Pot and kettle...

Two days later, an auction was done by the Divine Family from the treasures they found in the ancient ruins. Lu Pao and the others were telling Nie Li that Shen Yue came back safe when he told them that he disappeared from the group. Nie Li then came up with a hunch that the Sacred Family and Dark Guild were working together. He wouldn't have thought otherwise if he didn't hear what that cook told Chen Linjian that they were being followed by the Dark Guild while returning to Glory City.

In the class for Silver rank students, Shen Fei was being taunted about Xiao Ning'er having an affair with the cook from the Snow Wind Family. Xiao Ning'er was always seen going to the shop of the cook before it closes and staying there for thirty minutes to an hour and leaving happy.

Meanwhile, while the group of Nie Li was goofing off, they met the Dark Guild members on a road. But because he did not lead the ape towards them and Dark Guild did not know where the ape came from, they both didn't bother with each other.

Later that day, Nie Li went towards the Alchemy Association to be an Alchemist Master. When their group got to the building of the Alchemy Association, they saw Xiao Ning'er to the side. Lu Pao who have to gain a thick face and asks her what she was doing here.

XNing: "I am waiting for someone."

The others who heard looked at the building and back to her.

Nie Li: "Is the person you're waiting for inside the Alchemy Association building?"

XNing: "Yes, he said that he will verify something and needed the approval of the Alchemy Guild"

Nie Li: "Maybe I will meet him inside."

XNing: "You're going to take the alchemy exam?"

Nie Li: "Yeah... I got to go now."

Nie Li then passed the exam like in the novel and was directed to a waiting room to meet the president and the director. He notice that some Alchemist masters were looking and taking notes at the wall.

Nie Li: "What are they doing?"

HMing: "That right there is where we exchange ideas about alchemy. If we did not have any answer to a particular idea, we post it there so that someone will be able to see it and enter his idea."

Nie Li: "But it seems that they were already answered. Who answered these? Did the president answer this?" *looking at the answers on the wall and being shocked*

Nie Li: 'Based on the test earlier, there is no one in the alchemy guild capable of answering these questions but someone did.'

HMing: "No, you might have known of him. Mr. Raizen answered these."

Nie Li: "The cook? So he is an alchemist too?"

HMing: "He said he was not an alchemist but he just know the plants, their attribute, and the effect if combined. He learned it when he choose the path of cooking."

Nie Li: 'I can't deny that alchemy and cooking have some similarities. But the mixing will still have some difference for the ingredients.'

While Nie Li was thinking about how Raizen would know about alchemy by just being a cook. Three people came to the waiting room. An old man and a woman who is clinging to a man that he knew because he is the one sent by the City Lord to protect Ye Ziyun in the exploration.

Gu Yan: "So this is the young man who passed the exam at such an age."

Yang Xin: "Interesting little brother, I didn't expect someone as young as you to pass"

Nie Li: "I have been trained by my master and wanted me to get the title of an alchemist. I have also sent the letter here."

Yang Xin: "What letter?"

R: "About the purple haze grass right?"

Nie Li: *looking at Raizen* "Yes"

R: "Hahaha! I didn't know who your master is but the timing couldn't be better. I was supposed to use the purple haze grass to create a new dish but when I heard the grass was being bought by a high amount, didn't take me a second and sold what I have on me at that time."

Nie Li: "Yeah... Anyway, I come here because my master also wanted to cooperate with the alchemy guild."

Nie Li gives the formula of Soul Nurturing Pills, Soul Concentrating Pills, and Soul Tempering Pills, as well as the Scarlet Body Enhancing Pills and the Nine Transformation Pills. His "master" wanted to donate the pills but needed resources to continue his research. He then told them that his "master" have traveled to many places and stayed at Glory City for that reason.

After the business of Nie Li with the president concluded. He got curious and asked why Raizen is here at the Alchemy Association. Gu Yan and Yang Xin looked at Raizen as if asking permission. Raizen looked at the other Alchemist master and back to Gu Yan. The old alchemist understand what he meant and ordered the others to leave first. When the others left, Raizen nod to the president and show Nie Li a pill.

R: *look at Nie Li* "Inspect it first."

Nie Li then took the pill from the hand of president Gu Yan and inspect the pill while also using his soul force on it. Nie Li was shocked that he could not recognize the ingredients that made the pill so he asked what the pill is for.

R: "The one you are holding can make someone with a red soul realm achieve 1-star Bronze rank. If the one with Cyan soul realm consumed it then that person might directly enter 3-star or even 4-star Bronze realm depending on the aptitude."

Nie Li: "That is impossible... there are no known plants that can do that. 'At least not in this Tiny World' "

R: "Your master probably hasn't seen the whole world yet and that is why he wants to continue his research. But there are things out there that he might not have known, right? Don't take my words as an offense towards your master but "a true master is an eternal student"."

Nie Li: *shocked but accepted the logic* "Well said."

Raizen then left the three of them to talk and get Ning'er outside the building.

XNing: "Are you done with your business with the guild?"

