Chapter 122: Inspecting Talents Of Crimson Rock Sect
As the last inscription faded into the stone, Song Jingyan straightened, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. Relief and exhaustion warred within her. The weak spot in the boundary fields had been identified and patched, a significant weight lifted from her shoulders.
Wang Li stared at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He sauntered towards her, his strong arms wrapping around her waist from behind. He pressed his heated member against her curvaceous backside, sending a jolt of electricity through her.
“Even with these modifications, Jingyan,” he murmured into her ear, his voice a husky caress, “I believe I could still find my way to your chambers quite easily.”
Song Jingyan whirled around, her eyes wide with surprise. “What do you mean?” she demanded, a hint of censure in her voice. All this effort, all these changes, and he was still making light of it?
Wang Li chuckled, the sound low and intimate. “Don’t worry, my love,” he soothed, his lips brushing against her cheek. “These modifications will elevate your defensive structure to the next level. The power consumption will be reduced, and your defenses will be even stronger. But” he continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “they’ll be stronger only to everyone except me.”
His words washed over her like a warm wave. A secret passage, known only to him, a thrilling reminder of their forbidden bond. A blush crept up her neck as a relieved smile touched her lips. “Alright, Li,” she conceded, a playful glint entering her eyes. “I suppose I can accept that.”
The next few hours melted away in a haze of playful intimacy. Wang Li teased her, tracing circles on her lower back with his fingertips, sending ripples of desire through her. She reciprocated in kind, her touch light and playful.
The playful mood eventually gave way to a more serious discussion. “Jingyan,” Wang Li began, his voice taking on a more formal tone, “I require a favor.”
She settled into his embrace, her head resting comfortably on his chest. “Anything for you, Li,” she murmured, her voice laced with devotion.
“I need to visit the Crimson Rock Sect,” he explained. “I’m seeking talented cultivators to join the Wang Family.”
Song Jingyan raised her head, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. “Surely the Song Family has enough qualified personnel to meet your needs, Li. Why go elsewhere?”
He squeezed her hand gently. “I appreciate the offer, Jingyan, truly. But I believe it’s important to broaden our horizons. The Crimson Rock Sect has a reputation for nurturing skilled cultivators, and I wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to recruit some of them.”
A thoughtful expression settled on Song Jingyan’s face. “Very well,” she finally conceded. “The Song Family has a cordial relationship with several elders in the Crimson Rock Sect, thanks to our long-standing trade agreements.”
A grateful smile spread across Wang Li’s face. “That’s precisely why I’m asking for your help. A recommendation from the Song Family would go a long way in smoothing my visit.”
“Consider it done, Li,” Song Jingyan declared with a determined glint in her eyes. “I’ll immediately send communication talismans to all the elders who maintain a strong rapport with our family. They’ll be sure to extend a warm welcome to you.”
With a plan in place and a renewed sense of intimacy shared, Wang Li prepared to depart. He knew his journey wouldn’t be easy, but with Song Jingyan’s assistance and his own cunning, he was confident he could secure the talents he sought.
Leaving a lingering kiss on Song Jingyan’s lips, he promised to return soon.
As he disappeared into the distance, a wave of conflicting emotions washed over Song Jingyan. There was the thrill of a forbidden love, the satisfaction of helping someone she cared for deeply, and a gnawing worry about the potential consequences of their clandestine relationship.
But for now, she pushed those worries aside, content with the knowledge that she had played a crucial role in furthering Wang Li’s ambitions.
Wang Li’s journey to the Crimson Rock Sect was a smooth one. Two days later, he found himself gazing upon the imposing peak that housed the sect.
Carved from crimson rock, the mountain rose like a fiery sentinel against the azure sky. Its rugged slopes, riddled with caves and crevices, were dotted with vibrant vegetation that seemed to defy the harsh, volcanic environment.
The very essence of the mountain mirrored its fiery hue. The air crackled with a faint electrical current – a telltale sign of a rich Flame Attribute Spirit Vein running deep within the earth.
Additionally, deposits of Earth Attribute materials like iron and jade could be found in abundance, further contributing to the unique environment.
This potent blend of Yang Attributes – Fire and Earth – had formed the very foundation of the Crimson Rock Sect, reflected in its name and its focus on vigorous, aggressive cultivation techniques.
