Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew said, "The two of you already have a solid foundation. This tonic won't do much for you. That's why I've prepared something different-pills, specifically

made for you."

The moment they heard the word pills, Natasha and Dylan's faces lit up with excitement. They watched eagerly, waiting for Andrew to take them out.

However, instead of moving, Andrew simply looked at them and said coldly, "All medicine carries poison to some degree. And pills—especially high-grade ones— are the most dangerous of them all."

He continued, "For an ordinary person, swallowing a single high-grade pill could make their blood boil and explode within hours. The reason is simple these pills contain an overwhelming amount of energy. So don't assume that just because a pill is rare and powerful, it's automatically good for you."

Natasha frowned. "Darling, are you saying the ones you made for us are high- grade pills?"

Andrew pulled out a small box and placed it on the table. His voice remained indifferent. "These are Cleansing Pills. They will purge all impurities from your body and heal the hidden injuries you've accumulated over the years.noveldrama

"Once absorbed, your entire physique will be reborn, but only if you can endure the process. I'm warning you now-if you can't handle the pill's effects, the best- case scenario is that your blood vessels rupture and your strength regresses. The worst? You end up half-dead, with your meridians completely destroyed."

Natasha had already reached for the box, but at those words, her hand trembled slightly before she slowly pulled back.

Dylan stared at the pills, the eagerness in his eyes fading, replaced by a trace of fear.

Andrew glanced at both of them, smirking. "Combat training is like rowing against the current—if you're not moving forward, you're falling behind. Martial arts isn't just about fighting others. It's about fighting yourself. It's akin to going against the will of god itself.

"Every step forward is a battle. Every inch of progress is fought with blood and sweat. You both want strength, but you're afraid of the risk. If that's the case, then I might as well not waste my time."

Dylan gritted his teeth. "Mr. Lloyd, it's not that I'm afraid of dying!"

Andrew let out a cold chuckle. "Oh? Then why don't you take the pill? Weren't you two just begging for high-grade pills?"

Natasha remained silent, her expression tense. However, Andrew's words had clearly struck a nerve-her pride flared, and frustration flickered in her eyes.

"Fine! I'll take it!" With a sharp glint in her eyes, Natasha, true to her Black Widow nickname, grabbed the box without hesitation.

Dylan followed, his voice firm. "I'm in too. You're right, Mr. Lloyd. Training isn't for cowards. Either I push forward, or I get left behind. If I back down now, I'll never reach the top. I'll never become someone truly powerful."

He added, "Before I met you, I was nothing more than an inexperienced and naive man-I had no idea how vast the world really was. But now thanks to you, I understand what it means to stand among true giants. And Twant to keep climbing higher. I want to see the view from the top."

Natasha scoffed. "Do you think I clawed my way to the top by being afraid of death? Darling, don't underestimate me. I fully intend to get stronger. Stronger than you even. And once I do, I'm going to pin you down in bed and have my way with you."

Andrew laughed. "Then you better work hard. But no matter how hard you try, that day will never come."

Natasha gritted her teeth in frustration. She already could not beat Andrew in a fight. Now, she could not even win an argument against him.

It seemed she would have to find another way to make him surrender-perhaps

by using her body to make sure he was too weak to stand.