The soft, rustling sound of footsteps grew louder as twenty to thirty more figures emerged from the forest behind Viola Grace. They gathered around Saxa Quinn, a mix of nuns in austere robes and secular disciples in practical dresses, all bearing the unwavering discipline of the Emei Sect.
Liam's senses, heightened by the System, assessed them instantly. These were all senior disciples of Emei, contemporaries of Saxa, and their cultivation levels were nothing to scoff at. Aside from Saxa herself, who had reached the Early First-Rate stage, he detected two others radiating the potent aura of First-Rate Experts: Serena and Sophia, two of the famed 'Twelve Serene Nun' disciples. The rest were all, at minimum, Peak Second-Rate Experts.
Serena, the eldest among the Serene nuns, was a tall, steady-minded woman whose presence commanded respect. Her cultivation had reached the Mid Stage of the First-Rate realm. Liam wondered if she had declined the leadership out of disinterest, or if Saxa had simply outmaneuvered her for the position.
I underestimated Emei, Liam mused. Even without Mother Clarisse, they still have teeth.
"Elder Sister Sect Leader, all the disciples have assembled," Viola Grace reported to Saxa, her voice calm and deferential.
Saxa Quinn nodded, her expression cold and severe. "Since our Master's death, our Emei Sect has hidden its light for a full year. Our standing in the Jianghu is not what it once was. This siege of Bright Peak… our entire sect marches out. We will restore the prestige of Emei! Any follower of the Ming Cult we encounter on the road is to be eliminated on sight!"
"Yes!" the assembled disciples chorused, their voices united.
Serena let out a soft sigh. "When our Master lived, the might of Emei was renowned. After her passing… the respect from our martial world comrades has diminished. It is indeed time to re-enter the world."
A shadow of melancholy fell over the group, a silent acknowledgment of their fallen status.
Saxa's expression turned icy at the somber mood. "What our Master could do, I can also achieve! Though she met a tragic end, in terms of overall strength, we are second only to Shaolin and Wudang! We are not weaker than Huashan, Kunlun, or Kongtong! So long as we distinguish ourselves in destroying the Ming Cult, who in the Jianghu would dare look down on the Emei Sect again?"
Her words, sharp and proud, reignited a fire in the disciples' eyes. They nodded, their gazes hardening with determination.
Satisfied, Saxa turned to Viola. "Sister Viola. Still no news of Liam Ardent or the Heaven-Reliant Sword?"
Viola shook her head. "Lord Alistair Valehart claims Liam Ardent fell into a bottomless chasm while training his movement technique. The sword's whereabouts remain unknown. Several of us covertly watched Valehart Manor for months and found no suspicious signs. The sword is not there."
She paused briefly before continuing. "As for Liam Ardent… Valehart claims he descended on ropes himself, multiple times, but the ravine was too deep. He never reached the bottom. There have been no reports of Liam Ardent appearing anywhere else."
Saxa's delicate brows knitted together in a frown. A cold sneer touched her lips. "If that scum died so easily, it was mercy he did not deserve! If I ever meet him, I will take his wretched life myself!"
"You learned none of Clarisse's skill, but you mastered her arrogance completely. No wonder you became the Emei Sect's fourth leader." A clear, mocking voice rang out from the tree line.
"Who skulks in the shadows? Show yourself!" Saxa's hand snapped to her sword hilt. The Emei disciples instantly shifted into a defensive formation, eyes scanning the forest.
Liam Ardent descended gracefully from the canopy, alighting on a lower branch as if weightless. A faint, taunting smile played on his lips. "Sect Leader Saxa. Weren't you just calling for me? Since you miss me so dearly, I thought I'd save you the trouble."
"Liam Ardent!" The name rippled through the disciples in a wave of shocked whispers. Almost as one, they shifted again, this time spreading out to encircle him, their intent clear.
Saxa's initial surprise gave way to cold fury. Her heart steadied seeing him surrounded. "You wretch! You're supposed to be dead! How are you here?"
"I was," Liam said, clasping his hands behind his back, the picture of lazy arrogance. "But I heard your summons and found the will to return. One mustn't keep a lady waiting."
His cavalier demeanor and striking presence caused a faint, unwitting flutter in the hearts of several younger, secular disciples.
Seeing him thoroughly encircled, Saxa's confidence solidified. She pointed a sharp finger at him. "Liam Ardent! You murdered my Master! This hatred is deeper than the heavens! Hand over the Heaven-Reliant Sword now, and I might consider letting you live today! Otherwise… Humph!"
System Update [Saxa Quinn's Hostility +20 → Current: 100 (Mortal Enemy)]
[Emei Sect Collective Hostility +50]
The air crackled with unsheathed steel and palpable tension. Liam stood at the center, a calm island in a brewing storm.
Glossary – Chapter 40
Serena & Sophia: Two of the senior 'Serene Nuns' of the Emei Sect, both having reached the First-Rate Expert realm. Serena (Jingxuan) is the eldest and has attained the Mid Stage.
Viola Grace: A calm and disciplined disciple of the Emei Sect, junior to Saxa Quinn. Her skills have improved significantly over the past year, now placing her at the Peak of the Second-Rate Expert realm.
This story is inspired from various Wuxia novels ,so if you find any similarities please dont mind . and if you think this is boring wait till the Dual cultivation starts ,Thank you .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N :
Access 25 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/GodFic