Morning sunlight spilled across the streets of Glory City.
"Pant—pant—!"
A young servant rushed through the narrow lanes, nearly tripping over scattered sacks and broken tiles. The wooden sign of a pharmacy creaked overhead as he skidded to a halt.
Inside, shelves were lined with drawers and jars, the air thick with medicinal scents.
"Purple Mist Grass?" the old pharmacist repeated, pushing his spectacles up his nose.
The servant nodded quickly. "Yes! Do you have any left?"
The pharmacist frowned. "I suppose you're also here for the Winged Dragon family?" he asked.
"They already came and bought almost all of it."
The servant's brows furrowed. "Ah, we want those in your herb garden too" he said.
The pharmacist stared. "…All of it?"
"Yes," the servant said firmly. "Everything available."
A Private Courtyard — Noon
A large crimson banner swayed gently in the breeze.
Inside the quiet courtyard, Nie Li sat at a table, calmly sipping tea.
"Nie Li."
He looked up.
A servant stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"These are all the Purple Mist Grass we managed to collect," he reported.
"Roughly… a few hundred thousand kilos."
Nie Li froze.
"—A few hundred thousand?!"
Pff—!
Tea sprayed straight out of his mouth.
The servant stiffened, unsure whether he'd done something wrong.
Nie Li coughed twice, wiped his mouth, then stared at the stack of storage rings in disbelief.
"…Not bad," he muttered, eyes slowly lighting up.
"Not bad at all."
He leaned back in his chair, finally letting out a satisfied breath.
"With this much," he murmured,
"everything can begin."
A familiar voice sounded from beside him.
"…Oi."
Nie Li turned his head.
Karma stood there with his arms crossed, eyeing the crates and rings with open curiosity.
"Why," he asked plainly,
"do you need that much Purple Mist Grass?"
Nie Li didn't hesitate.
"To make money."
Karma blinked once.
"…That's it?"
Nie Li nodded seriously.
"This is the foundation."
Karma's interest was immediately piqued.
"Oh?" He leaned closer. "Explain."
Nie Li lowered his voice.
The two of them spoke quietly.
Minutes passed.
No one else heard what was said.
By the time Nie Li finished, Karma was silent for a long moment—then suddenly burst out laughing.
"Hahaha—!"
He clapped Nie Li on the shoulder.
"You really don't know, do you?"
Nie Li frowned.
"Know what?"
Karma shook his head, still grinning.
"Nothing. Nothing at all."
Nie Li narrowed his eyes.
"…You're being weird again."
Karma just laughed harder.
"Listen," Nie Li said, serious once more.
"This is the part where I need your help."
"I'll handle the formulas and refinement," Nie Li continued.
"But distribution, supply timing, and keeping certain people from interfering—
that part needs someone reliable."
Karma met his gaze.
Then he smiled—lazy, amused, and sharp all at once.
"Help?" he echoed.
"Hah. Nie Li…"
He turned away slightly, waving a hand.
"You don't know who's helping who anymore."
Nie Li stared at his back, confused.
"…What does that even mean?"
Karma didn't answer. He just smiled.
Afternoon — Holy Orchid Institute, Library.
Stacks of books surrounded Nie Li like walls.
Lu Piao yawned. "…What's he writing?"
Du Zhe blinked. "Who knows. Let's not bother him. Let's study some inscriptions and battle tactics instead."
Wei Nan and Zhang Ming nodded absentmindedly.
Suddenly they heard a commotion.
"Wow!"
"Look!"
Exclamations rippled through the room as students turned toward the entrance almost in unison.
A young man strode in confidently, his steps unhurried yet deliberate. He was clad in a striking set of crimson armor that gleamed under the lantern light, the polished surface reflecting the awe-filled gazes around him. Dark, flame-like patterns were etched across the armor, faintly pulsing as if alive, radiating a pressure that made even seasoned students instinctively straighten their backs.
The young man was Chen Linjian of the Divine Family. Bronze Rank, Five-Star.
Fifteen years old.
He rested a hand against his chestplate and spoke proudly, his voice calm but carrying effortlessly through the hall.
"This armor is called the Flaming Dark Armor," he said.
"It can't be bought on the market for anything less than a hundred thousand demon spirit coins."
Chen Linjian continued evenly, his tone confident and self-assured.
"Equipping this armor makes one nearly impervious to anyone below Silver Rank."
A ripple of shock spread.
Nearby, several girls stared openly, cheeks flushed as they whispered among themselves.
"So handsome!"
"So handsome!"
Chen Linjian closed his eyes briefly, clearly enjoying the attention. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Hmph."
With a casual motion, he lifted the armor over his head.
"Catch."
The heavy armor flew through the air.
"For you?" someone blurted out in disbelief.
The crowd immediately surged forward, excitement exploding like a spark in dry grass.
"We will follow Young Master Chen!"
"We'll all follow you!"
The library hall erupted into chaos.
Amid the shouting, Lu Piao pushed his way forward, eyes shining with excitement as he waved his arms wildly.
"Young Master Chen, fight on!" he yelled enthusiastically, already imagining himself gaining some benefit.
Before he could take another step, a hand clamped onto the back of his collar.
"Hey—!" Lu Piao yelped.
Du Zhe dragged him backward without hesitation, pulling him out of the crowd.
"Are you stupid?" Du Zhe hissed. "Do you think things are that simple?"
Lu Piao struggled half-heartedly as he was hauled away, still staring longingly toward Chen Linjian.
While being dragged back, he muttered under his breath, frustration mixed with regret.
"If we had Holy Dark Grass…" he thought gloomily,
"Du Zhe would definitely be able to break through to Bronze One-Star."
