Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 539 - Mooncave Lake

Lady Yan was briefly stunned when she saw Liu Wuxie. In just one day, Liu Wuxie had become even more mysterious and unfathomable. His eyes were deep, and she couldn't read anything from his face.

She wondered if he was truly eighteen or nineteen and not someone who had lived for thousands of years. In terms of age, she was a few years older than Liu Wuxie, but she could feel an overwhelming pressure when she stood beside him.

Liu Wuxie exuded an invisible pressure that left Lady Yan feeling suffocated. She had never experienced anything like this from her young lady, and the inability to understand what was happening frustrated her deeply.

The two walked along the streets and headed for Mooncave Lake. Liu Wuxie's aura slowly subsided, and he looked even more ordinary. He now seemed like an ordinary mortal.

This was a state that could be achieved after returning to simplicity. After all, Liu Wuxie's state of mind was already comparable to the True Profound Realm.

Lady Yan wrinkled her nose slightly as she trailed behind Liu Wuxie, silently hoping he was the one Murong Yi had been searching for. Among the various prodigies, she found herself more drawn to Liu Wuxie.

She couldn't explain this feeling, but she didn’t detect a trace of arrogance from Liu Wuxie. The other geniuses were arrogant despite looking calm on the surface and had a strong desire for possession. However, she couldn't find it in Liu Wuxie.

His calmness was almost terrifying. After fifteen minutes of walking, Mooncave Lake was visible. The place was packed with people, and a massive boat floated in the lake's center. The boat was two stories tall and could accommodate thousands of people.

There were hundreds of tables and chairs arranged on the boat, and many prodigies had already arrived and were in their seats, chatting with each other. Around Mooncave Lake, there were tens of thousands of people to witness this grand event.

"So many prodigies!" Many women leaned against the railing around the lake, gazing toward the boat and waving their arms, hoping to catch the attention of those prodigies.

Many prodigies who weren't invited could only watch by the lakeside, sighing as they drank among themselves. This was a paradise for the younger generation, and everyone who received an invitation was an absolute elite.

"What kind of charm does this Murong Yi have to attract so many people?" Many people who had been to the city for the first time didn't understand Murong Yi and only heard of her name from others.

There were many beautiful women in the world, but Murong Yi was the first to be capable of captivating many prodigies from the three major sects.

"I hope we'll get a chance to see her in person today!" Many people who hadn’t seen Murong Yi stood by the railing. Thus, no one could give a definite answer about her beauty.

Lady Yan led Liu Wuxie through the crowd and walked onto the boat through a small bridge.

"Young Master Liu, please!" Lady Yan made an inviting gesture to the boat.

Guests were free to roam around on the boat, except for the second floor, which was restricted. With experts from House of Tea Art present, no one dared to cause trouble there.

"Thank you, Lady Yan!" Liu Wuxie nodded and entered the boat.

The first floor was more extensive, while the second floor was smaller. Thus, the first floor was naturally divided into several factions.

Those in the high levels of the Astral River Realm were gathered in the center, while those in the low levels were gathered on the right with a better view. As for those in the high levels of the Heavenly Phase Realm, they could only settle for the corners on the first floor.

The House of Tea Art hadn't designated any sitting areas; it was all free sitting.

After stepping onto the boat, Liu Wuxie glanced around and captured the entire layout. The second floor was made of special materials that prevented the divine sense from penetrating.

On the second floor's deck, there was a table that was reserved for the host. From that position, one could overlook the entire boat and the activities below.

Liu Wuxie wasn't particularly interested in the competition and was only there to figure out what the House of Tea Art was planning.

He found a relatively secluded table with no one around. Unlike the disciples from the three major sects, who came in groups and knew each other, Liu Wuxie was alone.

Besides the disciples of the three major sects, the heirs from the various prominent clans were also invited.

When Liu Wuxie sat, a servant walked over with a teapot.

"Young master, please enjoy the tea!" In addition to the tea, the guests received fresh fruits, fine wine, and various delicacies.

Liu Wuxie nodded at the servant. He didn't require any service, and he preferred to sit alone.

The center region was relatively lively, with three hundred prodigies in the high levels of the Astral River Realm. As for those in the low levels of the Astral River Realm, there were over five hundred of them. Lastly, there were only slightly over a hundred people in the high levels of the Heavenly Phase Realm.

Liu Wuxie was only in the sixth level of the Heavenly Phase Realm and would stand out if he sat with those people. Only a few were in the low levels of the Heavenly Phase Realm, but they all had extraordinary status and sat together with those in the Astral River Realm because they were fellow martial brothers in the sect.

Many leaned against the boat's railing, holding a conversation as they held onto a cup.

