Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 617 - Ten Grand Ceremony

After making his declaration, Elder Tian Xing departed with Liu Wuxie's group of three. His uncharacteristically firm stance surprised many, as it was well known that under the sect’s rules, any disciple who killed another would typically face the most severe punishment from him.

No one could stop their departure, and Qing Mu trembled angrily. He watched helplessly as Liu Wuxie left.

"Damn it!" Qing Mu roared. He stomped on the ground with enough force to create a few-meter-deep crater. The bystanders had already left, and the ones who remained were the core members of the Lesser Blade Association.

"Qin Dao, are we just going to let it go?" A few experts in the Astral River Realm stepped forward to look at Song Guang's corpse. This incident was a devastating blow to the Lesser Blade Association, one that could break them for good.

"I will tear him to pieces for killing my brother!" Qin Dao snarled, his face contorted with rage. His voice dripped with venom as he vowed, "The Ten Grand Ceremony will be Liu Wuxie’s grave. He won’t make it out alive!"

Hearing Qin Dao’s resolute words, the remaining members of the Lesser Blade Association nodded, their tension easing.

They understood Liu Wuxie had chosen this timing deliberately, exploiting a loophole in the sect's rules that protected him from immediate punishment.

When Tian Xing descended the mountain, he turned to look at Liu Wuxie with a furious glare.

"Do you realize how reckless your actions were?!" Elder Tian Xing roared. He was genuinely angry this time.

"I do," Liu Wuxie replied calmly, "but there are things I must do, no matter the consequences." He fully understood that the situation could have spiraled out of control without Elder Tian Xing's intervention. If he had killed Qin Dao, it would have sent shockwaves through the sect’s upper echelons, likely leading to his impeachment. He knew he needed to reach the Nascent Transformation Realm to secure his position in the sect.

"Go back. You have to achieve exceptional results on the Ten Grand Ceremony to make up for your faults today," Elder Tian Xing said. There was nothing else to be said since it had already happened.

"I'll do my best," Liu Wuxie agreed. Since he had promised to attend the Ten Grand Ceremony, he would naturally give it his all and let fate decide his achievements.

They parted ways, and Liu Wuxie returned to his abode. News of Liu Wuxie slaying Song Guang quickly spread, leaving everyone stunned as they exchanged bewildered glances.

They hadn't expected Liu Wuxie to do something so bold as to kill another true disciple openly. It wasn't unprecedented in the sect, but it hadn't happened in recent history, and it felt unbelievable that something like this took place so close to them. After all, true disciples were existences beyond their reach.

Under Bai Lin's passionate recounting, everyone felt excitement as if they had witnessed it themselves. The hopes for the Heavenly Dao Society were higher than ever, and they even had a chance to surpass the Lesser Blade Association.

Cheers erupted from everyone when learning that Liu Wuxie had reached the Astral River Realm.

Everyone looked at Bai Lin and Song Ling with envy, who got to use a treasure like the Golden Spirit Fruit to reach the Astral River Realm. However, that was all to it because they believed that Liu Wuxie wouldn't treat them poorly as long as they followed him, and the Astral River Realm was just a matter of time.

"Brother Liu, are you leaving tomorrow?" Chen Ruoyan asked with a hint of sadness on her face. Besides Liu Wuxie, none of them were qualified to attend the Ten Grand Ceremony, and they could only cultivate in the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

"Yeah!" Liu Wuxie nodded. His name was already on the list, and it was too late to back out.

"You must make it back alive!" Chen Ruoyan said. How could they not know about the Ten Grand Ceremony when it was the most heated topic in the sect right now?

Many disciples died in every Ten Grand Ceremony as it involved the rankings of the ten major sects.

The air in the hall was heavy because Liu Wuxie was about to depart for his next journey now that the Heavenly Dao Society was thriving.

The following day, Liu Wuxie stepped out of his abode to see Bi Gongyu and others waiting outside for a long time.

"Master, these are the pills that you requested. They have all been prepared," Bi Gongyu said as he took out a box filled with pills. The trip to the Ten Grand Ceremony would be dangerous, and there was no harm in preparing more pills.

Everyone's hearts were heavy because they didn't know when they would meet again after this parting.

"I'll leave the Heavenly Dao Society in your hands!" Liu Wuxie said. Every farewell was only for a better reunion in the future. All gatherings would eventually end, and Liu Wuxie would step out of the Southern Province someday to venture to the higher stage.

Liu Wuxie vanished and headed to the assembly area in the true disciple's region, led by the sect master himself.

Countless experts would head to the Ten Grand Ceremony each time. Aside from the ten major sects, even the second-tier sects and prominent clans would head to watch the event.

Over a hundred true disciples were gathered in the true disciple's zone before a towering pagoda. They were gathered in small groups to discuss the matter softly.

The sect had over a thousand true disciples, but many were away on journeys or isolated training. Some were even in seclusion to reach the Nascent Transformation Realm.

The entire venue fell silent as Liu Wuxie arrived. Many present had either witnessed or heard of the previous day’s events. Liu Wuxie’s astounding abilities were already the talk of the sect.

