Desolate Devouring Art

A veteran disciple leapt onto the stage, charging straight at Liu Wuxie with the clear intent to seize the five Wisdom Stones.

"Shen Zihao, remember to share them with us if you succeed!" several veteran disciples shouted from below. The youth on the platform was Shen Zihao, a cultivator who, like Tie Niu, had chosen to remain in the outer sect even after reaching the Origin Conversion Realm. Disciples at the lower levels of the Origin Conversion Realm were common in the outer sect; they preferred to lord their strength over weaker disciples rather than join the inner sect, where they would rank at the very bottom.

Liu Wuxie merely smiled, watching Shen Zihao's approach. He had been waiting for someone to make the first move.

"Brat, did you hear me?" Shen Zihao sneered. "Hand over the Wisdom Stones. Don't force my hand."

The wilderness training had only just ended, and many of the veteran disciples still hadn't learned what had transpired. By contrast, the new disciples knew all too well—anyone who had faced Liu Wuxie in the wilderness knew that even a cultivator at the third-level Origin Conversion Realm was no match for him. What chance did a first-level Origin Conversion Realm disciple like Shen Zihao stand?

"I was considering offering more Wisdom Stones for sale," Liu Wuxie said, pressing a hand to his chest in mock distress. "But seeing someone attempt to rob me in broad daylight chills my heart. I've decided to reduce the number to three. Furthermore, only one hundred disciples from the War Dragon Institute and the Dharma Institute may compete."

Behind him, He Yingwu nearly choked in disbelief. He hadn't expected Liu Wuxie to be so ruthless in turning a challenge into yet another trap.

To Liu Wuxie, whether he sold three or five Wisdom Stones mattered little. Even one would fetch a sky-high price. Scarcity drove value, and by lowering the number available, he ensured the bidding would be fiercer.

On the market, one Wisdom Stone was worth five to seven hundred thousand astral stones. Five could easily bring in over three million. But with only three to bid on, the final price might exceed even that. Such was the charm of an auction.

Scornful looks spread through the crowd; many new disciples understood precisely what kind of man Liu Wuxie was.

"Liu Wuxie, are you deaf? Hand over the Wisdom Stones!" Shen Zihao snapped. Rage flared as Liu Wuxie ignored him twice. With a roar, he lashed out with a palm strike aimed at Liu Wuxie's face.

When someone in the Transcendent Realm disregarded him, Shen Zihao felt humiliated, especially in front of so many witnesses. His strike tore through the air at blinding speed, more than enough to overwhelm an ordinary third-level Transcendent Realm disciple.