Nie Li glanced in the direction of Xiao Ning'er.
She was tall and slender, dressed in a slim-fitting yellow skirt, with black high boots and silky black hair cascading over her shoulders.
Her eyes were clear and bright, eyelashes gently fluttering, and her skin was flawless with a hint of blush, her full lips like rose petals about to drip.
Alongside her feminine grace, there was an indescribable wild beauty about her, and the icy expression on her face added a unique allure.
Nie Li's gaze was deep as he recalled that Xiao Ning'er was the precious daughter of the Xiao Family, one of the Seven Noble Families.
Her talent in soul force was second only to Ye Ziyun.
Before the fall of Glory City, she became a Silver Five-Star Demon Spirit Master, known alongside Ye Ziyun as the brightest stars among the young demon spirit masters.
However, because the Xiao Family wanted to curry favor with the Three Peaks Families, they forced Xiao Ning'er to marry into the Divine Sacred Family to Shen Yue's brother.
Xiao Ning'er vehemently refused, ultimately breaking ties with her family and venturing alone into the Dark Devil Forest within the Saint Ancestor Mountain Range, never to return.
She was a courageous woman!
Nie Li felt a deep sense of regret for Xiao Ning'er.
If given the opportunity, Nie Li was determined to help her in this life.
However, to say he harbored special feelings for her was wrong; his heart held only Ye Ziyun.
"In two months, the martial artist and demon spirit master level tests will be held. I hope by then some of you will emerge as Bronze One-Star martial artists or demon spirit masters. Whether it’s me or Saint Orchid Academy, we will be proud of you!" Instructor Shen Xiu said with a smile.
The levels are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Black Gold, and Legendary, each divided into one to five stars.
Reaching Bronze One-Star is the starting point.
To become a Bronze One-Star, a martial artist's force must reach 100, or a demon spirit master's soul force must reach 100. The entry is very tough, and many never manage to take this step to become genuine martial artists or demon spirit masters in their lifetime.
On hearing Instructor Shen Xiu's words, the class buzzed with whispers.
To become a Bronze One-Star martial artist, one must have the power to lift a hundred-pound boulder or fracture a tree trunk with a single strike.
Such feats were incredibly challenging for young learners unless they consumed various spiritual herbs from a young age to strengthen their bones and muscles.
As for demon spirit masters, one must cultivate strong soul force within one's body, which is even harder than becoming a martial artist.
The Soul Realm ranges in seven colors: red, orange, yellow, green, azure, blue, and purple.
Ordinary people usually only possess a red soul realm, making it extremely difficult to cultivate into demon spirit masters.
Typically, they choose the path of a martial artist.
Those with an orange or yellow soul realm are more suited to soul cultivation, while owners of a green or azure soul realm are considered exceptional prodigies.
The students shot envious glances at Ye Ziyun, Shen Yue, and Xiao Ning'er.
It seemed that only those three might have the chance to reach Bronze One-Star in the upcoming months.
Achieving that level would grant them entry into the official classes for martial artists or demon spirit masters, separating them into different classes.
Noticing the attention, Shen Yue proudly lifted his chest.
As a member of the Divine Sacred Family and having had the privilege of consuming various elixirs since childhood, his cultivation was far beyond that of his peers.
Raising his soul force to 100 within two months seemed simple.
He eagerly anticipated the upcoming test.
Shen Yue glanced at the elegant and captivating Ye Ziyun beside him.
In his mind, only he was a suitable match for Ye Ziyun.
Who did Nie Li think he was to dare boast about reaching Bronze One-Star within two months? It was arrogance and ignorance.
Did Nie Li actually believe it was easy to advance to Bronze One-Star? How could someone with a red soul realm be so boastful?
Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er exchanged a look.
They both came from prestigious families and were naturally exceptional.
Ye Ziyun had always wanted to be friends with Xiao Ning'er, but Xiao Ning'er seemed to view her as a competitor, striving for greatness with Ye Ziyun as her benchmark.
"As for those claiming they'll reach Bronze One-Star in two months, I really want to see how far they can go!" Shen Xiu's gaze lazily drifted to Nie Li, her tone dripping with disdain.
A person's cultivation speed depends significantly on the strength of their Soul Realm and health.
Given Nie Li's current state, following the usual pace, it would take at least three to five years to officially begin and reach Bronze One-Star as a martial artist.
For a demon spirit master, forget it altogether for someone with a red soul realm.
But Nie Li was completely unfazed by Shen Xiu's words.
"Two months? Seems like quite enough time," Nie Li's lips curled into a faintly confident smile.
Just watch how he achieves Bronze One-Star in that time!
In a private corner, Nie Li, Lu Piao, and Du Ze were having a quiet conversation.
"Nie Li, do you like Ye Ziyun?" Lu Piao asked, looking at Nie Li.
"Yes!" Nie Li said earnestly.
Lu Piao stared into Nie Li's eyes before sighing.
"Ye Ziyun is indeed beautiful. For you, my brother, I won't compete. But as a brother, I must warn you, Ye Ziyun's status is too lofty for us to reach."
Although their families were among the twenty noble families, the gap compared to Ye Ziyun's family was considerably vast.
