As night crept in, the moonlight bathed everything in a gentle glow, like a silken veil draping over the world.
Trial Grounds.
Nie Li made his way to the spot where he once met Xiao Ning'er.
From a distance, under the clear moonlight, he saw a girl dressed in a light silken garment standing quietly.
Today, she seemed to have gone through extra care in her appearance.
Her jet-black hair cascaded like a waterfall, adorned with silver ribbons.
Her face was delicate and fair, her brows long and elegant—a beauty untouched by the trivialities of the world.
Indeed, she was one of the two great beauties, rivaling Ye Ziyun.
"I thought you weren't coming," Xiao Ning'er said, her bright eyes falling on Nie Li.
"How could that be? I'm someone who keeps promises," Nie Li replied with a slight smile.
"No matter how busy I am, I must first heal your injuries."
"Thank you," Xiao Ning'er said softly, lowering her head, gratitude filling her heart.
Nie Li looked down at Xiao Ning'er, noticing her outfit today was even more captivating than before.
The white silk dress outlined her graceful figure, with a gentle rise at her chest.
The long dress extended to her knees, hinting at her long and toned legs from her diligent training, full of resilience.
"You should be feeling better now," Nie Li commented as he gently held Xiao Ning'er's delicate foot.
Her ankle was like a beautiful, lustrous blue snow crystal, smooth and tender.
The bruise from before had faded significantly.
"Yes, it is better," Xiao Ning'er nodded, her heart filled with gratitude towards Nie Li.
After his massage, she had been sleeping exceptionally well, no longer struggling like before.
Though it was not the first time, her foot in Nie Li's hand still made her feel shy.
As Nie Li continued to massage Xiao Ning'er, he said, "I have a favor to ask. Can you help me?"
"Of course, if it's within my ability," Xiao Ning'er replied sincerely.
"I have 10,000 demon spirit coins. I want you to have someone buy Violet Orchid Grass from every shop," Nie Li said.
"Violet Orchid Grass?" Xiao Ning'er asked in surprise.
"What do you need Violet Orchid Grass for?" It was a cheap herb, mainly used for smoke fumigation.
When dried and burned like firewood, it produced smoke that drove away insects.
It was abundant and cheap; a single demon spirit coin could buy a bundle, and every year, countless amounts were burned in Glory City households.
Other than for smoke fumigation, Violet Orchid Grass had no apparent use.
What did Nie Li plan to do with so much?
"I have my own plans," Nie Li replied.
He asked Xiao Ning'er to help because her involvement wouldn't attract attention.
Nie Li was in the spotlight and needed to stay low-key.
"How much Violet Orchid Grass do you want?"
"As much as possible. I'll take whatever the market has," Nie Li said.
Xiao Ning'er couldn't fathom what use there was for so much Violet Orchid Grass.
"I'll handle it. I'll front the money. Ten thousand demon spirit coins is nothing to me!" Xiao Ning'er offered.
Although her family was declining, they remained one of the noble families.
As a direct descendant with exceptional talent, Xiao Ning'er never lacked money, having saved most of it with little personal expenditure.
Nie Li thought and then nodded, "Alright, go ahead. The more, the better. I'll pay you back double later."
"No need. It's really nothing," Xiao Ning'er quickly replied.
She was happy to help since Nie Li had done so much for her.
A little demon spirit coin meant nothing.
As he finished massaging her foot, Xiao Ning'er's face reddened.
Despite having gone through it once, massaging in such an intimate spot still embarrassed her.
She silently unbuttoned her clothing.
Today she wore a pink lace ribbon, more alluring and sensual than before, hinting at her curves beneath the soft fabric.
The tempting pink was even more provocative, revealing faint hints of her figure.
Nie Li quickly averted his eyes, focusing on massaging Xiao Ning'er's bruise.
"Did you take your medicine on time after going back?" Nie Li asked, rubbing her with gentle precision, easing the tense areas of the bruise, occasionally sensing the enticing softness.
"Yes," Xiao Ning'er nodded, her cheeks crimson, beautiful yet demure.
She remembered how Nie Li had fixed her technique and earnestly said, "Nie Li, ever since I started practicing the technique you modified, I've felt my soul force improve greatly. I think you're truly a genius. Even if people don't notice your talent now, when you fully reveal it, you will surely shine brilliantly!"
Xiao Ning'er gazed at Nie Li's handsome profile, lost in thought.
A sense of loneliness and helplessness stirred in her heart, fearing the day when she could no longer stand by his side.
