On the colossal St. Ancestral Mountain range, sunlight shined through the gap between the mountains into the deep canyons. On the hillside beside the valley, some snow remained.
Even though it's already the early summer, the snow has yet to melt, and a few roars of beasts can occasionally be heard.
The world outside of the St. Ancestral Mountains has been occupied by the beasts. The people who live in the city are unsure of the situation of the outside world.
It's been recorded that at the most glorious period of mankind, having thousands of Legend rank Fighters and Demon Spiritualists, the humans established many empires in the vast continent, but in time those empires have been erased.
A city within the mountains, due to being stealthily located geographically, was well preserved from the Age of Darkness. Occasionally attacks from powerful Snow Wind Beasts happened in the city after going through many destructions the city was rebuilt again and again.
These motley walls were an indomitable monument.
This city is called Glory City, and it is a symbol of hope for humanity.
In a Certain Part of the City inside... Holy Orchid Institute, where the Fighter Apprentice class was...
Over thirty students are sitting down and are waiting to listen to the female teacher as she imparts her knowledge. The students are a bunch of Apprentices aiming to fulfil their own dreams....
A few students were discussing softly among themselves.
Student 1 : "I heard that the new teacher, Shen Xiu, is one of the Sacred Family's 3-star Silver rank Demon Spiritualists!"
The teacher had a tall figure, was wearing a lavender dress that wrapped tightly against her body, giving an emphasis on her perky chest. She had a pair of slender, white legs, and wore exquisite make-up that made her look beautiful and elegant. Her eyes were full of pride and arrogance.
She was part of one of the three Major families of Glory City, The Sacred Family. Because she is of noble birth, and a 3-star Silver rank Demon Spiritualist, she naturally has the capital to be prideful.
As a 3-star Silver rank Demon Spiritualist, she wouldn't normally come here to teach. She only agreed to because her nephew is in this class.
Shen Xiu : "Demon Spiritualists and Fighters have five different ranks, which are: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Black Gold and Legend rank. Each rank is then divided into five levels, from 1-star to 5-star."
Shen Xiu : "A Demon Spiritualist is above a Fighter. A Demon Spiritualist can form a soul realm within their dantian. They have the ability to integrate a captured demon into their soul realm and then merge with the demon in combat. This allows them to possess matchless strength, which is far above the strength Fighters could compete with. Just like me, my demon is a Scarlet Flame Fox."
Shen Xiu's face and hands underwent drastic changes. Her facial shape became sharper, her teeth and nails also became sharper. Finally, a scarlet tail emerged from her back.
Shen Xiu : "After merging with a demon, I can control its strength as well as gain fire-type abilities. Among the demons, the Scarlet Flame Fox is a Gold rank beast. This means that the highest level I can reach is Gold rank Demon Spiritualist. Of course, after becoming a Gold rank Demon Spiritualist, I can replace it with a more powerful demon."
Shen Xiu's words caused a group of students to be amazed. Gold rank Demon Spiritualists are existences beyond the reach for most of them.
As Shen Xiu continued lecturing on the stage, Nie Li was sitting in the back row. His mind was in a trance as his soul floated around. After a while, Nie Li slowly opened his eyes. He couldn't help being confused by the scene in front of him.
Nie Li : "Really.... returned back again... Master..."
Shen Xiu was on the stage, talking nonstop. Nie Li clearly knew that this was the year he joined the institute.
Nie Li : "I can't believe I got a 3rd chance again.... I lost again so much.... I made Ye Ziyun cry again for my unwillingness to fight the Demon Lord and her father died in front of her eyes..... "
Nie Li was deeply lamenting himself.... if he had gone all out and paid a bit of price he could have killed him in the Netherworld trials.... if he could hurry up faster and faster to reach Martial Ancestor.... his master wouldn't have to revert his fate from the Sage-Emperor...
Nie Li looked towards the side and saw Lu Piao and Du Ze. Then Nie Li looked towards the left. A few meters away from him, a beautiful flawless face came into his field of vision.
Her name is Ye Ziyun. Although her appearance is only thirteen-fourteen years old, she already looked slender and elegant with purple coloured hair pouring down to her waist. She had arched eyebrows, and an intelligent radiance was seen within her eyes. Whenever she smiled, she would have deep dimples.
Although she looked a little childish, Nie Li knows that, when she grows up a bit more, she will be extremely beautiful and enchanting. She wore a silk white dress that gave her a kind of unspeakable elegance. In his previous life, Nie Li had a deep affection for her ever since he was a teen.
Nie Li : "This time I won't let you grieve.... this time I don't care what the price will be.... all who will stand in my way will die..."
Nie Li : "I can't believe Master used a page of The Temporal Demon Spirit Book that had fused with me and send me back again...."
After lamenting a bit he turned and saw another flower that had been tangled up with him Xiao Ning'er.... seeing all these familiar faces, Nie Li drifted into his distant mind making him go in a daze again.....