Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 736 - Mysterious Power Stone

Liu Po grabbed the handle of the power stone with his right hand. Each power stone had a specially crafted handle fitted to make lifting easier.

“Big Brother Wuxie, you’re not allowed to use your true essence on this trial, and it’s all about raw physical strength, which might be challenging for you,” said Liu Xing. All the disciples were required to train with the power stone daily, and the stones ranged from five thousand to fifty thousand kilograms.

By far, only a few instructors in the clan managed to lift the stone weighing fifty thousand kilograms. There was another power stone in a neglected corner with the surface covered in moss—indicating years of disuse. Over one-third had sunk into the earth; no one would realize it was a power stone if they didn’t look at it carefully. They would only treat it as an ordinary boulder.

Liu Wuxie nodded in acknowledgment. He was unfamiliar with the rules and needed Liu Xing’s explanation. Strictly speaking, he had been in the Liu Clan for less than a day. Not only were the people here unfamiliar to him, but so were the customs and rules.

“Up you go!” Liu Po roared, slowly lifting the stone from the ground. As it rose slowly, the stone began to produce a creaking sound.

“Bravo! Instructor Liu Po, well done!” The disciples, under Liu Po’s guidance, cheered enthusiastically.

“That power stone weighs forty thousand kilograms, and Instructor Liu Po lifted it easily without any effort!” Though the other disciples didn’t applaud, they couldn’t hide the admiration in the depth of their eyes, wondering when they could also lift such a heavy power stone.

Even for cultivators in the Nascent Transformation Realm, lifting such a heavy power stone was no small task, achievable only by those in the late phase of the realm.

Liu Po straightened, holding the stone high above his head. He turned in a slow circle, his gaze fixed on Liu Wuxie with a clear look of provocation.

A faint smirk curled up on Liu Wuxie’s lips. While others might not have noticed, he saw the subtle tremor in Liu Po’s legs. He estimated Liu Po’s limit was about forty-five thousand kilograms, and fifty thousand was beyond his ability.

Since one couldn’t use true essence when lifting the power stone, lifting it would be a grueling test of raw strength. If they were allowed to use their true essence, lifting weights at forty thousand kilograms would be easy.

“It’s your turn now!” Liu Po said indifferently as he looked at Liu Wuxie. As he spoke, there was a cold smirk hanging on his lips.

“Instructor Liu Po is sly. He chose forty thousand kilograms on purpose because Liu Wuxie would have to exceed that if he wants to win,” one disciple gloated at this scene.

Liu Po had deliberately passed the power stones under twenty-five thousand kilograms and set his target at forty thousand kilograms to defeat Liu Wuxie. Based on cultivation, the strength of someone in the eighth level of the Astral River Realm typically ranged between fifteen to twenty-five thousand kilograms.

“That serves him right. He thinks he can look down on instructors just because his father is the acting patriarch? Well, we can see him humiliated now,” mocking voices echoed from the crowd, unabashedly loud. Their intent was clear—they were openly ridiculing Liu Wuxie.

“I bet he can’t even lift the fifteen-thousand-kilogram power stone,” someone remarked, convinced of Liu Wuxie’s limitations. Even if he managed to lift it, it would only be considered passable and nothing surprising.

“Fifteen thousand kilogram? You think too highly of him. I’d say ten thousand is his limit; look at his scrawny build,” another disciple jeered.

Liu Wuxie had a well-proportioned body and wasn’t particularly bulky. But each fiber of his muscle contained strength far surpassing ordinary people.

Ignoring the mockery from the surroundings, Liu Wuxie disregarded the crowd as he walked to the first power stone.

“Big Brother, what should we do?” Liu Yue asked. She was on the verge of crying, and no one had expected the situation to develop in this manner.

“Don’t worry about it. Since Big Brother Wuxie has agreed to the challenge, I believe he can win,” Liu Xing said. He had confidence in Liu Wuxie.

Yesterday, after the feast, Liu Xing’s father had been effusive in his praise for Liu Wuxie. It was unlike anything Liu Xing had ever witnessed. His father’s admiration for Liu Wuxie had eclipsed all the praise Liu Xing had received throughout his life.

Without a moment's hesitation, Liu Wuxie walked past the five-thousand-kilogram power stone, ignoring it completely. He continued walking, bypassing the ten-thousand, fifteen-thousand, and even the twenty-thousand-kilogram stones.

“What is he trying to do? Is he going to challenge with a thirty-thousand-kilogram power stone?” someone speculated. But before they knew it, Liu Wuxie was already approaching the thirty-five-thousand-kilogram power stone, and he didn’t even stop for a moment when he passed by the thirty-thousand-kilogram stone.

“He’s heading for the forty-thousand-kilogram stone!” someone exclaimed as Liu Wuxie walked past the thirty-five-thousand-kilogram stone, stopping in front of the one Liu Po had lifted earlier.

When Liu Wuxie came to a stop, everyone’s breathing became rapid. It was unprecedented for someone in the eighth-level Astral River Realm to challenge the power stone weighing forty thousand kilograms.

“Brat, turn around! If the power stone falls, it will squash you into minced meat!” Many people tried to warn Liu Wuxie that he would be killed if he failed to lift the power stone.

