Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I stood in the dim light of the Scripture Pavilion, surrounded by ancient scrolls and the heavy silence of accumulated wisdom. The massive collection of texts stretched before me, organized in towering shelves that reached toward the vaulted ceiling. Golden light filtered through high windows, casting long shadows across the marble floor.

Time was my enemy now. Three days to find and master the Spirit Binding Technique—a technique that might save Isabelle. I could feel each second ticking away, adding pressure to my already burdened shoulders.

"Where do I even start?" I muttered, scanning the endless rows of scrolls and books.

"Looking for something specific?" a voice asked from behind me.

I turned to find Ricardo Beaumont standing there. Despite my earlier rebuke, his expression held no anger—only a calculating curiosity.

"The Spirit Binding Technique," I answered bluntly. No point in hiding my purpose here.

Ricardo raised an eyebrow. "Interesting choice. Not many would attempt such a complex working." He gestured toward a section near the back of the pavilion. "Third alcove from the right. Look for the jade-colored scrolls."

I eyed him suspiciously. "Why help me after what I just said?"

He shrugged, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Because I'm not as petty as you think. And because I'd like to see what you're truly capable of." He paused, then added, "Also, you might want to consider the vajra sacred physique technique instead. It's in the Divine Rank section—perfect for someone with your particular energy signature."

"Divine Rank?" I asked, my interest piqued despite myself.

"The highest tier of techniques stored here," Ricardo explained. "Most cultivators never even attempt them. Too difficult, too demanding. But for you..." He trailed off, studying me with renewed interest.

Before I could respond, a harsh laugh cut through our conversation.

"Divine Rank? For him?" Cedric Holt stepped forward from between the shelves, his face twisted in disdain. "Don't waste your breath, Beaumont."

I recognized Holt immediately—nephew of Spencer Holt, whose arm I'd broken during our confrontation at the Celestial Apothecary Guild. The family resemblance was striking—same arrogant sneer, same cold eyes.

"Knight may have impressed you with his little display against Marc Fairlight," Cedric continued, "but Divine Rank techniques require more than brute force. They require genuine talent—something no country bumpkin could possibly possess."

I remained silent, studying him. His hatred ran deeper than simple aristocratic disdain. This was personal.

"Still nursing that grudge about your uncle's arm?" I asked finally.

Cedric's face flushed red. "You humiliated a Holt. Our family doesn't forget such insults."

"Your uncle tried to kill me," I pointed out calmly. "Breaking his arm was a courtesy. I could have taken his life."

"Big words from someone who—"

"Enough, Cedric," Blaise Rostova interrupted, emerging from behind a nearby shelf. Her face still showed bruises from our earlier encounter, but her eyes were sharp and alert. "We're here to study, not rehash old grievances."

She turned to me, her expression a mixture of reluctant respect and lingering hostility. "Though I must agree with Cedric on one point—Divine Rank techniques are beyond most cultivators' capabilities, especially on such a tight timeline. I've been studying here for years, and I've yet to successfully master even one."

"How long does it typically take?" I asked.

"Months, at minimum," Blaise replied. "Even for exceptional talents like Daphne Grenville, it takes weeks of dedicated study."

As if summoned by her name, Daphne appeared from around a corner, carrying several scrolls. "Did I hear my name?" she asked, her melodic voice carrying through the quiet hall.

"We were discussing Divine Rank techniques," Ricardo explained. "I suggested Knight try the vajra sacred physique."

Daphne's eyes widened slightly as she turned to me. "That's... ambitious. I spent three weeks mastering my first Divine Rank technique, and I was considered something of a prodigy for it."

"Three weeks?" I considered this information. "I don't have that kind of time."

Cedric laughed again, the sound grating against my nerves. "Of course you don't. Because you're delusional if you think you can master a Divine Rank technique at all, let alone quickly."

Something in me snapped. Perhaps it was the constant doubting of my abilities, or the pressure of Isabelle's situation weighing on me. Either way, I was done with their skepticism.

"I'll master it in a day," I declared.

The silence that followed was absolute. Even the dust motes floating in the beams of light seemed to freeze.

"Impossible," Blaise whispered.

"One day?" Cedric repeated, incredulous before breaking into laughter. "Now I know you're insane."

"You're serious?" Ricardo asked, studying my face.

"Completely," I confirmed. "By this time tomorrow, I'll have mastered the vajra sacred physique."

Cedric's laughter died down, replaced by a calculating look. "Care to make a wager on that, Knight? Since you're so confident."

"What did you have in mind?"

"When you fail—and you will fail—you'll kneel before me and apologize for what you did to my uncle. In public, before the entire Guild." His eyes gleamed with anticipation. "And if, by some miracle, you succeed... I'll do the same for you."

