Rise of The Abandoned Husband

Chapter 588 - 588 - An Island of Secrets and Sudden Peril

## Liam's Perspective

I couldn't sleep that night. Bancroft's words echoed in my mind: "Kill all those people from the lower class. Don't leave a single one alive!" The coldness in his voice had chilled me to the bone.

Dawn broke over Veridia City as I stood at my window. Three days until the expedition departed. Three days to prepare for whatever trap awaited on that island.

Registration opened at the main hall. I joined the line of eager cultivators, mostly young men and women from common backgrounds. Their excited chatter filled the air.

"I heard the island has spirit herbs that can't be found anywhere else!"

"My brother says there's a spring that can double your cultivation speed!"

If only they knew what Bancroft and Radford had planned for them.

Julian Radford sat behind a large desk, checking credentials and handing out registration forms. When I approached, his smile faltered.

"Knight. I'm surprised to see you here."

"Are you?" I held his gaze. "I wouldn't miss this opportunity."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Very well. Fill this out."

I took the form, noticing how his fingers trembled slightly. Guilty conscience, perhaps? Or just nervous about carrying out his master's orders?

Two hours later, we gathered in the courtyard. Julian Radford stood on a platform, Darian Bancroft at his side. Behind them stood several Guild elders, including the ever-watchful Corbin Ashworth.

"Welcome, brave cultivators!" Julian's voice boomed across the yard. "You've all been accepted for this prestigious training expedition."

I scanned the crowd. About sixty cultivators total. Roughly three-quarters were commoners like me. The rest were elite disciples, including Dashiell Blackthorne, who glared at me from across the gathering.

Julian continued, "For safety and maximum benefit, you'll be divided into teams. Elite disciples will lead groups of four to five common cultivators."

I watched as Bancroft handed Julian a scroll. Their exchange seemed rehearsed, but I caught the subtle nod between them.

"Now for resource allocation," Julian announced. "Each team will receive supplies according to their assigned territory on the island."

Darian stepped forward, unrolling a large map of what appeared to be a mountainous island.

"The central plateau will be assigned to teams led by elite disciples," Julian explained. "The coastal regions and northern mountains will be for the remaining teams."

I immediately understood their scheme. The safest, most resource-rich areas for the elites. The dangerous territories for the commoners.

"Any questions before we proceed?" Julian asked, his gaze sweeping over us.

I raised my hand. "Will we be competing against each other, or are we free to collaborate?"

Julian's smile didn't reach his eyes. "An excellent question. While teams will operate independently, there's no prohibition against cooperation."

Lies. I'd overheard their true intentions.

"One more thing," Julian added. "For those assigned to the northern mountains, be warned – there are reports of territorial beasts in that region."

More like death traps deliberately set for us.

The meeting continued with Julian and Darian detailing the rules, expectations, and timeline. All the while, I observed the subtle exchanges between Guild leadership – the sidelong glances, the knowing smirks.

Afterwards, I approached Emmett Monroe, who had also registered.

"The northern mountains," I said quietly. "That's where they're sending us to die."

He nodded grimly. "I noticed. But what can we do? Refuse to go, and we'll never learn what they're planning with those Blood Oath extracts."

"We need to warn the others."

"And who would believe us? The Guild's word against ours?" Emmett shook his head. "We'd be labeled as troublemakers or worse."

He was right. We had no proof, only overheard conversations.

---

Two days later, final preparations were underway. I'd spent every waking moment gathering information about the island – its terrain, climate, potential dangers. Knowledge was my only advantage.

In the equipment hall, Julian Radford and Darian Bancroft stood behind a table covered with specialized gear.

"These communicator talismans will allow emergency contact with the mainland," Julian explained, holding up a small jade token.

"And these," Darian added, lifting a box of gleaming bracelets, "will track your location on the island. Safety precautions."

I watched as they distributed eighteen silver bracelets to the team leaders. Something about them set my nerves on edge.

"Knight!" Julian called. "Your team has been assigned to the northeastern quadrant."

I stepped forward to collect my equipment bundle. Inside were basic supplies, a crude map, and one of those silver bracelets.

"All team leaders must wear these at all times," Julian instructed. "They're linked to our monitoring array."

I held the bracelet up, examining its intricate engravings. They weren't just tracking devices. The formations were far too complex.

"Is something wrong?" Julian asked, noticing my hesitation.

"These aren't just for tracking," I said, loud enough for others to hear. "What else do they do?"

The room fell silent. Julian's smile froze on his face.

"They're standard Guild equipment," he insisted. "Nothing more."

