Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 115 - Get Lost

“You have successfully enraged me. Since my admission to the Imperial Academy, no one who has incited my wrath has lived to tell the tale, and you won’t be an exception!” Bai Qiong’s response was as everyone had expected, brazenly revealing his murderous deeds within the academy, yet he remained unscathed.

The surrounding atmosphere became suffocating, with Li Shengsheng growing anxious. He might have been able to intimidate Liu Kuo with the teacher’s token, but it was futile against Bai Qiong, and he didn’t know what to do next.

Liu Wuxie’s ridicule of Bai Qiong wasn’t unfounded. Given that he had the audacity to cripple someone like Hu Jihua, it implied that he could defend himself. So, wasn’t it foolish of Bai Qiong to step forward at this moment? Bai Qiong was only in the fourth-level Spirit Cleansing Realm and had killed countless people in that cultivation.

If Bai Qiong dared to make a move, Liu Wuxie could take his life easily, making an example out of him so that the Xue Clan would behave themselves for some time. After all, many descendants of the Xue Clan were around in the surroundings, waiting for Bai Qiong to make a move.

The crowd began to swell, particularly as it was the peak dining hour. Numerous students from the elite classes materialized, observing from a safe distance.

“What’s going on?” A youth clad in a purple robe sauntered in. His demeanor was refined, and it was evident at first glance that he was well-educated. He directed his question to an Earth Grade student.

The student whom he asked became nervous and excited. After all, the purple-robed youth was a Profound Grade student with no air around him. The student told the purple-robed youth everything that had just happened.

“I didn’t expect to hear such news as soon as I returned. That kid is something else,” the purple-robed youth chuckled, cupping his fists at the student who explained the situation and walked towards the encirclement.

The situation became more tense, but Bai Qiong didn’t make a move. He simply gave a signal to the youth beside him. He seemed to believe that this first-level Spirit Cleansing Realm cultivator was more than capable of handling Liu Wuxie, who was in the fifth-level Xiantian Realm.

As that youth stepped forth, he unleashed a terrifying power crushing down at Liu Wuxie.

“This brat is finished. Wei Shaodong might only be in the first-level Spirit Cleansing Realm, but he should not be underestimated!” Discussion sounded from the surroundings. The advancing youth was Wei Shaodong, a follower of Bai Qiong. While he might not be an expert on the Earth Ranking, he could be placed among the top five hundred Earth Grade students.

“Brat, you can die now!” Wei Shaodong roared.

Li Shengsheng wanted to stop Wei Shaodong, but Liu Wuxie stopped him. After all, Liu Wuxie didn’t need Li Shengsheng’s help to deal with garbage like Wei Shaodong, and he intended to make an example of him.

Just as Wei Shaodong’s hand was poised to strike Liu Wuxie, a youth clad in a purple robe materialized before Wei Shaodong. A potent aura emanated from him, causing the hundreds of onlookers to instinctively step back. The sight of the purple-robed youth standing at the center of the circle was a clear indication of his status as a Profound Grade student!

A scream escaped from Wei Shaodong as he was sent hurtling through the air. His collision with the crowd caused an uproar and resulted in several broken bones. Judging by the severity of his injuries, his recovery would take anywhere from six months to a year.

The unexpected turn of events caught everyone off guard, including Liu Wuxie. He was planning to act when a purple-robed youth appeared before him and sent Wei Shaodong flying away.

Bai Qiong narrowed his eyes as he looked at the purple-robed youth with a hint of fear. He staggered and asked, “Brother Zuo Hong, w-why are you here?”

Despite his arrogance and ninth rank on the Earth Ranking among the Earth Grade, he was insignificant in the presence of Profound Grade students.

Zuo Hong paid no heed to Bai Qiong and turned to approach Liu Wuxie. Without uttering a word, they embraced, and Zuo Hong gave Liu Wuxie a friendly pat on the back. With a wry smile, he asked, “Why does trouble seem to follow you wherever you go?”

Back in Zen City, Liu Wuxie had almost wreaked havoc. Now, having arrived at the Imperial Academy, he managed to antagonize the Xue Clan and engage in open conflict with students from the elite classes.

After the event in Zen City, Liu Wuxie left in a hurry before they could even interact. That left regret in Zuo Hong’s heart. He rushed to the Azure Billow City to find Liu Wuxie a few days ago to learn alchemy, only to learn that Liu Wuxie had left for the Imperial Academy when he reached the Azure Billow City.

“Thanks for the help, Brother Zuo!” Liu Wuxie smiled. He didn’t regard Bai Qiong and his lackeys as significant threats. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t grateful for Zuo Hong’s intervention.

“There’s no need to be so polite between us!” Zuo Hong hammered Liu Wuxie’s shoulder, telling the latter not to be too formal. They might not have a deep bond, but they admired each other, especially in alchemy.

Liu Wuxie rubbed his nose and smiled bitterly. He knew his plans to eliminate Bai Qiong couldn’t be executed.