The surrounding discussion naturally reached Liu Wuxie's ears.

"I heard that someone cut out an ancient bamboo shoot today. Is it true?" Three young men were gathered together, whispering among each other. They had heard the news the moment they had arrived in Serene Sea City.

"I also heard the same. Someone also cut out an ancient fragment and Saint Glazed Liquid!" the youth in the middle chimed in.

"This is no secret. The Azure Crimson Gate's disciple challenged an outsider in stone betting. What was unbelievable was how the ten items picked by the outsider all contained treasures!" The youth on the right lowered his cup and looked around the boat.

He had long received news that the outsider was invited to the gathering. However, the boat looked like a bustling marketplace with a lot of people and noise from the surrounding area.

Perhaps due to the remote location, no one approached Liu Wuxie's table, as most people preferred to sit with their friends.

"Move aside! This table belongs to us now!" Four men walked towards Liu Wuxie. The table had four seats, and they had just arrived. They couldn't find an empty table anywhere and planned to share one with others.

Since they came together, they didn't want to split up. Lacking any notable strength, they avoided confronting groups with powerful individuals nearby, so they set their sights on Liu Wuxie, who appeared to be alone and had lower cultivation.

"Do you know the meaning of first come, first served?" Liu Wuxie frowned and said in a cold voice. There were three empty seats, and he wouldn't mind if they took up the seats. However, they spoke rudely and demanded for him to leave.

The commotion over there was loud and naturally attracted the attention of the surrounding tables.

"A mere cultivator in the sixth level Heavenly Phase Realm like you wants to occupy an entire table? Don't blame us for being rude if you're unwilling to move!" The man in the middle had a robust figure, and it was fathoming how someone like him could be invited. After all, which of the prodigies present wasn't handsome with an upright figure?

"I want to see how you're going to be 'rude' to me!" Liu Wuxie sneered. Causing trouble here was the same as provoking the House of Tea Art, and he believed someone would intervene soon.

"I'll throw you into the lake to feed the fish!" Enraged, the man in the middle reached for Liu Wuxie's shoulder. He had cultivation in the pinnacle of the Heavenly Phase Realm.

His attack was quick, which proved that he was a ruthless person. He knew he had to end it quickly before the House of Tea Art could intervene. If he threw Liu Wuxie into the lake, the House of Tea Art couldn't do anything to him after that, and they would only issue a verbal warning at most.

The surrounding people stood up, looking amused, but no one stepped in to stop the farce.

"Trash like you dares to flaunt your strength in front of me?" When the man’s hand approached Liu Wuxie's neck, he finally made his move. The four had targeted him because his cultivation was the lowest, taking him as easy prey.

No one expected Liu Wuxie to retaliate. He grabbed the burly man's wrist with a backhand, and everything happened in the blink of an eye.

The burly man was lifted off the ground when Liu Wuxie exerted force with his right arm before anyone could react. He drew an arc in the air and fell into the lake.

Those standing by the lakeside had no idea what was happening and looked over in confusion.

"Look, someone fell into the water!" An exclamation sounded from the lakeside.

Even the prodigies on the boat were taken aback, and those in the higher levels of the Astral River Realm at the center of the gathering wore displeased expressions. The disturbance from the fight threatened to ruin the atmosphere.

"Hahaha!" The surrounding prodigies burst into laughter.

"You dare?!" The three men lunged at Liu Wuxie, wanting revenge for that burly man.

"Stop!" a cold voice interrupted as Madam Li appeared, walking over with a cane and a grim face.

The three youths stepped back when they saw Madam Li and could only look at Liu Wuxie viciously.

"Madam Li, this man threw Young Master Qiu into the lake and disrupted the order here. Shouldn't he be expelled?" The man on the right stepped forward, suggesting that Liu Wuxie be removed from the boat.

Qiu Yuan climbed out of the water with his clothes wet. He stood on one side of the boat with rage, wanting to pounce over, but someone stopped him.

Madam Li cast her gaze over the three youths, and an invisible pressure radiated from her like a tidal wave, forcing them to their knees.

"You three better behave yourselves. There are plenty of seats over there!" Madam Li wasn't stupid, and she had learned the truth before coming.

Everyone was shocked, as they hadn't expected her to reprimand the three youths instead of Liu Wuxie. After all, Qiu Yuan was the heir to Serene Sea City's prestigious Qiu Clan, son of Qiu Dingtian. With his mediocre talent, he wouldn’t normally be invited to such an event, but his father’s influence had secured his place.

Hundreds of eyes turned to Liu Wuxie, filled with curiosity. It surprised many that the House of Tea Art would reprimand the Qiu Clan on behalf of an unknown youth, sparking countless speculation.