R: "Yes, come it's time for you to be one of the elite." *float up*

XNing: "I knew it! You're at Legend rank"

Raizen just smiled and scoop her up. In the next second, they were at the place that they first met.

R: "Your soul force is already saturated enough at Gold rank and can advance further."

Xiao Ning'er sits in a lotus position so that she can focus on breaking through the Black Gold Rank. It only took five minutes for her to break through to Black Gold rank. She is very happy and hugs Raizen because now she is strong enough to break the marriage from the Sacred Family.

Raizen then gives a pendant to her to hide her cultivation base because she still doesn't know how to do it herself. Raizen told her that he will train her with that by cooking.

XNing: "Why cooking?"

R: "You have tasted my cooking right?"

XNing: "Yes. it is always delicious."

R: "I can tell you that it is just considered to be at the bottom level."

Raizen then gives her a slice of cake. Xiao Ning'er got confused but still eat the cake but when she did. She directly broke through to the 2-star Black Gold rank.

XNing: "Oh my god! Did I advance again just by eating a cake?"

The cake that Raizen gave her is the one he made using the ingredients that came from the time chamber that has the energy that came from Against the Gods but only the diluted one because she might explode from a higher form of energy if she ingest some of it.

R: "When I cook food of this level, I need to preserve the energy inside the ingredients. While I'm cutting, heating, waiting for the food to be cooked. I need to control multiple things at once. Let me tell you this if two have the same 1-star Bronze rank fight. The person with better control of his energy will last longer and win. It's the same for having the same skill. If you have a better understanding of how to use the skill than your opponent then you will likely win."

XNing: "Never thought about it that way."

R: "It is not only be done by cooking. You can be an alchemist or and inscriptions if you want to. The only difference is knowledge."

XNing: "...then can you teach me inscription instead of cooking?"

R: "I can do that. But for now, every day. You will keep this attached to your body using your energy."

What Raizen taught her for control is the leaf training from Naruto until she can walk on air without becoming a Legendary Rank demon spiritualist. He doesn't know why most common cultivators rely on the passive control they get from the increase of rank. Unless they have their grandpa on a ring or reincarnated then they will not know these things. That is why most reincarnated person surpass their peers because they have a better experience.

Back to the story...

When the news of the long-lost pills got out and verified by the Alchemy Association, cultivators went crazy to buy the pills especially the major families. It was said that the Dark Guild will also be buying the pills so Ye Zong threatens whoever sold the pills to the enemy guild will be punished severely.

The day of the examination comes and the students were now waiting for it to start. A few people were seeing the examination besides the faculty members. The City Lord was also there with his brother Ye Xiu and Raizen who was recognized a month ago as a Black Gold rank demon spiritualist and working with the City Lord.

Xiao Ning'er is now walking with Ye Ziyun because they have already mended their friendship with the help of the food Raizen bringing them together though when Ye Ziyun asked her what stage is she at. Ning'er just smiles at her and always changes the subject. When Nie Li saw the distress of Ziyun about Ning'er.

He tried to probe her but even he could not tell her cultivation level which is weird for Nie Li because no matter what, based on experience, he can tell the cultivation of anyone unless the person uses an artifact. Nie Li first assume that she was using one but the level of inscriptions on an item of Glory City is low like the one did with the Divine Lightning Fire inscription.

At the exam area, Shen Fei walk up to Xiao Ning'er to undermine her but she was showing so much confidence that even Nie Li and Ye Ziyun admire her. Shen Fei got annoyed at her and attacked her. Nie Li wanted to help but before he could, he already saw Shen Fei kissing the ground.

This dumbfounded Nie Li because she didn't use any soul force though he is not underestimating her. In general, the students who are still at 1-star Bronze rank can only brute force a fight, mostly. But those in bigger families have been training their people at a young age.

The only thing that boggles his mind is that she did it flawlessly even though the one she fought is still a genuine Silver rank demon spiritualist. Even the people around them were shocked by the outcome.

XNing: "If you're not convinced that I don't want to marry then let's make a bet. You against me in your Sacred Family "genius martial arts tournament". If you win, you will get me no question ask but if you lose. Not only does your family have to break the marriage deal, but you will also scram far away whenever I am walking around in the City. No wait, the Sacred Family will probably try to save face by not agreeing to my terms. Being scared of a little girl and all that. So, Shen Fei, do you dare? I have all the people here as my witness, even the City Lord is here to hear your answer. DO. YOU. DARE?!"

Only one thing is on the mind of all the people in the examination.

WHAT THE FCK HAPPENED TO THEIR GODDESS XIAO NING'ER?

Although one person is trying to hold back his amusement. The others and even Nie Li were surprised by the change of attitude of Xiao Ning'er and ever dare to humiliate the Sacred Family. They expect it coming from Nie Li because he was always at odds with Shen Yue and Shen Xiu but coming from her? She probably snapped because of the pressure from the marriage but she is confident in deciding to confront him in front of a lot of people. Shen Yue who was with the group of Sacred family was feeling fear for some reason and took a few steps back when Xiao Ning'er was talking.

