Chapter 51: Meridian Restoring Elixir

"Well, well," the Azure Winged Lion boomed, its voice echoing through the sky. "So you are the foolish human who dared to steal from my territory and set up those traps?! Prepare to face the consequences!" With a powerful beat of its cerulean wings, it unleashed a fierce attack – "Azure Gale Blitz!"

A swirling vortex of wind materialized around the Lion, hurtling towards Wang Li with incredible speed.

Wang Li gritted his teeth. This was no ordinary beast.

He retracted his Flying Sword, a weapon better suited for traversing long distances rather than close-quarter combat. Instead, he brandished his sword, its polished metal gleaming in the sunlight. Bringing his cultivation to bear, he channeled his Yin and Yang energies into his blade.

With a swift movement, he unleashed his own technique – "Yin Crescent Slash!" A crescent moon of pure Yin energy pulsed from his sword, meeting the Azure Gale Blitz head-on. The two energies collided with a deafening roar, creating a shockwave that rippled outwards, tearing through the clouds.

The Azure Winged Lion roared in surprise. This human was stronger than it anticipated. But it wasn't done yet.

"Skyward Spirals!" it roared, unleashing another of its wind-based attacks. Multiple miniature tornadoes materialized around Wang Li, trapping him in a whirlwind of churning air.

Wang Li countered with his "Yang Blaze Thrust!"

He pulsed his Yang energy through his blade, transforming it into a searing hot blade. With a series of precise thrusts, he disrupted the tornadoes, turning their force against each other and causing them to dissipate.

The battle continued between the man and beast.

Wang Li weaved a deadly ballet, his sword flashing with Yin and Yang energies as he countered the Lion's wind attacks.

"Cerulean Sky Strike!" The Lion roared again, diving towards Wang Li with incredible speed, its powerful claws outstretched.

Wang Li barely dodged the attack, performing a last-minute somersault in the sky. He retaliated with "Yin-Yang Harmony Slash!" He channeled both Yin and Yang energies into his blade, creating a devastating strike that cut through the air itself.

The attack grazed the Lion's flank, drawing a deep gash and eliciting a furious roar.

The Lion was enraged. This human was proving to be a thorn in its side. It unleashed its most powerful move – "Tempestuous Gale!" With a mighty roar, it whipped its wings into a frenzy, creating a massive hurricane that threatened to tear apart everything in its path.

Wang Li knew he couldn't dodge this head-on. He channeled both Yin and Yang energies into his blade, unleashing a powerful technique – the "Yin-Yang Harmony Blast."

A sphere of black and white energy erupted from his sword, swirling and pulsing with raw power.

The Yin-Yang Harmony Blast collided with the approaching Tempestuous Gale, creating a dazzling explosion that momentarily blinded them both.

When the light faded, Wang Li found himself hanging precariously in the air, his chest heaving, and his vision blurred.

"Alright, let's get you settled in while I prepare the concoction," she declared, her voice laced with a determined edge. Thankfully, the recipe for the meridian-restoring elixir was relatively simple. It involved grinding the Everlasting Jade Lilies and Soul-Nourishing Ginseng with a few readily available herbs, followed by a precise heating process. The resulting elixir held the key to their recovery.

As Xiangyi bustled around, diligently grinding the herbs, Wang Li and his aunts huddled together. He recounted the harrowing ordeal in the rainforest, the ingenious traps, and the final confrontation with the mighty Azure Winged Lion. His aunts listened with bated breath, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and admiration.

"You were so reckless, Li," Wang Yaqi scolded, her voice laced with concern but also a hint of pride. "What were you thinking, facing such a powerful beast alone?"

Wang Li chuckled weakly. "I had no choice, Aunt Yaqi. You and Aunt Ruyan's health..." his voice trailed off, a poignant reminder of their sacrifice.

"We understand, Li," Wang Ruyan interjected, her voice gentle. "Your bravery is commendable. But next time, promise us you'll be more careful."

He squeezed her hand, a silent promise echoing in the shared look. With a final reassuring nod, Wang Li turned to Xiangyi, who had finished preparing the elixir. It bubbled in a vial, emitting a soft, ethereal glow.

"Alright, it's ready," Wang Xiangyi announced. She then explained the process to her aunts, emphasizing the importance of complete rest during the following days.

Both Wang Yaqi and Wang Ruyan readily agreed, their eyes filled with gratitude.

With a shared glance, Wang Li and Xiangyi ushered their aunts towards a secluded chamber within the cave.

"We'll keep guard outside," Wang Li informed them, his voice low.

Once the chamber door closed behind them, a mischievous glint entered Xiangyi's eyes. She leaned in close to Wang Li, her voice barely a whisper. "Looks like we have some time on our hands, cousin," she purred, her voice laced with a playful suggestiveness.

Before Wang Li could respond, she surprised him with a sudden kiss, her lips soft and warm on his.

The sudden contact sent a jolt through him. It wasn't a gesture of familial concern, but something more...passionate. He responded instinctively, his hand finding its way to the curve of her hip. The stress and exhaustion of the past few days melted away as their emotions took over.

"You were so reckless, Li," Xiangyi whispered against his lips, her voice laced with a mixture of affection and frustration. "But you came back... and you got the herbs."

"I couldn't let them down," he murmured, his voice husky with desire. "And besides, I knew you'd be worried sick."

Their embrace deepened, the kiss escalating from tender to passionate. The tension between them, unacknowledged for so long, finally erupted. His hand travelled up her back, exploring the smooth curves of her body, sending shivers down her spine.

A surge of guilt flickered within him, momentarily breaking the spell. Their aunts were just inside, relying on them, yet here they were... But Xiangyi, sensing his hesitation, deepened the kiss, her touch urging him to silence those doubts.

"We can worry about them later," she breathed, her voice husky with desire. "Right now, all I care about is you."

In that secluded nook, bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun, their desires took precedence. Wang Li, fueled by a potent mix of relief, exhaustion, and raw passion, surrendered to the moment. The world around them faded away, leaving only the warmth of Xiangyi's embrace and the promise of a stolen moment of intimacy.