Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I woke early the next morning, my mind fixed on the ring that had Mallory Poe so desperate. Before heading to the Celestial Craft Pavilion, I needed to understand what made this artifact so valuable.

Sitting cross-legged on my bed, I held the ring between my thumb and forefinger. It appeared ordinary—a simple band of dark metal with faint runes etched along its circumference. Nothing to suggest it was worth a fortune in Divine Rank artifacts.

I closed my eyes and directed my divine sense into the ring. Most spatial rings contained a simple pocket dimension, but as my consciousness penetrated this one, I encountered something unexpected. Instead of the usual empty space, I found myself in a vast, disorienting landscape of swirling energy patterns.

The space seemed to fold in on itself, creating impossible geometric patterns that made my head spin. I quickly withdrew my divine sense, feeling momentarily nauseous.

"What the hell was that?" I muttered, examining the ring with renewed interest.

Whatever secrets this ring contained, they were beyond my current ability to decipher. But one thing was certain—Mallory Poe's desperation to retrieve it now made much more sense.

---

The Celestial Craft Pavilion looked different in daylight. Its towering white spires gleamed in the morning sun, projecting an aura of elegance and power. Guards flanked the massive gates, their armor polished to mirror-like perfection.

"Elder Knight," the lead guard greeted with a respectful bow as I approached. "Pavilion Master Poe is expecting you."

Instead of leading me to the main hall as before, the guard escorted me along a winding path through immaculately landscaped gardens to a secluded villa nestled against the back wall of the compound.

"The Pavilion Master's private residence," the guard explained. "He wishes to receive you with proper honors."

I raised an eyebrow at that. Receiving a guest in one's personal residence rather than official halls was either a sign of great respect or calculated intimacy. Given what I'd overheard yesterday, I suspected the latter.

The villa was a masterpiece of design—three stories of gleaming white stone with jade-tiled roofs and windows that seemed to capture and amplify the sunlight. A formation array hummed beneath my feet as we crossed the threshold, subtly scanning my cultivation level.

Mallory Poe himself stood waiting in the entrance hall, dressed in formal robes even more elaborate than yesterday's.

"Elder Knight!" he called out, his voice warm with feigned enthusiasm. "Welcome to my humble home. I'm honored you accepted my invitation."

"The honor is mine," I replied, matching his false cordiality. "Your pavilion's reputation for hospitality precedes it."

His smile widened. "Have you had the opportunity to consider our proposal?"

Direct, at least. I patted my pocket. "I brought the ring with me."

Relief flashed across his face before he could mask it. "Excellent! Before we discuss terms, please allow me to show you some items that might interest you. A man of your discernment surely appreciates fine craftsmanship."

He led me through a series of elegantly appointed rooms until we reached what appeared to be a private display chamber. Glass cases lined the walls, each containing artifacts that made my cultivation instincts tingle with recognition.

"These are from my personal collection," Mallory explained, gesturing grandly. "Not pavilion property, but my own acquisitions over the decades."

My attention was immediately drawn to a blade mounted on the far wall—a sleek sword with a blade that seemed to shift between solid matter and energy, emitting a subtle draconic aura.

"Ah, I see the Divine Dragon Blade has caught your eye," Mallory noted with satisfaction. "One of only three known to exist. It can cut through virtually any defensive formation."

"Impressive," I admitted, genuinely intrigued.

"Please, examine it if you wish," he offered, removing the blade from its mount and presenting it to me.

I took the sword, feeling its perfect balance. The hilt warmed to my touch, and the blade responded to my spiritual energy, glowing faintly.

"It seems to recognize you," Mallory observed. "Interesting. The Divine Dragon Blade chooses its wielder, you know. It's quite selective."

I returned the blade to him. "Thank you for showing me."

"No need for thanks," he said, not replacing it on the wall. Instead, he set it aside on a nearby table. "What else captures your interest?"

Over the next hour, he guided me through his collection, pointing out rare artifacts and explaining their powers: a pendant that could absorb and redirect energy attacks, gloves that enhanced formation crafting, boots that allowed silent movement regardless of terrain.

Each item I expressed interest in joined the Divine Dragon Blade on the table, creating a growing pile of treasures.

"These are all truly remarkable pieces," I finally said, watching him carefully. "You must have spent decades acquiring them."

"A lifetime's work," he agreed, his smile never wavering. "But what is a collection if not to be appreciated? I sense that you, unlike many, truly understand their value."

"I do," I confirmed. "Which makes me wonder why you're showing them to me with such... generosity."

Mallory chuckled, a practiced sound. "I believe in building relationships, Elder Knight. The items you've admired today—they're yours."

"Mine?" I repeated, not bothering to hide my disbelief.

"Consider them a gesture of goodwill. The foundation of a mutually beneficial alliance between us."

