Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 705 - Western Barren

Liu Wuxie didn't attend the banquet at night but paid a visit to the Misty Sect's library instead. He picked ten of the most exquisite cultivation techniques for the Misty Sect, especially the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, to which he paid special attention.

This cultivation technique was especially suited for women with remarkable talent, like Xu Lingxue. Through his improvements, he eliminated the flaws of this technique, significantly reducing Xu Lingxue's cultivation time.

Then, Liu Wuxie went to the alchemy chamber and altered several of Misty Sect's pill formulas. Qi Hanyan accompanied him throughout the process, and she was awestruck whenever he altered things.

Even experts in the True Profound Realm were unaware of many issues. Most importantly, Liu Wuxie pointed out that the problems were too low-level. Why hadn't they realized this in the past?

For example, adding an ingredient to a pill would increase its effects tenfold, or removing an ingredient would increase its efficiency. Surprisingly enough, none of the Misty Sect's alchemists had realized those issues.

Last but not least, Liu Wuxie further strengthened the Misty Sect's defensive spiritual array. By the time he finished, it had already dawned, and he accomplished this only thanks to his powerful primordial spirit.

Throughout the process, the Heavenly Dao Book proved invaluable. Liu Wuxie, unwilling to waste time on the finer details, left most of the analysis and improvements to the book. It adeptly identified and corrected flaws in cultivation techniques and pill formulas, serving as an irreplaceable tool.

“Are you leaving today?” Qi Hanyan asked, her tone tinged with reluctance. She knew that if Liu Wuxie remained in the Misty Sect, it would bring unprecedented fortune to the sect. She believed it was only a matter of time before the Misty Sect rose to dominate the ten major sects.

"I have pressing matters to attend to and can't afford any delay. Until we meet again," Liu Wuxie said, clasping his hands together.

Without further ado, he turned and descended from the central peak, where he ran into Xu Lingxue at the mountain's base. She was standing there alone.

"Don't worry about it. I'll be back before you know it," Liu Wuxie said, stepping forward. He wanted to take her into his embrace, but he didn't dare to act on his intentions and settled for comforting words instead.

"Promise me, you'll be back alive," Xu Lingxue sobbed, throwing herself into his embrace.

Qi Hanyan had paid her a visit the night before and revealed the truth about their agreement. Liu Wuxie had promised three requests to ensure he could take her away from the sect without opposition one day.

She knew Liu Wuxie’s character well—he was the kind of man who would never agree to something he didn’t truly want, not even with a blade pressed to his neck. She understood that he had only conceded to Qi Hanyan’s three requests to ensure that one day, he could take her away without the Misty Sect opposing his decision.

"Silly girl, it's just a short trip, and there's no danger. I forgot to tell you yesterday as I was in a hurry. I have brought father- and mother-in-law to the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. Go visit them when you have time," Liu Wuxie said, patting Xu Lingxue's back as they slowly parted.

"Really?" Xu Lingxue smiled upon hearing that her parents had entered the cultivation world. She had missed them dearly during the past two years, but her master had forbidden her from leaving the Southern Province before reaching the True Profound Realm. Now, she could head to the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion to visit them.

After an emotional farewell, Liu Wuxie left the Misty Sect with Murong Yi. They traversed through the endless mountain range and finally entered the Western Barren ten days later. The laws of the Western Barren were entirely different from those of the Southern Province, and it felt like they had entered a primitive world.

"The laws here are unusual—primitive and savage," Liu Wuxie remarked as they traveled. Along the way, he focused on comprehending the unique laws of the Western Barrens, determined to adapt to the environment as quickly as possible.

The laws in the Western Barren were two times stronger than those in the Southern Province, but it wasn't comparable to the Heavenly Nether Battlefield.

"The Western Barren is filled with demonic beasts, and there are even those comparable to the True Profound Realm. But we won't run into them under normal circumstances," Murong Yi said. Her heart had grown heavy ever since they had stepped into the Western Barren.

Liu Wuxie nodded in acknowledgment. Demonic beasts in the True Profound Realm possessed intelligence no weaker than humans, and they could even transform into any form, including humans. But they would often stay in the depths of the mountains, far from human settlements.

"How far are we from your clan?" Liu Wuxie asked. Murong Yi had mentioned along the way that the House of Tea Art's experts had stealthily returned to the Western Barren a year ago to examine the situation.

"Three days," Murong Yi replied.

They needed to reach the Murong Clan first. Liu Wuxie’s immediate goal was to address the matter of divine energy, while the task of rescuing Murong Yi’s parents would require the assistance of the clan. After all, the Murong Clan boasted an expert at the pinnacle of the True Profound Realm.

Murong Yi kept adjusting their route. Despite being away for years, the surroundings still felt familiar to her. She could instinctively recall where the powerful demonic beasts dwelled and which area was too dangerous to tread.

They traveled for three days before entering a secluded valley isolated from the outside world. The valley was surrounded by mountains on three sides, and it was a prime location—a natural fortress, easy to defend and difficult to invade. Ordinary demonic beasts could not invade the valley.

