Nie Li sat down in front of Ye Ziyun.
"Classmate Ye Ziyun, we meet again," Nie Li said with a faint smile.
Nie Li carried a calm and confident demeanor, unlike most boys his age. However, at this moment, Ye Ziyun didn't feel any special affection for Nie Li—only a bit of curiosity and sincere admiration for him.
Nie Li's knowledge was indeed vast and profound. Even Aunt Xue believed that Nie Li was an inscription master. Aunt Xue had also advised her to be respectful towards Chan Wei due to his contributions to Glory City.
The modified inscription pattern Nie Li had provided was transformed into a scroll by Aunt Xue, and it was indeed confirmed to be a Silver-ranked inscription. One could only imagine the psychological impact Ye Ziyun felt upon discovering that Nie Li even knew such high-level inscription patterns!
"Nie Li, I tested the inscription pattern when I got back, and it really was the complete version of the 'Icy Gale, Sudden Snow' inscription! Chan Wei was credited for his pattern as well," Ye Ziyun said as she looked at Nie Li.
"Yes, I know. Xiao Ning'er stopped by earlier to inform us about Chan Wei's partnership with the Inscriptionist Association," Nie Li responded, not even commenting on Ye Ziyun's remarks about his own work.
As a member of the Blizzard Family, though Ye Ziyun didn't often show it, she still held some pride in her heart. Thinking back, despite Nie Li's talents, he had always remained low-profile in class and never revealed his skills—until Shen Xiu's words angered him and he fought back. In contrast, Ye Ziyun felt a bit ashamed. Compared to Nie Li, she really had nothing noteworthy to show.
Not far from them, Chan Wei was sharing a quiet moment with Xiao Ning'er. "Have you had any problems with your family recently?" he asked, gently stroking her hair.
"No, but I haven't had a real discussion with the council elders or my father yet. I'll wait until they summon me," she replied, enjoying Chan Wei's embrace. Recently, she wouldn't have dared to be so familiar with a boy, but he had done so much to help her and had openly declared his feelings. She felt safe with him. "Why are you watching Nie Li and Ye Ziyun?"
"For two reasons, my love. I overheard Shen Yue talking about an ambush planned for Nie Li, so I'm keeping an eye out. Plus, I might need to step in if my brother says something dumb to Ye Ziyun," he said with a smile, noticing Xiao Ning'er's worried look. "Don't worry. They're only Bronze-ranked, and I believe Nie Li already has a plan."
At this moment, Ye Ziyun started to admire Nie Li a little. Though she didn't feel love, he was now the only boy she was willing to engage with—maybe even Chan Wei. Wait, Xiao Ning'er is already so close to their group?
"Nie Li, here's the soul crystal you asked me to bring," Ye Ziyun said, taking out a soul crystal.
"Inject your soul force into the crystal!" Nie Li instructed, watching her intently. In his previous life, Ye Ziyun had always been his wife, so he wasn't going to hold back with her now.
After seeing Ye Ziyun's soul form, Nie Li gasped. He hadn't expected Ye Ziyun's talent to surpass even Xiao Ning'er's. Her soul form was a mass of ice, and within it slumbered a phoenix.
It was the soul form of the legendary Ice Phoenix.
One of the most powerful soul forms in existence.
The cultivation speed of the Ice Phoenix was on par with the Winged Dragon, but once it reached the Black Gold rank, the Ice Phoenix would awaken, causing her cultivation to skyrocket. Sadly, in his past life, Ye Ziyun had never reached Black Gold and had died in battle. If she had, she could've become one of Glory City's strongest pillars.
"Blizzard attribute, Ice Phoenix soul form!" Nie Li exclaimed, excitement filling his eyes. "I'm going to teach you a cultivation technique!"
"You're going to teach me a cultivation technique? Which one?" Ye Ziyun asked in surprise. Her current technique was already the most powerful Snow Wind cultivation method in the Blizzard Family. Did Nie Li really have something even better?
The Blizzard Family was the number one family in Glory City. Even the Sacred and Divine Families couldn't compare, as the Blizzard Family had a legendary Demon Spiritualist, Ye Mo, watching over them. Ye Mo often explored the Divine Continent and had uncovered numerous powerful cultivation techniques in ancient ruins, translating many of them himself.
"Nine Revolving Ice Phoenix Technique!" Nie Li passed the chants and cultivation method to Ye Ziyun. While the Nine Revolving Ice Phoenix Technique wasn't the absolute strongest technique Ye Ziyun could practice, it was the most mysterious. Upon mastering it, she would gain nine lives. As long as her soul wasn't destroyed, she could be resurrected.
