Desolate Devouring Art

Liu Wuxie had other matters to attend to and didn’t want to waste too much time here. Now that they had drunk the wine, it was time for them to get down to business.

“As long as you transfer to our Heavenly Govern Academy, you will be promoted to a Heaven Grade student and can enjoy the treatment of a core disciple.”

The terms were generous, skipping to the Profound Grade and becoming a Heaven Grade student.

Liu Wuxie was in urgent need of resources. If the Heavenly Govern Academy could provide him with ample resources, he could reach the higher levels of the Marrow Cleansing Realm in half a year at most.

“It’s hard for me to refuse your offer!” Liu Wuxie rubbed his nose and smiled playfully.

“Consider this as just an initial investment, not a measure of your potential. I hope you’ll think it over,” Zhang Shuli said, sensing Liu Wuxie’s interest and quickly adding that more benefits would follow if his performance was up to par.

“Thanks for the offer, and I’m grateful for it. I’ve had enough wine; I have other matters to attend to. I’ll be taking my leave now.” Liu Wuxie stood up and bowed to Zhang Shuli, neither accepting nor rejecting the offer. His attitude indicated that he acknowledged the goodwill, but he had some matters to attend to, and there were some things he couldn’t agree with.

If he lacked resources, he could earn them. But he wouldn’t betray the Imperial Academy as his feud with Qin Shi had nothing to do with the academy. He had shown respect to Zhang Shuli by not outright rejecting the offer and accepting the goodwill. This wasn’t out of fear but to avoid unnecessary complications that could hinder his cultivation.

Above all, Liu Wuxie was determined not to be manipulated. If he accepted Zhang Shuli’s conditions, he would be at the mercy of the Heavenly Govern Academy in the future. He understood that the resources weren’t free, and he would have wasted his life if he didn’t grasp this simple logic.

“Liu Wuxie, do you know the consequences of leaving this room?” Zhang Shuli stood up. His smile disappeared, replaced with a sneer. Even his tone changed.

Liu Wuxie paused and turned to face Zhang Shuli. Their eyes met, sparks flying, creating shockwaves that clashed in the air. The intensity of their confrontation caused the plates on the table to start cracking.

“Bring it on. I’m ready for whatever comes,” Liu Wuxie declared, leaving the room without any hesitation. As a cultivator, he had always followed his heart. If the Heavenly Govern Academy chose to target him simply because he declined their offer, it would only reflect poorly on them, and his decision to refuse would be justified.

As he opened the door, he noticed two students from the Heavenly Govern Academy standing outside, watching him leave the restaurant.

“Vice-Headmaster, did he agree to it?” The two students asked, walking into the room.

“Proceed as planned. Since he has refused us, we cannot let him live,” Zhang Shuli commanded, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.

“Roger that!” The two students left quickly, closing the door behind them.

“You’re the first to dare to refuse my invitation, Liu Wuxie. Therefore, you must die!” he muttered to himself.

......

When Liu Wuxie emerged from the Supreme Pavilion, he went straight to the Treasure Pill Pavilion because he had little time left. He had to defeat Qin Shi in twenty days, so he had to be fully prepared.

He had barely walked a hundred meters when he stopped abruptly. “Is this the way the Heavenly Govern Academy operates? Killing those who decline their offers?” he sneered.

Liu Wuxie found himself surrounded by students of the Heavenly Govern Academy, both in front and behind him. Their uniforms bore the ‘Yong’ emblem, a symbol of Prince Yongxian.

“Prepare to meet your end for rejecting our Heavenly Govern Academy!” they threatened. Ten students blocked his path, with another ten behind him. Shops on either side of the street quickly shut their doors, fearing involvement in the impending conflict.

Bystanders swiftly cleared the area, leaving a wide space for the looming confrontation. Among the crowd were a few students who had previously invited Liu Wuxie to join the Heavenly Govern Academy. Their eyes turned red at the sight of him.

“You declined our invitation before, and now you will pay the price!” Gu Yunhe sneered. Despite being only at the high level of the Spirit Cleansing Realm, he seemed confident. This was surprising, considering Liu Wuxie had defeated Xiao Yanlong with a single punch just four hours earlier.

During the Imperial Academy’s assessment day, Sikong Nan and two students had attempted to recruit Liu Wuxie for the Heavenly Govern Academy. When Liu Wuxie had declined, Gu Yunhe had threatened to cripple one of his arms. Fan Yeping had intervened, and Gu Yunhe had vowed to kill Liu Wuxie someday. Now, two months later, they were face to face again.

“Face me all at once!” Liu Wuxie challenged, his expression unchanging. He didn’t bother to argue with their threats.

Fighting in the Supreme Pavilion was forbidden. Zhang Shuli wasn’t an exception either, and he dared not break the rules. He waited till Liu Wuxie left the Supreme Pavilion before making a move.

There were twenty people here, fifteen in the high levels of the Spirit Cleansing Realm and five in the first level of the Marrow Cleansing Realm. This was a formidable lineup, more than capable of dealing with someone in the low levels of the Spirit Cleansing Realm.

