Chapter 132: Wang Li Rests In Infirmary
Xia Bingling moved with a swiftness that belied her years, a flurry of graceful movements that spoke of honed experience. Each swing of her ice blade was a lethal dance, conjuring shimmering cages of frozen light. The disciples and elders of the Iron Hammer Sect, already demoralized and weakened, found themselves utterly helpless against the might of a Soul Integration Realm cultivator.
One by one, they were encased in large, translucent ice crystals. Their screams of defiance were muffled, quickly replaced by the eerie silence of suspended animation. Three Nascent Soul Realm elders, including the two who had controlled the puppets, and forty Core Formation Realm disciples – all victims of Xia Bingling’s wrath.
This was the power of a Soul Integration Realm expert. Her control over her Ice Attribute was absolute, a far cry from the limitations she had faced before. It wasn’t her intention to kill them – not yet. She had a score to settle, but for now, these ice crystals served as a temporary prison.
With the battlefield secured, Xia Bingling returned to the Xia Family mansion. The attack had caused some damage, broken pillars and scorched earth marring the once pristine courtyard. However, none of the family members were seriously injured thanks to Xia Qingwu’s valiant defense.
A wave of pride washed over Xia Bingling. Her successful ascension to the Soul Integration Realm meant her family was now under the protection of a true powerhouse. The Xia Family, once a respected clan, was poised to ascend to even greater heights.
She issued a series of swift commands, ordering repairs to the damaged areas and the reinforcement of the boundary field formations. Her voice, imbued with the authority of a Soul Integration Realm cultivator, left no room for argument. The Xia Family members, their faces aglow with pride and newfound confidence, scurried to obey their Matriarch.
The news of Xia Bingling’s breakthrough had spread through the mansion like wildfire. Morale was sky-high. Cultivators of all ages and abilities beamed with newfound optimism. Having a Soul Integration Realm expert as their leader meant an unparalleled level of safety and prestige. The Xia Family was no longer just a force to be reckoned with; they were a power to be admired and potentially, feared.
By the time evening arrived, the most pressing repairs were completed. Xia Bingling made her way to the infirmary, her steps lighter than they had been in weeks. There, in a simple bed, lay Wang Li, his face pale but his chest rising and falling with a steady rhythm. Xia Qingwu sat beside him, her face etched with concern.
“How is he?” Xia Bingling inquired, her voice gentle but laced with worry.
“The physician has already administered several Earth Attribute elixirs,” Xia Qingwu replied, her brow furrowed. “He says the lightning energy should be completely expelled by midnight. After that, it’s just a matter of healing the physical injuries. He should recover quickly.”
Xia Bingling nodded, a wave of gratitude washing over her. Wang Li’s sacrifice had been instrumental in her successful tribulation. She squeezed her daughter’s hand. “Inform me when he regains consciousness.”
With a reassuring nod, Xia Qingwu settled back beside Wang Li. Xia Bingling lingered for a moment longer, her gaze fixed on the man who had risked everything for her.
The world outside was bathed in the silvery glow of a full moon. The night air, once tinged with fear, now hummed with a sense of peace.
The news of Xia Bingling’s ascension to the Soul Integration Realm spread like wildfire through the cultivation world. Whispers turned into excited murmurs, and murmurs into roars of disbelief. Righteous sects and demonic sects alike buzzed with speculation.
Among the righteous sects, the top five – Azure Peak Sect, Crimson Rock Sect, Jade Lotus Palace, Emerald Sea Palace, and Golden Bell Temple – all received the news with a mix of awe and trepidation. Xia Bingling’s feat propelled the Xia Family into the upper echelon of cultivation families, a position previously reserved for the established giants. It was a game-changer.
The demonic sects were equally rattled. The White Bone Sect, reeling from their recent losses, cursed their misfortune. The Iron Hammer Sect, licking their wounds after their disastrous attack, felt a cold dread creep into their hearts. The Blood Chain Sect and Shadow Blade Sect, both harboring ambitions of regional dominance, reassessed their strategies.
The influence of the Xia Family’s allies, the Song Family and the Wang Family, skyrocketed overnight. Those previously hesitant to show affiliation now scrambled for scraps of favor. The political landscape had shifted dramatically, and everyone knew it.
