Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 892 - Ten Grand Assembly

The surrounding disciples all looked shocked. Qing Mu could be considered an expert at the top of the pyramid. Aside from those at the True Profound Realm, only elders like Tian Xing and Yi Xuan could surpass Qing Mu.

He could be considered an influential figure even in the entire Southern Province.

Who didn't know that Qing Mu was the chief alchemist whenever the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion was mentioned? Yet today, the very same Qing Mu was lying on the ground like a dead dog, thrown to the ground by Liu Wuxie without leaving him a shred of dignity. His hair was disheveled, making him look wild and deranged.

"Liu Wuxie, how dare you imprison an alchemy elder after returning? You're too lawless!" A figure stepped forward from the crowd—a fellow alchemist from Treasure Pill Peak, whom Liu Wuxie recognized instantly. He was one of the many corrupt alchemists who had sided with Qing Mu.

They had all been expelled from Treasure Pill Peak due to their greed and corruption, not to mention their tainted pills, which contained poison that endangered the lives of those who consumed them.

Ever since, they had harbored a deep grudge against Liu Wuxie, though they could do nothing while the sect master stood by his side.

"Die!" Liu Wuxie responded coldly and wasted no words. With a single tap of his finger, he shot out an ice ray and turned the alchemist into a lifeless ice sculpture.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. No one had expected Liu Wuxie to kill so decisively, without a moment's hesitation or a shred of mercy.

"I've called you all here to make one thing clear. I have returned. Those who dared to humiliate my friends and family—wash your necks clean and prepare to face my wrath," Liu Wuxie's steady and imposing voice rang out. He hadn't summoned everyone for sentiment or pleasantries but to exert his revenge.

This world was where the strong preyed on the weak, and all rules existed to serve experts.

Liu Wuxie owed them no explanations. Those who had wronged him had only one fate—death.

The disciples who had once mocked Liu Wuxie now stood trembling, their heads hung low in terror. None dared to speak, fearing that they might become his next target.

"I know many of you resent my actions, thinking I am using my strength to do as I please," Liu Wuxie said, his voice unwavering. "But have you ever considered—what if it were your loved ones imprisoned? Your wives defiled? If that were to happen to you, wouldn't you be the first to seek vengeance?"

His words struck a chord in the hearts of many. If they were in Liu Wuxie's position, they would've also started a massacre.

Upon hearing that Liu Wuxie wanted to start a massacre, Xu Yilin quickly walked over.

"Wuxie, we're fine. The Heavenly Treasure Pavilion has treated us well over the past year. Many disciples even spoke out for us during our imprisonment," Xu Yilin said. He feared that Liu Wuxie, blinded by rage, might lose himself and start killing indiscriminately.

Xu Yilin knew Liu Wuxie's true intention—if left unchecked, he would slaughter at least one-third of the disciples here. These were Qing Mu's loyal followers—his hounds, those who had obeyed his every command without question.

Those who supported Liu Wuxie felt no fear, nor were they unsettled by his actions. After all, he had never done anything to betray or disgrace the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

Those who hated Liu Wuxie didn't dare to speak. They were well aware of the despicable deeds they had committed over the years, and their fate would be death if they were exposed.

"Senior Brother Wuxie, what will you do now that Qing Mu has been punished? Are you going to attend the Ten Grand Assembly?" Many bold disciples stepped forward, mustering their courage to ask.

If the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion couldn't survive this Ten Grand Assembly, the sect would ultimately be dismissed, and they would have to leave.

"I called you all here for two reasons. The first is to show you how despicable Qing Mu is, and the second is to tell you that the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion won't fall as long as I'm alive. Now, hear my command!" Liu Wuxie's voice was infused with his true essence, striking the hearts of all the disciples present.

The aura he gave off forced countless people to lower their heads. Liu Wuxie's presence made them feel he wasn't a mere disciple but the sect master himself.

"Senior Brother Wuxie, just tell us what you need from us!" The disciples who supported Liu Wuxie stepped forward. They had stayed in the sect because they felt a sense of belonging and connection that couldn't be severed.

Everyone waited eagerly, anticipating Liu Wuxie's next move.

"From this moment on, everyone is to mobilize and restore the sect to its former glory. I want the Sect Master to see the complete Heavenly Treasure Pavilion when he returns," Liu Wuxie said.

The Heavenly Treasure pavilion was in ruins, with charred trees and roads blocked by debris, and no one was cleaning up. Worse still, more disciples had continued to abandon the sect in the past few days.

"Senior Brother Liu, rebuilding the place will require vast resources. We can labor all we want, but it won't last without being fortified using the laws of the True Profound Realm. The strongest among us are in the Astral River Realm, and we don't possess the ability to restore the place," said another disciple in the Astral River Realm.

They had considered restoring the place, but the workload was too high. Then again, it wouldn't be an issue if they had enough resources and the laws of the True Profound Realm.

The buildings required the fortification of True Profound Realm laws to stand for centuries—perhaps even millennia. After all, ordinary buildings would become tattered in a few decades.

"Brother Han, I'm counting on you now," Liu Wuxie said as he turned to Han Feizi.

Han Feizi forced a bitter smile but couldn't refuse. Not after he had promised to follow Liu Wuxie. So, how could he not lend a hand when he was needed most?

