Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 517 - Sky Yin Ancestor

The Teng Clan’s reputation and status would plummet in Azure Mountain City if they allowed Liu Wuxie’s group to leave.

“Patriarch, according to my investigation, there’s a possibility that the man and the woman who visited our casino yesterday might’ve been Liu Wuxie and his companion in disguise.” Pei Kun stepped forward. His investigation had confirmed that the man was Liu Wuxie.

They had searched Azure Mountain City in just one day, and Liu Wuxie was the most suspicious.

“Patriarch, I suggest we eliminate him immediately. Even if the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion retaliates, we don’t have to fear them. Our Teng Clan has experts in the Azure Crimson Gate,” a Teng Clan’s disciple proposed killing Liu Wuxie.

The Teng Clan hesitated only because of Liu Wuxie’s identity as the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion’s disciple. Otherwise, they would’ve already acted against him.

“There’s no need for us to take action ourselves!” The Teng Clan’s patriarch was a man in his fifties. He had a ferocious appearance with a sinister smile hanging at the corner of his lips. He had no intention of letting Liu Wuxie live after hitting his son.

“Patriarch, what do you mean?” The few elders and deacons looked at the patriarch. Since the Teng Clan wouldn’t act against Liu Wuxie, who would kill him then?

The He Clan would stay out of this matter as it didn’t concern them. Excluding the He Clan, they couldn’t think of anyone in Azure Mountain City who could deal with Liu Wuxie.

“The Sky Yin Sect!” the Teng Clan’s patriarch said.

Everyone’s eyes lit up at their patriarch’s excellent suggestion.

“Patriarch, the Sky Yin Sect has no feud with Liu Wuxie, so why will they go after him?” Pei Kun asked, puzzled.

The other elders nodded in agreement, knowing that the Teng Clan could avoid involvement if the Sky Yin Sect moved against Liu Wuxie.

“Have you all forgotten the Sky Yin Ancestor’s...preferences?” The Teng Clan’s patriarch smirked coldly.

Everyone instantly understood what he meant and wore malicious smiles on their faces.

“That’s brilliant, patriarch!” Pei Kun gave the patriarch a thumbs-up, praising the latter’s plan to use the Sky Yin Ancestor to eliminate Liu Wuxie.

“The Sky Yin Ancestor is known for his lust and has captured many women in Azure Mountain City over the years to use as cauldrons for his cultivation. I believe the Sky Yin Ancestor will surely come!” An elder let out a sinister burst of laughter.

“Send someone to deliver the two women’s portraits to the Sky Yin Sect!” The Teng Clan’s patriarch ordered artists to paint portraits of Chen Ruoyan and Jian Xing’er.

The portraits of two vivid beauties appeared before everyone’s eyes, and even the Teng Clan’s patriarch couldn’t help taking a deep breath at the sight of Chen Ruoyan.

“Father, what will happen to me if you let the Sky Yin Ancestor have them?” Teng Zijun looked unhappy beside his father.

“There are plenty of women in the world, and you have to see further into the future,” the Teng Clan’s patriarch explained earnestly.

The portraits were soon sent out of the city, all while Liu Wuxie’s group remained utterly unaware. After all, Liu Wuxie naturally wouldn’t go and destroy the Teng Clan since they didn’t come and cause trouble for him, not to mention there wasn’t much enmity between them.

“Patriarch, is there still a need for the Jian Clan to continue existing?” Pei Kun asked and made a throat-slitting gesture.

“Destroy them!” The Jian Clan had been slowly devoured by the Teng Clan, and even their patriarch, Jian Botong, had become a loyal dog of the Teng Clan. Now that the Jian Clan had lost their purpose, there was no need for the Teng Clan to keep them around.

A bloody storm swept throughout Azure Mountain City as the night deepened. The remaining disciples of the Jian Clan were all eradicated.

Jian Botong and his son sat in the main hall with a headless corpse lying beside them. Looking at his disappointed son, Jian Botong couldn’t help but sigh. He was at fault for the Jian Clan’s downfall because he had spoiled his son too much, which had led them into a quagmire.

He wasn’t surprised by the Teng Clan’s arrival because he knew he had lost all value.

“Father, I’m scared!” The young man trembled beside Jian Botong and hid behind him.

“Don’t worry. It will soon be over!” Jian Botong stood up and thrust a blade into his son’s heart.

“Fa...ther...” The youth couldn’t understand why his father would kill him.

“I’m sorry, my child. I will come and join you soon.” Jian Botong dashed into the crowd after he retrieved the blade. However, he was killed in just one exchange, with his blood splashing around the main hall. The Jian Clan was erased from Azure Mountain City.

The following day, Jian Xing’er came out of the room with her eyes swollen from crying, and she was much calmer now.

Liu Wuxie had been checking on her with his divine sense every few minutes throughout the night, fearing that she might take her life.

“Sister Jian, you’re out! We were all worried sick!” Chen Ruoyan grabbed Jian Xing’er’s hand and refused to let go.

“I’m sorry for making you two worry!” Jian Xing’er felt guilty for causing Liu Wuxie and Chen Ruoyan to worry for her all night.

"Let’s leave this place," Liu Wuxie said, fully aware of the chaos that had unfolded in the city the previous night. Jian Xing’er’s mother was gone, the Jian Clan was wiped out, and her grandfather had passed away years ago. Now, she stood alone.

