Chapter 50

Nie Li looked at the mountain of Demon Spirit Stones and walked near to inspect them more closely. There were so many demon spirit stones here that anyone would go green in greed and crazy in envy for this treasure. This could compare to or even surpass the accumulation of an ancient family like Snow Wind Family.

"The new reward from the system sure is generous, These are all Black-Gold Rank and many are pretty rare too with special ability." Nie Li checked them with awe, it's been a long time since he got any reward so much so that he even forgot about its existence.

Previously as, Nie Li was about to agree and ask for demon spirit stones from the City Lord Mansion himself to build an array for himself, he received a prompt from the A. I. Chip about the new rewards inside his inventory. To his surprise and excitement it was the demon spirits and of good quality too.

'All the beasts are in perfect conditions and usable for the ten thousand beasts inscription array, not only are they strong enough but also of exceptionally good grade. At an average they are all of excellent growth rate with a few extraordinary too, there is enough demon spirit to spare and use for my own experiment of creating a few God growth rate demon spirit.' Nie Li smiled, he was looking for ways to get more demon spirit without any big movement from his pockets and here it is. So many stacked together in a plie as if they were worthless.

'Ghoul Serpent'

'Fire Empress Sparrow'

'Giant Bull Ape'

'Chain Tiger Star'

'Poison Rana Turtle'

.....

Nie Li picked out a few demon stones each more impressive than the others. There were many rare ones too with wierd ability, greatly capable of acting as the offense, defence and support beast binding the formation, myriads of ability and techniques could be displayed greatly increasing the chances of protecting. Nie Li is pretty sure these Demon Beast spirit stones would increase the prowess of the inscription formation to a whole new level.

'It would take some time to complete the formation though, I should tend to my little nursery.' Nie Li turned around as he looked at the new lush greenery around his inventory. Nie Li has planted a huge variety of rare plants and medicinal herbs in his inventory.

His inventory space is pretty big now, comparable to his own whole plot in Glory City. It also supports the growth and sustenance of living beings so, Nie Li easily planted a bunch of plants and herbs. It is also a great place for cultivating as it is an uninterrupted quite and pleasant environment. It's only a shame that he cannot keep his body here for a very long period of time, Nie Li has to spend his soul force to keep his body inside the inventory and this is just for him. All the plants and even the enemies he would capture aren't much of a burden. Even so, he can spend a few hours here with his current soul force amount.

'I really wonder what changes would it experience after I breakthrough to Black Gold Rank Or Legend rank.' Nie Li thought as he checked the plants for their health and care, these herbs would become his new source for income.

The alchemist association actually have a monopoly over the access of many of these resources needed to make elixir. Nie Li was pretty fed up by their initial subtle approach to integrate him into their group followed by forceful aggression so, he broke off with them.

Since their interaction is no more very amabile, then he would have to now procure his own resources so, he stole a bit of their samples for the vault and used it to plant them here. Nie Li already has an extensive knowledge of herbs and plants caring, courtesy of the database of A. I. Chip recording quite a few of miscellaneous things like these.

....

Nie Li quietly enjoyed his days inside his house as the progress of the A. I. Chip stimulation and optimization of ten thousand beasts array was increasing day by day. Meanwhile the City Lord Mansion alloted a few resource to him to support him which he graciously accepted. Du Ze, Lu Piao, Nie Yu were cultivating together in the top class facilities and resources Nie Li was providing.

Of course Nie Li made sure that he was still stronger than them as he wouldn't want a situation where he would be the losing party. Du Ze and Lu Piao were on cloud nine as they expressed their loyalty to Nie Li which he accepted graciously.

Du Ze is very hard working and smart which makes him an ideal right hand man while Lu Piao on the other hand is lazy and fun loving but he is also very loyal so, Nie Li decided to put up with his obnoxious behavior.

Nie Li continued with his beasts experiment to create more God growth rate demon spirit. He failed a bunch of time but he also succeeded enough, but he didn't give out any of them to anyone under him. This is an investment he would only make when he is sure of the returns or the implications.

All the smart families were quickly able to understand the fact that Nie Li is supported by the the City Lord Mansion. The Alchemist Association were a bit sour about losing a genius and wanted to pressure Nie Li through diplomacy but after the intervention of City Lord they relented.

The Holy Orchid Institute also took no action for Nie Li constant absence as he started to receive special attention everywhere.

The Dark Guild obviously investigated Nie Li and took every opportunity to get rid of Nie Li but they only faced failure. Nie Li was a full fledged Peak Gold Rank, he isn't afraid of even Black Gold Rank Experts and he can escape Legend Rank as well with his inventory skill so, he didn't care much and happily destroyed anyone with bad intentions.

He still made sure to keep his true ability under wraps because the more others know, the more they can plan.

