2 Nie Li?

Lin Tain quickly collected himself. With his heart gradually calming down, he looked around the classroom.

Not far away in front of him, Lin Tian immediately noticed a boy with a mop of blonde-orange hair, looking around in shock and wonder.

Lin Tian let out a silent sigh upon seeing that. It seemed that Nie Li, who was a protagonist from the novel that he read and another user of Temporal Demon Spirit Book, also traveled through time, except that Nie Li traveled to the past.

While Nie Li was gazing at Ye Ziyun, chatting with Lu Piao, Lin Tian turned his head back and started to plan his next course of action and how he should deal with Nie Li.

Lin Tian had a brief thought of eliminating Nie Li early, but he brushed it aside. Considering his situation some more, he soon realized that there are a lot of things that he might need to rely on Nie Li's knowledge for; simply killing Nie Li early would definitely be a huge waste of resources.

Hei Feng, who Lin Tian was before reincarnation, was someone from thousands of years in the past. Although he also spent a ridiculous amount of time studying and cultivating in the Temporal Demon Spirit Book, he was not Nie Li who regressed from the future.

Lin Tian's knowledge was vast, but it was not up to date - he didn't know the formulas of the most recent Soul Nourishing Elixirs from the peak of the Sacred Empire era, he didn't know the ancient languages of the various Empires before the Age of Darkness, he didn't know the current state of the Draconic Ruins realm nor did he know the future apart from what he read in the novel.

Inside his heart, Lin Tian really didn't want to play-friends or share any of his opportunities with someone like Nie Li, or with anyone. Knowing how brash, annoying and petty Nie Li is, Lin Tian felt that Nie Li might only be a burden and mess up his plans because of his involvement.

Was there a conflict of interest between Nie Li and Lin Tian? Why did Lin Tian instantly think of killing Nie Li? Hehehe. To Lin Tian, Nie Li's mere existence was a conflict of interest!

If Lin Tian did nothing about Nie Li, then Nie Li would take control of the resources of Glory City through the Alchemist Association, become its hero, collect a variety of incredibly powerful treasures and then wrest control over the Glory City itself through the Snow Wind family. And then Nie Li would do all of it again in the Draconic Ruins realm.

To Lin Tian, Nie Li was a burden, an obstacle, a threat to his authority and power, and on his path to becoming the most powerful existence. With Nie Li's knowledge, he would be able to influence the balance of the entire Draconic Ruins realm; and if Nie Li shared any of his supreme techniques, then Lin Tian's authority would be greatly jeopardized.

Lin Tian had to do something about Nie Li, and it's just that killing him would be the simplest.

Why would Lin Tian tolerate another 'main character' and not nip the problem in the bud? There can only be one supreme existence in this world, and all competition that is too capable and ambitious needs to be eliminated! It's a clear threat!

Is such a way of thinking extreme? Yes. From an ordinary person's point of view it is very extreme. But is it actually true and the most rational? Yes! And it isn't even that extreme when one thinks about it.

Lin Tian seriously considered the possibility of putting Nie Li into a coma in order to later capture his soul and stuff it into a soul puppet to get all the answers, but he was reluctant to take this course of action. The reason being - he knew just how powerful the Sage Emperor is. After living for over a million years, the Sage Emperor is bound to have a frightening foundation and accumulations, whether it is in the form of knowledge, artifacts or forces. What Lin Tian was shown in the past was very likely only a fraction of it.

'A talking bird giving information to you can't compare to an actual person doing things. And ironically, I would first need Nie Li's help in translating the Soul Puppet blueprint from the Heavenly Mark's family treasury. The other Soul Puppet blueprints that I know use materials from the Draconic Ruins realm…' Lin Tian fought in regret.

It seemed like fate had brought the two of them to the same era, so Lin Tian slowly thought that it would be too risky to not make full use of Nie Li's strength. In the past, during Hei Feng's times, the Sage Emperor had ten Deity Ranked Generals, so who knows just how strong he is now?

As someone that used the Soul Traversing Time and Space Technique, there is also a possibility that Lin Tian is an intruder in this world and only Nie Li is the legitimate owner of the Temporal Demon Spirit Book. If Lin Tian antagonized Nie Li from the beginning, then in case Nie Li manages to acquire the Temporal Demon Spirit Book before him by luck, it might spell Lin Tian's doom- this artifact is just that powerful.

As Lin Tian considered his situation, there were many reasons for why he should be on good or at least civil terms with Nie Li. 'I am obviously in a world that is different from the one that I read about in the novel. Me and Nie Li are both here, so recklessly challenging the Sage Emperor by myself, while removing Nie Li completely, is a very petty and silly thing to do.'

