Chapter 99: Wang Li's Diabolical Plan

Wang Li, wearing the mysterious White Eagle Mask, stepped forward, his gaze unwavering as it fixed upon the captured Song delegation. Patriarch Song Weiguang, his arrogance momentarily subdued, squirmed under the masked figure's scrutiny.

"Patriarch Song," Wang Li's voice, a low rumble muffled by the mask, echoed through the tense silence, "if you wish to see another sunrise, a certain course of action must be taken."

A flicker of hope ignited in Song Weiguang's eyes. "What do you demand, Eagle Masked Expert?" he rasped, his voice humbled.

"A communication talisman," Wang Li replied, his words measured. "Record a message for your wife, detailing the failure of the marriage proposal. Inform her that, while the alliance is not to be, a lucrative trade agreement has been established.

The Xia Family will gladly accept large quantities of raw materials from your territory, in exchange for a generous discount on the finished weapons, artifacts, and armor we shall forge."

Song Weiguang's brow furrowed. This wasn't a death sentence. Relief washed over him, a stark contrast to the chilling fear that had gripped him moments ago. He dared to speak, his voice regaining a hint of its former arrogance. "How long will we be detained?"

"Until a confirmation message arrives," Wang Li replied coolly. "Once your wife acknowledges receipt of your communication talisman, you will be released."

A genuine smile broke through Song Weiguang's facade. This was far better than he anticipated. "A few days at most!" he exclaimed. "I shall send the confirmation talisman today itself!"

Wang Li offered a curt nod. Turning to the Xia Family guards, he issued a series of commands, his voice tinged with authority. "Escort them to the dungeons. Before any communication talisman leaves the manor, bring it to me for inspection. No hidden messages will be tolerated."

The guards acknowledged the order, their movements swift and efficient. They led the Song delegation away, their faces grim expressions of captured prey. With the hall emptied, Xia Qingwu cast a questioning glance at Wang Li as he removed the White Eagle Mask.

"Letting them go?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "Just a communication talisman in exchange for their freedom?"

Wang Li met her gaze with a sly smile. "They may leave the Xia Family," he clarified, "but they'll never reach the Song Family Manor."

Surprise flickered across Xia Qingwu's face. "Explain," she urged.

"Firstly," he began, "their cultivation will remain suppressed by powerful talismans for at least a few days. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator in that state will barely muster the strength of a peak Foundation Establishment expert. As for Song Yichen, with his Core Formation realm, he'll be lucky to conjure Qi Refining levels of power."

Xia Qingwu's eyes narrowed. "You plan to eliminate them, then?" she questioned, a hint of unease creeping into her voice. "But how? Using Xia Family experts directly would leave a trail back to us."

Wang Li shook his head. "A far more subtle approach, my love. We'll leak their travel route to a few of our vassal families, the ones with a... cordial relationship with certain demonic gangs. Let those bloodthirsty demons deal with the Song delegation."

Wang Li watched with a detached coldness, his Heavenly Fate Pupils activated. He scanned the scene, ensuring no member of the Song delegation escaped the demonic onslaught.

Their meticulous plan had borne fruit.

Not a single Song cultivator remained alive.

The demonic horde, their faces smeared with blood and a crazed glint in their eyes, began looting the fallen.

They stripped the bodies of valuables, their movements practiced and efficient. But they sought more than just earthly riches.

Wang Li noticed them harvesting the fallen cultivators' cores, pulsating with residual spiritual energy. A dark energy, tinged with cruelty and bloodlust, emanated from the harvested cores.

This was the work of a Demonic Gang that practiced a grotesque cultivation method, one fueled by the stolen essence of their victims.

After stripping the bodies bare, the demonic horde gathered their gruesome spoils and retreated into the dense forest, leaving behind a grisly scene.

Wang Li, with a cold smile, deactivated his Heavenly Fate Pupils. He had all the information he needed.

"They were quite thorough," Wang Xiangyi remarked beside him, a hint of disgust lacing her voice.

"Indeed," Wang Li agreed. "Now, the interesting part begins. We need to find their lair."

With newfound purpose, Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi plunged into the dense forest, following a faint trail of demonic energy that lingered in the wake of the retreating horde.

They moved with practiced ease, their heightened senses scanning their surroundings for any sign of demonic activity.

Hours bled into dusk as they navigated the treacherous terrain. The dense undergrowth snagged at their clothes, and an uncanny silence hung heavy in the air. Finally, Wang Li held up a hand, his eyes gleaming with a predatory glint.

"There," he whispered, gesturing towards a barely discernible cave entrance hidden amidst the gnarled roots of a towering ancient tree.

A faint hum of demonic energy emanated from the cave, confirming their suspicions. This was the demonic gang's hideout, the place where they would refine the stolen essence and utilize it to bolster their cultivation.

A cruel smile stretched across Wang Li's face.