Everything was going great as the eventual day to start creating the formation was coming near, when a guest visited the family. Nie Li knew about the guest sitting inside the mansion after he emerged from his inventory, due to the identify of the person his guards didn't stop him at the gates as usually they would, mostly because his parents were very welcoming of the visiter.

Nie Hai, the Patriarch of the Heavenly Marks Family, is currently sitting on the main hall. He was dressed in a grey robe, a long white beard was growing on his stern face. He was emitting a kind of majestic aura from him.

"What does he want? A political shenanigans I suppose?" Nie Li thought as he took a bath and dressed to meet the guests. He wasn't really hurried because making them wait isn't something that worried Nie Li.

Nie Li came down as he saw his father and uncle standing with the servants and at this moment, before them on the couch sat Nie Hai and beside him an Elder Nie Wei.

Nie Li immediately gestured the servants with his eyes to take his father and uncle away, even if they are now inside his house and the Clan has no ability to do anything to effect their lives they still have a certain innate fear and respect for the Clan which isn't suitable for Nie Li. Especially when he is conversing with them so, he sent his family back.

Nie Wei's gaze fell on Nie Li and asked, "Nie Li, why did you take so much time to come here?"

Hearing Elder Nie Wei's question, Nie Li couldn't help but to feel his mouth twitch. Within the Heavenly Marks Family, the hardest to get along with was Elder Nie Wei. Nie Wei is the enforcement elder of the Heavenly Marks Family. Any wrongs done by the members of the family will be punished by Elder Nie Wei, therefore, Nie Wei's position within the clan is only lower to Nie Hai.

Within the Heavenly Marks Family, the one that previous Nie Li hates the most, aside from a few cousins, would be Nie Wei. In his life, he was punished lots of time by Nie Wei. Nie Wei also has another identity, which is the grandfather of his cousin who made things difficult for Nie Li.

Nie Li was more than once, because his household doesn't get along with their household, was punished by Nie Wei based on personal grudges.

Nie Li genuinely don't care about these past childish grudges, but the idea of someone sitting in his house and ordering him is still not very appreciated.

"Elder, I was busy, If you come uninvited then you ought to wait too!" Nie Li cupped his hand and said rather coldly.

Nie Wei was shocked and about to retort but Nie Hai furrowed his brows to gesture him to not make trouble. Nie Hai attention was on Nie Li as he couldn't gauge or figure out this kid before him.

Nie Wei snorted, reprimand, "Nie Li, do you admit your mistake?"

Nie Li become a little confused, curiously asked, "I have no idea what you are talking about, if this is about not coming to the family to greet the elders then I was too busy in my cultivation if not then I would be, asking Elder Nie Wei to please explain!"

"Nie Li, you did not study properly like you should at school and got in quite a bit of trouble. I heard that you provoked the Alchemist Association after they take care of you, causing them to broke their deal with our Heavenly Marks Family. Are you sure that no such thing happened?" Nie Wei asked, strictly.

Hearing Elder Nie Wei's words, Nie Hai had his gaze on Nie Li. During this period of time, they had their best times, being suddenly helped by the Alchemist Association partnering with them in all kinds of business causing great gains, and after investigation they came to know that one of their descendants was a great alchemist genius who was very appreciated by the elders of the association as they helped the family to bring Nie Li in their side.

Nie Hai hearing Elder Nie Wei's words, he frowned, looked at Nie Li and sternly asked, "Nie Li, is that true?"

Nie Li laughed inwardly at their stupidity. He nodded his head and said, "True, that was me."

"You did not follow the family's instruction in the Holy Orchid Institute, provoked troubles that caused the family to suffer losses. You must be punished by one hundred strikes by cane, don't you agree?" Elder Nie Wei's gaze is closely fixed on Nie Li, giving a kind of imposing.

There are a total of eight branches within Heavenly Marks Family. There are some conflicts within these branches. Although when enemy comes, everyone will be united to fight off. But normally, they are fighting nonstop for their own interest and position within the family.

Nie Wei's both eyes coldly started at Nie Li, "Nie Li, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Nie Li, what do you say in your defense? Why would you offend the Alchemist Association?" Nie Hai looked at Nie Li and asked. In his view, Nie Li is not someone who would offend people without a reason. Furthermore, now that Nie Li has been accepted into the Genius class at the Holy Orchid Institute, he already has the qualifications to be the focus of nurturing.

Nie Li didn't have any emotion on his face," You got the deal because of me, did you came to thank me and provide benefits to us? No you didn't! Then why are you here to reprimand me and punish me now? Isn't that just contradictory, I am free to do whatever I want and my actions have only helped the family but now that the extra cash which was coming your way isn't there anymore you want to rant. What nonsense!"

Nie Hai looked at Nie Li, a little surprised. He has a feeling that today's Nie Li is not the same as the usual one. When facing him, Nie Li is not timid. He is facing the Patriarch with magnanimity and demeanor.

