In his past life, Nie Li had little interaction with Ye Ziyun's father, but he knew that this father-in-law was a hard-hearted and eccentric man, extremely difficult to deal with.
Nie Li had heard from Ye Ziyun that her father was very strict and their relationship had never been good.
If such a father-in-law were to discover him naked in his daughter's room, who knew what might happen!
Nie Li quickly dispelled his leisurely thoughts, hurriedly putting on a pair of pants.
Then he summoned his Shadow Demon Spirit, activating its concealment ability and moving toward the exit.
He needed to slip away quickly; otherwise, there might not be another opportunity.
After all, the City Lord was a Black Gold level Demon Spirit Master, the closest one could get to that of a legendary existence!
At that moment, in the small courtyard.
A robust man strode in confidently, dressed in a gray robe with his hair tied back.
His stern face radiated an intimidating aura as if he didn't need to be angry to demand respect.
Ye Ziyun was frozen in fear.
She had never expected her father would come in at this moment.
She felt utterly helpless.
After all, Nie Li was still bathing in her room! If her father found out, who knew what would happen?
"Ziyun, why does your face look so pale? Have you been sick lately?" Ye Zong asked, frowning deeply, his voice heavy.
"N-no..."
Ye Ziyun shook her head anxiously.
She was filled with panic, unsure if Nie Li was aware of her father's arrival.
Please, don't let him find out! If Nie Li got caught, her father would be furious, and Nie Li would be in danger.
At that moment, Ye Ziyun was worried for Nie Li's safety.
Ye Zong suddenly sensed something, frowning again, "Why do I detect the presence of someone else here?"
Hearing her father's words, Ye Ziyun's heart dropped.
Her father was a Black Gold level Demon Spirit Master and had reached the peak of that level, only a step away from legendary status, so his ability to sense danger was extremely sharp.
"That's impossible! There's only me here!" Ye Ziyun hurriedly waved her hand, clearly anxious.
Ye Zong shot her a cold look, quickly realizing she was lying—there was indeed another presence, and it was that of a man.
With a cold grunt, a wave of soul power surged, enveloping the entire courtyard.
Meanwhile, Nie Li was preparing to leave through the back but suddenly felt a powerful soul force descending upon him.
He stiffened, knowing his worst fears were realized.
He desperately suppressed his own aura, pouring all his soul power into the Shadow Demon Spirit.
Ye Zong's soul power swept through the area again and again, and soon centered on the vicinity of Nie Li.
Nie Li felt a wave of despair wash over him.
After all, he had only been cultivating for a short while, so his soul power was merely at the Silver Two-Star level.
If he could have reached the Gold level, he could have activated the Shadow Demon Spirit's concealment effectively without being discovered.
But now, Ye Zong must have already located him.
"So it's a concealment technique; I didn't think you had some capability. You're not just a useless nobody!" Ye Zong sneered.
With his vast experience, he was somewhat familiar with concealment techniques.
Strong waves of soul power erupted, transforming into ropes that bound Nie Li, lifting him off the ground.
Under the tremendous pressure of Ye Zong's soul power, Nie Li's concealment technique finally failed, and he slowly became visible.
Boom!
Ye Zong hurled Nie Li violently to the ground, causing fissures to crack in the surface.
"Cough!" Nie Li spat out a mouthful of blood, his internal organs shaking from the impact.
However, it was clear that Ye Zong had shown restraint; otherwise, with his power, he could have killed Nie Li in a single blow.
"Nie Li, are you okay?" Seeing this scene, Ye Ziyun rushed over to support Nie Li, her brows furrowed in anger as she glared at Ye Zong.
"Father, how could you hurt my friend without reason?"
"Friend?" Ye Zong sneered, glaring at her.
"You need to explain what's going on here!"
"My name is Nie Li, greetings to you, City Lord!" Nie Li, using his soul power to recover slightly, bowed slightly to Ye Zong.
