Chapter 49: Azure Winged Lions
Relief washed over Wang Li and Xiangyi as the final ethereal sword dissipated, leaving Ye Fan kneeling in defeat. The air crackled with a tense silence, broken only by their ragged breaths.
“It’s over,” Xiangyi rasped, her voice weak but firm. She slowly approached Ye Fan, her hand outstretched, a chain of enchanted metal shimmering within it. “We need to restrain him before he tries anything else.”
Wang Li, watching from behind, focused his gaze on Ye Fan. He activated his Heavenly Fate Pupils, a faint bluish glow emanating from his eyes.
But a frown creased his brow as he observed Ye Fan’s aura. Even now, it shimmered with a faint golden light, signifying destiny. That shouldn’t be. A defeated opponent wouldn’t retain such an aura.
A seed of doubt burrowed into his mind.
Ye Fan seemed… too accepting of his defeat. With a jolt, he realized the horrifying possibility. He lunged forward, a shout tearing from his lips.
“Xiangyi, wait!”
His warning came a heartbeat too late. As Xiangyi reached out to bind Ye Fan, a surge of demonic energy erupted from his body. His eyes snapped open, a cruel glint replacing the resignation that had been there moments ago. He lunged forward, a demonic sneer twisting his features.
“Fools!” he roared, his voice laced with dark power. “You truly thought it was over?”
Fortunately, Wang Li’s warning had been enough.
Xiangyi, startled by his sudden movement, instinctively leaped back.
Wang Li, reaching her just in time, swept her into his arms, pulling her away from Ye Fan’s grasp.
They landed in a heap on the ground, Wang Li shielding Xiangyi with his body.
A wave of heat washed over them as Ye Fan’s demonic attack singed the ground where they had been standing just moments ago.
“Are you alright?” Wang Li gasped, checking Xiangyi for injuries.
Xiangyi, shaken but unharmed, nodded tightly. In the close confines of his embrace, she could feel the warmth of his body and the frantic beat of his heart.
“I’m fine,” she murmured, pushing herself out of his embrace with a newfound determination. “We need to finish this.”
Wang Li, understanding the unspoken plea in her eyes, nodded curtly. He activated his Yin-Yang Cultivation Ability, its energy enveloping them both.
Under its potent effect, their depleted spiritual energy began to replenish at an accelerated rate.
Meanwhile, Ye Fan, now fully embracing his demonic power, cackled with glee.
The surprise attack had bought him precious time.
He ripped a talisman from his storage bag, its surface etched with swirling runes.
“Don’t think you’ve won yet, fools!” he roared, activating the talisman. A blinding flash of light enveloped him, followed by a crackle of displaced air. When the light faded, Ye Fan was gone. He had teleported away.
Fury contorted Wang Li’s face. They had been so close! He cursed under his breath, slamming his fist into the ground. The force of the blow shattered the earth beneath him, leaving a crater in its wake.
Xiangyi, her eyes filled with disappointment, deactivated the Cloud Sword Array. The clearing fell silent once more, the aftermath of the battle hanging heavy in the air.
“He escaped,” she said, her voice a low murmur.
Wang Li stood up, brushing dirt from his clothes. His gaze swept over the battlefield – the fallen commanders, the scorch marks from Ye Fan’s attacks, the remnants of the shattered puppets. A bitter taste filled his mouth.
“He did,” he admitted, his voice laced with frustration. “But he won’t get away for long. We’ll find him, Xiangyi. I promise.”
Xiangyi met his gaze, her eyes blazing with a newfound resolve. “We will,” she agreed, her voice firm. “And this time, we’ll be ready.”
They stood together in the desolate clearing, the setting sun casting long shadows around them.
The aftermath of the battle hung heavy in the air. A somber mood settled over Wang Li and Xiangyi as they surveyed the carnage. With heavy hearts, they gathered the bodies of the fallen commanders who had fought valiantly against Ye Fan and his puppets.
“May your souls find peace,” Xiangyi murmured, a silent prayer offered to the fallen warriors. Together, they utilized a simple fire technique to cremate the bodies, sending a plume of smoke rising towards the darkening sky.
