Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 325 - Massacre

Besides some ordinary medicine, Liu Wuxie bought many strange items that puzzled Bai Lin and Tang Tian.

Liu Wuxie merely smiled and didn’t explain in detail—two of the five missions he had chosen required infiltrating underground abyssal caves, which was dangerous.

The trio found an inn to rest for a night and left the following day. They walked along the main road and occasionally ran into other disciples from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

The beginning of each month was the busiest, with many disciples leaving the sect.

Throughout the journey, Bai Lin handled most of their arrangements. To maintain their stamina, they traveled for six hours and rested for an hour.

After a day, the trio finally reached the Scarlet Sun Mountain Range. This was the most extensive mountain range in the Southern Province, connecting the east of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. The south was connected to the Azure Crimson Gate, the west to the Dugu Clan, and the north to a barren land.

“Junior Brother Liu, our top priorities upon entering the Scarlet Sun Mountain Range are to guard against profound beasts and to be wary of disciples from the Azure Crimson Gate,” Bai Lin advised, sharing his knowledge with Liu Wuxie along the way.

Knowing that the latter meant well, Liu Wuxie didn’t interrupt Bai Lin’s explanation. He was already familiar with most of the information, but his understanding of the True Martial Continent’s layout couldn’t be compared to Bai Lin’s.

Aside from the Azure Crimson Gate and the Dugu Clan, several nearby cities were home to numerous powerful clans. Although these clans didn't rival the ten major sects, they couldn't be underestimated, as each boasted ancestors in the Nascent Transformation Realm.

Before nightfall, the three entered the Scarlet Sun Mountain Range and were greeted by a primitive aura.

“We have to be careful now!” Bai Lin asserted, taking on the role of senior brother and looking after everyone. He was particularly cautious, having nearly lost his life on their previous visit.

Liu Wuxie executed Ghost Eye and captured everything within a radius of a few thousand meters. Nothing could escape his eyes.

Under Bai Lin’s guidance, they found a relatively safe place after two hours. They planned to rest there till dawn because the Scarlet Sun Mountain Range was dangerous at night.

The trio set up tents and took turns keeping watch. At Bai Lin’s insistence, he was responsible for keeping watch the first night, and Tang Tian kept watch the second night, leaving Liu Wuxie with nothing to do.

Unable to win the argument, Liu Wuxie reluctantly agreed. They had regarded him as their savior ever since he saved Tang Tian’s life.

The chilling roars of profound beasts could be heard coming from the depths of the Scarlet Sun Mountain Range when the night fell.

Liu Wuxie didn’t rest and sat in his tent with his legs crossed. This was because practicing the Primordial Astral Fist at night was twice as effective.

Massive amounts of astral energy poured into the world within his dantian through the astral bridge. In just one hour, his cultivation efficiency was equivalent to an entire day of regular practice.

When Liu Wuxie circulated the Desolate Devouring Art, the surrounding spiritual energy gathered rapidly towards Liu Wuxie’s tent, causing Bai Lin to narrow his eyes in shock.

This was because the phenomenon created by Liu Wuxie was too terrifying. He had no idea what cultivation technique Liu Wuxie practiced for the speed at which he devoured spiritual energy to be so terrifying.

While Liu Wuxie cultivated, his divine sense scanned the surroundings continuously. This was because he detected several people secretly following behind them.

After all, many people harbored a strong murderous intent toward him upon learning that he possessed over eighty thousand mid-grade spirit stones.

The Scarlet Sun Mountain Range was quiet, not to mention it was late at night. No one would know, even if he was killed there.

His brows twitched suddenly as he sensed several auras approaching through Ghost Eye. Opening his eyes, a chill flashed within them, for he realized they were being followed.

When he exited his tent, Bai Lin jumped up because his heightened vigilance detected a trace of murderous intent. But it was late at night, and he couldn’t figure out where the murderous intent came from.

“Prepare for battle!” Liu Wuxie could detect everything within two thousand meters of a radius with his divine sense through Ghost Eye.

Upon hearing what Liu Wuxie said, Tang Tian came out of his tent and drew his weapon.

The murderous intent got closer from two directions to block their escape route.

“Senior Brother Bai, Senior Brother Tang, they’re here for me. You two escape through the west!” Liu Wuxie didn’t want to drag Bai Lin and Tang Tian into this because these people were targeting him.

“That won’t do. Since we’ve decided to form a team, how can we abandon you and leave?” Bai Lin firmly refused. Besides, they weren’t cowards who would leave their companions to escape.

Seeing their firm resolution, Liu Wuxie didn’t insist. He wouldn’t fear anyone who came at him as long as there wasn’t anyone in the Heavenly Dipper Realm.

After absorbing a large amount of astral energy, Liu Wuxie was itching for a battle to gauge his strength, and these people came at the right time to die.

Rustling sounds could be heard from the distant grass produced by approaching footsteps.

Shadows flickered as twelve people split into two groups and surrounded Liu Wuxie's trio.

“Cao Wenkang, it’s you!” They had clashed in the Mission Hall the previous day, but they hadn't expected Cao Wenkang to secretly follow them and even team up with others.

“Haha! Hand over all your spirit stones, and I will consider letting you die a painless death.” Cao Wenkang didn’t conceal his murderous intent. It wasn’t a secret that conflicts were allowed in the sect. There would be many disciples who died mysteriously every year.

