Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 502 - Crippled

The entire square fell into a deathly silence, with everyone looking at Bi Gongyu with awe. But everyone soon realized that Bi Gongyu was only Liu Wuxie’s disciple. Since Bi Gongyu was so talented in alchemy, how strong would his master be?

“The core of the pill has transformed into a spirit. This is no longer an ordinary seventh-grade pill. It might appear to be a seventh-grade pill, but the difficulty even surpasses ordinary eighth-grade pills,” Mo Chong said with a bitter smile.

Despite his prestigious status as a nine-star alchemist, he had failed to detect any changes within the pill’s core. The core, buried deep within the pill, was often overlooked, as most simply examined the surface; few ever extended their divine sense to explore its depths.

The seven-star alchemists who had earlier mocked Bi Gongyu were now silent, stunned by the unexpected result of an ordinary competition yielding such an extraordinary pill.

“How did he refine it? How did he achieve the transformation in the core?” Many alchemists began to discuss this among themselves. If they could grasp the same technique, they might have an opportunity to be promoted to an eight-star alchemist.

Everyone shook their heads, and no one could explain the mystery within the pill.

“Did anyone record his refinement process?” another seven-star alchemist asked in a soft voice.

"No one did!" Frustrated sighs rippled through the crowd. At the start, no one had given Bi Gongyu much thought, let alone bothered to take out a Memory Talisman to record his process.

However, the refinement process they had deemed garbage gave them a resounding slap on the face. Everyone felt their cheeks burning in shame and lowered their heads, not daring to look Bi Gongyu in the eyes.

"Elder Yi Xuan, shall we declare the result?" Bi Gongyu asked calmly, showing no trace of arrogance. His sights were set on Huang Tao, and Mo Lan had never been a true opponent in his mind.

Everyone came to their senses because they were so absorbed by the pill earlier that they had forgotten about the competition.

Mo Lan looked utterly crushed, mumbling incoherently, unable to accept his defeat. The alchemists who had supported him quickly distanced themselves, unwilling to share in his downfall.

“Mo Lan, a bet is a bet. Abolish your cultivation!” Elder Yi Xuan said. His voice was devoid of emotion as he pronounced Mo Lan’s outcome.

If Mo Lan’s cultivation were abolished, his alchemy skills would become worthless.

Mo Lan snapped out of his deranged state. His eyes became bloodshot with murderous intent surging. He was in the Astral River Realm, and who had the guts to kill him? He let out a sinister wave of laughter, “Hmph, who dares to cripple my cultivation?”

His master was an eight-star alchemist and possessed a highly respected status. Who would dare to offend an eight-star alchemist?

No one had expected Mo Lan to be so shameless as he refused to accept his defeat and abolish his cultivation according to the bet.

“The situation doesn’t look good for Liu Wuxie. They might’ve won the competition, but they’re no match for Grandmaster Huang in terms of strength,” the crowd whispered.

They wondered if Liu Wuxie would act if Mo Lan refused to abolish his cultivation. If Liu Wuxie made the move, Huang Tao would surely intervene to save his disciple.

“No one dares, but I do!” Elder Tian Xing vanished and grabbed Mo Lan’s shoulder, lifting him like a chick.

“Tian Xing, you dare?” Huang Tao roared and demanded Tian Xing to release Mo Lan immediately.

Qing Mu also vanished from his seat and appeared five meters away from Tian Xing as they stood in confrontation.

“Tian Xing, you’re not a judge of this competition and have no authority to enforce the bet!” Only the judges had the authority to enforce the bet, but neither Qing Mu nor Tian Xing was involved in the competition as a judge.

The situation became tense because no judges were willing to step forward. If they did, they would offend Huang Tao and Qing Mu, affecting their future ability to purchase ninth-grade pills and their interest.

“I will enforce the bet!” Elder Yi Xuan spoke up and walked toward Mo Lan. He owed Liu Wuxie a favor, which meant they would be even from now on.

Elder Yi Xuan was upright, and it was appropriate for him to enforce the bet.

“Master, save me!” Mo Lan cried out in panic, struggling desperately to break free from Tian Xing's grip. But his efforts were in vain as Tian Xing held him firmly in place.

Qing Mu’s face turned grim because he knew that Yi Xuan wouldn’t change his mind once he decided on something.

“Liu Wuxie, I can let go of all past grievances if you can spare my disciple!” Huang Tao turned around to look at Liu Wuxie, pleading for mercy on behalf of his disciple.

Everyone knew that Liu Wuxie was the mastermind pulling the strings, and a word from him could save Mo Lan’s life.

“Let bygones be bygones?” Liu Wuxie opened his eyes with a sharp gaze, staring at Huang Tao. He continued, “You slapped and humiliated my disciple. Now, you’re telling me to let bygones be bygones? How shameless can you be?”

Huang Tao was left speechless by Liu Wuxie's words. He, who had once humiliated and slapped Bi Gongyu before casting him out of the Treasure Pill Peak, now had the audacity to ask for bygones to be bygones.

“Liu Wuxie, what do you want for sparing Mo Lan?” Huang Tao was furious. He was a dignified eight-star alchemist in the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, and he had given Liu Wuxie enough respect by humbling himself.

Liu Wuxie waved dismissively. "You can't even protect yourself, and you have the nerve to worry about others? What a joke."