"Then why do they contain restriction formations?" I challenged, pointing to specific engravings. "These are designed to control, not just track."

Murmurs spread through the gathered cultivators.

Darian stepped forward, his voice smooth as silk. "Mr. Knight has a sharp eye. Indeed, these bracelets have secondary functions – they can be activated remotely to provide protection in case of emergency."

Protection? More like restraint.

"If anyone is uncomfortable with this safety measure," Julian added, "you're welcome to withdraw from the expedition."

The challenge was clear. Back down or proceed. But withdrawing meant losing my chance to discover what they were doing with Isabelle's blood.

"I'm simply making an observation," I said, slipping the bracelet onto my wrist. It felt cold, threatening.

Several cultivators looked nervous, but no one withdrew. The promise of resources and advancement was too tempting.

After the equipment distribution, Dashiell Blackthorne cornered me in the corridor.

"Enjoying your last days, Knight?" His voice dripped with venom.

"Sounds like you have plans for me, Blackthorne."

He smirked. "Let's just say the island has many dangers. Accidents happen all the time."

"Like forcing Isabelle into marriage was supposed to be an accident?" I stepped closer. "How did that work out for you?"

His face darkened. "You took everything from me. My reputation, my standing with the Ashworths, my future."

"You never had a future with Isabelle," I said coldly. "She was never yours to claim."

"And soon, she'll never be yours again either." His smile returned, cruel and knowing. "The Blood Oath changes people. When we're done with her, she won't even remember your name." This chapter was first seen on *.

I grabbed his collar, rage pulsing through me. "If you've hurt her—"

"Problem here?" It was Emmett Monroe, his hand firmly on my shoulder.

Dashiell stepped back. "No problem. Just wishing Knight good luck on the island. He'll need it." With a final smirk, he walked away.

"Save your strength," Emmett advised. "You'll need it tomorrow."

---

The chartered plane hummed steadily over the ocean. Sixty cultivators bound for an isolated island, most unaware they were being delivered to potential slaughter.

I sat near the back, observing. My team consisted of four common cultivators – all young, all eager, all completely trusting of the Guild that planned to sacrifice them.

Midway through the flight, someone dropped into the seat beside me. I turned to find a horribly disfigured face – burn scars covering the left side, the eye a milky white.

"Remember me, Knight?" The voice was raspy but familiar.

"Dudley Lowell," I said evenly. "How could I forget?"

The man I'd defeated months ago, whose face I'd burned with his own flame technique when he attempted to assassinate me.

"I've been looking forward to this trip," he rasped. "Just you and me on an island, far from witnesses."

"You're wasting your time on old grudges, Lowell."

"This isn't a grudge," he hissed. "It's justice. You destroyed my future. My face. My standing."

"You tried to kill me first," I reminded him. "And failed."

His good eye narrowed. "Things will be different this time. The Guild has promised me your head."

Before I could respond, the captain announced our descent. Out the window, I caught my first glimpse of Training Island – a sprawling landmass with a central mountain range, dense forests, and rocky coastlines.

We landed on a makeshift airstrip near the beach. As we disembarked, I felt it immediately – the air was thick with qi, far more concentrated than in Veridia City.

"Incredible," one of my team members whispered. "I can feel my meridians expanding just standing here."

Julian Radford gathered everyone on the beach. "Welcome to Training Island! You'll notice the enhanced spiritual energy – use it wisely. Teams will now proceed to their assigned territories."

He unfolded a large map. "Elite teams to the central plateau. Northern teams, follow the coastal path until you reach the mountain trails. You have until nightfall to establish your camps."

As teams dispersed, I led my group along the beach. The sand was unusual – it sparkled with tiny flecks of what looked like spirit stone fragments.

"Mr. Knight," one of my team members asked, "what should we focus on first?"

"Securing shelter and water," I replied. "Then we explore our surroundings carefully."

By sunset, we'd established a basic camp in a protected cove near the forest edge. The others retired early, exhausted from travel and excited for tomorrow's training.

I walked alone along the moonlit beach, thinking of Isabelle. Was she feeling pain right now? Was she wondering if I'd abandoned her?

The water lapped at my feet, glowing faintly with spiritual energy. Curious, I knelt and dipped my hand in. The seawater was warm, almost gelatinous with concentrated qi.

Could there be underwater caves? Hidden resources beneath the waves? I was contemplating a night dive when it happened.

A massive explosion ripped through the darkness to my right, maybe half a mile down the beach. The sky lit up as if day had suddenly returned.

My face turned cold. So it begins.