normally placid expression replaced by one of concern.
"That was reckless," he murmured. "Julian will never forgive such a public display of superiority."
"I didn't have much choice," I replied, rolling my shoulder to ease the tension. "But you're right. He'll escalate now."
Frederick nodded grimly. A Guild attendant approached him.
"Master Cohen, Captain Radford requests you take position. Your beast has been summoned."
Frederick shot a aningful look before walking toward the center of the courtyard. Julian stood there, clearly still seething from our confrontation.
"Cohen," Julian announced loudly, "since you seem eager to participate, I've prepared sothing special."
The summoning circle pulsed with red energy, far different from the blue glow that had preceded my Water Tortoise. The air turned sour, and a sticky, copper-scented mist filled the courtyard.
"Is that... blood?" soone whispered.
The portal tore open, and a crimson shape burst through. It was a Bloody Rain Dolphin – a twisted mockery of its earthly counterpart, with razor-sharp teeth and skin that constantly wept blood. Its movents created trails of red mist as it circled above us.
Julian's smile was cruel. "Begin."
Frederick stood motionless as the creature dived toward him, its maw open wide enough to swallow a man whole.
"Move, you fool!" Dominic Ashworth shouted.
But Frederick remained still, eyes closed. Just as the beast was about to strike, his eyes snapped open. A brilliant crimson aura erupted from his body – not the sickly red of the dolphin's blood mist, but vibrant and pure.
The dolphin shrieked, suddenly changing course as if it had hit an invisible barrier. Frederick raised his hand slowly, palm out.
"Holy Body," he said quietly.
The crimson aura condensed around his arm, forming what looked like a giant spectral hand. With a casual gesture, he closed the spectral fingers around the dolphin.
The beast thrashed wildly, but Frederick's expression never changed. He simply squeezed.
The Bloody Rain Dolphin exploded in a shower of crimson particles. Where the beast had been, a small red core hung suspended in the air. Frederick plucked it from the mist and walked calmly toward Julian.
"I believe this concludes my demonstration," he said, placing the core in Julian's trembling hand.
Julian's face had gone from red with rage to white with shock. "Holy Body... that's not possible. That cultivation path died out centuries ago." The full series lives on My Virtual Library Empire (*).
Frederick simply bowed slightly and walked away.
"What the hell just happened?" Dashiell demanded of no one in particular.
Julian seed lost in thought, his eyes darting between Frederick's retreating form and . I could almost see the calculations behind his eyes – two participants with rare, powerful abilities that shouldn't exist in this age.
"Lowell!" Julian suddenly barked. "You're next."
Dudley strode forward confidently. "I await your challenge, Captain."
Julian's hands moved quickly, summoning a third beast – a Venom Ape with toxic spines covering its massive body. The creature dropped into the courtyard with enough force to crack the stone beneath it.
The ape roared, beating its chest. Dudley seed unfazed.
"Begin," Julian ordered, his voice tight with anticipation.
Unlike Frederick or myself, Dudley made no dramatic proclamations. He simply extended both hands before him, palms facing each other.
Between his hands, a sphere of energy began to form – blue-green and crackling with power. As the ape charged, Dudley calmly expanded the sphere until it was the size of a carriage wheel.
The Venom Ape leaped, claws extended for a killing blow. Dudley stepped forward and shoved the energy sphere directly into the creature's chest.
There was a mont of absolute stillness. Then the ape simply... disintegrated. Not an explosion like Frederick's dolphin, not crushed like my tortoise. The beast simply ceased to exist, leaving behind only a glowing green core that clinked softly as it hit the courtyard floor.
Dudley retrieved the core and approached Julian, whose mask of control was slipping rapidly.
"I've heard rumors about you," Julian said quietly as he accepted the core. "The disgraced heir of the Lowell family, cast out for... unconventional thods."
Dudley's pleasant expression didn't waver. "Ancient history, Captain."
Julian's eyes narrowed. "Is it? You're here now, seeking Isabelle Ashworth's treasure. Just like Knight."
At the ntion of my na, Dudley's smile tightened imperceptibly.
"Knight has been quite the thorn in your side, hasn't he?" Julian continued, voice dropping even lower. "First at the Celestial Apothecary Guild, then at Ashworth Manor, and now here."
Dudley said nothing, but I could see his shoulders tensing slightly.
"What if," Julian said carefully, "I could offer you a chance not only to reclaim your family's honor but to settle your score with Knight permanently?"
Dudley's eyes flicked briefly in my direction. I maintained a neutral expression, but inwardly, I was calculating quickly. Julian was forming alliances against right before my eyes.
"The Veridia City Martial Guild has need of n with... unique talents," Julian continued. "n like you, Lowell. With the right backing, you could have everything you've lost returned to you – and more."
Dudley seed to consider this for a long mont. "And all I need to do is help you deal with Knight?"
Julian's smile was cold. "Among other services to the Guild, yes."
"A tempting offer," Dudley said softly. "Very tempting indeed."
I watched the two n carefully. Another enemy was forming before my eyes – not just Julian and the Guild, but now potentially Dudley Lowell as well. The man had demonstrated power far beyond what his reputation suggested. If he truly harbored a grudge against , that made him dangerous.
Frederick materialized at my side. "Trouble," he murmured.
"I see it," I replied. "Julian's gathering allies."
"Not just allies," Frederick warned. "Did you feel Lowell's energy? That wasn't normal cultivation. There's sothing inside him, sothing ancient."
I nodded grimly. "Like Clara's mask."
Julian and Dudley concluded their conversation with what appeared to be agreent. As they separated, Dudley cast a long, unreadable look in my direction.
The ssage was clear. The hunt was on, and I was the prey.
"This expedition just got more complicated," I said quietly.
Frederick's eyes were grim. "It was always going to be complicated, Liam. The only question now is whether we'll survive it."
Across the courtyard, Julian Radford watched with newfound calculation in his eyes. He no longer looked angry – he looked patient. Like a predator who had finally found the right trap for elusive prey.
"Knight!" he called out, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, we enter the Ashworth ancestral grounds."
His smile didn't reach his eyes. "I can't wait to see what treasures await us there."
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