Alex Cole moved swiftly through the woods at the edge of the Vale, the scroll from Elder Ruvan secured tightly in his inner robe. His steps were silent, and his thoughts focused.The path to Cloudshroud Mountain was narrow and almost invisible to the untrained eye. Moss-covered rocks and twisting vines tried to hide the trail from outsiders. But Alex could now see the energy veins beneath the ground, the pulsing flow of spiritual current guiding his every step.The knowledge that had entered his body in the Cavern of Reflection was not like anything he had studied in the medicine village. It had embedded itself into his meridians, flowing like a second breath inside him. His eyes saw more than they should have. His skin felt more than it ever had. His sense of energy, balance, and danger had heightened to levels he never experienced before.But this power came with a warning.He could now sense presences even when they were far away.And there was one such presence following him.He

Alex Cole stepped off the transport array, the dense energy of Trim City brushing against his senses like a stale fog. The lights were bright, the air thick with modern noise and city dust. For a moment, he stood still, his robes rustling in the breeze. The journey back from the mountains had been quiet, but his thoughts were anything but.He had returned empty-handed.The White Snake Flower was gone. Used. Spent.Lord Walton still lay on his sickbed.And Alex hadn’t rested in two days.Just as he turned toward the main road, his jade communicator buzzed inside his robe. He glanced at it, the familiar pulse of his master’s call lighting up the screen.He hesitated, then answered.“Disciple,” Master Dustin’s voice rang out, as calm and collected as always. “You're back in the city.”Alex nodded. “Just arrived.”“Good. I need you to attend something.”Alex narrowed his eyes. “Old man, I haven’t even….” He then connected the dopt that Dustin was aware that he had met someone at the black

Alex Cole walked down the quiet sidewalk near the southern quarter, hands in his robe pockets, his expression unreadable. Streetlights cast soft glows over the pavement, and traffic had finally thinned after the chaos of the medical assembly.He didn’t regret a word he said.Reed Clove had opened his mouth like a fool and left with it shut. That was enough for Alex.He turned down a corner, about to head toward his temporary apartment when his communicator buzzed again.He pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID.Hannah Stone.He stared at the name for a second.Thea Walton’s right hand.Her personal assistant, handler, and rumor had it, her attack dog in a dress.Alex debated ignoring it, but curiosity got the better of him.He accepted the call.“Alex Cole,” came the clipped, polished voice on the other end. “You certainly stirred up the hall tonight.”He didn’t answer.Hannah didn’t seem to care.“Lord Walton has asked me to extend a formal invitation. Dinner. Tomorrow evening,

Victor Miller adjusted his tie for the third time.“Relax, dear,” Rena whispered, smoothing the front of his jacket. “You look fine. Handsome as ever.”Victor gave a nervous chuckle, still scanning the office around him. “Raymond Bourne inviting us? Just like that? No warning? No message? Hah… something big’s about to drop.”Rena clutched her purse tighter, her earrings catching the soft overhead light as she glanced around. “This office is gorgeous. Look at that sculpture! Is that real bronze?”They sat in a long, cold corridor outside Raymond Bourne’s top-floor executive office. The carpet was red. The walls were matte black, and two armored guards stood at the elevator like statues.Victor checked his watch again. Twenty-nine minutes.Still no sign of their host.He looked over at Rena and whispered, “You think he wants to buy in? Like a joint venture? Maybe merge the cargo line?”Rena’s eyes glittered. “Or maybe he wants to use your warehouse network for his trade division. You’ve

(Jade Communicator is a phone, gaiz)Alex put down the jade communicator.Carl Moretti was already on his way.Not even ten minutes had passed when the front door opened. Carl walked in with his usual calm expression, but tonight, there was something tense about him. He sat down across from Alex without waiting for tea or small talk."Speak," Alex said, leaning forward slightly.Carl didn’t hesitate."There’s trouble brewing. Someone from the Scalebound Treaty has finally decided to make a move."Alex raised a brow. "Who?"Carl met his eyes. "Wade Smith."The name meant nothing to Alex. He waited.Carl sighed. "You wouldn’t know him. He stays away from the public eye. Wade Smith is one of the old heads in the Treaty… one of the remaining giants. He owns the Smith Family Hospital, the largest privately-owned medical institution in Mericania. Powerful, respected, and dangerous."Alex’s gaze remained flat. "What’s he planning?"Carl folded his arms. "He’s sending his three sons to Trim C