Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 421 - Arrived

Xu Yilin handed the letter to Bi Gongyu and Song Ling. Bi Gongyu, thrilled by the unexpected development, was delighted that his previous actions of kindness had resulted in such a significant reward.

He was promoted to a five-star alchemist two months ago and had long become the Treasure Pill Pavilion's chief alchemist, taking over Master Mao's position after the latter had retired.

On the contrary, Song Ling still appeared carefree and indifferent about entering the cultivation world. He was happy because he mainly wanted to see his big brother.

He had long considered Liu Wuxie to be his big brother. Without Liu Wuxie's care, he would've died long ago in the Imperial Academy. He had missed Liu Wuxie every day for the past six months.

"This is great! I can see big brother again!" Song Ling roared excitedly, causing everyone to smile wryly. This validated the saying that youth couldn't comprehend the taste of sorrow.

The cultivation world was challenging to enter, and they would have to start from the bottom. This meant they would have to abandon their current status and climb from the bottom in the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

Fan Zhen was the headmaster of the Imperial Academy, Bi Gongyu was the chief alchemist in the Treasure Pill Pavilion, and Xu Yilin was the patriarch of the Xu Clan. They all held great status in the Great Yan Dynasty, and the Great Yan Dynasty would shake with a mere stomp from them.

Truthfully, except for Song Ling, everyone felt uncertain about abandoning their current status and entering the cultivation world to pursue immortality.

"My chosen candidates have arrived." A man and woman walked into the hall. The man was older, while the woman looked young, about eighteen or nineteen. They crossed the threshold to the hall after Xu Yilin finished speaking.

"I pay my respect to the patriarch!"

"I pay my respect to Uncle Xu!" The man was Lan Yu, one of Liu Wuxie's disciples and formally the Xu Clan's deacon. His current status in the Xu Clan was only second to Yu Xilin, and he was highly loyal to the Xu Clan.

"Third Princess, there's no need for formalities!" Lan Yu, being one of their own, stepped aside after the greeting. However, Xu Yilin, mindful of the royal family's status, maintained his politeness towards the Third Princess.

"Uncle Xu, why have you called for me?" The third princess didn't look well because her cultivation had stagnated over the past six months.

"I called you two over to discuss something!" Fan Zhen and Bi Gongyu already knew, but the third princess and Lan Yu did not know what was happening. The two looked at Xu Yilin and waited for him to continue.

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"Uncle Xu, there's no need for such formality. I'm the junior here, and you can tell me if you have anything." Chen Ruoyan had changed. She was no longer the lively third princess from the past but someone with heavy thoughts.

Others didn't know, but Xu Yilin knew the third princess had someone in her heart. That person had left the Great Yan Dynasty and caused the third princess to become like this.

Logically, Liu Wuxie and Xu Lingxue were married, and Xu Yilin didn't want anyone to interfere in their marriage as a father.

Some time ago, the Emperor had sought him out to inform him that the Third Princess's health had deteriorated significantly. If her condition continued to decline due to depression, she was expected to pass away within three years.

Xu Yilin didn't feel good hearing this. In the Great Yan Dynasty, it wasn't a secret that the third princess loved Liu Wuxie.

Allowing the third princess to enter cultivation would facilitate her relationship with Liu Wuxie, which would naturally make Xu Lingxue's position difficult.

This was Xu Yilin's most significant dilemma, but he believed Liu Wuxie could handle their relationship well. In the True Martial Continent, polygamy wasn't unusual for a powerful individual.

Xu Yilin was quite open-minded about it. Many people have also suggested that he take a concubine to continue the Xu Clan's lineage.

Xu Lingxue had entered the cultivation world, and the Great Yan Dynasty's Xu Clan needed a successor. He had already started planning for a child.

He was only in his forties and considered young in the cultivation world.

"Wuxie sent a letter stating he had five spots in the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. I plan to let you and Lan Yu enter the cultivation world to help him," Xu Yilin said.

Tears began rolling down Chen Ruoyan's cheeks. Lan Yu staggered and nearly fell to the ground because it had been long since he had heard the news about Liu Wuxie.

"Patriarch, this won't do. Who will manage the clan's affairs once I leave?" Lan Yu might have missed Liu Wuxie, but he still refused.

"I have already decided!" Xu Yilin interrupted with a wave of his hand.

"Uncle Xu, are you really willing to let me take one of the spots?" Chen Ruoyan asked softly, almost in disbelief. Her voice was barely more than a whisper, as she knew she wasn't originally among the five selected.

The Heavenly Treasure Pavilion's envoy opened his eyes and was surprised to see a beauty like Chen Ruoyan.

"Are you worried Wuxie will be angry?" Xu Yilin knew what Chen Ruoyan was worried about. She had fallen hard for him, but Liu Wuxie was indifferent towards her.

Chen Ruoyan didn't respond, which was a tacit acknowledgment because Liu Wuxie would surely be unhappy if she went unannounced when she wasn't on the initial list.

