Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 89 - One Year Of Agreement

It was an explosive piece of information to everyone, including Xu Yilin, that Liu Wuxie was the champion of this year’s alchemy competition. However, upon hearing the news, everyone from the Xu Clan cheered. The competition was a well-known event, as it had been held in Azure Billow City a decade ago. At that time, the four clans were invited to observe, and the Azure Billow City branch had achieved the highest ranking.

“Mu Yueying, are you truly prepared to defend him?” Xue Changnian inhaled deeply. The Xue Clan’s standing was unshakeable. They had lost four experts in Azure Billow City, and if they didn’t seek retribution, their position in the Imperial Capital would be compromised.

The power dynamics in the Imperial Capital were complex, and even a slight misstep could deal a fatal blow to a clan. This wasn’t just about revenge; it was about upholding the dignity of a clan. The clan’s honor was paramount, and they couldn’t tolerate losing their members in a small city like Azure Billow City.

“Return and inform Xue Dingtian that I will protect him. If he has any objections, he can come and discuss them with me personally,” Mu Yueying declared, her domineering aura sweeping across the area.

A formidable shockwave swept across the ground, lifting all the slabs and forcing Xue Changnian’s group to retreat. Mu Yueying had reached the fifth level of the Marrow Cleansing Realm, an impressive feat for someone her age. This display left not only the three from the Xue Clan but everyone else present in awe.

Liu Wuxie narrowed his eyes, realizing he had underestimated Mu Yueying’s power. He hadn’t anticipated that the headquarters would dispatch her to Azure Billow City. He had assumed they would send an ordinary alchemist, but it seemed he had undervalued his standing within the Treasure Pill Pavilion. After all, each competition’s champion was highly regarded.

Ji Yang had been the champion multiple times consecutively. Shangguan Cai’s status made it clear how significant the competition’s champion was.

Liu Wuxie’s sudden emergence had elevated Azure Billow City’s position, all thanks to this competition.

“Lady Mu, you’re going too far! I refuse to believe you’ll stay in Azure Billow City forever. No one can prevent my Xue Clan from eliminating those we wish to!” The experts from the Xue Clan might fear Mu Yueying, but that didn’t mean they would abandon their intent to kill Liu Wuxie.

The atmosphere grew tense as one side was determined to protect Liu Wuxie, while the other was hell-bent on his demise, with neither willing to back down.

“It looks like you guys won’t take me seriously unless I teach you a lesson!” Mu Yueying vanished in an instant, only to reappear before the three middle-aged men.

Liu Wuxie was already fast enough, but his speed was pale compared to Mu Yueying. The world was full of extraordinary individuals, and the Imperial Capital was a den of hidden talents.

A series of slaps echoed through the street as the three Xue Clan experts were struck repeatedly and sent crashing into a wall. The impact caused the wall to shake and crumble.

“Even Xue Dingtian wouldn’t dare to speak to me like that. Who the hell do you think you are?!” Mu Yueying withdrew her palm as if she had just performed a mundane task.

Xu Yilin was left speechless, and Bi Gongyu took a deep breath at the sight. Everyone else was stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

The three Marrow Cleansing Realm experts crawled out from the rubble. Their lips were covered with blood as they spat out broken teeth. Their eyes blazed with fury. They were no match for Mu Yueying, so they could only glare viciously at Liu Wuxie.

“Boy, you better hole up in Azure Billow City. I don’t believe you’ll spend the rest of your life here. We’ll be waiting outside the city for you!” Xue Changnian gritted his teeth. He had never been so humiliated, slapped around by those he considered insignificant. The feud between them was now irreparable, and it would come down to who could outmaneuver the other.

Mu Yueying was strong, but she didn’t dare to kill them. However, this also meant they had no choice but to endure her slaps.

“You three are asking for death!” Mu Yueying raised her hand, ready to strike down the three middle-aged men from the Xue Clan.

“Wait!” Liu Wuxie suddenly interrupted Mu Yueying. If she killed them, the situation would escalate. The Xue Clan would then mobilize all their resources to kill him, and the Treasure Pill Pavilion wouldn’t go to war with the Xue Clan over an alchemist. Everyone understood this, which was why Liu Wuxie interrupted.

All eyes turned to Liu Wuxie, including Mu Yueying, who gave him a curious look.

“I am deeply grateful for your assistance, Lady Mu,” Liu Wuxie began, bowing respectfully to Mu Yueying. She had publicly humiliated the three experts from the Xue Clan, and he would forever remember her aid.

He then turned to the three middle-aged men and proposed, “I understand that you three wish to end my life. So, let’s make a pact. For one year, the Xue Clan is prohibited from entering Azure Billow City, and I will forego the protection of the Treasure Pill Pavilion. If you have the ability, you can come and take my life. If I die, I will have no regrets.” As Liu Wuxie made this declaration, tears welled up in the eyes of everyone from the Xu Clan. His words were tantamount to sacrificing himself for the protection of the Xu Clan.

Xu Yilin clenched his fist, wanting to charge forth and fight to the death with the Xue Clan’s experts.

The rules were simple. The Xue Clan was forbidden from entering Azure Billow City and causing harm to his family. In return, Liu Wuxie would renounce the protection of the Treasure Pill Pavilion.

Liu Wuxie had no desire to live under the shadow of the Treasure Pill Pavilion, as it would impede his growth. His true objective was to use the Treasure Pill Pavilion’s influence to pressure the Xue Clan and buy himself some time. A year was ample for him to accomplish many things.