Besides Cao Wenkang, the other eleven were formidable as well. They were all in the eighth level of the True Core Realm and appeared to be two separate teams who had coincidentally come to the Scarlet Sun Mountain Range for their missions.

They had likely discussed among themselves and decided to rob Liu Wuxie before continuing their missions.

When facing twelve experts in the eighth-level True Core Realm, even someone in the ninth level would need help to escape. Bai Lin and Tang Tian’s face turned grim when they saw the twelve people.

“The sect forbids killing among disciples. Aren’t you all afraid of punishment?” Tang Tian roared and drew his blade.

The sect’s rules were clear, but how many people followed the rules?

"Who would know if we kill you three?" Cao Wenkang sneered, his eyes fixed on Liu Wuxie with fury. The previous day's failure to crush Liu Wuxie in just two moves had left him humiliated, and the anger still burned within him.

Eighty thousand spirit stones were enough for all twelve to share and live comfortably for the next year or so. The harvest from their missions couldn’t even be compared to Liu Wuxie’s gamble in one day.

“Why waste time talking to them? Just kill them!” A person from the other team stepped forward with contempt in his eyes. The one who spoke came from the Earth Force Peak, Pang Tie. He was known for his cruelty.

“That’s right. We can rest here after killing them.” His teammates laughed because the camp was already set up for them, saving them the trouble.

The twelve quickly closed in, shrinking the space available for Liu Wuxie and his companions. Their chance to escape had vanished.

“Junior Brother Liu, let’s find a way to break through the encirclement.” Bai Lin drew his longsword and began searching for an opportunity to break through.

Clashing head-on wasn’t an option because they were outnumbered.

Liu Wuxie didn’t answer Bai Lin, and the Heretic Blade appeared in his hand; he was prepared to start a massacre.

Since entering the cultivation world, he hadn’t engaged in any large-scale slaughter apart from killing a few people along the way to the market. The Heretic Blade was already thirsty for blood.

“None of you can leave here today. Let’s go!”

When Pang Tie gave the order, the twelve people unleashed their attacks, which formed a tidal wave and engulfed the three.

“Brother Bai, Brother Tang, focus on defense, and don’t worry about me,” Liu Wuxie said quickly. He vanished after saying that and joined the battle with an astonishing speed.

Since Liu Wuxie had reached the fourth level of the True Core Realm, this was the first time he used his full strength. He had held back even in his fight with Du Sha.

Liu Wuxie’s true essence formed into a vortex like a giant jaw, and the aura he released caught everyone by surprise. He had already lunged forward before Bai Lin and Tang Tian could react.

“You guys are the one to die instead!” He naturally wouldn’t mind killing them since these people came after him.

When they performed the Second Fatality Form of the Fatality Blade Art, a suffocating blade aura swept out and slashed down like a lightning bolt. This caught the twelve by surprise. They had underestimated Liu Wuxie and were under the impression that only Bai Lin and Tang Tian would pose a threat to them.

After all, no one would believe someone in the fourth-level True Core Realm could unleash power comparable to the ninth level.

“Not good!” Cao Wenkang and the others realized their mistake, but it was already too late because Liu Wuxie seized the initiative to strike first.

“Stop him!” Pang Tie yelled, ordering those nearby to stop Liu Wuxie from approaching. The twelve were geniuses and had a quick grasp of the situation.

“Too slow!” Liu Wuxie’s voice sounded like a reaper as the Heretic Blade drew a beautiful arc in the air, and heads began flying. Cultivators in the eighth level of the True Core Realm were slaughtered like livestock.

The massacre continued with Liu Wuxie transforming into a celestial crane and soaring to the sky, letting out a cry. He held onto the Heretic Blade with his left hand and formed a fist with his right hand.

“Primordial Astral Fist!” Astral energy empowered Liu Wuxie’s fist while he descended like a star. Even someone in the Heavenly Dipper Realm would die facing this attack.

Everyone was battle-hardened, yet they couldn't find any flaws in his movements. Their techniques proved redundant against absolute strength.

The ground couldn’t withstand the tremendous pressure, so a huge crater was formed.

Bai Lin and Tang Tian stood in the distance, both dumbfounded.

“What power! It looks like we’ve underestimated Junior Brother Liu!” Tang Tian was excited. He finally understood why Liu Wuxie dared to take on those five missions. With Liu Wuxie’s strength, there was a possibility he might really accomplish them.

Bai Lin was equally shocked, his mouth agape, but he maintained his vigilance. With his long sword at the ready, he prepared to assist at any moment.

The Primordial Astral Fist had evolved to Liu Wuxie’s ultimate attack. When infused with the wood attribute, it would become gentle. But when infused with fire attribute, his fist would be enveloped in flames, tripling its power.

“ARGH!” Many screamed in despair before their deaths. They were blown to smithereens by Liu Wuxie’s punch, and the scene was horrifying. Their entire bodies were blown into blood mist except for his head.

Cao Wenkang trembled in fear and nearly wet his pants. He retreated with the thought of fleeing. He realized they weren’t on the same level as Liu Wuxie, and the latter could easily crush them. That was especially the case for Liu Wuxie’s true essence, which was indestructible.

“No one can escape!” Executing Ghost Eye, Liu Wuxie captured everyone’s movement and attack trajectory in his eyes.