"Third princess, don't worry about it. My big brother isn't such a petty person." Song Ling came over to comfort her.

"Headmaster Fan and Master Bi, I need your opinions now. If you agree, you’ll depart in two days—please ensure that the envoy isn’t kept waiting too long," Xu Yilin said, making his final decision. As for the third princess and Liu Wuxie, he left that to them to resolve on their own.

Chen Ruoyan's perspective might change once she entered the cultivation world and saw more of it; with her beauty, she would certainly attract many suitors.

Xu Yilin believed that Liu Wuxie would handle their relationship without hurting Xu Lingxue.

Liu Wuxie had personally selected Fan Zhen and Bi Gongyu, and Xu Yilin had no authority to intervene. But if they decided not to go, they would have to prepare a response for the envoy and convey the message to Liu Wuxie in due course.

"Patriarch Xu, let me consider for a day. I'll give you my response tomorrow!" Fan Zhen needed time to think and discuss it with the Imperial Academy's higher-ups. After all, who would take over the headmaster's position after he left?

"Okay, I won't see you out then!" There were still guests in the Xu Clan, and Xu Yilin didn't personally send Fan Zhen off.

"Patriarch Xu, I have decided to go. I still have some matters to settle in the Treasure Pill Pavilion, and I'll try to finish it within two days." Bi Gongyu agreed without any hesitation.

He would follow Liu Wuxie unconditionally because he would’ve still been a minor pavilion master in the Azure Billow City if not for Liu Wuxie. Without Liu Wuxie's participation in the competition, he might've even been demoted to an ordinary alchemist.

Everything he had today was thanks to Liu Wuxie, and he would agree without hesitation now that Liu Wuxie needed him.

"Okay. We'll meet again in two days." After sending Bi Gongyu off, Lan Yu and Chen Ruoyan were the only ones left in the hall.

"Patriarch, please consider sending someone else. I'm not young anymore, and it's inappropriate for me to go." Lan Yu hoped Xu Yilin would reconsider. He was over thirty and had relatively low cultivation, which meant he might be a burden to Liu Wuxie in the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

"Cut the bullshit and hand over your duty to someone else. Come back in two days. I'll look after your family." Yu Xilin waved his hand to dismiss Lan Yu.

"Yes, patriarch!" Lan Yu could only bow and leave. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him, and he was grateful.

If he could gain some achievements in cultivation, he would be able to bring his family into cultivation world.

Xu Yilin turned to look at Chen Ruoyan, waiting for her reply.

"Thank you, Uncle Xu. I promise I won't spoil Wuxie's relationship with little sister. I’m just grateful to see him once a year and won’t ask for anything more," Chen Ruoyan said earnestly, expressing her deep gratitude.

She recognized the immense trust Xu Yilin had shown by allowing her into the cultivation world and vowed to respect the boundaries set.

"Go back and pack then. You will all be leaving in two days!" Xu Yilin waved his hand. He had considered it long and hard before making this decision.

Though he could have prevented Chen Ruoyan from approaching Liu Wuxie, he didn’t want to see the third princess succumb to depression. If she hadn’t supported Liu Wuxie back then, he might have perished at Qin Li’s hands. Xu Yilin saw this as a way to repay that debt of gratitude.

Some things had to be faced, and Liu Wuxie's dao heart would be scarred if he knew the third princess died of depression because of him. Rather than waiting that way, it was better to resolve this issue now.

Chen Ruoyan didn't know how she left the Xu Clan; when she returned to the palace, she was still in a daze.

......

Looking at the towering gate and bustling disciples, Song Ling returned to his carefree self and looked around curiously.

Fan Zhen's thoughts had returned to reality from a month ago. His eyes shone with hope and desire because who didn't want to become strong? Fan Zhen wasn't young and had never settled down because he hoped he could enter the cultivation world one day without ties.

That day had finally arrived after seventy years of waiting. He was the oldest among the five.

Upon entering the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, the envoy who had escorted them only interacted with Chen Ruoyan, ignoring the others. He seemed to view them as unlikely to survive long in the cultivation world.

Leading the five through the martial field, the envoy guided them into the Mission Hall to receive their resources as outer disciples and to be assigned their courtyards.

Since they had taken the slots from the Heavenly Trigram Peak, they would naturally be disciples of the Heavenly Trigram Peak.

After the envoy left, a white-clad disciple arrived about fifteen minutes later.

"Who just arrived from the mundane world with five slots for the Heavenly Trigram Peak? Step forward and come with me!" The white-clad youth had received the order to prepare accommodations for five new disciples.

"It's the five of us!" Bi Gongyu said politely. They had just arrived and knew the need to keep a low profile. They also knew not to provoke any trouble.

"Alright, come with me!" The youth frowned, which made Fan Zhen and others frown. Logically speaking, an outer disciple should be respectful or try to get on their good side with how Liu Wuxie had become an inner disciple. But what was with his vile attitude?