Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 97 - Assessment Begins

Three figures swiftly emerged from the direction of the Imperial Academy, advancing along a ten-mile path that led straight to the institution. This path was significant, as it was linked to the first assessment of the Academy. Among the trio was an elderly man, flanked by a strikingly handsome man and a beautiful woman whose voluptuous figure attracted many admiring glances. Both the man and woman, who appeared to be in their twenties, were in the second level of the Spirit Cleansing Realm.

“Sikong Nan, aren’t you taking it too far? The elderly man’s voice was icy as he halted ten meters from Liu Wuxie, his chilling aura permeating the entire square. “How dare you attempt to harm someone on the grounds of the Imperial Academy!”

The man and woman behind him shared his indignation. Their anger was palpable, as if the Imperial Academy itself had been slapped in the face. Resorting to violence simply because someone refused to join the Heavenly Govern Academy was tantamount to challenging the Imperial Academy.

“Fan Yeping, I’m helping you to clean up the trash. Someone like him isn’t qualified to join your Imperial Academy, and I can only cripple him. How is that being unreasonable?” The old man with a hawk-like nose was called Sikong Nan. In his eyes, there was no hope for Liu Wuxie to join the Imperial Academy. The fifth level of the Xiantian Realm wasn’t low, but the hope of joining the Imperial Academy wasn’t high.

Liu Wuxie frowned as he was repeatedly mocked when he didn’t offend anyone. The others in the surroundings also turned to look at Liu Wuxie, shaking their heads. Some even laughed at Liu Wuxie because the fifth-level Xiantian Realm was too low.

When Xu Lingxue joined the Imperial Academy, she was talented and had long reached the seventh-level Xiantian Realm. Over a month had passed, and she had probably reached the eighth-level Xiantian Realm by now.

“Sikong Nan, get lost! Otherwise, don’t blame me for being impolite!” Fan Yeping warned, casting a dismissive glance at Liu Wuxie. To him, Liu Wuxie seemed unremarkable; his azure robe faded from frequent washing. In comparison to the others in the square, he appeared rather rustic. It was hardly surprising that Fan Yeping held little hope for Liu Wuxie’s admission into the Imperial Academy. While cultivation wasn’t the sole criterion for admission, Liu Wuxie’s chances were still not promising.

“Let’s go,” Sikong Nan decided, recognizing that the arrival of an Imperial Academy teacher meant further conflict would benefit neither party. He left the square with the two youths, satisfied with their recruitment of a handful of promising talents. Their efforts hadn’t been in vain.

“Brat, consider yourself lucky. When the Imperial Academy eliminates you, I’ll settle the score and let you know the consequences of rejecting the Heavenly Govern Academy,” Gu Yunpeng sneered before leaving.

Even after the departure of the Heavenly Govern Academy’s delegation, no one stepped forward to defend Liu Wuxie, not even those from the Imperial Academy. However, the woman standing next to Fan Yeping was taken aback as she observed Liu Wuxie. Most people would exhibit signs of panic when faced with such threats, yet Liu Wuxie remained remarkably composed. This left her wondering, what was the source of his unwavering calm?

Fan Yeping led the man and woman towards the heart of the square, where a five-meter-high platform stood. As the trio ascended the platform, a hush fell over the surroundings.

“The assessment will commence shortly,” Fan Yeping announced, his voice resonating across the square, reaching even those standing several kilometers away. “Due to unforeseen circumstances within the academy, my arrival was delayed, inadvertently providing the Heavenly Govern Academy with an opportunity that resulted in some regrettable incidents. On behalf of the Imperial Academy, I apologize. You may now step forward to participate in the first round of assessment.”

Despite his announcement, Liu Wuxie remained at the farthest end of the square, making no move to approach.

Upon hearing that the assessment was about to commence, a wave of excitement swept over the crowd. They had been waiting for this moment for a long time. The Imperial Academy had stringent age restrictions, disqualifying anyone over the age of twenty-two. For many, this was their last chance. If they failed to secure admission this year, they would lose the opportunity to join the Imperial Academy forever.

“The first assessment is the same as the previous years. This is the starting point, and you just have to reach the gate of the Imperial Academy in six hours. Those who pass will naturally proceed to the second round of the assessment. So let us begin now.”

With a nod to his companions, the man and woman leaped off the platform and positioned themselves on either side of the path. An extraordinary energy enveloped the ten-mile stretch leading to the Imperial Academy, which was not located within the Imperial Capital, but nestled deep within a mountain range.

“This is interesting...it’s a spiritual array!” Liu Wuxie observed with a smile. The entire path was shrouded in a spiritual array. At first, it didn’t seem powerful, but its primary function was to exert steadily increasing pressure. Those who embarked on the path might not notice it initially, but the pressure would gradually intensify. This test was designed to assess an individual’s patience and potential, weeding out those who lacked the necessary strength.

“Oh, I forgot to mention something. The test this year is special. Whoever obtains first place will receive a special reward from the academy: an opportunity to train in the Flame Sun Cave for ten days, a fourth-grade pill, and a complete profound-grade martial technique,” Fan Yeping said.

