Chapter 90: Recruitment Trials Of Xia Family Begins
A sultry heat hung heavy in the air within the Xia Family Manor. Wang Li, basking in the afterglow of a passionate encounter with his alluring cousin Wang Xiangyi, stretched languidly. The afternoon sun cast long shadows through the ornately carved windows, a stark contrast to the heated exchanges that had just transpired.
Stealing a glance at his cousin, still lost in a haze of post-coital bliss, Wang Li smirked.
Moments ago, he had been lost in the throes of pleasure with his seductive cousin, her alluring curves and playful demeanor a constant source of amusement.
Earlier that morning, he had indulged with Xia Bingling, her own mature beauty and fiery spirit igniting a different kind of desire. Both encounters, however, were conducted with the utmost secrecy.
With a practiced movement, he donned the mask – a polished silver eagle headpiece that concealed his identity. Today marked the first day of the Xia Family’s recruitment drive, and Wang Li was determined to make it a success.
Gathering himself, Wang Li descended upon the bustling courtyard where hopeful cultivators awaited their fate. Hundreds of eager faces turned towards him, their eyes brimming with ambition.
With a practiced coldness in his voice, Wang Li addressed the assembled cultivators. “I, the Eagle Masked Expert, will be conducting the recruitment trials. Step forward, and demonstrate your skills.”
A wave of hopeful anticipation rippled through the crowd. Cultivators from all walks of life had gathered, eager to prove their worth and secure a place in the illustrious Xia Family.
Wang Li, however, wasn’t interested in mere talent. He observed them with keen eyes.
His Heavenly Fate Pupils, a secret weapon unknown to all, allowed him to perceive the destiny of each potential recruit.
Golden, the rarest and most coveted, represented boundless luck and a meteoric rise. Red signified great potential, tempered by challenges.
Purple spoke of an unconventional path leading to greatness. Orange hue spoke of a rather quick growth.
Then came the spectrum of blue, green, and white as Blue signified a cultivator with potential for steady growth, while green signaled mediocrity.
White, the dullest hue, spoke of a stagnant future.
Wang Li began his evaluation, his gaze sweeping across the eager faces. The majority of the crowd fell within the green to orange range – decent cultivators with average prospects. A handful possessed the coveted blue hue destiny, their futures promising a respectable level of success.
Wang Li observed their trials with a detached air. He watched displays of raw power, intricate displays of swordplay, and even demonstrations of esoteric techniques.
Skill was important, but it wasn’t his sole criteria. He was searching for something more, a hidden potential waiting to be unleashed.
The trials concluded, a murmur of anticipation rippled through the crowd.
Wang Li stepped forward, his voice booming across the field. “The Xia Family welcomes all cultivators who possess the drive and determination to excel,” he declared.
Then, to the surprise of everyone present, he began dismissing most of the applicants.
Those with higher cultivation levels, who seemed certain choices to others, were left bewildered. Instead, Wang Li pointed towards a few individuals whose performances had been less impressive, but the color of their auras shimmered with an intriguing blue or orange light.
“You,” he said, his voice cold and unyielding, “and you, and you… You are chosen to join the Xia Family.”
Among the chosen were twelve cultivators whose destinies gleamed with a promising blue light. Three others, the brightest sparks within the crowd, radiated an even more potent orange glow. Interestingly, thirteen of these fifteen individuals were women, their beauty as diverse as their potential.
Two burly men, their faces etched with determination and their cultivation levels exceeding some of the rejected candidates, stood out from the rest. However, their fates were depicted in a dull blue, lacking the vibrant intensity of the chosen women.
Ignoring the bewildered gazes and disgruntled grumbles, Wang Li spoke in a voice laced with unwavering authority. “These are my choices,” he declared, his gaze sweeping across the stunned faces.
A wave of confusion washed over the crowd. The elders officiating the recruitment, their brows furrowed in concern, exchanged bewildered glances. Why choose those with less experience over those with demonstrably higher cultivation bases?
Wang Li, however, remained unfazed. He knew the true potential of those he had chosen – potential invisible to the naked eye. Their blue and orange orbs, signifying an unexpected rise or a hidden fire, promised a far greater value than mere brute power.
“Those dismissed,” he continued, his voice devoid of warmth, “may leave.”
Grumbling and murmurs of discontent rose from the rejected cultivators. The elders, too, were on the verge of voicing their doubts. But before they could speak, Wang Li raised a hand, silencing them all.
“The Xia Family’s decision is final,” he declared with finality.
With that, he turned on his heel and strode away, leaving behind a bewildered yet strangely hopeful group of newly chosen disciples and a sea of disappointed faces.
He addressed the chosen few, his voice softening slightly. “Welcome to the Xia Family,” he said, “Here, you will be given the tools and guidance needed to unlock your full potential. Remember that you need to show great perseverance and dedication to improve quickly.”
A spark of determination ignited in the eyes of the chosen cultivators, their faces alight with a new purpose.
The seeds of his ambition had been sown, and he was confident that they would blossom into a force to be reckoned with.
