Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 621 - Cleaved Apart

Chapter 621 - Cleaved Apart

Whispers echoed from the surroundings because Liu Wuxie's identity was too mysterious, and few knew about him. But judging from Bai Yuan's words, it seemed he recognized Liu Wuxie.

The Heavenly Treasure Pavilion and Heavenly Origin Sect were separated by countless miles, and the two sects rarely interacted. Thus, they couldn't be acquainted.

"Who does he think he is to speak with Young Master Bai in this manner?" Many people scoffed at Liu Wuxie. Bai Yuan was a monstrous prodigy among the Southern Province's younger generation, and he had hopes of reaching the True Profound Realm by thirty.

It was rumored that he had already reached the threshold of the Nascent Transformation Realm and was only in his twenties. With his talent, resources from the Heavenly Origin Sect, and guidance from his father, it was only a matter of time before he reached the pinnacle of the Nascent Transformation Realm.

However, making a breakthrough to the True Profound Realm would have to depend on luck.

"Young Master Liu's name has spread far and wide recently. Who in the Southern Province hasn't heard of your name?" Bai Yuan said courteously but with a hint of murderous intent.

Liu Wuxie had already learned from Murong Yi that the Heavenly Origin Sect would attempt to take his life in the Ten Grand Ceremony.

After hearing what Bai Yuan said, many people lowered their heads in deep thought.

"I think I've heard of his name somewhere before," a person muttered as more people struggled to recall Liu Wuxie's name.

"I remember now! Isn't he the one who wreaked havoc in Serene Sea City and killed dozens of disciples from the Azure Crimson Gate?" a disciple from the Transcending Plume Gate stepped forward. The Transcending Plume Gate was near Serene Sea City, and their disciples often traveled there to purchase stones. On their last visit, they had overheard many people talking about Liu Wuxie.

Serene Sea City was one of the top ten cities, and news naturally spread rapidly, reaching every corner of the Southern Province.

"I've also heard of him! I heard that he managed to kill thirty-odd disciples of the Azure Crimson Gate without even drawing his weapon, and he even relied on his wits to cause two prominent clans to be wiped out. That has been the talk of the city!" added another person.

"From what I learned, Liu Wuxie seems to have established a faction called the Heavenly Dao Society in the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, and the spiritual talismans sold by them have threatened the Heavenly Origin Sect's position," remarked a disciple from the Demonic Heart Palace in a gloating tone, trying the stir the tension between Liu Wuxie and the Heavenly Origin Sect.

If they could weaken the Heavenly Origin Sect's strength, the Demonic Heart Palace could take first place in the Ten Grand Ceremony this year.

More news began swirling in the surroundings, adding to Liu Wuxie's legend.

Xu Lingxue stood quietly by the side, amazed by Liu Wuxie's accomplishments in just one year. She knew Liu Wuxie had come this far relying on his strength, and she couldn't imagine the dangers he faced.

"He has been the cause of all the upheavals in the Southern Province recently, but I didn't expect his cultivation to be so low," someone muttered. What everyone mentioned earlier had nothing to do with Liu Wuxie's strength. They all felt that Liu Wuxie's accomplishments in Serene Sea City and the founding of the Heavenly Dao Society were due to his wits rather than strength.

"Liu Wuxie, you got some nerve to copy my sect's spiritual talisman technique without permission. From this day forth, you must cease selling any spiritual talismans!" Several disciples of the Heavenly Origin Sect stepped forward to accuse Liu Wuxie of copying their spiritual talisman technique.

The spiritual talismans created by the Heavenly Origin Sect were much stronger than those in the market, and the ones made by Liu Wuxie were even more potent. This was why the Heavenly Origin Sect's sales in spiritual talismans plummeted.

In addition to Liu Wuxie's fair prices, he shattered the Heavenly Origin Sect's monopoly and struck their foundation, which was why they wanted to kill him.

"Senior Brother Hua is right! He should be killed for copying our spiritual talisman technique!" The Heavenly Origin Sect's camp was nearby, and they gathered immediately to hurl accusations at Liu Wuxie.

Dozens of Heavenly Origin Sect disciples surrounded Liu Wuxie, ready to strike at any moment.

For this Ten Grand Ceremony, the Heavenly Origin Sect's upper echelons had ordered that Liu Wuxie be killed.

"Copy your Heavenly Origin Sect?" Liu Wuxie scoffed. "The spiritual talismans produced by your Heavenly Origin Sect are considered garbage, and you people have the cheeks to sell them? Come at me if you want to kill me; there's no need for such roundabout pathetic excuses."

Only Liu Wuxie would dare to call the spiritual talismans produced by the Heavenly Origin Sect garbage. After all, the Heavenly Origin Sect was ranked first among the ten major sects, while the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion had long faded in power.

"Liu Wuxie, you're courting death!" The Heavenly Origin Sect disciples flew into a rage, insulted by Liu Wuxie's words.

Even Bai Yuan had a sharp glint of murderous intent in his eyes. If Xu Lingxue weren't present, he would've attacked Liu Wuxie.

"This brat is too arrogant! Kill him immediately!" The Heavenly Origin Sect disciples began to advance, closing in on Liu Wuxie.

Bai Yuan had no intention to stop them. If they could kill Liu Wuxie, not only could he resolve the Heavenly Origin Sect's crisis, but he could also get rid of his rival. That would mean that Xu Lingxue would belong to him entirely. He couldn't help but fall for Xu Lingxue since he had met her a year ago.

