Chapter 118: Wang Li’s Survey Of Wang Family’s Territory
Ye Fan’s hand tightened into a fist, his teeth gritting together. This wasn’t the answer he had hoped for.
Elder Gong, oblivious to the churning storm within Ye Fan, continued his casual narration. “They have received substantial support from both the Xia Family and the Song Family. Resources, formations, even experts – the Xia and Song families haven’t held back in bolstering the Wang Family’s defenses.”
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Even our Iron Hammer Sect’s experts have taken a peek at their formations. Intricate work, I must say. A layered approach employing the best the Xia and Song families have to offer. It seems the Song and Xia Families haven’t held back on assisting the Wang Family.”
Ye Fan felt a cold pit forming in his stomach. Powerful formations? The Xia and Song Families, two powerful cultivation families, aiding the Wang Family? It was a scenario beyond his comprehension.
Elder Gong continued ahead, “Their patriarch, Wang Li, is proving to be a shrewd leader. He’s rapidly reclaiming the family’s lost resources – herbal gardens, ore mines – with the help of those Xia and Song experts.”
With each revelation, Ye Fan’s anger intensified. Wang Li, the very person he’d intended to crush, was flourishing. And it was the Xia Family, especially Xia Qingwu, the woman who had once captured his eye, who was playing a crucial role in their success. The public rejection of his marriage proposal all those years ago still rankled.
“Qingwu…” he muttered, a low growl escaping his lips. The idea of the woman he once desired aligning herself with his sworn enemy sent a fresh surge of rage coursing through him. He envisioned them side-by-side, laughing, planning the Wang Family’s resurgence. The image fueled his simmering hatred.
“So,” he spat out, a dangerous glint flickering in his eyes, “they’re getting married, aren’t they?”
Elder Gong, finally sensing the shift in Ye Fan’s mood, raised an eyebrow. “Married? I wouldn’t know about that, young Ye Fan. These are just business dealings, I presume. But considering the renewed strength of the Wang Family… who knows what the future holds?”
Ye Fan didn’t need confirmation. The implication was clear – a union between the Wang Family and the Xia Family was a possibility he couldn’t ignore. The very thought of it filled him with a chilling fury. Not only was Wang Li thriving, but he was also potentially securing a powerful alliance, and all with the help of the woman Ye Fan had once desired.
“This does not change anything, Elder Gong,” he declared, his voice tight with barely suppressed rage. “The Wang Family will fall. And once I’ve dealt with them, those who aided them will face their own reckoning. Mark my words.”
Elder Gong watched him with an impassive gaze. He had witnessed Ye Fan’s volatile emotions before. But this new intensity held a different weight, a desperation that bordered on madness. “Of course, young Ye Fan,” he rumbled, his voice devoid of emotion. “Just remember – your priorities lie with the Iron Hammer Sect. Focus on our mission, and perhaps then, your personal vendettas can be addressed… in due time.”
Ye Fan stormed out of the cavern, the weight of his fury crushing him. The pact with Elder Gong had secured his path to vengeance against Mao Caiwei, but now a more potent target had emerged – the Wang Family, bolstered by the Xia Family and Song Family.
Wang Li soared high above his family’s territory, the wind whipping through his robes as he surveyed his domain. His powerful Nascent Soul Realm cultivation allowed him to travel vast distances with ease. Today, however, his focus wasn’t on speed but on meticulous observation.
Activating his Heavenly Fate Pupils, Wang Li scanned the landscape with an otherworldly perception.
Numerous hidden treasures, previously overlooked, materialized before his vision.
Lush patches of rare Jade Lotus, said to possess potent healing properties, bloomed unseen within a secluded valley.
A glistening vein of Star Iron, an ideal material for crafting indestructible weapons, pulsed beneath a seemingly ordinary mountain peak.
And then, he saw it.
A vibrant flicker of crimson energy, emanating from the heart of a dormant volcano. His heart pounded with excitement.
A Volcanic Flame Vein! These veins were incredibly rare, housing a potent flame that burned with unparalleled heat, perfect for refining rare materials and forging high-quality artifacts.
This was a game-changer. Its reputation was sure to attract the most skilled blacksmiths and alchemists, further elevating the family’s standing in the cultivation world.
With a triumphant laugh that echoed across the skies, Wang Li descended back to his newly restored mansion. Within the confines of his study, he spread out a detailed map of the Wang Family territory.
With a practiced hand, he marked the locations he had discovered, each a tiny symbol representing a potential source of immense power and wealth.
He didn’t reveal all his findings at once. The Jade Lotus, for example, was immediately harvested and carefully transplanted into the family’s revitalized herb garden. However, the other discoveries, particularly the Star Iron vein and the Volcanic Flame Vein, were kept close to his chest.
There were two reasons for this.
Firstly, such revelations could easily ignite the avarice of neighboring sects and families.
With the Wang Family still recovering, any public display of newfound wealth would be an invitation for disaster. Secondly, they simply lacked the manpower to exploit these resources effectively.
But strength didn’t come solely from resources. Wang Li knew that for now they desperately needed more cultivators within their ranks.
More members meant more manpower for future endeavors, and most importantly, more potential for unearthing hidden talents that could propel the Wang Family to even greater heights.
