Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 25 - Not For Sale!

Liu Wuxie cultivated non-stop for two days until his cultivation stabilized in the pinnacle eighth level of the Houtian Realm, and he spent the last day refining Heavenly Spirit Pills. The medicinal herbs on the ground continued to decrease as batches of Heavenly Spirit Pills came out of the cauldron.

On the fifth day, Lei Tao was already waiting outside when Xu Clan’s gates opened, and the Xu Clan’s servants trembled in fright when they saw him. They misunderstood that Lei Tao was there to cause trouble. After all, the Xu Clan hadn’t been calm recently.

When Lei Tao explained his purpose for the visit, Xu Yilin personally welcomed him. If the Treasure Pill Pavilion didn’t have their back in the colosseum, the Xu Clan might be in a different situation today.

When Lei Tao came to Liu Wuxie’s courtyard, his eyes were wide open with disbelief. He couldn’t believe that this barbaric-looking man was Liu Wuxie, who had stolen the limelight in the colosseum three days ago. Liu Wuxie’s hair was messy, and he was covered in dirt. After all, he devoted three days and three nights to cultivation and refining pills.

“Do you have the herbs I want?” Liu Wuxie asked. He didn’t bother inviting Lei Tao into his house as they stood in the courtyard. But the ground was in a mess, and there was no spot for them to sit down.

“It’s almost here. The herbs you want have already arrived at the city gate,” Lei Tao replied. Five days ago, the Nine Yang Fruit and Scarlet Spirit Grass were delivered from the Imperial City and arrived in Azure Billow City today.

“Here are five hundred Heavenly Spirit Pills. Come back ten days from now to pick up the next batch.” Liu Wuxie didn’t take out the refining method. Instead, he took out ten porcelain bottles containing pills. These Heavenly Spirit Pills could be sold for a large sum of money, and he could buy spirit stones with them to aid in his cultivation.

Liu Wuxie knew that he would need a large number of spirit stones to reach the Xiantian Realm. Absorbing spiritual energy from the atmosphere was too slow, especially since his dantian was different from others. He could hold ten times more true essence than others, which meant he needed a vast amount of resources to cultivate.

Lei Tao decided against probing Liu Wuxie for the refining method. He knew that Liu Wuxie was wary of their Treasure Pill Pavilion, in case they didn’t give him the Nine Yang Fruit and Scarlet Spirit Grass. Instead, he took out a Heavenly Spirit Pill and placed it in his mouth. As soon as the pill entered his mouth, it dissolved into pure spiritual energy, causing Lei Tao’s expression to change.

“What an amazing pill!” Lei Tao still hadn’t refined it entirely, and the spiritual energy was stored within his body. He had no special physique like Liu Wuxie, so his refining speed was naturally slower.

Lei Tao simply chatted with Liu Wuxie before he left. The Treasure Pill Pavilion announced they would introduce a new pill that day. The new pill wasn’t costly and was even cheaper than the Heart Nourishing Pill but higher than the Energy Condensing Pill. Most importantly, the effects of the new pill were higher than those two pills.

Liu Wuxie got a basin of water to clean himself up before cleaning up the garbage in his courtyard. When he was done, it was already morning, and he left the Xu Clan.

Two hours later, he finally squeezed his way into the Treasure Pill Pavilion. When he came over, the five hundred Heavenly Spirit Pills were already sold out in one morning. This had far exceeded Liu Wuxie’s expectations. The introduction of the Heavenly Spirit Pill took Azure Billow City by storm, and everyone already knew about it.

“We still haven’t bought it yet. Quick, take out your stock!” Cultivators who failed to buy the Heavenly Spirit Pill weren’t willing to leave as they patted their hands on the counter, refusing to leave without buying it.

“I apologize because we have already sold all the Heavenly Spirit Pills. The next batch will be ten days from now,” the servant said helplessly. Even they didn’t know where the Heavenly Spirit Pills came from because it appeared out of nowhere.

“You think I’ll believe in you guys? Is the Treasure Pill Pavilion not interesting in doing business?!”

Truth be told, the Treasure Pill Pavilion also had a headache. The appearance of the Heavenly Spirit Pill affected the sales of the Energy Condensing Pill and Heart Nourishing Pill. This wasn’t a good sign because the Heavenly Pill Pavilion would have no income without Liu Wuxie.

