Standing Punishment

When Nie Li spoke, the commoner disciples in the class couldn't help but their eyes lit up, and their spirits were re-energized. They were all very familiar with the deeds of Lord Ye Mo and had always looked up to him as an example, wanting to become truly powerful beings. It was just that Shen Xiu's words earlier had been too discouraging, causing their spirits to plummet for a moment.

"You... In the City of Brilliance's history of several hundred years, Lord Ye Mo is the only one who managed to reach the peak through his own efforts!" Shen Xiu paused, still arguing stubbornly.

"Didn't Teacher Shen Xiu say it was impossible? Why are you contradicting yourself?" Nie Li said with a smile, "Lord Ye Mo is a prime example. Whether one is from a Peak Family or a commoner, their future potential is boundless. Nothing is impossible in this world if you dare to climb!"

Shen Xiu was almost furious. This brat Nie Li was simply detestable, seizing on her words and attacking her relentlessly. He showed no respect for his elders! She coldly glared at Nie Li. Since Nie Li dared to talk back to her in front of everyone, she would definitely make sure Nie Li had a difficult time in the coming period!

Not far from Nie Li, Du Ze cast a grateful glance at him. Although Nie Li was from a Peak Family, he had risked offending Instructor Shen Xiu to speak up for them, the commoner disciples. This moved him deeply. A young heart is simple and pure. From this moment on, he had already decided that Nie Li was his friend.

Shen Xiu sneered, "Sharp-tongued. Do you think saying this can change the cruel reality? You only see Lord Ye Mo's glory, but you don't see how many people spend their entire lives in mediocrity. Let alone becoming a Demon Spirit Master, even becoming a Martial Artist is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Nie Li, is it? You're from a Peak Family, yet you're so reckless. I'd like to see what kind of talent you have!"

Shen Xiu lowered her head and flipped through the parchment in her hand. After looking at it, she chuckled mockingly, "Nie Li, Red Soul Sea, current Soul Power 5, Strength 21. With your talent, you can at most reach the Bronze Martial Artist realm in this lifetime. Becoming a Demon Spirit Master is simply impossible; you're not even as good as some commoner disciples. No wonder you're talking like this; it's just to cover up your inner inferiority complex!"

The Soul Sea levels were divided into seven grades based on color: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue, and Purple. Red was the worst, practically rotten to the core. Ordinary people usually had Orange or Yellow. Reaching Green or Cyan was already considered genius level. As for Blue and Purple, they only existed in legends.

Hearing Shen Xiu's words, the commoner disciples looked at Nie Li with pity. As a scion of a Peak Family, Nie Li's talent was indeed the worst. He would likely never achieve much in this lifetime.

Ye Ziyun glanced at Nie Li and sighed softly. Although she didn't have a good impression of Nie Li, knowing his talent was so poor filled her with sympathy.

Shen Yue, standing beside Ye Ziyun, curled his lips in disdain. If he had known Nie Li's talent was so poor earlier, he would never have considered Nie Li a threat, because Nie Li simply wasn't qualified! Such poor talent was only fit to live at the very bottom of the City of Brilliance, while he, Shen Yue, was a direct disciple of the Sacred Family, one of the three great Peak Families. What could Nie Li compare to him?

If it weren't for Ye Ziyun, he wouldn't have come to this trash class to associate with trash like Nie Li!

Shen Xiu pressed on aggressively, "With such poor talent, you probably wouldn't be valued in your own family, yet you dare to be so arrogant and disrespectful? "

Shen Xiu's words reminded Nie Li of his past life. Before leaving the City of Brilliance, Nie Li was indeed very weak, just as Shen Xiu said. He had always been stuck at the Bronze 3-star level, unable to advance. Whether at school or in his family, he was not valued, practically insignificant.

If he hadn't desperately risked his life to save Ye Ziyun later, he would never have won the heart of the goddess. Back then, Ye Ziyun was already a Gold 1-star Demon Spirit Master. The gap between them was like a chasm. Nie Li didn't even have the qualification to fight alongside Ye Ziyun, only able to watch helplessly as Ye Ziyun died under the claws of demon beasts, vanishing into the vast yellow sand.

This was an eternal pain in Nie Li's heart!