At the very least, Lin Tian thought that he could use Nie Li to divert Sage Emperor's attention from himself later on or use him as a treasure magnet due to the Heavenly Dao's favor toward him, as long as Nie Li is kept in one piece and nurtured into a warrior instead of having his soul sucked out.

Besides, just a while ago Hei Feng promised himself to try to be a better person, yet his very first thought after reincarnating was to end Nie Li.

'There is no reason to be enemies with Nie Li if there are no substantial benefits in doing so. As long as Nie Li is controlled, then he could be a strong ally against the sage Emperor. We could cooperate,' Lin Tian thought calmly in his heart.

Cooperate with Nie Li?...

That thought made Lin Tian feel as if he swallowed a house fly, but as he thought more about it, it wasn't like Nie Li didn't have his good points either.

Back on Earth, Lin Tian always heavily disliked the novel's Nie Li to the point of straight-out loathing him as a character, but even though Nie Li was quite childish, petty, hypocritically self-righteous, reckless, sometimes creepy and foolish in his behavior, he did deeply care about his close friends and family, and tried really hard to protect them, even going as far as to rush head-first into danger and risk his life for them; even if his view was sometimes twisted, Nie Li tried to be a good person.

'Keep your friends close, but your enemies even closer. In case I enter Nie Li's inner circle and become his friend, then I would only be able to control and suppress him better. And then I could even make Nie Li willingly translate the Soul Puppet blueprint for me. If Nie Li turns out to be too annoying, then I can always stuff him into a soul puppet,' Lin Tian thought in his heart with a laugh.

Lin Tian was not unreasonable. For the time being, he decided to give Nie Li a chance and attempt cooperating with him, all while suppressing him and taking any major treasures and opportunities for himself.

The novel's Nie Li is very good toward his friends, so Lin Tian thought that making him his ally might not be that bad.

However, if Nie Li were to stand on his path in the end, then Lin Tian would defenitely kill him and continue on his way.

Not far away from Lin Tian.

Nie Li gazed around in shock, muttering inaudibly, 'I'm actually back…'

Leaning back in his seat, Nie Li felt his eyes moisten as he thought, 'I really am back in Glory City. I was on the run because of the massive demon-beast invasion; when the Sacred Family abandoned their post, betrayed their city, the demon beasts got in and started a massacre. There was so much death and chaos. Millions were slaughtered and very few survived; however, that did not include Lord Ye Mo, Nie Yu, Lu Piao, Du Ze, and many others. Since then, a few hundred years of a lonely life has passed in the blink of an eye...'

Bolting forward, Nie Li rapidly looked around and saw his former classmates - Xiao Ning'er, Lu Piao, Du Ze, Shen Yue and finally Ye Ziyun. She was alive. She was still alive!

Nie Li could scarcely believe it, feeling a lag in his breath. Ye Ziyun's appearance was very immature, and still childish, but he could instantly tell that it was her.

"Hey, Nie Li, what are you smiling at?" Questioned by a lazy voice, Nie Li glanced to the side to see a young Lu Piao looking at him with a puzzled expression.

"Just being happy! Good brother, great seeing you!" Nie Li called out and then hooked an arm over Lu Piao's neck and pulled him closer, attracting strange looks for the students around them.

"Oi, Nie Li! Who's your good brother, you gaylord?! Quickly, release me!" Lu Piao protested as he tried to resist Nie Li's grasp. However, his resistance only caused Nie Li's grin to widen.

"No matter what you're thinking, in my heart, you're always my good brother," replied Nie Li. He chuckled as he tightened his grip.

Nie Li's sincere expression caused Lu Piao to scoff; helplessly, he gave up on trying to escape from Nie Li's grasp and began to chat with him with an embarrassed face.

Lu Piao looked at Nie Lie and said, "Nie Li, I know you're one of the nobility in Glory City, but let me warn you: do not have any ideas for that girl. Her identity is extremely mysterious. I heard that when she joined the institute the principal personally arranged her dorm."

Nie Li slightly grinned and then released Lu Piao from his hold. Ye Ziyun has just joined the Fighter Apprentice Class and Lu Piao still didn't know her identity which Nie Li clearly did.

"She's my woman!" Nie Li declared, looking at the beautiful long haired girl not far away. His heart was exceptionally firm as he thought of that night's passion that he spent together with her, the love of his life. Nie Li couldn't help feeling hot inside.

