Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 555 - Divine Force

Murong Yi was too focused on the memories of her past that she didn't probe deeper into whether Liu Wuxie was telling the truth. There were many books in the world, and she wouldn't be surprised if there were one that recorded the divine race.

"So, your parents and grandparents were taken by them?" Liu Wuxie verified. Based on Murong Yi's accounts, he was practically sure it was the divine race that had captured her family.

"That's right, it's the divine clan. That night, a member of the divine clan infiltrated the Murong Clan and escaped after being injured by my father. Three days later, the divine race returned with three members, instantly wiping out the Murong Clan. I only survived through Madam Li's desperate resistance," Murong Yi recalled. Those three were incredibly powerful, and even the Murong Clan's True Profound Realm expert was no match for them.

The Murong Clan had survived because they had dug a tunnel beneath the clan for safety measures, and Murong Yi's father had given the order to evacuate with her and flee the Western Barren, never to return.

Those in the House of Tea Art were likely disciples of the Murong Clan, who wandered throughout the True Martial Continent, seeking a way to rescue their people.

The remaining experts of the Murong Clan had stayed with Murong Yi, as she was the patriarch's only bloodline and the clan's future heir.

After escaping, they didn't leave the Western Barren right away, and some elders secretly returned to the clan, only to discover that the divine race had captured the patriarch.

The Murong Clan investigated their whereabouts for months before finding the Divine Light Mountain. They didn't dare venture in at first, but an elder managed to capture a member of the divine race while he was leaving the mountain.

That person wasn't strong, and they learned that the people of the Murong Clan were taken and held in the Divine Light Mountain.

"Why would the divine race capture your family? Did the Murong Clan offend them before?" The divine race had self-proclaimed to be the noblest race. To them, humans were mere inferior species that shouldn't exist in the world.

"They're studying the human race and planning for the future," Murong Yi explained, though her knowledge of the details was limited. The Murong Clan had only managed to piece together this much information after searching the soul of the captured divine race member. Extracting information had been no easy task—the divine race possessed powerful physiques and indomitable wills, making it nearly impossible to penetrate their minds. The fragmented information they gathered had been painstakingly assembled from bits and pieces.

What became clear was that the Murong Clan's patriarch was being held at Divine Light Mountain, a discovery that left them determined to rescue him. However, their attempts had only led to heavy casualties.

Despite their long history, the Murong Clan had few members left, and their rescue efforts had resulted in devastating losses. Faced with this harsh reality, they had no choice but to reassess their strength and bide their time, waiting for another opportunity.

"So, what do you expect me to do? Even you can't save your family, not to mention someone with my of strength!" Liu Wuxie shrugged to express his helplessness. It wasn't that he didn't want to help, but he couldn't.

He could attempt to investigate if he was in the True Profound Realm and if it was the divine race, as Murong Yi had mentioned. After all, the divine race's reappearance was a sign of an impending catastrophe. He hoped that Murong Yi was mistaken because the divine race had disappeared for many years.

"You don't understand. The divine race can release a form of mysterious aura capable of neutralizing the true essence used by humans. Our strength greatly diminished after we entered the Divine Light Mountain, and we've been finding ways to resist that mysterious aura," Murong Yi explained.

The divine race was more complex than it seemed. They were too mysterious, and many of the human race's techniques were futile against them.

Divine force! Liu Wuxie thought. The divine race had self-proclaimed to be descendants of gods, which was why they called their power divine force.

The divine force was extraordinarily formidable and could resolve humans' true essence. This meant ordinary martial techniques had little effect on them.

"That's why you found me?" Liu Wuxie probed.

"That's right!" Murong Yi nodded. They had found Liu Wuxie after searching for twenty years.

"But I'm no different from any others. The prodigies who attended tonight's gathering are stronger than me," Liu Wuxie replied, confused.

"That's because you don't fear the divine force!" Murong Yi finally revealed the truth.

"And how do you know that?" Liu Wuxie asked, baffled. Even with his knowledge and experience as an Immortal Emperor, he had never encountered the divine force himself, only heard rumors of the divine race.

"I infused a trace of divine force into the tea of everyone who visits the House of Tea Art," Murong Yi admitted, knowing she could no longer keep the truth hidden.

"You can control divine force?" Liu Wuxie was stunned. The divine race could grasp the divine force, while Murong Yi was a human. How could she possibly control it?

"To be honest, we learned some of their knowledge from the memories of that divine race's captive. There are many ways to obtain divine force. Besides being born with it, there's a plant around the Divine Light Mountain that absorbs a trace of the divine force, and we would collect some each year."

Liu Wuxie was stunned because he finally knew that the so-called Jade Bamboo Dew wasn't a tea but a plant grown around the Divine Light Mountain. He finally knew why the mysterious tree had warned him about the energy that entered his body.

Everything was unraveled now. The divine force wouldn't kill someone, and there was no harm in drinking it. The only side effect was to make one feel elated like they were floating in the clouds.

