Chapitre 9: Chapter 9 - Young master Chen Linjian
A few hours later, the sun was shining once again in the sky of Glory City. Now with renewed strength and hope to become even stronger having grown even more, Zhu Xiangju and Nie Li were both currently having tea in one of the most expensive cafes in the entire city.
The one paying the bill today was none other than Xiao Ning'er.
The atmosphere in the cafe was lively, with several waitresses running between tables to serve all the customers.
Nie Li was slowly sipping his tea, feeling too embarrassed to look to the side, but he couldn't ignore the noise the two were making.
Xiao Ning'er was almost pulling Zhu Xiangju's hair out, repeatedly looking at the boy's face to see if he had any more injuries. The boys had revealed to her the reason why Xiangju had been missing for so long, which made her so worried that she canceled all her appointments for the day to see him.
-Never do something like that again!- She was slapping Xiangju while simultaneously giving him head pats. She was in a mix of emotions.
Xiangju said nothing, just had a huge smile on his face, completely in love with the girl's behavior.
They had been in this mix of slaps and caresses for almost 20 minutes, and Nie Li couldn't stand it anymore and coughed on purpose to get their attention.
-Ahem…- The boy and the girl, who were almost hugging over the table, turned to look directly at Nie Li.
-Miss Ning'er, Xiangju told me that you have something important for us. I can say for myself and especially for Xiangju that we would love to spend the day talking with you, but unfortunately, the journey of a demon spiritualist never stops. I would like to know, do you have the items that Xiangju asked you for?- Nie Li spoke formally, and Xiangju and Ning'er realized the situation and pulled back, both sitting embarrassed in their respective chairs.
-Y-yes… I had forgotten about that. Were you able to buy a good quantity with the money I gave you, Ning'er?- Xiangju spoke, trying to regain his usual confident posture.
-A-ah yes yes yes… Here it is…- Xiao Ning'er said, still holding her face in embarrassment. It was clear that her face was still rosy with extreme shame. She placed an interspatial ring on the table and pushed it towards the boys.
-There are several hundred thousand kilos in there… I hope it will be useful…- Ning'er said while still looking at the floor, embarrassed.
-Oh! That's a good amount!- Xiangju said, not even paying attention to the number mentioned.
-HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS?- Nie Li spat out his tea in surprise.
-You don't need to worry about paying it back! Compared to the Winged Dragon Lightning Wind Technique, this amount of money is like just a few coins.- Now Xiao Ning'er was much more animated, it seemed her embarrassment had completely passed.
A few hours later, the group of young people were all gathered in the library of the Holy Orchid Institute.
-Nie Li's whispers are distracting me, Du Ze. Unfortunately, I'll have to stop studying.- Lu Piao said, trying to escape from his studies.
"NO EXCUSES! Let's get back to studying battle tactics!" Du Ze said, irritated with him. His calm temperament was tested daily by having to deal with this group.
Nie Li was writing dozens and dozens of recipes, having been doing so since he, Xiangju, and Xiao Ning'er came together to the library after Ning'er handed the herbs to the young boys.
-You know, I've been curious, what is Nie Li writing so much, Xiangju?- Ning'er, who was sitting at one of the library tables with Xiangju, asked the boy.
-Huh?- The boy hadn't even heard the question properly. He had his face glued to the history book in front of him, wanting to truly have the knowledge he claimed to have, so he was working hard to learn and read all the books in that library.
Xiao Ning'er laughed at this. She really loved seeing how hard he worked.
-Nie Li over there, what is he doing?- She said, pointing at Nie Li, but at the same time not taking her eyes off Xiangju. His concentrated expression was simply too cute for the girl.
-Oh, he's making some recipes.- Xiangju shrugged.
-Recipes? Is he trying to win Ye Ziyun over through her stomach? Hehehe.- Xiao Ning'er joked. The boy in front of her laughed at what she said and replied:
-He's going to sell some pill formulas, but I actually think it's a good idea for him to cook for Ye Ziyun.- They both laughed at this and went back to reading their respective books.
Or at least tried to, as a big commotion started soon after, making them lose their concentration completely.