But Liu Wuxie ignored them and walked straight to the counter. He said, “I’m here to pick up the Nine Yang Fruit and Scarlet Spirit Grass.”

The two herbs should’ve arrived in the Treasure Pill Pavilion by now, and he needed the two herbs to refine the Pulse Guarding Pill.

“Young Master Liu, please wait while I inform Manager Lei of your arrival.”

The Nine Yang Fruit and Scarlet Spirit Grass had just arrived, and Manager Lei personally received them. This time around, the servants acted courteously towards Liu Wuxie after what happened in the Treasure Pill Pavilion during his previous visit, but there was a hint of hatred in their eyes.

Ten minutes passed, but Lei Tao was nowhere to be seen when the servant returned with the two herbs. He said, “Young Master Liu, here’s the Nine Yang Fruit and Scarlet Spirit Grass. Please keep them well. Manager Lei asked me to tell you to wait, and he will be out shortly.”

The two herbs were packed and placed on the counter. This was because Lei Tao was probably also having a headache about the Heavenly Spirit Pills.

In the Refining Chamber, Master Huo tried several times and failed.

“Master Huo, is there really no way to refine it?” Lei Tao asked anxiously. If they couldn’t refine the Heavenly Spirit Pills, they would be at a disadvantage in their cooperation with Liu Wuxie.

“Not for now. I’ll need a month to figure it out,” said Master Huo, his forehead covered in sweat. He had tried to refine the Heavenly Spirit Pill as soon as he received the formula, but he had failed every time.

“Doesn’t that mean we’ll be at his mercy for an entire month?!” Lei Tao exclaimed. They had run out of Heavenly Spirit Pills and would have to wait ten days for the next batch. Lei Tao couldn’t help but feel a headache thinking about how much money they would lose in those ten days.

“I can’t help it either. This is my first time coming in contact with this pill. He should’ve arrived by now, don’t keep him waiting,” Master Huo said helplessly. His solar plexus began to ache again, and he didn’t dare to carry on refining.

......

Liu Wuxie heaved a breath of relief after receiving the Nine Yang Fruit and Scarlet Spirit Grass. As long as he resolved his injury, his cultivation would have a huge leap.

“I want to see your manager! Take out the Nine Yang Fruit!” A group barged into the Treasure Pill Pavilion, knocking many ordinary cultivators to the ground. These people were from the City Lord Mansion.

They were the true owners of Azure Billow City, grasping the city's lifeline. Even the four big clans didn’t dare to offend anyone from the City Lord Mansion.

The man leading the group was in his thirties. He had an eerie gaze with a chill in his eyes. The guards who followed him were cocky, and they cleared the Treasure Pill Pavilion forcibly.

“I’m sorry about it. We only have one Nine Yang Fruit, and Young Master Liu has bought it. I’m afraid you guys can only wait for the next batch.” The servant didn’t dare to offend the City Lord Mansion and quickly stepped forth, but his reply made Liu Wuxie unhappy.

The servants were severely slapped by Liu Wuxie five days ago, and they had been holding a grudge against him because of it. Many had a good relationship with Zhou Tong, who was kicked out of the Treasure Pill Pavilion because of Liu Wuxie.

As soon as that servant said those words, everyone from the City Lord Mansion turned to look at Liu Wuxie. The servant of the Treasure Pill Pavilion had skillfully shifted the conflict onto Liu Wuxie. After all, he could’ve said that the Nine Yang Fruit was already sold. He was clearly trying to take revenge on Liu Wuxie by mentioning he bought it.

“I heard that the City Lord’s daughter suffered a sneak attack from the Yin Scorpion when she was training in the Sunset Mountain Range, and only the Nine Yang Fruit can resolve the yin energy left in her body. If it’s not removed in time, it might leave behind sequelae.” Discussions came from the surroundings. The news had already spread that the City Lord Mansion was looking for items with strong yang energy. After all, the Nine Yang Fruit was a herb with strong yang, and it was the best medicine to dissolve the yin energy left in the body.

