Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 553 - Records of the Central Plains

Thunderous applause echoed through the sky, pulling everyone from the dreamlike trance that Liu Wuxie had woven with his performance.

Even the Azure Crimson Gate disciples found themselves unwilling to return to reality, still yearning for the trance conjured by Liu Wuxie.

The atmosphere was heavy, somber, and solemn—no emotions were enough to capture their current feelings. The music was impactful and shook everyone's souls.

The final note lingered in their minds as they slowly opened their eyes, confused by their surroundings. Just moments ago, they had been on a battlefield, immersed in the bloody war, only to find themselves now on the peaceful boat.

Murong Yi gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, her heart touched by the emotions hidden deep within Liu Wuxie's music. She felt like she had caught a fleeting glimpse of Liu Wuxie's inner heart—a silent, burning desire to tear the heavens apart and carve his own path through the world.

Standing behind her, Lady Yan could no longer hold back her emotions and wept quietly, tears soaking into her clothes.

Even the maids aboard discreetly wiped away their tears, each one moved by the haunting melody that stirred their hearts.

"Ambush from Ten Sides, what a masterpiece!" Hua Chenye's voice boomed across the lake, shattering the silence as the impact of Liu Wuxie's performance settled into everyone's souls. The lyrics Liu Wuxie sang were etched into their minds.

"The ambitions of a man remained unclouded through eighteen years of reincarnation...well said!" Many audiences found themselves reflecting on the deeper meanings within the lyrics.

It wasn't just the melody that left a deep impression; the poetry woven through the song was enough to leave them longing for more.

"Mourn for the hero in troubled times, mourn for the scarcity of true friends in the world...it spoke of the sorrow in the hearts of many." Even a Demonic Heart Palace's disciple stepped forward to praise the piece, overwhelmed by its beauty and depth.

It was a song that, in its sheer brilliance, might never be surpassed—even by the passing of centuries.

Each line of the lyrics could stand alone as a poem, offering endless insights for everyone.

As many in the crowd jotted down the words to study later, the contest between Liu Wuxie and Zhang Liang was already forgotten, and Murong Yi's presence faded into the background.

All eyes remained on Liu Wuxie, captivated by his music.

Meanwhile, Zhou Liang slumped back in his chair, defeat weighing heavily on his heart. He knew he had lost, not just lost—Liu Wuxie's Ambush had utterly crushed him from Ten Sides. His melody paled in comparison, like comparing the earth to the heavens.

Unlike Liu Wuxie's song, which soared to divine heights, his Four Seasons Zither was mediocre.

"This melody should only exist in the heavens—how lucky we are to have heard it. This gathering is an eye-opening experience," murmured many among the crowd, their eyes bright with wonder.

Tonight had been an eye-opening experience for them all.

Not only had they witnessed Murong Yi's legendary beauty, but they were also treated to a display of unmatched talent—poetry, painting, chess, and music—all performed by one man.

Off to the side, Yin Jingwu stood frozen, his face pale and his mind blank. From the first note of Liu Wuxie's song, he knew his fate was sealed.

The carefully laid trap had become his own grave, and he could not escape the consequences of his actions.

He had tormented Liu Wuxie relentlessly, but now his future lay in ruins.

"The sins of the heavens can be avoided, but self-inflicted sins cannot be forgiven!"

These words perfectly describe Yin Jingwu's current state. He had brought about his own downfall, and now he had to pay the price.

A sudden, blood-curdling scream pierced the night, and over a thousand eyes turned to Yin Jingwu.

His body convulsed violently under the relentless grip of the Life-and-Death Curse, writhing in unbearable agony as the very laws within him were torn apart. His cultivation, once a source of pride and power, was destroyed beyond any hope of repair, even with the help of a Spirit Restoration Pill. Amid his suffering, Liu Wuxie seized the opportunity to take things further, discreetly planting the deadly poison of the Netherspirit Flower into his body, sealing his fate with a final, lethal blow.

"Yin Jingwu has met his doom!" the crowd murmured coldly. There was no pity for him—if he hadn't repeatedly provoked Liu Wuxie, he wouldn't have suffered this fate.

Zhou Liang stood back, trembling in lingering fear. The thought that he could've suffered that same fate sent chills down his spine.

He had confidently challenged Liu Wuxie, but after witnessing Yin Jingwu's downfall, he could only be grateful that he hadn't met the same end.

The lakeside crowd was reluctant to leave, with the night drawing to a close. Many still lingered, basking in the afterglow of Liu Wuxie's performance.

As the gathering wound down, Murong Yi stood and addressed the guests. She said, "I'd like to thank everyone for attending tonight's gathering. As a token of my gratitude, please accept three leaves of the Jade Bamboo Dew as you leave."

Despite the gifts, many in the crowd were still reluctant to leave. They had come seeking Murong Yi's favor, but instead, they had become witnesses to the night's dramatic turn of events.

As the final guests prepared to depart after collecting the Jade Bamboo Dew's leaves, a voice suddenly cut through the night, stopping everyone.

"Liu Wuxie, I’ve heard you're skilled in stone betting. A new batch of stones arrives from the barren land in five days. Do you dare to bet with me?"

All eyes turned to the speaker, Young Master Ling, whose challenge perplexed the crowd. They wondered if he had a screw loose to provoke Liu Wuxie.

"Isn't it obvious?" someone whispered. "The Ling Clan has a unique technique for detecting spirituality in stones. Though it’s not foolproof, it gives them far better odds than relying purely on luck. That's how the Ling Clan became so prominent in Serene Sea City."

