Chapter 76: Wang Xiangyi Comes To Xia Family Manor
“Li,” she began, her voice dropping down a notch, “we’ve been at it every day for almost ten days, but…” she trailed off, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.
“But what?” Wang Li asked, concern flickering in his eyes.
“But,” she continued, leaning closer, “I haven’t felt the breakthrough I was hoping for. You know, reaching the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm.”
Wang Li chuckled, a touch of understanding warming his gaze. “Ah, I see where you’re going with this. You’re getting impatient, aren’t you?”
Xia Bingling’s lips curved into a pout. “Impatient? Maybe a little. I just… I want to reach the Soul Integration Realm as soon as possible. With your Yin Yang Cultivation Ability, I thought…”
“It’s not that simple, Bingling,” Wang Li explained gently. “Jumping from the late stage of the Nascent Soul Realm to the peak takes a lot of energy. It’s like trying to jump a chasm in one giant leap. Unfortunately, my own cultivation plays a role here too.”
“What do you mean?” Xia Bingling asked, her brows furrowing slightly.
“Think of it like this,” Wang Li continued, searching for the right words. “Our cultivation process is like a scale. The more Yin and Yang essence I can absorb, the more I can pass onto you during our…activities. But right now, my own cultivation is stuck in the middle stage of the Nascent Soul Realm. Until I break through to the late stage, I can’t provide enough energy for your own breakthrough.”
Xia Bingling pondered this for a moment, a flicker of understanding crossing her face. “So, if you were to reach the late stage…”
“Exactly,” Wang Li confirmed. “The flow of Yin and Yang essence would become stronger, potentially enough to push you towards the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm.”
A determined glint entered Xia Bingling’s eyes. “Then we need to find a way for you to reach the late stage as quickly as possible.”
Wang Li smiled, his heart swelling with an admiration for her dedication. He loved watching that fire burn within her, the relentless pursuit of her goals. “Actually,” he began, leaning closer conspiratorially, “there might be a way to accelerate things.”
Xia Bingling’s ears perked up, anticipation dancing in her eyes. “Tell me,” she urged, her voice barely a whisper.
“There are two options,” he explained. “The first involves setting up a special gathering array in your room. It will concentrate Yin and Yang essence, allowing us to absorb more during our… sessions.”
A sly smile played on Xia Bingling’s lips. “Intriguing,” she murmured. “And the second option?”
“The second involves rare herbs,” Wang Li continued. “You’d need to acquire a specific type of yin essence herb, while I’d need a corresponding yang essence herb. We’d then ingest them before… well, you get the picture.”
Xia Bingling narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “Both options seem… promising,” she admitted. “But the gathering array might be a bit risky. If anyone were to discover it…”
“True,” Wang Li agreed. “Perhaps acquiring the herbs is the safer route. But it is more expensive.”
Xia Bingling rolled her eyes playfully. “Who said money was an obstacle, Li? Compared to the potential benefits, it’s a small price to pay. Besides,” she added with a sly smile, “acquiring the herbs might not be as expensive as you think.”
Wang Li raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What do you have in mind?”
A knowing glint flickered in Xia Bingling’s eyes. “We don’t necessarily need the fully grown herbs,” she explained. “Instead, we could acquire seeds. The Xia Family possesses a well-maintained herbal garden, equipped with powerful array formations that accelerate the growth of all plants within. It wouldn’t take long for the seeds to mature into potent herbs.”
Wang Li’s eyes widened in realization. He remembered the tour Xia Bingling had given him of the herbal garden a while back. It was a sprawling paradise, meticulously maintained and filled with rare and valuable plants. The array formations she mentioned were indeed impressive, capable of boosting growth rates by several times.
“That’s… actually a brilliant idea,” he admitted, a grin spreading across his face. “The array formations would not only speed up growth but also ensure the herbs retain their potency. We could have a steady supply in no time!”
“Exactly,” Xia Bingling confirmed, a hint of pride in her voice. “Now, the tricky part will be acquiring the seeds. These are rare herbs, after all.”
“Leave that to me,” she continued, her voice taking on a confident tone. “I have reliable subordinates who can discreetly search the black market and cultivators’ networks. With my influence, I’m sure we can find what we need.”
Wang Li chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Well, Bingling, if this approach proves successful,” he began, leaning closer, “prepare yourself for some…extended sessions.”
