Rise of The Abandoned Husband

"Mr. Knight," Clarissa said, closing the door behind her. "I have information about Isabelle Ashworth."

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Isabelle's name. I straightened in my chair, instantly alert.

"What have you found?" I demanded, gesturing for her to sit.

Clarissa took the seat across from me, placing a thin folder on the desk between us. Her eyes were steady, evaluating my reaction.

"We believe she's being held in a Mystic Realm," she stated, watching me carefully.

"A what?" I frowned, the term unfamiliar.

"A Mystic Realm," she repeated. "It's essentially a hidden dimension, created and controlled by extraordinarily powerful cultivators."

I leaned forward, skepticism warring with desperate hope. "Are you saying Isabelle isn't even in our world anymore?"

"Not exactly." Clarissa opened the folder, revealing sketches of what looked like doorways surrounded by complex formations. "Mystic Realms exist alongside our world but remain separate from it. Think of them as pockets of reality with their own rules and environments."

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to process this information. "And you believe the Veridia City Martial Guild has put Isabelle in one of these realms?"

"Yes." Her answer was confident. "My sources indicate they've been using a Mystic Realm for their most sensitive operations for years. It would be the perfect place to hide someone they're... experimenting on."

The word "experimenting" sent ice through my veins. I forced myself to remain focused.

"How certain are you?"

"Eighty percent," Clarissa replied. "The Guild has been moving unusual equipment and specialized personnel through a heavily guarded area in their headquarters. The energy signatures we've detected match known Mystic Realm entry points."

I stood up and paced the room, mind racing. If Isabelle was in some hidden dimension, how could I possibly reach her?

"Can these realms be accessed? Broken into?"

Clarissa's lips curved in a small smile. "That's actually why I wanted to speak with you directly. The Umbral Covenant's headquarters exists within a Mystic Realm."

This stopped me in my tracks. "Your organization operates from one of these hidden dimensions?"

She nodded. "It's one of our greatest assets. Security, secrecy, and virtually unlimited space and resources."

"Resources?" I echoed.

"Mystic Realms often contain concentrated spiritual energy, rare herbs, minerals—resources that would be scattered or depleted in our world still exist in abundance there." She paused. "That's another reason powerful organizations create them."

I sat back down, processing the implications. "So the Guild could be using their realm not just to hide Isabelle, but to access resources for whatever they're doing to her."

"Precisely."

A thought struck me. "If your organization has one of these realms, you must understand how they work. Could you help me break into the Guild's realm?"

Clarissa's expression became carefully neutral. "Forcing entry into a Mystic Realm is... problematic. Each realm has unique defenses, often tied directly to its creator's consciousness. A failed intrusion attempt could collapse the entire realm—with everyone inside it."

My stomach twisted at the implication. If Isabelle was inside...

"Then what are you suggesting?"

"I'd like to invite you to visit our Mystic Realm," she said, watching me closely. "To see how they function, to understand their properties. It might give you insights for a more... surgical approach to finding Ms. Ashworth."

I narrowed my eyes, suspicious. "Why would the Umbral Covenant show me their secret headquarters?"

"We have mutual interests," she replied smoothly. "And despite our past differences, Mr. Knight, my organization respects your abilities. We believe a partnership could be beneficial."

"Partnership," I repeated flatly. "The last time I dealt with the Umbral Covenant, they tried to have me killed."

Clarissa didn't flinch. "Different leadership now. Different priorities."

I stood again, needing distance to think clearly. The Umbral Covenant was dangerous, manipulative, and had tried to eliminate me in the past. But if they could help me understand these Mystic Realms—help me find Isabelle...

"I need time to consider this," I said finally.

"Of course." Clarissa stood, leaving the folder on my desk. "Review the information. When you've decided, you know how to reach me."

As she turned to leave, I called after her. "Clarissa."

She paused at the door.

"If you're lying to me about any of this, there won't be a realm hidden enough to protect you."

