Beside Ye Ziyun sat a tall and handsome boy, who often glanced her way.
Noticing her expression, he shot a fierce glare at Nie Li.
His stature was slightly taller than Nie Li's, with bushy eyebrows and bright eyes, but his demeanor had an air of arrogance about it.
Nie Li recognized this person; he was Shen Yue, a talented disciple from the Divine Sacred Family, one of the Three Peaks Families.
The instructor on the platform, Shen Xiu, was his aunt.
In a past life, Shen Yue had always pursued Ye Ziyun, and it was said that before Glory City was attacked, they were on the verge of engagement.
Given their family backgrounds, they were a suitable match.
If Glory City had not fallen, they would surely have married, but before the engagement ceremony could take place, Glory City was besieged by a frenzy of demon beasts.
Just before the city fell, the Divine Sacred Family betrayed it and fled.
Perhaps this was the twist of fate, for in that life, Ye Ziyun did not become Shen Yue's wife but instead formed a bond with Nie Li.
Thinking of this, Nie Li couldn't help but smile.
However, upon seeing the gaze exchanged between Ye Ziyun and Shen Yue, he felt a tinge of headache.
Currently, Ye Ziyun still harbored some fondness for Shen Yue, and when she looked at Nie Li, he sensed a hint of disdain.
She likely viewed him as a frivolous and unlearned noble son.
As he caught Ye Ziyun's gaze, Nie Li felt his breath catch slightly.
Her familiar face stirred memories of his past life, making his nose feel a bit sour.
He stared deeply at Ye Ziyun and smiled, grateful for the Temporal Demon Spirit Book that had brought them together once more.
"What a strange person," Ye Ziyun thought to herself.
She sensed something unusual in Nie Li's gaze; his deep pupils sparkled like brilliant stars, revealing a hint of melancholy.
Confusion filled her mind.
Did she know Nie Li? Why did he look at her in such a way?
Ye Ziyun, with her graceful figure and radiant smile, resembled a quietly blooming lotus, exuding an indescribable charm; it was no wonder so many boys were captivated by her.
At this moment, Shen Xiu cast a stern look at Nie Li.
These thirteen or fourteen-year-old children could not escape her keen eye.
After all, she was a Silver Demon Spirit Master, already at a level where her mind and body were in harmony, with a keen sense of awareness.
Even a rat fleeing hundreds of meters away would not escape her sight.
Ye Ziyun’s noble birth was notable—she was the City Lord's daughter and the granddaughter of the legendary demon spirit master Ye Mo, having already condensed her azure soul realm, which was quite rare and remarkable! Only a few in Saint Orchid Academy knew of Ye Ziyun's lineage.
If Shen Yue could marry her, it would greatly reinforce the Divine Sacred Family's influence in Glory City, which explained why Shen Yue was here in this beginner martial artist class, and why Shen Xiu was teaching here.
Transforming back into her human form, Shen Xiu crossed her arms, casting a sidelong glance at the students below, she coldly stated, "For the next two years, you will all be my students. Though the academy’s dean says all students are equal, I must tell you a harsh truth: equality does not exist in this world!" Her somewhat sharp voice felt like a knife, stabbing heavily at every student’s heart.
All the students listened in silence, none daring to speak.
"When you grow up and leave Saint Orchid Academy, you will understand what I mean. Equality is just a lie meant to comfort you, you cannot live in a fairytale forever!"
Shen Xiu looked down at all the students, "Glory City is the only city that has survived the Dark Era. We are the last remnants of humanity. There are two powerful existences in Glory City: martial artists and demon spirit masters.
Demon spirit masters are the most noble of beings. Among thousands or even tens of thousands of martial artists, only one might become a powerful demon spirit master. Currently, there are only a few thousand demon spirit masters in all of Glory City.
We are its guardians!"
"Martial artists and demon spirit masters are divided into five ranks: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Black Gold, and Legendary. The higher the rank, the stronger the power.
A family must produce a Gold demon spirit master to become a noble family; a Black Gold demon spirit master to become a prominent family; and more than three Black Gold demon spirit masters or even a Legendary demon spirit master to ascend to a peak family. Among you thirty-six, there are children of commoners and children of powerful families.
Though your beginnings may be the same, your status is not. I hope each of you has self-awareness and conduct yourselves appropriately! Commoners will always be commoners; wanting to become nobles is nearly impossible, so don’t wish to fly up and become a phoenix.
Even among nobles, there are strict hierarchies that cannot be breached!"
Under Shen Xiu's piercing gaze, some students in simple clothes showed discomfort and lowered their heads, whereas Shen Yue and a few other noble offspring stood tall, revealing smug smiles.
Only Nie Li, Ye Ziyun, Lu Piao, and a few other noble youths remained calm.
Nie Li glanced sideways at Du Ze, a boy with ragged clothing and a slender build, who clenched his fists, biting his lip.
Du Ze was a child of a commoner and his family was quite poor.
