Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 380 - Do I Know You?

Over three hundred people turned to look at the deacon.

"This matter is straightforward. Deng Chong colluded with the Hou Clan and intended to kill a disciple of our Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. The Hou Clan has no rights to interfere with the internal affairs of the sect, but a small Hou Clan dares to extend their reach into the sect," the deacon went straight into the topic without any unnecessary words.

Everyone began to recall what Deng Chong had said. He had mentioned that Hou Yue had sent him and promised him a reward of 500,000 spirit stones for killing Liu Wuxie, which was a significant amount of resources.

Many people nodded in acknowledgment, finally understanding why Liu Wuxie had dared to kill Deng Chong publicly. Despite the intense internal conflicts, this was a matter within the sect, and a second-rate clan had no right to interfere.

Thus, the Hou Clan had violated the sect's bottom line by offering a bounty for the head of an outer disciple. This was equivalent to insulting the sect.

Everyone finally realized what was going on. Regardless of whatever Liu Wuxie did in the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, it was up to the sect to deal with him, and the Hou Clan had no right to interfere.

The three hundred people fell silent and were regretful of their actions. They were only focused on killing Liu Wuxie and had disregarded Deng Chong's last words—a small sentence containing many secrets.

Among the tens of thousands present, many failed to understand the situation. Those who were confused lowered their heads, knowing they had no right to mock Liu Wuxie.

Elder Tian Xing had already pieced together the truth, so he chose not to punish Liu Wuxie. He realized that if they killed Liu Wuxie, they would be playing into the Hou Clan's hands. This was the primary source of Elder Tian Xing's anger.

The Hou Clan's action infuriated the higher-ups of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. This was an ingenious plan because the Hou Clan wouldn't suffer a loss regardless of whether Deng Chong could kill Liu Wuxie.

It was best if Deng Chong could kill Liu Wuxie, but it didn't matter even if he failed because they wouldn’t lose anything. If Deng Chong were killed by Liu Wuxie, the sect's higher-ups would be forced to punish Liu Wuxie.

Another disciple could have fallen for Hou Clan's trap, so Liu Wuxie made Deng Chong admit who sent him to kill him.

Many people took a deep breath, realizing that many things were hidden in the outer sect's competition.

"Everyone, come back!" The Terrain Summit Peak's peak master roared because these people had embarrassed themselves.

Many people lowered their heads and left. A hint of guilt appeared on many of their faces as they realized they had unwittingly become accomplices of the Hou Clan. But there were still a few who cast vicious gazes at Liu Wuxie.

The competition continued, but the battles in the other arenas had already ended.

Liu Wuxie returned to the Heavenly Trigram Peak's area, and many disciples in the surroundings began to look at him differently.

By the time ten rounds were completed, it was already afternoon, and more than three thousand people had been eliminated, significantly reducing the number of participants in the competition.

The few disciples in the seventh level of the True Core Realm, who had participated in the competition, were eliminated, and those who remained were at least in the eighth level.

As dusk fell, the competition concluded, promoting five thousand participants to the next segment. They spent the night in their designated regions before resuming the competition the following day, which would continue until a champion emerged.

After returning to Liu Wuxie’s courtyard, Jian Xing'er had tears streaming down her face.

"What's wrong?" Liu Wuxie was puzzled. When he left the martial field, Jian Xing'er had already returned to the courtyard, and he couldn't find her.

"Do you have any idea how terrified your actions made me?" Jian Xing'er stood beside Liu Wuxie, her anger evident as tears streamed down her cheeks. She turned away from him and sank to the ground.

Liu Wuxie felt a lingering fear as he recalled the morning's events. If Elder Tian Xing had acted against him under pressure, he would have had no chance to resist. However, letting Deng Chong go was not an option either.

Thus, Liu Wuxie had to take a risk. Ever since he had met Elder Tian Xing, he had realized that the latter wasn’t a pushover, which was why he had dared to kill Deng Chong.

He had provoked many people by calling them retard, and he would’ve lost his life if there were a mistake. Anyone in his position would’ve been scared stiff.

However, Liu Wuxie had maintained his composure till the end, facing over three hundred people.

"Thanks for your concern, and I will be more careful in the future!" Liu Wuxie chuckled. He knew Jian Xing'er was worried for his safety.

"You must promise me not to be so reckless in the future!" Jian Xing'er turned around with her eyes red. She had returned an hour earlier than Liu Wuxie and seemed to have been crying for a long time.

Despite their numerous encounters with danger in the Abyssal Underground World, Jian Xing'er had never been as worried as she was now. That morning, she genuinely feared something might happen to Liu Wuxie.

"Alright, I'll promise you!" Liu Wuxie scratched his head. He was completely inexperienced when it came to relationships. He had also been the only single one among the ten Immortal Emperors.

Apart from Xu Lingxue, Mu Yueying was his only close female friend. He wanted to refuse, but he feared hurting Jian Xing'er's feelings. After all, she hadn't expressed her feelings for him.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I only consider you as my younger brother, and I would be heartbroken as your sister if you died." Jian Xing'er smiled upon hearing Liu Wuxie's promise.