Later, after miraculously escaping the endless desert, Nie Li experienced various fortuitous encounters. Only then did he discover the wonders of the world, and that even one's so-called Soul Power talent could be improved!

If it were the Nie Li of his past life, being reprimanded by his instructor like this, he would have lacked the courage to retort. But he was different now. He possessed a powerful confidence. One day, he would make these people understand that he would reach realms they couldn't even imagine!

Since he had been reborn, he would forge ahead relentlessly. Gods block, he'll kill them! Buddhas block, he'll kill them!

To everyone's surprise, Nie Li, who was being mocked by Shen Xiu, showed no shame. Instead, his gaze was firm as he looked at Shen Xiu and said with a resonant voice, "Instructor Shen Xiu, do you think the Soul Sea determines a person's future? With your inferior character, you'll surely dote on students with higher talent and spare no effort in mocking those with lower talent! You even spout a bunch of seemingly correct principles, just to conceal your despicable character!"

Hearing Nie Li's words, Shen Xiu trembled with anger. She had never encountered such a student who dared to talk back to her so maliciously. Moreover, Nie Li's words had precisely struck a chord with her own dark thoughts, making her furious and unable to help but curse, "Silence! Who do you think you are, daring to slander your instructor like this!"

Nie Li curled his lips disdainfully. "I am ashamed to have an instructor like you. I can guarantee that many commoner disciples in this class will exceed your expectations and achieve unimaginable accomplishments! Instead of patiently teaching them, you use harsh words to crush their confidence. You are unworthy of being a teacher! So what if my talent is poor? Sooner or later, I will become a Legendary Demon Spirit Master like Lord Ye Mo, and I will marry the most beautiful woman in the City of Brilliance!"

As he spoke, Nie Li's gaze fell upon Ye Ziyun in the distance, his eyes shining with determination.

Seeing Nie Li look at her, Ye Ziyun's heart suddenly raced, and her cheeks felt hot for some reason. She had never expected Nie Li to be so bold as to say such things in class. The meaning behind Nie Li's gaze was obvious. However, she didn't feel any affection for Nie Li, and hearing his words, she didn't know how to feel.

Seeing Ye Ziyun's expression, Shen Yue's face darkened. Although Nie Li was not on his level, he still felt a sense of threat.

"Hahaha! This is the most ridiculous joke I've ever heard! A person with only a Red Soul Sea claiming to become a Legendary Demon Spirit Master like Lord Ye Mo? Even Lord Ye Mo, in his youth, tested with astonishing talent and possessed a Cyan Soul Sea! Do you think success can be achieved through sheer luck? Utterly laughable!" Shen Xiu attacked mercilessly. "Instead of spouting wild boasts here, you should study diligently!"

Nie Li said with a resonant voice, "I know you look down on me, but one day I will use facts to shut you up! Talent level doesn't determine a person's achievements. To defeat the strong with the weak, to defy fate, we cultivators are already challenging the impossible! We are doing things against the heavens!"

Nie Li's words ignited a surge of passion in the students. Cultivation was about defying the heavens. Without the heart to defy the heavens, what was the point of cultivating?

Nie Li spoke clearly and forcefully, "Without a heart that strives ceaselessly, without the courage to turn the impossible into the possible, even high talent is just useless trash. Since I, Nie Li, was born into this world, I will do all impossible things against the heavens. Instructor Shen Xiu, how about we make a bet?"

Even after experiencing countless setbacks in his previous life, Nie Li had never given up. Now that fate had given him a chance to be reborn, he was determined to reach the pinnacle at a speed unimaginable to everyone in this lifetime!

"What bet?" Shen Xiu snorted coldly.

"I bet that in the test two months from now, I will reach the Bronze level. If I fail, I will automatically drop out. If I succeed, then Instructor Shen Xiu will resign automatically, how about it?" Nie Li said proudly, looking directly at Shen Xiu.

Hearing Nie Li's words, the entire class was shocked. All the students were surprised that Nie Li would make such a bet with Instructor Shen Xiu. Although most of the commoner disciples disliked the snobbish Shen Xiu and hoped Nie Li would win, they also felt that Nie Li had no chance of winning.

