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Wang Li chuckled, a warm smile spreading across his face. "The feeling\'s mutual, Qingwu. Spending some time with you after all this… it\'s something I was looking forward to as well."

Turning serious, he asked, "So, how does it feel, being a Nascent Soul cultivator?"

Xia Qingwu\'s face lit up. "Amazing," she declared, her voice brimming with excitement. "Thank you for everything, Li. Without your guidance and support, I wouldn\'t have broken through so quickly."

"You did all the hard work," he countered, a hint of pride in his voice. "But I\'m happy I could help."

She grinned. "The power difference is incredible. Especially with my flame attribute. I\'m using all my sect contribution points in the Jade Lotus Palace to get my hands on anything related to fire – herbs rich in flame essence, rare alchemy pills, even advanced Nascent Soul flame techniques."

He raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you\'re serious about mastering that element."

"Deadly serious," she confirmed. "And Mom\'s been pulling out all the stops too. She\'s been using the Xia Family\'s resources like crazy, participating in auctions and markets, anything to find more flame-attuned resources for me."

A wave of warmth washed over Wang Li. Her dedication to cultivation was admirable, but it was the love and support of her family that truly touched him. He squeezed his fist in silent determination. "They won\'t regret it, Qingwu. You\'ll become a powerful force to be reckoned with."

"Speaking of resources," he continued, a playful glint returning to his eyes, "I might just have a few things hidden away that could be of use. Consider it a little gift from your dear lover."

A blush crept up Xia Qingwu\'s cheeks.  "That would be wonderful, Li," she murmured into the wind.

Their conversation took a more personal turn then, laced with unspoken desires. "Once we reach the manor, and after we deal with Mother," Xia Qingwu began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I was hoping… maybe you could visit my chambers?"

Wang Li\'s pulse quickened. He understood her meaning all too well. A sly grin spread across his face. "Now, Qingwu, you know I wouldn\'t miss an opportunity to spend time with you alone."

Her cheeks flushed a deeper crimson, but her eyes held a fiery resolve. "Make sure it\'s a long visit," she said, her voice barely audible but firm. "I… I want you to feel completely satisfied."

Wang Li chuckled, a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine. "Don\'t worry, Qingwu. I have no plans of stopping until you\'re begging for mercy."

A shy smile graced Qingwu\'s lips. "Oh, I wouldn\'t want it any other way," she murmured, her voice a provocative purr. "I\'m all yours, Li. Body and soul."

The playful banter ceased, replaced by a charged silence. The journey continued, their destination drawing closer. Yet, the shared intimacy of their conversation hung heavy in the air.

As the Xia Family Manor came into view, its majestic silhouette etched against the horizon.

Wang Li, a dark mask obscuring his features, entered the Xia Family Manor alongside Xia Qingwu. The Xia Family guards, their faces stoic and emotionless, dispersed upon entering, returning to their designated posts within the sprawling manor complex.

Wang Li and Qingwu made a beeline for the council hall, the heart of the Xia Family\'s decision-making.

Inside the hall, Matriarch Xia Bingling presided over a meeting of the elders.

As they entered, the room fell silent, all eyes turning towards the unexpected duo. Xia Bingling\'s gaze landed on Wang Li, a flicker of recognition igniting in her depths despite the mask.  The memory of their forced encounter, the humiliation, and the subsequent taunts still burned fresh in her mind. But for now, she maintained a composed facade.

Steeling her emotions, Bingling dismissed the elders with a curt wave of her hand. "This meeting is adjourned," she announced, her voice carrying the weight of authority.  "I will call upon you again later."

The elders, accustomed to their Matriarch\'s unpredictable ways, bowed their heads in acquiescence and filed out of the hall, leaving Bingling alone with a masked Wang Li and her daughter, Qingwu.

"Mother," Qingwu began, stepping forward, her voice laced with a hint of urgency, "we need to make an announcement."

Wang Li stepped forward. "We propose you send communication talismans, matriarch," he explained, his voice disguised by a slight modulation, "to all relevant individuals – influential figures, news associations, anyone who can spread the word."

