Harem Developing Villain

"As for the Crimson Talons," Xia Bingling continued, "they will most likely be led by their notorious leader, Xu Long. He\'s a cunning brute with a cultivation level around the middle stage of the Nascent Soul Realm. He favors close-quarters combat and a crimson scimitar."

"Our objective," Xia Bingling concluded, "is to dismantle this unholy alliance. We shall eradicate the demonic cultivators and their base, while also delivering a crippling blow to the Crimson Talons. Their audacity in operating so close to our territory will not go unpunished."

"Understood," both Wang Li and Xiangyi replied in unison, their voices firm with resolve.

Xia Bingling nodded, a hint of satisfaction flickering in her eyes. "Good. I trust your skills and your discretion. You will be joining a group of five elite Xia Family cultivators led by Elder Chen here."

She gestured towards a stern-looking man with a neatly trimmed beard and a scar that ran down the length of his cheek. Elder Chen gave a curt nod in their direction, his eyes glinting with a warrior\'s spirit.

"Remember," Xia Bingling continued, her voice turning serious, "your identities must remain hidden. You will be provided with masks along with dark robes that will conceal your face and body. Only the Xia Family crest will be visible."

Wang Li and Xiangyi exchanged a knowing glance.

A servant stepped forward, carrying two dark robes folded neatly over his arms. The fabric was of high quality, light yet durable, and imbued with a faint concealing enchantment.

Wang Li and Xiangyi took the robes, thanking the servant with a nod. They disappeared into a smaller alcove adjacent to the council room, emerging moments later clad in their disguise. The robes masked their usual attire, transforming them into anonymous members of the Xia Family.

"Alright, everyone," Xia Bingling declared, her voice ringing with authority, "prepare yourselves. You depart for the Shadowtooth Mountains immediately."

The dismissal echoed through the council room as the Xia Family cultivators, led by Elder Chen, began to file out. A tense silence descended upon the chamber once the last figure had disappeared, the heavy oak door shutting with a final thud.

Wang Xiangyi cast a curious glance at her cousin. Unlike the others, Wang Li remained rooted to his spot, his gaze fixed on Matriarch Xia Bingling.

"Aren\'t you coming, Li?" Xiangyi asked, a hint of confusion in her voice. "We don\'t want to hold them up."

Wang Li offered her a reassuring smile. "Don\'t worry, Xiangyi," he said, his voice low. "There\'s a small matter I need to discuss with Madam Xia. I\'ll catch up with the group shortly."

Xiangyi raised an eyebrow, a spark of curiosity flickering in her eyes. While she trusted her cousin implicitly, she couldn\'t help but wonder what private conversation he could possibly have with the formidable Matriarch. Xia Bingling wasn\'t known for indulging in casual chit-chat.

However, Xiangyi knew better than to pry into Li\'s affairs. With a curt nod, she simply said, "Alright, Li. Don\'t take too long. We\'ve got a demonic stronghold to dismantle."

With that, she turned and exited the council room, leaving a charged silence in her wake. As the heavy door shut behind Xiangyi, the air in the room seemed to crackle with unspoken tension.

Xia Bingling, who had been observing the exchange with an enigmatic expression, finally took a step forward. Her gaze, usually sharp and calculating, softened slightly as it landed on Wang Li.

Instead of her usual air of authority, a hint of amusement danced in her eyes. A slow, knowing smile played on her lips.

Before Wang Li could utter a word, she surprised him by reaching out and wrapping her arms around his torso in a surprisingly intimate embrace. Her body, usually draped in robes that commanded respect, pressed flush against his.

Wang Li\'s breath hitched momentarily, caught off guard by her sudden action. His hands, which had been resting at his sides, instinctively hovered over her back, his fingers brushing against the smooth silk of her robes.

"Such a shame," Xia Bingling murmured, her voice a husky whisper against his ear. The warmth of her breath sent a shiver down his spine. "The timing couldn\'t be worse, could it?"

Wang Li chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. He couldn\'t deny the allure of her closeness, the subtle scent of her perfume filling his senses. "Indeed. If not for this… inconvenient mission, I would have you bent over this very table and ravished you without stopping," he replied, his voice equally husky.