In this life, Nie Li wouldn't let Ye Ziyun leave him again!
Ye Ziyun silently chanted the technique several times and was shocked by how powerful it was! The techniques gathered by the Blizzard Family couldn't even compare to this!
"Thank you, Nie Li!" Ye Ziyun sincerely thanked him. It was a bit unexpected for Nie Li to pass on such a precious cultivation technique to her after having only met recently.
From Ye Ziyun's perspective, they had only known each other for a short time. But for Nie Li, he had known Ye Ziyun for far too long. In his heart, Ye Ziyun was already his wife, so giving her the Nine Revolving Ice Phoenix Technique wasn't a big deal.
Ye Ziyun began practicing the Nine Revolving Ice Phoenix Technique for a while, and the soul force in her soul realm started to rise violently. This cultivation technique felt as if it had been made just for her!
Just as Nie Li and Ye Ziyun were chatting, someone approached them—it was Shen Yue. Spotting his opportunity, Chan Wei took Xiao Ning'er and sat at the table as well.
Seeing Nie Li and Ye Ziyun talking happily, with a charming smile lighting up Ye Ziyun's face, Shen Yue could no longer suppress the jealousy in his heart and started walking toward them.
"Ziyun!" Shen Yue called out with a slight smile, looking toward Ye Ziyun, but he was quickly interrupted by another voice.
"Hello, Ziyun! How are you?" Xiao Ning'er asked warmly, causing Ye Ziyun to freeze for a moment.
"Ning'er," Ye Ziyun softly replied before throwing herself into her old friend's arms, full of emotion. She completely ignored Shen Yue, who was about to speak but was subtly held back by Chan Wei, preventing him from interrupting the heartfelt reunion between the two girls.
The five of them sat down—Nie Li, Chan Wei, and Shen Yue on one side, with the two girls sitting close together on the other side.
The atmosphere among the five grew tense. The boys radiated hostility, while the girls exchanged warm smiles and whispered softly to each other.
"Nie Li, Chan Wei, we meet again," Shen Yue sneered, revealing a faint hostility.
"What? Was the lesson I gave you last time not enough?" Nie Li asked lazily, clearly relaxed since he had never taken Shen Yue seriously.
"You…" Shen Yue clenched his fists tightly. If Ye Ziyun hadn't been there, he would've ordered his lackeys to teach Nie Li a lesson right then and there.
Ye Ziyun looked on in surprise. From the conversation, it seemed like Shen Yue had been humiliated by Nie Li before. She grew curious—Shen Yue was a direct descendant of the Sacred Family, so how could he have swallowed his pride after losing to Nie Li?
Suppressing his anger, Shen Yue forced a smile and looked at Ye Ziyun. "Our families have been friends for generations. Ziyun and I grew up playing together and know each other well. Our elders have always supported our union."
"It seems that's no longer the case after your unfortunate slip-up regarding certain inscription patterns. You even tarnished your ancestor's name, remember?" Chan Wei interjected calmly, raising an eyebrow.
Shen Yue's words were meant to remind Nie Li that only he and Ye Ziyun were a proper match, with their families' approval. But he hadn't expected such a sharp retort from Chan Wei.
"You…" Shen Yue stammered, at a loss for words.
Hearing Shen Yue's statement, Nie Li couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. After Chan Wei's comeback, Nie Li even let out a light laugh, which was soon followed by Xiao Ning'er. Ye Ziyun couldn't help but smile as well, though she quickly tried to hide it.
Trying to salvage his pride, Shen Yue looked at Ye Ziyun and forced a gentle smile. "You could say that Ziyun and I have a mutual understanding of each other's preferences and habits."
Hearing Shen Yue's words, Ye Ziyun showed a trace of displeasure on her face. She wanted to refute Shen Yue's claims. Since when had their familiarity reached such a level? After the incidents in class and the information she had gathered afterward, Ye Ziyun felt a deep disgust toward Shen Yue, realizing that the Sacred Family wasn't as glorious and pure as it appeared on the surface.
Ye Ziyun couldn't help but glance at Nie Li, wondering how he would react.
"So, why don't you tell us what you 'understand' about her? I'd really like to know," Nie Li said, tapping his finger gently on the table. In his previous life, Ye Ziyun had almost married Shen Yue, and in this life, Nie Li couldn't let the same mistake happen.
"Ye Ziyun loves eating Acampe Rigida, reading ancient books, and gazing out the window…" Shen Yue said affectionately, looking at Ye Ziyun.
Chan Wei, anticipating trouble, silently signaled the shadow monkey hidden within Nie Li's shadow to get ready to pinch him, knowing Shen Yue was about to say something foolish.
