Desolate Devouring Art-Chapter 910 - Initial Framework

"Father, why does Grandfather seem... distracted?" he asked, his gaze settling on Liu Xiucheng, whose expression was far from festive.

"A lot has happened in the Liu Clan while you were away," Liu Dashan replied, dragging Liu Wuxie to the side.

"What happened?" Liu Wuxie frowned. Why was trouble stirring again when the Liu Clan had recently achieved stability?

"Some of our shops and mines were attacked, resulting in deaths of over a dozen." Liu Dashan was enraged at the mention of it. They didn't even know who their enemies were.

"Liu Xiaotian!" Liu Wuxie immediately spoke the name that came to mind. Only someone with inside knowledge of the clan's operations could have precisely targeted their businesses and mines.

"We suspected him as well," Liu Dashan replied, shaking his head, "but we ruled him out after a confrontation. The attacker wasn't Liu Xiaotian. He's only at the lower levels of the Spirit Profound Realm. The one we fought was much stronger—at the higher level."

"Even if he's not the one acting directly, he's definitely involved," Liu Wuxie said after a brief pause. "There's a traitor in the clan feeding him information. We need to find that rat—quickly."

"I'll let your grandfather know about it immediately!" Liu Dashan's expression turned grave. They had been too focused on outside threats, never considering that betrayal could come from within.

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When Liu Dashan leaned over to whisper in Liu Xiucheng's ears, the latter lowered his wine cup with a hint of murderous intent flashing across his eyes. If he knew who these traitors were, he would ensure they suffered a fate worse than death.

After the banquet, the upper echelons gathered in the main hall. Gao Gu represented the elders, while Bi Gongyu represented the middle ranks. Liu Xiucheng presided over the meeting.

He knew Liu Wuxie must have a plan in mind, especially after bringing so many people with him, and it was time to discuss their next steps. Having spent some time together, the atmosphere among everyone had grown relaxed and familiar.

"Wuxie, the Liu Clan will fully support you in whatever you plan to do next," said Liu Xiucheng.

He had already learned from Xu Yilin that his grandson had become the strongest in the Southern Province, wiping out the five major sects. This was a shocking feat even in the Central Plains.

These fifty-odd people couldn't merge with the Liu Clan and needed a new path.

"Grandfather, I plan to establish my force separate from the Liu Clan. I will need the Liu Clan's support in the beginning, and I hope you can support me," Liu Wuxie said with a grave expression.

Though capable, he was alone and needed the Liu Clan's help to develop the Heavenly Dao Society. Otherwise, it wouldn't be long for them to be wiped out. Moreover, he had little time to manage everything, so he had to rely on the Liu Clan.

"I will support all your decisions," Liu Xiucheng said.

A true man must forge his own path rather than remain sheltered within the clan. The Liu Clan had grown too complacent, and many among the younger generation had lost their ambition.

"I need a place. It doesn't have to be too large, just enough to house everyone. As for resources, we'll handle that ourselves," Liu Wuxie replied.

He didn't have many requests as the Liu Clan didn't belong to his grandfather alone. The other elders and branches also had a say in major decisions.

"That's easy. We have a manor in the Astral Glory City that should be large enough for now," Liu Xiucheng said hesitantly.

"Thank you, grandfather!" With a place secured, they could focus on their development. He believed the Heavenly Dao Society would be able to take root in the Central Plains with enough time.

"Wuxie, I have one condition," Liu Xiucheng suddenly said.

"Grandfather, please speak your mind!"

"Since you're going to establish the Heavenly Dao Society, the Liu Clan must be a part of it. I will assign thirty elites to join the Heavenly Dao Society to help it develop," Liu Xiucheng declared. Though framed as a condition, it was his way of quietly supporting Liu Wuxie.

However, he also had his considerations from a strategic standpoint, as he couldn't put all the eggs in one basket. He also wished the thirty elites could grow faster outside the clan.

"Agreed!" Liu Wuxie responded with a bright smile. Having the Liu Clan's support would bolster their foundation, and loyalty wouldn't be a concern.

The discussion continued late into the night in the main hall, as everyone shared thoughts and ideas. None could've imagined that the Heavenly Dao Society, destined to shake the universe, would begin from such humble origins, with no assets to its name.

