Devouring Petal Pavillion, Blackstone City Branch.

Inside a dark room, a group of people were seated and looked at the face portrait on the table. The city lord's request to assassinate Liam had just arrives and the executives of the branch were gathered to discuss it.

The meeting wouldn't had been necessary if this was an ordinary request, but it wasn't. Not just because it's from the city lord but also because of the target, Liam.

The Devouring Petal Pavillion is a huge organisation, as they handle requests from very powerful individuals, even those from powerful clans and those in the Imperial Capital. So, why is such a organisation having a meeting over Liam?

Well, it's because they aren't just an organisation that does assassination but also an information gathering organisation. They are the second biggest in this field, just right behind the Chamber of Commerce.

And as organisation that prides themselves in able to gather any information whatsoever, especially if it's related to their requested target, they felt uneasy by the fact they haven't been able to gather anything on Liam.

The only information they have on him is that he suddenly appeared in Blackstone city one day, had a little squabble which later escalated. But the executives' interest isn't that.

What they are actually interested in is how strong Liam is. The battle he fought against Xuan Zhi and Fang Cheng was one of the reasons for this curiosity of theirs.

"So, what do you all say?" The branch leader asked.

"He's definitely strong but from what we gathered from his fight with Xuan Zhi and Fang Cheng, he's not invincible. We can't send someone at the early foundation establishment realm or even at the mid foundation establishment realm to complete the mission. But we have someone here who can take care of him without trouble," One of the executives replied.

"You mean Guang?" The second executive asked, looking at the first executive for confirmation.

The first executive nodded in response.

"I agree. Guang is definitely a good choice," the third executive nodded in agreement.

The three executives turned to the last person, the fourth executive and the only female seated at the table. They were curious to hear her opinion.

"What's your thought on this on this, Lady Five Winters," the branch leader asked.

"You all have already made the decision. Why are you acting like my opinion is important?" The lady asked.

"Lady Five Winters, your opinion is just as important as everyone else here," the first branch executive spoke with a smirk on his face.

"Don't flatter yourself, Elder Thousand Umbrellas," Lady Five Winters scoffed. "But I will admit with you that Guang is the right choice for this mission. We should definitely send him."

"I guess that decides is then. Elder Three Swords, send for Guang and tell him to complete the mission tonight," The branch leader ordered.

The third executive nodded and signalled behind him. The next moment, the shadow at the corner of the room, moved.

***

Meanwhile, the person in question was in a restaurant, staring intently at the person seated across the table.

Liam hadn't even walked far when someone stopped him. His first thought was that it was someone from either families but he couldn't sense any hostility from the person.

He had wanted to excuse himself but the person introduced himself as the person that has warned him about Xuan Yu and the Xuan family's retaliation after his little squabble with the young master in that restaurant.

"So, you're the person that spoke to me directly into my head, that day?" Liam asked..

"Yes. I'm Yao Ming," the person nodded.

"I see. So, what did you stop me on the road and what do you want to talk to me about?" Liam asked.

The truth was that he wasn't really interested in the person in front of him but he won't deny that he was curious about what he wants to talk to him about.

If his guess is correct, from the way Yao Ming carries himself, he's someone who is way stronger than Fang Cheng and Xuan Zhi combined. His reason for such thought is how he had communicated with him back at the restaurant.

Liam felt that it was something only high level cultivators should be able to do. At least, that's what he thinks.

As for Yao Ming, he was curious about Liam. He has been wanting to talk to him since after he saw how he has fight and won against Xuan Zhi and Fang Cheng.

They were two of the top powerhouses in the city but Liam had not only fought aging the small army they each brought to capture him, he won against them in a very strange and convincing manner.

Of course, to a third stage Golden Core cultivator like him and one of the core disciples of one of the Great Sects, both Fang Cheng and Xuan Zhi were just too weak. But Liam being able to won against them showed his talent for swordsmanship, in addition to the strange ability Liam used.

He saw it that day when his sword started ringing, vibrated and wanting to escape from its sheath, and fly to Liam. The scene had given him a strange feeling and it was heightened by the fact that he's from the biggest sect that focuses on swordsmanship.

