Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I paced back and forth in my chamber, the Man with the Mustache's cryptic message replaying in my mind. The urgency in his voice was unlike anything I'd heard from him before.

"A change in the Immortal Bane Sect," I muttered to myself, running a hand through my disheveled hair.

His next words chilled me to the bone: "The corpses we saw last time... I think they're moving. Something's bringing them back, Liam. Something from deep beneath the earth."

Revived corpses. An entire massacred sect, potentially returning from the dead. The implications were staggering, but I couldn't afford to be distracted. Isabelle's safety remained my priority.

My wounds throbbed as I made my way down to the detention level. Each step was a reminder of my battle with Barrett Hill. The victory had come at a cost, but it had sent a clear message to my enemies.

Kenneth Minnx looked up as I approached his cell. The former Umbral Covenant member had clearly not slept, dark circles framing his bloodshot eyes.

"Made your decision?" I asked coldly.

Kenneth nodded, his former arrogance completely evaporated. "I'll help you access the Mystic Realm. Not like I have much choice."

"No, you don't," I confirmed. "Start talking."

He rose from his cot, approaching the energy barrier between us. "It's not that simple. Accessing Mystic Realms isn't just about finding the entrance. Anyone can stumble into one if they're lucky. But controlling how you enter, where you appear inside... that requires what we call 'mystic keys.'"

I narrowed my eyes. "Mystic keys?"

"Not physical keys," Kenneth explained, his voice taking on a lecturer's tone despite his circumstances. "They're specialized Dao techniques. Complex spiritual manipulations that interface with the realm's natural defenses."

"And you know these techniques?"

A bitter laugh escaped him. "It took me thirty years to master even a fraction of them. The Umbral Covenant guards this knowledge jealously."

I studied his face, searching for deception. "So you're telling me you can help us enter the Mystic Realm safely?"

"I can guide you through the entrance process, yes." Kenneth met my gaze directly. "But there's a price beyond my freedom."

"You're not exactly in a position to negotiate."

"Kill me then," he replied with surprising calm. "But without my assistance, you risk dropping into the heart of the realm's most dangerous areas. Or worse, becoming trapped between realities."

I considered his words carefully. The Man with the Mustache had mentioned similar risks. Having Kenneth's expertise could prove invaluable, especially if I needed to evacuate Isabelle quickly.

"What's your price?" I finally asked.

"Remove the cultivation barrier you placed on me," Kenneth said. "I can't live as a cripple."

I laughed coldly. "So you can try to kill me the moment your powers return? I don't think so."

"Then mark me," he countered. "Place a spiritual brand that will kill me if I betray you. The Covenant does it to ensure loyalty."

That gave me pause. A spiritual brand would indeed give me leverage over him. And having someone who understood Mystic Realms could be a significant advantage against future threats.

"Fine," I said after a long moment. "But the brand will be permanent. You serve me now, Kenneth Minnx. Your life belongs to me."

Fear flickered across his face, but he nodded. "Better than rotting in this cell or facing the Covenant's wrath."

I signaled the guards to open his cell. As the barrier dissipated, I moved with lightning speed, my palm striking his chest before he could react. Dark golden energy flowed from my hand, forming intricate patterns on his skin that quickly sank beneath the surface.

Kenneth gasped, dropping to his knees as the brand took hold. "What... what was that?" he wheezed.

"Insurance," I replied, helping him to his feet. "The mark is connected to my will. Betray me, and your heart explodes. Simple enough?"

His face paled, but he nodded. "Crystal clear."

Within hours, we were prepared to depart. Mariana had arranged a secure transport for Isabelle, her floating medicinal bath encased in protective formations. The journey to Gyeon City would be arduous but necessary.

"Are you certain about this?" Mariana asked as we prepared to leave.

I gazed at Isabelle's peaceful face through the translucent barrier. "It's our best option. The Guild is too exposed now."

"Then take this." She pressed a jade talisman into my palm. "Emergency communication. If you need anything—anything at all—activate it."

I nodded, tucking the talisman away. "Keep the Guild safe until we return."

The journey to Gyeon City took three days, traveling only at night to avoid detection. Kenneth proved surprisingly useful, sharing insights about the region and identifying potential surveillance points from rival factions.

"The Umbral Covenant has spies throughout these territories," he explained as we approached the city outskirts. "We should avoid the main roads."

I glanced back at the covered wagon carrying Isabelle's healing chamber. "Will your 'mystic keys' work from any entry point?"

