The library was quiet—the kind of quiet born not from deliberate silence, but from centuries of accumulated knowledge.
Tall wooden shelves lined the walls, packed tightly with scrolls and books of varying ages. The faint scent of old paper and ink lingered in the air. Sunlight filtered through the high windows, illuminating drifting dust motes that floated lazily between the shelves.
Nie Li stood near the center of the room, posture straight, facing a bookshelf stacked with records and manuals. A spirit lamp nearby flickered softly, casting a gentle glow.
Nie Li has accepted the Holy Orchid Institute's employment offer and has been appointed as a Collection Deacon of the library. Monthly salary: three hundred demon spirit coins.
From behind him, Lu Piao leaned against a table, arms crossed, eyes wide with disbelief.
"So… you offended the Sacred Family," Lu Piao said, tilting his head, "and instead of punishment, you get a job and a salary? Isn't that… kind of unfair?"
Nie Li didn't even bother turning around.
"Who cares," he replied calmly. "As long as we're happy."
Du Zhe's gaze swept across the library instinctively, then paused. His brows knit together.
"…Where's Karma?" he asked. "It's too quiet without him around."
Lu Piao looked up as well, blinking as if only now realizing something was missing.
"Yeah. That guy's usually the first to show up just to mess with us," he said. "Don't tell me he actually ditched us today."
Nie Li turned at last, leaning back against the table with one arm, his expression calm and unhurried.
"He had some urgent matters to deal with," he replied evenly. "He'll come later."
Du Zhe hesitated for a second, then nodded.
"I see…"
Lu Piao scratched his head.
"Huh. Feels weird without him."
Nie Li straightened, his expression sharpening slightly.
"I have something planned," he said.
Lu Piao blinked. "Something… dangerous?"
Nie Li smiled faintly. "We can skip class for the next few days. Even Shen Xiu will be looking forward to it."
Nearby, Zhang Ming, Zhu Yu Jun, and Wei Nan sat together, watching quietly. In Nie Li's previous life, the three of them—students who had once occupied the back rows of the class—had only survived for a short while before dying during Glory City's final battle.
This time, Nie Li intended for things to be different.
He stepped forward and placed several crystalline shards neatly on the table.
"I bought beginner soul crystals," he said.
The translucent crystals shimmered faintly, catching the light.
"Next," Nie Li continued, "I want to test your true nature."
Du Zhe frowned slightly. "A nature test? Didn't we already do that when we enrolled?"
Nie Li shook his head.
"My test is different."
He picked up one of the crystals, holding it carefully between his fingers.
"An unused soul crystal is extremely sensitive," he explained. "When used to test a person's soul realm, the result is highly accurate."
As he spoke.
"Once a beginner soul crystal is used repeatedly by multiple people," Nie Li continued, "its accuracy degrades. At that point, it can only measure soul realm color and soul power strength."
Lu Piao scratched his head. "Then… other than soul realm grade and soul power, what else can it test?"
Nie Li lowered the crystal and met their gazes.
"The form of your soul realm," he said calmly, "and its attributes."
The room fell silent.
Wei Nan stared blankly. "What… does that even mean?"
No one answered immediately.
The crystal in Nie Li's hand gleamed softly, its light reflected in his eyes as the moment hovered on the edge of something important—something that would change all of them.
The crystal felt cool against the skin.
Nie Li moved around the table, distributing one soul crystal to each of them.
"Everyone, keep the crystal close to your body," he instructed.
Du Zhe accepted his carefully, eyes fixed on the faint glow within.
"This soul crystal can accurately test soul power up to five hundred," Nie Li added. "Beyond that, an intermediate crystal is required."
The words had barely left his mouth when Zhu Yu Jun yelped.
"Ah! This thing costs more than a thousand demon spirit coins!" he exclaimed, holding it as though it might explode. "How can we accept something this expensive?!"
Zhang Ming immediately jumped to his feet.
"I agree!" he said firmly. "We can't accept this!"
Wei Nan nodded vigorously beside him.
Du Zhe frowned and spoke sharply, "You can accept it—because it's given by Nie Li. Unless you don't consider us brothers!"
The room went quiet.
Zhu Yu Jun froze mid-motion, eyes darting between Du Zhe and Nie Li.
"Well… when you put it like that," he muttered awkwardly, then broke into a grin. "Thanks, Nie Li!"
Zhang Ming laughed, rubbing the back of his head as he sat down.
"Nie Li," he said sincerely, "you'll be our big brother from now on. Just say the word if you need anything done."
He raised the soul crystal, grip firm and resolute.
Nie Li smiled broadly.
"With brothers like you," he said warmly, "how could I refuse?"
Then his expression shifted as he turned to Du Zhe.
"Du Zhe," Nie Li said seriously, "you'll go first. Same procedure as when we first tested."
Du Zhe straightened immediately, clutching the crystal to his chest.
The room grew still with anticipation.
Du Zhe stood at the center, holding the soul crystal tightly in both hands. The others gathered close, watching as the crystal began to glow.
A warm golden light bloomed within.
Lu Piao leaned forward, eyes bright.
"Du Zhe," he said approvingly, "you've improved quickly. Your soul power has already reached fifty-two."
