On the academy's martial training grounds, banners fluttered in the breeze as drums thundered overhead.
The long-awaited Year-End Test was about to begin. For every student, this was a moment of tremendous importance.
All the students from the Warrior Apprentice Beginner Class and the Demon Spirit Master Apprentice Beginner Class had gathered in a central area of the training grounds. Even
The moment
Whether it was the male students in their class or those from other classes, every last one of them brimmed with jealousy and envy upon seeing Nie Li flanked by two stunning beauties.
That guy Nie Li was just inhuman— hogging all the best resources for himself.
Nie Li glanced at Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er. Both girls had grown even more beautiful than before, ethereal as immortals. The effects of the Wind Thunder Wing Dragon Art and the Nine Revolutions Ice Phoenix Art were unmistakable. Both techniques were incredibly powerful cultivation methods capable of refining the body— after purging impurities from within, each girl felt as though she were floating in a state of transcendence.
Over the past stretch of time, both Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er had seen their cultivation advance at a remarkable pace, far outstripping their peers.
So whether it was Xiao Ning'er or Ye Ziyun, both felt deeply grateful toward Nie Li. Without his help, their cultivation could never have risen so quickly.
Ye Ziyun seemed to spot someone in the crowd. After exchanging a few words with Nie Li, she excused herself and left.
"Nie Li, I recently heard from people in my family that the Tian Hen Family's businesses have been suppressed by the Sacred Family," Xiao Ning'er whispered as she sidled up to him.
"Just their businesses being suppressed?" Nie Li's gaze grew deep and contemplative.
"Mm." Xiao Ning'er nodded. Even a powerhouse like the Sacred Family could only suppress other families in the realm of commerce. The
"Then there's nothing to worry about," Nie Li said casually. Ever since the Alchemist Association had begun selling pills, he'd been raking in hundreds of millions of Demon Spirit Coins every day— a single day's income rivaling several years' worth of the Tian Hen Family's earnings. If their businesses took a hit, so be it. After the academy's Year-End Test, he planned to return to the Tian Hen Family. By then, he would fundamentally change their situation.
Though he wasn't particularly worried about the Sacred Family's moves, he knew he had to be careful of the
While they were chatting, a group of people approached. It was
When Xiao Ning'er noticed Shen Fei walking over, her face paled slightly. She bit her lip and took a few steps to the side. She wasn't afraid of Shen Fei— she had already resolved to stand against the Sacred Family to the bitter end. But she worried about bringing trouble to Nie Li.
Noticing the faint panic in Xiao Ning'er's expression, Nie Li reached out and gently took hold of her arm, smiling. "Ning'er, where are you going?"
"Nie Li, let go of me quickly— this will bring you trouble!" Xiao Ning'er whispered urgently.
Nie Li shrugged with nonchalance. "It's not the first time I've crossed the Sacred Family. What's there to be afraid of?" Through the thin silk of her garment, he could faintly feel the smoothness of Ning'er's skin against his hand.
A delicate blush crept across Xiao Ning'er's cheeks, lending her a shy, captivating charm that left every boy nearby completely spellbound. Her heart swelled with a mix of warmth and sweetness. Was Nie Li really willing to burn every bridge with the Sacred Family— just for her?
"Take your hands off her!" Shen Fei, seeing Xiao Ning'er's flushed and enchanting appearance, was consumed by a jealousy so fierce it bordered on madness. He thrust a palm strike straight at Nie Li.
Nie Li and Xiao Ning'er being so openly affectionate was practically a slap in Shen Fei's face, since everyone knew that Xiao Ning'er was his, Shen Fei's, fiancée! And now Xiao Ning'er was playing coy with Nie Li— it was as though she were fitting him with a bright green hat right on top of his head!
Sensing Shen Fei's incoming palm strike, Nie Li shifted his body, swept his right arm around, and guided Xiao Ning'er just slightly aside. He dodged the force of Shen Fei's strike and, in one smooth motion, shoved Shen Fei back.
Shen Fei never even registered how Nie Li had slipped past him. Before he could react, a burst of force slammed into him, sending him stumbling back several steps. He stared wide-eyed at Nie Li, his heart lurching. He had suddenly realized he had gravely underestimated this man. He was already at Silver Three Star— how had Nie Li dodged his attack and counterstruck so effortlessly?
The onlookers were equally stunned. Shen Fei was a disciple of the Genius Class at Sheng Lan Academy, yet he had just been bested by Nie Li? That was absolutely astonishing. What level had Nie Li actually reached now?
"You're Nie Li?" Shen Fei's eyes narrowed as he fixed Nie Li with a cold, piercing stare.
"That's right. And who are you?" Nie Li feigned ignorance, his right arm wrapped casually around Xiao Ning'er's slender waist. The pose was deliberately intimate— Nie Li was doing it on purpose, drawing all of Shen Fei's hatred and attention onto himself, making it seem as though he were the one actively pursuing Xiao Ning'er. That way, Shen Fei would leave her alone.