Chapter 127: Mao Caiwei Gets Attacked
As the first rays of dawn kissed the horizon, casting a soft glow upon the Song Family mansion, Wang Li reluctantly rose from the bed. The night had been a whirlwind of passion and cultivation, leaving him both exhausted and invigorated. He cast a lingering glance at Song Jingyan, still nestled in a cocoon of silk sheets, her face etched with a contented smile.
"I must be off," he murmured, his voice a husky rasp. "The Wang Family needs me."
Song Jingyan stirred, her eyes fluttering open. A mischievous glint danced within them. "So eager to leave behind your responsibilities, my love?" she teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
Wang Li chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. "Oh, I'll be responsible," he countered with a wink, the memory of the night's events still fresh in his mind. "But duty calls."
With a tender kiss on her forehead, he bid her farewell and slipped out of the chamber. As he soared through the air on his Flying Sword, the cool morning breeze whipping through his hair, a sense of satisfaction settled over him. The night had served its purpose. He could feel a surge of energy coursing through his veins, a testament to the success of his unorthodox cultivation method.
Meanwhile, within the Song Family mansion, the four young women who had shared Wang Li's bed woke to a realization that sent shivers down their spines. A potent energy thrummed within them, a power far greater than they had ever experienced before. It was undeniable – the night had yielded its reward. Years of dedicated cultivation could not have compared to the surge of strength they now felt.
One by one, they excused themselves, a newfound spark of purpose radiating from them. They sought seclusion, eager to harness the potent energy and consolidate their gains. They knew the path ahead wouldn't be easy, but with their newfound power and the promise of the Nascent Soul Realm within reach, they were filled with an unwavering determination.
Song Jingyan, after tidying her chamber with a flick of her wrist, the remnants of the night vanishing under a wave of spiritual energy, headed towards the council room.
The weight of the Song Family's responsibilities sat heavy on her shoulders, but her heart carried a lightness it hadn't in a long time. Wang Li's visit, the shared passion, and the promise it held for their future filled her with renewed strength.
Wang Li, too, felt the surge of power coursing through his dantian. The Yin Energy he had absorbed, not just from Song Jingyan but from the four young women as well, was fueling his cultivation at an alarming rate. His Yin-Yang Cultivation Ability worked its magic, harmonizing the conflicting energies and propelling him closer to his goal.
A thrill of excitement danced within him. He was nearing the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm, but a critical step remained. Two more virgin cultivators at the Core Formation Realm, or perhaps one at the Nascent Soul stage, would be enough to push him over the threshold.
His mind inevitably drifted towards Shi Feiyan. When she breaks through to the Nascent Soul Realm and comes to join the Wang Family, she would be the perfect candidate.
The potential benefits of seducing her were undeniable. Not only would he reach the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul Realm, but Shi Feiyan's loyalty would forge a powerful alliance with the Emerald Sea Palace, one of the top five righteous sects. A surge of ambition coursed through him, but he quickly quelled it. Now was not the time for distractions.
Landing upon the familiar grounds of the Wang Family mansion, he threw himself into the day's responsibilities. Meetings were held, reports were analyzed, and decisions were made. The weight of leadership pressed down on him, but he bore it with unwavering strength.
As night fell, a different kind of desire stirred within him. He couldn't resist the allure of his sexy cousin, Wang Xiangyi. The prospect of a night spent in her company, filled with passionate encounters, was undeniably appealing.
With a mischievous grin, he made his way towards her chamber. The soundproofed walls ensured their privacy as he indulged his desires, the night echoing with Wang Xiangyi's muffled moans of pleasure. The raw energy he absorbed from her only served to further fuel his cultivation, leaving him both satiated and restless.
Days flowed by in a relative calm, a quietude settling over the Wang Family. Wang Li, with a practiced smile and a well-honed air of hospitality, embarked on a series of calculated encounters. He had reached out to numerous outer sect disciples from various sects, men who were unlikely to raise suspicion due to their lower standing.
Each, lured by the promise of a lucrative mission or a rare cultivation resource, found their way to the Wang Family gates.
Upon arrival, they were met with courtesy and assigned a "guide" – a young, beautiful woman of the Wang Family. These women, handpicked by Wang Li himself, were more than mere escorts. They were weapons, their beauty and charm the bait to ensnare these unsuspecting souls.
