Row upon row of sprawling courtyards stretched out in grand magnificence — pavilions, terraced towers, arched bridges over flowing streams, and scenery like a painting. At the same time, the security here was formidable. Every single guard was at least a Silver Warrior, and Gold-level warriors could be seen patrolling at regular intervals. It was said that some of the private courtyards even housed Black Gold warriors and Demon Spirit Masters.
This was the most vital zone in the entire City of Radiance!
"Big Brother Nie Li, why do we have to live in the City Lord's Mansion?" Nie Yu asked timidly. Ever since they had entered the mansion grounds, she had been on edge.
"Because it's safe here!" Nie Li laughed and patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry. Your big brother Nie Li is here, so you can relax. Besides, the City Lord's daughter is your future sister-in-law. When you see her, call her 'sis,' got it?"
"Sister-in-law? Oh." Nie Yu looked up at Nie Li in surprise. When had big brother found himself a sister-in-law? And the City Lord's daughter, no less?
Nie Yu was full of confusion, but Nie Li didn't bother to explain. He figured the City Lord could never have imagined that his gesture of protecting a genius had essentially led a wolf right through the front door — Nie Li had harbored ulterior motives from the very start.
Tsk tsk, so here he was in the City Lord's Mansion. He could train during the day, and when he got bored, he could tease
For the sake of a comfortable future, he had no choice but to find a way to take down the Sacred Family, which was practically right under his nose. In his previous life, had the Sacred Family not betrayed them, the City of Radiance would never have fallen so easily. The greatest threat always came from within.
Nie Li was currently only at Silver Two Star, but in terms of actual combat power, he could easily crush an ordinary Gold One Star or Two Star warrior. Still, that was far from enough — he needed to step up his training.
"Is there anything that can help me boost my strength quickly?" Nie Li suddenly slapped his forehead. "How could I forget this? I completely forgot about the Celestial Illusion Sanctuary! The only thing in Sheng Lan Academy worth his attention was the Celestial Illusion Sanctuary."
"I'll make preparations first and find a chance to head to the Celestial Illusion Sanctuary!" Nie Li mused.
He sat cross-legged and began cultivating. Nie Yu, sitting obediently beside him, also started training. She was very sensible — she didn't make a sound to disturb Nie Li, instead devoting herself entirely to her own practice.
One day. Two days.
As time passed, Nie Li and Nie Yu settled in quite nicely. Apart from the core zone, which was off-limits, the City Lord's Mansion didn't restrict their movements. Three meals a day were delivered by dedicated servants, and outsiders were free to visit at any time. Word had it that in a few days, the City Lord himself and
Nie Li's cultivation advanced steadily. On the fifth day, his power finally rose once more — his Soul Power had reached the level of Silver Three Star.
After reaching Silver Three Star, Nie Li decided not to push further for the time being. It was better not to advance too quickly at the beginning; taking some time to let things settle would be more beneficial. There was no rush. He blinked — he had been in the City Lord's Mansion for several days now, and Ye Ziyun still hadn't come to see him.
As dusk approached, the lingering glow of sunset cast golden rays across the City Lord's Mansion, making the architecture appear even more majestic.
"Probably just being shy, too embarrassed to make the first move. Looks like I'll have to swallow my pride and go find you!" Nie Li thought about it, then chuckled to himself. He glanced at Nie Yu beside him. "
"Okay." Nie Yu's large, glistening eyes looked at Nie Li with confusion. How was big brother planning to go find his sister-in-law? Though puzzled, she didn't ask, and obediently remained in the courtyard to cultivate.
The moment Nie Li's feet crossed the courtyard boundary, he summoned his Shadow Demon spirit and vanished without a trace.
A few Gold-level warriors guarding near Nie Li's courtyard detected a faint anomalous presence. They scanned their surroundings warily but found nothing, so they let their guard down, assuming it had been a figment of their imagination.
"My Shadow Demon spirit's phasing technique still isn't refined enough. My ability to mask my aura is insufficient — I can bluff my way past Gold-level opponents, but if I ran into a Black Gold or even a Legendary powerhouse, they'd definitely spot me," Nie Li thought to himself as he made his way expertly toward the courtyard where Ye Ziyun lived.
Although Nie Li had never been here before, Ye Ziyun had once told him all about the layout of the City Lord's Mansion, and he knew exactly where she resided.
Sneaking off with the City Lord's daughter — the thought sent a little thrill through him, and he couldn't help but crack a faint smile.
The City Lord's Mansion, brimming with experts, posed no obstacle whatsoever to Nie Li. He moved through it as if it were an empty field. The Gold-level warriors here were simply no threat to him at all.
Ahead, a small courtyard came into view. It was an exquisite little compound, filled with all manner of flowers and trees, their fragrance drifting on the breeze. Through the walls, he could see a delicate two-story building — this was where Ye Ziyun lived.
Nie Li, still phased, passed through the courtyard gate effortlessly. Once he dropped the phasing, he strolled in without a care in the world.
On a stone in the corner of the courtyard, Ye Ziyun sat cross-legged in meditation. Soul Power circulated around her, and behind her, a faint white phantom flickered into being.
The white phantom wore flowing white robes, its features exquisitely beautiful. It wore a white ice crown on its head and radiated an indescribable nobility. This spirit was the Wind Snow Queen — among all Demon Beasts, it was the one most similar in form to a human. Legend held that the Wind Snow Queen had once been an ancient goddess transformed.
The Wind Snow Queen was exceedingly rare and could perform incredibly powerful wind and snow techniques. For Ye Ziyun, who cultivated the Nine Revolutions Ice Phoenix Art, it was a perfect match.
Nie Li's gaze fell on Ye Ziyun, and his nose immediately heated — he nearly got a nosebleed. She had apparently just finished bathing; her hair was still damp, lending her an extra touch of adorable charm. On top of that, she was wearing only a thin, translucent silk robe, through which the gentle swell of her delicate chest could just barely be glimpsed.
The sight reminded Nie Li of his previous life — that night, under the moonlight, Ye Ziyun had been as pure and sacred as a goddess. The two had held each other close, listening to each other's breathing, while his hands gently caressed those soft curves. They said a man's proudest moment was when he held his first love's bosom.
Nie Li took a deep breath. Although the current Ye Ziyun had not yet fully grown, she had already blossomed into a graceful young woman. After cultivating the Nine Revolutions Ice Phoenix Art, her skin was so flawless it seemed it might break at a touch, making her all the more alluring.
Just then, Ye Ziyun, deep in cultivation, sensed something and abruptly opened her eyes. "Who is it?" she cried out sharply. When she saw it was Nie Li, she relaxed — but only to immediately fix him with a confused stare. "Why is it you? How did you get here?"
Had it been anyone else suddenly appearing in this courtyard, Ye Ziyun would have immediately questioned their motives. Even with people she was very familiar with, she couldn't let her guard down entirely. But without even realizing it herself, the moment she laid eyes on Nie Li, she instinctively relaxed.
"I came to pay you a visit. This courtyard of yours is quite charming, but living alone must get awfully boring. How about I move in with you?" Nie Li looked around, nodding as though he were thoroughly satisfied with what he saw.
Ye Ziyun stared at Nie Li, her expression blank, a mix of embarrassment and indignation flooding her face. This man — how could he be this brazenly shameless?! When did I ever say I was bored living alone?! Even if I were, I would never let you move in!