Desolate Devouring Art-Chapter 748 - The Patriarch’s Return

Liu Wuxie had spoken extensively about finding clues implicating Liu Xiaotian, but his true goal wasn’t to bring him down. Such a task was monumental—something even his grandfather had failed to achieve.

“It’s simple to uncover the mastermind. We only need to trace the owner of this needle, and the truth will be revealed,” Liu Wuxie declared, holding up a tiny needle in his palm. It was so fine it was nearly invisible to the naked eye.

The sight of the needle made Liu Xiaotian narrow his eyes with unease.

“This very needle was removed from my body,” Liu Dazhi said, stepping forward. His voice carried weight as he surveyed the hall. “I trust everyone remembers the incident a decade ago that targeted our Liu Clan, stalling our growth. That setback left us lagging behind the Four Great Clans.” His sharp gaze landed on Liu Xiaotian.

Another commotion broke out from the surroundings. No one had expected Liu Dazhi's deviation in cultivation to be someone's scheme, including the patriarch's poisoning. They began to wonder if it had something to do with Jiao Ba.

"This is unforgivable! Who dares harm our Liu Clan!" The Eighteenth Elder bounced to his feet.

While the Four Great Clans weren't the strongest in the Central Plains, they couldn't be underestimated. If news spread that someone had blatantly challenged the Liu Clan, it would cause their status to plummet.

"How do we know if he's speaking the truth? Perhaps he took a random needle to distract us from the re-election of the patriarch's position?" mocked the Fifth Elder. He was determined that Liu Wuxie was trying to buy time or divert everyone's attention so no one would remember the agreement.

"That's right! Don't believe in his bullshit!" Liu Xiaotian’s supporters condemned Liu Wuxie.

"The patriarch is still on the sickbed, and we urgently need a great patriarch to lead us out of this ordeal. Don't believe in his lies!" The Nineteenth Elder stepped out and spoke in a righteous tone.

His seniority was only one rank higher than the Twentieth Elder, and his tone showed a hint of flattery.

His flattery sent a wave of discomfort through the crowd, giving everyone goosebumps. The hall buzzed with noise, resembling a chaotic marketplace filled with clashing voices. Some rallied behind Liu Wuxie, urging him to uncover the true culprit, while others threw their support behind Liu Xiaotian, demanding that Liu Dashan relinquish the patriarchal seal.

"Liu Wuxie, go on your knees and accept your punishment!" Voices echoed from the surroundings, directed at Liu Wuxie.

However, Liu Wuxie remained indifferent and looked at Liu Xiaotian.

"This needle is forged with meteorite gold, and it can only be found in the Eternal Spirit Mountain in the Central Plains. I have checked your records, and you traveled there eleven years ago. Do you mind explaining to everyone why you went there?" Liu Wuxie asked. He had investigated many details in the past day.

While cultivating yesterday, he had visited his father's study room and flipped through many books and records. His father had prepared them for him to read. With the help of Ghost Eye, he had only spent four hours reading through thousands of books.

"What are you trying to say here? I did go to the Eternal Spirit Mountain, but what evidence do you have to prove that I was the one who injected this needle into Dazhi's body?" Liu Xiaotian asked with a smile. He had visited many places in his lifetime, and he was only in the True Profound Realm a decade ago. There was no way he could inject the needle into Liu Dazhi's body without being discovered.

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"I will find the evidence soon enough. Let me warn you—if you are guilty, it won’t just be your downfall but the ruin of your descendants as well," Liu Wuxie said, his tone sharp and unwavering. He had no intention of revealing evidence even if he had it; doing so now would throw the Liu Clan into chaos. His goal for the day was clear: to tarnish Liu Xiaotian’s reputation and sow seeds of suspicion among the clan members.

Many people who supported Liu Xiaotian began to waver after hearing what Liu Wuxie said. Although they said nothing, their eyes betrayed them. Even if Liu Xiaotian hadn't orchestrated this incident, he must have known something, as he had brought Jiao Ba to the Liu Clan.

"Liu Dashan, I don't want to waste time with you. I advise you to give up now if this is all you've got. Don't blame me for resorting to force if you don't hand the patriarchal seal now!" Liu Xiaotian finally revealed his ruthless side, planning to resort to force.

With his strength and influence, he could have seized the patriarch's position without convening a meeting. However, he refrained from taking such extreme measures, opting instead to secure the position through legitimate succession. This approach would leave no room for dissent or criticism, solidifying his authority without question.

"Let me see who dares to touch the patriarchal seal!" The entire hall trembled as a terrifying aura gushed out from the hall's depth. Everyone's expressions changed as it came from someone in the Earth Profound Realm.

Aside from a few reclusive ancestors, the Liu Clan did not have anyone in the Earth Profound Realm. But the voice was familiar, and everyone recognized it instantly. As spatial ripples fluctuated, a figure emerged from the hall's depth.

Whenever he took a step forward, his aura would increase. Even those in the Spirit Profound Realm couldn't raise their heads high under his oppression, not to mention someone in the True Profound Realm.

When Liu Xiaotian heard the voice, he staggered and nearly fell from the chair. His expression changed drastically, and his heart began to pound wildly.

"I-It's the Patriarch!" someone yelled as disbelief was plastered on everyone's faces.

"It's the Patriarch! Not only did he recover, but he even reached the Earth Profound Realm!" Those in the patriarch's faction stood and cheered in excitement.

Liu Xiucheng had already arrived and had been hidden in the hall's depths all along, overhearing everything. He hadn't expected Liu Xiaotian to start scheming against him a decade ago.

