Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 808 - Declaration of War

Only those whose cultivation vastly surpassed their opponent’s could lock onto them with their attacks, a technique similar to aura suppression. For example, someone at the Spirit Profound Realm could easily suppress a cultivator at the True Profound Realm through sheer presence alone.

However, both Liu Wuxie and Ren Ping were at the Nascent Transformation Realm, making it impossible for Ren Ping to suppress him with aura alone. In fact, even someone at the Earth Profound Realm would struggle to suppress Liu Wuxie, as the Heavenly Dao Book could effortlessly neutralize such pressure.

In the blink of an eye, Liu Wuxie’s punch landed.

Before Ren Ping could even scream, the fist struck his forehead.

A deafening explosion followed.

Ren Ping’s head burst apart like a watermelon crushed under immense force. His primordial spirit was obliterated instantly, leaving no chance for survival. Blood and fragments of bone splattered across the ground, painting a gruesome scene.

Silence blanketed Star Eclipse Valley. No one had expected Liu Wuxie to kill Ren Ping with a single strike.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, many horrified by the sheer brutality of the scene. The sight of a man’s head exploding was too much to stomach, and several female disciples turned away, retching from nausea.

"This is impossible! How could Ren Ping lose!" Ren Ping was a disciple of the White Dragon Peak. While he hadn't reached the True Profound Realm, he was one step away, and his breakthrough was only a matter of time. But such a person had perished in the Star Eclypse Valley in such a cruel manner.

Someone stepped forward, unable to accept the brutal reality.

"He must've resorted to a sneak attack! Ren Ping must've underestimated his opponent," someone speculated. They could tell Ren Ping hadn't gone all out right from the start, not to mention against someone at the second-level Nascent Transformation Realm. But he met a brutal demise as a result.

Those who had been eager to challenge Liu Wuxie suddenly hesitated. The idea of replacing his ranking now seemed far less appealing. Ren Ping's death had left a shadow over their hearts, and fear took hold. They began to reconsider, questioning whether it was worth risking their own lives.

Some were still tempted to act. If they could kill Liu Wuxie, they could seize his fortune and take his place on the Mortal Ranking, becoming the new chosen one.

Elder He’s expression was dark and unreadable. In past years, White Dragon Peak had always been insignificant, but now, Liu Wuxie's actions were a resounding slap to their faces right from the start.

After killing Ren Ping, Liu Wuxie turned and walked back to his seat without a second glance.

Elder He shifted his gaze to the right, and, as if on cue, two disciples immediately sprang into action.

"Liu Wuxie, where do you think you're going? Let's fight!" The two disciples flanked him, cutting off his path.

Liu Wuxie’s eyes turned ice-cold. He had expected Ren Ping’s death to deter further challenges, but it seemed his actions had only fueled more hostility. His gaze flickered toward Elder He, quickly understanding the situation. White Dragon Peak wouldn’t let him go so easily after such humiliation. Most importantly, Miao Hanxuan was an elder of Heavenly Dragon Peak—he must have pulled some strings.

Two against one—what were Liu Wuxie's chances?

"Are you both truly willing to be someone's sacrificial pawns?" Liu Wuxie swept his gaze over them. They were at the pinnacle of the Nascent Transformation Realm, and he could kill them easily.

His words made it clear—there was no chance of victory, and they would die as nothing more than pawns. Yet refusing to fight meant offending Elder He, making it impossible for them to survive in White Dragon Peak.

Whoever could defeat Liu Wuxie would take his place as the top-ranked disciple and claim the supreme-grade spiritual pill.

Right now, Liu Wuxie held the highest rank, and if no one challenged him, he would take all the rewards for himself—something the others simply couldn't accept.

If Liu Wuxie was so powerful at the second-level Nascent Transformation Realm, what would happen once he consumed the spiritual pill and entered the Auspicious Cloud Cave? Even veteran disciples would struggle to keep up with him, and they had to stop Liu Wuxie from growing stronger.

"Liu Wuxie, if you're willing to kneel and beg for mercy, we will consider sparing your life," said the disciple on the right. His murderous intent wasn't strong, and they could win without fighting as long as Liu Wuxie admitted defeat.

"Come at me!" Liu Wuxie sneered. Since there was no turning back, they did not need to waste time talking. The Heretic Blade appeared in his hand, and he would cover this place with blood today.

The two disciples exchanged glances, a ruthless glint flashing in their eyes. Their swords weaved through the air and formed into sword flowers as they lunged at Liu Wuxie. Their attacks were like two tidal waves, cutting off Liu Wuxie's retreat with their strongest attacks.

"Brahma Sword Art!"

"Peerless Sword Art!" While the two sword techniques didn't belong to spirit-grade martial techniques, they were still formidable. The Brahma Sword Art emitted a chant that sent chills down the spines of those who heard it. It was a technique that contained a sound wave attack.

The Peerless Sword Art concealed a blade within each strike, living up to its name. The spectators held their breath, eyes locked onto the intense battle.

"Liu Wuxie, you can die now!" the disciple on the left snarled, his sword thrusting at Liu Wuxie's ribcage. Just a little closer, and the sword would pierce through.

