"Zane Frost," Zhao Lin called out, his voice strained from the pain of his attack. "We're here for the Soul Convergence Pill. If you leave now, I'll act like nothing happened. Or else..."
"Or else what?" he cut in, his voice sharp. "Kill me? Bully me? Torture me?"
Zhao Lin blinked, clearly surprised by his bold tone. He hadn't expected such defiance from someone who used to cower before him.
Zane shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Aside from those empty threats, there's nothing else you could do to me now."
Soren stepped forward, his voice rising louder than Zhao Lin's. "Hand over the pill to Julian right now," he demanded, his face flushed with anger. "If you delay Julian's foundation building any longer, I'll kill you myself."
Zane smirked at his words, completely unfazed. "Is that a threat?" he asked calmly, waving his hand. The pill floated closer to him, responding to his command.
Soren's expression wavered at his confidence. He hadn't expected him to have such control over his powers. "Don't do anything reckless," he warned, trying to regain his composure. "I'm only trying to guide you. Remember, you betrayed the sect, and Master Han was merciful enough not to execute you on the spot."
He took a deep breath, trying to sound reasonable. "Hand over the pill immediately."
But Zane remained unmoved by his words. Instead, he brought the pill even closer to himself, his eyes never leaving Soren's. "And what if I don't?" he asked simply.
Soren opened his mouth to respond but found himself speechless. His threats had fallen flat, and he had no answer to his direct challenge.
Seeing that Soren's approach wasn't working, Julian stepped forward, his face transforming into his familiar innocent expression. "Zane, I know you're mad at me and all," he said, his voice soft and pleading, "but I really need that pill. Please, I'm begging you."
His act was flawless, complete with trembling lips and wide, tearful eyes. But Zane had seen it all before and wasn't about to fall for it again.
Liam stepped in, his voice calm and measured. "Our main reason for coming to the Void Realm was to get the Soul Convergence Pill," he emphasized. "If you give it to Julian, I'll personally return and convince Master Han to let you rejoin the sect."
Zane let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "The sect is nothing to me now," he declared firmly. "I refuse to release this pill. You can dream on."
Julian's innocent mask began to fade at Zane's words. His eyes narrowed, and his voice took on a sharper edge. "How dare you insult the sect like that?" he snapped. "I'll report your disrespect to Master Han as soon as we return!"
Zane didn't bother responding to Julian's threat. Instead, he moved the pill closer to his face, making it clear he was about to absorb it.
"No!" Julian yelled, his composure completely gone now. "That pill is mine!"
Zane paused, looking directly at Julian. "In the world of cultivation," he explained calmly, "anything found in a realm belongs to no one. If I want to, I'll eat this pill right now."
He brought the pill closer to his mouth, ready to consume it.
"Zane, wait!" Liam called out desperately.
He whipped around to face him, his eyes flashing with anger. "I told you not to call me by just my name."
Liam nodded, taking a step back. "Zane Frost," he corrected himself. "Please, listen to me. Julian needs that pill to aid his cultivation. His future depends on it."
His voice softened slightly. "What will make you give us the pill? There must be something you want."
Zane's lips curled into a smile. This was exactly what he had been waiting for – a moment of vulnerability, a chance to make them beg. "I want Julian to kneel and beg me," he said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "Then, maybe, I'll consider giving him the pill."
Julian's face paled. "What? You want me to kneel to you? That's ridiculous!"
"Is it?" Zane asked, raising an eyebrow. "You seemed pretty good at kneeling and begging when you were trying to convince Master Han to spare me. Of course, that was all an act, wasn't it?"
Soren stepped forward angrily. "This is outrageous! Julian doesn't need to kneel to anyone, especially not to someone who betrayed the sect!"
Zane laughed, the sound hollow and cold. "Then I guess he doesn't need this pill as badly as you claimed."
He brought the pill even closer to his mouth, making it clear he was seconds away from consuming it.
"Wait!" Liam called out, holding up his hand. He turned to Julian, his expression serious. "Julian, perhaps you should consider it. The Soul Convergence Pill is crucial for your advancement."
Julian stared at him in shock. "You can't be serious! You want me to kneel to him?"
"It's just a gesture," Liam said quietly. "Think about what's at stake here."
Julian looked around frantically, his eyes darting between the three seniors, but none of them could offer an alternative. Finally, his gaze settled on the pill in Zane's hand, and his expression shifted.
"Fine," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "If that's what it takes."
Slowly, reluctantly, Julian lowered himself to his knees in front of Zane, his face a mask of hatred and humiliation.
"Please," he ground out, the word barely audible. "Give me the pill."
Zane looked down at him, savoring the moment. "Louder," he commanded. "I don't think everyone heard you."
Julian's face flushed with anger, but he complied. "Please give me the pill," he repeated, louder this time.
Zane studied him for a long moment, taking in his humiliated expression, the fury in his eyes, the way his hands trembled as they rested on his knees. He had dreamed of this moment, of seeing Julian brought low, forced to beg just as Zane had been forced to beg for mercy that never came.
"No," Zane said finally, his voice cold and clear.
Julian's head snapped up, his eyes wide with shock. "What? But I did what you asked! I knelt!"
"And I changed my mind," Zane replied simply. "Just like the sect changed its mind about me when you fed them your lies."