Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 534 - Snatching Forcibly

Liu Wuxie was betting on the House of Tea Art’s promise to protect him. After all, Lady Yan had assured him just yesterday that they would guarantee his safety. If he couldn’t leave safely today, the House of Tea Art’s reputation would be in ruins, and there’d be no point in even heading to Mooncave Lake.

Yet, even if they chose not to intervene, Liu Wuxie was confident he could escape on his own. He could unleash the power of the Heavenly Dragon Seal, suppressing everyone long enough to make his exit—no one would be able to stop him.

Meanwhile, Cheng Chen’s heart sank like a drowning man clutching at a lifeline, only to be struck down again by Liu Wuxie. His confidence had spiked when he revealed the mid-grade spiritual essence, but the sudden appearance of the Saint Glazed Liquid had completely caught him off guard.

“I’m willing to offer ten million spirit stones for the Saint Glazed Liquid!” The man who had exclaimed earlier stepped forward and made an offer. This wasn’t a tiny amount because ten million was a significant sum, capable of ensuring a life of luxury for someone in the Heavenly Phase Realm.

However, Liu Wuxie wouldn’t even bat an eye at one billion spirit stones after establishing the Heavenly Dao Society, let alone ten million. With the Saint Glazed Liquid, he could reach the seventh-level Heavenly Phase Realm in no time.

Jian Xing’er and Chen Ruoyan were still stuck in the Heavenly Dipper Realm, but they could reach the pinnacle of the Heavenly Dipper Realm with the Saint Glazed Liquid. If they could absorb spiritual essences, there was even a chance for them to reach the Heavenly Phase Realm. So, how could he possibly sell the Saint Glazed Liquid?

“Not for sale!” Liu Wuxie replied coldly, and his words made the middle-aged man freeze. He was someone in the high levels of the Astral River Realm, invincible if he didn’t face someone in the Nascent Transformation Realm. He felt humiliated to be rejected by someone in the Heavenly Phase Realm.

“Brat, I can just seize it from you. I have already shown consideration by offering ten million spirit stones.” The Saint Glazed Liquid was too valuable, and he could reach the Nascent Transformation Realm with it. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which he didn’t want to miss.

If Liu Wuxie refused to sell it to him, he would snatch it by force.

“You plan to snatch it from me?” Liu Wuxie’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint. If this man dared to make a move, he wouldn’t hesitate to crush him to death with the Heavenly Dragon Seal before leaving with Chen Ruoyan and Jian Xing’er. This trip to Serene Sea City had already been highly fruitful for him, even if he didn’t know what the remaining seven items would yield.

“That’s exactly my plan!” The middle-aged man no longer concealed his murderous intent and walked towards Liu Wuxie.

No one in the surroundings dared to step forward unless someone in the Nascent Transformation Realm intervened. However, those in the Nascent Transformation Realm held too high a status to stoop to the level of robbing someone in the Heavenly Phase Realm.

After all, their reputation would be ruined if news got out that they had robbed a junior, and they would have no choice but to leave the Southern Province.

The atmosphere grew tense with the increasing pressure. Those with low cultivation couldn’t catch their breath under the middle-aged man’s aura.

Oddly enough, Liu Wuxie wasn’t affected by the aura, which shocked the latter. He was baffled as to why his aura did not affect Liu Wuxie whatsoever.

“Chen Sheng, you plan to rob a junior as someone in the Astral River Realm? Aren’t you worried about your reputation?” Another middle-aged man took a step forward. Both of their strengths were comparable in the high levels of the Astral River Realm.

It was evident that Chen Shen wasn’t the only one who coveted Liu Wuxie’s Saint Glazed Liquid.

“He Hai, don’t act like you’re a saint when you’re also here for the Saint Glazed Liquid. What a hypocrite!” Chen Sheng sneered, and they weren’t unfamiliar with each other.

It was evident to everyone that their objective was to rob Liu Wuxie’s Saint Glazed Liquid. As for the ancient fragment and spiritual essence, they could obtain these items elsewhere, but the Saint Glazed Liquid was too precious.

“Young lad, I’m willing to offer eleven million spirit stones for the Saint Glazed Liquid, and I can also ensure your safety.” The middle-aged man called He Hai took a step forward, adding another million on top of Chen Shen’s offer.

“Not for sale!” Liu Wuxie replied coldly.

He Hai was stunned. He had already been fair by increasing his offer.

“Hahaha! This is the first time I’ve seen someone so arrogant!” He Hai released his murderous intent, which came crashing down on Liu Wuxie.

Liu Wuxie was already struggling to deal with Chen Shen, and now He Hai had joined the fray, making it even harder for him to escape unscathed.

Many onlookers turned their attention to the remaining seven uncut items. Since the first three had already yielded such treasures, what would there be in the remaining seven?

Even if they didn’t uncover another Saint Glazed Liquid, finding spiritual essence would still be a valuable gain.

The tension in the air grew thick as if chaos could break out at any moment. Liu Wuxie quietly gathered his strength and signaled to the two women with him, telling them to blend into the crowd when the fight erupted. He would find a way to escape and leave the city with them afterward.