"Hahaha, how ridiculous! To say you'll reach the Bronze Martial Artist realm in two months. Do you think you can increase your Soul Power from 5 to 100 in two months?" Shen Xiu said with utter contempt. Had Nie Li lost his mind?

"I'll ask you one question, Instructor Shen Xiu, do you dare?" Nie Li asked, still undeterred, his voice deep.

"Since that's the case, what do I have to fear! I don't believe a presumptuous person can achieve anything! Who do you think you are, daring to speak such big words!" Shen Xiu snorted angrily. "Such disrespect for your elders! For the next two months, you will stand at the back and listen to the lesson!"

Shen Xiu's unreasonableness was notorious. Nie Li glanced at Shen Xiu with disdain. Standing at the back meant nothing to Nie Li.

"Since Instructor Shen Xiu has agreed to the bet, don't regret it later!" Nie Li strode towards the back.

"I'll regret it? How laughable! Don't come crying to me then!" Shen Xiu scoffed.

Seeing Nie Li stand at the back, a few Peak Family disciples let out low chuckles.

"The future Legendary Demon Spirit Master is being punished!"

"Tsk, so he's afraid of being expelled too!"

"Wasn't he just arrogant a moment ago?"

"Increasing Soul Power from 5 to 100 in two months, who does he think he is? Even Lord Ye Mo couldn't achieve such astonishing speed in his youth!"

Shen Xiu smiled coldly. No matter how arrogant Nie Li was, she was still in charge in this classroom. Of course, she wouldn't take Nie Li's words seriously. Soul Power increasing from 5 to 100 in two months? Shen Xiu found it utterly laughable; such a thing would absolutely not happen! Nie Li should just wait to be expelled!

Seeing Nie Li being punished to stand at the back by Shen Xiu, Du Ze was silent for a moment. He gritted his teeth, stood up, and walked to Nie Li's side, standing with him. Nie Li was punished for speaking up for them, the commoner disciples, so he naturally had to stand with Nie Li.

Seeing Du Ze stand with Nie Li, Shen Xiu's gaze turned grim. She snorted, "Since you also like standing, then stand with him!"

Nie Li and Du Ze exchanged a look, a hint of understanding flashing in their eyes. They both smiled slightly.

At this moment, Nie Li felt as if he had returned to the time when he first met Du Ze in his previous life. Du Ze was still the same Du Ze.

After Du Ze stood beside him, Lu Piao thought for a moment and then also stood next to Nie Li.

"Why are you here too?" Nie Li asked Lu Piao with a smile.

Lu Piao shrugged and said, "Sitting is boring. I want to stand and cool off, is that okay?"

"Haha, whatever!" Nie Li laughed heartily. Lu Piao was just like in his past life, full of bluster but also very loyal. Even though this matter had nothing to do with Lu Piao, he treated Nie Li as a friend, and friends should share each other's hardships.

Soon, three more commoner disciples stood up and stood beside Nie Li. Nie Li, as a noble disciple, was willing to bet his expulsion to stand up for them, the commoner disciples. They felt a heartfelt gratitude and believed they had to strongly support Nie Li.

With these brothers together, Nie Li felt pretty good, his mood exceptionally joyful.

Shen Xiu's expression grew uglier, and she continued her lecture with a frosty face.

"After testing, among all the students in the class, Ye Ziyun possesses a Cyan Soul Sea with 86 Soul Power. Shen Yue and Xiao Ninger have Green Soul Seas with 78 Soul Power. They will soon reach the Bronze 1-star Realm. Congratulations to them!" Shen Xiu said indifferently, glancing contemptuously at Nie Li. These are the true geniuses, what is Nie Li compared to them?

Hearing Shen Xiu's words, the students in the class couldn't help but exclaim. A Cyan Soul Sea, 86 Soul Power! Their class actually had such a powerhouse. With such immense talent, they might even become a Legendary Demon Spirit Master in their lifetime!

As for Shen Yue and Xiao Ninger, they were also exceptionally talented, with limitless potential for future achievements.

Who knew what Ye Ziyun's background was. Her fresh and beautiful appearance, outstanding talent, and mysterious background all made her the most dazzling and eye-catching person in this class. As for Xiao Ninger, she was also a beauty, her looks comparable to Ye Ziyun's, but her talent was slightly inferior.

Regardless, they were both beyond the reach of ordinary people!