A blush crept up Xia Bingling’s face as his meaning sunk in. “Li!” she exclaimed playfully, swatting him gently on the arm. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“Just imagine,” Wang Li continued, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, “the surge in energy. My cultivation might even take a significant leap. And with that extra Yang essence coursing through me…” he leaned closer, his eyes locking with hers, “I might not be able to control myself for just a single session. Three days straight might be more like it.”
Xia Bingling blushed a deep crimson, her breath catching in her throat. The image he conjured sent shivers down her spine, a mixture of excitement and trepidation warring within her.
“Three days?” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
“Maybe even more,” Wang Li teased, a playful smirk gracing his lips. “Who knows what kind of beast I’ll become with all that Yang essence fueling me?”
Xia Bingling couldn’t help but let out a small giggle, a blush still warming her cheeks. Despite the teasing, a sense of determination filled her. The potential benefits were too great to ignore. “Well, Li,” she said, her voice firm despite her blushing face, “if that’s the price we have to pay, then I suppose I’m prepared to bear it.”
Wang Li chuckled, pulling her in for a quick kiss. “Good girl,” he murmured against her lips.
The rest of the day passed by a whirlwind of activity, both overt and covert.
Xia Bingling discreetly dispatched her trusted subordinates on a mission to acquire the rare seeds. They were given specific descriptions and hefty purses, ensuring their loyalty and discretion.
Meanwhile, Wang Li continued his daily training routine, albeit with a renewed sense of purpose.
The prospect of accelerating his cultivation and finally helping Xia Bingling reach her breakthrough fueled his every movement.
They shared stolen glances and knowing smiles throughout the day, the secret mission adding a layer of excitement to their forbidden relationship.
~~
(Nightfall)
As twilight painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, a commotion arose at the main gates of the Xia Family Manor. Wang Li, alerted by the commotion, made his way to the front courtyard, a sense of unease settling in his stomach.
There, he saw a group of women, their faces obscured by the hoods of their travel cloaks, being ushered in by Xia Bingling’s guards. One of the women, however, stood out. Despite the cloak, Wang Li recognized the graceful figure and vibrant red hair peeking out – his cousin, Wang Xiangyi.
A wave of relief washed over him. He had been expecting her arrival for days, and the uncertainty had gnawed at him. He rushed towards them, a wide grin splitting his face.
“Xiangyi!” he called out, his voice laced with excitement.
The hooded figures stopped, turning towards him.
Wang Xiangyi flung her cloak back, revealing a dazzling smile and a familiar glint of mischief in her eyes as she rushed towards Wang Li. The embrace was immediate and energetic, her ample curves pressing warmly against his chest. A muffled laugh escaped her lips as she squeezed him tightly.
“Li! You wouldn’t believe the journey we had!” she exclaimed, her voice muffled against his shirt. Seeing her exuberance, a weight lifted from Wang Li’s shoulders. The worry that had gnawed at him for days melted away.
Behind Xiangyi stood his Aunts, Wang Yaqi and Wang Ruyan, still shrouded in their travel cloaks. They exchanged amused glances, watching the affectionate display between their nephew and niece. Despite being distant cousins, the bond between Wang Li and Xiangyi had always been strong, and it warmed their hearts to see it.
“Welcome, welcome!” Wang Li exclaimed, pulling back from the hug and ushering them all inside. “Let’s get you settled and then you can tell me all about it.” He wasn’t just excited to see Xiangyi, but also his aunts, whom he hadn’t seen in quite some time. Their arrival brought a sense of warmth and comfort he hadn’t realized he was missing.
He led the way, his aunts flanking him on either side. Xiangyi followed close behind, her bright eyes taking in the familiar surroundings of the Xia Family Manor.
As they entered the main hall, Wang Li cleared his throat. “Madam,” he said, addressing Xia Bingling, who was already standing there, “may I introduce my aunts, Wang Yaqi and Wang Ruyan, and of course, my dear cousin, Wang Xiangyi.”
Xia Bingling inclined her head gracefully. “Welcome to the Xia Family Manor,” she greeted, her voice smooth and composed. “I am Xia Bingling.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Madam Xia,” Wang Yaqi offered, finally removing her hood, revealing a face that shared similar features with Wang Li, albeit softened by years of experience. A warm smile played on her lips.
