Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 733 - Eighth Level of the Astral River Realm

The laws of the Spirit Profound Realm and Earth Profound Realm were too mighty for Liu Wuxie to refine them quickly. But Liu Wuxie wasn't in a hurry as long as they stayed in his desolate world.

As Liu Wuxie's aura surged and the black aura around him dissipated, Liu Dashan finally exhaled in relief and stepped back.

As the overwhelming laws poured into Liu Wuxie's body, they merged effortlessly into him. This ensured his foundation was stronger than anyone else's. The Earth Profound Realm's baptism brought his foundation to an unparalleled height.

Liu Dayue, having recovered most of his true essence, stood and smiled as he observed both his father and Liu Wuxie making breakthroughs. The sight filled him with hope and pride.

Time ticked by, and dust had begun to settle over the horizon. It had been half a day since Liu Wuxie had stepped into the Liu Clan, but he hadn't rested for a moment. When he opened his eyes, an overwhelming aura swept out and destroyed the surrounding furniture.

"What power! Is that the power of someone in the Astral River Realm?" Liu Dayue exclaimed with a shocked expression. He had seen many cultivators in the Astral River Realm but had never seen someone so powerful as Liu Wuxie.

When he stood up from the bathtub, he had already consolidated his cultivation, and there was no further need for additional tempering.

"Wuxie, are you alright?" Liu Dashan hurried over; concern etched across his face. The sight of Liu Wuxie's body turning black earlier had struck terror in him. The speed and precision with which Liu Wuxie had neutralized the poison left him in awe. Even someone at the Earth Profound Realm would have struggled to accomplish such a feat.

Unbeknownst to them, Liu Wuxie had a desolate world, which had allowed him to dissolve the poison effortlessly. The desolate world encompassed all things in life, and poison was only one of the many elements.

"I'm fine. Grandfather, however, may need some time to recover," Liu Wuxie reassured them with a faint smile. Not only had he mastered the poisonous miasma, but he had also advanced in his cultivation and purged the poison from his grandfather's body—an achievement akin to killing three birds with one stone.

Although Liu Xiucheng was making a breakthrough in his cultivation, he could hear the surrounding discussions.

"This is great! Wuxie, you're truly a blessing to the clan," Liu Dazhi said as he walked over and patted Liu Wuxie on the shoulder. With the poison treated, his father should have no issues recovering his meridians.

"Let's not disturb grandfather's recovery. Two days from now, we'll give everyone a huge surprise," Liu Wuxie said with a devilish smile. During their communication through primordial spirits, Liu Wuxie had already informed his grandfather about the upcoming event, which would take place in three days.

"Okay, let's head back and celebrate Wuxie's return! We'll drink until we drop today!" Liu Dayue said. He could hardly wait to enjoy a good drink.

Liu Dashan was also in a good mood. His father had been treated, and his son had returned. Today was an occasion of double joy, and for the first time in years, the brothers felt the weight on their shoulders finally lifted.

Elder Li remained stationed outside and was Liu Xiucheng's most devoted servant. When he saw the four coming out, he quickly asked, "How's the patriarch?"

"No one is allowed into the room for three days, and everything will be revealed when the time is up," Liu Wuxie said as he gave Elder Li a bow. He wanted to surprise Liu Xiaotian.

"Don't worry about it. Not a soul will set foot inside the room under my watch," Elder Li replied firmly. Although he wasn't in the room, he could sense the Earth Profound Realm's aura that was released earlier.

Additionally, even a fool could tell that the patriarch had been healed after seeing the three brothers’ expressions.

After bidding farewell to Elder Li, the four left and returned to Liu Dashan's courtyard.

......

Elsewhere in the Liu Clan, several people were seated in a hall.

"Second Master, they've been in the patriarch's courtyard for half a day now and still haven't come out."

Since Liu Wuxie's group of four had entered Liu Xiucheng's courtyard, a scout was stationed outside to keep watch.

"Keep investigating! I want to know what Liu Dashan is up to!" Liu Xiaotian said with a wave, dismissing the few Liu Clan's disciples to keep a watch.

"Xiaotian, we can't afford to be careless," said one of the elders with a heavy tone.

"Fifth Elder, don't worry about it. No one can neutralize this poison in the world, and I can't wait for the three days to pass now," Liu Xiaotian replied. He was confident he would seize the patriarch's position in three days.

The Fifth Elder, loyal to Liu Xiaotian's faction, had discreetly supported him for years. Once Liu Xiaotian took power, the promise of immense benefits for his lineage's disciples was enough to secure his unwavering backing.

"We can't afford to be careless. I've received intelligence about that boy and the inexplicable things he did in Prosper City," the Fifth Elder said, his frown deepening. He had discreetly ordered an investigation into Liu Wuxie not long after the main hall meeting.

What he uncovered in his investigation, based on Liu Wuxie's actions in Prosper City, was enough to command his attention. If it had been another person in Liu Wuxie's position, achieving such feats would have been unthinkable, let alone overcoming the crisis easily.

"I've also heard bits and pieces, but nothing to be concerned about. Just wait three days and see how I claim the patriarch's position," Liu Xiaotian said, unwilling to dwell on the topic.

The Fifth Elder shook his head and chose not to argue any further. Perhaps he was overthinking it. With how deeply poisoned the patriarch was, someone in the Astral River Realm couldn't neutralize it.

......