Each leaf had a mark left behind by Murong Yi, and she had noticed that the divine force had disappeared when it entered Liu Wuxie's body. The only way to save her family was to find someone who didn't fear divine force to enter the Divine Light Mountain.

"So, you're asking me to sneak into the Divine Light Mountain and rescue your family?" Liu Wuxie had figured out the entire story now. The House of Tea Art only appeared to be a teahouse on the surface but consisted of the Murong Clan's remnant members.

"I know it's wrong of me to ask you this since it has nothing to do with you. But I can do anything for you if you agree to help me," Murong Yi said, quietly looking at Liu Wuxie.

She had wandered around for twenty years to find someone to save her family. As long as her family could be saved, she wouldn't even hesitate to give her own life.

"Anything?" Liu Wuxie asked with a playful smile.

"That's right, anything!" Murong Yi said and stood up without warning. She gently removed her outer garment and only left her undergarments.

Liu Wuxie was startled by her actions—had she misunderstood him?

"What are you doing?" Liu Wuxie closed his eyes and locked his brows together.

"If you can rescue my family, I can even give myself to you, asking for no title or status." Murong Yi wasn't offering herself now but was determined to get Liu Wuxie's help.

Liu Wuxie was left speechless because he was about to ask if he could use the Murong Clan's resources if he agreed to help her, and it had nothing to do with her offering herself to him. They had completely differing thoughts.

"Put on your clothes first!" Liu Wuxie turned around. He had closed his eyes when Murong Yi began removing her outer garment.

Murong Yi felt a wave of bitterness welling up in her chest. This was the first time she had done this in front of a man, but Liu Wuxie had turned away. Was her charm that lacking?

"So, you're agreeing to me?" Murong Yi asked in a slightly sad voice as she quietly put her clothes back on.

"This requires careful planning, and I can do nothing with my current cultivation even if I agree to help you. It's uncertain if I can even leave Serene Sea City alive," Liu Wuxie said, looking helpless as he turned back around and shrugged.

What Liu Wuxie said was true, and Murong Yi didn't refute it. Liu Wuxie's cultivation was too low, and he would probably be killed before entering the Divine Light Mountain.

"I've waited for twenty years and don't mind waiting for a few more. If Young Master Liu agrees to help me, the House of Tea Art will do everything possible to increase your cultivation," Murong Yi said with a smile blooming on her face. She could tell from Liu Wuxie's tone that he had agreed.

There was nothing Liu Wuxie could do to help, even if he wanted to, and he first had to raise his cultivation if he wanted any chance at saving her family.

"How will the House of Tea Art help increase my cultivation?" Liu Wuxie smiled. He didn't lack resources for the time being, but who would decline if the House of Tea Art wanted to give him some treasures? Not to mention, his cultivation speed would gradually slow down as he progressed.

"From today onward, the House of Tea Art's vault is open to you," Murong Yi said. This was the House of Tea Art's sincerity, and they could give anything if Liu Wuxie could rescue her family.

"That’s not needed for the time being. Compared to resources, I need an excellent cultivation chamber," Liu Wuxie said. He didn't want to owe the House of Tea Art too much, not to mention he already owed them a few favors, only for them to cash out by pleading with him to save Murong Yi's family from the divine race.

He knew that the House of Tea Art might not mind if he continued to receive favor from them, but that didn't mean he wouldn't mind. It was natural for everyone to love wealth, but he would acquire it through proper means!

"That's easy. I'm acquainted with the Profound Spirit Pavilion. I'll arrange the best cultivation chamber for you at dawn," Murong Yi said. That was a simple request for her.

The Profound Spirit Pavilion’s businesses were located throughout the True Martial Continent. They mainly rented out cultivation chambers and sold weapons.

"Since that's the case, I'd have to trouble Lady Murong!" Liu Wuxie replied. The following conversation became more relaxed, and Murong Yi frequently offered him wine.

The boat docked on the shore at dawn, and Madam Li personally escorted Liu Wuxie to the inn before leaving for the Profound Spirit Pavilion with the two ladies.

The House of Tea Art was highly efficient, and they secured the best cultivation chamber in the Profound Spirit Pavilion. The space was massive, enough to accommodate four or five people at once.

After Madam Li finished making arrangements for Liu Wuxie, she returned to the House of Tea Art.

News of last night’s gathering quickly spread, with word of Liu Wuxie’s triumph echoing throughout the city. He had swept first place in all four arts, surpassing even the renowned four great scholars. His unparalleled performance became the talk of the town, leaving many in awe of his remarkable skill and mastery.

The Azure Crimson Gate also got furious when they learned that they had lost two prodigies. Upon finding out that Liu Wuxie was a disciple of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, their fury grew, and they even sent out experts to secretly eliminate Liu Wuxie.

After all, the House of Tea Art wouldn't always be by Liu Wuxie's side to protect him, and that would allow them to take him out.

"Young lady, has he agreed to it?"

Murong Yi's face was a little pale, having not rested well the entire night. She replied, "His reply was ambiguous!"

That was because Liu Wuxie still needed to give her a definite answer.