The sheer number of cultivators swarming them was overwhelming.
Sure, Wang Li and Xia Bingling were Nascent Soul experts, capable of decimating most Core Formation cultivators with a single well-placed attack.
But fighting against a horde, fueled by rage and backed by their leader – a Nascent Soul cultivator of his own – was a recipe for disaster.
Even their blows, powerful as they were, would eventually deplete their spiritual reserves.
The restrictive formation, expertly woven into the garden layout, added another layer of complexity.
It subtly hindered their ability to gather spiritual energy from the environment, slowing down their natural regeneration.
Wang Li gritted his teeth. This wasn't supposed to happen. His eyes darted towards Xia Bingling, their plan lay in tatters.
"Listen closely," he said, his voice low and urgent. "If you want to make it out of here alive, I need you to trust me."
Xia Bingling narrowed her eyes, his seriousness leaving no room for jest. "What are you planning?" she asked, a mix of suspicion and a sliver of fear creeping into her voice.
"To win here," Wang Li said, his voice barely a whisper, "every time I say 'now,' I need you to kiss me."
Shock contorted Xia Bingling's face for a brief moment, but the gravity of the situation forced her to nod in grim acceptance. Their pursuers weren't offering time for explanations.
From the throng of cultivators, a figure emerged, clad in dark robes that billowed dramatically around him. A powerful aura emanated from this figure, his presence alone silencing the surrounding chaos. It was the leader – the Nascent Soul expert.
"Well, well," he boomed, his voice dripping with a sickening amusement. "I didn't expect to find the esteemed Matriarch of the Xia Family gracing us with her presence. Freeing your little garden, were we?"
A cruel smile stretched across his lips. "It seems you've underestimated us, Matriarch. And overestimated yourself. Fear not, though. Once I've dealt with your little... companion here, you'll be mine to take care of." His voice left no room for misunderstanding of his perverted intent.
He threw a contemptuous glance at Wang Li. "And you," he sneered. "Ye Fan wasn't lying then, was he? Xia Family allied with a demonic cultivator. How scandalous."
Wang Li ignored him, turning his head to Xia Bingling. He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. "Now."
"Dancing Willow Slashes!" she roared, her blade blurring into a whirlwind of shimmering light. The remaining Core Formation cultivators around her didn't stand a chance. One by one, they fell before her onslaught, their surprised screams echoing through the night.
Emboldened by the rapid takedowns, Xia Bingling switched tactics. "Verdant Tempest!" she yelled, summoning a swirling green vortex that ripped through a group of unsuspecting cultivators, tearing them apart in a gruesome display of power.
There was a brutal efficiency in her movements now, honed by years of experience and fueled by the seemingly endless well of energy provided by their bizarre technique.
Across the field, Wang Li mirrored her newfound vigor. His strikes, once faltering, regained their deadly precision. He weaved through a hail of attacks from the Nascent Soul leader, his eyes cold and calculating. "Yin-Yang Harmony Slash!" he roared, unleashing a technique that combined the searing power of Yang with the chilling bite of Yin.
The leader parried the attack with a desperate clang, but the combined force sent him reeling.
The leader's face contorted in fury. He unleashed a barrage of powerful attacks, but Wang Li danced away effortlessly, each parry chipping away at the leader's defenses. Finally, with a well-timed maneuver, Wang Li unleashed his ultimate technique. "Yin-Yang Annihilation!" he bellowed as a beam of pure energy, radiating both black and white light, blasted towards the leader.
The leader's defensive artifacts flared, absorbing the brunt of the attack. But the sheer power of the technique overwhelmed them, shattering one ring and leaving a deep crack in his precious jade pendant. With a gasp, the leader stumbled back, clutching his chest, a look of pure terror finally replacing his arrogance.
Wang Li saw his opportunity. "Now!" he shouted through their shared spiritual connection.
Xia Bingling needed no further prompting. She met his eyes, a silent understanding passing between them. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, the familiar golden glow enveloping them as their energies were replenished.
With newfound strength, they launched their final assault. Wang Li pressed the attack on the weakened leader, his strikes relentless. With a final scream of defiance, the leader fell, his body lifeless on the herb-strewn ground.
The remaining gang members, witnessing their leader's demise, quickly lost their will to fight. Some scattered in a desperate attempt to escape, only to be cut down by Xia Bingling's relentless pursuit. Others surrendered, falling to their knees and begging for mercy.
However, even the ones who had surrendered were slaughtered by Wang Li.
At this moment, Xia Bingling leaned against a nearby tree, her chest heaving with exertion. Her massive breasts strained against the fabric of her robes, rising and falling with each ragged breath. Wang Li approached her, a sly smile playing on his lips. He knew she was exhausted, her potent display of power a product of their shared energy.
Their eyes met, and a silent understanding passed between them. Xia Bingling, without needing any further instructions, knew what he desired. She pushed herself off the tree and walked towards him, her movements slow and deliberate. Her lips met his in a kiss, a mix of exhaustion and unspoken hunger fueling the interaction.
This kiss, however, was different. This wasn't just about transferring energy. As their lips locked, Wang Li reached out, his hand instinctively landing on the curve of her shapely buttocks. A jolt of electric sensation shot through him, and he couldn't help but let out a low groan.
Xia Bingling, sensing his desire, responded in kind, pushing her body closer to him, her own exhaustion temporarily forgotten.
The battle was over, the herbal garden reclaimed. But for Wang Li and Xia Bingling, a different kind of battle was just beginning, fueled by the heat of passion and the lingering energy of a desperate fight. The evening was far from over.