Not only had he killed Song Guang, but he had also effortlessly countered Qin Dao’s famed throwing knife technique. Adding to the shock, he had revealed a heaven-defying treasure like the Golden Spirit Fruit, using it to nurture two true disciples. Each of his actions had left everyone in awe.

Among the true disciples, Liu Wuxie didn't recognize anyone besides Murong Yi.

Liu Wuxie chose a quiet spot as he preferred solitude, and his arrival attracted hundreds of eyes.

When he scanned the crowd from the quiet spot, he met every gaze head-on, and only Qin Dao's eyes were sharp as blades. Most people chose to remain silent, and the hostility in their eyes wasn't strong.

On the other hand, Murong Yi thrived within the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, surrounded by the prodigies of the younger generation.

Barely moments after Liu Wuxie’s arrival, a handsome man approached him. Moving with an air of elegance, the young man’s sparkling eyes radiated sincerity. He stopped five steps away from Liu Wuxie.

"I'm Lan Ling, and it's an honor to meet you, Junior Brother Liu!" Lan Ling walked over and clasped his fists together in Liu Wuxie's direction as a form of greeting.

"Senior Brother Lan, I've heard much about you," Liu Wuxie replied with a greeting.

Unlike the Lesser Blade Association, the Lan Ling Gang kept a low profile, and there was rarely any known wrongdoing.

Liu Wuxie had long wanted to meet Lan Ling, and the latter lived up to his reputation. While he lacked Qin Dao's fangs, he was no less formidable. His aura was restricted, indicating he had complete mastery over his aura.

"Your display of skills yesterday has truly opened my eyes," Lan Ling said warmly. The two started a conversation quickly, and their bond grew with every passing moment.

Aside from Lan Ling, only some true disciples were interested in forming a good relationship with Liu Wuxie. After all, Liu Wuxie had offended many true disciples by calling them "garbage."

"I'm glad I didn't disappoint you," Liu Wuxie smiled, simply brushing it off.

Their conversation drifted to stories, cultivation knowledge, and even tales. From their conversation alone, anyone could tell they possessed immense knowledge.

Lan Ling was secretly astonished. He prided himself on his vast knowledge, confident that few could rival him. Yet, through his conversation with Liu Wuxie, he realized that someone could surpass him.

No matter the topic, Liu Wuxie responded effortlessly, often adding insights that left Lan Ling stunned. For someone so young, Liu Wuxie’s depth of understanding was extraordinary.

The admiration was mutual. Liu Wuxie found himself equally impressed by Lan Ling's extensive knowledge. Their discussion flowed naturally, and a mutual respect began to form. However, a soft breeze interrupted their exchange.

Murong Yi was approaching gracefully, her presence captivating. Moments ago, she had been chatting with other disciples, yet now, she stood before Liu Wuxie, surprising many onlookers.

"You two know each other?" Lan Ling asked.

"We do," Liu Wuxie nodded. Murong Yi's identity as the owner of the House of Tea Art seemed to have yet to reach the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

"I'll leave the moment to you two," Lan Ling said tactfully, offering Liu Wuxie a knowing smile before stepping away. His keen observation had not failed him—Murong Yi’s demeanor toward Liu Wuxie was markedly different from how she treated others.

Though Murong Yi had been friendly while chatting with other disciples earlier, there was always a polite distance in her words. Now, her softened gaze and the trust evident in her expression as she looked at Liu Wuxie made it clear she held him in higher regard.

Lan Ling didn’t need more than a glance to discern the subtleties of their relationship.

"You shouldn't have come over," Liu Wuxie said, rubbing his nose awkwardly. He had spotted Murong Yi earlier but chose not to approach her, preferring to avoid the unwanted attention that might come from being associated too closely with her.

"Why?" Murong Yi asked. She had only come to greet him since they were acquaintances.

Before Liu Wuxie could answer, a group of youths hurried over, their faces filled with concern. "Lady Murong, why did you leave so suddenly?" one of them asked.

At that moment, Murong Yi fully grasped what Liu Wuxie had meant earlier. The true disciples who had gathered shot hostile glares at Liu Wuxie. Many had pursued Murong Yi since her arrival at the sect, yet none had made any progress.

But now, her intentional approach to Liu Wuxie—an act she had never extended to anyone else—stood out unmistakably. It sent a clear message to the onlookers, igniting a spark of resentment among them.

"My apologies, but I wish to have some privacy with Senior Brother Liu," Murong Yi said, her tone cold as she reverted to her usual detached demeanor. Her words left the true disciples visibly displeased. They cast one last resentful glance at Liu Wuxie before reluctantly departing.

"I'm sorry to have caused you trouble," Murong Yi apologized. She didn't expect them to see Liu Wuxie as a rival.

"Well, they would still consider me an opponent even if you didn't come," Liu Wuxie replied with a shrug. It no longer mattered because everyone else present was garbage besides Murong Yi and Lan Ling.

Murong Yi’s expression turned serious. “The Ten Grand Ceremony might not favor you,” she said, speaking through her divine sense so only Liu Wuxie could hear.

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