Nie Li chuckled and replied, "Actually, she doesn't like eating Acampe Rigida. It was Lord Ye Mo who tricked her into thinking it could strengthen her soul force. Only fools would enjoy reading those difficult books. What Ziyun really loves is exploring. The reason she stares out the window so often is because she dreams of the world beyond."
Ye Ziyun felt as if lightning had struck her. She stared at Nie Li in shock. How did he know all of this? She never expected anyone to understand her so deeply. Her opinion of Nie Li improved yet again.
Nie Li took a deep breath. In his past life, he had always wished to take Ye Ziyun traveling across the continent, but that wish had never come true. In this life, he would make sure to fulfill her dream.
"You're talking nonsense…" Shen Yue tried to argue, but when he saw Ye Ziyun's expression, he opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.
"If you understand Ye Ziyun so well, then—OUCH!!" Nie Li suddenly yelped, but when he looked around, he only saw Chan Wei frowning before giving him a small smile. Nie Li quickly realized that Chan Wei had pinched him to stop him from making a blunder, but he decided to roll with it.
"Why did you pinch me? You don't have to be so aggressive just because you're wrong!" Nie Li said, pretending that Shen Yue had been the one who pinched him.
Shen Yue was utterly confused.
"Shen Yue, have some dignity," Chan Wei said calmly.
"Scoundrel!" Ye Ziyun spat, glaring at Shen Yue, while Xiao Ning'er gave him a disapproving look.
Seeing everyone's reactions, Shen Yue's face turned dark. "Nie Li, remember this—I'll make sure you die a horrible death!" he hissed before storming off.
Nie Li watched Shen Yue leave with a look of disdain.
"Brother, how about we leave Ning'er and Ziyun some privacy to catch up?" Chan Wei suggested.
Nie Li agreed, flashing a smile at the two girls before walking away with Chan Wei.
Once they were far enough, Nie Li turned to Chan Wei. "Thanks, brother. I almost ruined my chance with Ziyun. How did you know?"
Chan Wei smiled. "I've gotten to know you, Nie Li. You had that mischievous look on your face, and I saw you focusing too much on Shen Yue rather than on your future wife, as you call her. He's not worth your time."
Nie Li laughed heartily. "You really are a good brother. I owe you one."
"There's no need for that between us. You've helped me from the very beginning, so I'll help you whenever I can," Chan Wei said before leading Nie Li with him to his room to finally show him the wolf pup.
Ye Ziyun was feeling extremely shy now that she was alone with Xiao Ning'er.
"You're part of Nie Li's group?" Ye Ziyun asked softly.
"Yes, after I left the class, I stayed with them… mostly with Chan Wei," Xiao Ning'er replied gently. "You know, I used to resent you a little when I found out I was being forced into a marriage while you never had to face that. Recently, I almost got into serious trouble, but Chan Wei came and helped me. He noticed the looks you were giving me and figured out our past relationship. He asked me to come back to you. Besides, since he's been around, I've realized that life's too precious to waste on meaningless quarrels. So… what do you say, Ziyun? Would you like us to be friends again?" Xiao Ning'er asked, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I've always wanted us to be together again," Ye Ziyun replied, throwing herself into her friend's arms. The two girls stayed alone in the library, the only sounds being their soft, muffled sobs.
In Chan Wei's room at the institute.
"Well done, brother! You've discovered a new species since this wolf pup was clearly born mutated, meaning its descendants will inherit these traits. Does it do anything strange?" Nie Li asked.
"Apart from sleeping and eating, it shares my cultivation whenever I practice near it, so it's almost at Bronze rank 1-star already. It can also disappear into my shadow like the other beasts, but it can only stay there for about two hours for now. I think it's related to its soul strength," Chan Wei explained calmly. "By the way, I overheard Shen Yue planning an ambush against you, so be careful. He has a few Bronze rank 1-star and 2-star warriors with him. If you go to a shop, could you pick up a sword and some armor for me? Unengraved ones. I'll add the inscriptions myself. Get the best quality possible," he said, handing over his ring containing one million demon spirit coins.
"I've got money, brother," Nie Li replied.
"It doesn't matter. Invest it to grow your wealth even more. The Inscriptionist Association is going to keep sending me more and more money as I create new patterns. Tomorrow, I also plan to submit some cultivation techniques to Vice Principal Ye Shen to bribe him into letting me into the best hunting grounds before our trip in three days."
(Author's Note: Here's the short chapter I promised for this weekend. I'll leave the title of the next chapter here for you: Chapter 19 - Ambush and Suffering)