"However," Lin Zhenguan continued, his gaze steady, "we recognize the strength of your sect and the potential threats you may face from external forces, particularly from devils and demonic sects. Therefore, while we will not form a formal alliance, the Lin Family will offer support should you be attacked by such enemies.
But understand this clearly—if your conflict is with another sect or a cultivation family, we will not intervene. We must protect our own interests first and foremost."
Wang Li inclined his head slightly, a gesture of acceptance. "I appreciate your honesty, Patriarch Lin. The support of the Lin Family, even under these conditions, is valuable to us. I accept your terms."
Lin Zhenguan studied him for a moment, as if weighing the sincerity of Wang Li's words, then nodded in return. "Very well. I wish your sect success in all your endeavors, Leader Wang Li."
With that, the formalities were concluded, and Wang Li prepared to take his leave. He and his entourage gathered their belongings and made the journey back to the Holy Devil Dragon Sect's base, a formidable stronghold nestled deep within a range of dark, mist-shrouded mountains.
The journey was uneventful, and upon their return, Wang Li immediately took steps to ensure the stability and security of his sect, reinforcing defenses and consolidating his power.
Yet, even as Wang Li busied himself with the affairs of his sect, his thoughts kept drifting back to the Lin Family mansion—and more specifically, to the harem palace of Lin Zhenguan. The seductive allure of the women he had encountered during his stay was too strong to resist, and he found himself yearning for one more encounter with them.
One night, when the moon hung high in the sky and the sect was quiet, Wang Li made his decision. Cloaking himself in a powerful invisibility technique that rendered him undetectable even to the most sensitive of spiritual senses, he left his base and returned to the Lin Family's mansion.
He moved like a shadow through the silent corridors, his steps soundless as he made his way straight to the harem palace. The familiar, intoxicating scent of jasmine and sandalwood greeted him as he slipped inside, a ghostly figure in the dimly lit halls. He knew his way well by now, having memorized the layout during his previous visits.
Wang Li's first destination was Lady Ying Yue's chamber. The confident, fiery woman had always been a challenge to him, but he had sensed the hidden desires beneath her fierce exterior. He entered her room without a sound, his presence undetectable. Ying Yue was sitting by her vanity, brushing her long, silky hair, lost in thought.
Wang Li dispelled his invisibility and appeared behind her, his hands gently resting on her shoulders. Ying Yue gasped in surprise, her eyes widening in the mirror as she saw him.
"Wang Li!" she hissed, her voice low and urgent. "What are you doing here? You shouldn't—"
Mei Hua was a skilled lover, her body moving with practiced grace as she teased and tempted him. Wang Li relished the feel of her soft skin against his, the way she responded to his every touch with breathless sighs and moans. Their coupling was intense, a wild and passionate dance that left them both sated and content.
As they lay together in the aftermath, Mei Hua shared her own secrets with Wang Li. She spoke of her position within the harem, of the delicate balance of power between the concubines and wives. She revealed the hidden rivalries and alliances, the subtle manipulations that kept the harem in a constant state of intrigue.
Mei Hua was well-connected within the Lin Family, and she knew more than most about the inner workings of the household.
Wang Li absorbed every word, his mind already racing with plans for how he could use this information to his advantage. The more he learned, the more he realized just how fractured the Lin Family was beneath its polished surface.
His next stop was Lady Qing Lian's chamber. The proud and fiery woman had been a challenge from the beginning, but Wang Li had enjoyed every moment of their cat-and-mouse game. He found her pacing in her room, clearly agitated, but when she saw him, her expression softened.
"You're relentless," she muttered, though there was no anger in her voice.
Wang Li approached her with a confident smile. "You like that about me."
Qing Lian huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Maybe I do."
Their banter quickly turned into something more as Wang Li closed the distance between them, pulling her into a fierce kiss. Qing Lian resisted at first, as was her nature, but it didn't take long for her defenses to crumble. She had always been attracted to his strength and confidence, and now, in the privacy of her chamber, she allowed herself to give in to those desires.
Wang Li took his time with Qing Lian, savoring the way her body responded to his touch. She was a passionate lover, her fiery personality translating into their lovemaking. Every kiss, every touch was intense, filled with the same fire that had drawn him to her in the first place.
Afterwards, as they lay tangled in the sheets, Qing Lian opened up to Wang Li in a way she hadn't before. She spoke of her frustrations with the Lin Family, of how she felt stifled by the expectations placed on her. She revealed that she had been quietly supporting one of Lin Zhenguan's less favored heirs, hoping to position him as a dark horse in the race for succession.
Wang Li listened intently as Qing Lian poured out her frustrations and ambitions, her voice tinged with the fiery determination that had always defined her. She spoke of her desire to break free from the stifling constraints of her position within the Lin Family, to carve out a space where she could wield power on her own terms.
Her support for the underdog heir was a calculated move, a gamble that could pay off if the tides of fortune turned in their favor.