As Nie Li, Du Ze, and Lu Piao devoured the delicate pastries, the students from the noble families couldn't help but feel frustrated, wondering why they weren't receiving such treatment.
Xiao Ning'er also enjoyed a few pieces, her graceful eating manner making for a pleasing sight.
After chatting briefly with Nie Li, Xiao Ning'er returned to her seat.
Lu Piao nudged Nie Li with a cheeky grin, "So when did you start charming our Goddess Ning'er? Spill the beans."
Nie Li shrugged, "We're just ordinary friends, that's all."
"Yeah, right!" Both Du Ze and Lu Piao gave Nie Li a look full of disbelief.
"If she's just a friend, why would Goddess Ning'er bring you breakfast?"
No matter how Nie Li tried to explain, Du Ze and Lu Piao wouldn’t believe it.
Many of the noble sons in class were eyeing Nie Li with intense hostility.
After all, Nie Li had silently claimed one of the class's two goddesses, leaving them with a bitter taste.
"Maybe she needed my help with something," Nie Li said calmly.
No matter how much Du Ze and Lu Piao prodded, Nie Li stayed tight-lipped.
They were determined to investigate further and uncover the real relationship between Nie Li and Goddess Ning'er.
The bell rang for class, and Instructor Shen Xiu strutted in with a beaming smile, a change from her usual aloof demeanor.
She checked on Nie Li and his friends, "You three should get back to your seats."
Today's lesson was important as some distinguished guests were observing, making Shen Xiu extra cautious.
"Today I will be teaching about runes. For both martial artists and demon spirit masters, understanding runes is crucial. Runes are divided into two main categories: weapon patterns and battle patterns. Weapon patterns are engraved on armor and weapons to significantly enhance their power. For a demon spirit master, using weapons and armor inscribed with high-level runes can greatly exceed their natural abilities. As for battle patterns, they're found on scrolls and can unleash powerful combat potential when activated."
Surprisingly, Shen Xiu was finally teaching something substantial today.
"Runes are profoundly mysterious. They began spreading from the late Snowstorm Empire, perfected over thousands of years. However, during the Dark Era, the continent faced relentless demon beast attacks, and Glory City only preserved a fraction of those runes, which are categorized into the Snowstorm Rune, Holy Fire Inscription Patterns, and Battle Edge Runes: respectively, snowstorm, fire attribute, and non-attribute."
"Today, we'll be discussing weapon patterns," Shen Xiu continued with an unexpectedly gentle tone.
Outside the classroom, three elders sat attentively listening.
"The Divine Sacred Family's descendants are indeed knowledgeable, surely adequate to instruct this batch of students!" said one of the elders, stroking his beard with a smile.
He was Ye Sheng, the vice principal of Saint Orchid Academy.
"There are a few standout students in this class, like Ye Ziyun, Shen Yue, and Xiao Ning'er!" added another elder flatteringly.
His name was Lv Ye, a professor at Saint Orchid Academy.
Seated beside them was a gray-robed elder whose identity was unknown even to Lv Ye.
Despite this, the elder exuded an authoritative presence that commanded respect and caution.
"What do you think?" Ye Sheng asked the gray-robed elder.
"Hmm," the gray-robed elder responded indifferently.
Lv Ye was puzzled by the gray-robed elder's presence, wondering about his identity.
His indifferent attitude toward Vice Principal Ye Sheng hinted at a status possibly surpassing even the academy's principal, making Lv Ye wary about speaking too much.
Inside, the students were oblivious to the observers outside.
They focused intently as Shen Xiu delivered a rare, useful lesson.
With a proud air, Shen Xiu stated, "Today, we'll cover the Holy Fire Inscription Patterns! The Divine Sacred Family is undeniably the leader in Holy Fire Inscription Patterns research!"
"There are sixty-six basic patterns in the Holy Fire Inscription," Shen Xiu explained, scribbling a complex diagram on the board.
"This is the Scarlet Flame Explosion Pattern, created by the first head of the Divine Sacred Family. It's the most powerful Bronze rune. Comprised of thirty-six basic patterns, it's also one of the most intricate Bronze runes. Let's explore these thirty-six basic patterns."
Shen Xiu spoke eloquently, but Nie Li seemed uninterested, feeling that the basic patterns held no allure.
In truth, the Holy Fire Inscription's foundational patterns totaled over six hundred, not sixty-six.
If it weren't for Ye Ziyun and the few treasures at Saint Orchid Academy, he wouldn’t waste his time listening to Shen Xiu's flawed teachings.
To him, Shen Xiu's lessons were fraught with errors and not worth listening to.