From the Divine Family, one of the largest families in all of Glory City, Chen Linjian was making a glamorous presentation. His presence and attitude drew the attention of many around.
The whole group looked at Chen Linjian with mixed feelings. Du Ze and Wei Nan were excited and wanted to join in whatever it was, while Zhan Ming and Du Ze scolded the boys and were annoyed by yet another distraction. Ning'er was interested in what might be the cause of all this, and Nie Li was attentive, seemingly analyzing Chen Linjian as if he remembered something.
Xiangju stood up from his chair with a smile on his face. His quick movement surprised the others, and they decided to follow him.
-My armor is titled 'Flaming Black Armor'! If you're wearing it, no opponent below Silver Rank will be able to scratch you!- Chen Linjian said proudly. Unexpectedly, he took off the armor and threw it to someone in the crowd.
A man with long sleeves was very happy as it came perfectly towards him, but before he could grab it, a hand quickly appeared, blocking its path and pulling it away.
-This is a good find!- Xiangju said, holding the armor in his hands. The burgundy metal gleamed like gemstones; the quality was indeed remarkable.
The man considered confronting the boy, but Chen Linjian continued throwing items to everyone, so he soon lost interest and resumed cheering for Chen Linjian.
When Xiangju turned to leave the group, his friends looked at him with disapproval.
-Seriously, you did that? I didn't expect that from you, Xiangju,- Du Ze said, almost disappointed, but the feeling didn't last long as Lu Piao and Wei Nan ran to try to do the same, and Du Ze and Zhan Ming had to pull them back to stop them.
-I could have bought one of those for you,- Xiao Ning'er said, looking at the armor with confusion. To her, it made no sense for Xiangju to run and grab something of that quality.
-Hey, I'd like to join the group if it's not a problem!- A voice interrupted the crowd. Nie Li walked through the group of people, approaching Chen Linjian. The Bronze Rank men around laughed at the young boy with orange hair, except for Chen Linjian.
-You say you want to join the group... Do you even know what we're doing?-
"Chen Linjian, in my past life I heard that he was only one step away from reaching Black Gold Rank. In the last battle of Glory City, he went directly to the gates guarded by the Sacred Family and decapitated six deserters from that filthy family. At least he knows who to hold grudges against..."
-I know, you intend to explore the Ruins of Splendor, right?-
When Nie Li said this, Chen Linjian's expression hardened.
-And how do you know that? I didn't share this information with anyone, not even my family.- There was a hint of threat in Chen Linjian's voice. The group of young people looked somewhat worried about Nie Li, except for Xiangju, who had already sat back down and was polishing his new beautiful armor.
-Oh, don't make that face, young master. I've heard various news that the Ruins of Splendor were found around Glory City. Wouldn't it be obvious that someone like you would be after it too? And by your expression, it seems I'm correct in my deduction!-
-You're interesting, young man! Come on, tell me, what's your name?-
-This humble peasant talking to you is called Nie Li,- Nie Li said with a small bow.
-Nie Li..? I think I've heard that name before... Ah! I remember! You and another guy discovered the true origin of the Red Flame Inscription: Blazing Explosion, didn't you?? You've got guts to really disprove someone from the Sacred Family like that, kid!-
-Ah, yes... haha,- Nie Li laughed awkwardly, not realizing he was already so well-known.
Some people around mocked Nie Li, saying he was too young to have even learned to read, so his discovery of the true origin of that inscription was just a coincidence, a stroke of luck.
To prove Nie Li's knowledge, the young master Chen Linjian asked him to talk about when he thought those ruins were found. After giving an extremely precise and detailed analysis, Chen Linjian not only allowed Nie Li to join the exploration but also gave him the privilege that when they found the treasures, Nie Li could choose first what he wanted.
Xiangju's group still watched Nie Li. All his actions and words made everyone gain even more respect for him and his knowledge.
Far away, a little later. In the Alchemist Association, a very beautiful woman was flipping through a received correspondence. She lamented to the winds about the recent failures of the Alchemist Association but was left breathless when she paid attention to what was written on those pages.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone