Heavenly Sacred Border
In the vast and ancient Heavenly Sacred Border, under the dimming glow of the luminescent soul force, Nie Li and Xiao Ning'er stood close to each other, momentarily lost in their own world.
Their gazes locked, filled with warmth and affection, as if nothing else in the world mattered at this moment. The trials faced, the hardships endured, all seemed insignificant when compared to the simple joy of being together.
Nie Li gently squeezed Xiao Ning'er's delicate hand, a small yet meaningful gesture that made her heart race. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, and she lowered her eyes shyly.
Just as she was about to say something, their quiet moment was shattered by the familiar bickering of two close friends.
"I'm telling you, Lu Piao, my Crimson Thunder Beast is stronger than your Phantom Shadow Wolf!" Du Ze's firm voice echoed through the chamber, filled with unwavering confidence.
"Pfft, you wish!" Lu Piao scoffed, crossing his arms. "If I were at the same cultivation realm as you, my Phantom Shadow Wolf would tear your Crimson Thunder Beast to shreds! Your beast is all flashy lightning and brute force, but my Phantom Shadow Wolf is fast, agile, and can hit from the shadows. How do you even plan to land an attack on me?"
Du Ze shook his head, his eyes burning with conviction. "Speed means nothing if you can't withstand a single attack. My Crimson Thunder Beast has an unbreakable defense and explosive power that you simply can't match. A single thunder strike would be enough to overwhelm your beast!"
"You keep saying that, but if I get behind you before you can even react, what then? My Phantom Shadow Wolf is a master of evasion! You wouldn't even see the attack coming!" Lu Piao shot back, clearly enjoying the argument.
Xiao Ning'er, startled by their sudden outburst, took a few steps away from Nie Li, feeling a little embarrassed. The intimate moment they were sharing was now completely ruined. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her cheeks still slightly flushed.
Nie Li, however, merely chuckled. He reached out, gently taking her hand once more, as if reassuring her.
"Ignore them," he said softly, his voice laced with amusement. "They're always like this."
Xiao Ning'er looked at him, her heart fluttering at his calm and reassuring presence. She couldn't help but smile.
Soon enough, Du Ze and Lu Piao walked toward them, their argument still unresolved. However, as soon as they noticed Nie Li and Xiao Ning'er holding hands, they both momentarily froze. Their eyes darted toward the intertwined fingers, and an awkward silence fell between them.
Lu Piao, never one to let an awkward moment linger, quickly cleared his throat and changed the topic. "Anyway! Let's talk about something more important. I've finally reached 5-star Silver Rank!" He puffed up his chest, clearly proud of his accomplishment.
Du Ze, however, wasted no time in deflating his ego. "Oh? That's good, but I just reached 1-star Gold Rank," he said with a smirk.
Lu Piao's expression fell instantly. "That's not fair! I was just catching up!"
Du Ze shrugged. "Hard work and talent, my friend."
"You mean luck," Lu Piao muttered, crossing his arms in frustration. "Fine, whatever. At least my Phantom Shadow Wolf is still stronger than your Crimson Thunder Beast."
And just like that, their argument reignited, much to Nie Li and Xiao Ning'er's amusement.
Nie Li chuckled before deciding to drop a bombshell on them. "If you're so concerned about who is stronger, then you should know that Xiao Ning'er has already reached 3-star Gold Rank."
Both Du Ze and Lu Piao turned to her with wide eyes. "What?!"
Xiao Ning'er shyly lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening around Nie Li's hand. "It's all thanks to Nie Li," she admitted.
Nie Li, however, knew the real reason. With his cultivation reaching Black Gold Rank, the synchronization of their Twin Tempestfang Dragon Soul Realms had accelerated Xiao Ning'er's cultivation speed significantly. If things continued at this pace, she would likely reach Peak Gold Rank within a week and Black Gold Rank in a month.
Du Ze and Lu Piao were already impressed by Xiao Ning'er's speed, but before they could fully process it, she dropped another bombshell.
"Actually… Nie Li has already reached Black Gold Rank," she said softly, but the words echoed like thunder in their ears.
For a moment, neither of them could speak. Their expressions froze in sheer disbelief, as if their brains refused to comprehend what they had just heard.
"B-B-Black Gold Rank?!" Lu Piao stammered.
"That's impossible!" Du Ze exclaimed. "At such a young age… This must be the greatest genius in the history of Glory City!"
Lu Piao grabbed his head dramatically. "What kind of monster are you, Nie Li?! We've been working our butts off, and you just casually leap into Black Gold Rank?!"
Nie Li scratched his cheek with a wry smile. If they were this shocked now, how would they react if they knew he was actually at the peak of Black Gold Rank? But he had no intention of telling them that.
"You guys should train harder," he said teasingly. "Otherwise, you'll never catch up."
"Catch up?!" Lu Piao groaned. "That ship has already sailed! You're not just ahead of us; you're on a completely different plane!"
Nie Li simply laughed, enjoying their reactions.
Eventually, Nie Li composed himself and looked around. They had spent enough time in the Heavenly Sacred Border, he could feel the heavenly sacred border was starting to slowly lose its glory, and it was time to leave.
"Alright, enough playing around," he said. "We should get out of here."
Du Ze and Lu Piao nodded, still feeling somewhat overwhelmed by Nie Li's rapid growth. The four of them made their way toward the exit, with Nie Li walking behind his two friends. His hand remained intertwined with Xiao Ning'er's, a silent yet comforting presence at his side.
As they stepped out, Nie Li glanced back at the the Heavenly Sacred Border one last time, he could feel Ye Yan gaze. He had grown much stronger here, and the journey ahead was only going to get more difficult. But no matter what challenges lay ahead, he wouldn't be alone, he can face them together with his friends.