Nearby, Chen Linjian remained calm despite the uproar. His gaze swept across the crowd with a practiced, evaluating eye.
"Nineteen… twenty…" he murmured to himself.
"I still need more people."
Not far away, Nie Li stood quietly to the side, observing everything with a thoughtful expression—very different from the blind excitement filling the hall.
His gaze sharpened.
Young Master Chen… Chen Linjian.
In his previous life, around this same period, Chen Linjian had wandered about and accidentally discovered the entrance to the Ancient Orchid City ruins. From that expedition, he had returned with an enormous amount of treasure.
If I remember correctly… Nie Li recalled, Ye Ziyun mentioned that Shen Yue also went along and obtained that treasure, eventually earning millions of demon spirit coins.
Nie Li clenched his fist lightly.
The money itself isn't important.
But that item…
His eyes hardened.
That item has tremendous value.
I must obtain it.
"Hi," a clear voice rang out from the crowd.
"I would like to join your expedition."
Several students turned in surprise.
A Nie li stepped forward, raising his hand calmly. His expression was composed, lacking the fanatic excitement that surrounded Chen Linjian.
Whispers broke out instantly.
"Is Young Master Chen even willing to take more people?"
"Who's that?"
Chen Linjian's gaze shifted toward the speaker.
"Hm?"
He studied the boy quietly, eyes sharp but curious.
Before Nie Li could speak further, a taller student beside him frowned and grabbed his shoulder.
"Don't come here just to join the crowd," the student warned coldly.
"Brat, have you even reached Bronze Rank?"
Nie Li grimaced slightly, pushed forward by the hand gripping his shoulder.
At the same moment—
Chen Linjian raised his hand.
"Hold on."
The noise faded almost instantly.
Chen Linjian stepped closer, stopping directly in front of Nie Li. His posture was relaxed, but the pressure in his gaze made several nearby students unconsciously step back.
"You say you want to join us," he said evenly.
"Do you even know what we're going to do?"
Nie Li glanced at Chen Linjian calmly.
Chen Linjian.
A direct descendant of the Divine Family—one of Glory City's 4 major sovereign families.
Nie Li met his eyes without flinching and smiled faintly.
"I know," he said.
"You're planning to explore the Ancient Orchid City ruins, right?"
Chen Linjian's pupils shrank.
I didn't tell anyone outside your party—not even my family, i definitely wouldn't be allowed to go if my family knew…
Behind him, several followers exchanged confused glances.
Nie Li continued, his voice steady and confident.
"I've heard rumors recently," he said.
"The remains of the Ancient Orchid City were found near Glory City. Many strong parties have already gone to explore."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"And during this time, Young Master Chen has been forming a team. Your objective is obvious."
Chen Linjian slowly turned back, surprise flickering across his face.
"…Interesting," he murmured.
"What's your name?"
"Nie Li."
Chen Linjian's expression shifted again.
"Oh?"
"You're Nie Li?"
He laughed suddenly.
"I know you," he said.
"You're the one who exposed the origin of the Scarlet Flame Explosion inscription, right?"
"And even damaged the Sacred Family's reputation?"
A few students sucked in sharp breaths.
Nie Li nodded honestly.
"Ah. Yes."
For a brief moment, Chen Linjian stared at him—
Then burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!"
"You actually dared to answer 'yes' so calmly?"
The crowd erupted.
"This kid's insane!"
"Does he know who he's talking to?!"
"I've also heard something else," Chen Linjian added casually, his tone light.
"They say you're close with Young Master Karma."
Nie Li paused for half a breath, then answered.
"We're friends."
Chen Linjian's smile didn't falter—but something sharp flickered briefly in his eyes.
So it's true, he thought.
This boy isn't standing alone.
He knew Karma Uzumaki well enough—not personally close, but close enough to understand what his presence meant.
More importantly, he knew the kind of people who stood at Karma's side.
If Nie Li is truly his friend…
then he has the backing of the Prince of Glory City.
That single realization shifted the balance instantly.
Offending Nie Li would be foolish.
Befriending him, on the other hand—
Chen Linjian's thoughts moved further.
If Nie Li joins the expedition… Karma might come as well.
And if Karma moves, he won't come alone.
Guards.
Elite ones.
The kind that turned danger into inconvenience.
That would significantly raise the expedition's survival rate.
Chen Linjian laughed lightly, stepping forward and clapping Nie Li on the shoulder as if nothing heavy had crossed his mind.
"Good," he said cheerfully.
"Very good."
Around them, the library fell into a strange hush.
The students didn't understand why—but they felt it.
Whispers spread low and uneasy.
"Did you hear that…?"
"He said he's friends with Young Master Karma…"
"The Uzumaki heir?"
"Is that even possible…?"
Nie Li stood calmly amid the murmurs—unaware that, in just a few words, his value had quietly risen several levels in Chen Linjian's eyes.
Chen Linjian leaned closer, his smile widening.
"And I've also heard," he continued lightly,
"that you've read all kinds of classics?"
Nie Li thought for a moment.
"Ah. Yes."
"Hahaha!" Chen Linjian laughed.
"You dared to reply 'yes' again?"
Someone shouted from the back.
"This brat—how many days has he even been in school? And he claims he can read books?"
Nie Li scratched his cheek.
"Can't say a lot," he replied casually.
"But definitely more than those present."
The surrounding students exploded.
"Stinky brat! What did you say?!"
"How arrogant!"
Chen Linjian, however, laughed even harder.
"Haha! Since you've read so many books," he said cheerfully,
"do you know who the Ancient Orchid City ruins belonged to?"
The hall fell silent once more.
All eyes locked onto Nie Li.