Liu Wuxie swept his gaze around to assess his opponents. Aside from Bai Yuan, there were a few in the pinnacle Astral River Realm, and he was confident of killing his opponents before leaving.

"Let's cut the crap and attack!" a disciple in the sixth level of the Astral River Realm struck swiftly, not wanting to give Liu Wuxie a chance to react.

When the palm approached Liu Wuxie, a graceful figure stepped forward and stood before Liu Wuxie, raising her hand to send that Heavenly Origin Sect disciple flying away with one strike. The graceful figure was Xu Lingxue, who stood protectively before Liu Wuxie.

"Who are you to harm him!" Xu Lingxue questioned. Her tone was unwavering, and she wouldn't let anyone harm Liu Wuxie.

"Lady Xu, you must've been fooled by his flowery words. This brat is too cunning, and we'll help you kill him today. Only our young master is worthy of you," the disciple sneered before he signaled the other disciples. The three attacked at once; two were responsible for holding back Xu Lingxue, and the third went after Liu Wuxie at the same time.

Their movements were incredibly fast, and it was challenging for Xu Lingxue to deal with those two despite having cultivation at the pinnacle of the Astral River Realm.

On the contrary, Liu Wuxie was only at the first level of the Astral River Realm, making it highly likely that he would fall when facing someone at the sixth level.

The Heavenly Origin Sect's actions enraged Xu Lingxue into charging out with her sword, forcing the two Heavenly Origin Sect disciples back before she quickly moved to block the third person. Everything happened in the blink of an eye as Liu Wuxie stood calmly while Xu Lingxue handled the assault.

This was a good opportunity to see Xu Lingxue's improvements during the past two years. She was stronger than he had imagined, and the Misty Sect had nurtured her well.

"Liu Wuxie, do you only know how to hide behind a woman?" The Heavenly Origin Sect disciples were enraged. They were frustrated because they didn't dare harm Xu Lingxue, which made it difficult for them to kill Liu Wuxie. Thus, they could only use words to provoke Liu Wuxie.

"Lingxue, you step aside," Liu Wuxie patted Xu Lingxue's shoulder, asking her to move behind him. This scene was familiar, like how Liu Wuxie had stood before everyone from the Xu Clan to protect them. In the end, Xu Lingxue had shielded Lui Wuxie, getting heavily injured in the process.

That day was also the turning point in their relationship, breaking down the walls between them.

"No one can harm you with me around," Xu Lingxue said. She knew that Liu Wuxie was a prideful person, and he would rather die standing than kneel.

"Don't worry about it. Garbage like them are no match for me," Liu Wuxie said, giving Xu Lingxue a reassuring gaze.

Whenever Xu Lingxue saw this gaze, she felt a sense of security. It was as though nothing in the world could defeat Liu Wuxie.

Being called garbage repeatedly finally angered Bai Yuan.

Many of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion's disciples were in the surroundings, but everyone watched with amusement, and no one stepped forward to intervene.

"How is he so lucky to have such a beautiful wife?" a Heavenly Treasure Pavilion disciple said with envy.

The tension was built, and a battle could break out at any moment.

"Liu Wuxie, you can die now!" That sixth-level Astral River Realm disciple attacked in case Xu Lingxue intervened again.

Xu Lingxue stood behind Liu Wuxie, and she didn't sheath her sword as she was prepared to intervene at any moment.

As that Heavenly Origin Sect disciple closed in on Liu Wuxie, the aura he gave off felt like a ferocious beast.

"Senior Brother Hua Yan, kill that brat!" Many Heavenly Origin Sect disciples cheered for the man called Hua Yan. He was pretty young, and the fact that he could reach the sixth level of the Astral River Realm before the age of thirty was enough to prove his talent.

Hua Yan swung down with his weapon, tearing apart all the spatial resistance, and reached Liu Wuxie. No one expected Hua Yan to change his move suddenly, and it was too late for Xu Lingxue to help Liu Wuxie.

As Hua Yan's figure enlarged before Liu Wuxie, his sword gleamed with a chilling ray that caused the surrounding temperature to plummet. He likely practiced an ice-attribute sword technique, which gave him a huge advantage on the heavenly Mountain.

The sword was mere inches from Liu Wuxie's neck. As Xu Lingxue raised her sword, ready to intervene, a cold ray flashed, and the Heretic Blade materialized in Liu Wuxie's hand.

Liu Wuxie unleashed the True Strike, a flawless arc slicing through the air with precision, as if Hua Yan’s charge was anticipated. The alignment was impeccable, and by the time Hua Yan realized what was happening, it was already too late.

A ferocious sword aura descended, causing the ground and surrounding space to tremble.

Hua Yan's expression changed, but it was too late for him to react. Who would've thought that Liu Wuxie's bladesmanship would be so fearsome? It was also mainly because Hua Yan didn't take Liu Wuxie seriously, whose cultivation was only in the first level of the Astral River Realm, and he didn't bother defending himself.

It should have been easy for someone in the sixth level to overpower someone in the first level. But Hua Yan realized that Liu Wuxie had pretended to be weak, hiding his true strength until the very last moment.

This was also the reason why Xu Lingxue stood behind Liu Wuxie. Everything in the Imperial Academy had proven without a doubt that Liu Wuxie possessed the ability to challenge opponents far above his cultivation.

Without time to react, Hua Yan was sliced apart by the Heretic Blade.