Forty thousand kilograms was like a house; the consequences would be unimaginable if he failed. Yet, Liu Wuxie paid no heed, regardless of the kind reminder or mockery. He only hesitated for two minutes before he continued to advance.

This time, an uproar erupted from the surroundings. Liu Wuxie had passed the power stone weighing forty-five thousand kilograms, heading for the one that weighed fifty thousand—a weight meant only for those at the Nascent Transformation Realm.

“What is he trying to do? Challenge the fifty-thousand-kilograms power stone?” The kind reminders soon turned into outraged voices.

The elders seated in the distance were also observing the situation.

“Do you think he can lift it?” the elder on the right asked with a chuckle.

“I’ll walk upside down on my hands if he can lift it,” sneered the elder on the left. In the history of the Liu Clan, no one had ever lifted the power stone weighing fifty thousand kilograms in the Astral River Realm.

The Liu Clan had produced many prodigies in the past few decades, and even the most talented among them could only lift the thirty-three-thousand-kilograms power stone when they were in the Astral River Realm.

“If he manages to lift the fifty-thousand-kilogram power stone, I’ll address him as a young master from the bottom of my heart!”

Liu Wuxie was the son of the acting patriarch, and it was only proper for him to be addressed as the young master. But no one in the entire clan had addressed him in this manner. They would address him as ‘brat’ or ‘boy,’ and only the better ones would at least call him by his name.

Liu Po crossed his arms over his chest, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He made no move to intervene as Liu Wuxie approached the stones. Liu Wuxie wasn’t under his guidance, and if he were, Liu Po wouldn’t have allowed him to engage in such reckless behavior.

Standing before the fifty-thousand-kilogram power stone for about half a minute, Liu Wuxie shook his head before walking.

“See? He’s going there on purpose to put on a show!” A burst of laughter came from the surroundings, amused by Liu Wuxie’s actions.

“Keep acting and see how you’ll die later!” There were over a dozen disciples behind Liu Po, all wearing a mocking expression.

Listening to the clamor from the surroundings, even Liu Xing had no idea what Liu Wuxie was trying to do. He could only wait there, hoping Liu Wuxie wouldn’t disappoint him.

If Liu Wuxie failed the challenge, he would have to wait another month and endure relentless pain. Liu Xing didn’t want this outcome.

But to everyone’s surprise, Liu Wuxie passed the fifty-thousand-kilogram power stone and headed toward another area.

“W-What is he trying to do?” An exclamation came from the surroundings. They watched as Liu Wuxie walked past the fifty-thousand-kilogram power stone and approached the power stone covered in moss instead of turning around.

The stone was a few feet tall, looking like a small mountain. When Liu Wuxie stood before the power stone, he felt like an ant.

Many people’s eyes bulged out as they watched and wondered if Liu Wuxie had gone insane.

“Brother...does Big Brother Wuxie not know that power stone’s weight? We have to remind him!” Liu Yue said. She was on the verge of crying out.

It had been decades since this power stone was last lifted. According to records, a prodigy in the Nascent Transformation Realm had successfully lifted it a thousand years ago.

As for those in the Astral River Realm, no one had accomplished it since the clan was founded.

"Liu Wuxie, what are you trying to do?" An instructor stepped forward from the crowd, concern evident in his eyes. Judging by his demeanor, he likely belonged to Liu Dashan’s faction. He wanted to intervene, but he came too late.

Liu Wuxie turned around and smiled at the instructor. He looked at the crowd and asked, “This is also considered a power stone, right?”

“Holy shit, he’s insane! Is he really going to lift that power stone?” Everyone was shocked by Liu Wuxie’s madness. This was akin to playing with fire, as he would be killed if he wasn’t careful.

“Stop messing around and back down!” the instructor said.

“Instructor Liu Shi, the challenge has begun, and it’s inappropriate to back out now,” a disciple interjected.

The instructor who had tried to stop Liu Wuxie was called Liu Shi, who belonged to Liu Dashan’s faction. He knew he had to intervene, or the acting patriarch would be heartbroken if anything happened to Liu Wuxie.

Liu Wuxie could tell from the surrounding gazes that there was something weird about this power stone, and it wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been abandoned throughout the years.

“Big Brother Wuxie, why don’t you change to a new one? This stone is cursed, and everyone who tried lifting it has been crushed to death,” Liu Xing yelled. He wanted to persuade Liu Wuxie to pick a different one, or even the fifty-thousand-kilogram power stone. He could still beat Liu Po this way and did not need to risk his life.

When Liu Xing voiced his concern, it only deepened Liu Wuxie’s curiosity. He didn’t expect the power stone to contain a secret. It had been years since anyone had given it a try, but they were all crushed to death by it without an exception.

Since then, no one had dared to lift this power stone again. Over time, it became neglected, sinking partially into the ground and covered in moss, blending into the surroundings.

With a bright grin, Liu Wuxie didn’t squat down as this power stone was too high, and he could reach for the handle just by standing.

“It’s over...it’s all over...” Liu Xing muttered under his breath as he collapsed on the ground. If anything happened to Liu Wuxie, how would he face his uncle?