Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 571 - Secret

No one dared to step forward this time—not even the Sky Rift Valley intervened. Helping Liu Wuxie would mean making enemies out of the Azure Crimson Gate, and even if Wei Qisheng stood on Liu Wuxie's side, he couldn't stop so many experts from the Azure Crimson Gate.

Madam Li stood firmly before Liu Wuxie. As long as she remained, no one could get near the latter.

"Liu Wuxie, don't say that I'm merciless. I can let you off if you reveal how you identify the treasures in the stones," Li Hongda said, looking at Liu Wuxie with a smile as he stopped ten steps away from the latter.

He knew well they couldn't touch Liu Wuxie with the presence of the House of Tea Art. However, his true intention wasn't to kill Liu Wuxie but to get his appraisal technique.

The Ling Clan's so-called appraisal technique was exposed as a complete lie. But Liu Wuxie was different. Not only could he identify spiritual essences in the stones, but he could also find extraordinary treasures like the dragon's blood.

"The Azure Crimson Gate is truly cunning," many onlookers murmured among themselves, criticizing the Azure Crimson Gate for being shameless.

After all, whoever could obtain Liu Wuxie's appraisal technique would become the next wealthiest person in Serene Sea City. No one could resist the temptation, not even the Azure Crimson Gate.

The Sky Rift Valley remained silent, unwilling to take the initiative. As for the Demonic Heart Palace, they merely watched by the side and waited to see how the situation developed.

With neither sect willing to step forward, Liu Wuxie was placed in a dangerous position. After all, the situation would benefit him if multiple forces competed to seize his appraisal technique.

"Liu Wuxie, Elder Li is showing you mercy; you should kneel in gratitude!" Jia Fengmao sneered and stepped out.

"Hurry up and hand over your appraisal technique! Otherwise, you won't be able to leave here alive," the remaining Azure Crimson Gate disciples threatened, and they even formed an encirclement around Liu Wuxie to pressure him.

The situation grew increasingly unfavorable for Liu Wuxie.

"Besides the Azure Crimson Gate, is anyone else here interested in my appraisal technique?" Liu Wuxie suddenly said with a devilish smile, sweeping his gaze around the crowd and observing everyone's faces.

"Me!" someone yelled.

"Me too!" another voice echoed.

Many people raised their hands, eager to learn Liu Wuxie's appraisal technique. Yet the Sky Rift Valley and Demonic Heart Hall watched quietly by the sideline.

"Liu Wuxie, don't waste everyone's time and hand over your appraisal technique!" Qiu Dingtian stepped forward and joined the Azure Crimson Gate's group to pressure Liu Wuxie.

"You're all placing me in a difficult position. I only want to pass the technique to one person, but so many people are present. Who should I choose?" Liu Wuxie suddenly feigned distress.

The Azure Crimson Gate and other clans desired the technique, but who would ultimately claim it? If it were shared with everyone, wouldn’t that mean all would possess the same appraisal ability? If that happened, no one would sell stones anymore—they would simply keep them, knowing exactly which ones held value.

The surroundings fell silent, realizing that Liu Wuxie was right. Who should he give his appraisal technique—the Azure Crimson Gate, the Qiu Clan, or someone else?

"Liu Wuxie, stop wasting time. Your plan is bound to fail in trying to sow discord among us," Li Hongda sneered. He had seen through Liu Wuxie's plan to sow discord among everyone because there could only be one recipient for the appraisal technique.

The tension in the air grew, with representatives from all around unwilling to yield. This was what Liu Wuxie wanted—to sow discord among them to give him a chance to escape.

"Elder Li is right. We must not fall for his trick!" Qiu Dingtian said, supporting Li Hongda's words. Even so, he couldn't conceal the greed in his eyes.

"I was originally planning to give the appraisal technique to Patriarch Qiu, but it looks like I've misjudged. I'll have to consider someone else now," Liu Wuxie said with a wry smile.

Upon hearing what Liu Wuxie said, Qiu Dingtian wanted to give himself two slaps.

"I ask for your forgiveness if I've offended you in any way. As long as Young Master Liu is willing to pass me the appraisal technique, I guarantee that I will ensure your safety out of Serene Sea City," Qiu Dingtian said, his attitude undergoing a complete transformation that drew scornful looks from those in the surroundings.

"I've long heard of Patriarch Qiu's righteousness, and I know giving the technique to you will be a wise decision. If it falls into the hands of garbage like the Azure Crimson Gate, it will be a disaster for Serene Sea City. Thus, I've decided to pass the technique to the Qiu Clan," announced Liu Wuxie after pondering briefly.

Murong Yi's eyes lit up in surprise. The Azure Crimson Gate and Qiu Clan were allies, and giving the technique to the Qiu Clan was no different from giving it to the Azure Crimson Gate. She had no idea what Liu Wuxie was planning.

Murong Yi and many in the crowd were baffled. Didn't Liu Wuxie know that Qiu Dingtian used to be an elder of the Azure Crimson Gate in the past before he founded the Qiu Clan?

Even Wei Qisheng was confused because giving the technique to the Sky Rift Valley was a thousand times better than giving it to the Qiu Clan.

Liu Wuxie was a disciple of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion and would leave Serene Sea City sooner or later. Thus, it was understandable why he would leave his appraisal technique behind.

As everyone had expected, Li Hongda and others didn't refute it after Liu Wuxie declared that the appraisal technique would be passed to Qiu Dingtian. On the contrary, they even smiled slyly.

Li Hongda even endured Liu Wuxie's insult of calling the Azure Crimson Gate garbage, prioritizing the appraisal technique over his pride. They could always find a way to kill Liu Wuxie after they got their hands on the appraisal technique.