His words sent a shockwave through the crowd. Could it be that Liu Wuxie planned to cripple not just Mo Lan but Huang Tao as well?

"Where does Liu Wuxie get the confidence to dismiss an eight-star alchemist so easily?" Many wondered. Moments ago, some had begun to respect Liu Wuxie, but now, they saw him as a madman. They believed Bi Gongyu’s victory was a mere stroke of luck, and they doubted it would be enough to overcome Huang Tao's status and power.

Yet, Liu Wuxie remained unmoved, his eyes closed, ignoring Huang Tao’s every word.

Meanwhile, Yi Xuan approached Mo Lan. Without a word, he pressed his hand down with force, shattering Mo Lan's dantian.

“ARGHH!” Mo Lan let out a gut-wrenching cry as his body became limp, and he slipped down from Tian Xing’s grasp, lying on the ground. Once an aloof seven-star alchemist, he was nothing but a cripple now.

If Mo Lan’s cultivation wasn’t crippled, there was a high chance he could become an eight-star alchemist in a few years. However, all his hopes were dashed, and his dantian was destroyed.

“Liu Wuxie, I want you dead!” Huang Tao lost his rationale. He wanted to charge over and kill Liu Wuxie, but the other alchemists held him back.

“Grandmaster Huang, don’t fall into Liu Wuxie’s trap. He’s trying to provoke you and make you lose your composure to affect your performance later.” An eight-star alchemist had a good relationship with Huang Tao, and he spoke out to comfort the latter. His words were like a bucket of cold water pouring down on Huang Tao, calming him down.

What that eight-star alchemist said was right, and Liu Wuxie was playing mind games with him. His performance might be affected later due to his mood, which would make it easier for Bi Gongyu to win the fight.

Mo Lan was carried aside, and he refused to leave because he wanted to see Liu Wuxie die with his own eyes.

Yi Xuan returned to his seat after crippling Mo Lan. He noticed that his grandson had opened his eyes with a flicker of vitality shining within them. It seemed that the tense atmosphere had reignited a spark of life within him.

“Old rascal, it’s your turn now!” Bi Gongyu looked at Huang Tao after the surrounding commotion settled down. They had no path of retreat because Huang Tao wanted to avenge his disciple, and Liu Wuxie also wanted to do the same.

Judging from the current situation, Liu Wuxie held the upper hand because he remained seated while Huang Tao had to step into the square, striking a contrast between them.

“Liu Wuxie, do you dare to fight me to the death?” Huang Tao’s voice trembled with barely-contained rage. His disciple was now a cripple, and winning was no longer enough—he wanted blood.

Everyone turned to look at Liu Wuxie. Although it was Bi Gongyu who had refined the pills, everyone knew the person Huang Tao wanted to kill was Liu Wuxie.

After all, Bi Gongyu would lose his backing once Liu Wuxie died, and he would soon be killed.

Liu Wuxie formed seals and created spiritual talismans before squeezing a drop of his blood essence into it.

“A Life and Death Pledge, sign it!” Liu Wuxie wasted no words and produced a Life and Death Pledge for Huang Tao to sign. This meant whoever lost the fight would have to die.

“Wuxie, this isn’t fair for you!” Tian Xing quickly intervened, wanting to stop Liu Wuxie. This battle between Bi Gongyu and Huang Tao was unfair to Liu Wuxie unless he participated.

“Thank you for the concern, but I don’t need to dirty my hands with trash like him. If my disciple can’t handle someone like that, I’d lose the right to call myself his master,” Liu Wuxie said with an air of cold disdain, openly labeling Huang Tao as garbage. It was a direct response to the insult Huang Tao had thrown at Bi Gongyu earlier, and now the tables were turned.

The crowd buzzed at Liu Wuxie’s audacity, particularly a seven-star alchemist who stood up and remarked, “I’m starting to like him. If he survives today, I certainly won’t be his enemy.” It didn’t matter how the battle ended—Liu Wuxie had already earned their respect with his fearless demeanor.

“Good! You’re the first person to insult me in this manner. I’ll slowly deal with you after I beat him!” Huang Tao laughed instead of getting angry.

Liu Wuxie had intentionally sent his disciple to challenge him, and this was the same as saying that he couldn’t even be compared to his disciple.

“Insult you?” Liu Wuxie sneered, “Who do you think you are? Do you even think you have the qualification to be insulted by me?”

The psychological tactics were flawlessly executed despite Huang Tao knowing that Liu Wuxie was intentionally trying to provoke him. The atmosphere became tense with heavy pressure.

“Master, you must avenge Senior Brother Mo!” The disciples standing on Huang Tao’s side were furious, wanting to rush over and kill Liu Wuxie. But they could do nothing with so many people present, and everything had to be done by the rules.

If they wanted to kill Liu Wuxie, they would have to win the alchemy competition.

Huang Tao removed his robe and walked over to the square, standing beside the cauldron that Mo Lan had previously used.

Bi Gongyu glanced at Liu Wuxie, who nodded and didn’t give specific instructions.

Everyone’s hearts began to race because it was a rare opportunity to see the refinement process of an eight-star alchemist.

The seven-star alchemists stood up because this was an excellent opportunity for them to learn. As for Bi Gongyu, he was ignored by everyone once more.