With that thought in mind, he nodded his head towards the invisible Ye Yan. He tightened his grip on Xiao Ning'er's hand and stepped forward into the future.
Outside the Heavenly Sacred Border
Stepping out of the ancient re of the Heavenly Sacred Border, Nie Li, Xiao Ning'er, Du Ze, and Lu Piao were greeted by the imposing yet dignified figure of Vice Principal Ye Sheng. The elderly scholar's sharp eyes immediately scanned over them, his gaze filled with disbelief.
"You… you actually passed the test of the Heavenly Sacred Border?" Ye Sheng muttered, struggling to suppress his shock.
In his experience, it was already an incredible feat if even one student succeeded in the trial. He had been pleased when Xiao Ning'er emerged victorious, but now, seeing three of them standing before him, safe and sound, left him utterly dumbfounded.
Nie Li took a step forward, cupping his hands respectfully. "Vice Principal, we would appreciate it if you could keep the fact that we passed a secret. Also, I would like to have a private discussion with you regarding an important matter."
Ye Sheng raised an eyebrow at Nie Li's words but nodded. "Very well. Come with me."
Turning to his friends, Nie Li instructed, "Wait for me here. I won't take long."
Du Ze and Lu Piao exchanged curious glances but simply nodded, while Xiao Ning'er gave him a soft smile, trusting his judgment.
With that, Nie Li followed Ye Sheng to his office within the Heavenly Orchid Academy.
Inside the Vice Principal's Office
The office was filled with old scrolls and books stacked neatly on wooden shelves. The air carried the scent of ink and parchment, evidence of the many years Ye Sheng had spent immersed in study and administration.
Ye Sheng sat behind his desk, folding his hands together. "Alright, Nie Li. What is it that you wish to discuss?"
Nie Li sat down, his eyes calm and unwavering. "Vice Principal, I have a way to convert the Heavenly Sacred Border into an accessible training ground for all students of the academy."
Ye Sheng's expression flickered with surprise. "An accessible training ground? What do you mean?"
"I've met the Ancestral Founder, Ye Yan," Nie Li revealed.
Ye Sheng's eyes widened in shock. "Ye Yan? The founder of Glory City and our Snow Wind Family Ancestor? Impossible! He passed away centuries ago!"
Ye Sheng didn't knew of Ye Yan existence because all those who return from Heavenly Sacred Border don't talk about its experiences.
Nie Li shook his head. "His soul remains within the Heavenly Sacred Border. He has agreed to my plans."
Taking a deep breath, he continued, "The core of the Heavenly Sacred Border has eroded over time. The remnant resentment from demon spirits used in its creation has destabilized the space, leading to its inevitable collapse. However, I can modify the core, refining it into a stable environment where students can cultivate soul force as if they were using an elixir. This would drastically improve their growth."
Ye Sheng was silent for a long moment, absorbing the magnitude of what Nie Li was proposing. "And you have the ability to do this?"
Nie Li nodded. "I do. But that's not all. I also propose establishing a transfer program between the Heavenly Orchid Academy and the soon-to-be-founded Glory Academy. It will allow students to gain diverse experiences, fostering stronger warriors for Glory City's future."
Ye Sheng leaned forward, intrigued. "Glory Academy? The new institution you plan to create?"
"Yes, I intend to establish Glory Academy as a sanctuary for orphans and the underprivileged," Nie Li explained. "But, it will have a strict limit on noble-born admissions, prioritizing those who have talent but lack resources. The goal is to strengthen Glory City by nurturing individuals who otherwise wouldn't have a chance to become powerful cultivators."
Ye Sheng was silent, contemplating the idea. "A noble goal… but such an endeavor requires extensive funding and resources. How do you intend to sustain it?"
Nie Li smiled. "I have already taken that into account, I have the backing of City Lord's mansion, Alchemy Association and many noble families."
"As for the cooperation of the two academies. First, I propose a joint training program between our two academies. Secondly, I can offer exclusive deals on the high-quality elixirs that will be produced under Glory Academy's name. These elixirs will be superior to anything currently available."
Ye Sheng's brows furrowed slightly. "You're offering these elixirs to the academy?"
"Not just that," Nie Li added. "I will also donate three Black Gold Rank meditation techniques to the Heavenly Orchid Academy. These techniques will allow students to cultivate their soul force at an even greater speed."
Ye Sheng inhaled deeply, unable to conceal his amazement. "Nie Li… This is an incredible offer. But why are you doing all this?"
Nie Li's eyes darkened slightly as he leaned back. "Because I made a promise."
Ye Sheng remained silent, waiting for him to elaborate.
"I promised Ancestor Ye Yan that I would take care of Glory City. The Heavenly Sacred Border gave me so much, but I was also partly responsible for its collapse. This is my way of honoring him and repaying the debt I owe." Nie Li's voice was calm, yet filled with conviction.
Ye Sheng studied Nie Li for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh. "You truly are unlike any other student I have ever met."
Nie Li smiled faintly, he didn't explicitly explained that the destruction of Heavenly Sacred Border is directly linked to him or he took a treasure like Thunder God Meteorite Sword for himself. There is no need to explain these things since they have no way of knowing anyways, instead he can gain their trust and admiration increasing his status further.
"I take that as a compliment."
Ye Sheng chuckled, shaking his head. "Very well. If you can truly mean follow through with these plans, then I will support you."
"Then we have a deal." Nie Li stood up, extending his hand.
Ye Sheng clasped it firmly, sealing their agreement.
"Let's change the future of Glory City together."