"Young Master Liu, will you write it down or pass it verbally?" Qiu Dingtian asked in a low voice, fearing that Liu Wuxie might change his mind.

Many spectators sighed in disappointment. They didn't expect someone as intelligent as Liu Wuxie to be foolish enough to hand the appraisal technique to Qiu Dingtian.

Everyone knew the balance of power in Serene Sea City was about to change, with the Azure Crimson Gate reigning dominance.

"He's an outsider. He probably doesn't know the connection between the Qiu Clan and Azure Crimson Gate." Everyone looked helpless, but no one dared to stop what was about to unfold. If they stepped forward to oppose Liu Wuxie's decision, it would be no different from declaring war against the Azure Crimson Gate.

After all their efforts, the Azure Crimson Gate naturally wouldn't let their prize slip.

"It's better to do it verbally," Liu Wuxie said after a moment of thought, deciding that this method would be the safest way to pass on the technique. If it were written down, there was always the risk of it being stolen or intercepted. But by conveying it verbally, only the two parties involved would know, ensuring the technique remained a closely guarded secret.

Qiu Dingtian didn't hesitate to step forward and stood before Liu Wuxie. With Madam Li present, he didn't dare to make rash moves.

The two stood close, almost side by side. Liu Wuxie suddenly leaned over to Qiu Dingtian's ears and whispered briefly before taking a step back after he was done. This left Qiu Dingtian frozen, with an expression of utter bewilderment creeping over his face.

He suddenly sensed something ominous, a bad premonition creeping up on him, but just as he was about to speak, Liu Wuxie cut him off abruptly.

"Since I'm done, I'll be taking my leave now," Liu Wuxie said with a composed smile and strode out of the hall without wasting another moment.

No one dared to stop Liu Wuxie, especially when Madam Li was beside him to ensure his safety. Even Li Hongda couldn't attempt to take Liu Wuxie's life.

When the group stepped outside on the street, Liu Wuxie secretly told Murong Yi, "We need to leave immediately!"

The group of five mounted the carriage and sped away from the scene. By now, no one cared about Liu Wuxie because no one could touch him, and the House of Tea Art supported him. But it was a different story for Qiu Dingtian.

"Patriarch Qiu, what did Liu Wuxie tell you?" Li Hongda approached with a darkened face. He stood before Qiu Dingtian and demanded to know the appraisal technique.

"Hmph! Don't even think about prying the secret of the technique from me," Qiu Dingtian yelled, on the verge of tears.

"How dare you try and keep the appraisal technique for yourself!" The other Azure Crimson Gate elders struck at Qiu Dingtian, intending to pry the latter's mouth open and force the secret from him.

"I didn't!" Qiu Dingtian cried out, feeling wronged. He had no intentions of keeping the appraisal technique to himself.

"Since that's the case, hand over the appraisal technique!" Li Hongda urged Qiu Dingtian to reveal the technique as he had a somewhat friendly relationship with the latter. This way, the Azure Crimson Gate wouldn't make things difficult for the latter.

"We have all fallen for Liu Wuxie's trap! He didn't tell me the technique at all," Qiu Dingtian roared, his voice filled with fury. They had all fallen for Liu Wuxie's trap, with him becoming the bait.

Everyone had become fishes caught in a net, all fallen for Liu Wuxie's scheme.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You want to monopolize the appraisal technique all to yourself! Don't even consider leaving this place if you don't hand it over today!" Even the elders of the Demonic Heart Palace took a step forward. They were determined to seize the appraisal technique from Qiu Dingtian; they couldn't allow it to fall into the Azure Crimson Gate's hands and be monopolized by them.

The other clans and forces of Serene Sea City also stepped forward to pressure Qiu Dingtian.

"Patriarch Qiu, you're not being honorable now. I advise you to hand the technique over obediently so we can all share it," said another clan's patriarch, with his expression twisted with greed and ferocity.

If the Qiu Clan rose to power, the other clans would decline and be left in dust. This was why they wouldn't allow the Qiu Clan to monopolize the appraisal technique for themselves.

With the appraisal technique, the Qiu Clan could grow rapidly into a superpower, and even the three major sects would struggle to suppress it at that time.

"I really don't know the appraisal technique! Why won't any of you believe me!" Qiu Dingtian was frustrated and unable to convince them, no matter how hard he tried to explain. The more he tried to defend himself, the more enraged the crowd became.

"Since you're unwilling to share the appraisal technique, we will be forced to take action ourselves," Li Hongda said, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent. He hadn't expected Qiu Dingtian to be so uncooperative.

Since that was the case, there was no longer a need for the Qiu Clan to exist in Serene Sea City. They had wiped out the Ling Clan and wouldn't mind wiping another Qiu Clan.

"Elder Li, why won't you believe me? Don't you know what kind of person I am after all these years?!" Qiu Dingtian said, looking at Li Hongda in disappointment. He was frustrated that even his friend, Li Hongda, didn't believe what he said.

"If you want me to believe you, tell me what Liu Wuxie told you, word for word," Li Hongda's voice was firm. He only wanted the appraisal technique, and friendship meant nothing before it.

"I have already told you!" Qiu Dingtian's anger reached its peak. If Liu Wuxie were standing before him, he would strangle the latter to death on the spot.

He could not escape with so many people surrounding him, and all his explanations fell on deaf ears. It felt as though he was being roasted alive.

"Patriarch Qiu, you can whisper it to me if sharing it with everyone is inconvenient. With the Azure Crimson Gate around, you can be reassured that no one will target the Qiu Clan," Li Hongda said, trying to coax the secret out of Qiu Dingtian as he approached the latter.