That looming pressure drove her to train harder in recent days.
Nie Li smiled at her words, knowing she was encouraging him.
Having been reborn, Nie Li's heart was resolute, certain he would one day reach the pinnacle.
He aspired to be someone far beyond what Xiao Ning'er and others could imagine!
No matter what, Nie Li deeply appreciated Xiao Ning'er's care.
Divine Sacred Family.
The Elder Council Hall.
The council elder of the Divine Sacred Family, Shen Ming, was a Silver-ranked demon spirit master.
Despite not being particularly powerful, he held considerable authority in the family due to his capability, managing most of the family's affairs.
Shen Ming's face twisted with anger after hearing the report.
"A mere trainee dares to challenge the Divine Sacred Family!" He fumed.
Nie Li's exposure of the origin of the Scarlet Inferno Inscription Patterns had severely impacted the major families.
Shen Ming had to employ various methods to appease and gain forgiveness from them.
This incident touched the very core of the Divine Sacred Family's interests.
Yet, they couldn't trouble Nie Li because a powerful figure had taken an interest in him.
Just days later, news arrived that Nie Li had beaten Shen Yue, a direct descendant of their family, at school.
"Isn't Young Master Shen Yue soon to be Bronze one-star? Why couldn't he handle Nie Li?" Shen Ming questioned, looking coldly at his subordinate.
Feeling Shen Ming's icy gaze, the subordinate shivered and said, "I'm not sure. Young Master Shen Yue said his strength and soul force were superior to Nie Li's, but Nie Li used some sort of sorcery to beat him."
Upon hearing this, Shen Ming scowled.
Sorcery, indeed.
It was likely Shen Yue simply wasn't skilled enough.
But how strong could a trainee be? Likely not even a Bronze one-star.
"Elder, should we report this to the family head?"
"No, the family head is focused on breaking through to a legendary demon spirit master. Unless it's a matter of life and death for the family, it's unnecessary to inform him."
To Shen Ming, Nie Li posed no threat to the family.
"Have you found out which family Nie Li belongs to?"
"Yes, Elder, we have. He's from the Heavenly Marks Family!"
"The Heavenly Marks Family? Hmph, a minor noble family. How dare they challenge a peak family like us? I suspect it's just a clueless youngster showing off after discovering the Scarlet Inferno origin," Shen Ming mused.
Considering the Heavenly Marks Family's insignificance, the Divine Sacred Family felt no need to worry.
If they acted against the Heavenly Marks Family, it would appear petty to other families.
"Instruct Young Master Shen Fei to keep an eye on Nie Li. It's normal for a few youths to have conflicts and fight at school."
The subordinate understood Shen Ming's intent.
At sixteen, Shen Fei was already a Silver-ranked demon spirit master, easily able to handle Nie Li.
Shen Ming wanted Shen Fei to keep Nie Li in check at school.
After a moment's thought, Shen Ming added, "Wait for a bit until the commotion dies down before having Young Master Shen Fei act."
As a council elder, Shen Ming had to handle matters flawlessly to avoid giving anyone leverage.
"Understood!"
In the City Lord's mansion, Ye Ziyun's room was exquisitely decorated.
At a desk, Ye Ziyun focused on her studies, occasionally pausing to mull things over.
She tried to trace the origin of the 'Cold Wind and Sudden Snow' rune Nie Li had drawn, but to no avail.
Where did Nie Li find this rune?
A moment later, a graceful woman in a blue gauze dress entered.
"Miss, what can I do for you?" the woman asked with a respectful smile.
"Aunt Xue, you're a Rune Master. Do you recognize this rune?" Ye Ziyun asked, looking up.
Aunt Xue gazed at the rune on Ye Ziyun's desk, eyes wide in astonishment.
"Miss, where did you find this rune? I've never seen anything like it."
"Even Aunt Xue hasn't seen this rune?" Ye Ziyun was taken aback.
Aunt Xue was a Rune Master! If even she hadn't seen it, was Nie Li's drawing random?
"It appears similar to 'Cold Wind and Sudden Snow,' but stronger," Aunt Xue examined, tracing the design with her fingers.
"The proportions are harmonious and balanced. I don't know which master crafted it, but I am awed. Has Miss encountered a Rune Master?"
Nie Li being a Rune Master was impossible.
He was just too young.
Yet recalling how effortlessly Nie Li had sketched the rune, Ye Ziyun found herself enveloped in even more confusion.
(End of Chapter)