Together, they ushered the fifteen newly chosen cultivators towards the Scripture Hall, the heart of the Xia Family’s knowledge repository.
Massive oak doors creaked open, revealing a chamber brimming with ancient scrolls and jade tablets. Each held a different cultivation technique, a martial art style, or a secret method honed over generations. Here, cultivators could find paths that resonated with their elemental affinities – Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Metal, Wood, and the elusive Light and Darkness. Powerful Fist Styles, elegant Sword Arts, and deadly Dagger Techniques – the hall offered a veritable smorgasbord of combat disciplines.
With a sweeping gesture encompassing the vast collection, Wang Li explained, “The Xia Family prides itself on nurturing diverse talents. Here, you shall find techniques suited to your individual strengths and aspirations. Do not hesitate to explore, for knowledge is the cornerstone of power.”
The elders provided a thorough overview of the various disciplines, allowing the recruits to grasp the vast potential that lay before them.
The following hours were dedicated to orientation.
The elders, seasoned cultivators themselves, detailed the inner workings of the Xia Family. Duties, protocols, and hierarchical structures were laid out with utmost clarity. They emphasized the importance of loyalty, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of cultivation.
Patrolling duties, guard rotations, and other introductory tasks were meticulously assigned, ensuring a seamless transition.
As dusk began to settle, Wang Li made a final pronouncement, his voice firm. “Tonight, the elders will guide you through your first tasks – patrolling assigned areas, honing your skills, and familiarizing yourselves with the Xia Family estate. Remember, teamwork and mutual respect are paramount.”
He ensured a strategic separation of the recruits. The thirteen female cultivators, led by a formidable woman elder, were escorted towards a specific building. Meanwhile, the two male cultivators followed a stern-faced elder in the opposite direction.
Their destinations reflected the established order within the Xia Family – separate quarters for male and female cultivators. Each new recruit was assigned a room, a haven for rest and cultivation.
As dusk settled, casting long shadows across the courtyard, Wang Li finally felt a pang of longing. He excused himself from the elders and made his way towards Xia Bingling’s private quarters.
Pushing open the lacquered door quietly, he found her engrossed in cultivation, her lithe figure gracefully poised in a lotus position.
A mischievous smile played on his lips as he entered the room, the heavy oak door closing with a soft click behind him.
With a practiced movement, he removed the White Eagle Mask, revealing the handsome face that lay beneath. A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes as he approached Xia Bingling, his movements imbued with a quiet sensuality. He gently lowered himself to the floor, his arms snaking around her slender waist.
Xia Bingling, sensing his presence, opened her eyes slowly. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, quickly replaced by a gentle smile laced with a hint of disapproval. “You seem to be finished with the recruitment,” she said, her voice soft and melodic.
With a swift movement, he removed the White Eagle Mask, revealing the face of a man both powerful and handsome.
He approached her, his heart quickening as he saw the way the soft light highlighted the curves of her body. He gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.
His touch, initially gentle, escalated in boldness. As his hand slipped beneath the folds of her robe, brushing against the soft, smooth skin that lay beneath, a gentle sigh escaped her lips. Her eyes, normally radiating warmth and maternal concern, fluttered open, revealing a flicker of surprise.
“Wang Li,” she murmured, the disappointment in her voice a stark contrast to the passion their encounters usually ignited. “I… I didn’t expect this so soon.”
“There is never a bad time for affection,” Wang Li replied, his breath warm against her ear as he trailed kisses down her neck. Xia Bingling let out a soft moan, her body leaning instinctively into his touch.
“However,” she continued, her voice laced with concern as she pulled away slightly, “I must confess I have some misgivings about your choice of recruits today.”
Wang Li paused, his movements momentarily arrested. “Misgivings?” He raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “What troubles you, my dear?”
“My subordinates informed me,” Xia Bingling began, her voice softening, “that you chose many women with… lesser cultivation bases. These are talented beauties, to be sure, but wouldn’t their lack of experience hinder the family’s growth?”
A slow, confident smirk spread across Wang Li’s face. “My dear Bingling,” he chuckled, his voice brimming with a hint of amusement, “you focus too much on their present state. Cultivation is a journey, not a destination. I see potential, raw and untamed, waiting to be unleashed.”
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. “These women will experience an unprecedented growth, a surge in their abilities that will leave everyone astounded. They will become pillars of our family, fiercely loyal and unwavering in their devotion.”
Xia Bingling stared into his unwavering eyes, searching for any hint of deceit. A flicker of doubt remained, but she knew him well. When he spoke with such conviction, there was usually a reason.
“Very well,” she conceded, a light sigh escaping her lips. “I trust your judgment. After all, you have proven your worth time and again.”
A triumphant grin erupted on Wang Li’s face. He scooped her up in his arms, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. With a swift movement, he carried her towards the luxurious bed in the corner of the room.
“Enough with doubts, my dear,” he murmured, a hint of raw desire lacing his voice. “Tonight, we celebrate the future of the Xia Family.”
Xia Bingling, a smile playing on her lips, surrendered to his touch, her body a willing vessel for his desires.