He elaborated on the announcement\'s content – a firm rejection of Ye Fan\'s audacious marriage proposal to Qingwu, accompanied by the return of the exorbitant dowry, the legendary Silver Ice King Heart.

"Your voice, Matriarch," he continued, his gaze unwavering, "holds immense weight.  This declaration, coming from you, will leave no room for doubt. It clarifies the Xia Family\'s position against Ye Fan."

Xia Bingling\'s frown deepened. Why this sudden need for a public announcement?  She directed a pointed question at both of them. "Explain yourselves. What prompted this sudden… declaration?"

Wang Li sighed, a hint of frustration in his voice.

"Our plan to trap Ye Fan," he admitted, "failed. He knows that the Xia Family is cooperating with me. "

A cold dread washed over Xia Bingling. Ye Fan\'s influence was undeniable. If he went public, accusing the Xia Family of associating with demonic cultivators, the consequences could be dire.

Their reputation, painstakingly built over generations, could crumble overnight.  Social ostracization, sanctions from righteous sects – the future looked bleak.

"He\'ll use his reputation to sully ours," Wang Li confirmed, his voice grim. "This announcement is our defense.  By declaring the rejection of his proposal and returning the dowry, we preempt his accusations. It shows the world the truth – that the Xia Family entertains no such ridiculous notions."

The weight of his words settled heavily on Xia Bingling.  The situation was precarious, yet Wang Li\'s plan offered a lifeline.  She gritted her teeth, a flicker of resolve igniting in her eyes.

"Very well," she conceded, her voice laced with frosty determination. "I will make this announcement."

With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a stack of communication talismans. Her voice, firm and unwavering, echoed through the hall as she recorded the message – the Xia Family\'s official stance on Ye Fan\'s proposal and the return of the dowry.

Hundreds of talismans, imbued with her voice, flew out the windows, carried by unseen currents.

They would find their targets, influential figures and news associations who would spread the message far and wide.

The announcement, a necessary countermeasure in this brewing war, had been made.

But as Xia Bingling looked at Wang Li, a silent question hung in the air – would it be enough?

Wang Li met the questioning gazes of both Qingwu and Xia Bingling with a nonchalant shrug. "We wait," he said simply. "Let\'s see how the world reacts. Public perception is a fickle beast, but hopefully, our announcement will sway public opinion in our favor."

He shifted his attention to Qingwu, a playful glint in his eyes. "Now, with that business settled," he purred, his voice a husky whisper, "shall we head to your chambers?"

A blush stained Qingwu\'s cheeks. "Li," she whispered, her voice laced with mock reprimand, "must you speak of such things in front of Mother?"

A sly smile spread across Wang Li\'s face. He knew exactly what he was doing. His words, seemingly innocent, carried an unspoken message aimed directly at Xia Bingling.  The mention of his visit to Qingwu\'s chambers was a subtle declaration – a way to inform the Matriarch, without explicitly saying it, of the nature of his relationship with her daughter.

Xia Bingling understood his veiled message all too well.  A cold fury simmered beneath her carefully maintained facade. The audacity of this demonic cultivator, flaunting his closeness to her daughter! However, she was powerless to react in the moment. She needed to maintain control, to avoid giving Wang Li any satisfaction.

With a forced smile, Xia Bingling nodded curtly. "Go," she dismissed them, her voice devoid of warmth.

Qingwu, oblivious to the undercurrents swirling around them, cast her mother a quick, shy glance before turning to walk out. Wang Li, a provocative glint in his eyes, followed her out of the council hall, leaving Xia Bingling alone with a burning sense of rage.

As soon as they were out of sight, Qingwu playfully swatted at Wang Li\'s arm. "Honestly," she teased, "sometimes you\'re too much."

Wang Li chuckled, pulling her close. "Just keeping your mother on her toes," he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear.

Reaching Qingwu\'s chambers, the heavy oak door swung open with a soft creak. Inside, the air hung thick with the scent of exotic incense and blossoming orchids.

The moment the door shut behind them, Qingwu discarded her facade. Her shy demeanor melted away, replaced by a passionate intensity. Stepping closer to Wang Li, her hand brushed against his arm, sending a jolt of electricity through him.

"Finally," she murmured, her voice a husky whisper. "We can be ourselves now."