Harem Developing Villain

As they settled in, Wang Xiangyi broached the topic of Madam Xia Bingling, her concern evident in her voice. "What do you plan to do about Xia Bingling?" she asked, her gaze searching Wang Li\'s face for answers. "If you forgive her just because she\'s Qingwu\'s mother, I\'ll be really disappointed.

If her plan had succeeded, we would\'ve been at the mercy of Ye Fan, and who knows what he would\'ve done to us."

Wang Li\'s smile was reassuring as he listened to his cousin\'s concerns. "Don\'t worry, Xiangyi," he said softly. "I never intended to let Xia Bingling off the hook for what she\'s done. But we have to tread carefully. We can\'t discuss punishment in front of Qingwu; it wouldn\'t be wise."

He leaned closer, his tone serious. "Dealing with Xia Bingling will require caution. She\'s not just Qingwu\'s mother; she\'s also the Matriarch of the Xia Family and has powerful allies among the sect elders. We need to plan our approach carefully."

Wang Xiangyi nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I trust your judgment, cousin," she replied, her voice filled with confidence. "Just let me know what I can do to help."

Wang Li\'s expression softened at her words, grateful for her unwavering support. "Thank you, Xiangyi," he said sincerely. "Your loyalty means everything to me."

As Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi delved into their conversation, discussing the delicate matter of dealing with Madam Xia Bingling, a significant event was unfolding elsewhere in the world—a business affair that would ripple through the realms of commerce and power.

Across the globe, three primary business enterprises held sway over the trade of minerals, ores, and herbs, each with its own distinct management and clientele.

There were three prominent business enterprises that dominated the market. The first, known as the Celestial Trade Consortium, was the largest and most influential. It was overseen by a league of officials appointed by each of the five Righteous Sects, wielding immense power over the pricing of minerals, ores, and herbs.

Prices under their reign soared to exorbitant heights, making them a formidable force in the market.

The second enterprise, known as the Supreme Commerce Union, operated under the control of associations like the Supreme Array Union and the Pill Tower. While slightly less dominant than the Celestial Trade Consortium, they commanded significant influence and maintained prices comparable to their rival.

The third and youngest enterprise, dubbed the Wayfarer Mercantile, was managed by a diverse group of individuals hailing from various sects. Though smaller in size, they were rapidly gaining momentum in the market by offering significantly lower rates for minerals, ores, and herbs compared to their competitors.

Their affordability appealed to the masses, earning them widespread support from the general public.

However, their success was met with hostility from the other two enterprises, who sought to suppress their growth and maintain their own dominance. Despite their efforts, the Wayfarer Mercantile continued to thrive, albeit discreetly.

Recently, an unprecedented shift occurred within the realm of business as members of both the Celestial Trade Consortium and the Supreme Commerce Union began defecting to the Wayfarer Mercantile in droves. News of this mass migration quickly spread, sparking speculation and intrigue throughout the cultivation world.

Rumors attributed the sudden exodus to the influence of a single individual—Ye Fan, whose reputation soared as a result.

As a staunch supporter of the Wayfarer Mercantile, Ye Fan garnered widespread acclaim among the common folk, who hailed him as a champion of their interests and aspirations while fighting against the monopoly.

In the meantime, Xia Qingwu returned to her Xia Manor.

After returning, she found herself face to face with her mother, Madam Xia Bingling.

The air was thick with tension as they exchanged greetings, but Xia Qingwu maintained a facade of innocence, concealing the knowledge she held about her mother\'s involvement in the recent events.

"Qingwu, my dear," Madam Xia greeted her daughter warmly, though there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "What brings you back home so soon?"

Xia Qingwu forced a smile, feigning innocence as she approached her mother. "Mother, I\'ve had quite the eventful day," she began, her voice laced with false cheerfulness. "I met up with Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi as we planned, but something unexpected happened."

Madam Xia\'s brow furrowed with concern. "Unexpected? What do you mean, Qingwu?"

"Well," Xia Qingwu continued, her tone carefully composed, "it turns out there was an attempt on their lives. A group of cultivators ambushed us in the Jade Bamboo Forest."

Madam Xia\'s eyes widened in alarm. "An attempt on their lives? But how could this happen?"

Xia Qingwu shook her head, her expression grave. "I\'m not sure, Mother. But Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi were in grave danger. If it weren\'t for my intervention, they might not have made it out alive."

Madam Xia\'s concern deepened as she listened to her daughter\'s account. "This is troubling indeed. We must investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice."

Xia Qingwu nodded emphatically, her determination shining through. "Yes, Mother, that\'s exactly what I was thinking. We need to find out who orchestrated this attack and punish them accordingly."

Madam Xia regarded her daughter with a mix of pride and apprehension. "You are right, Qingwu. We cannot allow such brazen acts to go unpunished. Rest assured, I will personally oversee the investigation."

Xia Qingwu breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for her mother\'s support. "Thank you, Mother. I knew I could count on you."

As the conversation continued, Madam Xia couldn\'t shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her. Despite her daughter\'s words, she couldn\'t shake the suspicion that there was more to this incident than met the eye.

Just the day before, she had received a comprehensive report from the Jade Snake Gang, the group she had tasked with capturing or eliminating Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi, whichever was possible.

The report outlined several key points, including the Jade Snake Gang\'s frustration at Xia Qingwu\'s interference in their mission. They believed that without her intervention, they might have succeeded.

Furthermore, the report highlighted discrepancies in the information provided by Madam Xia. She had inaccurately informed the Jade Snake Gang that both targets were at the Core Formation Realm, when in reality, one was a powerful Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. This realization sent a shiver down Madam Xia\'s spine, as she grappled with the implications of her misstep.

Meanwhile, as Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi soared through the skies atop their Flying Swords, the wind whipped through their hair, carrying with it a sense of anticipation and determination. Their destination: the Sunken Moon Ruins, where the Five Peaks United Front had gathered to reclaim control of a Spiritual Mine seized by the demonic cult Ironclad Syndicate.

The Golden Bell Temple, one of the five righteous sects, had suffered a significant blow when the Ironclad Syndicate seized control of the Spiritual Mine, a strategic location for an array formation crucial to the temple\'s defenses.

In response, the Golden Bell Temple had rallied the other righteous sects to form the Five Peaks United Front, a coalition determined to reclaim what was rightfully theirs.

As they flew, Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi couldn\'t help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of joining the fray and making a name for themselves in the battle against the demonic cult. For too long, the Ironclad Syndicate had wreaked havoc across the land, and now, they had a chance to strike a blow against the forces of darkness.

Arriving at the ruins, Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi were greeted by a bustling scene of activity. Cultivators from various sects mingled, their expressions tense with determination as they prepared for the impending battle.

Among them, members of the Golden Bell Temple, the leading sect of the Five Peaks United Front, stood resolute, their determination unwavering in the face of adversity.

As Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi joined their fellow cultivators, they wasted no time in acquainting themselves with their allies and gathering vital information about the upcoming conflict.

Over the next few days, they immersed themselves in preparations, honing their skills and strategizing for the impending confrontation.

Every detail was scrutinized, every contingency accounted for as they sought to maximize their chances of success.

Amidst the flurry of activity, Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi seized every opportunity to familiarize themselves with the lay of the land and the capabilities of their allies.

As the date of the attack drew nearer, tension mounted, casting a palpable sense of anticipation over the gathered forces. Each passing moment brought them one step closer to the decisive clash that would determine the fate of the Spiritual Mine.