"Cedric," Daphne cautioned, "that's a serious—"

"Deal," I cut her off, extending my hand to Cedric.

He grasped it firmly, his grip unnecessarily tight. "I look forward to seeing you on your knees, Knight."

"Show me to the Divine Rank section," I said to Ricardo, ignoring Cedric's smug expression.

Ricardo led me through the maze of bookshelves to a sealed door at the far end of the pavilion. He pressed his token against it, and the door swung open silently, revealing a smaller chamber bathed in soft, golden light.

"These are all Divine Rank techniques," he explained, gesturing to the pristine scrolls arranged on jade pedestals. "The vajra sacred physique is there, on the third pedestal."

I approached it slowly, feeling the energy radiating from the ancient parchment. This was no ordinary technique—I could sense its power even without opening the scroll.

"I'll leave you to it," Ricardo said, backing away. "Though I suggest you manage your expectations. Divine Rank techniques have broken stronger men than you."

After he left, I unrolled the scroll carefully. Complex diagrams and ancient script filled the yellowed parchment, detailing energy pathways and cultivation methods I'd never seen before. The technique was indeed formidable—designed to strengthen the physical body to withstand tremendous force while simultaneously enhancing offensive capabilities.

Perfect for what I needed.

I settled into a cross-legged position, absorbed in study. Time seemed to blur as I traced the energy patterns with my mind, committing each movement to memory. The technique was complex, but not impenetrable—especially not to someone who had mastered the Nine Absolute Beginning Slashes my father had left me.

Hours passed. Occasionally, I sensed people observing me from the doorway—Daphne's concerned gaze, Blaise's skeptical assessment, Cedric's hostile scrutiny. I ignored them all, diving deeper into the technique's mysteries.

By the fourth hour, something shifted in my understanding. The scattered pieces suddenly aligned, revealing a pattern I hadn't seen before. Energy surged through my meridians, following the pathways described in the scroll. My skin began to emit a faint golden glow as the technique's fundamental principles took root in my core.

"It's happening," I heard Daphne whisper from the doorway.

"Impossible," Blaise muttered. "He's only been at it for four hours."

The golden light intensified, enveloping my entire body. I could feel my muscles hardening, my bones becoming denser, my skin toughening like armor. This was the vajra sacred physique—the divine technique that transformed flesh into something approaching indestructibility.

I opened my eyes, rising smoothly to my feet. The golden aura clung to my skin like a second layer, pulsing with newly harnessed power.

"How's that possible!" Cedric exclaimed, his face pale with shock. "He comprehended a Divine Rank technique in just four hours?!"

Daphne stepped forward, her expression a mixture of awe and disbelief. "I've never seen anyone master a technique so quickly."

"He hasn't mastered it," Cedric protested weakly. "He's just... he's just activated it somehow. That's different."

I turned to face them fully, the golden light casting dramatic shadows across the chamber. "Would you like a demonstration, Cedric? To prove I've mastered it?"

His face paled further, and he took an involuntary step back. "This isn't possible. You must have known this technique before coming here."

"I didn't," I stated simply. "But I've faced greater challenges than this scroll. When you've decoded the Nine Secrets technique and survived the trials I have, Divine Rank doesn't seem so intimidating."

The gathered onlookers whispered among themselves, their expressions ranging from disbelief to reluctant admiration. News would spread quickly through the pavilion—Liam Knight had done the impossible yet again.

Cedric stood frozen, the implications of our wager clearly dawning on him. He would have to kneel before me, publicly humiliating himself and, by extension, his entire family.

"I believe you owe me something," I said, stepping closer to him.

His face contorted with rage and humiliation. "This isn't over, Knight. You may have won this round, but the Holt family doesn't forget."

"Neither do I," I replied evenly. "I'll expect your public apology tomorrow. Unless your word means nothing?"

Before Cedric could respond, Ricardo pushed through the growing crowd of spectators. "Extraordinary," he breathed, examining the golden aura still surrounding me. "Simply extraordinary. The vajra sacred physique usually takes months to even comprehend, let alone master to this degree."

I rolled up the scroll carefully, returning it to its pedestal. "I need to test this technique's limits. Where can I train without causing damage?"

"The underground training chambers," Daphne suggested, stepping forward. "I can show you the way."

As we prepared to leave, I caught a glimpse of Blaise's expression—a complex mixture of grudging respect and intensified rivalry. Our paths would cross again, I was certain.

"Knight," she called out as I reached the door. "Don't think this makes us even for earlier."

I nodded once. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Leaving the stunned spectators behind, I followed Daphne through the pavilion. The vajra sacred physique hummed within me, its power ready to be unleashed. One more weapon in my arsenal. One step closer to being ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

One step closer to saving Isabelle.