"Yes, but some are easier than others. There's a breach in the northwestern boundary that would be ideal."

As night fell on the third day, we arrived at a secluded forest clearing near the rumored location of the Mystic Realm. The Man with the Mustache was waiting, nervously twirling his facial hair.

"About time!" he exclaimed, rushing forward. "Things have gotten worse. I've observed movement in at least three sections of the abandoned sect grounds."

"Revived corpses?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

"Not exactly revived," he replied, leading us toward a hidden trail. "More like... puppets. Something is controlling them from below."

I frowned. "We'll deal with that later. First, we need to get Isabelle safely inside."

Kenneth stepped forward, examining our surroundings with newfound authority. "This location will work. The boundary between realms is thin here."

He began tracing complex patterns in the air, his fingers leaving trails of soft blue light. "The key to entering a Mystic Realm isn't force, but harmony. You must synchronize your spiritual energy with the realm's natural frequency."

I watched closely as he demonstrated, memorizing each movement. "And this will create a stable entry point?"

"More than that," Kenneth replied, his concentration unwavering. "It will allow us to choose where we emerge inside. The Umbral Covenant has been mapping this particular realm for decades."

The air before us began to shimmer, reality itself seeming to fold inward. A doorway of swirling energy materialized, revealing glimpses of ancient architecture beyond.

"Now," Kenneth instructed. "Move quickly but calmly. Visualize your destination as you enter."

I supervised as our small group transported Isabelle's healing chamber through the portal. The Man with the Mustache followed, then Kenneth. I stepped through last, maintaining focus on our predetermined sanctuary deep within the realm.

The transition was disorienting but smoother than I expected. We emerged in a vast, abandoned courtyard. Ancient buildings surrounded us, their architecture reminiscent of a bygone era. The sky above wasn't sky at all, but a shimmering dome of energy that cast everything in a soft blue light.

"The inner sanctum of the Immortal Bane Sect," Kenneth whispered, looking around with scholarly interest. "Remarkably well-preserved."

"This will serve our purposes," I decided, directing the placement of Isabelle's healing chamber in the most defensible building. "Set up the additional protective formations around the perimeter."

As Kenneth and the Man with the Mustache worked, I monitored Isabelle's condition. The journey hadn't disturbed her healing process, thankfully. Her face remained serene, untroubled by our desperate circumstances.

"I'll keep you safe," I promised softly. "Whatever it takes."

Once Isabelle was secured, I turned my attention to our surroundings. The abandoned sect grounds held countless secrets, and possibly threats. The Man with the Mustache's warnings about moving corpses couldn't be ignored.

"We need to investigate," I told him. "Show me where you saw the movement."

He led me to an outer courtyard where several corpses lay exactly as they had fallen during the massacre years ago. Unlike before, however, subtle movements could be detected—fingers twitching, chests rising with phantom breaths.

"It started three days ago," he explained. "At first, just small movements. But they're becoming more coordinated."

I examined the nearest body, noticing dark energy pulsing beneath its decaying skin. "Something's controlling them from below, you said?"

He nodded. "There's an ancient well in the main courtyard. The energy seems strongest there."

Before we could investigate further, Kenneth approached, his expression urgent. "Liam, we have company. Someone's attempting to breach the realm barrier."

I cursed under my breath. "How many?"

"Just one, but they're using techniques similar to the Umbral Covenant's. They'll be through any minute."

I drew my sword, dark golden energy pulsing along its blade. "Man with the Mustache, stay with Isabelle. Kenneth, with me."

We rushed to the entry point, arriving just as the fabric of reality tore open. A figure stepped through—a woman in flowing white robes, her face bearing the familiar features of the Umbral Covenant.

Clarissa Johnson. Barrett Hill's assistant and fellow Covenant member.

Recognition flashed in her eyes, followed by alarm as she spotted Kenneth at my side. "You!" she gasped. "Traitor!"

I didn't give her time to finish. Moving with cultivator speed, I crossed the distance between us and seized her by the throat, lifting her off the ground.

"You have exactly one minute to tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now," I growled, tightening my grip on her snow-white neck.

Her eyes bulged, hands clawing desperately at mine. "Wait!" she choked out. "I came to warn you!"

"Warn me?" I loosened my grip just enough for her to speak. "About what?"

"The Covenant," she gasped. "They know about your wife. They're coming for her—and for you. All of them. They'll be here by dawn."