XNing: "If you don't stand up, I will kick your manhood and you will not be able to use it again."

Shen Fei then stands up while still being shocked at her.

Shen Fei: "You said it yourself and I agree to your term, I'll be waiting in the tournament"

XNing: "Wait!"

Shen Fei: "What? Did you change your mind and now you want to let me taste you?"

XNing: "Keep dreaming. I just want to make the bet official. *looks up to Ye Zong* City Lord, can you be the witness to the bet that we will be having that concerns my life and death? Because being the woman of Shen Fei is just the same as dying"

Shen Fei wanted to slap Xiao Ning'er but the City Lord is already making his way towards them.

Xiao Ning'er and Shen Fei made the bet official and not even the Sacred Family can revoke it because the girl pokes the pride of their family.

After that, other than Ye Ziyun and the group of Nie Li. Xiao Ning'er was pretty much isolated because it's either they are afraid of the Sacred family that they might link them to Xiao Ning'er or giving her space to be ready for the tournament next week.

The examination of the students continued after that commotion. The results were still the same and Nie Li still showed Shen Yue and Shen Xiu the even 100 for both strength and soul force. But he was not the only one who did that.

While Ye Ziyun was recognized as a Silver rank demon spiritualist, Xiao Ning'er scored the same 100 for bot strength and soul force which made Nie Li ask her who is her master. Xiao Ning'er just smiles and leaves the shocked people. How is she going to win against Shen Fei if she only has Bronze rank cultivation?

After the examination, the students were given a month of vacation. Nie Li was still targeted for assassination by the Sacred Family by being done by the Dark guild because he is the only one they can touch. The changing structure of the Heavenly Marks family changes. Nie Li got a soul weapon from the treasures of his family. The auction happened and Nie Li refined several God growth rate demon souls.

The tournament hosted by the Sacred Family began a few days after the auction. The spectators were seeing the battles conducted by most of them were here for the bet between Xiao Ning'er and Shen Fei. The Sacred family and Winged Dragon family were sitting far apart from each other. They came here to see the result of the bet. In between, they were director Yang Xin and Ye Xiu as a representative of the City Lord. Nie Li and Ye Ziyun were there because she wants to support her friend and he was intrigued about her starting from the examination.

Shen Ming said his greetings to Yang Xin and Ye Xiu but when he made it to the Winged Dragon family, he subtly threatens them but Xiao Ning'er did not bother replying to their threats.

Shen Fei: "Better prepare yourself because after the match. You will be with me for a few days.'

XNing: "hmph... Let's just get this over with."

Xiao Ning'er stands up from her seat and walks towards the arena. Then Shen Fei followed behind her.

A moment later, they were both facing each other.

Shen Fei: "You still have time to change your mind. Just say you're sorry and let me feel your body in front of the whole crowd."

When the people heard this, they booed at him. Nie Li wanted to replace her and be the one to fight Shen Fei but his guts are telling him to watch the whole thing.

Xiao Ning'er just stands there and not saying anything but she was looking at him with contempt and a lot of people can see her face.

When the fight start, Shen Fei immediately dash towards her but she just slapped him which made him fly towards the wall of the stadium and unconscious.

XNing: "If I have known that he is this weak, I would have lowered my power some more to beat him up. *looks at Shen Ming* recognizes the bet, if not... *walks towards the unconscious Shen Fei and lift him* I will keep beating him up because he still didn't admit defeat."

Xiao Ning'er kick Shen Fei towards the opposite wall far from her then walks slowly in his direction. When she was about to kick Shen Fei again, the other members of the Sacred family come to the arena and tried to save their young master from Xiao Ning'er. Elder Ye Xiu, Yang Xin, Nie Li, Ye Ziyun, and other people tried to interfere but they can not move from their position. Ye Ziyun was already crying looking at Xiao Ning'er being surrounded by the Sacred Family members.

Instead of moving and getting ready to fight, Xiao Ning'er flared up her cultivation that shows a 5-star Black Gold rank aura and a silhouette of a winged dragon emerge from behind her. The whole stadium was silent.

A 13-14-YEAR-OLD 5-STAR BLACK GOLD DEMON SPIRITUALIST.

How could they not be silent? Xiao Ning'er becomes a Black Gold rank in less than a year. not even Ye Ziyun who is a Silver rank is comparable to her. Nie Li was shocked because Xiao Ning'er surpasses Ye Ziyun's cultivation by a huge gap even though she is using already using the abstruse gemstone and the best cultivation manual for her.

Shen Ming on the other hand could not believe that the little girl from the Winged Dragon family is already this strong at such a young age. Then he notices that she is looking at him.

XNing: "Will you continue the marriage contract between the Sacred Family and Winged Dragon family?! Or do you want me to beat up and cripple the other people of your younger generation?!"

Shen Ming: "I will do it! But don't think that just because you have that strength you will be above the other."

Rather than replying, Xiao Ning'er jump up to the place of Shen Ming and grab him by the throat and throw him to the position of the unconscious Shen Fei. She then walks away leaving a lot of people shock visible to their faces.