The valley was lush with grass, and many tattered buildings dotted it. Anyone could tell this place was bustling with life decades ago.

"This is where I was born and raised," Murong Yi said, pointing to the tattered buildings with a melancholic tone.

"Don't worry about it. I will find a way to rescue your parents," Liu Wuxie gently wrapped his arm around Murong Yi's shoulder. This time, she didn't resist his comfort.

Murong Yi knew the hidden meaning behind Xu Lingxue's words in the Misty Sect.

“Let’s go,” Murong Yi said. She was ahead, leading the way and maintaining a distance from Liu Wuxie.

Liu Wuxie could only sigh and follow behind her. He could sense their delicate balance—neither too close nor completely distant.

When they traversed the dense and tall grasses, they occasionally saw a few small profound beasts scurry past them. Liu Wuxie didn't kill them as they posed no threat to them.

As they neared the valley's center, an arrow flew out from a building with alarming speed. But Liu Wuxie managed to anticipate the attack, thanks to his sharp senses, and deflected it with his palm.

"It's an arrow belonging to the Murong Clan!" Murong Yi picked up the arrow and recognized the markings on it.

Rustling sounds came from the surrounding bushes, with many people gathering to surround them.

"Uncle, it's me! I have returned!" Murong Yi called out.

Moments later, several heads popped out cautiously from the bushes.

"It's the young lady!" a middle-aged man yelled in astonishment. More burly men began to step out from the grass one by one. They were the remaining members of the Murong Clan.

At that moment, a figure appeared directly in front of Liu Wuxie. Instinctively, he prepared to strike, but an invisible force pressed him down, rendering his weapon unresponsive. It was clear that if this force had intended to harm him, he would already be dead.

A gray-robed elder emerged into view. Though he seemed to be a middle-aged man in his fifties, his true age was likely much greater.

"Uncle!" Murong Yi rushed into her uncle's arms. They had depended on each other for years, and Murong Yi had long considered her uncle a fatherly figure.

"You have finally returned!" Murong Tianze caressed Murong Yi's head, his voice filled with relief. When they released each other, he finally turned his gaze toward Liu Wuxie, and a flicker of shock crossed his face. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

In just one year, Liu Wuxie had reached the seventh level of the Astral River Realm. They had initially estimated it would take three years for Liu Wuxie to reach the Astral River Realm, but they had underestimated his talent.

They led the two through the tall bushes into the valley's core. Many of the buildings were in ruins. When the Murong Clan had retreated, profound beasts had visited this place.

When they entered a hall, Murong Tianze pressed on a hidden stone. The ground slowly parted, revealing a passage large enough for several people to enter.

"Let's go down," Murong Tianze said. The surface was no longer suitable for the clan's survival, and they had been living underground since their return. The subterranean refuge offered safety from the divine race and the demonic beasts.

Leaving a few guards to stay on the surface, everyone else descended into the underground world. The intricate structure surprised Liu Wuxie.

The Murong Clan had planned ahead when they had built their clan there, constructing an entire underground world apart from the surface buildings. This sanctuary not only provided shelter during a crisis but also offered escape routes.

One of the paths led directly out of the valley, and Murong Tianze had once taken it to lead the clan to safety. Although the ceilings were somewhat low, the underground world mirrored the surface structures.

The corridors were lined with small rooms, and pale-skinned children played quietly in the dimly lit spaces. Their pallor reflected the years spent in the underground world, devoid of sunlight.

The group walked into a modest hall. The space was limited as it was underground, and the buildings were much smaller than aboveground.

Upon hearing of Murong Yi's return, Madam Li rushed out to meet her. Her sharp eyes scanned Murong Yi from head to toe before gently pulling her aside.

"Young lady, who... bullied you?" Madam Li asked in a hushed, urgent tone, her voice trembling slightly with concern.

"No one...no one bullied me," Murong Yi replied, faltering.

Madam Li was experienced and could tell at a glance that Murong Yi had lost her chastity. When she rolled up Murong Yi's sleeve, she noticed the mark of chastity had vanished.

"It's him!" Madam Li glanced at Liu Wuxie, and Murong Yi's silence spoke volumes.

"I'll be the first to kill him if he fails to rescue the patriarch!" Madam Li declared, her voice seething with barely contained anger. Were it not for their need of his assistance, she would have already taken action against Liu Wuxie.

When Murong Tianze invited Liu Wuxie to take a seat, Murong Yi sat beside him and asked, "Uncle, is there any news about my parents?"

She believed there should be some news as it had been over a year.

"Not much, I'm afraid. However, several unusual events have occurred around the Divine Light Mountain recently. Many of the divine race have left with unknown destinations," Murong Tianze said. It had been over two decades, and it was still uncertain whether Murong Yi's parents were alive or dead.

The Divine Light Mountain was dangerous; even Murong Tianze dared not venture too deep.

"Have any of those divine races returned after leaving?" Liu Wuxie asked. Something must've happened for the divine race to leave the Divine Light Mountain. This could only mean one thing—they were finally going to show themselves in public after going into hiding for so long.