Given the heightened tension, it was the perfect moment for him to step in. He could not only offer Mu Yueying a dignified way out but also provide the Xue Clan with a reason to focus their animosity on him. If the stalemate were to persist, both parties would inevitably suffer.

A tense silence fell over both sides, but Xue Changnian remained silent. A smile tugged at the corners of Mu Yueying’s lips. She was here for this year’s competition champion and didn’t want to escalate the situation further. This was the perfect moment to defuse tensions on both sides.

“Brat, if you hole up in Azure Billow City, doesn’t that mean we can’t touch you for a year?” Xue Changnian sneered after the three middle-aged men discussed among themselves. What he said made sense because if Liu Wuxie hid in Azure Billow City after they agreed to Liu Wuxie’s terms, wouldn’t that mean they would have to wait for a year? The Xue Clan would naturally not agree to such an unreasonable agreement.

“Don’t worry. Even if you don’t come after me within a year, I’ll go to the Xue Clan. The Imperial Academy’s next recruitment is ten days away, and I will head to the Imperial Capital. At that time, I will deal with the Xue Clan at my own pace,” Liu Wuxie sneered. As for hiding in Azure Billow City for a year? What joke was that?

No one doubted Liu Wuxie’s talent. They had all witnessed his remarkable growth over the past month. Liu Wuxie was only eighteen, and he had reached the fourth level of the Xiantian Realm. It was more than enough for him to join the Imperial Academy.

“Okay, we agree with your terms. The day you leave for the Imperial Capital will be the day you meet your end!” Xue Changnian agreed to Liu Wuxie’s terms after a brief consideration. Even if they disagreed, they couldn’t kill Liu Wuxie with Mu Yueying present. But as long as Liu Wuxie left Azure Billow City and was without the protection of the Treasure Pill Pavilion, the Xue Clan had countless ways to kill him. They didn’t mind waiting for a little over ten days.

“Get lost!” Liu Wuxie dismissed them with a wave of his hand, indicating they should leave Azure Billow City.

The three middle-aged men from the Xue Clan gritted their teeth. If Mu Yueying wasn’t around, they would have slaughtered Liu Wuxie on the spot.

“Lady Mu, you’ve heard what he said. The Treasure Pill Pavilion isn't allowed to interfere in the next year!” Xue Changnian reminded Mu Yueying, as if to ensure that the Treasure Pill Pavilion would keep their word.

“Are you trying to teach me what to do?” Mu Yueying looked like she was about to raise her hand again, causing the three middle-aged men to tremble.

“We dare not!” the three middle-aged men said as they quickly left.

As the experts from the Xue Clan left, the Xu Clan finally heaved a sigh of relief because the crisis was resolved. But in reality, the real crisis had just begun. To some extent, the Xu Clan’s strength depended on Liu Wuxie. Without him, they would revert to their previous state and be swiftly devoured by the City Lord Mansion even if Xu Yilin had reached the Marrow Cleansing Realm.

The Xu Clan’s survival hinged on Liu Wuxie’s survival. The Treasure Pill Pavilion had stepped in because of Liu Wuxie, not the Xu Clan. Everyone understood this, so for the safety of the Xu Clan, Liu Wuxie had to eliminate the Xue Clan within a year.

“Do you really not need the Treasure Pill Pavilion’s involvement within the next year?” Mu Yueying walked over. Her tone was no longer as cold as before when she asked Liu Wuxie.

“I’m grateful for Lady Mu’s goodwill. I already owe a significant debt to the Treasure Pill Pavilion, and I don’t wish to be further indebted. After all, what’s the point of life if one has to constantly live under the protection of others?” Liu Wuxie stated, his tone neither arrogant nor humble. Without Mu Yueying’s intervention, things would have taken a different turn, and the Xu Clan’s assets would have been destroyed long ago.

“When you arrive in the Imperial Capital, be sure to visit me at the Treasure Pill Pavilion!” Mu Yueying was a straightforward person who liked to handle matters efficiently. Having accomplished her goal, she boarded her carriage and prepared to leave.

Bi Gongyu quickly followed Mu Yueying, giving Liu Wuxie a meaningful look before departing. As the carriage pulled away, peace returned to the street.

“Patriarch, we’re finally safe now!” Deacon Qi and everyone else stepped forth with tears welling in their eyes. After so many days of worrying, they had finally made it through this crisis, and the Xu Clan would welcome a year of swift development.

Xu Yilin wanted to say something but found himself at a loss for words. He turned around and headed back to the Xu Clan. As everyone busied themselves with their tasks, Liu Wuxie returned to his courtyard to focus on his cultivation, preparing for what lay ahead in ten days.

The Xue Clan would definitely send experts to ambush him on the road, and he needed to make a detailed plan.

As night fell, Liu Wuxie left the Xu Clan and headed for the Treasure Pill Pavilion, where Bi Gongyu had been waiting for him. They had both been busy since returning to Azure Billow City and hadn’t had a chance to have a proper conversation.

“I have the refining techniques for the Heavenly Spirit Pill and Golden Spirit Pill here,” Liu Wuxie said, getting straight to the point. He handed over the formulas for the two pills along with their refining techniques. Bi Gongyu’s face lit up as if he had discovered a treasure.

“Wuxie, I’ve prepared the herbs you need and loaded them onto the carriage. I’ll deliver them to you later,” Bi Gongyu said, carefully storing away the formulas.

“Thank you, pavilion master!” Liu Wuxie said gratefully. Bi Gongyu had contributed greatly so that the Xu Clan could resolve their crisis.