"Leave it to me then!" Han Feizi nodded. Inscribing the laws of the True Profound Realm was as effortless as flicking his wrist. With the most challenging part resolved, the only concern left was the astronomical sum of resources required.

Liu Wuxie planned to mobilize all the disciples to rebuild the sect with their own hands. Only through their personal effort would they develop a genuine sense of belonging.

Getting the disciples to work together could save enormous resources, and the lack of resources would be resolved the moment the Treasure Pill Peak was reopened.

Qing Mu sat on the ground and watched everything unfold. He observed how Liu Wuxie had shifted the disciples' perception—from hatred to respect—all too suddenly.

Many had been furious when Liu Wuxie executed the alchemist earlier. But they failed to realize that it had been a warning. If anyone stepped out of line, they would end up dead.

Finally, Liu Wuxie turned his gaze to Qing Mu, his voice as sharp as a blade. He said, "Qing Mu, when the sect was in ruins, you did nothing. You let your grandson run wild, bringing shame to the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. What do you have to say for yourself now?"

He wanted to publicly judge Qing Mu before the entire sect, turning him into a symbol of disgrace for all to scorn.

"Do whatever you want with me," Qing Mu replied, his voice hollow. His fate was sealed. Even if he survived, he would live the rest of his days despised and humiliated—death would have been a mercy.

"Where are the disciples of the Law-Enforcement Hall?"

Liu Wuxie had no intention of killing Qing Mu personally. Instead, he tapped out, sending a wave of true essence into Qing Mu, instantly crippling his cultivation.

"I'm a disciple of the Law-Enforcement Hall!" A voice rang out from the crowd. The Law-Enforcement Hall was under Tian Xing's control, meaning most of its members were loyal to Liu Wuxie.

"Take him. Make sure he's punished according to the sect's rules!" Liu Wuxie deliberately emphasized "sect's rules," making it clear that Qing Mu would not meet an easy end.

Falling into the hands of the Law-Enforcement Hall meant a fate far worse than death.

Qing Mu collapsed after hearing that Liu Wuxie would hand him over to the Law-Enforcement Hall.

"Liu Wuxie, you demon! Kill me if you dare!" Qing Mu roared in despair. He knew he would never see the light again if the Law-Enforcement Hall took him, and he would be tortured with endless pain until his death.

Years ago, Qing Mu had once stepped into the Law-Enforcement Hall and had nearly been driven away by the sheer horror of the living hell within. Never had he imagined that one day, he himself would be dragged there to suffer the same fate.

"Father-in-law, Old Fan, Lan Yu...come forward," Liu Wuxie summoned his trusted aides. He needed to make arrangements before heading to the Ten Grand Assembly, where the sect master and the others could very well be in grave danger.

"Wuxie, what do you need us to do?" Xu Yilin took a step forward.

The passion within the disciples of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion had been reignited, and many had already begun clearing debris, working tirelessly to restore their home.

"I'll be heading to the Ten Grand Assembly, leaving the sect in your hands. Here are some resources for you to manage. You can ask Brother Han for help if you run into trouble," Liu Wuxie said and handed over an interspatial ring to his father-in-law.

"Don't worry about it. We'll support Young Master Han," Xu Yilin promised.

Though Han Feizi had yet to fully reveal his strength, the aura he exuded alone was on par with Liu Wuxie's, making it clear he was no ordinary cultivator.

There was no time for long farewells—Liu Wuxie had to depart immediately.

Though everyone felt reluctant about Liu Wuxie's departure, they knew the trip to the Ten Grand Assembly would be dangerous.

Jian Xing'er and Chen Ruoyan wept uncontrollably—they had just been reunited, yet he was leaving again.

"Don't worry. I'll return as soon as the Ten Grand Assembly ends," Liu Wuxie said, gently stroking their hair.

He had already uprooted Qing Mu's faction, and even those at the pinnacle of the True Profound Realm wouldn't be able to harm them with Han Feizi around.

"Promise me that you'll return alive," Jian Xing'er replied, choking through her tears.

The five sects had united to destroy the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, and they knew Liu Wuxie's trip to the Ten Grand Assembly would be dangerous.

"I promise you that I'll return!" Liu Wuxie promised.

"Brother Han, I'll leave everything to you!" Liu Wuxie had no time for pleasantries and soared to the sky, vanishing into the clouds due to the situation's urgency.

The rage in his heart hadn't eased, and it only burned with more ferocity as he needed a battle to vent all his emotions.

......

The higher-ranking members of the ten sects had gathered on the island for the Ten Grand Assembly. Though similar to the Ten Grand Ceremony, it served a different purpose—it was a crucial event meant to redistribute the resources of the Southern Province.

The Heavenly Treasure Pavilion had suffered greatly. Though they still held the first place in rankings, their strength was merely a shadow of what it once was.

"Mu Tianli, are you still unwilling to hand over the Spirit Yang Mountain Range?" Bai Jin asked in a cold voice.

Several spiritual veins within the Spirit Yang Mountain Range were vital to the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion's growth and prosperity. If they lost control of the Spirit Yang Mountain Range, the sect would become vulnerable, forced to rely on others for survival.

The island was oval, with the center cleared out. The ten sects' higher hierarchies were gathered there, divided into ten different factions.