Heavenly Dao Nemesis

The Road to Mount Sinai

The morning sun had barely risen above the horizon when Liam stepped out of his room, dressed in the simple grey robes of an Azure Cloud Sect outer disciple. Although his injuries had improved considerably over the past few days, his body was still far from its former condition. Nevertheless, he had no intention of letting a little pain interfere with his plans.

He adjusted his sleeves and was about to head downstairs when the door behind him opened again.

“Brother, wait for me!”

Liam turned around.

Olivia emerged from the room carrying an enormous bag on her back. The bag was so large that it nearly swallowed her entire upper body, and she had to lean forward slightly to keep its weight from pulling her backward.

Liam stared at the bag before looking at his sister.

“What exactly are you carrying in there? Did you pack our entire room?”

Olivia adjusted the straps on her shoulders, looking rather pleased with herself.

“Of course not! I only packed the things we might need.”

“Things we might need?” Liam glanced at the bulging bag. “Are you planning to excavate some ruins or relocate to Mount Sinai permanently?”

“Brother!” Olivia protested. “You don't understand how these things work. The excavation can last anywhere from seven days to a month, depending on how long it takes to explore the ruins. We don't know how long we'll be staying in the forest, so I had to pack enough necessities for both of us.”

She patted the bag protectively. “I brought clothes, medicine, food, and a few other things. What if we run out of supplies? What if—”

“All right, all right.” Liam raised a hand to stop her before she could list every possible disaster that might befall them. “Bring whatever you think we need. Just make sure you can still walk with all that weight.”

Olivia nodded enthusiastically. “I can manage!”

She took two steps forward, nearly stumbled, and hurriedly caught herself.

Liam looked away to hide his amusement.

At least she's enthusiastic.

Without saying anything else, he started down the stairs. Olivia followed closely behind, her enormous bag bouncing against her back with every step.

By the time they reached the courtyard, the Azure Cloud Sect was already bustling with activity.

Hundreds of outer disciples had gathered in the open space, most of them carrying travel bags, weapons, or other supplies they believed would be useful during the excavation. Some stood in small groups, chatting excitedly about the ruins, while others checked their equipment or exchanged information about the dangers supposedly lurking around Mount Sinai.

However, despite the large crowd, the gathering was far from orderly.

There was a clear distinction between the disciples.

On one side stood a group of outer disciples who looked considerably more confident than the rest. Their clothes were cleaner, their weapons better maintained, and their spiritual auras stronger. Some carried themselves with the arrogance, while others simply ignored the less talented disciples around them.

The remaining outer disciples gathered farther away, forming a looser and less impressive group.

Liam noticed the difference immediately.

Although they all wore the same sect robes and belonged to the same outer sect, they were clearly not treated as equals.

Olivia followed his gaze and lowered her voice.

“Brother, don't mind them. Even among outer disciples, there are differences. Those over there are the top outer disciples. They're much stronger than ordinary outer disciples and have better access to cultivation resources. Some of them are even close to qualifying as inner disciples.”

She pointed discreetly toward the other group.

“Then there are the ordinary outer disciples, like us. We have fewer resources, weaker cultivation, and almost no influence within the sect. Most people don't even bother remembering our names.”

Liam listened without much reaction.

“So, even the outer sect has its own hierarchy.”

“Of course.” Olivia sighed. “The cultivation world has always been like this. The stronger you are, the more respect you receive. The weaker you are, the easier it is for people to bully you.”

She lowered her head slightly.

“That's why you shouldn't go looking for trouble, Brother. We've already offended Brother Chen and his companions. We should stay with the ordinary disciples and avoid attracting attention.”

Liam glanced at her.

Then, without offering a response, he began walking toward the centre of the courtyard.

“Brother? Where are you going?”

Olivia hurried after him, struggling to keep up with the heavy bag on her back.

Liam paid no attention to her question. He continued walking until he reached the line separating the ordinary outer disciples from the stronger group.

Then he stepped straight across it.

The courtyard gradually fell quiet.

Several disciples turned to look at him. At first, they seemed confused, wondering whether he had simply failed to notice where he was going. But when Liam stopped among the top outer disciples and calmly folded his arms, their expressions changed.

“Isn't that Liam?”

“The one with the broken spiritual root?”

“What is that trash doing over here?”

“Does he think he's one of the top outer disciples now?”

Laughter spread through the crowd.

Olivia stood frozen a short distance away, her face turning pale.

She wanted to rush over and drag him back before he embarrassed himself further, but Liam looked so unconcerned that she hesitated.