She met my gaze steadily. "I understand, Mr. Knight."

After she left, I sank back into my chair, mind whirling with new possibilities and dangers. Mystic Realms. Hidden dimensions with their own rules. If Isabelle was trapped in one, my entire approach needed to change.

I opened the folder Clarissa had left, studying the diagrams and notes. Most of it was theoretical—concepts of spatial manipulation and energy condensation that would have been incomprehensible to me just months ago. But with my awakened knowledge, I could grasp the fundamental principles.

These realms weren't just hiding places; they were power centers, created to concentrate and harvest energies that were scarce in the natural world.

If the Guild had Isabelle in such a place, what were they trying to create?

---

That night, I made a call I'd been putting off.

"Emerson Holmes speaking." His voice sounded tired, strained.

"It's Liam Knight."

A pause, then: "Knight. I was wondering when I'd hear from you."

"Congratulations on your promotion," I said, not bothering to hide my sarcasm. "How does it feel to be the Guild's new figurehead?"

He sighed heavily. "Cut the games, Knight. We both know I'm their sacrificial lamb. The elders have gone to ground while I face the public fallout from Bancroft's revelations."

That confirmed what I'd suspected after my encounter with Bryce. The Guild's leadership was in disarray, using Emerson as cover while they regrouped.

"Then you're in a precarious position," I observed. "Which means you might be willing to help me."

"Help you?" He gave a short, bitter laugh. "I can barely help myself right now. Journalists at my door, cultivators demanding answers, the public calling for the Guild to be disbanded..."

"I need information about Mystic Realms," I said bluntly, cutting through his complaints.

His end of the line went silent for several seconds.

"How do you know about those?" he finally asked, voice lowered.

"That's not important. What matters is whether the Guild is holding Isabelle Ashworth in one."

Another pause. "I can neither confirm nor deny—"

"Save it," I snapped. "I'm not a journalist. I'm the man who will tear your Guild apart stone by stone if I don't get answers."

"Knight, listen to me," Emerson's voice took on an urgent tone. "Mystic Realms aren't something to be discussed openly. Yes, they exist. Yes, the Guild has access to one. But even as the new President, my knowledge is limited. These realms are the domain of Martial Saints and those just below that threshold."

So Clarissa was telling the truth, at least about the realms' existence.

"Is Isabelle there?" I pressed.

"I don't know," he said, and I believed him. "I'm being kept away from certain operations deliberately. The elders don't trust me with everything, especially now."

"Then what good are you to me?" I asked coldly.

"More than you might think," Emerson replied. "Knight, listen—this promotion gives me some room to maneuver. The Guild is in chaos, and that creates opportunities. I can't openly help you, but I can ensure certain resources are... misallocated. Certain security measures relaxed."

I considered his words. "Why would you help me at all?"

"Because this Guild needs reform," he said firmly. "What's been done in the name of progress... some lines shouldn't be crossed. And if those lines were crossed with Ms. Ashworth, then that needs to be addressed."

"Noble words," I said skeptically. "But I don't trust you."

"You don't need to trust me," Emerson replied. "Just understand that we have aligned interests right now. The Guild as it currently exists doesn't serve me any better than it serves you."

I thought about that for a moment. "Fine. Start by investigating which Mystic Realms might be accessible from Veridia City."

"I'll see what I can find out," he promised. "But Knight—be careful. These realms operate under different natural laws. Even powerful cultivators can be overwhelmed by the conditions inside."

"Noted," I said. "One more thing—am I still a wanted man by the Guild?"

Emerson hesitated. "Officially, yes. Unofficially, I've redirected resources to more pressing matters. You should be safe for now, at least from formal Guild action."

"Small mercies," I muttered.

"Don't waste this reprieve," he warned. "It won't last forever."

After ending the call, I sat in silence, processing everything I'd learned. Mystic Realms existed. The Guild had access to at least one. And Isabelle might be trapped inside, subject to who knew what horrors.

