Upon mentioning the name of Lord Ye Mo, most the children in the classroom who came from common families all lit up with smiles. They had forgotten that the wise and irreproachable elder was beyond even their teacher's criticism. She stood there like a statue, thinking of how to respond to the question that was just lobbed at her like a mystical fireball. Nie Li has definitely tossed her a contradiction that couldn't be repelled which means Chen Xiu could either deny the elder which would no doubt get to the ears of the rest of faculty and eventually to Lord Ye Mo himself, or try to gingerly back away from the previous comment she made in her attempt to save face. That was if the little brat tossing the question would give her any room to back away, something she seriously doubted.
"You," She started, staring at the red haired boy who was grinning at her. "In the many centuries this city has existed, Lord Ye Mo is the only man that managed to climb the peak..."
"But teacher," Nie Li said, interrupting her. "Didn't you state just moments ago that it was impossible? If one person can do it, no matter who that man is, then your previous statement is false. Lord Ye Mo is a very good example that regardless of a person's origin, everyone is capable of limitless potential. That nothing is impossible as you claim it to be as long as someone is willing to climb."
"You have a smart mouth," the teacher countered, "Do you think that putting things off could change the harsh reality that awaits most of you? You only looked at Lord Ye Mo's glorious moment, but didn't look at how many people failed at even becoming a basic fighter. What is your name, little man?"
"I am Nie Li," he replied, unfazed by her attention.
"Nei Li," Chen Xui said as she pulled a parchment off the table behind her. "Let us look her and see what kind of talents you possess."
She stood there for a moment, examining the parchment, and then looking back at the young man with a wicked smile on her face.
"Ha!" she called out at him, mocking him. "With your talent, you can barely be able reach bronze rank fighter during your lifetime. You're even inferior compared to some of the commoners in this class. It's no wonder you speak in this way to me... you're just trying to hide away from what I assume is a very low self-esteem. It also appears that becoming a demon spiritist is simply not in the cards for you, Nie Li. That is simply impossible."
Nie Li smiled. "There's that word again. I'd be careful about using it too much, teacher. It might get you into trouble."
"You are not one to speak to me of trouble!" she roared at him, "Even in your own family, your talent is so low you wouldn't get much attention at home! Yet you acted so rampant, so rude to your elders! What do you have to say for yourself?"
Nei Li remained standing and defiant of his teacher, unchanged in his mood. He looked back at her, with the same fire and passion he had when they started peaking with one another, unharmed by the barbs she lobbied his way. Her jab as his power, or lack thereof at the moment, has no effect on the young man's ego as he was ready to lobby his counterattack.
"Teacher Chen Xui," Nei Li started, "You feel that the soul realm could decide a person's fate? With that despicable character of yours, all you choose to do with your time is defend the gifted and mock the mediocre! You try to stand here and talk about honor, discipline and even principles, while all this time you yourself at trying to mask your own despicable character; your own lack of honor and principles."
"Silence!" Chen Xui called out, her face red with rage. "Who do you think you are to actually dare to discredit your teacher in such a manner?"
"To be honest," Nie Li replied, "I feel ashamed having you for my teacher."
There were hushes heard around the class room, as most students had jaws gaping with shock at the complete contempt Nei Li was showing to their teacher. They had never seen such a barrage of disrespect given to teacher on the first day of classes no less! This was unprecedented!
"I guarantee one thing," Nei Li continued, unwavering in his courage. "In this class and many other classes that come after us, there will be a lot of commoners. Some might fall by the wayside, and fail to become fighters. But if any of them are capable of reaching that unimaginable achievement, like Lord Ye Mo did, it can only be possible if the teacher were to encourage people to try, rather than attack their self-confidence and attempt to demoralize them on the first damn day of class! This lacking of principal and honor makes you unworthy to be our teacher!"
There was nothing but silence as Nei Li took a deep breath and continued. He had sunk this deep, he thought, let's go big or go home.
"Although my talent may look weak to someone like you," Nei Li called out to her, reminding her of what she said to demoralize him. "I can assure a day will come where that is no longer the case. I will become a legend rank demon spiritist like Lord Le Mo and marry the most beautiful woman in glory city!"
It was at this point when making mention of the most beautiful woman in the glory city, that his eyes turned to look over at purple haired women a few rows ahead of him, and she was looking at him only to turn away in embarrassment, wondering if Nei Li had been speaking about her.
Chen Xui was smiling and then laughing out loud at the statement that had just reached her ears. It was the funniest thing she had ever heard, and she could barely contain the tears that tried to pour down her cheek.
"That is the funniest joke I've ever heard!" she said, wiping her cheek. "A red soul realm actually said that he wants to become a legend rank demon spiritist like Lord Ye Mo! You seem to think that success relies on luck alone? That is ridiculous! Rather than being disruptive in class, why not start taking your learning seriously!"
"I know your heart is full of contempt," Nei Li replied, "But one day I will shut your arrogant mouth with hard facts. Attitude cannot determine a person's achievement! Using weak to defeat the strong, to overcome the heavens! We practitioners are already challenging the impossible, by going against the way of the heavens. Without a continuously fighting heart, without the courage to turn the impossible into something possible, even possessing extraordinary talent would be completely useless! Teacher Chen Xui, how about we lay a wager?"
"A wager?" Chen Xui repeated, intrigued by the idea. "What kind of wager?"
"I would like to make a bet about the upcoming test in two months," Nei Li said, hoping she would take the wager and trap herself.
"I'm listening," She called back, "Continue."
"I bet you that in two months time when we take that test," Nei Li started, "That I will score the rank of bronze demon spiritist."
"You?" she replied, "Bronze ranked? In two months time?"
"Yes," Nei Li confirmed.
"And what if you fail?" Chen Xui asked him.
"Then I will resign from the school." Nei Li answered, "However, if I make it to that rank or higher in two months time... you must resign."
"You are such a comedian!" Chen Xui said, once again roaring with laughter. "There's no way you're going to be able to raise your soul force from five to over a hundred or over in less than two months!"
"Does that mean you dare to take the bet?" Nei Li asked, "Or not?"
"That being the case," Chen Xui replied, "Why would I not dare to take this bet! I do not believe that an egotistical brat like you could achieve anything! Who do you think you are to dare speak to me in this manner? Such rudeness to your teacher! For the next two months, you will stand at the back of the classroom when listening to all of your classes!"
Nei Li walked to the aisle beside his desk and started to walk to the back of the room to do as he was instructed to. He has a smile on his face as he did it.
"We have a wager, teacher." He called out to her, "I hope that you do not regret making it in two months."
"I will not regret it," Chen Xui called out, so that he could hear her from the back of the room where he stood up against the wall. "And don't come crawling to me later to get out of our deal. I will not be taking this back! You will be leaving this class in two months when you fail to reach bronze rank!"
Just as the teacher finished making that statement, she watched in surprise as another student stood up. She was preparing for another question or some smart mouth comment, but she got none. The young man named Lu Piao said nothing to his teacher as he walked to the aisle and then to the back of the room go join Nei Li. Soon other students in the class also shuffled to the aisle and walked to the back of the room. All the children who came from common families made their way to the back of the room in an act of solidarity for the young man that had just stood up to the teacher and her bigotry towards those who were not noble. His words had reached out to them, and shown that nothing was impossible. For that he had their respect, and which was why those six kids who went to the back of the room to join Nei Li. He had stood up for them, so standing at the back of the room for Nei Li was the least they could.