I glanced at the pile, mentally calculating its worth. At least eight Divine Rank artifacts, each one practically priceless. All for a single ring?

"That's an extraordinarily generous offer," I said carefully. "But such generosity usually comes with expectations."

"Just one," Mallory replied, his facade of joviality slipping slightly. "The ring. Nothing more."

I reached into my pocket and produced the ring, turning it slowly between my fingers. "This simple ring is worth all of that to you?"

His eyes fixed on the ring with an intensity that confirmed my suspicions. Whatever this ring contained, it was far more valuable than even this impressive collection.

"It has... sentimental value," he claimed unconvincingly.

"I see." I closed my hand around the ring. "And if I were to decline your offer?"

A flash of panic crossed his features before he controlled it. "I would be disappointed, of course, but that is your right. However, I hope you'll consider how beneficial this exchange could be for you."

"Let me think on it," I said, pocketing the ring again.

Mallory's smile became strained. "Of course. Perhaps over refreshments? I've prepared a small gathering upstairs."

He gestured toward the pile of artifacts. "These are yours regardless of your decision. Please, have my servants transfer them to your storage rings."

I nodded, allowing two waiting attendants to carefully place each item into my storage rings. The weight of what I now possessed wasn't lost on me—with these artifacts alone, I could outfit a small army of elite cultivators.

"You're very generous, Pavilion Master Poe," I remarked as the last item disappeared into storage.

"Think nothing of it," he replied, though his eyes never left the pocket containing the ring. "Shall we proceed upstairs?"

The third floor of the villa opened into a lavish banquet hall with panoramic windows overlooking the pavilion grounds. A long table was set with exotic foods and wines, and standing around it were Hanley Poe and, more surprisingly, a dozen women in form-fitting cheongsams of various colors.

"Elder Knight," Hanley greeted stiffly, clearly under orders to be polite.

"Elder Liam," Mallory announced, "these lovely ladies are members of our pavilion's hospitality division. They've been eagerly awaiting your arrival."

The women smiled in practiced unison, their cheongsams cut to emphasize every curve. Their cultivation levels were impressive—all at the Spirit Realm at minimum—and their beauty was clearly enhanced by rare elixirs and cultivation techniques.

"What an... unexpected addition to our meeting," I commented dryly.

"Only the best for our honored guest," Mallory insisted, clapping his hands. "Ladies, please make Elder Knight feel welcome while I attend to some urgent business. I'll return shortly."

Before I could object, Mallory and Hanley were heading toward the door, leaving me alone with the women who immediately began approaching me from all sides.

"Elder Knight," purred a woman in a crimson cheongsam, pressing herself against my right arm. "I've heard so much about your legendary skills."

Another in sapphire blue slid against my left side, her hand trailing across my chest. "They say your cultivation technique is... unique. Perhaps you could demonstrate for us?"

"I'm particularly interested in your... energy control," whispered a third, her breath warm against my neck as her fingers traced the line of my jaw.

Their perfumes mingled into a heady, almost intoxicating scent, and I realized with a start that these weren't mere courtesans—they were trained cultivators using subtle techniques designed to cloud judgment and inflame desire.

So this was Mallory's play—ply me with priceless artifacts, then distract me with beautiful women while he somehow retrieved the ring. An ancient tactic, but effective against many men.

The woman in crimson boldly ran her hand down my chest toward my waist. "Why don't we move somewhere more... private? There are many comfortable chambers in this villa."

"I bet a man of your power has amazing... stamina," murmured another, pressing her body fully against mine.

I stood unmoved as they surrounded me, their hands becoming more adventurous. One woman slipped behind me, her arms encircling my waist while another boldly attempted to guide my hand to her breast.

I could feel Mallory's spiritual energy hovering just outside the door, waiting for his scheme to take effect. Did he really think I was so easily manipulated? That I would be so distracted by flesh that I wouldn't notice his spiritual energy attempting to locate and extract the ring?

"Ladies," I said finally, my voice cutting through their seductive whispers, "I appreciate your... enthusiastic welcome."

I gently but firmly disengaged from their embrace, stepping back to create space between us. Their faces registered surprise—clearly, they weren't accustomed to rejection.

The door opened, and Mallory reentered, his expression carefully neutral though I could sense his frustration. His plan wasn't working as expected.

"I hope my hospitality is to your liking," he said smoothly.

I smiled, reaching into my pocket to grasp the ring. "It's certainly revealing, Pavilion Master Poe. In fact, I think I'm ready to make my decision about your offer."

His eyes fixed on my hand as I slowly withdrew the ring, holding it up so it caught the light. The women had retreated to the edges of the room, their seduction routine temporarily abandoned as they watched the true drama unfold.

"And what have you decided?" Mallory asked, tension evident in every line of his body.

I closed my fist around the ring, feeling its energy pulse against my palm. "That depends entirely on what happens next."