In the academy's martial arts training ground, banners fluttered and drums resonated.
The long-awaited year-end assessment was about to commence, marking a significant moment for every student.
All the junior martial artist apprentices and junior demon spirit master apprentices gathered in the central area of the training ground.
Even Nie Li, Du Ze, and Lu Piao, who had not attended classes for nearly two months, appeared on the training ground, standing with their fellow classmates.
As soon as they spotted Nie Li, both Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er walked over.
Regardless of whether they were boys from their own class or other classes, everyone who saw Nie Li standing with the two beauties felt an overwhelming sense of envy and jealousy.
Nie Li's luck seemed extraordinary, monopolizing so many resources all to himself.
Casting his gaze at Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er, Nie Li noticed that the two girls had become even more beautiful than before, resembling fairies.
The effects of the Wind-Thunder Wyvern Technique and Nine Transformations Ice Phoenix Art had certainly enhanced their appearances.
Both techniques were powerful, refining their bodies and expelling impurities, leaving them with an ethereal aura.
Recently, both Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er had rapidly improved their cultivation and had surpassed their peers significantly.
Thus, both of them felt grateful towards Nie Li, as it was his assistance that allowed their rapid progress.
Ye Ziyun seemed to notice someone and, after exchanging a few words with Nie Li, left first.
"Ning'er, I recently heard from my family that the Heavenly Mark Family's business is being suppressed by the Divine Sacred Family," Xiao Ning'er shared quietly as she approached Nie Li.
"Is that all? Just business suppression?" Nie Li replied, his gaze deepening.
"Yes!" Xiao Ning'er nodded.
Even a powerful entity like the Divine Sacred Family could only resort to suppressing businesses of other families, because internal conflicts were strictly forbidden in Glory City.
If the Divine Sacred Family dared to wipe out the Heavenly Mark Family, the legendary demon spirit master Ye Mo and the City Lord would surely not let them off easily!
"Then there's no problem!" Nie Li said lightly.
Since the Alchemist Association began selling pills, he had been earning billions of demon spirit coins every day, income that could match the Heavenly Mark Family's revenue in years.
The suppression of their business was of no concern to him.
After the academy's year-end assessment, he planned to return to the Heavenly Mark Family and completely turn their fortunes around!
Although he wasn't worried about what the Divine Sacred Family might do, he remained cautious against the Dark Guild colluding with them.
The Dark Guild disregarded the rules of Glory City.
Fortunately, the city was under the watch of the city guards, so the Dark Guild rarely dared to act openly there.
As they were chatting, a group approached, led by Shen Fei and Shen Yue.
Seeing Nie Li chatting with Xiao Ning'er, Shen Fei's eyes glinted with malice but quickly reigned it in.
When Xiao Ning'er saw Shen Fei coming, her complexion paled slightly.
She bit her lip and stepped aside.
She wasn't afraid of Shen Fei; she had resolved to stand against the Divine Sacred Family.
However, she was concerned about causing trouble for Nie Li.
Noticing Xiao Ning'er’s slightly flustered expression, Nie Li gently grasped her arm and smiled, "Ning'er, where are you off to?"
"Nie Li, let go of me! It will bring you trouble!" Xiao Ning'er whispered.
Nie Li shrugged nonchalantly.
"It’s not the first time I've offended the Divine Sacred Family. What’s there to fear?" Through the thin fabric of her clothing, he could feel her smooth skin.
Xiao Ning'er's face turned slightly red, and her shyness enchanted the boys around them.
She felt a mix of warmth and sweetness in her heart.
Did Nie Li truly not care about offending the Divine Sacred Family for her sake?
"Let go of your hand!" Shen Fei, boiling with jealousy at Xiao Ning’er's charming demeanor, pushed towards Nie Li.
The sight of Nie Li and Xiao Ning'er being close was a slap in Shen Fei's face, everyone knew Xiao Ning'er was his fiancée! Her flirtatious attitude towards Nie Li was like putting a green hat on him!
When Shen Fei's palm slashed towards him, Nie Li shifted his body, pulling Xiao Ning'er slightly away and dodging Shen Fei's strike.
In the same motion, he pushed Shen Fei back.
Shen Fei was taken aback, unsure how Nie Li managed to evade him, only realizing that he had underestimated Nie Li.
He was already at the Silver Star rank—how did Nie Li evade his attack and send him flying?
The onlookers were also stunned.
Knowing Shen Fei was a genius from the Saint Orchid Academy, to see him lose to Nie Li was shocking.
What realm had Nie Li reached?
"You are Nie Li?" Shen Fei narrowed his eyes coldly at Nie Li.
"That's right, and you are?" Nie Li stood his ground, slightly embracing Xiao Ning'er in a way that felt ambiguous.
He intentionally shifted Shen Fei’s hatred and attention toward himself, making him believe that Nie Li was pursuing Xiao Ning'er to prevent Shen Fei from bothering her.