However, Nie Li knew that Du Ze had a strong sense of pride!
Though his circumstances were tough, in his past life, Du Ze had worked exceptionally hard and with decent talent, he had risen to become a Gold demon spirit master.
Lacking the vast resources of a family and exceptional gifts, his success was a testament to his effort!
Before the fall of Glory City in his past life, many nobles were contemplating escapes, yet it was Du Ze and those from common backgrounds who fought for Glory City until the end, dying in battle.
Du Ze was Nie Li's friend and his most respected one!
Seeing Shen Xiu's scornful expression ignited a deep anger within Nie Li.
When Glory City fell, it was the Divine Sacred Family that fled first, thus he held no fondness for anyone from that family, whether Shen Yue or Shen Xiu; neither were good people.
In his past life, Shen Xiu's harshness had always rubbed him the wrong way.
"Mistress Shen Xiu, I have a question!" Nie Li suddenly interjected.
All the students were quietly listening, and his interruption greatly displeased Shen Xiu.
She recognized him as the student interested in Ye Ziyun, and her previous words were intended to reprimand Nie Li, yet he was now confronting her directly.
With a cold huff, she asked, "What question?"
"You mentioned that Glory City is the only city that survived the Dark Era and that we are the last remnants of humanity—can you provide evidence for this? Have you ever ventured beyond the Saint Ancestor Mountain Range to the Endless Desert, Toxic Forest, Blood Moon Swamp, Sacred Spirit Bay, Tianzhe Mountain Range, or Northern Sky Snowfield?" As a reincarnated individual, Nie Li's knowledge overshadowed Shen Xiu’s.
"What are the Tianzhe Mountain Range and Northern Sky Snowfield?" Shen Xiu frowned.
She had heard of the other locations but knew they were very far from the Saint Ancestor Mountain Range, purely spoken of in legends.
With a cold snort, she declared, "I have never been to those places; I was born in Glory City and have never stepped foot outside."
Nie Li smiled faintly, "Since Mistress Shen Xiu has never been to those places, how can you be so certain we are the last remnants of humanity?"
Shen Xiu was momentarily speechless.
The students began to murmur among themselves, entirely unaware of the truths behind the places Nie Li mentioned.
Sitting a distance away, Ye Ziyun's eyes glimmered with curiosity as she turned to look at Nie Li, wondering how he knew about such things.
Next to Ye Ziyun, Shen Yue frowned, glancing at Nie Li, who spoke so confidently.
Nie Li's chiselled features and handsome visage did not pale in comparison to his, creating a sense of unease within him.
Witnessing the murmurs of the students, Shen Xiu’s expression darkened.
She scoffed, "So what? What evidence do you have to prove we are not the last remnants of humanity?"
"Evidence?" Nie Li chuckled coldly.
His experiences from his past life were evidence enough.
Humanity's resilience was remarkable.
Despite the horrors of the Dark Era, many had survived, establishing enduring cities.
Yet, he wouldn't share all that; instead, he calmly stated, "Let me tell you a story. There was a frog born at the bottom of a deep well. From the moment it was born, it could only see a small patch of sky at the well’s opening, so it claimed that the sky was only as big as the well’s mouth. But is the sky truly that small? We say that frog is looking at the sky from the bottom of the well!"
The students couldn't help but laugh at Nie Li's words.
They thought he made a good point, and the phrase "looking at the sky from the bottom of a well" seemed to fit Shen Xiu perfectly.
"Such a fitting description of looking at the sky from the bottom of a well!" several girls giggled, their disdain for Shen Xiu allowing them to admire Nie Li.
It would seem only he dared to criticize a teacher in such a bold manner in class.
"You..."
Shen Xiu glared at Nie Li, furious to the point of nearly spitting blood.
He had compared her to a frog at the bottom of a well! Never had she encountered such a brazen student!
Ye Ziyun, not far away, couldn't help but chuckle lightly.
She found Nie Li somewhat amusing and was quite impressed with his eloquence, managing to leave Shen Xiu at a loss for words.
Ye Ziyun, naturally beautiful, looked even more radiant when she smiled.
Nie Li winked at her and grinned.
Upon seeing Nie Li's expression, Ye Ziyun quickly turned her head, internally scoffing at him.
Nie Li was truly bold! In her heart, she still viewed him as a troublesome student!
As Nie Li not only rebutted Shen Xiu but also flirted with Ye Ziyun, Lu Piao nearby couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up, thinking Nie Li was incredibly cool.
Nie Li turned to Shen Xiu, continuing, "Mistress Shen Xiu, I have more questions!"
Shen Xiu, seething with anger, could not lash out right away.
She only sighed with impatience, "What other questions do you have?"
"You said commoners will always be commoners and that becoming noble is impossible. But I have a question: was Legendary Demon Spirit Master Ye Mo not a commoner in his youth?" Nie Li blinked at her, "Surely you know that, don’t you, Mistress Shen Xiu?"
(End of Chapter)