Within Glory City, there are three Major families. The Divine Family, the Sacred Family and the Snow Wind Family. They represented the supreme power of Glory City, the pinnacle of the noble families. The City Lord was usually born from one of these three families. After the three Major families were the seven Noble families and after them are the twenty Aristocratic families.

Nie Li belonged to the Heavenly Marks Family which stood at last place of the Aristocratic families. Although they still have a little status, there is an astronomical difference in status when compared to the three Major families and the seven Noble families.

Originally with Nie Li's background, wanting to be with Ye Zi Yun was simply impossible. But since Nie Li was reborn, was any of this still an issue? Although his foundation is poor, with the vast knowledge from his previous life, his future achievements are bound to be incredible.

Nie Li suddenly remembered, 'We are both only thirteen now! Ziyun, when will you become that beautiful and enchanting woman? I shall protect you and we will grow up together!'

Not far away, Ye Ziyun seemed to have felt something. She turned her head and looked towards Nie Li. She gently wrinkled her brows, and thought that Nie Li must be a playful noble. Since the start of class, he has been unrestrainedly looking at her.

At this moment Shen Xiu noticed Nie Li's longing gaze directed at Ye Ziyun. She reverted her Scarlet Flame Fox transformation and hugged her chest with both of her arms. Her eyes swept across the students and she said, "For the next two years, all of you are my students. Although the principal mentioned that Holy Orchid Institute's students are equal, I have to let you know the ugly truth. In this world, equality doesn't exist!"

Shen Xiu started her harsh speech with the aim to talk down and humiliate the students that were not of noble birth, speaking in a shrill voice to put them in their place.

Under Shen Xiu's gaze, the students that were simply dressed in the class showed discomfort on their faces. They were embarrassed and lowered their heads. A few nobles, proudly pushed out their chests and showed an arrogant pride on their faces

Lin Tian glanced around. He saw the commoner students clench their fists tightly and bite their lips in indignance and shame.

Lin Tian felt indifferent inwardly. What Shen Xiu just said was simply the harsh reality of this world. Nobles are simply better than commoners for a reason, they became nobles for a reason! Nobles are born with superior talent, they have wealth, weapons, cultivation resources, they have power and access to knowledge, and many other luxuries.

Meanwhile ordinary people have nothing. They are cursed with low talent and destined for mediocrity, unless a miracle happens and they're born with a superior aptitude like Ye Mo, Ye Han or Yang Xin.

In Glory City some people are inferior commoners upon birth, while some are geniuses destined to be nobility upon birth. An ordinary person should accept their situation and keep their head low or they will only suffer by provoking the strong; on the other hand they can also put their life on the line in order to change it, unless a true miracle happens - fruitlessly.

Either way, Lin Tian understood that this was the truth. Shen Xiu was giving these kids a taste of reality, except that her words were too harsh for these young kids to take in, while Shen Xiu's main purpose was to talk them down anyway.

As Lin Tian recalled, it was actually Nie Li in the novel who was the unreasonable one - he boasted and claimed that anyone could achieve anything and reach the peak, but he ignored the fact that he received the miracle of the Temporal Demon Spirit Book and knew supreme level cultivation techniques that allow Red soul realms to cultivate at unimaginable speed.

Nie Li spoke a bunch of principles, but then he never gave the common masses a chance to rise up other than his few friends. When Nie Li left the Tiny World for the upper realms, the millions of Red soul realm commoners were still destined for mediocrity, unable to even reach Bronze rank in their lifetime!

Lin Tian's face was expressionless as he thought. With the corner of his eye, he glanced at Nie Li.

Seeing Shen Xiu's look full of contempt, Nie Li could not help but feel a surge of anger within his heart and it clearly showed on his face. In his past life, before Glory City was broken through, the Sacred Family was the first to flee. If not for the Sacred Family, Glory City would still have a chance of survival. Whether it was Shen Yue or Shen Xiu, they didn't have any redeeming qualities. In his past life Shen Xiu was also very harsh, causing Nie Li and many commoner students to be unwilling to train hard.

Lin Tian saw that there were four major options open in front of him at this moment:

The first - act like a brat and support Nie Li in his embarrassing rant, talking back to Shen Xiu, gaining Nie Li's trust and appreciation, but Shen Xiu's and the Sacred Family's hate.

The second - do nothing and stay out of Nie Li's radar, letting Nie Li hunt horned sheep for the next eight days, using this chance to pull ahead of him in cultivation.