He couldn't help but ask himself if Liam was the month cause of that phenomenon that happened in the Thousand Mist Forest months ago.

Yao Ming had a lot of questions but they weren't important at all. It was something else entirely.

"I want you to join the Heaven Piercing Sword Sect," He replied to Liam's question.

Yes. This was far more important. He has been tasked with it by his master.

"Heaven Piercing Sword Sect?" Liam asked in surprise.

"Yes," Yao Ming nodded in confirmation.

"Why?" Liam asked with a frown.

"What do you mean 'why'?"

"It's exactly what it means. Why should I join the sect? Because you said so?"

"Aren't you aware that it's one of the Great Sects? This is an offer anyone else would jump, at the moment it's made," Yao Ming replied.

"I know that it's one of the Great Sects. I know how prestigious the title is and how much pride it must feel you with to be one affiliated with them. I'm also aware that the offer you just made is something anyone else would jump at. But that's it. You and anyone else, not me," Liam said with a matter-of-fact tone.

Yao Ming was quite impressed by Liam's words and his courage. Actually, he has no idea if he should call it courage or foolishness.

Saying something like that... It was something only a foolish person would say. He can't help but wonder if Liam's little victory had gotten to his head and he's now full of himself.

"So, what you're saying is that you don't want to join one of the Great Sects?" Yao Ming asked, with his brow raised a little.

"Not just the Great Sects but any organisation. I really appreciate the offer but my circumstances doesn't allow me the chance to join a sect and also like I said, I don't care about things like that," Liam replied.

Yao Ming nodded his head slowly. He could see that there was more to why Liam's refusing the offer and it made him even more curious. He wondered if it was because of the Blackstone city lord, but he doubts it.

"I understand that you might be worried about the Blackstone city lord but you shouldn't be. If you join the sect, no one will dare to touch you," he said with pride.

"It's not because of the Blackstone city lord. If I was worried about that, I would had left the city after the incident. There's another reason for my refusal."

"I see... I guess it can't be helped then. I won't force you but let me know when you change your mind and are ready to accept my offer," Yao Ming said and stood up.

He took a look at Liam and smiled, before stepping out of the restaurant.

Liam smiled and sighed softly, as he watched Yao Ming leave. He actually hasn't expected to attract the attention of one of the Great Sects. But unfortunately for them, he can't join them. He's stretched too thin already and would be stretches farther in the future. Things would get complicated in the future if he joins any faction.

Liam sighed once more and inwardly called up the system.

System, please show me the description for the Primordial Forge Authority talent.

[Primordial Forge Authority]

Description: It's an apex talent that grants absolute mastery over forging, shaping, merging, and evolving materials across all universes. Allows the user to refine any substance, enhance any weapon, fuse incompatible materials, repair the irreparable, and create artifacts that surpass known grades. The authority also lets the user imprint laws, energies, and concepts directly into forged items, elevating them beyond conventional limits. The user would also be able to completely control both the First Flame of Creation and Earth Flame.

***

It's really what I thought it is and it's just as op as the rest, Liam smiled to himself.

Now that he had checked the talent's information, he felt even more happy at the reward.

He was curious if he could fuse it immediately and he decided to ask the system.

System, the talent doesn't seem to be something that required things like mana or spirit qi at the beginning. I should be able to fuse it immediately, right?

[Yes, host. You can fuse the talent.]

Perfect..Is there anything I should know before doing that? Should I make any preparation?

[No, Host. You can fuse it on the spot if you want to. There won't be any phenomenon.]

"Really? That's wonderful to hear. Finally, after so long, something I can use without worry," Liam muttered to himself.

System, begin fusion, he said without hesitation.

[Primordial Forge Authority fusion has started.]

Immediately,. Liam felt sharp sting in his head and a small wave of dizziness hit him, but he was able to get hold of himself quickly.

The fusion process continued and a second later, he heard the system's notification.

[Primordial Forge Authority fusion completed]

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