Claiming the Scarlet Flame Explosion Pattern as the most powerful Bronze rune was laughable.
As Shen Xiu lectured, her gaze landed on Nie Li, who had previously defied her, showing no respect.
She held a grudge and, upon seeing Nie Li not paying attention, she coldly rejoiced at the opportunity.
While Shen Xiu droned on about the thirty-six basic patterns, an uninterested Nie Li casually slept at his desk.
Outside, Vice Principal Ye Sheng grew displeased, glancing nervously at the gray-robed elder.
With such a distinguished guest observing, Nie Li's nap was embarrassing for Saint Orchid Academy.
If Ye Sheng learned the student's name, he intended to expel him permanently.
The gray-robed elder remained unmoved, allowing Vice Principal Ye Sheng to breathe a sigh of relief.
Lv Ye, growing concerned, commented, "In a novice martial artists' class, not all students are equal. I'll definitely give this student a stern talking-to. Their parents paid a lot for them to attend Saint Orchid Academy, not to sleep through lessons!"
Ye Sheng nodded, appreciating Lv Ye's understanding.
Noticing Nie Li asleep made Shen Xiu's expression darken, as it implied her lecture was dull.
"Nie Li!" she barked beside him.
Startled from a deep sleep, Nie Li squinted wearily, "What is it?"
Seeing Nie Li awoken by Shen Xiu, the other students couldn't suppress their amusement, relishing the thought of Nie Li getting scolded.
After all, he had 'stolen' their dream girl.
"This won't end well for Nie Li!"
Du Ze and Lu Piao shared a bittersweet smile, as sleeping during class was something they dared not do.
Nie Li's relaxed demeanor only infuriated Shen Xiu further.
She demanded, "Sleeping during my lesson? Do you know everything already?"
"Yes," Nie Li replied calmly.
"You..."
Shen Xiu nearly choked, aghast.
Nie Li had slept throughout the class, yet claimed total understanding.
Who would believe that?
Leaning on the blackboard, Shen Xiu challenged, "If so, explain this rune to me."
Nie Li glanced at it, "That's a basic fire rune, barely qualifies as Bronze level, comprised of thirty-eight foundational patterns. It's weak, but might be good for boiling water."
The class erupted into laughter at Nie Li's audacious response.
"Hahaha, this is gold! He clearly wasn't listening—Shen Xiu said it was thirty-six base patterns, not thirty-eight!"
"I'm crying from laughter! He actually suggested this rune's for boiling water!" A noble student doubled over, clutching their sides.
Even Ye Ziyun couldn't help but smile, while Shen Yue fumed.
To him, Nie Li's comparison of a noble family heirloom to a kettle was intolerable.
Among them all, Xiao Ning'er remained composed, believing Nie Li to be purposefully underplaying his true talent.
Outside, Lv Ye chuckled quietly, "This student's hilarious, pretending to know the Scarlet Flame Explosion's composed of thirty-eight patterns and claiming it’s for boiling water."
However, his laughter stopped abruptly when he noticed Vice Principal Ye Sheng and the gray-robed elder didn't find it amusing at all, forcing him to stifle his amusement.
"What's amusing? The Scarlet Flame Explosion indeed comprises thirty-eight foundational patterns," Ye Sheng stated matter-of-factly.
At their advanced level of study, it became clear that some basic patterns were aggregates of others, totaling thirty-eight—not thirty-six—patterns.
Surprisingly, a student pointed this out.
Could Nie Li have merely guessed?
For experts of their caliber, the Scarlet Flame Explosion was trivial, ill-suited for battle but handy for heating water.
A flash of brilliance crossed the gray-robed elder's eyes, yet he remained silent.
"Attention-seeker," Shen Xiu sneered, her displeasure evident.
As a member of the Divine Sacred Family, she wouldn't tolerate anyone disparaging the Scarlet Flame Explosion Pattern.
Ignoring the jibes, Nie Li continued confidently, "This rune originally appeared in the seventh volume of the Thunderfire Scripture, called Thunderfire Explosion Pattern. It consisted of sixty patterns, theoretically complex. But some fool removed the thunder elements and scribbled in random changes, creating this mismatched Scarlet Flame Explosion. It’s worthless in battle, fit only for Holy Fire Inscription novices to practice on."
Thunderfire Scripture? The students exchanged confused glances.
Did Nie Li just call the founder of the Divine Sacred Family a fool? Shen Xiu bristled with rage, unfamiliar with any Thunderfire Scripture, let alone its seventh volume.
"Ridiculous! There's no such thing as Thunderfire Scripture!" Shen Xiu retorted after consideration, dismissing Nie Li's remarks as fabrications.
(End of Chapter)