First meeting

He found Nie Wen near his classroom and gave him another 50 thousand and the address of the warehouse to store all the Purple Haze Grass they bought. He also decided to give him a new cultivation technique. That would cement his loyalty to him more firmly. He led Nie Wen into some secluded classroom for a private talk.

"Brother Wen, if you remember our first talk, I promised some cultivation resources if you join me. I think I can give you one today." Nie Li said looking at Nie Wen sternly. "This means I trust you and I hope my trust isn't misplaced."

Nie Wen nodded seriously. He knew that Nie Li had access to some excellent resources. No one ordinary would be able to expend tens of thousands of spirit coins as easily as Nie Li does. So the cultivation resources he has must be extraordinary as well.

"Ok. I need to test your innate talent first." He took out a soul crystal and held it out, "Inject your soul force into it"

'Innate talent? He wants to know my soul force' thought Nie Wen, but still complied and poured his soul force into the crystal.

Looking at his results Nie Li stated, "Not bad. Wind attribute with a dark jade snake form". His talent was only slightly lower than Du Ze's. "I have a good cultivation technique that suits you. It's called the Floating Jade technique. It'll even allow you to fly when you reach the Black Gold rank."

Nie Li quickly wrote the chants of the technique on parchment and gave it to Nie Wen. Nie Wen was surprised. He didn't expect the cultivation resource Nie Li offered was actually a cultivation technique. They were usually very expensive and exclusive to noble families. Even inside families, access to techniques was limited. Even he, despite being related to the patriarch of the clan didn't have access to all techniques of the clan. Though, his was one of the best in the clan.

"Try out the chants, brother Nie Wen. It must be much better than your current one" Nie Li said confidently.

Nie Wen decided to follow his clansman's advice and sat down to cultivate. After some time he gasped. This technique was incredible. He could feel his cultivation soaring. He didn't think that such techniques existed. He doubted even the Major families of the Glory City had such techniques. If they had, they would have more Legend rank demon spiritualists among them. Now the most important question is: Where did his clansman get such technique? Should he ask?

"Brother Li where did you get such a technique?" he decided to ask in the end.

"Books in ancient languages contain a huge amount of knowledge." Nie Li replied as if it answered all questions.

"Yeah, you said you would teach ancient languages in that study group," he said.

Nie Li nodded and said, "Brother Wen, I have some other things to do, so I will leave you."

"Until later" they split up and went their ways.

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Nie Li returned to his room and decided to recharge the Charger Cube first. He had replaced the Bronze rank spirit with the Silver rank one he bought today. He had to modify the inscriptions a bit, but it didn't take long. He will give it to Nie Zexi after the study group meeting. Now he had some free time before meeting he decided to work on the new array design he decided to call Demon Spirit Concentration array.

Yeah, it's not an epic name like for example Heaven Defying Demon Devouring array, but after inheriting Robert's memories he had a bit of aversion towards such names. That doesn't mean he will begin calling things DSC or something like that. He was in a cultivation world after all. So every name must have some 'epicness' to them.

He took the inscription pattern of the Charger Cube as a basis, but he needed to dissolve the demon spirit entirely into energy at once and keep that energy contained instead of slowly dissolving and using it. Dissolving the demon spirit wasn't difficult. Stopping the energy from dissipating was another matter altogether. In the Charger Cube, its casing enchanted with Inscription patterns kept the energy contained. But he couldn't create a big enough container to cultivate inside. The Starlight Crafting Plate's internal chamber was too small.

And creating a strong non-physical barrier was out of his reach as well. His cultivation was too low. The only way to do it in his current situation was to carve arrays on the walls, floor, and ceiling. But he can't do it in his dorm. Maybe he should accelerate plans to buy a house. But a house he wants to buy costs 200-250 thousand spirit coins and he can't afford it now.

He will consider it later because it was time to meet with his study group. He put the Charger Cube into a new Interspatial ring he was planning to give to Nie Zexi and left his dorm.

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When he got to the library Xiao Ning'er was already there. Classes just ended so it won't be long before others arrive as well.

"Hello, Xiao Ning'er. How have you been?"

"Oh, hello Nie Li. I have been okay" she smiled.

"I can see that" she really looked good, with no signs of illness, "You have already reached the Bronze rank?"

"Yes" she admitted proudly and added, "Thanks for the cultivation technique"

"Don't mention it. This is a small matter between friends" It really was. There was not much in the world that he wouldn't willingly give to her or Ziyun.

"Oh, by the way, our classmate Ye Ziyun and a couple of other people are coming as well." He warned her. Even though he would have liked to see her surprised face, he couldn't risk it. She might take it badly. After all, it was her who decided to end their friendship with Ye Ziyun.

She was indeed surprised. She didn't know that Nie Li and Ye Ziyun talked to each other. How could this have happened, she wondered.

"The other two people are from my clan. They are in the official classes. Oh, here they are!" Nie Li said noticing Nie Zexi and Ye Ziyun coming together.

"Sister Zexi, Ye Ziyun how was your day?" Nie Li asked.

"Thank you. It was fine" Ye Ziyun.

"Good, and you?" asked Nie Zexi.

"I'm fine as well. Sister Zexi let me introduce you to my classmate Xiao Ning'er. Xia Ning'er, this is my cousin Nie Zexi. She is from Inscription Patterns class."

They said their hellos to each other. Meanwhile, Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er greeted each other stiffly as if they didn't know what to say to each other. Nie Zexi eyed them and turned at him looking questioningly. He mouthed 'later' to her.

Before awkward silence lasted, he was saved by his 'main gang'. Du Ze and Lu Piao were arguing about something and the other three were following them bemusedly. Nie Li greeted them and led them towards the girls. Boys seeing three girls were dumbstruck. "Guys, you know Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er. This is my cousin, but let's wait with the introductions until our last member arrives." Nie Li said.

"Nie Wen is also coming?" Nie Zexi asked.

"Yes, and there he is," he said nodding towards the approaching Nie Wen.