"Come on, you two, get real! Ye Ziyun has an azure soul realm and is a super genius! She'll soon become a Bronze One-Star demon spirit master, possibly joining the official class quickly. By then, she might not even remember you two. I can't stand you noble brats always dreaming about girls instead of focusing on cultivation!" Du Ze huffed, being ruthlessly honest.
"What do you mean we noble brats only think about girls? That's offensive! I'm always working hard in cultivation, okay? I spend at most half a day thinking about girls!" Lu Piao shrugged, fully exhibiting his carefree spirit.
"Oh, heavens! What kind of people do I know!" Du Ze rolled his eyes.
Du Ze was talented, with a yellow soul realm and a dedication to cultivation.
With a bit of luck, he reached the Golden One-Star demon spirit master level, leading his family to noble status—an impressive feat.
Du Ze was highly loyal, though a bit rigid, always serious in his endeavors.
In sharp contrast, Lu Piao was a carefree young master, lazy despite being talented.
With a bit of effort, his cultivation would skyrocket, but he was so lazy he only reached Silver level, much lower than Du Ze.
Strangely, these two polar opposites became the best of friends in their past lives.
Listening to Du Ze and Lu Piao bicker, it used to seem like pointless chatter, but now Nie Li felt deeply moved.
Having brothers like them was truly wonderful!
"Nie Li, I advise you to forget it and focus on cultivation," Du Ze earnestly counseled Nie Li, fearing the pain he might suffer if he truly fell for Ye Ziyun.
In his past life, Nie Li was devastated upon hearing about Shen Yue and Ye Ziyun's engagement.
But in this life, if Nie Li remained so weak, he might as well bang his head on the wall.
"Don't worry, I'm sure of myself. Whatever I decide to do, I will definitely achieve!" Nie Li declared confidently.
Hearing him, Du Ze and Lu Piao were momentarily stunned.
They couldn't fathom how Nie Li could harbor such strong faith.
Seeing his determined eyes, they almost felt Nie Li really could do it.
They found themselves inspired by his confidence.
"Alright then, whatever you pursue, we'll support you!" Du Ze decided after some thought.
Standing here in detention had formed a deep brotherly bond amongst them.
"Du Ze, Lu Piao, I will make you the strongest demon spirit masters in Glory City!" Nie Li vowed solemnly.
In their past lives, Du Ze and Lu Piao stood by him through thick and thin, saving his life countless times.
Now that he was back, he intended to support them in fulfilling their dreams.
"I'd rather not. I only have a red soul realm. With the family's support in elixirs, becoming a martial artist is doable, but becoming a demon spirit master is just too tough," Lu Piao quickly retreated, shaking his head.
"What's the use of being a martial artist? The further you cultivate, the tougher it gets. Plus, martial artists of the same rank can't match up to demon spirit masters. On the battlefield, even a legendary martial artist isn't as valuable as a Black Gold demon spirit master. Demon spirit masters are the ultimate war machines!" Du Ze, meanwhile, was eager to become a demon spirit master, determined to be the best.
"I don't need to be a legendary martial artist. I'd be content with reaching Gold!" Lu Piao replied casually, unmoved.
Du Ze was speechless.
Dealing with someone lacking ambition was frustrating.
"Only a red soul realm and you're scared? I have just a red soul realm too," Nie Li said, eyeing Lu Piao.
Lu Piao and Du Ze were at a loss.
How could Nie Li be so confident about reaching Bronze One-Star in two months with only a red soul realm? Maybe he had a special method?
"Nie Li, do you know a way to cultivate soul force and level up as a demon spirit master?" Du Ze asked curiously.
To him, there's no shortcut in cultivating soul force.
"Just follow my lead. As long as you don't back down, you'll become powerful demon spirit masters!" Nie Li promised.
"Back down? Never!" Du Ze proclaimed.
He was committed to growing stronger, to changing his family's destiny.
He would never retreat from this path.
If he could become a demon spirit master, Lu Piao would gladly follow.
It would mean he wouldn't constantly get beaten by his dad for being lazy.
Lu Piao was one of those who wouldn't budge unless forced, always seizing any chance to slack off.
"Will it be troublesome?" Lu Piao mumbled.
Du Ze shot a glare at Lu Piao.
This guy was hopeless! Wanting to be a demon spirit master and being afraid of trouble—demon spirit mastery involved a lot of challenges! If he could become one, no matter the trouble or difficulty, Du Ze would face it head-on.
"No trouble at all," Nie Li chuckled, shaking his head before turning serious.
"But it will require a lot of money."
"Just money? Then it's no big deal!" Lu Piao relaxed.
"How much do you need? I’ve saved up two thousand demon spirit coins over three years. If it means becoming a demon spirit master, I can spend it all."
The prospect of buying a demon spirit master position for two thousand demon spirit coins was too good to be true.
Nie Li sighed, glancing at Lu Piao.
Did he seriously think two thousand demon spirit coins were a lot? "Two thousand coins are nothing. At the very least, millions of demon spirit coins are needed, maybe even tens of millions!"
A million demon spirit coins! Lu Piao and Du Ze both gasped.
That amount was equivalent to a regular noble family’s annual earnings! Where could they possibly find such money?
(Chapter End)