Chapter 45

**Devouring Demon Art!** When Shen Xiang heard this name, he was instantly stunned, standing there in a daze, and passersby looked at him with strange glances.

"Don't be surprised. If it weren't like this, it wouldn't be called the Devouring Demon Art! The Devouring Demon Art has three rules. First, you must never devour someone whose cultivation is much higher than yours. Second, you must never devour good people, or you will develop a demon within your heart due to guilt, eventually turning you into a demon. Third, you must never let anyone know you have this demon art, or you will surely be hunted down by righteous people."

Listening to Bai Youyou's cold voice, Shen Xiang's expression grew increasingly serious. This demon art was indeed powerful, capable of stealing others' cultivation, but he also knew that frequent use would have a significant impact on him.

"After you use it once, you must completely refine all the true qi you devour into your own, making it as pure as possible. Otherwise, you must not perform the second devouring!" Bai Youyou's voice was cold and stern.

Shen Xiang took a deep breath, needing some mental preparation to use this demon art.

"I will transmit it to you now. When you use the demon art, be very careful. There must be no one else around, and the person you devour will die because of it." As Bai Youyou spoke, she transmitted some information into Shen Xiang's mind through her divine consciousness, which was the method to use the Devouring Demon Art.

The ability to devour others' cultivation, though vicious, was deeply profound, drawing Shen Xiang into its mysteries, trying to understand the principles behind it.

"Don't try to understand this demon art. Even I don't have that ability. The creator of this demon art was an unparalleled genius, and every art he created was both great and terrifying." Bai Youyou's voice was filled with admiration.

Shen Xiang also admired that person. He was now heading towards the location of the Black Wind Gang. The Black Wind Gang was a notorious gang, appearing clean on the surface but engaging in many unsavory activities behind the scenes. The fact that their headquarters was set up in the capital city indicated that they had powerful backing. Shen Xiang suspected that the Black Wind Gang's backing was the Yao Family.

Since the disappearance of Yao Tianhua and the elder of the Yao Family, most of the notorious gangs had been dismantled, but the Black Wind Gang had not. This clearly indicated that there was a reason behind it.

Being assassinated by the Black Wind Gang, Shen Xiang could not let them off easily.

In the distance, a large mansion was filled with noise. It was then that Shen Xiang remembered that the Black Wind Gang leader had been preparing for his seventieth birthday banquet for the past few days, and the banquet was currently underway.

Shen Xiang's lips curled into a cold smile. The Black Wind Gang had sent people to kill him, and they must have received significant benefits, believing they had succeeded.

Although there were rules against fighting in the capital city, personal grudges were allowed, especially when Shen Xiang had been the target of an assassination.

The gates of the Black Wind Gang's mansion were open, with about ten guards at the entrance. Seeing Shen Xiang's modest attire, they quickly shouted, "Who are you?"

Shen Xiang glanced at them indifferently and said with a hint of disdain, "Shen Xiang from the Pill King Pavilion!"

The ten guards were momentarily stunned. They had heard of Shen Xiang's name but had never seen him. They never expected him to come here. Today was their leader's birthday, and the Black Wind Gang was closely associated with the Yao Family. The purpose of his appearance was clear.

"What are you here for? Our leader didn't invite you!" one of the guards said, his tone not as strong as before, knowing that Shen Xiang could defeat a Seventh Rank Martial Artist and was a young alchemist, someone they couldn't provoke.

One of the guards ran inside, likely to report the situation. This was not something they could handle, and Shen Xiang did not make things difficult for them, just standing at the entrance and waiting patiently.

Soon, the noise inside diminished. With his powerful divine consciousness, Shen Xiang could sense several people with Fifth to Seventh Rank Martial Artist strength slowly approaching him. This made Shen Xiang inwardly marvel at the wide network of the Black Wind Gang leader, who knew many powerful people.

Shen Xiang stood straight at the entrance, hands behind his back, and looked steadily at the group of people dressed in fine clothing as they walked out.

Most of these people were middle-aged, and although Shen Xiang had been in the capital city for some time, he did not know much about the martial families here. However, he guessed that these people were likely the leaders or high-ranking members of reputable martial families.

Seeing the proud and composed young man before them, the people could not help but admire him. It was hard to believe that Shen Xiang was only sixteen, surpassing the young men and women in their families.

"Master Shen, today is my birthday. I don't want any unpleasant incidents. If you have other matters, please come another day," the Black Wind Gang leader, a robust old man wearing a black fur cloak, said. He looked imposing, but his eagle-like eyes flashed with shock when he saw Shen Xiang.

Shen Xiang caught that flash of shock and inwardly smiled, speaking loudly, "Black Gang Leader, I have come to tell you something. When I returned from outside the city today, someone impersonating the Black Wind Gang tried to kill me."

The Black Wind Gang leader's pupils contracted sharply. "How do you know they were impersonating the Black Wind Gang?"

Shen Xiang's lips curled into a smile. "Although there were over three hundred of them, they were all killed one by one. I don't think the Black Wind Gang's people are that weak!"

Earlier that day, the Black Wind Gang had received news that a forest outside the city was on fire, and the three hundred people they sent had gone missing. Seeing Shen Xiang return unharmed, the leader's heart sank.

The Black Wind Gang leader's facial muscles twitched when he heard Shen Xiang's words. The three hundred people were crucial to the Black Wind Gang, but he could not admit they were his men.

A few of the people following the Black Wind Gang leader also looked surprised. Shen Xiang guessed they knew the Black Wind Gang had sent people to kill him, so they must be from the Yao Family.

"Am I right, Black Gang Leader? You should investigate which force is impersonating you and tarnishing your reputation," Shen Xiang said with a smile. "I'm telling you this as a birthday gift."

The Black Wind Gang leader's eyes trembled with anger and sorrow. Those three hundred people were led by his son, who had promised to bring Shen Xiang's head as a gift. But now, they were all killed by Shen Xiang!

"Shen Xiang—" The Black Wind Gang leader suddenly roared, stopping Shen Xiang, who was about to leave.

Shen Xiang turned his head, his expression calm, and asked with a smile, "Black Gang Leader, is there something you need?"

The Black Wind Gang leader's voice trembled as he forced out two words, "Thank you!"

"You're welcome!" Shen Xiang smiled and walked away with large strides.

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