The sect itself was a testament to its Yang-dominant nature.
The architecture, dominated by stark, angular structures carved from the red rock, exuded a sense of raw power.
The entire atmosphere thrummed with a masculine energy, a stark contrast to the more ethereal and balanced environments favored by some sects.
This harshness made it an unattractive destination for many female cultivators, but for those seeking a rigorous, fiery path to ascension, the Crimson Rock Sect was a haven.
The rich Spirit Vein and readily available resources ensured its place as one of the top five righteous sects, despite being the weakest among them in terms of overall power.
As Wang Li approached the sect’s boundary field, he was greeted by a pair of young disciples, their fiery red robes mirroring the surrounding rock. He identified himself as Wang Li, Patriarch of the Wang Family.
“Patriarch Wang,” one of the disciples replied, his voice respectful yet firm. “We received communication talismans from Elders Hong, Elder Lei, and Elder Huo, requesting us to personally welcome you. However, entry protocols still need to be followed.”
Wang Li understood their caution. He wasn’t offended; it was a sign of a well-run sect. He smiled genially. “Of course, I wouldn’t expect otherwise. Kindly inform the esteemed elders of my arrival.”
The disciple bowed and disappeared into a nearby building, returning shortly with a confirmation and a directive to follow him. The journey through the boundary field was swift, with the young disciple leading the way.
Finally, they reached a complex where three imposing figures awaited – Elder Hong, Elder Lei, and Elder Huo, who looked exactly as their names suggested: Elder Hong, a fiery-haired man with a booming voice; Elder Lei, a wiry, energetic figure with crackling sparks dancing in his eyes; and Elder Huo, a giant of a man with a thick, coal-black beard.
Their welcome was warm, fueled by Song Jingyan’s recommendation.
Wang Li played his role well. He expressed his admiration for the Crimson Rock Sect and his desire to learn more about its history and cultivation techniques.
The elders, unsuspecting of his true motives, readily accepted his explanation.
After all, who would suspect a Patriarch to have ulterior motives within the well-guarded territory of the Crimson Rock Sect?
The next day, Wang Li embarked on a tour of the sect.
He feigned awe at the fiery landscape, pretending to be captivated by the harsh, volcanic vents that spewed plumes of molten rock.
He explored the training grounds, where disciples sparred with a raw, fiery intensity, and observed classes where instructors drilled their students in ferocious swordsmanship.
All the while, he kept a keen eye out for talented young men who displayed both strength and potential for leadership.
His charade worked. The elders, seeing his seemingly genuine interest, relaxed their guard. They considered him a harmless guest, here to learn and admire.
Wang Li wasn’t naive. Poaching high-profile prodigies from the Crimson Rock Sect was a recipe for disaster.
The elders wouldn’t hesitate to oppose him, even if it meant straining relations with the Song Family. He needed a more subtle approach, a way to find talents they wouldn’t readily miss.
His gaze swept across the training grounds, searching for hidden gems.
He couldn’t afford disciples with abrasive personalities, hotheads who would clash with the women of his family. These future husbands needed to be loyal, kindhearted, and possess the potential for growth.
Thankfully, his Heavenly Fate Pupils provided the perfect solution.
They allowed him to see the color of one’s fate – a spectrum that revealed their potential and compatibility from Golden, Red, Purple, Orange, Blue, Green, and White.
Golden hues signified exceptional fortune, while white hinted at misfortune.
Black tinges within other colors indicated a potential for discord with Wang Li.
With each passing disciple, Wang Li discreetly activated his Pupils.
A young man with impressive flames swirling around his fists displayed a bright orange glow – promising, but a tinge of black indicated impulsiveness. Another, boasting impressive strength, had a dull gray fate – talent wasted by laziness. Disappointment gnawed at Wang Li, but he persevered.
Finally, a glimmer of hope.
A group of young disciples huddled together, their faces etched with a mixture of nervousness and determination. Their Fates shimmered with a pale blue hue – not exceptional, but with the potential for steady growth.
More importantly, these young men were devoid of the treacherous black whispers. Wang Li didn’t find that strange because the fates of such groups are rather common across the entire world. If one of them is going through a good path of destiny, the entire group will mostly share the joys of that destiny while if one of their members of their group is going through bad phase of destiny, the entire group would suffer.