"The Ling Clan must've felt threatened with Liu Wuxie's performance in the morning, fearing that he would rob them of their business." Everyone came to their senses because Liu Wuxie's success in stone betting earlier in the day had undoubtedly made the Ling Clan feel their monopoly in the city was threatened.

After all, the shops that belonged to the three major sects had Ling Clan members stationed within, relying on the Ling Clan to differentiate if there were any treasures in the items brought back from the barren land.

"That's only one factor; don't forget that Young Master Ling suffered humiliation at Liu Wuxie's hands. There's no way the Ling Clan will let him off." With the two incidents overlapping, the Ling Clan wouldn't let Liu Wuxie off.

A new shipment of items from the barren land would arrive in five days, as it did each month, drawing countless cultivators to Serene Sea City. During these few bustling days, the city would teem with activity as high-ranking members from the three major sects, nearby second-tier sects, and prominent clans gathered to purchase the rare treasures.

"Not interested," Liu Wuxie replied.

This response didn’t surprise Young Master Ling; he had anticipated it.

"Don't tell me you're afraid!" Young Master Ling taunted, his tone dripping with provocation. While he knew he couldn't match Liu Wuxie's strength, the Ling Clan's wealth and influence in Serene Sea City gave him confidence.

The Ling Clan's expertise in stone betting was well-known, and even the three major sects respected them. The Ling Clan’s appraisers played a key role in filtering the valuable items brought back from the barren land, ensuring that treasures stayed under their control.

"Say whatever you want," Liu Wuxie said dismissively, clearly uninterested. He turned to leave, already planning to enter seclusion once he returned to the inn. If he wanted to engage in stone betting, he could do so on his own terms without involving others.

"I'll make you agree," Young Master Ling muttered under his breath with a sneer, before storming off the boat. He was determined to find a way to force Liu Wuxie into a stone-betting duel, no matter what.

"Brother Liu, you're welcome to visit the Sky Rift Valley any time," Shui Huan came over with his fellow disciples to bid their farewell to Liu Wuxie when there weren't many people left on the boat.

"Until we meet again!" Liu Wuxie cupped his fists toward the Sky Rift Valley disciples.

"We'll see each other soon enough. The Ten Grand Ceremony is just a few months away. I'm sure you've heard of it," Hua Chenye said with a friendly pat on Liu Wuxie's shoulder. They were elites among the younger generation, destined to cross paths again.

Liu Wuxie replied with a faint smile. He was still debating whether to attend the Ten Grand Ceremony. As the crowd began to disperse, Liu Wuxie rose and left, only to be stopped by Murong Yi.

"Young Master Liu, please wait!" Murong Yi's voice echoed in Liu Wuxie's ears. Whoever secured first place in the competition would be personally received by Murong Yi, a promise made well before the gathering.

"Lady Murong, can I help you with anything?" Liu Wuxie had little harvest from tonight's event, leaving him with lingering questions. He didn't know why the House of Tea Art protected him or what was inside the tea.

"I believe Young Master Liu wishes to obtain answers?" Murong Yi was perceptive, and her intelligence was equal to Liu Wuxie's. Thus, she could naturally tell the unresolved doubts in Liu Wuxie's heart. She was the only one capable of resolving his questions.

Liu Wuxie stopped in his tracks and looked at Murong Yi. The two locked eyes for a full minute, but neither could find the answers they sought in each other's eyes.

Liu Wuxie's eyes were like an unfathomable deep pool, while Murong Yi's eyes sparkled like crystal-clear gemstones.

As the servants finished their tasks, the boat was cleaned and draped with red curtains, creating a private space where no divine sense could intrude.

"Young Master Liu, this way, please!" Murong Yi gestured politely, inviting Liu Wuxie to the second floor for a more private discussion.

With no choice, Liu Wuxie could only follow Murong Yi to the second floor. He had many doubts that needed answers from her. He had no connection with the House of Tea Art, so why did they intervene to help him repeatedly?

The second floor was beautifully decorated. When he stepped into the cabin, the ground was covered with a soft fur rug, which added more comfort. The table was already set with an array of fine wine and delicately prepared dishes, awaiting the two of them.

"Young Master Liu, please wait. I'll change into something more appropriate." Murong Yi invited Liu Wuxie to have a sit before she left and stepped into another room to change her clothes.

"Lady Murong, please go ahead!" Liu Wuxie stood in the room, and his gaze began to drift around. The furnishings were simple, with nothing but a row of bookshelves. He casually pulled out a book and flipped through it before his eyes narrowed.

"Records of the Central Plains!" This book wasn't about the Southern Province but the Central Plains, which shocked Liu Wuxie.

After all, information about the Central Plains was rare in the Southern Province, and Liu Wuxie's knowledge of it was limited to ancient jade records.

Liu Wuxie flipped through the pages and was soon engrossed by the content. It contained details about power distribution in the Central Plains and described the landscapes and customs.

He was so engrossed that he didn't notice when Murong Yi returned and stood behind him. His divine sense only retracted after he closed the book. He didn't use Ghost Eye and read each word carefully.

"Young Master Liu, you can take these books with you if you like them," Murong Yi's voice echoed behind Liu Wuxie, startling him. He was too engrossed in the book that he had forgotten he was still on the boat.

"A gentleman would never take something dear to another," Liu Wuxie said, shaking his head. He returned the book to the bookshelf and slowly turned around.