Chapter 124: Shi Feiyan's Gratitude Towards Wang Li

The day unfolded like a captivating scroll before Wang Li. He roamed the idyllic grounds of the Emerald Sea Palace, his gaze flitting across the glistening waters and graceful pagodas. However, his focus wasn't solely on the picturesque scenery. With his Heavenly Fate Pupils activated, he discreetly assessed the male disciples he encountered.

The pickings were slim. Unlike the Crimson Rock Sect, male cultivators were a rare breed within the Emerald Sea Palace, where the focus lay on Wind, Water, Ice, and Wood attributes – elements often favored by female practitioners. Most of the men he met possessed decent cultivation levels and approachable demeanors.

Their faces, while not as hardened as the warriors of the Crimson Rock Sect, held a certain determination and sincerity that resonated with him.

These individuals, he noted mentally, could be potential assets in the future.

Just as Wang Li reached a bridge overlooking a vibrant coral reef teeming with exotic fish, a group of female cultivators approached.

Leading the group was a young woman with a breathtaking aura. Her cascading black hair flowed like a waterfall, framing piercing emerald eyes that held a curious glint. This was Shi Feiyan, a rising star within the Emerald Sea Palace.

"Greetings, Patriarch Wang," she said, her voice like the tinkling of wind chimes. "I am Shi Feiyan, a disciple of the Emerald Sea Palace."

Wang Li bowed in return, intrigue swirling within him. While her beauty was undeniable, it was the raw emotion in her eyes that piqued his curiosity. "Greetings, Disciple Shi. What brings you to me?"

In response, Shi Feiyan lightly bowed her head, "Firstly, I would like to apologize for interrupting your exploration."

Wang Li chuckled, a touch of amusement coloring his voice. "No interruption at all, Miss Shi. Exploring a sect often involves interactions with its people. Is there something I can help you with?"

Shi Feiyan's gaze held a flicker of hesitation before she spoke. "Actually, Patriarch Wang," she started, her voice barely above a whisper, "I owe you a debt of gratitude."

Intrigue lit up Wang Li's eyes. Public displays of thanks were uncommon, especially amongst cultivators focused on individual strength. "A debt of gratitude, Miss Shi? I don't recall doing anything noteworthy for you."

"It's not about what you did directly, Patriarch Wang," she explained, her voice gaining confidence, "but what you brought to light. The truth about Ye Fan... the darkness he hid."

A wave of understanding washed over Wang Li. It must have been Mao Caiwei who had informed Shi Feiyan about this. He raised a hand, silencing the whispers that rippled through the group of disciples.

"Miss Shi," he spoke softly, "those revelations weren't achieved by me alone. The truth has a way of revealing itself. I merely helped push aside the veil of lies."

Shi Feiyan shook her head in disagreement. "But without your investigation, without your courage to expose him...who knows how long his deception would have lasted? My sect, the Stone Mountain Sect, lies in ruins because of him. You helped me find closure, Patriarch Wang. For that, I am eternally grateful."

A chuckle, devoid of humor, rolled off Wang Li's lips. The sound grated on Shi Feiyan's nerves, sparking a flash of anger. "Why do you laugh, Patriarch Wang? Do you think so little of my skills?"

Shaking his head, Wang Li countered, "It's not a matter of your skill, Miss Shi, but of your understanding. Even at the Nascent Soul Realm, the gap between you and Ye Fan will remain vast. Allow me to demonstrate this disparity."

Intrigued despite her lingering annoyance, Shi Feiyan raised an eyebrow. "Demonstrate?"

"Indeed," Wang Li confirmed. "Attack me, Miss Shi. Utilize your most potent techniques, your fastest strikes. And I will... limit myself."

Shi Feiyan's eyes widened. "Limit yourself?"

"Precisely," he said, a mischievous glint in his emerald eyes. "I will restrict my qi to that of an early Core Formation Realm cultivator. Show me what you can do."

A fire ignited within Shi Feiyan. Here was a chance to prove herself, to silence his doubts. "Very well, Patriarch Wang," she declared, her voice laced with a hint of defiance. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

With a graceful leap, Shi Feiyan unleashed her most powerful technique, a flurry of water-infused punches and kicks designed for speed and precision. Her movements were a blur, the air crackling with the energy of her attack.

But Wang Li remained unfazed. His eyes followed her movements, a calculating glint within them. Just as her fist was about to connect with his chest, a blur of golden light flashed, and he effortlessly sidestepped the blow.

Before Shi Feiyan could even react, a strong hand clamped around her throat, lifting her effortlessly off the ground. The suddenness of the maneuver, the sheer speed with which it happened, stole the breath from her lungs. Panic surged through her as she found herself pinned against the floor, the air knocked out of her.

Gasping for air, Shi Feiyan clawed at his hand, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "Y-you..." she sputtered, barely able to form words.

Wang Li released his hold, allowing Shi Feiyan to slump back onto the ground, coughing desperately. His expression remained serious, devoid of mockery. "See, Miss Shi? Even with my limitations, you stood no chance."

Shi Feiyan stared at him, her initial anger replaced by a cold realization. The disparity was undeniable. The ease with which he had subdued her, the difference in their speed... it was a humbling experience.

The stark reality of the situation hung heavy in the air. Shi Feiyan, her eyes locked with Wang Li's, spoke with a resolve tempered by newfound understanding.

"I... I will find a way to bridge the gap, Patriarch Wang. I will cultivate with even greater fervor, seeking out every opportunity to hone my skills and strengthen my foundation. Ye Fan cannot be allowed to escape justice. He must pay for the lives he stole, the innocents he slaughtered. Those elders... Sect Leader Huang..." her voice cracked, a single tear tracing a glistening path down her cheek.

"And my friends... so many of them lost on scouting missions for a demon that never existed."

Shi Feiyan's facade crumbled, revealing the raw pain beneath. A torrent of emotions flooded her – grief, anger, a burning desire for vengeance. "I can't... I can't let go of this hatred, Patriarch Wang. I need to see him answer for his crimes. I need to be the one to exact punishment for those he stole from us!"