Nie Ming slightly nodded.
The fact that Nie Li exposed the plagiarism of the Red Flame Explosion Inscription from the Divine Sacred Family had caused significant damage to their reputation.
It was essential to teach them a lesson.
This genius battle was spearheaded by the Divine Sacred Family, and since the Kong Ming Family and the Snow Wind Family would not be participating, with Shen Ning and Shen Xiao in the mix, success was nearly guaranteed.
Adding Shen Fei to the team would only strengthen their chances.
"This genius battle is about our Divine Sacred Family's face. For this, we will hold a betting session where all family heads will place their bets," Nie Ming stated solemnly.
"This matter is of great importance, and we cannot allow even the slightest mistake. Otherwise, when the family head emerges, you two will understand the consequences!"
His gaze swept over Shen Ning and Shen Xiao.
Shen Fei could mess around without concern, but if Shen Ning or Shen Xiao made a blunder, they would face severe punishment.
Feeling a pang of worry, Shen Ning and Shen Xiao quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, Elder, we will do our utmost!"
Shen Fei glanced at them with disdain.
Although Shen Ning and Shen Xiao were displeased with him, being members of a branch family, they dared not voice their anger.
They felt a sense of imbalance, knowing their cultivation was far superior to Shen Fei's but being treated so unfairly.
"Recently, with the protection of the Alchemist Association, the Heavenly Mark Family has completely ignored us. Once the family head comes out, we will show them what it's like!" Nie Ming thought.
The family head, Shen Hong, had already reached the peak of the Black Gold Demon Spirit Master level.
It was uncertain if he could successfully break through to the legendary level this time.
Once Shen Hong succeeded, the status of the Divine Sacred Family in Glory City would change drastically.
They would even be able to influence some decisions in the city, and the City Lord would have to consider the views of the Divine Sacred Family.
What waves could the Heavenly Mark Family raise then?
"I heard that the Heavenly Mark Family has been actively recruiting civilian experts, spending several tens of millions of demon spirit coins. I wonder where they got this money from. It seems to be linked with the Alchemist Association! Are they determined to cultivate the Heavenly Mark Family?" Nie Ming pondered.
The Alchemist Association frequently opposed the Divine Sacred Family, shielding the Heavenly Mark Family, and even probing into the affairs of the Divine Sacred Family.
Had they discovered something?
The dealings between the Divine Sacred Family and the Dark Guild absolutely had to remain secret! Nie Ming was very cautious in his actions, ensuring that the Alchemist Association couldn't catch him off guard.
These matters would need to be reported to the family head once he emerged.
Regardless of whether the Heavenly Mark Family had support from the Alchemist Association, they needed to show the Heavenly Mark Family a lesson this time.
Otherwise, where would the prestige of the Divine Sacred Family lie?
Heavenly Mark Family Territory.
Nie Li had been continuously refining and merging demon spirits in seclusion, creating a god-level growing Snow Wind Demon Spirit for Ye Ziyun and a god-level growing Wind Thunder Demon Spirit for Xiao Ning'er.
Additionally, he prepared three more god-level growing demon spirits, specifically in the Movement, Holy Fire, and Holy Healing systems for Wei Nan, Zhu Xiangjun, and Zhang Ming.
Although purchasing demon spirits, Nightmare Demon Jugs, and contributing to the family spent a considerable amount of money, Nie Li's funds had been increasing steadily, reaching an astonishing twenty-plus billion demon spirit coins.
As time passed, the amount would only continue to rise.
Nie Li felt a strange frustration of being rich yet unable to spend the money.
In the Heavenly Mark Family's treasury.
Recently, Nie Li had been absorbed in merging demon spirits and cultivating his own strength, leaving no time to enter the Heavenly Mark Family's treasury.
Now, finally, under the guidance of Nie Hai, he entered the secret passage behind the family lord's mansion, passing through layers of strict defenses and arriving at the family's treasury.
Inside the treasury, Nie Hai pointed awkwardly toward a stone chamber.
"This is the Heavenly Mark Family's treasury!"
Hearing this, Nie Li scanned the room.
The walls were lined with over a thousand hooks, but only one or two hundred items hung on them.
With a strange look, Nie Li turned to Nie Hai, unmercifully delivering a blow, "Are you sure this is the Heavenly Mark Family's treasury?"
"Of course!" Nie Hai's cheeks flushed slightly as he nodded.
"There are only this few things in the Heavenly Mark Family's treasury?" Nie Li examined Nie Hai from head to toe, "Is it possible that you depleted everything in this treasury?"
"That’s not true!" Nie Hai's face turned red, replying, "Every item in this treasury is recorded. To take something out, it requires the consent of all the elders. Over the years, our Heavenly Mark Family has struggled. To ensure the family's development, we had to sell some treasures to keep the family afloat!"
"I was just joking. Why are you so worked up, family lord?" Nie Li shrugged and walked forward.
Watching Nie Li's retreating figure, Nie Hai was left dazed.
How did this kid become so clever, almost like an adult? He felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness as Nie Li had him completely wrapped around his finger.
"The treasures we've sold are all available on the market. Some items in the treasury, we truly have no idea what their uses are or dare to sell them carelessly!" Nie Hai explained, showing they did have some discernment.
"Perhaps those unknown items are not worth much?" Nie Li glanced disinterestedly at Nie Hai.
"You... I mean, Xiao Li, can you cut me some slack? Now that it's just the two of us, that's fine, but when others are around... After all, I am the head of the family!" Nie Hai felt frustrated.
As the family head, he was outsmarted by Nie Li, but he couldn't explode with anger since the revival of the Heavenly Mark Family depended on Nie Li!
"Of course, when there are outsiders around, I will give you some face," Nie Li nodded.
Upon hearing Nie Li's response, Nie Hai paused slightly, forcing a bitter smile.
The implication of Nie Li's words was clear: when there were no outsiders, he did not need to show any respect!
Nie Li looked at the various treasures hanging on the walls and felt a chill in his heart.
Though the Heavenly Mark Family had fallen, they were still a prestigious family that had inherited since the era of the Snow Storm Empire, possessing some valuable treasures.
Most of the items that Nie Hai could name and knew their uses had already been sold off, but what remained were truly the good items.
"I have over a hundred treasures here, and I don’t even know what they are for or how powerful they are!" Nie Hai looked at the glittering objects with a bitter smile.
It was understandable that Nie Hai had not seen these treasures; most of them were from before the Divine Empire, and Nie Li could identify at least ninety percent of them, knowing their purposes.
However, even he was unsure about the remaining ten percent and what they might be.
(End of Chapter)