“Okay!” Jian Xing’er nodded. She never wanted to return to this place again. She raised her head and requested Liu Wuxie, “I wish to visit my mother’s grave one last time before we leave.”

“Of course!” Liu Wuxie agreed. They weren’t in a hurry, and leaving one day sooner or later didn’t matter to him.

The sun had just risen from the horizon, and many people were still asleep when they left the inn.

Suddenly, two frantic voices echoed from nearby. "My child! You thieves!"

Jian Xing’er’s eyes narrowed. “The Sky Yin Sect!” she muttered, recognizing the voices from her memories of Azure Mountain City.

Two men dressed in black fled down the street, their panic evident as they tried to escape. Without hesitation, Jian Xing’er dashed forward, her sword flashing as she struck at the fleeing figures.

The two black-clothed men had a child each under their arms—a boy and a girl. They were twins; it was unclear how the Sky Yin Sect had found them.

The two kidnappers had decent strength and were both in the pinnacle True Core Realm, but Jian Xing’er was in the Heavenly Dipper Realm. When she released her aura, the two kidnappers were sent flying and threw up blood.

When the two children flew out of the kidnappers’ arms, Liu Wuxie and Chen Ruoyan rushed over to catch them.

“Run!” The two kidnappers didn’t hesitate to turn and run after noticing that the situation was unfavorable to them.

“Dream on! Die!” Jian Xing’er was holding back a great deal of emotions, and it would turn into a demon in her heart if she didn’t vent it all out. This was similar to Liu Wuxie’s situation yesterday; only killing could relieve her murderous rage.

Jian Xing’er’s sword sliced through the air and split the two kidnappers into two, splashing their blood on the ground.

A couple ran out from the neighboring inn, and they weren’t properly dressed as they had rushed out in a hurry.

“My children!” The woman ran over and snatched the two kids from Liu Wuxie and Chen Ruoyan’s hands, mistaking them for the Sky Yin Sect’s disciples.

“Thank you for your assistance!” The man could tell that Liu Wuxie’s group wasn’t from the Sky Yin Sect, and they had just saved his children.

They had hidden their children in their basement for years, fearing the Sky Yin Sect would learn about them. However, they didn’t expect the Sky Yin Sect to still find their children.

“You should both head back. The children are terrified,” Liu Wuxie urged, glancing at the kids huddled in their mother’s arms, still crying from the earlier ordeal.

The man nodded and guided his family back to the courtyard. It was clear they would likely be moving away soon.

“Brother Liu, why did the Sky Yin Sect capture those kids?” Chen Ruoyan asked curiously.

“To eat them alive,” Jian Xing’er said.

The horrifying thought sent a chill down Chen Ruoyan’s spine, causing her to shudder.

“Brother Liu, do you think the person we encountered the other day was also from the Sky Yin Sect? Is that why you’ve been in such a foul mood—after learning what they’ve done?”

Chen Ruoyan finally understood why Liu Wuxie was so upset when he returned. Anyone would be angered after learning of the Sky Yin Sect’s actions.

“Yeah,” Liu Wuxie nodded.

“The Sky Yin Ancestor is strong, with a cultivation in the Astral River Realm. Let’s leave after we visit my mother’s grave,” Jian Xing’er didn’t want to get involved in more trouble.

Azure Mountain City had been under such conditions for years, with children being abducted by the Sky Yin Sect regularly. The people living here had already grown used to it.

Liu Wuxie nodded and had no intention of looking for the Sky Yin Ancestor if the Sky Yin Sect didn’t provoke him. The trio left the city swiftly and headed outside, where Jian Xing’er’s mother was buried.

After walking for about two hours, they entered a lush green valley. The scenery was beautiful, making this a perfect place for eternal rest. Flowers were blooming in the surroundings, and they arrived before a small tombstone after passing through a sea of flowers. The words on the tombstone were barely legible.

Jian Xing’er cleared the weeds in the surroundings and sat before her mother’s grave, with her tears falling once more.

Liu Wuxie and Chen Ruoyan stood five steps away and gave Jian Xing’er space before paying their respect. After crying for five minutes, Jian Xing’er stood up and wiped her tears away.

“Mother, I’ll return to see you when I have time.” Jian Xing’er stood up. She had no plans to return to Azure Mountain City except to visit her mother’s grave.

Liu Wuxie and Chen Ruoyan performed three bows before standing up and were ready to leave. A powerful aura suddenly appeared as a figure descended from the sky.

“I didn’t expect to find you three here!” An old man in a white robe hovered mid-air, looking at the trio.

“Sky Yin Ancestor!” Jian Xing’er exclaimed at the sight of the old man. They had just killed the Sky Yin Sect disciples, and the Sky Yin Ancestor had arrived. How could he possibly be so fast?

Liu Wuxie’s gaze fell onto the Sky Yin Ancestor. The latter looked to be in his fifties or sixties, but he had taken great care of himself. His skin was even more tender than a ten-year-old child’s.

“What beauties! It has been a long time since I’ve found such excellent cauldrons, and you two even delivered yourselves to me! Heaven is truly on my side, and my Sky Yin Art will reach perfection after draining two of your essences!” The Sky Yin Ancestor descended and stood before the three. He utterly ignored Liu Wuxie as he looked at Jian Xing’er and Chen Ruoyan with lustful gaze.