Meanwhile, within the Xia Family infirmary, a sliver of sunlight pierced through a gap in the curtains, illuminating a figure stirring on a bed. Wang Li blinked his eyes open, the events of the previous day flooding back in a dizzying rush. The tribulation, the battle, the sacrifice – it all felt surreal.
His gaze landed on Xia Qingwu, his beloved, curled up in a chair beside his bed. Her brow was furrowed in the faintest crease of worry, the exhaustion etched on her face unmistakable. A wave of tenderness washed over him.
With a movement that sent a jolt of pain through his battered body, he reached out and gently grasped her arm. The touch caused her to stir, and her eyes fluttered open. Sleepily, she followed the path of his hand, a smile blossoming on her face as she realized it was him.
“Wang Li!” she exclaimed, a mix of relief and joy coloring her voice. “You’re awake!”
He squeezed her hand, a weak smile playing on his lips. “Slowly but surely,” he rasped. “How long have I been out?”
“Almost a day,” she replied, her voice tinged with concern. “The physician said the lightning energy has cleared your system, but you still need to rest and heal.”
Wang Li grimaced at the limitations of his body. He longed to hold her close, to express his deepest gratitude for her unwavering support. But even a slight movement sent a fresh wave of pain through his muscles.
“Don’t worry about that,” he murmured. His gaze fell on her face, taking in the worry lines and the exhaustion in her eyes. “You need rest too, Qingwu. Sleep next to me.”
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Carefully, she shifted from the chair and settled beside him on the bed. The warmth of her body pressed against his, sending a delicious shiver down his spine.
“How are you feeling?” she asked, her voice a soft whisper as she traced patterns on his hand with her thumb.
He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. “Better now that you’re near me,” he murmured playfully.
A blush crept up Xia Qingwu’s neck. “Don’t be silly,” she chided, but there was a hint of amusement in her voice. Yet, she couldn’t deny the fluttering in her chest.
Taking a chance, Wang Li slid his hand beneath her loose robe, carefully exploring the cool smoothness of her skin. A gasp escaped her lips as his fingers brushed against the warm swell of her breast.
“Li,” she breathed, her voice laced with a mixture of surprise and desire.
“You were incredible yesterday,” he murmured, his voice husky with emotion. “The way you handled those Iron Hammer Sect disciples so swiftly… your strength and power were awe-inspiring.
Overcome with a sudden surge of affection, Xia Qingwu leaned into his touch. Her lips met his in a kiss, hesitant at first, then deepening with a passion fueled by love and gratitude. The infirmary walls seemed to melt away, leaving them in a world of their own. Their moans, muffled by the sheets, were the only sounds that disturbed the peaceful quiet of the morning.
However, their passionate reunion was destined to be short-lived. A sharp knock on the door shattered the intimate atmosphere.
Wang Li, his heart pounding with a mixture of desire and amusement, held Xia Qingwu close. “Come in,” he called out, his voice calm and collected.
The door creaked open, revealing a young maid with a tray laden with steaming bowls. Her eyes widened comically as she caught sight of the tableau before her. Xia Qingwu, flustered and breathless, lay sprawled across the bed, her robes askew. Wang Li, with a mischievous glint in his eye, leaned possessively over her.
A blush bloomed across the maid’s face, the color rivaling the sunrise. She stammered, “Apologies, young mistress, Master Wang. I brought your meals.”
Placing the tray on a nearby table, she cast another flustered glance at the entangled pair before scurrying out of the room, the door snapping shut behind her.
Wang Li chuckled, a low rumble in his chest that sent shivers down Xia Qingwu’s spine. “Seems we startled the poor girl,” he teased, his fingers teasingly tracing a path up her arm.
Xia Qingwu swatted his hand away playfully, a fiery blush still staining her cheeks. “Li! Be serious,” she pleaded. “You need to focus on recovering. You can have whatever you want after you’re healed.”
His eyes darkened with desire. “But Qingwu,” he murmured, his voice husky, “isn’t this precisely what aids healing? Don’t they say a happy heart and a fulfilled spirit are the best medicine?”
He trailed a finger down her neck, sending a jolt of electricity through her. “Besides,” he continued, his voice a low purr, “if I recover quickly, wouldn’t that mean I spend more time… exploring your lovely figure?”