Chen Shen and He Hai moved in to block any escape route, worsening Liu Wuxie's situation. Chen Shen’s lips curled into a smirk; the outcome of the stone betting hardly mattered anymore. The odds of him winning were slim unless he could find something of equal value.

“Since you rejected our offer, don’t blame us for what comes next!” Chen Shen snarled, reaching for Liu Wuxie’s neck, intent on capturing him alive.

After cutting out three treasures in a row, many suspected Liu Wuxie had some tool or technique that allowed him to see inside the stones. If Chen Shen could get his hands on it, he’d be able to claim any treasure in the city.

“Does the House of Tea Art plan to keep watching? I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend the gathering tonight,” Liu Wuxie raised his voice while he secretly prepared the Heavenly Dragon Seal to strike at any moment.

Since the House of Tea Art had gone to great lengths to invite him to the event tonight, their efforts would go down the drain if he died there.

Another possibility was that they felt guilty about yesterday’s events and wanted to make amends by extending the invitation. Either way, Liu Wuxie was about to test their response.

“The House of Tea Art?” Everyone was confused. Women ran the House of Tea Art with no men involved, so why did Liu Wuxie suddenly mention the House of Tea Art?

“Stop daydreaming. The House of Tea Art won’t intervene for an ant like you.” The House of Tea Art was mysterious; even the three major sects had acknowledged their presence. Their origin remained a mystery.

However, when Liu Wuxie noticed that there were still no movements from the surroundings, he wondered if he had guessed wrongly. Perhaps the House of Tea Art’s invitation was a gesture of apology with no ulterior motive.

Chen Shen's hand was inches away from grabbing Liu Wuxie when he realized there was no other choice. With a single thought, Liu Wuxie activated the Heavenly Dragon Seal, ready for it to burst out from the Sky Devouring Divine Cauldron at any moment.

However, just as the seal was about to unleash, a withered hand suddenly appeared between them.

“Get lost!”

Chen Shen was sent flying by the withered hand, and in the next instant, an elderly woman with a frail frame and a cane stood in front of Liu Wuxie.

Seeing this woman, a smile curled on Liu Wuxie’s lips.

“It’s Madam Li from the House of Tea Art. Why is she here helping this kid?” Many people were baffled. Many of them had visited the House of Tea Art, which was why they could recognize the old woman.

“Madam Li, what you’re doing isn’t according to the rules. We were here first, and the Saint Glazed Liquid should belong to us!” He Hai was displeased, assuming that the House of Tea Art was also here to snatch the Saint Glazed Liquid.

In the past year or so, the House of Tea Art had avoided any disputes in the city. The fact that they were intervening now was a clear act of snatching the Saint Glazed Liquid. After all, it would also benefit someone even in the Nascent Transformation Realm.

“From this moment on, Young Master Liu is an honored guest of the House of Tea Art, and anyone who dares to touch him will become our enemy.” Madam Li swept her cold gaze across the crowd. Those who met her eyes quickly lowered their heads under the weight of her Nascent Transformation Realm aura.

“What?!” Countless people were shocked. Since when did Liu Wuxie become an honored guest of the House of Tea Art?

Even Cheng Chen was utterly dumbfounded because things were getting out of control. Regarding cultivation, Liu Wuxie was inferior to elite disciples of the three major sects, let alone true disciples.

How did Liu Wuxie gain the favor of Murong Yi? This simply made no sense because they couldn’t see anything remarkable about Liu Wuxie apart from being handsome.

“Madam Li, are you sure you're not mistaken? This kid looks unfamiliar—how could he possibly be connected to the House of Tea Art?” Chen Shen stood up, his face dark with frustration, though he dared not act recklessly.

He wanted to point out that if the House of Tea Art truly wanted the Saint Glazed Liquid, they didn’t need to make up such an excuse. Many of those present shared his thoughts, assuming the House of Tea Art was simply stalling Liu Wuxie to take the treasure once they had him under their roof.

“Do you not understand? He’s now connected to the House of Tea Art,” Madam Li replied coldly, her firm tone darkening many faces in the crowd.

The House of Tea Art had never been this forceful before. Their aggressive stance was a sharp contrast to their usual neutrality, and this marked the first time they had openly challenged the authority of the three major sects.

“Madam Li, your House of Tea Art is going too far! You’re just trying to monopolize the Saint Glazed Liquid by claiming this kid is connected to you. Who here would believe that nonsense?” Chen Shen spat, still nursing his injuries from being thrown aside. His words echoed the sentiments of many in the crowd, who nodded in agreement.

Madam Li’s expression remained calm. “Our House of Tea Art does not stoop to such tricks. We have no interest in the Saint Glazed Liquid. As I said, Young Master Liu is an honored guest of the House of Tea Art. If you are here to watch the stone betting, I have no issue. But touch him, and you’ll face my wrath.”

Her words carried weight, as the House of Tea Art had always been known for its integrity, never boasting or lying. The crowd began to wonder—if Madam Li wasn’t bluffing, what exactly was Liu Wuxie’s relationship with the House of Tea Art?