“Has this youngster lost his mind? Why doesn’t he flee? He’s outnumbered and can’t possibly survive on his own!” The spectators withdrew to a safe distance, murmuring amongst themselves. Many had heard of Liu Wuxie, but few had actually seen him in person.

“Attack together!” The Heavenly Govern Academy’s party didn’t dare be careless, as Vice-Headmaster Zhang had ordered them to kill Liu Wuxie no matter what.

As twenty individuals launched their attack simultaneously from all directions, it created a formidable wave of force that sent nearby tables and chairs flying and shattering.

Caught between these two waves of attack, Liu Wuxie was in danger of being crushed if he wasn’t careful. The waves' wind billowed his clothes, and the swords' energy threatened to tear him apart if he remained still.

His Heretic Blade materialized in his hand. With a gentle lift, he released the blade’s intent, which cleaved through the oncoming waves.

The two groups were only a dozen meters apart, a distance closed instantly. Engulfed by the waves formed by the twenty attackers, Liu Wuxie’s figure was swallowed up.

“I was hoping for a battle, but I didn’t expect it to be over so soon.” The assembled experts showed a touch of disappointment. Some began to depart, considering this a one-sided slaughter and presuming Liu Wuxie to be dead.

Suddenly, a thunderous rumble echoed through the street, causing everyone’s ears to ring. A fearsome vortex emerged, with Liu Wuxie at its epicenter.

In the next moment, an overwhelming blade intent unfurled, blanketing the entire street. Blood splattered against the walls on either side before flames surged forth, engulfing the twenty individuals. Before they could even utter a scream, they were obliterated by the fire.

The street plunged into an eerie silence as the battle concluded before they could fully comprehend it. Those leaving hastily spun around, rubbing their eyes in disbelief at the sight before them.

Twenty students of the Heavenly Govern Academy had vanished instantly as though they never existed in the first place.

It was characteristic of Liu Wuxie to leave no trace behind. He sheathed his blade, his face devoid of emotion, having lost count of the number of adversaries he had dispatched.

The street was deserted, and a chilly breeze swept across, rustling the leaves on the ground. Liu Wuxie strode towards the Treasure Pill Pavilion with unwavering determination.

It wasn’t long before the news of the annihilation of twenty students from the Heavenly Govern Academy spread to every corner.

Zhang Shuli was still in the Supreme Pavilion, waiting for news. But there wasn’t any news even after an hour, and no one returned.

At the gate of the Treasure Pill Pavilion, Liu Wuxie’s arrival caused an uproar, as all the alchemists came out to welcome him. This was because Liu Wuxie was the chief alchemist with a higher status than Master Mao.

“Master Liu, please come in. The young lady has been waiting for you.” The news of Liu Wuxie killing the students of Heavenly Govern Academy had reached the Treasure Pill Pavilion, and they already sent someone out here waiting for him.

“Thank you!” Liu Wuxie followed behind and entered the core region of the Treasure Pill Pavilion for the first time. Climbing the stairs, he finally arrived on the ninth floor, where Mu Yueying stayed. It was forbidden for anyone to step foot without Mu Yueying’s summon.

Mu Yueying lay lazily on a couch in the middle of the hall. She wore very minimal, lightweight attire, barely covering her private parts and exposing her legs. As sunlight streamed through the window, it cast a faint green sheen on her skin, making it appear as smooth and lustrous as jade.

Although Mu Yueying’s appearance was not as stunning as Xu Lingxue’s, she was still an outstanding beauty.

Upon reaching the ninth floor, the deacon departed, leaving a maid to guide him into the hall.

“Greetings, Lady Mu!” Liu Wuxie greeted, his face devoid of emotion. His eyes were clear, and he cupped his fists in greeting.

Mu Yueying was taken aback when she saw Liu Wuxie. She had dressed in this manner intentionally, hoping to test Liu Wuxie. However, to her surprise, he remained unaffected by her appearance.

Quickly, she picked up a cloak lying nearby and draped it over herself. “You’ve become quite the celebrity,” she remarked.

Mu Yueying rose from the couch, her eyes sparkling. In just two hours, she had heard more than a dozen pieces of news about Liu Wuxie, each piece shocking enough to rock the entire Imperial City.

“Did you summon me for something important?” Liu Wuxie asked with a bitter smile. After lighting the incense, he took a seat opposite Mu Yueying. The maid exited the room, leaving them alone on the ninth floor.

“Indeed, it’s a matter of great importance. Our Treasure Pill Pavilion is facing a crisis,” Mu Yueying confessed, her playful smile fading to reveal a hint of seriousness.

It was indeed a rare occurrence for the Treasure Pill Pavilion to face any trouble.

“What can I do to help?” Liu Wuxie asked, prompting a smile from Mu Yueying. Having been assisted by Mu Yueying twice before, he felt indebted to the Treasure Pill Pavilion. Now that the Pavilion was facing difficulties, it was only natural for him, as the chief alchemist, to step forward.

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