Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 414 - Myriad Year Stalactite Liquid

They didn't mind waiting for another two hours because Liu Wuxie was only a pathfinder in their eyes, and he was destined to die sooner or later.

The black wind manifested into a gigantic skull. Zhong Shu had died under this skull, making everyone wonder if Liu Wuxie could avoid the same fate.

Liu Wuxie quickened his pace as he swayed on the verge of falling into the abyss.

"There's one-third of the distance left. Do you think he can make it through?" Everyone's hearts tightened. They weren't worried about Liu Wuxie's safety but whether they could obtain the treasure.

"That depends on his luck!" Hou Lie mocked, hoping for Liu Wuxie's death. If Liu Wuxie failed, they could continue to send low-level cultivators to test the bridge until they succeeded.

To the high-level cultivators, the lower-level disciples were dispensable. The law of the jungle was fully demonstrated to its full extent.

The black skull emitted a ghastly wail, opening its mouth and biting down on Liu Wuxie.

"Get lost!" Liu Wuxie commanded, extending his index finger to unleash a burst of icy energy. The chilling force immobilized the skull, encasing it in ice and rendering it completely stationary within the confined space.

"What powerful icy energy!" The cultivators were shocked to see Liu Wuxie possess such profound ice energy at his age.

"So what? He'll only end up dead!" Mockery mostly came from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, leaving the wandering cultivators puzzled.

The Heavenly Treasure Pavilion and Azure Crimson Gate had always been at odds, but the Azure Crimson Gate's disciples didn't mock Liu Wuxie. On the contrary, the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion's disciples had tried to make things difficult for Liu Wuxie multiple times.

This was because Liu Wuxie's recent performance had sparked their jealousy, while the Azure Crimson Gate's disciples didn't recognize Liu Wuxie.

The black skull seemed angered and broke free from the icy energy, letting out a roar that shook the stone bridge.

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The platform fell into silence with everyone's eyes on Liu Wuxie. He was only ten meters away from reaching the other side, but the stone bridge shook violently.

Liu Wuxie nearly fell several times, but he stabilized himself with the Seven Dipper Steps. He quickened his footsteps while the black gust took on various forms to charge at him.

The situation was critical, with Liu Wuxie on the brink of death. This made everyone tense up as though they were the ones crossing the bridge.

They wondered if they could survive under the black wind, but the answer was uncertain.

Liu Wuxie could smell the fragrance coming from the stalactite essences, and he made a bold move to accelerate.

"Don't you all find it weird? Based on Liu Wuxie's nature, he shouldn't have complied with the threat," a Heavenly Treasure Pavilion's disciple whispered.

The Heavenly Treasure Pavilion's disciples naturally knew Liu Wuxie's character. He would rather die than submit, and it made no sense for him to compromise under threat.

"I also find it strange because he didn't argue and stepped onto the bridge. This is unlike his usual self." Another Heavenly Treasure Pavilion disciple spoke up because Liu Wuxie's reaction wasn't usual. It was as though Liu Wuxie had gone on the bridge willingly, and they merely pushed him a little.

Then again, this was just speculation because Liu Wuxie had no choice but to cross the bridge under many threats. However, only Liu Wuxie knew he had merely played along with their threat.

The stone bridge might be dangerous, but he had simulated it multiple times with the Heavenly Dao Book and had a high probability of success.

Zhong Shu had died on it; it would’ve been suspicious if Liu Wuxie had gone up by himself. But it was another question if he was forced. Most importantly, as per his calculations, the black wind was about to rise again, so he had delayed on purpose.

This meant the others would have to wait another two hours if they wanted to cross the bridge, and two hours were more than enough for him to do many things.

Taking the opportunity before the black wind struck, Liu Wuxie leaped into the air because it was too late to walk or run on the bridge, and the black wind was blocking his path.

"What is he doing?" Exclamations came from the crowd, and they were shocked by Liu Wuxie's action.

It wasn't impossible to leap into the air and use the spiritual treasure to fly, but a powerful suction force came from the abyss. If Liu Wuxie left the bridge, he would be dragged into the abyss even if he used his spiritual treasure.

The onlookers weren't fools because they would've flown over if they could fly with the spiritual treasure. But because of the powerful suction force from the abyss, they would only die faster if they flew.

A strange scene unfolded as Liu Wuxie's legs lifted off the ground without him drawing his spiritual treasure. Just before he could fall into the abyss, he rapidly pointed several times with his right little finger.

Giant ice shields began to form beneath Liu Wuxie's feet, forming into a floating bridge. Using them as a foothold, Liu Wuxie streaked like a shooting star towards the opposite side, crossing the remaining distance in the blink of an eye.

The bridge was already enveloped in the black wind, and Liu Wuxie would’ve turned into a skeleton like Zhong Shu if he were half a breath slower.

As Liu Wuxie's feet finally touched solid ground, applause erupted from behind him. His successful crossing of the bridge with his cultivation at the third level of the Heavenly Dipper Realm impressed many, showing that others might also manage it given time.