In the afternoon, people discussed Liu Wuxie's actions, as it was a spectacular scene to see one person take on three hundred people.

Even though he could have failed, his action would’ve still become a legendary tale passed down through generations.

After resting for the night, Jian Xing'er summoned Liu Wuxie at dawn because the day's competition promised to be more intense. From then on, the battles would continue without respite.

When Liu Wuxie emerged from his courtyard, he took his time and surveyed his surroundings.

"I'm afraid I won't be coming back again after this departure!"

Although it hadn't lived in this place for a long time, he had developed some attachment to it. The two left the courtyard and closed the gate before heading straight for the martial field.

The martial field was already bustling with people even before their arrival. Strictly speaking, the true competition would officially commence that day.

The preceding two days had been dedicated to eliminating lower-level disciples, and those who advanced to the third day had the opportunity to reach the top hundred.

When Liu Wuxie arrived and stepped into the Heavenly Trigram Peak's area, a few youths walked in his direction.

"What do you all want?" Liu Wuxie frowned. Having joined the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion only a few months ago, he had no close relationships with Heavenly Trigram Peak's disciples, nor did he know anyone among them.

"Senior Brother Shao Wendong is looking for you. Come with us!" One man stepped forward, his eyes betraying a hint of fear. Everyone's attitude toward Liu Wuxie had shifted after his confrontation with Deng Chong.

In the cultivation world, the strong were respected, and the weak were often bullied.

"Not interested." Liu Wuxie shook his head decisively. Bai Lin had already warned him about Wen Shaodong's character, including his involvement in Weng Li's capture as leverage against him—a matter thoroughly investigated by Bai Lin and Tang Tian.

Together with Wen Haoran and Duan Hong, Wen Shaodong had monopolized the black cultivation chamber for years.

“Liu Wuxie, how dare you refuse Senior Brother Shao Wendong's invitation?!" The youth was furious. Shao Wendong had consistently ranked first among Heavenly Trigram Peak's outer disciples, and even within the inner sect, his strength was formidable, earning him a mid-tier ranking.

"If he wants to see me, let him come here himself," Liu Wuxie said, no longer bothered by the group. If Shao Wendong wanted to find him, he should come himself. Sending others to look for him only showed his sense of superiority.

Others would've hurried over if they heard Shao Wendong was looking for them. Although Liu Wuxie had resolved Weng Li's trouble and killed Su Ji, he hadn't completely let out the anger in his heart.

"Liu Wuxie, just you wait! Do you know the consequences of rejecting Senior Brother Shao Wendong?!" The three youths who came over were furious and left, seething. But they didn't dare to do anything to Liu Wuxie.

Even someone as skilled as Deng Chong was killed by Liu Wuxie, and they would only court humiliation if they acted against the latter.

Shao Wendong stood like a star, surrounded by many disciples from the Heavenly Trigram Peak, flattering him.

"Senior brother, congratulations in advance on becoming the champion and cultivating in the Celestial Spirit Cave. Please remember us outer disciples in the future!" Shao Wendong was the clear favorite to win, boasting an eighty percent chance of claiming the championship.

The next in line was Chen Lin from Earth Force Peak, who also had a higher chance. The other peaks also had contenders for the championship but were rather pale compared to the two.

Shao Wendong smiled faintly, unaffected by the flattery, and maintained his composure.

Several disciples stood at a distance, unwilling to mingle with the crowd. They were akin to Liu Wuxie, who kept his distance from Shao Wendong.

The three youths who had been rebuffed by Liu Wuxie returned, seething with anger.

"Senior Brother Shao, Liu Wuxie refused to come and even said if you want to see him, you should go over yourself." They exaggerated Liu Wuxie's attitude, making him seem arrogant and disrespectful towards Shao Wendong.

"Who does he think he is? Just because he killed Deng Chong, does he think he can disrespect Senior Brother Shao however he likes? Looks like we'll have to teach him a lesson!" Those gathered around Shao Wendong seethed with anger, determined to impart a lesson to Liu Wuxie.

"It's fine. I'll go over myself!" Shao Wendong had no anger and walked through the crowd toward Liu Wuxie with a group of people following behind him.

This puzzled many people, and half of Heavenly Trigram Peak's disciples followed behind, wanting to see what was happening.

Liu Wuxie watched the approaching crowd with a cold glint in his eyes.

"Junior Brother Liu, is there a misunderstanding between us?" Shao Wendong had no air around him when he came. He cupped his fists at Liu Wuxie politely as if greeting a fellow disciple, showing no hostility.

This move confused many people, and they wondered if Shao Wendong was afraid of Liu Wuxie.

"Do I know you?" Liu Wuxie replied, leaving everyone stunned, including Shao Wendong.

In everyone's eyes, Shao Wendong should be known throughout the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion as the strongest outer disciple of the Heavenly Trigram Peak. After all, even inner disciples knew of Shao Wendong, thus indicating his status.

However, Liu Wuxie's response was like a resounding slap to Shao Wendong's face. Those present could easily grasp its significance, even though Liu Wuxie himself was unfamiliar with Shao Wendong.

This was what Liu Wuxie wanted to convey, suggesting that Shao Wendong was overthinking things.

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