After all, the man was Ye Ziyun's father and in the future, his father-in-law.
Although this first meeting was rather awkward.
"Nie Li? I have a vague impression of you; you're the one who was recruited into the City Lord's Mansion? Now tell me, what are you doing in my daughter's courtyard?" Ye Zong looked at Nie Li coldly, taking note that he was only in pants, his upper body exposed.
His gaze then shifted to Ye Ziyun as well.
"Of course, I merely came to visit! Ziyun and I are classmates. I came to see her after I found out she lived here," Nie Li said with a bitter smile.
"Visiting? Is that why you're undressed?" Ye Zong's voice thundered like true lightning, striking at Nie Li's heart.
His expression turned dark as he looked at Ye Ziyun, "Ziyun, I'm very disappointed in you! I didn't expect you would engage in such shameful acts!"
Hearing these words from Ye Zong, Ye Ziyun trembled slightly, her eyes reddening, and she looked forlorn.
Seeing Ye Ziyun's distressed expression, Nie Li looked up and addressed Ye Zong, "Please, Uncle, do not misunderstand! There is nothing between Ziyun and me. If there is an issue, then direct it at me; leave Ziyun out of it!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Zong's expression shifted into one of rage.
He took steps toward Nie Li, and the entire courtyard began to swirl with dust and debris.
The fury of a Black Gold level Demon Spirit Master was terrifying; both Nie Li and Ye Ziyun could feel an oppressive aura pressing down on them.
"Directly at you? At least you have some backbone, but tarnishing my Snow Wind Family's reputation, don't think you can leave here alive," Ye Zong waved his hand, unleashing a torrent of soul power rushing toward Nie Li.
Nie Li's expression changed.
He had thought Ye Zong would at most imprison him and punish him, not expecting that Ye Zong would want him dead.
With his current strength, he was no match for a Black Gold Demon Spirit Master.
Nie Li felt frustrated; if only he could get stronger, reach the Gold level, at least he would have the power to fight back.
How he regretted it!
If he died here, it would truly be a waste!
Glory City was still waiting for him to save it!
Boom!
The Soul Realm trembled as Nie Li vomited blood, being thrown against the wall, then falling to the ground.
"With your level of power, how dare you be reckless in my City Lord's Mansion?" Ye Zong stepped forward, another wave of soul power crashing forth.
"Father, no!" As Ye Ziyun witnessed this, tears streamed down her cheeks.
She leaped forward, placing herself protectively in front of Nie Li.
With a surge of soul power, the illusory figure of the Snowstorm Queen appeared above her, conjuring a fierce blizzard that formed a thick wall of snow and wind before her.
Boom!
The wall of snow was instantly shattered under Ye Zong's soul power.
The gap in power was too immense; even if Ye Zong didn’t summon his demon spirit, he could easily defeat both Nie Li and Ye Ziyun, who had summoned theirs.
"You merged with the Snowstorm Queen demon spirit and still dared to oppose your father? You've really grown bold! Move aside!" Ye Zong's gaze was cold as he stared at Ye Ziyun.
A fierce and tyrannical aura radiated from Ye Zong's body, one that felt foreign to Ye Ziyun.
She cried out, "Father, please, spare Nie Li! Just let him go, and I will accept any punishment!"
Staring at Ye Zong’s icy demeanor, akin to a blade, Nie Li wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, slowly rising to his feet.
Waves of soul power spiraled around him, slowly forming enormous wings behind him.
This was soul power materialization, and Nie Li's wings were several times larger than Xiao Ning'er’s, six pairs in total, slowly flapping behind him, creating a powerful force opposing Ye Zong’s soul power.
"I hold back because you are Ziyun's father, not because I fear you..."
Nie Li's words spilled forth like icy frost, his sharp gaze cutting through the air.
At that moment, Nie Li hovered in the air, resembling a divine being, an ominous aura evident in his eyes.
(End of Chapter)