Unfortunately, someone else had already noticed his arrival.

Brother Chen stood among the stronger outer disciples, flanked by his two companions. The moment he recognised Liam, a mocking smile spread across his face. “Well, well, well. Look who decided to show up.”

He walked toward Liam with his companions following behind him.

“Liam, I must say, you have some courage. I honestly thought you would hide in your room and pretend to be sick until the excavation was over.”

One of his companions snickered. “Maybe he's finally realised that the sect won't feed him for doing nothing. He has to come out and earn his meals somehow.”

Brother Chen laughed.

He stopped directly in front of Liam and looked him up and down with undisguised contempt.

“Since you've decided to come, you might as well enjoy yourself while you can. Don't mistake the excavation for a fun little party. Mount Sinai is dangerous, and a useless fellow like you could easily lose his life out there.”

His companions burst into laughter.

Liam glanced at them like they were noisy insects.

“That's good advice,” he replied calmly. “You two should remember it as well. When you encounter a spirit beast in the forest, make sure you don't soil yourselves out of fright.”

Silence descended upon the nearby disciples.

Then several people burst out laughing.

Even some of the ordinary outer disciples who had been watching from a distance struggled to contain their amusement.

Brother Chen's smile stiffened.

His two companions immediately turned red with anger. “You bastard! Who do you think you're talking to?”

“Just wait until we get to Mount Sinai!” the other snapped. “We'll see if you can still run your mouth when a spirit beast is standing in front of you!”

Liam shrugged. “Then I suppose we'll have to wait and see.”

Brother Chen clenched his fists, but before he could say anything else, a bell rang across the courtyard.

The sound was deep and resonant, spreading through the gathering and silencing the surrounding chatter.

Brother Chen shot Liam a venomous look. “Enjoy your last moments of arrogance.”

He turned and returned to the group of top outer disciples, his companions following closely behind him.

Liam watched them leave without the slightest concern.

Olivia finally managed to approach him.

“Brother, why do you keep provoking them?” she whispered anxiously. “You know they're stronger than you. Couldn't you just ignore them for once?”

“Of course I could.”

“Then why didn't you?”

“They were standing there making noise.”

Olivia stared at him in disbelief.

Before she could respond, a sudden change occurred in the sky above the courtyard.

Several powerful auras descended from the heavens.

The disciples instinctively raised their heads.

Five figures were standing atop an enormous flying disc that had appeared above the courtyard. The disc was several metres wide, its surface engraved with intricate patterns that shimmered. It floated effortlessly through the air, carrying its passengers toward the gathering below.

The moment the five figures appeared, the entire courtyard fell silent.

Even the arrogant top outer disciples hurriedly straightened their clothes and adjusted their posture.

At the front of the flying disc stood an elderly man with long white hair and a flowing white beard.

In one hand, he held a wooden staff.

The four people standing behind him appeared considerably younger, although their auras were equally impressive. Their robes were finer than those worn by the outer disciples, and each carried an air of superiority that made it clear they occupied a much higher position within the sect.

The flying disc descended slowly until it hovered just above the courtyard.

The old man stepped forward.

Thump!

He struck the end of his staff against the surface of the disc.

A powerful wave of spiritual energy swept across the gathering, silencing even the disciples who had been whispering among themselves.

The old man surveyed the crowd with sharp eyes before speaking. “Are all the outer disciples assembled?”

“Yes, Elder!” the disciples answered in unison.

Their voices echoed throughout the courtyard.

The old man nodded in satisfaction.

“Very well. The excavation at Mount Sinai begins today. You have all been informed of the purpose of this expedition, and I trust that none of you will disgrace the Azure Cloud Sect during the journey.”

His gaze swept over the crowd.

“Mount Sinai contains the remains of a powerful civilisation, and we have reason to believe that valuable cultivation resources may still be buried within it. However, the mountain is not without danger. Spirit beasts inhabit the surrounding forest, and the ruins themselves may contain traps left behind by their original owners.”

He paused, allowing his words to sink in.

“Follow the instructions given to you. Do not act recklessly, and do not wander away from your assigned groups without permission. Anyone who deliberately causes trouble for the sect will be punished accordingly.”

“Yes, Elder!”

“Good.”

The old man raised his staff and pointed toward the sect's outer gate.

“Now, everyone, move out!”

With that command, the gathered disciples began preparing to depart for Mount Sinai.

Liam adjusted his sleeves and glanced toward the distant gate. "It's been a while I went for battle."