"Otherwise, what?" Liam Ardent's lips curled into a mocking smile, his tone laced with effortless disdain.
As a Peak First-Rate Expert, possessing numerous supreme techniques, the Emei Sect's forces—with only three First-Rate masters among them—posed no true threat to him. Even if they all attacked at once, he would face them without fear.
A flash of vicious anger crossed Saxa Quinn's face. "Otherwise," she shrieked, her voice cold and sharp, "we will make sure you die without a place to be buried!"
Liam's response was a derisive冷笑 (cold laugh). "You want me to die without a burial? That will depend entirely on whether you possess the skill to make it happen."
"Attack!" Saxa's order was a piercing scream.
The Emei disciples reacted as one, a chorus of steel ringing out as they drew their longswords. A forest of gleaming blades pointed towards Liam, the air growing cold with their collective killing intent.
Liam moved.
His form became a blur, weaving through the intricate web of sword shadows with an impossible, graceful ease. His palms shot out, force ebbing and flowing unpredictably, his movements like a man dancing through falling snow, soaring through layers of cloud.
In the blink of an eye, it was over.
The swords of the Emei disciples fell from numb hands, clattering to the ground in a discordant symphony of ringing steel. Finally, with a sharp crack, Liam's palm connected firmly with Saxa Quinn's cheek. The force sent her sprawling to the ground, a vivid set of five red finger marks blooming on her skin, her own sword skittering away across the stone.
Liam drifted back to his original position, his movements so fluid he seemed to have never moved at all, a faint, untroubled smile still playing on his lips.
The Emei disciples stood in stunned silence, a profound shock settling over them. In a single breath, this man had disarmed their entire sect. If he had harbored any true intent to kill, they would already be wiped out.
Publicly struck and humiliated, a furnace of rage ignited in Saxa's heart. This single act had utterly destroyed her authority and face before her entire sect. A reigning sect leader—let alone one of the six major sects—being publicly slapped was an unimaginable disgrace, unheard of even among the smallest, most insignificant gangs.
But as her eyes met Liam's calm, dismissive gaze, the memory of him executing Mother Clarisse flooded her mind unbidden. A bone-deep chill extinguished her fury, leaving behind only a cold, fearful dread. She found herself trembling, her anger stifled by a terror she couldn't voice.
The world-defying sword stroke of Heavenly Foreign Visitor was seared permanently into her memory. Every time she recalled it, a shiver of terror ran down her spine. How could she possibly conceive of fighting someone who could manifest sword qi itself?
"Drifting Snow Piercing Cloud Palm!" The words burst from Serena, her eyes wide with utter astonishment. "That is a secret art of our Emei Sect! How do you know it?!"
The others, replaying Liam's movements in their minds, paled. He had indeed used their sect's signature technique.
Liam shrugged, his tone casual to the point of indifference. "Clarisse died. The manual fell into my hands. Is that so strange? With the paltry skills you possess, you thought you could destroy me? How naive. The Emei Sect has produced no worthy successors since Clarisse's death."
Saxa's face flushed, then paled, cycling through shades of humiliation and fear. Crushed by Liam's overwhelming presence, she couldn't even form a retort, terrified he would kill her as he had her master.
The disciples shamefully retrieved their swords, each feeling the weight of their powerlessness.
Serena stepped forward, her palms pressed together in a gesture of courtesy. Her voice was calm and measured. "This humble nun is Serena. I offer you greetings. Our Master died by your hand; in accordance with the Jianghu's rules, we will naturally settle this account with you in the future."
She continued, her tone growing firmer yet remaining dignified. "The Emei Sect is a renowned and righteous sect. Though our late Master has passed, we cannot allow her name to be tarnished. If you rely on your superior martial prowess to bully us, though we are no match for you, we can only struggle against you to the end. We will stain these mountains with our blood, prepared only for death."
Her words were neither subservient nor aggressive, spoken with a composure that revealed years of cultivated discipline and inner strength.
Liam nodded, a hint of genuine appreciation in his eyes. "Elder Serena, you live up to your reputation as the foremost of the fourth-generation disciples. Your poise is admirable. I am not a man who kills for pleasure. Clarisse sought my life; I killed her in self-defense. Today, I merely passed by意外 (by chance). I have no specific intention to make enemies of you."
After a brief pause, his voice turned as cold as winter ice. "If you seek revenge, you may try at any time. But when you come for me… be prepared to die."
He was not a indiscriminate killer, but neither was he a saint. Leave him in peace, and he would reciprocate. Provoke him, and he would show no mercy, even if his opponent were the heavens themselves.
Just as Liam made to take his leave, a new sound reached them—the distinct, rapid rustling of cloth cutting through air. It came from the forest,忽左忽右 (now from the left, now from the right), impossible to pinpoint.
The sound was neither loud nor soft, but every Emei disciple heard it clearly. They quickly formed a defensive circle, backs together, eyes scanning the woods nervously.
"The Emei Sect is here!" Saxa cried out, her hand tightening on her sword, her voice a cold demand. "What esteemed personage is there? Show yourself! Do not resort to cheap theatrical tricks!"
The sound ignored her, fluctuating in volume, growing louder then softer, stretching the nerves of the Emei disciples to their breaking point, filling them with a deep, unsettling anxiety.
But Liam's mind was already clear. He recognized the signature technique of this particular game of stealth and intimidation.
Gale Wing, the Bat King. had arrived.
System Update [New Character Detected: Gale Wing – The Bat King]
[Realm: Peak First-Rate Expert (Unorthodox)]
[Affiliation: Ming Cult, Four Guardians]
[Notable Technique: Phantasm Steps – A supreme, ghostly movement art]
The game had just become far more interesting.
Glossary – Chapter 41
Gale Wing, the Bat King: A Guardian of the Ming Cult, renowned for his phantom-like speed and his chilling nickname. A Peak First-Rate Expert who practices an unorthodox, chilling energy art.
Drifting Snow Piercing Cloud Palm : A signature palm technique of the Emei Sect, known for its unpredictable, flowing motions and penetrating power. Liam Ardent acquired its manual after defeating the previous sect leader.
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 .
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T/N :
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