Chapter 77: Battle of Geniuses

Several elders exchanged glances. Nie Li was being far too bold—he seemed to place absolutely no importance on the Family Head's presence. But both Nie Hai and Nie En felt there was nothing wrong with it, so the elders couldn't very well step forward to reprimand Nie Li. Moreover, the Family Head had just given orders that from now on, within the Tian Hen Family, Nie Li's status was to be equal to his own!

This command left all the elders thoroughly confused, but since the Family Head had given the order, they had no choice but to comply.

"I just received news that the Sacred Family has invited a number of families from the City of Radiance to participate in the younger generation's Battle of Geniuses, and they've sent an invitation to our Nie family. Should we attend?" Nie Hai turned to Nie Li and asked. The younger generation's Battle of Geniuses was held every few years, organized by some of the three peak families, and they would typically invite at least a third of all families to participate.

If it were just an ordinary Battle of Geniuses, there wouldn't be much to worry about. Nie Hai was concerned that the Sacred Family harbored ulterior motives and intended to make a move against the Tian Hen Family.

"Of course we should attend. Why wouldn't we? Just send a letter to the Alchemist Association and ask them to come observe the matches as well!" Nie Li said calmly. The Sacred Family had sent an invitation to the Tian Hen Family—how could they possibly not attend?

Hearing Nie Li's words, the elders shot him somewhat surprised looks. As if the Alchemist Association could be summoned just like that!

Unlike the other elders, Nie Hai and Nie En actually found this entirely reasonable.

"Then I'll trouble you to write a letter to Overseer Yang!" Nie Hai said with a smile. This was exactly what he'd been waiting to hear from Nie Li. If the Alchemist Association also sent representatives, the Sacred Family would certainly think twice before making any moves.

"This Battle of Geniuses allows three participants. Nie Li, will you be taking part?" Nie En turned to Nie Li and asked. He knew that Nie Li's strength had reached the Silver tier, and that he had already fused with a Demon Spirit.

"Of course I'll be participating!" Nie Li nodded calmly. He had just fused with the Tiger Fang Panda, and this would be a perfect opportunity to test its power in real combat. On top of that, there was his prior agreement with Shen Fei—there was no way Nie Li would sit this out.

The way Nie Hai and Nie En spoke to Nie Li was almost deferential, as though seeking his approval. This was quite unusual for the other elders, but after reflecting on how many pills Nie Li had contributed to the family, they found it understandable. A new realization settled in their minds: Nie Li's standing within the family was now completely different from before.

Besides Nie Li, the other two participants would be Nie Xiaofeng and a family disciple named Nie Yu, both at the Silver Two Star rank.

A Silver Two Star Demon Spirit Master in their twenties was already considered quite impressive, even if their Demon Spirits weren't particularly powerful. Being fellow family talents, Nie Li wasn't stingy—he had Nie Hai give each of them a Silver-tier Demon Spirit of Outstanding growth potential.

"This competition is still half a month away. Nie Li, take the time to prepare well!" Nie Hai's expression grew heavier as he spoke. "We've heard that the Sacred Family's participants will be at least Silver Five Star level!" They still had to guard against the Sacred Family making dirty moves during the Battle of Geniuses.

"Oh," Nie Li responded nonchalantly, looking perfectly relaxed.

The Sacred Family making dirty moves? Nie Li wasn't worried in the slightest. What scheme could possibly slip past his eyes?

In the following discussion, Nie Hai, Nie En, and Nie Ming talked with Nie Li about the development of the Tian Hen Family, including spending money to hire large numbers of commoner experts to bolster the family's strength. A stronger Tian Hen Family benefited Nie Li as well.

"That's no problem. I can contribute one hundred million Demon Spirit Coins to the family for this purpose. Just be extremely careful when recruiting—don't let any spies from the Sacred Family or the Dark Guild slip in," Nie Li said after a moment's thought.

Contribute one hundred million Demon Spirit Coins? Nie Ming, Nie Kai, and the assembled elders nearly had their eyes fall out of their heads. That was one hundred million Demon Spirit Coins, and Nie Li had said it so casually!

One hundred million Demon Spirit Coins could accomplish a staggering amount—more than enough to hire a hundred Gold-tier experts without batting an eye!

This time, Nie Hai and Nie En were far calmer by comparison. They knew full well that Nie Li's wealth was astonishingly vast. One hundred million Demon Spirit Coins was merely a drop in the bucket for him! With that sum, the Tian Hen Family's influence could expand several times over!

The elders finally understood why Nie Hai had placed Nie Li on equal footing with himself. Every last trace of their dissatisfaction with Nie Li vanished into thin air. The Tian Hen Family was their root—as long as something benefited the family, they would support it, and any member who contributed so greatly deserved the respect of all!

Even the lowest-ranking clan member, if they could contribute one hundred million Demon Spirit Coins, would be treated like royalty!

After several hours of discussion, Nie Hai and the others began putting the plan into action, sending people to the Demon Spirit Master Guild and the Warrior Guild to recruit experts.

Unlike the Alchemist Association, the Demon Spirit Master Guild and the Warrior Guild weren't particularly powerful organizations. They simply registered all commoner Demon Spirit Masters and Warriors. Generally, commoner Demon Spirit Masters and Warriors would choose to be recruited by various families, which allowed them to gain more cultivation resources and a stable income to support their families. As for the families, recruiting commoner Demon Spirit Masters and Warriors could significantly bolster their strength.

Every family maintained a certain level of guard force, and the Nie family, due to previous lack of funds, had even disbanded their family guard corps entirely. Now they could finally begin recruiting again.

In addition to the one hundred million Demon Spirit Coins, Nie Li also provided several powerful cultivation techniques to the family. All clan members could study them, further strengthening the family's overall power.

Meanwhile, at the Sacred Family.

Sacred Family Steward Elder Shen Ming was handling the family's various affairs when three young people walked in. The one at the front was Shen Fei, and the two behind him appeared to be in their twenties, their faces cold and stern.

"Steward Elder!" Shen Fei gave a slight bow.

"Greetings, Steward Elder!" The two young men behind Shen Fei bowed at the waist to Steward Elder Shen Ming. Both were disciples from branch families subordinate to the Sacred Family, far lower in status than Shen Fei. Though their cultivation was superior to his, they were considerably more deferential.

"Mm." Shen Ming nodded slightly, privately sighing. Shen Fei's talent was passable enough—he had already reached the Silver Three Star rank as a Demon Spirit Master—but compared to these branch family members, Shen Ning and Shen Xiao, the gap was enormous. Shen Ning, at only twenty years of age, had already reached Silver Five Star, and Shen Xiao, at twenty-three, was already a Gold-tier Demon Spirit Master.

That the main family's young master was outperformed by branch family youths was something that had never happened in previous generations.

"Young Master Shen Fei, are you certain you wish to participate in the Battle of Geniuses?" Shen Ming inquired respectfully.

"Are you certain that Nie Li of the Tian Hen Family will be competing?" Shen Fei looked at Shen Ming, his eyebrows rising slightly. Because of Xiao Ning'er, his heart was filled with hatred toward Nie Li. When he heard that the Tian Hen Family would also be participating in this Battle of Geniuses—even though their strength was still insufficient—he had personally demanded to take part.

"We have already received the Tian Hen Family's reply. They have confirmed their participation! That Nie Li will most likely be competing as well!" Shen Ming nodded.

"Then I must participate. I will crush that bastard beneath my foot and humiliate him thoroughly!" Shen Fei's gaze turned icy. The thought of Xiao Ning'er filled his heart with venomous resentment toward Nie Li.