Chapter 151: Jade Lotus Palace Sect Scout Party Got Ambushed

Without further ado, he shed his own garments, revealing his toned physique. Together, they stepped into the cool embrace of the pond.

The water swirled around them, washing away the dust and grime of the day. Liu Xue, her role as a devoted lover now in full play, began to wash his back, her gentle touch sending shivers down his spine.

Her hands, imbued with a delicate fragrance, gently scrubbed his back, his shoulders, then trailed down his chest, sending shivers down his spine.

"Does it feel good, Li?" she teased, her voice laced with a playful smile.

He sighed, closing his eyes in contentment. "Like heaven, Xue'er. Like absolute heaven."

They continued their conversation interspersed with soft laughter and stolen kisses.

"So, Xue'er," Wang Li murmured, his voice soft against the gentle lapping of the water, "tell me, did you enjoy... deceiving those lovesick fools?"

Liu Xue giggled. "Oh, immeasurably, Li! Fooling those young guys... having them gather herbs and send them on pointless 'dates'. It was truly delightful. They truly believed they were vying for our affections, running themselves ragged to gather resources and then..." Her voice trailed off, replaced by a mischievous smile. "And then being politely rejected, with lighter pockets and heavier hearts."

"True enough," Wang Li chuckled. "Although, I must admit, some of the resources they brought back are quite valuable."

"A bonus reward for our little scheme," Liu Xue replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

As the moon reached its zenith, casting its silvery light upon the tranquil scene, Liu Xue and Wang Li emerged from the pond, their bodies renewed and their hearts overflowing with love. Wrapped in a shared towel, they sat on the grassy bank, gazing up at the star-studded sky.

"This is a perfect night, Li," Liu Xue whispered, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"Indeed, my love," he replied, his voice a low rumble.

As the first rays of dawn painted the eastern horizon with streaks of pink and gold, the Jade Lotus Palace disciples prepared for their departure. With a collective sigh of relief, they bid farewell to the combined camp of the Azure Peak Sect and Emerald Sea Palace Sect.

Flying north, their destination was the familiar Jade Lotus Palace camp, a haven after the day's orchestrated chaos.

Their journey north was punctuated by skirmishes with small packs of beasts. With practiced ease, the Jade Lotus Palace disciples dispatched them, their movements a well-rehearsed dance of coordinated attacks. Each eliminated beast to the kill count meticulously inscribed on their palms.

After an hour of swift flight, familiar landmarks came into view – the winding river, the verdant meadows, and finally, the majestic peak that housed their sect's temporary camp. Relief washed over Liu Xue as they descended towards the familiar wooden structures.

Yet, as they landed, an unsettling silence greeted them. The usual bustle of activity was absent, replaced by a heavy atmosphere that hung thick in the air. A knot of unease formed in Liu Xue's stomach. This wasn't the joyous homecoming she had envisioned.

Liu Xue, a flicker of unease creeping into her heart, approached a fellow disciple.

The White Bone Sect, known for their cunning brutality, wouldn't launch such a reckless assault without a better plan. He couldn't shake the feeling that the attack was a poorly orchestrated play, a blatant attempt to provoke the righteous sects.

A flicker of suspicion sparked within him. He needed answers. Reaching out with his spiritual sense, he contacted Liu Xue.

"Xue'er," his voice resonated within her mind, "I'm heading east to investigate the scene of the attack. Stay by your Master's side. If she's injured, don't hesitate to use those recovery pellets I gave you."

"Li," Liu Xue replied, her voice laced with worry, "be careful. I'll be alright. Just come back safe."

With a final squeeze of reassurance through their spiritual bond, Wang Li vanished from the Jade Lotus Palace camp, a blur of movement heading east.

He arrived at the battleground in a matter of minutes. The stench of blood hung heavy in the air, a grim testament to the violence that had transpired.

Ignoring the carnage, Wang Li activated his Heavenly Fate Pupils.

A keen observer might dismiss the landscape as desolate and unremarkable, but through his enhanced vision, he saw a different story.

Deep within the forest, a faint, pulsating darkness caught his eye.

It was subtle, but unmistakable – a dark aura, distinct from the residual bloodlust that lingered around the battlefield.

Curiosity piqued, Wang Li wasted no time.

He pushed through the dense foliage, drawn towards the anomalous energy. As he approached, the darkness intensified, coalescing into a swirling vortex in the heart of a clearing. A shiver ran down his spine as he sensed two distinct demonic auras emanating from the vortex.

One aura was familiar, a grotesque echo of the dark energy harnessed by the Iron Hammer Sect. This was the technique used to animate their terrifying puppet legions.

The other, however, was a chilling unknown.

It was something he hadn't encountered before, a foreign and sinister signature.

'Just as I suspected,' he thought, his voice devoid of emotion. 'The White Bone Sect must have been ambushed here by the Iron Hammer Sect. Their corpses...' his stomach churned, 'turned into puppets and then used against the Jade Lotus Palace scouting group.'

The realization sent a shiver down his spine. This wasn't just a random attack; it was a calculated maneuver.

'Clever,' he thought, a dangerous glint in his eyes. 'But I won't let this stop me.'

A grim determination hardened his features. He wouldn't let these scheming devils get away with it.