“Bai Qiong, Liu Wuxie is a brother of mine. Do you think I won’t eliminate you if you dare lay a finger on him?” Zuo Hong’s facial expression changed when he turned around with murderous intent brewing in his eyes, starkly contrasting his earlier elegant appearance.

No one expected that Zuo Hong would scold someone ranked ninth on the Earth Ranking for someone who had just joined the academy.

Bai Qiong was so furious that he gritted his teeth, but he could only suck it up as he was weaker than Zuo Hong. He said, “Brother Zuo is right. There are just some misunderstandings between us!”

Bai Qiong was visibly seething as he spoke, his anger palpable to all present. His inability to harm Liu Wuxie with Zuo Hong present didn’t imply that Zuo Hong would always be there to protect Liu Wuxie.

“Get lost!” Zuo Hong waved his hand, commanding Bai Qiong’s group to leave.

With that, Bai Qiong left with his lackeys, and the farce ended in a manner that no one had expected. Everyone also began to disperse as there was no longer a show to watch, returning to their tables to continue their meal. But they were discussing what had happened earlier and couldn’t figure out why Zuo Hong wanted to protect Liu Wuxie even at the price of offending Bai Qiong.

Bai Qiong would soon be promoted to a Profound Grade student, and he had a considerable background in the academy. Based on the humiliation he suffered today, he would take revenge for it. So, even if Zuo Hong would protect Liu Wuxie for the time being, he couldn’t protect the latter for eternity.

But Liu Wuxie ignored the surrounding discussions because he was confident that there weren’t many people who could threaten his life in the Imperial Academy. Regardless of the circumstances, Zuo Hong had intervened out of goodwill. If Liu Wuxie were to tell Zuo Hong not to interfere, asserting that he could handle the situation himself, it might jeopardize their friendship.

“There are too many people here. I know a good place to eat. Since it’s your first day at the Imperial Academy, allow me to commemorate it.”

After the commotion, it was no longer conducive for them to remain and dine there. The attention, whether intentional or not, would make them feel uneasy.

Liu Wuxie didn’t reject it either. Zuo Hong had an extraordinary status, which Liu Wuxie could tell from the first day they met. He even asked Li Shengsheng about it, but the latter’s information on Zuo Hong was limited. Just like that, the four left the dining hall.

“This is the region for Profound Grade students?” Li Shengsheng asked. This was his first time here, and he looked around like a country bumpkin. As for Song Ling, he was in deep shock with his mouth wide open, wondering if he was dreaming.

Although the Imperial Academy did not restrict the students, Earth Grade students rarely ventured into the Profound Grade’s region most of the time. There was a strict level of hierarchy, which often led to Earth Grade students being beaten up in the Profound Grade’s region, which was why Earth Grade students wouldn’t dare to come here. Likewise, it was rare for Profound Grade students to venture into the Heaven Grade’s region as well.

A massive inn appeared before them, built in the Profound Grade’s region. The Profound Grade’s region was even larger than the Earth Grade, as each grade meant the difference in treatment and resources. If one managed to become a Heaven Grade student, their treatment would be even higher.

“I never expected an inn in the Profound Grade’s region!” Li Shengsheng waved his hands around in excitement. After all, there were only some shops where students could use credits to exchange for daily necessities, but there weren’t any restaurants.

“Several teachers established this restaurant. Many students dislike eating in the dining hall, which is why the restaurant was set up. It was to provide convenience for everyone,” Zuo Hong explained. After all, one would get bored if they ate at the dining hall daily, and it was only natural for students to crave a change in their culinary routine from time to time.

“Drunken Immortal House, this is a rather elegant name!” The group of four could see the four shining words from afar, and this inn seemed extraordinary as it was constructed in the bustling district of the Profound Grade’s region.

The Imperial City resembled a microcosm of a city; the academy was a one-stop destination for everything, encompassing shops, restaurants, and more. Upon entering the Drunken Immortal House, the group of four could see that it was a three-story establishment. The ground floor served as a common hall for regular patrons. The second floor was a tad pricier, with each table ensconced within screen partitions for privacy. The third floor comprised private rooms, primarily occupied by Heaven Grade students and teachers, and the prices here were significantly steeper.

Zuo Hong brought the three of them to the second floor, which was packed with people, and it was unexpected for the Drunken Immortal House to be so bustling. A waiter guided them and eventually found an available table in a secluded spot.

“Brother Liu, we’ll have to make do as I didn’t make any reservation. I’ll make it up to you in a few days,” Zuo Hong apologized in a somewhat embarrassed tone. After all, this spot wasn’t great, with the back facing the door, and they couldn’t enjoy the scenery outside from this table.

“Brother Zuo, there’s no need to be so polite. This is fine,” Liu Wuxie said as he sat down, and he wasn’t being overly courteous with Zuo Hong.

They ordered a few signature dishes, which were soon served.

“Song Ling, why did you come to the Imperial Academy?” Liu Wuxie asked as he turned to look at Song Ling.

The ruckus today was because of Song Ling, and Li Shengsheng was also curious why Liu Wuxie would offend Bai Qiong and cripple five students for someone in the Houtian Realm. Only those who were close friends would do something like that.