Desolate Devouring Art-Chapter 1060 - Celestial Lunar Lake

Since the rules forbade Heaven Profound Realm cultivators from acting directly, Heavenly Jade Pavilion could only dispatch elite Earth Profound Realm assassins to kill Liu Wuxie.

If someone killed Liu Wuxie, Heavenly Dao Society would lose its core. No matter how talented the others were, Heavenly Dao Society would collapse like a house stripped of its foundation.

"But the real issue is how," someone questioned coldly.

By now, destroying Heavenly Dao Society seemed like Spirit Jade Pavilion's only remaining lifeline.

If they allowed the Heavenly Dao Society to continue growing at its current pace, their sales would halt within three months. The once-dominant Heavenly Jade Pavilion would lose all relevance.

Now that experts and allies from various sects guarded the Heavenly Dao Society, assassins found it nearly impossible to sneak in and reach Liu Wuxie.

Shi Yuan's tone turned venomous. "He won't hide in the Heavenly Dao Society forever. We'll get our chance the moment he steps outside."

Remembering the humiliation he had faced at Liu Wuxie's hands twisted his expression. He had turned into a laughingstock after he was made to slap himself during the commerce fair. If not for the Pavilion Master's protection, they would've already stripped him of his post and cast him out.

"Pavilion Master, what do you think?" Elder Long Chen asked cautiously, gauging the mood.

The Pavilion Master toyed with a jade stone. His expression was unreadable.

"Proceed with Shi Yuan's suggestion," he said flatly. Then, without another word, his figure dissolved into mist, vanishing from the main hall like a wisp of mist.

The Pavilion Master made his will clear. Since Liu Wuxie had publicly humiliated the Heavenly Jade Pavilion and ruined its business, he didn't intend to forgive him.

The other elders glanced at one another before silently dispersing. Since Shi Yuan had proposed the plan, the elders expected him to implement it. No one dared entangle themselves in what could become a fatal grudge.

After all, not everyone in the Heavenly Jade Pavilion was eager to see Liu Wuxie die.

The Spirit Jade Pavilion operated more like a commercial organization than a sect or clan. It recruited most of its so-called elders as guest cultivators from across the continent through spiritual contracts or lavish incentives.

......

Deep within the Pavilion's restricted grounds, a black-robed figure stood between the flickering firelight and the shadows. A chilling presence surrounded him.

At that moment, the Pavilion Master's voice echoed from the heart of the structure.

"Have you found anything?"

"I have." The shadow's voice was cold and devoid of emotion. He lifted his hand and tossed a glowing golden imprint into the depths of the Pavilion.

The golden imprint detailed Liu Wuxie's every recent movement from places he had visited, people he had met, and formations he had activated. Even Liu Wuxie's most obscure secrets, long hidden from public view, now lay bare.

"How fascinating," the Pavilion Master murmured, a strange smile curling up his lips. "To rise from the mundane world in just a few short years... Aside from being the chosen one, there are other forces at work here. He's hiding something much deeper."

A voice echoed from beyond the pavilion wall. The shadowy figure continued to hover in the air outside, weightless as if even gravity refused to touch him.

"Master, there's something that troubles me," he said respectfully.

"Speak," the Pavilion Master replied.

"He was known as a notorious wastrel until the age of eighteen. He was weak, talentless, and arrogant. However, after an incident, his entire demeanor changed. His cultivation path, personality, and comprehension of the Dao all shifted overnight. It's as if someone else took over his body entirely.

The Pavilion Master's eyes narrowed.

"You suspect possession? That the real Liu Wuxie is dead and another soul now inhabits his body?"

"Precisely," said the shadow. "And that soul may have strength beyond our comprehension."

The Pavilion Master fell silent, his fingers gently rubbing the edge of the jade talisman in his hand. Even geniuses found it nearly impossible to master such a wide array of dao techniques and cultivate them at such a rapid rate.

