Chapter 115: Wang Li, The Patriarch of Wang Family

Sunlight streamed through the expansive windows of the newly rebuilt Wang Family manor, illuminating a grand hall adorned with intricate carvings and polished jade.

In the center, an imposing throne stood vacant, a symbol of power that awaited its rightful owner.

The air crackled with anticipation as Wang Li, his every step radiating authority, strode towards the dais. He ascended the steps and settled onto the throne, the weight of his newfound responsibility settling upon his shoulders.

Beside him, Wang Xiangyi took her place on a slightly lower seat, her elegant posture and unwavering gaze marking her as the second-in-command.

The forty women who formed the remaining remnants of the Wang Family stood attentively below, their faces etched with a mixture of relief and hope.

Among them, six seasoned cultivators, aunts to Wang Li and Xiangyi, stepped forward.

These six women - Wang Yaqi, Wang Ruyan, Wang Shulan, Wang Huiqing, Wang Zhenzhu, and Wang Peizhi - held their gazes steady, their faces etched with a mixture of pride and concern.

Wang Yaqi, the eldest among them, a woman with sharp features and a commanding presence, spoke first. "Nephew Li," she began, her voice firm, "we are all overjoyed to see the Wang Family rise once again. However, the path to regaining our former glory will be long and arduous. What plan do you have to restore our influence and strength?"

Xiangyi leaned forward. "Elders," she began, her voice melodic yet laced with authority, "that is precisely the question we have gathered here to address. We must move swiftly and decisively to rebuild our fractured foundation."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the hall. Wang Ruyan, her face etched with worry lines, spoke next. "Rebuilding our defenses is paramount," she declared. "Our enemies will likely attempt to exploit our vulnerability during this initial phase. We need strong array formations and boundary fields around our territory to deter attacks.

I suggest we seek the assistance of the Xia Family and Song Family for this since they are our good allies at the moment."

Wang Shulan, with her shrewd business acumen, chimed in. "Financial stability should be our next priority," she stated. "We need to establish reliable sources of income, such as revitalizing our herbal gardens and regaining control of the ore mines that were lost during the chaos."

The remaining elders, Wang Huiqing, Wang Zhenzhu, and Wang Peizhi, echoed the concerns and offered suggestions. Their focus centered around earning spirit stones - the lifeblood of cultivation - through resource acquisition, trade agreements, and the recruitment of talented cultivators to bolster their ranks.

As the elders concluded, a thoughtful silence descended upon the hall. All eyes turned to Wang Li, the weight of expectation resting heavily on his shoulders. A slight smile played on his lips.

As the conversation flowed, Elder Wang Ruyan brought up another topic - Wang Xiangyi's potential marriage. "Lady Xiangyi," she began, "your strength and talent are invaluable to the Wang Family. But an alliance with another strong cultivation family could bring us significant resources and bolster our influence."

Wang Xiangyi, however, shook her head firmly. "Marriage is not something I desire at present," she declared, her voice laced with a steely resolve.

A frown creased the elders' faces. Marriage wasn't a mere personal choice; it was a strategic move to secure the Wang Family's future. The potential benefits - resources, territories, powerful allies - were undeniable.

Wang Li, however, stepped in before the discussion could escalate. "Esteemed elders," he interjected, his voice calm yet authoritative, "Lady Xiangyi is a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, her strength unmatched within the Wang Family besides myself. To sacrifice her talent and expertise for a political alliance would be a grave mistake."

His words held weight. The elders, acknowledging the sheer power Wang Xiangyi wielded, reluctantly conceded the point.

However, a flicker of disappointment remained in their eyes.

Wang Xiangyi, her heart swelling with gratitude, stole a glance at Wang Li. A secret communication passed between them as Wang Xiangyi secretly winked at her dear cousin.

He had shielded her from the pressure of a loveless marriage.

Wang Li swept his gaze across the attentive faces of his aunts, the six elders of the Wang Family. "Esteemed elders," he began, his voice measured and firm, "while the prospect of marriage alliances with other families offers certain advantages, there are alternative strategies we can consider during these early stages of our recovery."

Intrigued, the elders leaned forward, eager to hear his proposal.

"Here's what I propose," Wang Li continued, his voice firm. "We should target young, talented male cultivators from the top five righteous sects - individuals with potential but who lack significant backing from powerful families or elders within their sects."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the hall. The female cultivators of the Wang Family, though beautiful and with the potential for growth, were still in the early stages of their cultivation journey, having recently broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm thanks to the Jade Lotus Palace's nurturing environment.

The reason they were in the early stages of their cultivation journey despite their talents was because their cultivation base had been abolished when they had been captured and turned into slaves.

A frown creased Wang Zhenzhu's brow. "But why would such promising individuals consider joining our family? Our current influence is... limited, to say the least."

Wang Li, a confident smirk playing on his lips, revealed his trump card. "We offer them an incentive," he declared, his voice laced with a hint of mystery.