By dawn, the Heavenly Dao Society's framework was complete. It would be divided into five halls: the Alchemy Hall, led by Bi Gongyu; the Artifact Hall, led by Hu Shi; the Talisman Hall, led by Song Ling; the Array Hall, led by Lan Yu; and the Vermilion Hall, a unique hall led by Liu Dayue.

Gao Gu and the other elders would be stationed in the various halls, and Fan Zhen was appointed as the chief overseer, responsible for coordinating between them.

Xu Yilin was the first leader of the Heavenly Dao Society instead of Liu Wuxie, and no one found this decision unexpected.

The Vermilion Hall was the busiest, responsible for sales, intelligence gathering, and recruiting new disciples.

Despite their limited manpower, they could expand gradually over time.

Though Liu Wuxie wasn't the official leader, everyone knew he was the soul of the Heavenly Dao Society. Without him, the organization would crumble like a sandcastle.

The next day, the thirty elites assigned to the Heavenly Dao Society assembled.

"From this moment forward, you are members of the Heavenly Dao Society," Liu Xiucheng announced, his gaze sweeping over them. "You are no longer bound by the Liu Clan's direct command. Anyone who dares disobey the orders of the Heavenly Dao Society will be considered a traitor to the clan!"

He had carefully selected the thirty elites. Surprisingly, Liu Tian and Liu Xing were among their ranks.

"Understood!" the group responded in unison.

Some of them had been reluctant at first, as working alongside cultivators from the Southern Province didn't sit well with them. But their doubts had vanished after learning what had happened in the Southern Province.

Aside from the five main halls, Liu Wuxie had established a separate hall, similar to the Law-Enforcement Hall, that didn't fall under the Heavenly Dao Society's authority but solely belonged to him, led by Tian Xing.

Their primary task was supervision and intelligence gathering, acting like Liu Wuxie's eyes. Though everyone in the Heavenly Dao Society could be trusted, mutual supervision was essential.

On the second afternoon, nearly a hundred people left the Liu Clan for the Astral Glory City.

Liu Wuxie, however, did not accompany them. He entrusted the move to Liu Dayue and Fan Zhen, confident that the solid foundation he had built in the Southern Province would ensure smooth operations.

As for Jian Xing'er and Chen Ruoyan, they remained in the Liu Clan.

Liu Wuxie's mother was delighted when she saw the two ladies and spent her days happily chatting with them.

As for Liu Wuxie, he had no intention of returning to the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy yet.

In the main hall, Liu Xiucheng sat at the head, flanked by Liu Dashan and Liu Dazhi. With Liu Dayue now a member of the Heavenly Dao Society, his seat was vacant. Several elders occupied the lower seats, and a heavy silence loomed over the chamber.

"Patriarch, our shops were attacked again last night, and all our pills and weapons were looted!" The Nineteenth Elder rose, his face flushed with anger. This wasn't the first time Liu Clan's businesses had suffered such attacks in recent days.

While their shops appeared as ordinary businesses with no ties to the Liu Clan to the outside world, communication was done through secret codes to ensure their affiliations remained hidden.

"This is outrageous!" Liu Xiucheng slammed his palm on the armrest.

Each shop was built through the Liu Clan's sweat and blood; losing even one was a significant blow to them.

"Patriarch, we have to take decisive action. If necessary, we can assign experts to guard each shop!" The Grand Elder stood up with a dark expression. The latest attack had resulted in the loss of several lives, in addition to material losses. Among them was his distant nephew.

"Our businesses have covered the entire Central Plains, and we have hundreds of them. How can we possibly send out elites to station at each one?" the Second Elder said, shaking his head. The Liu Clan would be dangerously vulnerable to attacks if they sent out so many experts.

"Who is targeting us?" Everyone was angry and frustrated.

Only Liu Wuxie maintained his composure as he swept his gaze through each elder, trying to find clues from their expressions. However, everyone present had lived for centuries and could conceal their emotions if they wanted to. It wouldn't be easy to find the traitor.

The meeting had grown heated, with Liu Wuxie watching silently, exactly as Liu Xiucheng had instructed.

By midday, the gathering dispersed, leaving only four people in the main hall: Liu Xiucheng, Liu Dashan, Liu Dazhi, and Liu Wuxie. A storm was clearly brewing within the clan.