Next, they turned their attention to the remnants of Ye Fan’s demonic puppets. Carefully, they collected the broken pieces, their faces grim. These puppets were a testament to Ye Fan’s demonic path, and a chilling reminder of the enemy they faced. They stored the fragments securely, determined to use them as evidence if needed.
With these grim tasks completed, they finally turned towards the grove of trees where Wang Yaqi and Wang Ruyan were concealed. Relief washed over them as they found their aunts safe and unharmed.
“We won,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Wang Li, his face etched with determination, approached his aunts. He focused his gaze on them, channeling the energy of his Yin-Yang Cultivation Ability. A warm energy enveloped them, and with a faint hum, the slave seals that bound them to the Ouyang Family shattered.
“You’re free now,” he declared, his voice low but firm. “The Ouyang Family can no longer control you.”
Wang Yaqi and Wang Ruyan exchanged a surprised look. They could sense the change within themselves, a newfound sense of freedom that they hadn’t felt in years. Tears welled in their eyes as they realized the nightmare was finally over.
“Thank you,” Wang Yaqi said, her voice trembling with emotion. “We can never repay what you’ve done for us.”
Wang Li simply shook his head. “Family is what matters,” he said. “Now, it’s time to get you to safety.”
The journey to their hidden refuge near the Broken Sword Kingdom was long and arduous. It took them a full day of flying, navigating through dense forests and treacherous mountain ranges. Exhausted but safe, they finally arrived at their secluded hideout – a small, unassuming cave nestled deep within a rugged canyon.
For the next few days, they settled into a routine of healing and planning. Wang Li and Xiangyi meticulously examined Wang Yaqi and Wang Ruyan’s conditions. Their faces darkened as they discovered the extent of the damage inflicted by the Ouyang Family. Their cultivation bases were crippled, and their Spiritual Roots – the very foundation of their cultivation – were severely damaged.
“It seems the Ouyang Family wanted to ensure you could never be a threat again,” Wang Li said grimly. “Healing your cultivation bases would be simple, but repairing your Spiritual Roots…”
He trailed off, his brow furrowed in worry. Even his potent Yin-Yang Cultivation Ability wouldn’t be enough. They needed rare and specific Spiritual Herbs to heal such injuries.
“Don’t worry, Li’er,” Wang Yaqi said, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. “We’ll be alright. Just having our freedom back is enough. We can live a simple life here.”
Wang Li appreciated his aunt’s fortitude, but he couldn’t accept that. They deserved to recover their full potential, to cultivate freely again.
This reality sparked a fire of determination within him. He resolved to find a way to heal them. Wang Li consulted ancient texts in the hideout’s small library, searching for any references to herbs with the necessary restorative properties. He spent hours poring over dusty scrolls, his frustration mounting with each passing hour.
Meanwhile, Xiangyi stayed behind at the hideout, diligently guarding their aunts and ensuring their safety. She practiced various techniques, honing her skills in preparation for any future encounters with the Ouyang Family.
Unable to find a solution within the texts, Wang Li decided to take a different approach. He activated his Heavenly Fate Pupils, its bluish light illuminating his surroundings.
He focused on his surroundings, searching for any deviations in the flow of natural energy. This ability allowed him to see powerful entities, hidden objects, and even rare natural resources in the form of unique colors.
With renewed hope, he ventured out into the surrounding wilderness. Every vibrant flower, every unusual root, every strange-looking mushroom – he meticulously scanned them all, storing any herb that resonated with his Heavenly Fate Pupils.
His storage pouches slowly filled with unique and potentially valuable materials, a testament to his tireless search.
Days bled into weeks as Wang Li scoured the wilds around their hidden refuge.
While some of these herbs might be useful in the future, they weren’t the specific ones he needed for his aunts. Desperation gnawed at him – he had to find a solution soon.
One particularly crisp morning, a golden glint in his pupils caught his eye.