Liu Wuxie’s heart raced as he realized how close he had come to disaster. It was a relief to have made it to the other side, but now everyone else would need to wait two hours for the black wind to settle before attempting the crossing.

"Liu Wuxie, I'll snap your neck if you dare to touch the stalactite essence!" Hou Lie yelled, pacing around anxiously.

The high-level cultivators didn't say a word, but their eyes betrayed them, wanting to fly over and collect the stalactite essence.

Over a hundred meters away, through the swirling black wind, everyone could barely make out Liu Wuxie’s figure.

"Tell me that when you get here!" Liu Wuxie said, no longer paying any attention to them. After walking about ten steps, he found himself before a pool of stalactite essence accumulated over tens of thousands of years.

Rather than a pond, it resembled a massive rock with liquid that had dripped down over the years, gradually forming a deep crater. The crater had expanded over time to reach its current size.

The stone was three meters long, one meter wide, and half a meter deep, with excess stalactite essence spilling over the edge and into the abyss. Liu Wuxie felt a pang of regret, imagining how much of the precious substance had been lost over the years.

There was nothing he could do about it; the formation was natural, and no one could have anticipated placing a container here. The fact that so much had been collected was remarkable in itself.

After decades of dripping, a half-meter-deep groove had formed in the stone. Liu Wuxie, cautious not to touch it directly, used a porcelain bottle to collect a few drops and drank them.

A cool sensation spread throughout his body, opening every pore. This made Liu Wuxie feel immense comfort as every cell absorbed the released energy.

A large amount of liquid accumulated above the Sky Devouring Divine Cauldron. The mysterious tree greedily consumed the stalactite essence, but the flow was slow, averaging about three drops per minute, indicating that the reservoir was nearly depleted.

"I only have two hours, but it's enough to reach the fourth level of the Heavenly Dipper Realm to protect myself." Liu Wuxie opened his eyes, and a wild idea formed.

Two hours from now, the others would come, and they wouldn't spare him. But if he could reach the fourth-level Heavenly Dipper Realm, it would be another story because he could use the Primordial Astral Fist and Frost Finger to defend against them.

Making another breakthrough shortly after the previous one was tough, not to mention Liu Wuxie needed more spirit stones and pills. But his gaze turned to the stalactite essence, where his confidence came from.

If it were an ordinary person, consuming ten-odd droplets would be enough for them to make a breakthrough, but it was a different story for Liu Wuxie because his body wasn't the same as others.

The world within his dantian required more substantial quantities, as just ten droplets of stalactite essence would have minimal impact. Additionally, the essence was mild, so consuming hundreds of droplets at once wouldn’t cause discomfort.

Liu Wuxie put his thoughts into action. The first time always had the best effect, while the effects dwindled the next time he consumed the stalactite essence. By then, it could only help him strengthen his physique, and another breakthrough would be impossible.

Liu Wuxie was content if he could reach the fourth level of the Heavenly Dipper Realm with the essence. Moreover, the stalactite essences would be valuable for his in-laws and friends when they arrived, making it an excellent resource.

Liu Wuxie took out a large bowl and filled it fully before gulping the stalactite essence down. Everyone on the opposite side could clearly see this scene.

"What is he doing?" Everyone could only see a rough outline. They could only see Liu Wuxie gulping the stalactite essence in mouthfuls.

"Damn it! Damn it!" Many people stomped their feet in frustration, watching Liu Wuxie consume the stalactite essence, but they could do nothing about it.

"What a waste! Each droplet can transform the body, and he drank so much in mouthfuls?!" With over a thousand people present, every drop consumed meant less essence available.

Liu Wuxie continued pouring the essence into the bowl and drinking it. This infuriated the pinnacle Heavenly Dipper Realm cultivators, who had no intention of sharing the essences equally.

"I'll snap his neck when I get there!" A pinnacle Heavenly Dipper Realm cultivator from the Azure Crimson Gate was enraged with his murderous intent erupting.

Liu Wuxie kept drinking from the large bowl, causing growing frustration among the cultivators on the other side. Each additional bowl he consumed drove them to the brink of madness.

After Liu Wuxie had finished two bowls, Hou Lie’s face turned a frightening shade of grim. Despite having a hand in pushing Liu Wuxie onto the stone bridge, it was clear now that Liu Wuxie had emerged victorious. No one had anticipated that Liu Wuxie would cross safely.

Ignoring the shouts and curses from across the bridge, Liu Wuxie continued drinking. Having just reached the third level of the Heavenly Dipper Realm, his foundation was still insufficient, and ordinary treasures wouldn’t suffice to propel him to the fourth level.

He drank bowl after bowl, consuming over ten bowls of the stalactite essence at a staggering pace.

“It’s time to attempt a breakthrough!” Liu Wuxie activated the Desolate Devouring Art, which immediately began to absorb the surrounding spiritual energy.