Chapter 118: Wang Li's Survey Of Wang Family's Territory

Ye Fan's hand tightened into a fist, his teeth gritting together. This wasn't the answer he had hoped for.

Elder Gong, oblivious to the churning storm within Ye Fan, continued his casual narration. "They have received substantial support from both the Xia Family and the Song Family. Resources, formations, even experts - the Xia and Song families haven't held back in bolstering the Wang Family's defenses."

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Even our Iron Hammer Sect's experts have taken a peek at their formations. Intricate work, I must say. A layered approach employing the best the Xia and Song families have to offer. It seems the Song and Xia Families haven't held back on assisting the Wang Family."

Ye Fan felt a cold pit forming in his stomach. Powerful formations? The Xia and Song Families, two powerful cultivation families, aiding the Wang Family? It was a scenario beyond his comprehension.

Elder Gong continued ahead, "Their patriarch, Wang Li, is proving to be a shrewd leader. He's rapidly reclaiming the family's lost resources - herbal gardens, ore mines - with the help of those Xia and Song experts."

With each revelation, Ye Fan's anger intensified. Wang Li, the very person he'd intended to crush, was flourishing. And it was the Xia Family, especially Xia Qingwu, the woman who had once captured his eye, who was playing a crucial role in their success. The public rejection of his marriage proposal all those years ago still rankled.

"Qingwu..." he muttered, a low growl escaping his lips. The idea of the woman he once desired aligning herself with his sworn enemy sent a fresh surge of rage coursing through him. He envisioned them side-by-side, laughing, planning the Wang Family's resurgence. The image fueled his simmering hatred.

"So," he spat out, a dangerous glint flickering in his eyes, "they're getting married, aren't they?"

Elder Gong, finally sensing the shift in Ye Fan's mood, raised an eyebrow. "Married? I wouldn't know about that, young Ye Fan. These are just business dealings, I presume. But considering the renewed strength of the Wang Family... who knows what the future holds?"

Ye Fan didn't need confirmation. The implication was clear - a union between the Wang Family and the Xia Family was a possibility he couldn't ignore. The very thought of it filled him with a chilling fury. Not only was Wang Li thriving, but he was also potentially securing a powerful alliance, and all with the help of the woman Ye Fan had once desired.

"This does not change anything, Elder Gong," he declared, his voice tight with barely suppressed rage. "The Wang Family will fall. And once I've dealt with them, those who aided them will face their own reckoning. Mark my words."

Elder Gong watched him with an impassive gaze. He had witnessed Ye Fan's volatile emotions before. But this new intensity held a different weight, a desperation that bordered on madness. "Of course, young Ye Fan," he rumbled, his voice devoid of emotion. "Just remember - your priorities lie with the Iron Hammer Sect.

Focus on our mission, and perhaps then, your personal vendettas can be addressed... in due time."

Ye Fan stormed out of the cavern, the weight of his fury crushing him. The pact with Elder Gong had secured his path to vengeance against Mao Caiwei, but now a more potent target had emerged - the Wang Family, bolstered by the Xia Family and Song Family.

Wang Li soared high above his family's territory, the wind whipping through his robes as he surveyed his domain. His powerful Nascent Soul Realm cultivation allowed him to travel vast distances with ease. Today, however, his focus wasn't on speed but on meticulous observation.

Activating his Heavenly Fate Pupils, Wang Li scanned the landscape with an otherworldly perception.

Numerous hidden treasures, previously overlooked, materialized before his vision.

Lush patches of rare Jade Lotus, said to possess potent healing properties, bloomed unseen within a secluded valley.

A glistening vein of Star Iron, an ideal material for crafting indestructible weapons, pulsed beneath a seemingly ordinary mountain peak.

A comfortable silence settled between them, a sense of accomplishment hanging in the air. Wang Li leaned back in his chair, a plan formulating in his mind. The dormant volcanic vein, the influx of spirit stones, the growing membership - these were all building blocks towards a greater vision.

The Wang Family would not merely rise from the ashes; they would become a force to be reckoned with in the cultivation world, surpassing even their former glory.

Naturally, Wang Li hadn't forgotten about Ye Fan.

Wang Li wasn't naive. He knew Ye Fan was a walking calamity, blessed with a perversely good fortune that allowed him to rise from the ashes every time. Eliminating him permanently was the ideal solution but achieving that remained a formidable task.

'Ye Fan is in hiding,' Wang Li thought, tracing patterns on the armrest of his chair. 'Even the righteous sects, those self-proclaimed guardians of the cultivation world, haven't managed to sniff him out. Setting a trap would be useless. His reputation might be tarnished, but caution would be his new mantra.'

A frustrated sigh escaped his lips. He couldn't just throw a valuable treasure or a staged opportunity at Ye Fan anymore. The man would dissect it for every hidden barb and deception. Unless, of course, Wang Li was willing to part with something truly precious - a sacrifice he wasn't prepared to make.

'For now,' he steeled himself, 'I'll focus on what I can control - my own strength, and the strength of those around me.'

His cultivation had reached the late Nascent Soul Realm, and the peak was within his grasp. However, attaining it wouldn't be a simple feat.

It would require numerous sessions of dual cultivation - with his beloved cousin Wang Xiangyi, the captivating lover Xia Qingwu, her alluring mother Xia Bingling, even the formidable Song Family Matriarch, Song Jingyan. He couldn't forget Liu Xue, the core disciple of the Jade Lotus Palace, either. The list went on.

The thought of these women sent a surge of desire through him, but it wasn't solely fueled by passion. Each encounter, fueled by his Yin-Yang Cultivation Ability, would strengthen his cultivation base and theirs as well. It was a powerful technique, but its efficiency varied.

Wang Li then mused to himself, 'A virgin partner would significantly accelerate the process.'

His thoughts settled on Su Yuerong, a name that brought a smile to his face. She had been a valuable source of information about Ye Fan's movements. Now, it was time to reap the rewards of her loyalty - in a more intimate way. 'Su Yuerong,' he thought, a sly smile playing on his lips. 'She knows about the Yin-Yang technique. She's experienced its benefits firsthand.'

He knew Su Yuerong was currently at the peak of the Core Formation Realm. One session, one night of shared intimacy, could propel her into the Nascent Soul Realm. It was an offer he knew she wouldn't refuse. Not only would it strengthen him, but it would also bring another powerful ally to his side.

With a resolute nod, Wang Li rose from his chair. The time for hesitation was over. It was time to travel to the Azure Peak Sect and seek Su Yuerong.

As he readied himself for departure, a surge of anticipation coursed through him.

Not only would this strengthen his own foundation, but it would also bring him closer to Su Yuerong - a woman he genuinely cared for. However, a flicker of doubt lingered.

Was he manipulating a past friendship for personal gain? He quickly brushed it aside. Su Yuerong would benefit from the process as well. It was a symbiotic relationship, a win-win situation.

With a resolute nod, Wang Li departed from his mansion, leaving behind the familiar comfort of his territory and venturing towards the Azure Peak Sect, a journey fueled not just by ambition, but also by a desire to reconnect with a trusted friend.

He was prepared to face the consequences of his actions, to navigate the delicate line between friendship and self-preservation.

The path to ultimate power was rarely a straightforward one, and Wang Li, determined to secure his future and eradicate his enemies, was ready to embrace the complexities that lay ahead.