In the True Martial Continent, cultivation and martial techniques were categorized into four grades: heaven, earth, profound, and amber. Heaven represented the highest grade, while amber was the lowest. Typically, the smaller clans in the thirty-six cities practiced amber-grade cultivation techniques. In contrast, the larger clans in the Imperial Capital practiced profound-grade martial techniques. Earth-grade martial techniques were exclusive to the larger clans, and heaven-grade martial techniques were the stuff of legends.

An amber-grade cultivation technique could, at best, enable someone to reach the Spirit Cleansing Realm. To reach the Marrow Cleansing Realm, one would need a profound-grade martial technique. The same principle applied to martial techniques: the higher the grade, the greater the power.

As for the Desolate Devouring Art’s grade, even Liu Wuxie was uncertain. It had already far surpassed all the cultivation techniques in Celestial Realm.

Everyone in the square became chaotic upon hearing what Fan Yeping said, celebrating as though they had already obtained the reward.

“The reward is incredibly generous. In the past, the first-place winner only received some pills and martial techniques, but they’re going to include ten days of cultivating time in the Flame Sun Cave this year. I must secure the first place, no matter what,” someone exclaimed. The excitement was palpable, with many eager to claim first place. The allure of a fourth-grade pill and a profound-grade martial technique was irresistible, and they could be considered treasures in Azure Billow City.

“Don’t even think about it. This year's first place will undoubtedly go to Bai Yu from Serene Tomb City. He has already reached the Spirit Cleansing Realm, and no one can compete with him.” This statement served as a reality check, dampening the crowd’s enthusiasm. Their aspirations were now more modest—they simply hoped to secure admission into the academy.

“Don’t be so sure about that,” another voice chimed in. Yu Yifan has also reached the Spirit Cleansing Realm.”

“I’m going to give it my all, regardless. We’re talking about the Flame Sun Cave here. It’s brimming with pure yang energy. A single day of cultivation inside is equivalent to a month outside. More importantly, we can absorb the pure yang energy to enhance our physique and increase our aptitude.”

That was the key that drove so many people into a frenzy.

Liu Wuxie perked his ears to listen to the surrounding discussion. The fourth-grade pill and martial technique were nothing to him, but pure yang energy was important and more efficient than refining Origin Yang Pills.

He had come to the Imperial Academy in search of resources, and he wasn’t about to let such a golden opportunity slip through his fingers. The practice of the Desolate Devouring Art required substantial resources, and cultivating in the Flame Sun Cave was an excellent opportunity.

As the crowd engaged in animated discussions, one participant took the initiative and stepped onto the ten-mile-long path. It wasn’t long before thousands of others followed suit, including Liu Wuxie. However, Liu Wuxie was in no rush. He trailed behind the crowd at a leisurely pace. After all, the first round would last six hours. He had ample time, and he believed the real test would come in the final two hours.

“You two keep an eye on them. I’ll return for the second assessment!” Fan Yeping instructed the man and woman before he left.

“We bid the teacher farewell!” The man and woman bowed respectfully as they watched Fan Yeping return to the academy. They would stay behind as assessors for the first round, which was straightforward enough to not require any teachers’ supervision.

“Princess Leyao, you can take a break. I got it covered here,” the man assured the woman with a smile after Fan Yeping had left.

“There’s no need. The academy has been dealing with various issues lately, and it’s crucial that we identify talented individuals in this round. If we remain passive, the academy’s reputation could suffer,” the woman replied before departing, leaving the man standing alone, his smile frozen on his face. However, a cold glint flickered in the depth of his eyes.

“Young Master Pingzhi, the patriarch ordered me to deliver this letter to you, and you must finish the mission no matter what,” a guard hurriedly approached, bowing to the man and producing a letter from his chest.

“I got it. You can leave now!” The man cast a glance at the path, where the first group of participants was already several hundred meters ahead. He then opened the letter, ensuring that no one was in the vicinity.

“Pingzhi, you must stop someone called Liu Wuxie from entering the Imperial Academy no matter what. If there’s an opportunity, kill him!” the letter read.

The letter was signed by Xue Dingtian, the current patriarch of the Xue Clan, a man of significant influence. The letter also contained a portrait of Liu Wuxie.

“It’s him!” the man exclaimed in surprise. He might not have recognized someone else, but he was familiar with this individual, who had narrowly escaped being crippled by a student from the Heavenly Govern Academy, thanks to their timely intervention.

“Why would a fifth-level Xiantian Realm practitioner alarm the patriarch? Who is he, and why has he garnered such attention from the clan?” The man was unfamiliar with Liu Wuxie, but he was prepared to carry out the patriarch’s orders. He tucked the letter into his chest and followed the woman towards the Imperial Academy.

Just as Liu Wuxie had predicted, the participants spent the first two hours in light-hearted conversation. However, in the next two hours, many began to pant as the pressure gradually increased without their awareness. In the final two hours, the pressure doubled, increasing the further one walked along the path.

Unbeknownst to the participants, the pressure had been gradually intensifying. By the time they noticed, it was too late. Their legs felt heavy, and they were drenched in sweat. Each step became a laborious task.

Meanwhile, Liu Wuxie remained calm, trailing behind the crowd at a steady pace. His physique was comparable to a cultivator who had reached the pinnacle of the Spirit Cleansing Realm, and the pressure was nothing to him.

An hour later, some participants had already collapsed, making it impossible for them to reach the academy within the stipulated time frame.