"A foreign soul... or one that crossed over from the Astral Domain?" he muttered. Then he waved his hand. "Keep this to yourself. I'm interested to know who he is, not just who he claims to be."

The shadow disappeared without another word.

......

Meanwhile, Liu Wuxie remained unaware that others were unraveling his secrets.

His True Dragon Physique and Divine Thunder Physique healed the wounds from the Silken Binding Art completely, leaving no trace behind. His cultivation had also consolidated at the pinnacle of the fifth-level Spirit Profound Realm.

"You're leaving, Wuxie?"

When word spread that Liu Wuxie planned to leave, everyone in the Heavenly Dao Society was stunned.

The outside world was still dangerous. Assassins from the three great clans could strike at any moment. Remaining within the Heavenly Dao Society's stronghold was the safest option. After all, the Heavenly Dao Society was no longer what it had been two weeks ago.

While Liu Wuxie was recovering, Heavenly Dao Society had acted swiftly. They had bought all the ruined buildings nearby and had started renovating the entire district.

What stood now was no longer a humble sect compound. It had become a massive, fortified stronghold, on par with any first-tier force in the Central Plains.

Liu Wuxie stood before them, his gaze steady.

"I have to return to the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy. I'm a disciple of the Heavenly Gate Peak," he said. "Now that I've reached the Spirit Profound Realm, it's time I return and formally receive the status of a holy son."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Besides, the Heavenly Dao Society is developing well. No one on the True Martial Continent poses any threat to us now."

He spoke with quiet certainty. Remaining in the Heavenly Dao Society would keep him safe, but it would also confine him. Safety always came at the cost of progress.

Sealing himself away from the world would only narrow his horizons, and his cultivation would eventually stagnate.

He still owed the grandmaster a debt of gratitude for sending the Divine Sun Sword to save him when all hope seemed lost.

More than that, he needed to uncover the path forward.

He needed to figure out how to enter the Astral Domain.

Time was slipping away, and Han Feizi's life hung by a thread. Liu Wuxie couldn't afford any delay.

At his current cultivation, entering the Astral Domain was reckless. The astral winds alone could shred him into nothing.

Liu Wuxie told none of his companions about Han Feizi and had no intention of doing so. There was no reason to burden them with worry.

Someone as powerful as the grandmaster of the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy naturally understood the Astral Domain. That meant Liu Wuxie had to try, no matter what it took.

If Han Feizi died because of him, he would never forgive himself.

After making all the necessary preparations, Liu Wuxie visited the Liu Clan to inform his parents, then set off alone for the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy.

Xu Lingxue and the others remained behind. As they weren't disciples of the academy, they could only stay within the Heavenly Dao Society to focus on cultivation.

Meanwhile, Mu Tianli had sent reinforcements from the Southern Province, including several grand elders. Now that they had activated the teleportation array, operations ran smoothly.

As sect master of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, Mu Tianli's leadership far surpassed Xu Yilin's in managing a sect. Together, the two divided the internal and external responsibilities between themselves. The structure they formed was both efficient and stable.

The Renowned Sword Manor also continued expanding into the Central Plains. With the Heavenly Dao Society's backing, their growth was rapid, and new shops sprang up across key regions.

Liu Wuxie slipped away unnoticed, vanishing silently from the compound.

He had mastered the Ancient Breath-Concealing Art to a high degree. Although he still lagged behind Yang Ni, his skill was enough to evade most assassins. He could erase all traces of his presence.

Even the scouts hiding near the Liu Clan failed to detect him.

Liu Wuxie dispatched Ruan Ying and the other assassins to Eternal Spiritual Mountain. The Liu Clan had already lost too many there, and he wouldn't allow them to suffer more casualties.

After Wang Chen's betrayal toward his clan, Liu Wuxie appointed him to the Law-Enforcement Hall to assist Tian Xing. With his formidable cultivation and skillset, Wang Chen fit the role perfectly, and Tian Xing welcomed the help.