Du Zhe stared at the crystal in disbelief, confidence flooding his expression.
The light flickered—like fire threaded with lightning.
Nie Li examined it closely.
"You possess a lightning-fire attribute," he explained. "Your soul realm form is the Heavenly Thundercloud."
Du Zhe blinked. "Lightning-fire… Heavenly Thundercloud?"
Du Zhe tilted his head. "What does that mean?"
Nie Li turned to them calmly.
"No wonder Du Zhe's cultivation speed surpassed the others," he said. "The Heavenly Thundercloud form paired with a lightning-fire attribute is an exceptional match."
He continued, voice steady.
"Red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, blue, purple—these seven soul realm colors reflect one's innate nature and potential. Some are easier to cultivate than others."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"But those who obsess over ranking soul realms into rigid hierarchies are idiots."
Everyone stared.
"…So the legendary warriors who founded Glory City were idiots?" Du Zhe blurted.
Nie Li continued.
"Du Zhe's yellow soul sea belongs to the lightning-fire category," he said. "The Heavenly Thundercloud form performs best with lightning-fire techniques and inscriptions."
"The Tian Lin Demon Beast," Nie Li added. "It's the most suitable demon spirit. If all conditions are met, Du Zhe's potential will be… shocking."
He paused.
"However, if he practices incompatible techniques, his growth will slow drastically."
Du Zhe lowered his gaze.
"Too bad Glory City's lightning-fire techniques are incomplete," he said quietly. "Even the classics are written in ancient languages."
Nie Li smiled faintly.
"That's true."
The group fell silent, the weight of those words settling over them.
Du Zhe stared down at the soul crystal in his hands, fingers tightening—not with fear, but with growing determination. The faint glow reflected in his eyes as thoughts churned.
Then—
something clicked.
His gaze lifted slowly.
"…Wait," Du Zhe said, looking directly at Nie Li.
"You can read ancient languages."
The silence shifted.
Nie Li met his eyes, smiling.
Du Zhe stared at Nie Li, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Nie Li can even understand the library's Book of Divine Lightning Fire!" he said, unable to hide his shock.
Turning slightly, Du Zhe continued, "Nie Li, you talked about the Book of Divine Lightning Fire during class… do you know about other lightning-fire techniques as well?"
Nie Li laughed lightly and raised a hand in a relaxed gesture. "Of course."
"There's nothing to worry about with me around," Nie Li said confidently.
"I've memorized the entire Book of Divine Lightning Fire. All the techniques recorded inside are extremely powerful."
His expression grew serious as he looked directly at Du Zhe.
The Heavenly Scarlet Lightning Technique, Nie Li thought,
is too violent. Its energy flow is unstable and dangerous. Practicing it recklessly can easily cause backlash.
However, Nie Li continued,
the Heavenly Qilin Technique includes techniques that even its creator never fully practiced. The technique has nine levels in total. I only possess the formulas for the first six levels. The final three levels are missing.
"You will cultivate the Heavenly Qilin Technique"
Nie Li said decisively.
"From what I know, it is one of the top three lightning-fire techniques in existence."
"I'll teach you the formula," Nie Li continued.
"Practice according to it from now on. I'll also take time to properly write everything down for you."
Du Zhe clenched his fists, excitement and pressure surging together.
"Reaching even the fourth level of this technique is already incredibly powerful," Nie Li added calmly.
As for whether he will reach the remaining three levels… that will depend on his fate.
Du Zhe nodded slowly. "I've memorized it."
The room grew quiet once more.
Du Zhe lowered his gaze to the soul crystal in his hand, gripping it firmly.
For the first time, his future no longer felt uncertain—it had direction.
Du Zhe closed his eyes.
His breathing slowed as he silently chanted the formula Nie Li had just given him.
A faint fluctuation stirred in the air.
Lu Piao, watching from the side, widened his eyes. "—!"
A sudden surge of energy swept outward.
Woosh.
Woosh.
Woosh.
Blue arcs of lightning-shaped soul energy coiled around Du Zhe's body, flowing smoothly and rhythmically. The aura was fierce, yet controlled—nothing like the violent instability seen earlier.
Du Zhe's eyes snapped open.
"Such a strong technique!" he exclaimed, shock written plainly on his face. "Simply chanting the formula silently has already affected my soul realm. My soul power is increasing—I can feel it!"
Nie Li stood nearby, nodding calmly. "In the next few days," he said, "I'll write down the technique details for each level for you."
Du Zhe clenched the soul crystal in his hand, his chest rising with emotion.
It's possible… I can do it! he thought fiercely.
I can change the fate of my clan—and my parents! As long as I practice the Heavenly Qilin Technique diligently!
His grip tightened.
I can change their destinies!
His expression hardened with resolve. "The favor of gifting me the Heavenly Qilin Technique… I'll remember it forever!"
His eyes burned with determination as he raised the crystal. "If Nie Li has any use for me in the future… even if it's my life—if I hesitate for even a moment—"
"Let me suffer heaven's retribution!"
Before the words could fully settle—
Nie Li stepped forward and placed a hand on Du Zhe's shoulder.
"Don't say that," Nie Li said lightly, smiling. "We're brothers. It's just a technique."