Chapter 52: Narrative Spreading In the World
The rhythmic slap of skin against skin echoed through the secluded nook, a stark contrast to the tranquil sounds of nature just outside the cave.
Wang Li, fueled by a potent cocktail of relief, exhaustion, and raw passion, surrendered to the moment with his beautiful cousin Xiangyi.
Meanwhile, oblivious to their passionate encounter, a narrative was taking root across the vast expanse of the cultivation world.
Fueled by Ye Fan and the Ouyang Family, rumors swirled like dust devils in a desert.
The Ouyang Family, having reached the site of Ye Fan’s previous clash with Wang Li and Xiangyi, had spun a twisted tale.
According to them, it was Wang Li and Xiangyi who had unleashed demonic energy and employed the dark puppetry arts of the infamous Iron Hammer Sect, a notorious demonic sect.
It was Ye Fan who had helped them reach this conclusion and spread this narrative.
His goal was simple: to paint Wang Li and Xiangyi as villains, to turn the righteous sects and nations against them, leaving them isolated and ostracized. News, like a wildfire, spread quickly through the cultivation world. The narrative twisted by Ye Fan traveled at breakneck speed, reaching the ears of esteemed clans, powerful sects, and even prominent nations.
Days later, nestled within the cave, Wang Li and Xiangyi finally learned of this fabricated story. It was Xia Qingwu, his beloved fiancée, who sent a communication talisman, her sweet voice echoing with concern. Hearing the fabricated accusations, Xiangyi’s fiery spirit ignited.
“That lying snake, Ye Fan!” she fumed, her voice laced with anger. “He’s twisting the truth and making us look like demonic villains!” Her fists clenched, the urge to confront Ye Fan and pummel him into the ground burning bright in her eyes.
Wang Li, however, remained calm amidst the storm. He gently placed a hand on Xiangyi’s shoulder, his touch a soothing balm.
“Anger won’t solve this, Xiangyi,” he said calmly. “We need a plan, a way to turn this against him.”
Pulling away slightly, he met her gaze. A glint of determination flickered in his eyes.
“We need to force Ye Fan to reveal his true colors,” he declared. “We need him to use those demonic techniques in front of a large audience.”
Xiangyi raised an eyebrow, skepticism lacing her voice. “Easier said than done, Li. Ye Fan’s not a fool. He wouldn’t use demonic arts in broad daylight.”
Wang Li leaned closer, a playful smile gracing his lips. He brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.
“Difficult, yes,” he conceded. “But not impossible. We just need the right trap, a trap so enticing that even the cautious Ye Fan can’t resist the bait.”
The next few hours were spent in hushed whispers and strategizing. The plan they crafted was audacious, a gamble that hinged on Ye Fan’s arrogance and their own ability to manipulate the situation.
The first step, Wang Li explained, was to reveal their location. Not in a stronghold of the righteous sects, but in a neutral city, governed by a family that maintained a balanced approach, siding with neither the righteous nor the demonic.
“News will travel fast,” Wang Li said. “And who better to deliver the news than Qingwu herself?”
Xiangyi’s eyes widened in understanding. “A communication talisman from Qingwu, mentioning a sighting of someone from the Xia Family spotting you in that city,” she murmured. “Ye Fan wouldn’t hesitate. He’d rush there like a moth to a flame, oblivious to the fact that it’s outside righteous territory.”
Wang Li nodded, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. “Exactly. And then… the ‘coincidental’ encounter. We’ll stage a situation where Ye Fan stumbles upon us, but before a fight erupts, we’ll create an opening, a chance to escape.”
“The escape will be the key,” Xiangyi added, eyes gleaming with anticipation. “It’ll lure him out into the open, away from the city walls and prying eyes.”
A mischievous chuckle escaped Wang Li’s lips. “And that’s where the real show begins. We’ll push him, taunt him, force him to reveal his hidden power. Once he unleashes that demonic energy, Qingwu will be ready.”
He explained how Xia Qingwu, strategically positioned nearby, would capture the entire scene with a Vision Recording Stone. The incriminating evidence, coupled with her arrival and the Xia family guards, would force Ye Fan to retreat, his carefully crafted facade shattered in the light of truth.
The plan, though risky, held the potential to turn the tide, to expose Ye Fan’s duplicity and clear their names. It was a gamble, but one they were willing to take. After all, with the entire world against them, they had nothing left to lose.
Two days passed in a blissful haze. With their aunts secluded in the cave, recovering from the meridian- reforging process, Wang Li and Xiangyi found solace in each other’s arms. Their passionate encounters weren’t just driven by desire, but also by a surprising side effect of Wang Li’s Yin-Yang cultivation.
As their energies intertwined, Xiangyi’s Spiritual Roots, attuned to the metal element, underwent a profound transformation. The Sixth Tier Sovereign Elemental Roots, already formidable, were pushed to a new level, transcending the limitations and evolving into Seventh Tier Imperial Elemental Roots.