The third - rebuke Nie Li's words and destroy him verbally, suppressing Nie Li's momentum and gaining the incredibly hot Shen Xiu's appreciation.

And there was also the fourth option - take the initiative, speak up to Shen Xiu first, steal Nie Li's spotlight and become the hero of the commoners!

Lin Tian sighed and stayed down. As much as he felt a little sense of loss for not speaking up first, he firstly had to carefully observe what kind of person Nie Li is before taking action, checking if he's the same as in the novel. This way he could also easily insert himself into Nie Li's circle without raising suspicions.

*************** (a long line is an indicator of copy pasted content or at least 90% copied)

"Teacher Shen Xiu, I have a question," Nie Li suddenly spoke up.

All the students were listening quietly and Nie Li suddenly interrupted her speech, leading Shen Xiu to be unhappy. Shen Xiu recognized Nie Li as he was the one who had coveted over Ye Zi Yun. The words she spoke previously were mostly directed at him. Who would have thought Nie Li would actually speak up?

Shen Xiu coldly snorted, "What is it?"

"Teacher Shen Xiu says that Glory City is the only one that survived the Age of Darkness, that we are the only human beings surviving. What proof do you have on this statement? May I ask if the teacher ever went out of the St. Ancestral Mountains and visited the Endless Desert, the Toxic Forest, the Blood Moon Marsh, the Spirit Gulf, the Heavenly Luster Mountains and the Northern Snow before?" Nie Li asked.

"Heavenly Luster Mountain? Northern Snow?" Shen Xiu frowned. Endless Desert, Toxic Forest and Blood Moon Marsh she has heard of before, but those places are very far away from the St. Ancestral Mountains. She has only heard of them in legends.

Shen Xiu snorted and replied, "I've never been to those places. I have been in Glory City since birth, and have never been to those places."

Nie Li smiled faintly and said, "Since Teacher Shen Xiu has never been to those places, how can you be so sure that we are the only human beings alive?"

Shen Xiu couldn't help but be at a loss for words.

The students in the class started to talk quietly. They have no idea what kind of places Nie Li spoke about. Ye Zi Yun, who was sitting far away, began to show interest that flashed across her eyes. She curiously looked at Nie Li. How did Nie Li know of those places?

Shen Yue who was sitting beside Ye Zi Yun slightly frowned his brows. He looked towards the talking Nie Li, and realized he was quite handsome. Nie Li wasn't below him in terms of looks. Unknowingly, he felt a sense of crisis within his heart.

Seeing the students below discussing away, Shen Xiu's face was extremely displeased and scoffed, "So what? How can you prove that we are not the last surviving human beings?"

"Proof?" Nie Li faintly smiled. "Let me tell Teacher Shen Xiu a story. There was once a frog in the depth of the well. Since its birth, it has always been in that well. Since the start it could only see a part of the sky, so it claimed that the sky is only as big as the hole of the well. But is the sky only the size of the hole? We could only say that the frog is ignorant."

Listening to what Nie Li just said, the students in the class couldn't help themselves from laughing. They all felt that what Nie Li said makes sense. And the idiom "a frog viewing the sky from the bottom of the well" was indirectly calling Teacher Shen Xiu a frog.

"Viewing the sky from the bottom of the well, what an appropriate description," a few girls said while giggling away. They all disliked Shen Xiu, and couldn't help looking at Nie Li full of admiration, since Nie Li would be the only one daring enough to openly insult a teacher in class.

"You…" Shen Xiu started as she stared at Nie Li. She was furious to the point of almost vomiting blood. Nie Li actually compared her to an ignorant frog. She has never encountered such rampant students.

Ye Ziyun, who was sitting far away, couldn't control her laughter as well under the peer pressure. Nie Li had actually made Teacher Shen Xiu speechless.

Ye Ziyun is a natural beauty. Her smile was fascinating. Nie Li winked towards her and smiled.

Seeing Nie Li's expression, Ye Ziyun immediately turned her head back, thinking in her heart, 'Such audacity!'

Nie Li's impression in her heart still remained as a bad student.

Watching Nie Li not only choke Teacher Shen Xiu, but also tease Ye Ziyun, Lu Piao couldn't help raising a thumb at him, thinking this guy was awesome.

***************

Lin Tian only smirked. It seemed that Nie Li in his world is the same unreasonable Nie Li that he knows from the novel! This fact was both annoying to Lin Tian, but it was also a huge relief, because he was now in familiar territory - thanks to the novel, he knew and understood Nie Li's character really well.

Lin Tian suddenly raised his hand and called out, "Teacher, I also have a question.'