I pulled out the Prajna Ruler again, its golden surface gleaming in the dim light. Two uses left. Would I need one to breach a Mystic Realm? To save Isabelle from whatever was happening to her inside?

The more I learned, the more questions emerged. And time was not on my side.

---

For three days, I immersed myself in research. The villa's archives contained fragmentary mentions of Mystic Realms, describing them as "reflections of creation" and "gardens of concentrated essence." Nothing concrete about how to enter them, or more importantly, how to force entry into one controlled by others.

Meditation brought no answers either. My divine sense, when pushed to its limits, could detect subtle variations in the fabric of reality around me—places where the boundary between dimensions seemed thinner—but nothing that would lead me to Isabelle.

On the morning of the fourth day, I made my decision.

"Clarissa? It's Liam Knight," I said when she answered her phone.

"Mr. Knight." Her voice was professional as always. "Have you considered my invitation?"

"I have," I replied. "I accept. I want to see this Mystic Realm of yours."

"Excellent." I could hear the satisfaction in her tone. "Can you be at Gyeon City Airport tomorrow morning at nine? We'll need to travel to the entry point."

"I'll be there," I confirmed. "No tricks, Clarissa. I'm coming alone, but I've left instructions with my people in case I don't return."

"A wise precaution," she acknowledged, "but unnecessary. This is a genuine invitation. You'll see tomorrow."

After hanging up, I sat at my desk, wondering if I'd made the right choice. The Umbral Covenant had tried to kill me once. Willingly entering their stronghold seemed like madness.

But if there was even a chance it could help me find Isabelle...

I packed lightly—just a few essentials and cultivation resources in my spatial ring. The Prajna Ruler I secured in a specially prepared box lined with formation stones that would mask its energy signature. No need to advertise that I carried a Saint weapon.

That evening, I informed Jackson Harding of my plans.

"The Umbral Covenant's Mystic Realm," he mused, stroking his beard. "Few outsiders have ever seen it and lived to tell the tale."

"Encouraging," I muttered.

"Actually, it is," he countered. "The fact they've invited you suggests a genuine desire for alliance. They wouldn't waste the opportunity to show off their power base otherwise."

"Or they're luring me into a trap."

Jackson shook his head. "If they wanted you dead, there are easier ways. No, they want something from you, Liam. Something only you can provide."

"What could that be?"

"That," he said with a wry smile, "is what you should be trying to discover."

I sighed, frustrated by the constant games and hidden agendas.

"Will you look after Clara while I'm gone?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Of course." Jackson's expression softened slightly at the mention of the girl. "Her control is improving, though she still resists the meditative exercises."

"She's young," I said with a small smile. "Patience isn't her strong suit."

"Nor yours," he observed pointedly.

I couldn't argue with that. Every day away from Isabelle felt like torture. The thought that she might be trapped in some artificial dimension, subjected to who knew what horrors...

"I need to find her, Jackson," I said quietly. "Whatever it takes."

"I know." The old master placed a hand on my shoulder. "But remember—rushing into unknown dangers serves no one, least of all Isabelle. Learn what you can from the Umbral Covenant, but guard your mind and spirit while in their realm. Places of power leave marks on those who visit them."

I nodded, taking his warning seriously. "I'll be careful."

That night, I couldn't sleep. My mind kept returning to Isabelle—her smile, her strength, the way her eyes would light up when she laughed. Was she suffering now? Did she believe I'd abandoned her?

"I'm coming for you," I whispered into the darkness. "Wherever you are, I'll find you."

As dawn broke, I prepared for my journey. The Prajna Ruler, secure in its box, felt heavy with potential and limitation. Two uses. Would I need to spend one of them in the coming days?

Whatever awaited me in the Umbral Covenant's Mystic Realm, one thing was certain: I would emerge with knowledge that brought me closer to Isabelle. Any price short of my soul was worth paying for that.

I left Jade Moon Villa as the sun crested the horizon, my path now leading into unknown dimensions and echoes of unseen worlds.