When Liu Wuxie returned to the courtyard with his father and uncles, Yan Yu had already prepared a feast. It didn't take long before Liu Xing arrived with several others of the same generation, and over a dozen people gathered around the table, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Wuxie, let me introduce you!" Liu Dashan said. He was in a good mood, and this was the first time he had worn such a hearty smile in over a decade.

Liu Wuxie followed behind Liu Dashan as the latter began to introduce him.

"This is your second uncle—you've already met him. He's Liu Xing, and I believe you also know him. This is Liu Yue, Liu Xing's sister, and your cousin," Liu Dashan introduced Liu Dazhi's family, and Liu Wuxie greeted them respectively.

Next came his third uncle and third aunt. Their eldest son was absent from the clan, and their youngest, only ten, stood obediently beside Liu Dayue.

As everyone was the closest family in the clan, there was no need for formalities.

Liu Wuxie heard from his father that his second uncle's eldest son was a student at the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy with extraordinary prospects.

The gathering soon became a lively celebration of Liu Wuxie's return. Most questions centered around his experiences over the past decade, which Liu Wuxie answered frankly.

Liu Dashan also shared how he had entrusted Liu Wuxie to Xu Yilin, and he felt immense relief and pride in his choice. Xu Yilin had raised his son to be an exceptional young man.

He soon proceeded to ask how Xu Yilin had been doing recently. When he learned that Xu Yilin had also entered the cultivation world and was in the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, he was happy for his sworn brother and drank a few more cups.

"Alright, let's stop for tonight," Yan Yu intervened, trying to stop Liu Dashan from drinking as there was much to do tomorrow. After all, it wasn't easy for Liu Dashan to manage such a large clan.

Yan Yu knew better than anyone how busy Liu Dashan had been over the years, and he barely had any time to rest, not to mention to focus on his cultivation.

"Yu'er, you don't know how happy I am today," Liu Dashan said. He didn't circulate his true essence to expel the alcohol in his body, and his speech became slurred. But his words carried heartfelt sincerity.

After Liu Wuxie sent his drunk father to the bedroom, he sat with his mother.

"My child, I'm sorry!" Yan Yu sobbed, tears streaming freely down her cheeks. She had held those words in her heart earlier when surrounded by others, but now that they were alone, she could finally express her sorrow.

"Mother, it's all in the past now. Things will get better from here on," Liu Wuxie comforted. He felt a warmth coursing through his heart as he wiped his mother's tears.

He came to cherish the feeling of the family reunion and his kin by his side. He swore to protect them, and he wouldn't allow anyone to bully them.

The mother and son stayed up all night talking about Liu Wuxie's journey over the past decade. When Yan Yu learned that Xu Lingxue had grown into a young beauty and was now Liu Wuxie's wife, her joy knew no bounds. It surprised her that her son had a wife, and she was happy for him as a mother.

"I must thank your father-in-law in person when I get the chance. I must thank him for raising you so well," Yan Yu said, caressing Liu Wuxie's hand. She was grateful for Xu Yilin from the bottom of her heart.

There weren't many people Liu Wuxie respected in his heart, and Xu Yilin was one of them. Even after finding his parents, their place in his heart stood equal to his father-in-law. One had given him life, while the other had raised him—they were both his parents.

"Mother, go and get some rest. We still have plenty of time, and I don't plan on leaving Central Plains anytime soon," Liu Wuxie said. His mother had cried enough today, and her eyes had turned red.

"Alright, you go rest too," Yan Yu said, leaving Liu Wuxie's room.

After Yan Yu left, Liu Wuxie finally heaved a sigh of relief. The journey from the Southern Province had been long, and he could finally relax now.

He had considered countless possibilities along the way, but he had never expected to reunite with his parents in this manner. He didn't rest for the night and began meditating, as he had to familiarize himself with the Liu Clan as soon as possible.

He had no plans to leave Central Plains anytime soon, and the environment here was much better than he had imagined. He could yield double the efficiency with half the effort here.

......

After a night's rest, Liu Dashan emerged from his room looking rejuvenated. He even looked a lot younger than before.

"Xie'er, I'll get Liu Xing to show you around today. Don't leave the clan and familiarize yourself with the surroundings," Liu Dashan said after noticing Liu Wuxie practicing his martial techniques when he came out of his room.

He had numerous tasks to handle, and Liu Dashan didn't have time to accompany his son. Therefore, he could only entrust the duty to Liu Xing, who had already been waiting outside, accompanied by a friend.

"Father, you don't have to worry about me. I'll do fine with Liu Xing accompanying me," Liu Wuxie said. He preferred spending time with people of his generation rather than his parents because it felt more comfortable.

"Let's go, Young Master Liu!" Liu Xing teased and threw an arm over Liu Wuxie's shoulder as they left the courtyard, with Liu Yue following behind.

"Big Brother Liu, is it true that you came from the mundane world?" Liu Yue asked. She finally had the opportunity to ask, as there were too many adults yesterday. She was curious about Liu Wuxie's past.

"Okay!" Liu Wuxie came to like this lively younger cousin, and he ruffled her hair before they left side by side.

......

They passed through several corridors before the scenery opened up.

"Big Brother Wuxie, up ahead is our clan's training ground. Everyone from the younger generation has to be present for morning training daily," Liu Xing said. If he hadn't had the task of showing Liu Wuxie around the clan, he would've been here training according to the clan's rules.