As Ye Fan strolled through the bustling streets of the town, his mind buzzed with the unexpected news of Wang Li's supposed survival. At first, he dismissed it as mere gossip, but the more he heard, the more his doubts began to gnaw at him.
"Alive?" he muttered to himself, his brow furrowing in confusion. "But...how can that be?"
Despite his skepticism, Ye Fan couldn't shake the lingering feeling of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach. He had been so sure that Wang Li was dead. It was his close friends who had witnessed Wang Li's death.
Despite his doubts, Ye Fan couldn't shake the nagging feeling that lingered at the back of his mind. If Wang Li truly was alive, then everything he had believed about his demise would be called into question.
But as he pondered the implications of this revelation, another memory surfaced in Ye Fan's mind, igniting a fierce fire of anger within him.
"The women... He rescued them too," Ye Fan growled under his breath, his fists clenched at his sides. "And Xiangyi... Damn him!"
The memory of Wang Xiangyi slipping through his fingers, liberated from his grasp by some mysterious benefactor, fueled the flames of Ye Fan's rage.
Deciding that he had gathered enough treasures from the Stone Gambling Den for now, Ye Fan resolved to investigate the site where Wang Li had reportedly been sighted. With a determined glint in his eye, he set off at a brisk pace.
As Ye Fan ventured into the forest near the hot spring, his anticipation grew with each step. He had been eager to confront Wang Li, to prove once and for all that he was the superior cultivator. But as he scoured the area for any sign of his nemesis, frustration began to gnaw at his insides.
"Damn it," Ye Fan muttered, kicking a pebble in frustration. "Where could he have gone?"
Despite his best efforts to track Wang Li's movements, there was no trace of the elusive cultivator to be found. It was as if Wang Li had vanished into thin air, leaving behind nothing but an echoing void of uncertainty.
With a heavy sigh, Ye Fan conceded defeat, realizing that his search had hit a dead end. But just as he was about to turn back, a thought occurred to him. If Wang Li wasn't here, then perhaps he could glean some information from the source of the rumors himself.
Making up his mind, Ye Fan set off towards the Liu Family's estate, his determination renewed. Fortunately, his reputation preceded him, and he was granted entry into the family manor without much resistance.
As he was escorted to the meeting hall where the Liu Family's patriarch and elders awaited, Ye Fan couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. If anyone knew the truth about Wang Li's whereabouts, it would be Liu Jin, the man who had dared to spread the news of Wang Li's survival.
Upon entering the meeting hall, Ye Fan was met with a mixture of curious glances and wary stares from the members of the Liu Family. But he paid them no mind, his focus fixed squarely on the figure of Liu Jin, who sat at the head of the room, surrounded by his fellow clan members.
"Liu Jin," Ye Fan said, his voice cold and measured as he addressed the young cultivator. "I have come to inquire about the information you shared regarding Wang Li's supposed survival. I trust you have some explanation for your actions."
Liu Jin cleared his throat before launching into his account, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness as he recounted the events that had transpired.
"Well, you see, it all started when we were on a routine expedition to gather some valuable resources," Liu Jin began, his eyes darting nervously around the room. "We had no idea that we would encounter Wang Li of all people."
Ye Fan leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "Go on," he urged, his tone eager.
Liu Jin took a deep breath before continuing. "So there we were, minding our own business, when suddenly Wang Li appeared before us, wearing a mask to conceal his identity," he explained. "At first, we had no idea who he was. But then, during our battle with him, his mask was damaged enough that we could see his face...and that's when we realized that he was none other than Wang Li."
A murmur of surprise rippled through the room as the members of the Liu Family exchanged incredulous glances. Ye Fan's eyes narrowed in concentration as he listened intently to Liu Jin's tale.
"And then what happened?" Ye Fan prompted, his voice laced with anticipation.
Liu Jin swallowed nervously before continuing. ""Wang Li... he's a Nascent Soul Realm expert now, you know, and he was unstoppable," he admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "He fought with a ferocity and skill that I've never seen before. He single-handedly defeated all the members of our group, including the two elders. It was only through quick thinking of activating my Escape Talisman that I managed to escape with my life."
Ye Fan's expression darkened as he processed this information. "So Wang Li is not only alive, but he's also become even more powerful," he mused, his mind racing with possibilities. "This changes everything."
Liu Jin nodded emphatically, his fear palpable. "Yes, indeed," he agreed, his voice trembling.
Ye Fan's gaze hardened as he made a silent vow to himself. Wang Li may have escaped him once, but Ye Fan was determined to track him down and put an end to him once and for all.
At this moment, Ye Fan paced back and forth in the Liu Family's Hallway, his mind swirling with plans and strategies. He couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that Wang Li's return would disrupt the delicate balance he had worked so hard to achieve.
"Suddenly, everything has changed," he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with frustration. "But I won't let Wang Li ruin my plans."
With a determined glint in his eyes, Ye Fan strode out of the Liu Family Manor, his steps purposeful as he made his way through the bustling streets of the town.
As he wandered, lost in thought, a realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. Xia Qingwu, Wang Li's former fiancée. He had long harbored feelings for her, dreaming of the day when he could finally make her his own. But now, with Wang Li back in the picture, Ye Fan feared that Xia Qingwu might turn her affections back to her former flame.
An idea struck Ye Fan like a bolt of lightning, and he hurriedly fished out a communication talisman from his robes. With a flick of his wrist, he activated the talisman and began recording a message for Xia Bingling, the Matriarch of the Xia Family and Xia Qingwu's mother.
"Hey, Xia Bingling," Ye Fan began, his voice smooth but tinged with a hint of menace. "I hope this message finds you well. I couldn't help but hear about Wang Li's unexpected return. Now, I understand that he has some history with your family, but I want to make one thing very clear: if you dare to support Wang Li in any way, there will be consequences."
He paused for effect, his lips curling into a cold smile. "Consider this a friendly warning. I suggest you think very carefully about where your loyalties lie."
With the message recorded, Ye Fan sent the communication talisman on its way, confident that his warning would strike fear into the heart of Xia Bingling. Now, all he could do was wait for her response.
As he waited, Ye Fan's mind raced with thoughts of the future. He couldn't afford to let Wang Li's return derail his plans for power and dominance. If anything, it only fueled his determination to crush his rival once and for all.
Meanwhile, in the Xia Family Manor, Xia Bingling received Ye Fan's message with a furrowed brow. The contents of the communication talisman sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding wash over her.
Gathering her thoughts, Xia Bingling listened to Ye Fan's voice recording, her expression growing increasingly grave with each passing moment. The thinly veiled threat in his words sent a chill through her, and she knew that she needed to tread carefully in this delicate situation.
"He's always been a snake in the grass," she muttered to herself, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Looks like I need to deal with him appropriately."
With a steely resolve, Xia Bingling began drafting a response to Ye Fan, her words measured and deliberate as she navigated the treacherous waters of political intrigue.
Back in his chambers, Ye Fan waited with bated breath for Xia Bingling's reply, his heart pounding with anticipation. He knew that his message had struck a nerve, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction at the thought of manipulating the situation to his advantage.
But as the minutes stretched into hours, Ye Fan's impatience grew, his nerves fraying with each passing moment. Finally, just as he was beginning to lose hope, a soft chime signaled the arrival of a new communication talisman.
With trembling hands, Ye Fan opened the message, his eyes scanning the contents with rapt attention. And as he read Xia Bingling's response, a triumphant smile spread across his face, his confidence renewed.
"It seems the Xia Family knows better than to cross me," he muttered, his voice laced with satisfaction. "Now, let the games begin."