Immortal Supreme: Sovereign of the Grand Dao-Chapter 300: Luke’s Progress and Gratitude

"The talisman is a defensive treasure," Arthur continued.

"It will activate automatically if you’re in mortal danger. It can block one attack at the Martial Ancestor level. Only one, so don’t rely on it completely. But it should save your life if the worst happens."

"And this," Arthur held up the formation plate, "is a teleportation array. If things become too dangerous and you need to escape, channel your qi into it. It will transport you and anyone within ten meters to a safe location outside the secret realm."

Balor stared at the items in his hands. His throat worked as he swallowed hard. "Master, these are too valuable. I can’t—"

"You can and you will," Arthur interrupted firmly. "You’re my disciple. Your life is valuable to me. These are just tools. Your growth and survival are far more important than any treasure."

Balor’s eyes glistened slightly. He bowed deeply again. "Thank you, Master. I won’t waste these gifts. I’ll use them wisely and return safely."

"See that you do," Arthur said. His tone was stern but his eyes were gentle. "I expect a full report when you come back. About what you found, what you learned, and how you grew."

"Yes, Master," Balor replied.

They spent a bit more time discussing strategy. Arthur provided insight into some of the known dangers of secret realms. Gave advice on how to handle conflicts with other cultivators. Suggested formations that might be useful.

When they finally finished, Balor bowed one last time. "I won’t disappoint you, Master."

"I know you won’t," Arthur replied. "Now go. Continue your preparations. The realm opens in just a few days."

Balor left with purpose in his stride. The doors closed behind him with a soft sound.

Arthur stood alone in the training hall for a moment. His thoughts were already moving to the next person he needed to see.

Luke.

Arthur made his way through the mansion toward a different section. This area was more isolated. More secure. It was where the palace’s elite guards trained.

The Shadow Guards. Elite assassins who served the imperial family directly. Men and women trained in deadly arts and absolute loyalty.

Luke had been training with them for months now. Arthur had arranged it personally after the tournament. He’d recognized Luke’s potential and wanted it properly refined.

Arthur reached a secured entrance. Two guards stood at attention. They recognized him immediately and bowed deeply.

"Your Highness," they said in unison.

"I’m here to see Luke Nightwalker," Arthur stated simply.

"Of course, Your Highness. Please enter."

The doors opened smoothly. Arthur walked through into a large underground training facility.

The space was impressive. Multiple training areas separated by barriers. Targets for ranged practice. Dummies for close combat. Obstacle courses for agility training.

And there, in one corner, was Luke.

He was in the middle of a training session. His movements were sharp and precise as he moved through a combat sequence. Each strike was lethal. Each movement calculated to maximize efficiency and lethality.

Luke had changed significantly since Arthur had first met him. Back then, he’d been desperate and driven but rough around the edges. Now he moved like a true assassin. Silent. Deadly. Controlled.

Arthur watched for a moment without announcing himself. Observing his subordinate’s progress with approval.

Luke was fighting against training constructs. Multiple opponents attacking from different angles. He flowed between them like water. His shadow martial spirit activated periodically, allowing him to blend into darkness and strike from unexpected angles.

It was impressive. Very impressive.

When the training sequence ended and the constructs deactivated, Luke turned and noticed Arthur standing there. His eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Your Highness," Luke said immediately. He bowed respectfully. "I didn’t realize you were here."

"I just arrived," Arthur replied. He walked closer. "I wanted to see how your training was progressing."

Luke straightened. There was satisfaction visible on his face. Pride in what he’d accomplished. "It’s been intense but rewarding. The Shadow Guards have pushed me harder than I’ve ever been pushed before."

Arthur nodded. "Good. That’s what you needed. Raw talent only takes you so far. Proper training refines it into true skill."

He looked Luke over carefully. The young man’s cultivation had advanced as well. Not as dramatically as Balor’s, but steadily and solidly.

"How do you feel?" Arthur asked. "Honestly."

Luke considered the question seriously before answering. "Stronger. More confident. More capable. The training here has taught me things I never would have learned on my own."

"And your bloodline?" Arthur inquired. "How has it been developing?"

Luke’s expression grew more animated. "It’s awakening more fully. The Shadow Guards have techniques specifically designed to cultivate bloodline abilities. I can do things now that I couldn’t do before."

He demonstrated. His form seemed to flicker. For just a moment, he disappeared completely into the shadows cast by the training equipment. Then he reappeared several meters away.

"Shadow Step," Luke explained. "A technique passed down in the Nightwalker clan. I couldn’t use it properly before because my bloodline wasn’t awakened enough. But now..."

He smiled slightly. "Now I’m starting to understand why the Nightwalker clan was once considered the deadliest assassins."

Arthur’s expression showed approval. "That’s excellent progress. Your ancestors would be proud."

Luke’s smile faded slightly at the mention of ancestors. His expression became more serious. "Speaking of which... I wanted to thank you again, Your Highness. For helping rescue my father."

Arthur had indeed helped with that. When he’d learned that Luke’s father was imprisoned in a distant kingdom’s dungeon, falsely accused of crimes he didn’t commit, Arthur had used his resources and influence to secure his release.

It hadn’t been particularly difficult for someone of Arthur’s position and capabilities. But for Luke, it had meant everything.

"You don’t need to keep thanking me for that," Arthur said. "Your father’s imprisonment was unjust. Helping to correct that injustice was the right thing to do."

"Still," Luke insisted. "It means everything to me and to my clan. The Nightwalker bloodline was nearly extinct. Only my father and I remained. If he had died in that dungeon..."