This advancement was a significant boost. Xiangyi could now not only feel the metal elemental essence around her more intensely, but also refine it more efficiently. Her techniques that harnessed this element would undoubtedly become sharper, her insights deeper. A satisfied smirk played on Wang Li’s lips as he watched Xiangyi practice, her movements imbued with newfound confidence and power.
Finally, the day arrived. Their aunts emerged from the chamber, faces glowing with renewed vitality. The process had been successful; their meridians were reforged, their cultivation bases at a stable Tier 4 for their respective elements – fire for Wang Yaqi and water for Wang Ruyan.
News of their departure had to be delivered gently. Truth be told, Wang Li couldn’t risk revealing their plan just yet.
“Aunt,” he began, his voice laced with a hint of regret, “Xiangyi and I have urgent business to attend to. But we won’t leave immediately. A group from the Xia Family will escort you to one of their secure residences. You’ll be safe there until we return.”
Curiosity flickered in their eyes. “Where are you going, Li?” Wang Yaqi inquired.
Xiangyi offered a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Aunts. You’ll see us soon enough.”
The truth was too complicated, too precarious to explain right now. For now, a simple explanation sufficed.
“We understand,” Wang Yaqi eventually conceded, a hint of concern lingering in her voice.
Wang Ruyan added, “We’ll focus on boosting our cultivation base as quickly as we can and reaching the peak of our former prowess. Hopefully it won’t take us long before we reach the Core Formation Realm.”
Wang Li chuckled. “Easy there, Aunt,” he chided gently. “There’s no need to rush things. Focus on getting accustomed to your new meridians, solidifying your cultivation base.”
Later that evening, the Xia Family delegation arrived.
Second Elder Xia led the group, accompanied by a contingent of guards.
Wang Li, ever cautious, activated his Heavenly Fate Pupils, a powerful technique that allowed him to scrutinize individuals and their futures.
And right now, as he scrutinized the approaching group, he detected no signs of deceit – they appeared trustworthy.
With a sense of relief, he oversaw the transfer of his aunts to the Xia delegation.
They were whisked away to a hidden Xia residence situated within the Broken Sword Kingdom, a neutral territory far from the reach of the righteous sects.
Now alone, Wang Li and Xiangyi mounted their Flying Swords.
The city of Iron Willow Stronghold, the neutral haven they had chosen for their risky gambit, beckoned on the horizon.
The wind whipped past them, carrying the weight of their audacious plan.
They were ready to turn the tide, to expose Ye Fan’s lies, but facing him head-on would be foolhardy. They needed a way to lure him out, a way to force his hand.
“Let’s go, Xiangyi,” Wang Li declared, a glint of determination in his eyes. “Time to set the bait.”
They soared towards Iron Willow Stronghold, a city known for its bustling trade and neutrality in the ongoing conflict between the righteous and demonic sects.
As they soared through the sky, Wang Li broke the silence with a mischievous grin. “If this trap goes according to plan, Xiangyi,” he began, “I might just spend a few days with Qingwu after everything is settled.”
Xiangyi’s eyes narrowed playfully. “Ah, so you’re already thinking about rewards your lover?” she teased, a hint of jealousy lacing her voice. Despite their unconventional relationship, she couldn’t help but feel a pang when Qingwu entered the equation.
“Well,” she sighed, “can’t blame you. Being stuck with just your hot cousin gets boring after a while, right?” Her voice held a hint of mock self-pity.
Wang Li chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Boring? Xiangyi, you’re the one I’ve spent the most… quality time.”
Xiangyi’s cheeks flushed a faint pink. “Maybe,” she conceded with a playful roll of her eyes, “but it just sucks,” she muttered, “we can’t exactly shout our relationship to the world.”
Their familial ties made things awkward, to say the least.
Wang Li’s grin widened. He wasn’t about to argue with that. But a touch of seriousness crept into his voice.
“Look,” he said, his voice sincere, “Qingwu deserves her share too. She’s been incredibly loyal, sticking her neck out for us despite the risks.”
Xiangyi sighed, a flicker of understanding crossing her face. “You’re right,” she conceded. “Qingwu has been amazing.”
A mischievous glint returned to her eyes, however. “So,” she purred, “how about we make the most of this journey? Before we reach Iron Willow Stronghold, I mean.”
Wang Li grinned, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Now you’re talking,” he replied, leaving no doubt about his approval.
The journey that followed was a whirlwind of passionate encounters. Every time they needed to rest and replenish their spiritual energy, they sought out secluded nooks in the landscape. These “breaks” were anything but restful, filled instead with the sounds of their heated exchanges.
Their arrival in Iron Willow Stronghold was a stark contrast to the heat of their journey. The bustling city, a beacon of neutrality in the tumultuous world, was a perfect stage for their daring play. But they knew the real drama was yet to unfold. Would Ye Fan take the bait? Would they succeed in exposing his lies and clearing their names? Only time would tell.