Wang Li's instructions were clear. "Love," he had explained, his voice a low murmur, "is the most potent weapon. It can cloud judgment, fuel loyalty, and turn enemies into allies." He appraised each woman, their eyes burning with a steely resolve. "You are all beautiful enough to turn a man's head. Now, win their hearts.
Share the injustices you've faced, the cruelty inflicted by righteous sects and Ye Fan. Make them see the Wang Family as victims, deserving of their protection."
The women, their eyes glinting with a mix of anticipation and apprehension, absorbed his words. This was unorthodox, manipulative even, but the weight of their shattered lives fueled their determination. They would be the harbingers of the Wang Family's resurgence, their love the catalyst for a powerful alliance.
The process was slow, a slow burn of shared meals, whispered conversations, and carefully orchestrated situations. The men, initially wary, gradually succumbed to the charms of their assigned guides. Tales of the Wang Family's struggles resonated, igniting a spark of sympathy that blossomed into affection.
Weeks melted into a month, and the seeds Wang Li had sown began to sprout. One by one, the men confessed their feelings, their hearts captivated by the beauty and plight of their guides. Proposals followed, each one a victory for the Wang Family.
Grandiose ceremonies were deemed unnecessary; small, private gatherings were arranged, their simplicity masking the true purpose – the absorption of these men into the Wang Family fold.
Just as the final marriage ceremony concluded, a tremor of unease shook Wang Li. A jade slip, etched with the Jade Lotus Palace insignia, materialized in his hand. Its content sent a jolt through him. Mao Caiwei and her patrol unit, venturing into the sect's territory in the southern quadrant, had encountered a vicious ambush by demonic beasts.
Casualties were high, and Mao Caiwei herself was critically injured.
The news was a bitter pill to swallow.
Mao Caiwei was a great asset to Wang Li.
Wang Li cursed under his breath. Venturing into the Jade Lotus Palace himself was out of the question. The sect was an all-female haven, strictly forbidden to men. Setting foot on their territory would be an invitation for trouble, especially during such a chaotic time. He grabbed his communication talisman.
"Liu Xue," he began, his voice grim, "a Jade Lotus Palace messenger just arrived with troubling news. Mao Caiwei and her patrol unit were attacked by demonic beasts in the southern quadrant. The message mentioned heavy casualties and Mao Caiwei herself being critically injured. Have you heard anything about this?
More importantly, can you find out why these demonic beasts suddenly attacked the Jade Lotus Palace sect and why the sect didn't have any prior knowledge of such an attack?"
He sealed the message with a flick of his wrist and sent the talisman flying towards the Jade Lotus Palace. The answer would determine his next move.
~~
Dawn peeked over the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of pink and gold. As the first rays of sunlight filtered into his chamber, Wang Li's eyes snapped open. Sleep had been elusive, his mind consumed by the news of Mao Caiwei's brutal attack.
A flick of his wrist activated the talisman, and Liu Xue's voice, crisp and clear, filled the room. "Young Master Wang," she began, "I have completed my investigation into the attack on Mao Caiwei and her patrol unit. Initial reports suggested an ambush by demonic beasts, but upon closer scrutiny, I discovered a crucial detail."
Wang Li leaned forward, anticipation tightening his grip on the jade slip.
"The demonic beasts," Liu Xue continued, "were not acting on instinct alone. Traces of a potent stimulant were found in their systems, a substance known to heighten aggression and induce a state of frenzy."
A frown creased Wang Li's forehead. A simple ambush by demonic beasts now seemed far too convenient.
Liu Xue continued, "The timing and location further strengthen this theory. The beasts were stimulated and directed towards the southeastern region, the exact area Mao Caiwei's unit was patrolling."
The gears in Wang Li's mind started churning.
"While the perpetrator remains unidentified," Liu Xue's voice turned colder, "the attack reeks of a well-orchestrated plot. Someone with knowledge of Jade Lotus Palace patrols and a specific grudge against Mao Caiwei."
Wang Li's jaw clenched. The pieces were falling into place, a picture forming in his mind. "Only one person fits that description," he muttered, his voice laced with a dangerous edge.
"Ye Fan," Liu Xue concluded, echoing his thoughts. "Considering the recent tensions and his personal vendetta against Mao Caiwei, he emerges as the prime suspect."
A wave of anger surged through Wang Li. Mao Caiwei was his ally.
The communication talisman deactivated with a soft click, leaving Wang Li alone in the echoing silence of his chamber. Fury simmered within him, threatening to boil over.