Several days later, Liu Wuxie arrived at the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy.

His three senior brothers had already returned and were preparing to enter seclusion in hopes of breaking through to the Earth Profound Realm. Elder Madman was nowhere to be seen. He was likely still working toward his advancement to the Heaven Profound Realm. Reaching that level of cultivation was anything but easy.

After a brief rest, Liu Wuxie made his way to the Promotion Hall to complete the formalities for becoming a holy son. In the academy, this title granted not only elevated status but also access to vastly superior cultivation resources.

His return stirred quite a commotion. Word of the Astral Glory City battle had already spread throughout the academy. Even more startling was the Divine Sun Sword's intervention on Liu Wuxie's behalf, a move that left many unsettled. That such favor had been shown to a new disciple by the grandmaster left the academy buzzing with speculation.

Jealousy aside, Liu Wuxie's achievements had earned the admiration of many. Few believed the Heavenly Dao Society would survive, let alone rise. However, through sheer strategy and strength, Liu Wuxie reversed their fate and established a foundation in the Central Plains.

When he arrived at the Promotion Hall, the elder-in-charge welcomed him warmly. The elder swiftly completed the procedures, then handed Liu Wuxie his new token and robe, befitting his status as a holy son.

"Now that you're a holy son, you'll need to go to the Earth Ranking and leave your soul imprint," the elder instructed.

Liu Wuxie had little interest in the academy's rankings, but rules were rules. Every disciple had to leave a soul imprint, which vanished upon death. This helped the academy track its disciples and monitor casualties.

Aside from receiving monthly resources, the holy sons also enjoyed the privilege of cultivating in the Celestial Lunar Lake, a place renowned for its dense spiritual energy. The lake sat about a thousand meters from the Myriad Phase Cavern, which was why so many people strained their minds to qualify for entry.

Instead of returning to Heavenly Gate Peak, Liu Wuxie headed straight for seclusion at the Celestial Lunar Lake. His cultivation had jumped several levels since his journey to Northern City, and now was the time to consolidate his foundation. He also planned to harness the lake's unique energy and laws to break through to the sixth-level Spirit Profound Realm.

After killing so many Earth Profound Realm experts, he still needed to refine all the laws stored in the Sky Devouring Divine Cauldron. Before leaving, Bi Gongyu had also given him a trove of pills to speed up his cultivation.

Liu Wuxie visited the Earth Ranking, engraved his soul imprint, and walked away without so much as glancing at his name.

......

An hour later, he reached the lake's boundary. Even at a distance, waves of pure yang energy surged toward him, washing over his body.

He quietly summoned the Sky Devouring Divine Cauldron, using it to absorb the energy and refine it into Pure-Yang Pills. Then, without a moment's pause, he popped them into his mouth like candy.

Though the pills didn't boost his cultivation directly, they greatly reinforced his foundation.

After crossing a mountain range, a vast lake came into view. It stretched so far that it resembled an endless sea, yet it was formed naturally atop a mountain. It was a phenomenon cloaked in mystery.

Crescent-shaped and surrounded by mist-like drifting clouds, the lake resembled a hanging moon. Hence, it had gotten the name: Celestial Lunar Lake. Its jade-white waters sparkled with a surreal glow.

"What a magnificent place," Liu Wuxie murmured in awe.

The Myriad Phase Cavern lay just beyond the lake, drawing in its spiritual energy and natural laws. Only holy sons could cultivate in this sacred space; the academy barred ordinary True Profound Realm disciples from even entering.

Many disciples had already gathered around the lake to cultivate. No caves or dwellings lined the lakeside. Each disciple carefully chose a spot, mindful not to disturb the lake's pristine harmony.

Since others had already claimed most of the ideal spots, finding a suitable location proved difficult.

Liu Wuxie activated the Ghost Eye and carefully scanned the area. Soon, he found a secluded patch of grassland that no one had disturbed. He only needed to clear it slightly. It sat close to the lake, perfect for his needs.