Chapter 86: Negotiations With Small Cultivation Families

"Esteemed guests," Wang Li's voice resonated within the room, carrying an air of quiet authority, "we appreciate you heeding our summons. As you know, the Xia Family recently dealt a devastating blow to the nefarious Crimson Talons and their demonic allies."

The envoys exchanged nervous glances. The news of the Xia Family's victory had reached their ears. Now, they sat before the victors, unsure of what awaited them.

"During our efforts," Wang Li continued, his voice low and measured, "we stumbled upon irrefutable proof of your esteemed families'...shall we say, 'unorthodox' dealings with these very demonic forces." He withdrew a stack of folded parchments, each bearing the crimson seal of the Crimson Talons.

"Contracts, detailing the exchange of resources and services between your families and these demonic entities."

A collective gasp rippled through the room. The envoys paled, their carefully crafted facades crumbling under the weight of Wang Li's revelation.

"Matriarch Xia," stammered one of the envoys, an overweight man with a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead, "there must be some misunderstanding. We are all pillars of righteousness in the cultivation world. Collaboration with demons... it's simply unthinkable!"

Wang Li's lips curled into a humorless smirk. "Unthinkable? Perhaps. Yet, the evidence speaks for itself." He gestured towards the parchments. "These contracts leave little room for misinterpretation. Now, the question remains: what shall we do with this information?"

The envoys exchanged desperate glances. They knew their families' reputations, their very standing within the cultivation world, hung by a thread.

"We are willing to discuss...compensation," the portly man ventured, his voice barely a whisper.

Wang Li nodded, a glint in his eyes, unseen beneath the mask. "Indeed. Compensation for our silence. The Xia Family has no desire to see esteemed families like yours tarnished by such revelations."

The negotiation that followed was a masterclass in diplomacy, orchestrated by Wang Li. He played upon their fear, leveraging the incriminating evidence to his advantage. While the envoys were well-versed in the art of negotiation, their position was undeniably weak.

"We propose," Wang Li stated, his voice firm, "a monthly tribute. A small percentage of your families' resources, a token of your...appreciation for our discretion."

"Resources?" one of the envoys squeaked. "What kind of resources?"

Wang Li's lips curved into a sly smile. "A modest contribution, based on the resources each of your families possesses. A small percentage of the Spirit Stones mined from your quarries, perhaps? Or perhaps a selection of rare Essence Fruits from your sacred groves?"

He listed a variety of resources – raw materials, finished products like pellets and array formations, even weapons and artifacts. It was a comprehensive list, encompassing the wealth of a cultivation family.

The envoys groaned internally. This was a hefty price to pay, a significant chunk of their resources flowing into the coffers of the Xia Family. Yet, they had little choice.

The discussion continued, a back-and-forth of numbers and concessions.

In the throes of passion, however, Wang Li never lost sight of the larger picture. Between heated kisses and stolen glances, he addressed the matter at hand.

"Bingling," he gasped, his voice husky with desire, "the time has come for the Xia Family to expand."

Xia Bingling, her breath ragged between moans, managed to stutter, "Ex... pand? Now?"

"Precisely now," Wang Li affirmed, his fingers trailing a path down her arm. "With the resources we've secured, we have the power to solidify our position as a major force."

He outlined his plan, his voice a low murmur against her ear. "We need to send our most skilled cultivators to discreetly take control of strategic locations. Spiritual Stones Mine possessing lots of undiscovered Spriit Stones, peaks boasting pure spiritual veins, herbal gardens overflowing with rare plants – these are the resources we need to elevate the Xia Family to new heights."

A gasp escaped Xia Bingling's lips, this time not from pleasure, but from revelation. "Spirit veins... If we do...acquire...a good...Spiritual Vein Peak...our cultivation speed could double!"

"Indeed," Wang Li chuckled, his voice laced with a hint of mischief. "Imagine the potential for our younger generation. We can finally compete with the likes of the Azure Peak Sect or other great sects."

Matriarch Xia Bingling, her voice a breathless murmur, responded, "Y-yes, Wang Li. We will s-start this soon enough..."

His hand, previously tracing feverish patterns on her back, now trailed down, skimming the curve of her hip. "But expansion isn't just about territory," he continued, his voice returning to a seductive purr. "We need manpower. Open the recruitment process. Cultivators seeking advancement, resources, and a powerful family as their backing – they will flock to us.

We need to select the most promising individuals, and cultivate their loyalty. I will personally oversee this recruitment process."

Xia Bingling, overwhelmed by a potent mix of pleasure and ambition, let out a choked sob. "Yes," she gasped, her voice barely a whisper. "We will become a force to be reckoned with. The entire cultivation world will tremble at the name Xia!"

Wang Li, his desires momentarily sated for the moment, focused on her face. "They will indeed," he agreed, his voice laced with a hint of hidden ambition. "But for now, Matriarch," he continued, his gaze dropping to her lips, "there are other matters that require our... undivided attention."

He brushed a stray curl from her face, his touch both tender and possessive. Xia Bingling, her mind ablaze with newfound power and desire, met his gaze. "Later," she managed, her voice breathless. "We will discuss these plans in detail later. But for now..."

Their lips met in a searing kiss, a collision of passion and ambition.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the room in a warm, dusky glow, the sounds of moans and whispered promises filled the air.

Wang Li and Xia Bingling, fueled by their carnal desires and newfound ambitions, plotted a course that would reshape the landscape of the cultivation world.

The seeds of power had been sown, and the Xia Family was poised to blossom into a force that would leave its mark on the annals of history.