Julia's words hit me like physical blows, each one hammering home the vast gulf between Isabelle Ashworth and myself.
"The Ashworth family is the most powerful clan in Veridia City," she continued, her voice dripping with disdain. "They have connections to every major business, political office, and martial arts sect. Miss Ashworth herself is being pursued by the heirs of multiple prominent families."
I stood in my doorway clutching the package of herbs, feeling smaller with each passing second. The secretary's eyes swept across my shabby apartment visible behind me, her lip curling slightly.
"Whatever Miss Ashworth sees in you is beyond my understanding," she said. "But let me give you some advice – stay away from her. People like you don't belong in her world. You'll only bring her trouble."
With that final barb, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking sharply against the worn hallway floor.
I closed the door slowly, leaning my forehead against it as her words echoed in my mind. The Ashworth family of Veridia City. Everyone knew that name. They were legendary – not just wealthy, but influential beyond measure.
And Isabelle was their princess.
Setting the package on my table, I stared at the premium herbs within. They probably cost more than three months of my salary. To Isabelle, it was likely pocket change – a casual gift she wouldn't think twice about.
"The princess of the Ashworth family," I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief.
For a moment, despair threatened to overwhelm me. How could I ever measure up to someone like her? What could I possibly offer a woman who could have anything – or anyone – she wanted?
My eyes drifted to the jade pendant hanging around my neck. It pulsed with a soft green light, as if responding to my emotions.
"No," I said firmly, gripping the pendant. "I refuse to think that way."
My father, whoever he was, had left me this inheritance for a reason. The ancient knowledge flowing through me wasn't meant to be wasted on self-pity.
I looked at the herbs again, this time with determination rather than shame. If Isabelle Ashworth was that high above me, then I would simply have to climb. I would ascend until I stood on equal footing with her – or die trying.
With renewed purpose, I cleared my workspace and laid out the herbs. According to the knowledge from my pendant, I could use these ingredients to refine Qi Gathering Pills – a powerful cultivation aid that would accelerate my progress tremendously.
Time seemed to blur as I worked. I crushed, mixed, and processed the herbs with growing confidence. My first attempt failed, the mixture turning black and emitting a foul odor. My second attempt showed promise but ultimately collapsed in the final stage.
I wiped sweat from my brow, refusing to give up. "Third time's the charm," I muttered, carefully measuring out another batch of ingredients.
Hours passed. On my fifth attempt, the mixture finally coalesced into small, glowing green pills. I stared at them in amazement – I had done it! I'd successfully refined Qi Gathering Pills!
Without hesitation, I took five pills and swallowed them. The effect was immediate and intense. Energy surged through my meridians like liquid fire. I dropped to my knees, gasping as the power coursed through me, breaking through barriers and expanding my capacity.
When the sensation finally subsided, I felt... different. Stronger. More solid. Rising to my feet, I flexed my hands, marveling at the energy coursing through them. According to my inherited knowledge, I had advanced to the Second-Layer Qi Refining Stage – a significant leap forward.
Testing my new strength, I punched the air experimentally. The movement created a small shockwave that disturbed the papers on my table. A smile spread across my face. This was just the beginning.
---
The next morning, a knock at my door pulled me from meditation. I opened it to find Isabelle standing there, more beautiful than I remembered in a simple blue dress that probably cost more than my entire apartment. Behind her stood a man – tall, burly, with the watchful eyes of a professional bodyguard.
"Good morning, Liam," she said with a warm smile. "May we come in?"
I stepped aside, suddenly conscious of my humble surroundings in a way I hadn't been before. Now that I knew who she truly was, every crack in the wall and worn piece of furniture seemed to scream my inadequacy.
"Thank you for the herbs," I said as they entered. "They were... extremely helpful."
Isabelle's eyes widened slightly as she looked at me, and I wondered if she could see the change in me – the new strength that hummed beneath my skin.
"You look different," she said softly.
"I feel different," I admitted.
The bodyguard remained by the door, his eyes constantly scanning the room, body tense like a coiled spring.
Isabelle gestured to him. "This is Magnus. He works for my family. After what happened with Roman, I thought... well, I thought you might need protection."
Magnus gave me a curt nod, his expression neutral but his eyes assessing.
A day ago, I might have gratefully accepted her offer. But now, with power flowing through my veins and my recent advancement, something else stirred within me – pride.
"That's very thoughtful," I said, meeting Magnus's gaze steadily, "but I don't think it's necessary anymore."
Isabelle frowned. "Liam, you don't understand. Roman has connections. There could be—"
"I understand more than you think," I said, surprising myself with my calm confidence. "But I've made some progress of my own recently. I might even be a match for your bodyguard now."
Magnus's eyebrows shot up, and a small, incredulous smile played at the corners of his mouth. He looked to Isabelle.
"Miss Ashworth," he said in a deep voice, "would you mind if I tested Mr. Knight's claim? With your permission, of course."
The tension in the room thickened. Isabelle looked worried.
"I don't think that's a good idea," she said. "I brought you here to protect him, not to fight him."
"It would just be a friendly assessment," Magnus assured her. "No real harm will come to him."
I felt a flash of irritation at his tone – as if I were some fragile thing that needed to be handled with care.
Before Isabelle could respond, I stepped forward. "It's fine, Isabelle. I'd actually welcome the opportunity."
She looked between us, concern evident in her eyes. "Magnus, I don't want—"
"It's not necessary," I interrupted, feeling a surge of confidence that would have been unimaginable to me just days ago. I looked directly at Magnus with a challenge in my eyes. "My hands are still a bit heavy, and I might hurt you..."
Magnus's expression shifted from mild amusement to surprise, then to something harder. Isabelle's mouth fell open slightly at my audacity.
The bodyguard stepped away from the door, squaring his shoulders as he faced me fully. The friendly assessment had just become something more serious.
"Liam, what are you doing?" Isabelle whispered, her eyes wide with concern.
But I held my ground, the power of the Second-Layer Qi Refining Stage thrumming through my body. For the first time in my life, I wasn't backing down. For the first time, I truly believed I might win.