But the next moment, Liu Wuxie performed the Seven Dipper Steps and spun like a whirlwind. His attack changed swiftly, and even the other elders wore a grave expression at this sight.

They were impressed at Liu Wuxie's combat talent at such a young age. Even those who had lived for centuries could hardly compare to him.

The Heretic Blade unleashed a cold ray, striking the man before anyone could see how he attacked.

After days of relentless training, Liu Wuxie had honed his True Strike to unparalleled mastery. Infused with his dao technique, it now rivaled even a spirit-grade martial technique.

Having consumed several Divine Fruits, Liu Wuxie's divine force far exceeded that of ordinary cultivators. Divine force amplified his martial techniques, exponentially strengthening his dao techniques. As a result, even a technique that might seem ordinary in someone else's hands became immeasurably powerful in his.

This was the benefit of divine force, and even the divine force of those at the high levels of the Nascent Transformation Realm was pale compared to Liu Wuxie's. Nothing could be seen now, but it would be revealed in the future.

For example, only a few people could withstand Liu Wuxie's ice dao technique after being infused with divine force.

The Heretic Blade stabbed into its target at blinding speed. There was no blood spilled, and no scream was heard. The disciple froze in place with no visible injury from the outside.

A trickle of blood dripped from the disciple's lips with his internal organs shattered, crushed by the blade aura.

With a dull thud, the disciple collapsed, the light in his eyes fading as he clung to his last moments of life. He had only recently joined Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy, and by all accounts, a bright future had awaited him.

As Liu Wuxie had said, they did not need to become someone else's sacrificial pawn.

The last remaining disciple hesitated mid-strike, frozen in place. They were at a complete loss for what to do. After witnessing his comrade's death, the thought of retreat appeared in his mind.

Turning around, Liu Wuxie's piercing gaze locked onto him, paralyzing him in fear.

"End your own life!" Liu Wuxie said, unwilling to waste any time.

Those in the surroundings looked at each other and couldn't believe someone at the Nascent Transformation Realm would be so arrogant, forcing someone at the pinnacle of the Nascent Transformation Realm to commit suicide. Even someone at the True Profound Realm couldn't achieve such a result.

No one laughed, as Liu Wuxie had already proven his strength.

"I'll fight you to the death!" the disciple roared. He would rather be killed than end his own life in such a humiliating way.

"You're courting death!" Liu Wuxie was enraged. He had already given the man a chance to end his life with dignity, but now, he would ensure the latter would die without a complete corpse.

Raising the Heretic Blade, Liu Wuxie swung it down in a single, decisive motion. A vortex of boundless blade intent erupted, locking his opponent in place and rendering him completely helpless.

The spectators couldn't figure out what kind of power it was and how something like this could be accomplished.

Before anyone could process it, the disciple's body was ripped to shreds, torn apart with such force that not a single piece remained intact. The thick stench of blood and iron filled Star Eclipse Valley, the air heavy with death.

A wave of hissing whispers spread through the crowd. Despite the glaring midday sun, a bone-chilling cold swept through them, causing them to shudder.

Even Elder He found himself in an uncomfortable position—three disciples from White Dragon Peak had just been slaughtered, all by someone at the second-level Nascent Transformation Realm.

At this moment, no one dared to underestimate Liu Wuxie. It was clear now—that cultivation level did not define true strength.

"Look! His ranking just went up by two places!" Gasps rippled through the crowd as they saw Liu Wuxie's name rise on the Mortal Ranking. His power had increased, or perhaps, those ranked above him had fallen.

Liu Wuxie swept his gaze around, and no one dared to meet his eyes directly, not even those at the True Profound Realm.

"Anyone else wants to fight?" Liu Wuxie deliberately downplayed the carnage as a casual fight. This way, he had the perfect excuse even if Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy chose to pursue this matter.

Moreover, Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy couldn't pursue this matter.

Elder He looked terrifyingly grim as he glanced at the White Dragon Peak's region again. More than four hundred disciples had joined White Dragon Peak, and they were among the elite. Losing three disciples was a devastating blow to them.

"He's too arrogant! I refuse to believe he can remain so brazen forever!" A burly man stepped forward with a massive warhammer in his hand.

A few more disciples sitting beside him stood up, and five men stepped forward. They quickly positioned themselves strategically to encircle Liu Wuxie.

Liu Wuxie let out a devilish smirk at this scene as he glanced at Elder He before raising his middle finger in a blatant act of provocation. This was a declaration of war against White Dragon Peak.

Since they had chosen to take things this far, he had no reason to hold back; holding back wasn't his nature. He would either emerge victorious, or he would perish. He had made up his mind to start a massacre today, and every kill was a gain for him.

"Has he lost it? Did he provoke an elder outright? This is no different from waging war with White Dragon Peak!" The crowd erupted in an uproar, unable to contain their shock.

"I admire his actions. I would also do the same if I were in his position, and I would drag a few down with me if death were inevitable." Liu Wuxie's actions earned admiration from many, but some wanted him dead.

A flicker of sharp, murderous intent flashed in Elder He's eyes. With a subtle movement of his finger, he silently acknowledged Liu Wuxie's challenge.

When the five disciples received Elder He's command, they didn't hesitate to attack. They knew they would die if Liu Wuxie didn't die, and they had no path of retreat.