“I don’t care who you are, but hand over the Nine Yang Fruit. Our City Lord Mansion will buy it at double the price.” The man leading the City Lord Mansion’s party stepped forth indifferently. His cultivation was in the Quasi-Xiantian Realm, and a powerful aura swept out from him, causing the surrounding cabinet to creak.

He practically commanded Liu Wuxie to hand over the Nine Yang Fruit even if he offered to pay double the price. This naturally made Liu Wuxie unhappy. Half of the Nine Yang Fruit was enough for him to refine the Pulse Guarding Pill, and he could consider sharing half of it with them if they spoke in a better tone.

“Not for sale!” Liu Wuxie replied. He wouldn’t sell it to them even if he had to throw it away.

“How dare you reject the City Lord Mansion?!” The man roared, and his guards stepped forth, their murderous intent filling the entire palace as both sides faced off.

“Commander Guo, we can negotiate if there’s something.” A supervisor stepped forward, wanting to resolve this matter. The Treasure Pill Pavilion might not fear the City Lord Mansion, but there was no need to blow up the matter.

“Get lost!” The supervisor was rewarded with a slap. He practically asked for it by speaking out when Commander Guo was furious.

Commander Guo approached, and the guards surrounded Liu Wuxie. Commander Guo stared at the Nine Yang Fruit in Liu Wuxie’s hand and said, “Brat, you have another chance to reorganize your words. Hand over the Nine Yang Fruit, otherwise...”

Following his overwhelming murderous intent, the guards drew out their blades. This instantly made everyone in the surroundings step back, not daring to get too close. After all, the City Lord Mansion was known for being ruthless.

“Is that brat insane? He should just hand over the Nine Yang Fruit! This is the perfect opportunity to curry favor with the City Lord Mansion. The Xu Clan is in a precarious state as it is, and if they can receive the City Lord Mansion’s support, the Wan Clan and Tian Clan won’t be able to do anything to them!” Liu Wuxie was famous in Azure Billow City, and there wasn’t a single person who didn’t know about him.

“He’s dead to offend the City Lord Mansion.” There was gloating mixed in the discussion, and some hoped for Liu Wuxie’s death.

“Otherwise?” Liu Wuxie suddenly wore a bright smile, and his reply caught everyone by surprise. Everyone began to wonder if Liu Wuxie was courting death to oppose the City Lord Mansion openly.

“Very well. You’re the Xu Clan’s son-in-law, right? You’re the first person who dares to speak to me in this manner. Even your father-in-law has to be polite to me. Since you’re courting death, I’ll fulfill your wish then!” Commander Guo laughed from his rage and no longer wanted to waste his saliva with Liu Wuxie. He could just kill Liu Wuxie and retrieve the Nine Yang Fruit.

He never considered the Xu Clan to be a threat. The City Lord Mansion’s domineering behavior was well known, and they were quick to resort to violence when there was a disagreement.

“Commander, don’t waste time with him. Just kill him!” A guard spoke out. No one had ever dared to oppose the City Lord Mansion, and this was the first time. After all, everyone would bow or go down to their knees whenever they saw him.

Just as the City Lord Mansion’s group was about to take action, a burly man emerged from the inner hall. Lei Tao came out to welcome Liu Wuxie and discuss the Heavenly Spirit Pills. He wanted to negotiate if Liu Wuxie could provide them earlier, as waiting for ten days was too long.

“What’s the matter?” Lei Tao frowned when he saw Liu Wuxie on one side and Commander Guo on the other. He began to wonder why the City Lord Mansion’s men were here. After all, they rarely appeared in the Treasure Pill Pavilion because the City Lord Mansion had their alchemist.

The supervisor, who was slapped, quickly got up and explained what happened earlier.

“Commander Guo, I have already sold the Nine Yang Fruit to Young Master Liu, and you’re one step too late. If you need it, you can order it, and it’ll arrive in five days,” Lei Tao said politely with his fists cupped together. He didn’t want any trouble with the City Lord Mansion.

“Manager Lei, I have to get the Nine Yang Fruit today, no matter what. This is between me and him and has nothing to do with you. So please step aside.” Commander Guo also wasn’t willing to offend the Treasure Pill Pavilion. If he killed Liu Wuxie, he could obtain the Nine Yang Fruit.