However, attracting cultivators required spirit stones – the universal currency of the cultivation world. He needed a steady flow of income to entice strong talents and fund their training.
As if summoned by his thoughts, a soft knock came upon his door. A moment later, the young alchemist, Ning Yue, entered, her beauty softened by a gentle smile. Over the past few months, she had become an invaluable asset to the Wang Family.
“Young Master Wang,” she greeted, bowing gracefully. “I’ve completed another batch of pellets. The success rate continues to be exceptional.”
A wave of pride washed over Wang Li. He had provided Ning Yue with ancient pellet recipes, lost techniques that dramatically increased the potency and success rate of the concoctions. She held a small vial containing vibrantly colored pills – Core Strengthening Pellets, Core Condensation Pellets, and the most potent of all, the Nascent Soul Condensation Pellets.
These pills were a goldmine. Using the herbs found within the Wang Family territory, meticulously cultivated in newly expanded gardens, Ning Yue churned out batches of these life-changing elixirs. The Xia and Song Families, impressed by the quality and effectiveness, had become their primary customers, further distributing them to other sects at exorbitant prices.
The Wang Family received the lion’s share of the profits, a steady flow of spirit stones filling their coffers. This newfound wealth allowed them to recruit promising young cultivators, bolstering their strength.
“Excellent work, Ning Yue,” Wang Li commended, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. “Your contribution to the family is invaluable. Rest assured, we will provide whatever resources you need to maintain this success.”
Ning Yue offered another graceful bow. “It is my honor to serve the Wang Family, Young Master Wang. Your faith and resources have allowed me to reach new heights in my alchemy.”
A comfortable silence settled between them, a sense of accomplishment hanging in the air. Wang Li leaned back in his chair, a plan formulating in his mind. The dormant volcanic vein, the influx of spirit stones, the growing membership – these were all building blocks towards a greater vision.
The Wang Family would not merely rise from the ashes; they would become a force to be reckoned with in the cultivation world, surpassing even their former glory.
Naturally, Wang Li hadn’t forgotten about Ye Fan.
Wang Li wasn’t naive. He knew Ye Fan was a walking calamity, blessed with a perversely good fortune that allowed him to rise from the ashes every time. Eliminating him permanently was the ideal solution but achieving that remained a formidable task.
‘Ye Fan is in hiding,’ Wang Li thought, tracing patterns on the armrest of his chair. ‘Even the righteous sects, those self-proclaimed guardians of the cultivation world, haven’t managed to sniff him out. Setting a trap would be useless. His reputation might be tarnished, but caution would be his new mantra.’
A frustrated sigh escaped his lips. He couldn’t just throw a valuable treasure or a staged opportunity at Ye Fan anymore. The man would dissect it for every hidden barb and deception. Unless, of course, Wang Li was willing to part with something truly precious – a sacrifice he wasn’t prepared to make.
‘For now,’ he steeled himself, ‘I’ll focus on what I can control – my own strength, and the strength of those around me.’
His cultivation had reached the late Nascent Soul Realm, and the peak was within his grasp. However, attaining it wouldn’t be a simple feat.
It would require numerous sessions of dual cultivation – with his beloved cousin Wang Xiangyi, the captivating lover Xia Qingwu, her alluring mother Xia Bingling, even the formidable Song Family Matriarch, Song Jingyan. He couldn’t forget Liu Xue, the core disciple of the Jade Lotus Palace, either. The list went on.
The thought of these women sent a surge of desire through him, but it wasn’t solely fueled by passion. Each encounter, fueled by his Yin-Yang Cultivation Ability, would strengthen his cultivation base and theirs as well. It was a powerful technique, but its efficiency varied.
Wang Li then mused to himself, ‘A virgin partner would significantly accelerate the process.’
His thoughts settled on Su Yuerong, a name that brought a smile to his face. She had been a valuable source of information about Ye Fan’s movements. Now, it was time to reap the rewards of her loyalty – in a more intimate way. ‘Su Yuerong,’ he thought, a sly smile playing on his lips. ‘She knows about the Yin-Yang technique. She’s experienced its benefits firsthand.’
He knew Su Yuerong was currently at the peak of the Core Formation Realm. One session, one night of shared intimacy, could propel her into the Nascent Soul Realm. It was an offer he knew she wouldn’t refuse. Not only would it strengthen him, but it would also bring another powerful ally to his side.
With a resolute nod, Wang Li rose from his chair. The time for hesitation was over. It was time to travel to the Azure Peak Sect and seek Su Yuerong.
As he readied himself for departure, a surge of anticipation coursed through him.
Not only would this strengthen his own foundation, but it would also bring him closer to Su Yuerong – a woman he genuinely cared for. However, a flicker of doubt lingered.
Was he manipulating a past friendship for personal gain? He quickly brushed it aside. Su Yuerong would benefit from the process as well. It was a symbiotic relationship, a win-win situation.
With a resolute nod, Wang Li departed from his mansion, leaving behind the familiar comfort of his territory and venturing towards the Azure Peak Sect, a journey fueled not just by ambition, but also by a desire to reconnect with a trusted friend.
He was prepared to face the consequences of his actions, to navigate the delicate line between friendship and self-preservation.
The path to ultimate power was rarely a straightforward one, and Wang Li, determined to secure his future and eradicate his enemies, was ready to embrace the complexities that lay ahead.