However, he lacked the evidence needed to incriminate Liu Xiaotian and administer justice. If he had the proof, Liu Xiaotian would have faced execution for his crimes the moment he appeared.

When Liu Xiucheng appeared in the main hall, the entire hall fell silent, and everyone held their breaths. The patriarch had been suffering from the poison for the past year, and he had only fallen unconscious half a year ago. This was why everyone was surprised to see him alive and well. They even wondered if he had been feigning illness all along.

"Congratulations on your recovery, Patriarch!" The First Elder and the other grand elders rose to their feet, their faces reflecting joy and relief.

Liu Xiucheng nodded at the grand elders, but when his gaze stopped on the Fifth Elder, the latter lowered his head, not daring to look at the patriarch.

"Second Brother, aren't you happy to see me in good health?" Liu Xiucheng turned to look at Liu Xiaotian.

"Of course, I'm thrilled to see you healthy!" Liu Xiaotian quickly stood up from his seat and forged a smile. After all, Liu Xiucheng's sudden return had ruined his plans.

He knew this was all because of Liu Wuxie. If the latter hadn't visited, the patriarch would still be sick, and Liu Dazhi wouldn't have recovered his cultivation. But he had no idea how the patriarch had recovered in three days.

Liu Xiaotian's heart burned with frustration, his suppressed rage threatening to overwhelm him. He longed to strangle Liu Wuxie on the spot, but he dared not make a move. Despite his strength, he was powerless against someone in the Earth Profound Realm.

"That's funny because you don't look happy at all," Liu Xiucheng said. His perspective had shifted after this incident.

For years, Liu Xiucheng had tolerated Liu Xiaotian for the sake of the clan’s unity. He had even allowed his eldest son to leave the Central Plains to maintain peace. Yet, Liu Xiaotian had crossed the line, resorting to poisoning him—a betrayal he hadn’t anticipated.

"I'm truly overjoyed from the bottom of my heart at your recovery," Liu Xiaotian said with a bead of cold sweat trickling down his forehead. He could only lower his head and grit his teeth to suppress his emotions. He had been preparing for two decades for this day, but it had all gone down the drain.

"It's good that you're happy. Everyone, have a seat!" Liu Xiucheng gestured for everyone to take a seat, and Liu Dashan had already left the patriarch's seat for his father.

No matter how Liu Xiucheng wanted to kill Liu Xiaotian, he could only tolerate it for now. He shared the same mentality as Liu Wuxie because a conflict would fracture the clan.

No one wanted to see this outcome, and the best method was to kill Liu Xiaotian discreetly without affecting the Liu Clan's interest.

When everyone returned to their seats, the elders and deacons aligned with Liu Xiaotian wore grim expressions. The patriarch’s unexpected recovery spelled the end of their dominance, and the weight of their recent transgressions pressed heavily on them. If Liu Xiucheng uncovered their wrongdoings, their downfall would be inevitable.

"Patriarch, how did you recover so quickly?" The Eighteenth Elder rose to his feet with curiosity on his face. The other grand elders were also curious, and they wondered if there was an elixir capable of bringing someone back from the brink of death in the world.

“This is a long story,” Liu Xiucheng said, his gaze shifting to Liu Wuxie. “But all credit goes to Wuxie.”

Everyone turned to look at Liu Wuxie with a complicated gaze. Everyone wondered how he managed to do it, even when experts in the Heaven Profound Realm couldn't purge the poison from the patriarch's body.

"It seems Wuxie is really a blessing to the Liu Clan! Not only did he treat the patriarch, but he even found the Seven-Glazed Divine Lamp! This is a cause for celebration!" the Eighteenth Elder exclaimed with excitement. The Liu Clan had experienced turmoil recently, but Liu Wuxie's arrival had offered them a glimmer of hope.

"Wuxie, come over!" Liu Xiucheng waved his hand at Liu Wuxie.

"I pay my respects to my grandfather!" Liu Wuxie stepped forward and fell to one knee to greet his grandfather.

"Good child, rise," Liu Xiucheng said as he approached, helping Liu Wuxie to his feet. He scrutinized Liu Wuxie before nodding in approval. Based on the latter's sturdy frame, well-developed meridians, pure true essence, and brimming soul sea, his grandson was an exceptional talent.

"Patriarch, Liu Wuxie trespassed the main hall three days ago, and his actions warrant him thirty canes according to the rules," Liu Xiaotian glanced at Liu Xue, who took the cue to step forward.

When Liu Xiucheng shifted his gaze from Liu Wuxie to Liu Xue, there was a hint of murderous intent in the depth of his eyes.

"Indeed, he has violated the clan's rules by trespassing the main hall, but he also found the Seven-Glazed Divine Lamp. His contribution far outweighs his mistakes. Are there any objections?" Liu Xiucheng said in a domineering tone, not giving anyone a chance to refute his words.

"I agree with the patriarch's judgment. The clan should reward him for finding the Seven-Glazed Divine Lamp, and I suggest his fault be struck out," said the Seventh Elder.

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!" Over ninety percent of people in the main hall agreed with the patriarch's judgment. Even if Liu Wuxie hadn’t found the Seven-Glazed Divine Lamp, the fact that he had treated the patriarch was enough to strike out his fault for trespassing the main hall.

"Liu Xue, these are the records for the past year. You embezzled over 150,000 spirit stones, not to mention you defied the acting patriarch openly. According to the rules, you should be expelled from the clan," Liu Dashan said, turning to look at a deacon down below, who stepped forward with the accounts book, throwing it before Liu Xue.

Over the past year, his actions had been meticulously documented in secret, all in preparation for this pivotal moment.