Though Xiao Ning'er and Nie Li had been somewhat close, being embraced in front of so many students made her cheeks burning.
The surrounding students looked at Nie Li with admiration.
His audacity was astounding, openly holding another man's fiancée.
They noticed Xiao Ning'er wasn’t pushing back against Nie Li, implying their relationship was definitely more than ordinary!
Hearing Nie Li's words, Shen Fei's fury boiled over, eyes bulging, veins bulging from his neck.
He glared at Nie Li and gritted his teeth, "Remember this! My name is Shen Fei, I'm Ning'er's fiancé!"
"Ning'er’s fiancé? Who recognized that? Ning'er, is he your fiancé?" Nie Li turned toward Xiao Ning'er.
Before she could respond, he laughed at Shen Fei, "See? No, right? What are you? A toad dreaming of eating swan meat? Get real! You think you qualify to marry my Ning'er?"
Xiao Ning'er was speechless, not having the chance to answer.
The surrounding students were equally taken aback.
Nie Li was incredibly shameless! Xiao Ning'er hadn’t even spoken yet!
"He is not my fiancé, I have never acknowledged that!" Xiao Ning'er glared at Shen Fei, strong disdain filling her eyes.
She knew what kind of person Shen Fei was.
Not long ago, he had tried to place the blame for damaging two common female students onto someone else to escape jail time.
Pressured by the Divine Sacred Family, she had tolerated him before, but now she would no longer submit.
Hearing Xiao Ning'er's words, Shen Fei's eyes flashed viciously as he forced a smile.
"Xiao Ning'er, that's your own words; don't regret it! A small Wyvern Family dares to rise against me?"
Xiao Ning'er’s face paled slightly.
She recognized that the Wyvern Family couldn't possibly oppose the Divine Sacred Family.
They would likely suffer serious repercussions.
However, there was no way she would submit to Shen Fei; being with him would make her feel sick every moment!
The surrounding students quickly realized what was happening.
Shen Fei was using the Divine Sacred Family to pressure the Wyvern Family and force Xiao Ning'er! She didn’t like Shen Fei at all!
"What a despicable act!"
"So that's what the Divine Sacred Family is like!"
"No wonder our Goddess Ning'er never wants to associate with Shen Fei, despite being his fiancée!"
The students murmured among themselves, and as they looked at Nie Li, their hostility diminished; instead, they felt admiration for him.
Who else dared to openly defy the Divine Sacred Family? Who else had the courage to pull their Goddess out of the flames?
Shen Fei's expression darkened even further, with his icy gaze sweeping over the crowd.
The students stepped back, fear evident in their eyes.
"Come at me if you've got guts. Threatening a woman is nothing to be proud of. Whatever you want to do, I'm Nie Li, and I'm ready any time!" Nie Li boldly faced Shen Fei.
Someone like Shen Fei was just a stepping stone for him.
"This has nothing to do with Nie Li; it's my decision!" Xiao Ning'er fixed her determined gaze on Shen Fei, speaking firmly.
"Shen Fei, I would rather die than be with you!"
Xiao Ning'er was someone who preferred death over dishonor; she appeared fragile but was resolute.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have bravely entered the Dark Devil Forest before marrying Shen Fei in her previous life.
Nie Li would not let the tragedy of her past repeat.
From the moment he helped Xiao Ning'er heal her injuries, he developed quite an affection for this beautiful, kindhearted, and resilient girl, treating her like a little sister.
"Hmph, this won’t allow!" Shen Fei sneered.
"I will apply to enter the Heavenly Illusion Sacred Realm. If I pass its test, even the Divine Sacred Family cannot touch me!" Xiao Ning'er declared proudly.
"Hahaha, Xiao Ning’er, you really are daydreaming. Do you think you can pass the Heavenly Illusion Sacred Realm test? Only three people have passed its test in hundreds of years!" Shen Fei mocked.
The Heavenly Illusion Sacred Realm was a secret realm of the Saint Orchid Academy, exclusive to super-geniuses.
Those who passed its test would be the most dazzling talents in Glory City, possibly even qualifying to become a disciple of the legendary demon spirit master Ye Mo!
To enter the Heavenly Illusion Sacred Realm, one had to be under fifteen, which Xiao Ning'er was.
But did she truly think her talent was up to par?
In the history of Glory City, only three people had passed the Heavenly Illusion test—one being the legendary demon spirit master Ye Mo.
The other two had perished in battle, yet in life, they both reached the peak of Black Gold demon spirit masters, merely a hair’s breadth away from being legends!
The Heavenly Illusion Sacred Realm was a revered place in everyone's hearts!
If Xiao Ning'er could truly pass the test, the Divine Sacred Family would indeed be unable to act against the Wyvern Family!
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(End of this chapter)