"How dare you?" Nie Wei Shouted.

"Jin! Cai Wang! This person don't understand where he is standing escort him outside." Nie Li lightly said as two phantom appeared besides him.

"Nie Li, you unfilial descendant have made such a grave mistake, and still don't admit!" Nie Wei scolded as he released his silver rank pressure on them.

"What are waiting for?" Nie Li yawned as he gestured and Cao Wang exploded with his Gold Rank soul force which shook the elder, Cao Wang is a 1-star Gold Rank Demon Spiritualist but with his special demon spirit he can even contend against a 3-star easily.

"Why do you think an existence such as the lofty Alchemist Association even turn their attention to the weak puny Heavenly Marks Family, it was only because of me that you got the favourable deals and you are here blaming me when it is no longer the case. I know that the association isn't overcharging or extorting you in any way so, your Clan benefit talk is useless. You are just here for your own pocket! Am I a money making machine to you?"

"Presumptuous! What makes you qualified to talk to me in this way? No rules no standard! I'm enforcing our family rules!" Nie Wei furiously snorted but he was shaken silly by the sudden appearance of Cao Wang behind him releasing his killing intent.

"Grand Elder, I don't think that this matter is this simple. Nie Li isn't a trouble maker. Since this matter has passed, just let it go." Nie Hei said, obviously trying to help Nie Li. He didn't want to drive a wedge between themselves and a genius of their clan just for some extra cash. He was not in favor of this talk but since Nie Wei insisted Nie Hai let him continue as he also liked the extra cash but now things are out of control.

Nie Hai has just gotten news that Nie Li has been accepted into the Holy Orchid Institute's Genius class. He was also a great alchemist genius maybe one day he would overcome the problems at the Alchemist Association. If that were to happen then they could only cry!

Over the years, the number of the Heavenly Marks Family's younger generations entering the Genius class is only a dozen. Although some were not able to enter into the Genius class, that does not mean that they do not have any value in nurturing. However, those who entered into the Genius class, are those with extraordinary talents. Ultimately, having shocking achievements.

Nie Hai, as a Patriarch, has always been impartial. He has never favored one branch, therefore, therefore, he has his prestige within the family.

"Grand Elder has always been biased in his decision, Just because you can get more profit now from the alchemist association, you'll punish me, just to give the Association a reason to become partner again, If Heavenly Marks Family can't even protect its members, then there's no point in staying in this family!" Nie Li said, coldly gazing at Nie Wei.

The whole hall was shocked. These two never imagined that Nie Li would actually say such words. This is not just simply contradicting the Grand Elder. Nie Li's meaning is that he want's to leave the Heavenly Marks Family! and looking at his living conditions he can easily do so too!

Previously, Nie Li's impression to everyone has always been timid. But today, he actually said such things in front of the Patriarch.

"Hmph, your wings have grown so much that you actually want to quit the clan? Don't forget, it's the shelter and nurturing of the Heavenly Marks Family that you have what you have today!" Grand Elder Nie Wei coldly said, "Ungrateful little bastard!"

"You seem to not understand the reasoning here, It's not the Heavenly Marks Family that raised me. It's my parents that have worked hard daily to grow herbs to raise me. They have also paid the Heavenly Marks Family with their hard work. Therefore, we don't owe anyone, I will thrown some money so shove it down your throat and get lost! That's what you want right?" Nie Li straightened his body and refuted.

"This is outrageous! Presumptuous!" Nie Wei had a livid expression.

"What in the fucking hell are you two waiting for! Escort them outside now, and give them one million demon spirits coin, that's a thousand time more than what you have ever given to my family!" Nie Li waved his hands as he turned his back, the idea of family and clan means nothing to the current him. Only the people inside the mansion matter and others are just burden, he would later visit their outskirts clan to rob them and get his moneys worth.

Just when these people were flabbergasted and Cao Wang and Jin embarrassed by Nie Li's scolding were taking the duo outside, a member of the guards hurriedly ran in and said to Nie Lei, "Young Master, Director Yang of the Alchemist Association has come!"

"Director Yang?" Nie Wei and Nie Hai were being escorted outside but they still heard the guards, both of them had expressions of surprise.

They never expected that Director Yang of Alchemist Association would come personally and pay a visit to Nie Li's house. They had many contacts with the Alchemist Association previously, naturally they would know about Director Yang's position within Alchemist Association. She is a powerhouse within Alchemist Association aside from the President and Elders.

A figure like Director Yang, just a casual word of hers could devastate an Aristocratic Family. At the same time, it can also lead an Aristocratic Family into prosperity.

The Alchemist Association is an existence comparable to the three Major families. Its influence within Glory City greater than the Sacred Family and the Divine Family. It's only second to the Snow Wind Family who has a Legend rank Demon Spiritualist and the City Lord of Glory City. Facing Director Yang would make even Nie Hai respectful.