Chapter 80: Attacking Crimson Talons and Demonic Gangs

The crisp morning air bit at their faces as the Xia Family cultivators regrouped outside the imposing manor. The sun, a fiery orb peeking over the horizon, cast long shadows on the stoic faces of the gathered warriors. Elder Chen, his weathered face etched with the wisdom of countless battles, scanned his team, a sternness in his gaze.

"Alright, everyone," he boomed, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "We head for the Shadowtooth Mountains today. Our mission: dismantle the unholy alliance between the Crimson Talons and the demonic cultivators!"

A murmur of agreement rippled through the ranks. Among them, Wang Li stepped forward, a triumphant glint in his eyes.

"Hold on, Elder Chen," he interjected, his voice calm and collected. "I've formulated a strategy to minimize casualties and bypass any pesky traps or formations they might have laid down."

A collective sigh of relief washed over the group. As much as they relished a good fight, facing an unknown stronghold with hidden dangers was always unsettling. Elder Chen, his gruff exterior momentarily softened, leaned towards Wang Li.

"Speak your mind, Li," he rumbled.

A mischievous smile spread across Wang Li's face. "My idea is to saturate the entire area around both strongholds - the demonic one and the Crimson Talons' - with hundreds, maybe even thousands, of explosive talismans."

Wang Xiangyi, ever the enthusiastic supporter of her cousin, beamed with pride.

"Brilliant, Li!" she exclaimed, her voice barely a whisper. "With the element of surprise on our side, those explosions should disrupt and disable any array formations laid down by the enemy before they can activate them."

A slow smile spread across Xia Bingling's face. She admired Wang Li's sharp mind and tactical ingenuity. However, something else flickered in her eyes, a hint of excitement that went beyond mere appreciation for his plan.

Wang Li winked at both his cousin and the Matriarch, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Precisely! Before they're activated, most formations are vulnerable. Their structure, their strength, all lies dormant. The Explosions will be our first wave attack, softening their defenses and creating an opening for us to storm in." He scanned the group of cultivators, his voice taking on a more serious tone.

"Remember, timing is crucial. We need to engage them before they have a chance to react."

Elder Chen nodded thoughtfully. Wang Li's strategy held merit. By pre-emptively disrupting the array formations, they could potentially gain a significant advantage in the ensuing battles.

He relayed the plan to the Core Formation Realm cultivators, their faces hardening with newfound resolve.

Disciples scurried about, distributing talismans and checking equipment. With practiced efficiency, the cultivators mounted their Flying Swords, sleek blades shimmering in the morning light.

Leading the group were Wang Li, Wang Xiangyi, and Xia Bingling, forming a formidable trio.

Pandemonium erupted from within the strongholds. Shrill shrieks and enraged roars echoed across the valley, drowned out by the thunderous explosions. The element of surprise was theirs.

With a battle cry that echoed through the devastated landscape, Wang Li shot towards the demonic stronghold, a blur of white against the smoke-filled sky. He was a whirlwind of steel, his White Eagle Mask a symbol of impending doom for the demonic forces.

His target – Ji Aga, a fearsome cultivator at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm, emerged from the stronghold as he glared at the intruders.

Wang Li and Ji Aga locked eyes, a silent challenge passing between them. Ji Aga, his crimson robes billowing in the wind, let out a guttural roar and charged at Wang Li.

But speed was Wang Li's advantage. He sidestepped Ji Aga's bullish attack with grace. Then, in a flash of light, his sword materialized in his hand. It shimmered with a unique Yin-Yang aura, reflecting both the darkness of the night and the brilliance of the sun.

This was no ordinary blade. It pulsed with Wang Li's potent Yin-Yang Dual Attribute, a power that few cultivators could master. With a deep breath, he unleashed his strongest technique – the Yin Yang Annihilation Slash.

Two arcs of energy, one dark as night and the other bright as dawn, shot forth from his blade. They converged upon Ji Aga, forming a swirling vortex of destruction. The air crackled with potent energy as the attack tore through the air.

Ji Aga, caught off guard by the attack's sheer speed and power, raised his crimson spear in a desperate attempt to block.

But the Yin Yang Annihilation Slash was unstoppable. It cleaved through the spear like butter through cheese, then slammed into Ji Aga's chest.

A bloodcurdling scream ripped from the demonic leader as his body was engulfed in the Yin-Yang energy. His flesh sizzled, his bones turned to dust, and within seconds, only a wisp of demonic essence remained.

Wang Li landed gracefully on the ground, his chest heaving with the exertion of the powerful technique. He raised a hand, the severed head of Ji Aga materializing in his grasp. It was a grotesque sight, its demonic features contorted in eternal agony. With a roar that echoed through the battlefield, he held the head aloft.

"Behold the fate that awaits you all!" he bellowed. His voice, distorted by the White Eagle Mask, sent a tremor of fear through the remaining demonic cultivators.

The effect was instantaneous. The demonic ranks faltered, their morale shattered. Many threw down their weapons and fled, while others were cut down by the relentless Xia Family onslaught.

Meanwhile, Xia Bingling and Elder Chen, a formidable duo, had engaged Xu Long, the leader of the Crimson Talons. Xia Bingling, a vision of grace and fury, unleashed a flurry of attacks from her Ice Sword Martial Techniques. Her blade, a shimmering crystal infused with potent ice energy, blurred through the air.

"Icy Stalactite Strike!" she roared, summoning a shower of razor-sharp ice shards that rained down upon Xu Long. He deflected most of them with his crimson scimitar, but a few pierced his armor, drawing ragged gasps from him.

Elder Chen, his weathered face etched with grim determination, joined the fray. His broadsword, imbued with his own formidable Earth energy, rained down heavy blows upon Xu Long. The two of them, a whirlwind of steel and ice, pushed the Talon leader back, forcing him onto the defensive.