Chapter 157: Wang Li Sets Up Layers Of Formations

A mischievous glint danced in Wang Li's eyes as he materialized outside Liu Xue's tent, his invisibility cloak deactivated. He slipped through the silken entrance, silently reveling in the anticipation of seeing her serene face light up at his arrival.

But before he could announce his presence, a playful idea struck him. With a silent chuckle, he crept closer and cupped a hand around each of her ample breasts, squeezing gently. He expected a startled gasp, a flurry of activity as she jumped in surprise.

However, much to his surprise, Liu Xue simply leaned back into his touch, a low moan escaping her lips. Her eyes fluttered open, alight with a different kind of light than the usual serene glow. A knowing smile played on her lips as she turned her head and brushed a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Li, you're back," she breathed, her voice husky with desire. "I was starting to worry."

Wang Li's surprise melted into a grin. "Seems like I underestimated your senses," he teased, his touch intensifying as he explored the curves of her body.

Time slipped away as they indulged in their reunion, stolen moments of passion amidst the dangers that lurked outside. Liu Xue's gentle nature replaced by a surprising fire. They explored each other with renewed fervor, their love a potent counterpoint to the darkness that threatened the desolate world.

As the passion subsided, a seriousness settled over their features. "I ventured out to scout the other devil sects," Wang Li began, his voice low and serious. "The news isn't good."

Liu Xue's eyes widened. "What happened?"

Wang Li recounted the tale of the Crimson Rock Sect, their camp reduced to rubble by the combined forces of the Shadow Blade Sect and the beasts. He described the Soul Integration Realm leaders of the Fox and Wyvern tribes, their power a terrifying prospect.

Liu Xue's face paled. "That's... that's terrible," she whispered, her voice barely above a tremor.

"But the most concerning," Wang Li continued, his gaze holding hers, "is the Blood Chain Sect."

He then revealed his encounter with their grotesque ritual, the slaughter of countless beasts and the creation of an army of monstrous Blood Fiends. The sheer number, their immortality, and the presence of two Soul Integration Realm Blood Fiends painted a horrifying picture.

"Thousands of these creatures..." Liu Xue murmured, her voice trembling. "How can we possibly fight them?"

Wang Li shook his head. "It'll be a brutal battle, that much is certain."

Finally, he dropped the last bombshell. "And to make matters worse, the Iron Hammer Sect..."

Liu Xue held her breath, a dread settling in her stomach.

'They'll be fighting blind,' he thought, a grim satisfaction settling over him.

Next came the 'Illusionary Maze Array.' This elaborate formation would create a series of shifting illusions, disorienting and confusing the approaching attackers. Images of shimmering mirages, towering mountains morphing into bottomless chasms, these illusions would play havoc with their sense of direction and reality.

The third layer was the 'Sonic Disruption Array.' This formation, activated by demonic energy, would unleash a barrage of deafening sonic attacks tailored to disrupt the cultivators' concentration and communication. Imagine the chaos of a well-coordinated attack falling apart amidst a cacophony of ear-splitting shrieks and disorienting whispers.

Following this, Wang Li set up a series of more lethal formations. The 'Earthbound Trapping Array' would bind the attackers in place, immobilizing them with powerful earth elemental energy. The 'Infernal Flames Array' would erupt in a deadly inferno at the first touch of demonic energy, creating pockets of fiery torment.

The fifth layer was a personal favorite – the 'Humiliation Hallucination Array.' This formation, triggered by demonic energy, would trap the attacker within a personalized illusion of their deepest shame, turning their greatest fears into nightmarish realities. 'Let's see how those Iron Hammer brutes handle a little self-reflection,' he chuckled darkly.

Moving on, Wang Li set up the 'Binding Chains Array.' This array would manifest as ethereal chains that would bind the attackers' limbs, making them easy targets for the Jade Lotus Palace beauties once they recovered from the initial shock.

The final layer was the most potent yet – the 'Essence Devouring Array.' This formation, reserved for the most dangerous opponents, would slowly drain the spiritual essence of any cultivator within its range. It wouldn't be an instant kill, but it would weaken them considerably, making them easy prey for even the weaker members of the Jade Lotus Palace.

He placed these formations strategically, creating a layered defense that would test the Iron Hammer Sect's mettle to its limits. Each formation was set to activate only upon the presence of demonic energy, ensuring the safety of the Jade Lotus Palace beauties.

At key chokepoints like the entrance tunnel and the perimeter walls, Wang Li placed several explosive formations. These, disguised as ordinary stones, would detonate with a potent force upon contact, creating a fiery barrier and scattering the enemy ranks.

'Even Nascent Soul Realm cultivators wouldn't be too happy caught in the path of these,' he thought with a satisfied smirk.

He spent hours meticulously setting up his defenses, working tirelessly until the first rays of dawn painted the eastern sky. Exhausted but confident, he surveyed his handiwork. The Jade Lotus Palace camp was now a tightly woven web of defensive formations, a deadly surprise waiting for the unsuspecting Iron Hammer Sect.

'This should be enough to hold them off for a while,' Wang Li thought to himself, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow.

The formations he had laid down last night were courtesy of the Xia Family dowry – a dowry he couldn't help but think of with a pang of missing for his beloved Qingwu.

Looking back at the Jade Lotus Palace camp, he couldn't help but grin at his predicament. Here he was, investing heavily in the safety of a sect he wasn't even officially affiliated with, all for the sake of a certain alluring beauty. His gaze drifted towards Palace Mistress Jiu Lan's tent, a mischievous glint igniting in his eyes.

'Recouping the loss won't be a problem as long as I can succeed in my aim of seducing Palace Mistress Jiu Lan,' he mused.

Seducing the alluring leader of the Jade Lotus Palace, adding her to his growing collection of beauties – that would be a worthy prize after this ordeal.