His enhanced senses identified them instantly – Everlasting Jade Lilies and Soul-Nourishing Ginseng. These were legendary plants, renowned for their potent restorative properties. They were precisely what his aunts needed to heal their ravaged Spiritual Roots.
With a determined stride, he launched himself towards the valley, his heart pounding with anticipation. As he neared the shimmering source, a breathtaking scene unfolded before him. Nestled amidst towering cliffs, a vibrant meadow pulsated with life. Crystal-clear streams meandered through the valley, nourishing a dazzling array of exotic flowers and plants.
But amidst the breathtaking beauty, danger lurked. Wang Li’s breath hitched as he spotted a magnificent creature nestled amongst the flowers – an Azure Winged Lion. Its fur shimmered with a cerulean brilliance, its wings folded regally against its back. Its eyes, pools of molten gold, met his gaze, an undeniable warning flashing within them.
This wasn’t just any Azure Winged Lion. He recognized it instantly – a late Nascent Soul Realm beast, radiating immense power. And it wasn’t alone. Two smaller lions, their fur a lighter shade of blue, playfully frolicked nearby, their playful growls masking a surprising level of power – late Core Formation Realm. A family, it seemed.
Adding to the difficulty, Wang Li sensed a subtle thrumming of energy in the valley. It was a natural formation, an Earth Vein enhancing the Azure Winged Lions’ prowess within their territory.
Stealing the herbs would be akin to snatching candy from a dragon – a particularly ferocious, winged dragon.
A direct confrontation was out of the question. He wouldn’t survive, let alone retrieve the herbs. He needed a plan, a cunning maneuver to lure the lions away from the valley long enough to snatch the precious plants.
“Think, Wang Li,” he muttered under his breath, his mind racing with possibilities.
The herbs themselves provided a clue. According to ancient texts, the Everlasting Jade Lilies and Soul-Nourishing Ginseng reached peak potency at precisely a thousand years old.
He could see from their size and vibrancy that they were nearing that age. Perhaps, he could use that knowledge to his advantage.
With a glimmer of hope in his eyes, Wang Li retreated from the valley, his steps light despite the gravity of the situation. He needed to find a way to attract the lions elsewhere, something so enticing they wouldn’t hesitate to leave their precious herbs unguarded, even for a short while.
Days later, Wang Li reappeared near the valley, a sly grin playing on his lips.
He wasn’t empty-handed this time. He carried a small cage containing a rare beast – a Moon Howl Wolf pup.
Moon Howl Wolves were renowned for their exquisite meat, a delicacy highly sought after by high-level beasts. In their prime, these wolves possessed fur imbued with moonlight energy, prized by alchemists for specific elixirs.
This particular pup was still young, not powerful enough to pose a threat, but its alluring scent would be irresistible to a predator like the Azure Winged Lions.
His plan was simple: unleash the tantalizing aroma, lure the lions out with the promise of an easy meal, and then, under the cover of their absence, snatch the herbs.
He cautiously approached the valley again, keeping a safe distance.
With a flick of his wrist, he released the caged pup, who whimpered pitifully at the sudden change in environment. Moments later, the mournful howl of the Moon Howl Wolf echoed through the valley, its melancholic cry carrying on the wind.
As he anticipated, the howl stirred the Azure Winged Lion family. The adult’s head snapped towards the sound, its nostrils flaring.
The cubs, their eyes wide with predatory instincts, mirrored their parent’s reaction.
The scent of the young Moon Howl Wolf, vulnerable and delicious, filled the air.
A low growl rumbled from the adult lion’s throat.
A glance passed between the three beasts, a silent communication filled with the promise of a quick and satisfying meal.
With a mighty roar, the adult took to the sky, its mighty wings beating a powerful rhythm. The cubs, eager to participate in the hunt, followed close behind.
Wang Li held his breath as the lions disappeared into the distance. His heart pounded with nervous excitement. This was his chance.
He sprinted towards the valley, his eyes fixed on the shimmering herbs nestled amongst the vibrant flora. Time was of the essence; he needed to be quick before the lions returned.