Despite his teasing words, his hands couldn\'t help but inch lower, gently exploring the curve of her buttocks. The heat radiating from her body fueled a delicious tension in the air.

"But," Wang Li continued, his voice laced with a playful suggestiveness, "that doesn\'t mean I can\'t have a little fun before I depart, does it, Bingling?"

A throaty laugh escaped Xia Bingling\'s lips. Leaning back slightly, she tilted her head upwards, offering him a sultry look that could melt glaciers. "Oh, Li," she purred, her voice dripping with amusement, "you\'re always such a tease."

Without further ado, Wang Li seized the opportunity. He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs tracing a path across her smooth cheeks.

Then, he leaned in, his lips brushing against the delicate skin of her neck. A soft moan escaped Xia Bingling\'s lips as his touch ignited a spark within her.

His kisses were a slow exploration, trailing down her neck, leaving a trail of lustful fire wherever they fell. He nibbled playfully on her earlobe, sending shivers down her spine that made her knees weak.

With a deft movement, he unfastened the clasp at the top of her robes, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her creamy skin. He paused for a moment, savoring the sight before him.

"So beautiful," he breathed, his voice thick with desire.

Xia Bingling, a woman used to wielding power and command, found herself surrendering to the intoxicating sensations swirling around her. Her moans grew louder, a mix of pleasure and surprise escaping her lips.

The air in the council room grew thick with a heady mix of desire and forbidden passion.

"Don\'t just look, Li," Xia Bingling whispered, her voice husky with desire. "Touch me."

Emboldened by her words, Wang Li\'s hand slipped beneath the loosened fabric, sending shivers cascading down her spine. His fingers grazed the warm skin of her back, tracing a path upwards until they brushed against the soft lace of her undergarments.

The touch was like a spark igniting a bonfire. A gasp escaped Xia Bingling\'s lips as desire surged through her, hot and undeniable. She pressed herself closer to him, her hips swaying instinctively against his.

Wang Li couldn\'t hold back any longer. He cupped her breast, the soft flesh filling his palm perfectly. A jolt of electricity shot through him as he squeezed gently, eliciting a sharp moan from her lips. The sound was intoxicating, fueling his own desire.

"This is just a taste, Bingling," he murmured against her ear, his voice laced with a promise. "A taste of what awaits us once this mission is done."

He trailed a line of kisses down her neck, each touch sending shivers down her spine. His lips brushed against the edge of her shoulder, then dipped lower, exploring the enticing dip between her collarbone.

Suddenly, a sharp rapping on the door shattered the spell. Both of them froze, ripped back to reality by the unwelcome sound. Xia Bingling let out a startled gasp, pushing Wang Li away with a mixture of frustration and relief.

"Who is it?" she called out, her voice regaining its usual authoritative tone, though a tremor of breathlessness lingered beneath the surface.

"It\'s Elder Chen, Matriarch," came the gruff reply from the other side. "We\'re ready to depart whenever you are."

Xia Bingling cursed under her breath, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. "Tell Elder Chen to wait for five minutes," she instructed, her voice firm.

The sound of retreating footsteps faded away. Silence returned to the room, thick with unspoken tension and the lingering embers of their desire.

"We should go," Xia Bingling said, her voice strained.

Wang Li nodded, a flicker of frustration in his eyes. However, he understood the precariousness of their situation. "Indeed," he agreed, his voice low. "But this isn\'t over, Bingling. When we return…"

He trailed off, leaving the unspoken promise hanging in the air. A slow, seductive smile played on Xia Bingling\'s lips. "When we return," she echoed, her voice laced with anticipation, "we can continue what we started."

They straightened their clothes, both trying to regain their composure. Wang Li offered his hand, and Xia Bingling took it, a spark of electricity shooting between them as their fingers brushed. They exited the council room together, the air still crackling with the remnants of their passionate encounter.

Emerging from the manor, they found Elder Chen and the other Xia Family cultivators waiting impatiently. The tension in the air was palpable, a stark contrast to the playful banter that had accompanied their preparations earlier.