Nie Li quickly glanced at his system interface, hoping for a bit of guidance. Nothing popped up.

"Looks like it's just me this time," he thought, steeling himself for what was to come.

He stood, facing Shen Xiu.

"Teacher Shen Xiu, my apologies if I seemed disrespectful. But isn't being curious a big part of learning?"

Shen Xiu's gaze hardened as she looked at Nie Li.

"Curiosity has its place, but it should know its bounds, especially when it questions the wisdom passed down by our ancestors."

Nie Li nodded, his face the picture of calm. "Absolutely, Teacher. I hold our ancestors' wisdom in high regard. But isn't it also true that asking questions and seeking understanding can help wisdom grow?"

Shen Xiu's expression grew even more stern.

"Are you implying our teachings might be lacking?"

"Not at all," Nie Li assured her, his response smooth as silk. "I'm just suggesting that we all have more to learn. Knowledge is like an endless sea, and we're merely sailors trying to chart our course."

A few chuckles rose from their classmates, and some heads nodded in agreement with Nie Li's words. Shen Xiu, however, remained unimpressed.

"This classroom isn't the place for philosophical discussions. I'm here to teach you the concrete facts our culture has established."

Nie Li raised his hands in a peace-making gesture.

"I understand, Teacher Shen Xiu. If my curiosity came off as challenging, I apologize. My aim was purely for academic."

Shen Xiu took a moment, her breathing deep as she worked to regain her composure.

"Make sure this is the last time we have such interruptions," she cautioned, then turned back to her lesson.

Nie Li sat down, a wry smile tugging at his lips when time stopped.

[ Option 1- Do you want to have a hot steamy night with me? ]

[ Option 2- Teacher Shen Xiu said, 'a commoner will always remain a commoner, they can never become a noble.' I have a little question. Wasn't the Legend rank Demon Spiritualist, Ye Mo, a commoner when he was still young? ]

[ Option 3- Want to make a bet with me? ]

He rolled his eyes at the first option.

"Really, system? That's just suicidal."

He thought about the third option but felt it wasn't as impactful as he wanted.

Option 2, however, struck a chord. It was a relevant, thought-provoking question that challenged Shen Xiu's earlier statement about the rigidity of social mobility.

"Option 2 it is," Nie Li decided.

"Teacher Shen Xiu, I still have another question," he said, standing up once more.

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At this, Shen Xiu's frustration was palpable. She snapped the chalk in her hand and asked in a strained voice, "What question do you still have?!"

Nie Li took a deep breath and delivered his question.

"Teacher Shen Xiu said, 'a commoner will always remain a commoner, they can never become a noble.' But wasn't the Legend rank Demon Spiritualist, Ye Mo, a commoner when he was still young?"

The classroom fell into a stunned silence, everyone's attention fixed on Shen Xiu for her response.

In the classroom filled with students, Nie Li's question about Ye Mo had visibly impacted the commoners.

They knew of Lord Ye Mo's story – his rise from commoner to becoming the strongest.

However, Shen Xiu's earlier harsh words had dampened their spirits, leaving most of the commoners feeling disheartened when she went on her lecture about class.

"You… In the hundreds of years of Glory City, Lord Ye Mo's the only one able to climb to the peak by relying on his own ability," Shen Xiu finally replied.

Time halted around Nie Li, and the system options appeared.

[ Option 1- Well, I am the next Ye Mo. ]

[ Option 2- That's an interesting answer. You know, how about we spice things up. Want to make a bet with me? ]

[ Option 3- What a pathetic answer built upon your narrow worldview. If Ye Mo did it, why can't anyone else? Why destroy their hopes? ]

Nie Li weighed his options.

The third option was tempting, a direct jab at Shen Xiu's narrow-mindedness, but it was too risky for his mission.

The first option was just plain over-the-top. He smirked, selecting the second option.

Time resumed, and Nie Li spoke up, "That's an interesting answer. You know, how about we spice things up. Want to make a bet with me?"

Shen Xiu, visibly taken aback by Nie Li's audacity, raised an eyebrow.

"A bet? And what might that be?"

Nie Li shrugged nonchalantly.

"Oh, nothing much. Just a simple bet to see if I can prove I'm the next Ye Mo."

Laughter rippled through the class, some students shaking their heads in disbelief. Shen Xiu's face turned a shade of disbelief mixed with annoyance.

"You? The next Ye Mo? That's as likely as a pig learning to fly."

Nie Li grinned, unfazed.

"So, is that a yes or a no? I mean, if pigs could fly, we'd all be living in a different kind of world, right?"

Shen Xiu retorted sharply, "Fine. If you're so confident, name your terms. If you can somehow prove you're as talented as Lord Ye Mo, I'll give you whatever you ask for."

The class erupted into whispers and excited chatter.

Nie Li's classmates looked at him as if he had lost his mind.

Shen Yue, sitting beside Ye Ziyun, glared at Nie Li, feeling a strange sense of threat emanating from him.

Nie Li leaned forward, his voice laced with confidence.

"You heard the lady, folks. Time to see if pigs can indeed take to the skies. As for my terms, let's keep it a surprise, shall we?"

Shen Xiu, now committed to the bet, nodded stiffly.

"Very well. Surprise me."

Nie Li took a deep breath and allowed his aura to radiate outward.

A visible manifestation of soul force began to swirl around him, and the entire class felt the unmistakable presence of a Bronze rank Demon Spiritualist.

The laughter that had filled the room moments ago was swiftly replaced by a stunned silence.

With a wry smile, Nie Li quipped, "You know, it's funny about pigs flying. Ever heard of the Flying Thunder Boar? Seems like even pigs have their day in the sky."

The class stared at Nie Li in shock.

Even Shen Xiu, who had maintained her composure until now, hastily narrowed her eyes at Nie Li to check his cultivation. In her spy report, they were given that Nie Li had soul wings, but there was no mention that he was Bronze Rank.

Shen Xiu suddenly stopped as chills went down her spine, and she stuttered, "3-3-3 star Bronze Rank."

The revelation sent a wave of shock and awe through the classroom.

The students, many of whom had initially dismissed Nie Li as just another boastful teenager, were now forced to reassess their opinions.

Even Ye Mo, the legendary figure they all admired, hadn't been a Bronze rank Demon Spiritualist before attending the Holy Orchid Institute.

This realization led them to one astonishing conclusion: Nie Li was either as talented as Ye Mo or, perhaps, even more so.

The thought sent chills down everyone's spines.

Shen Xiu, still trying to process the revelation of Nie Li's strength, managed to regain her composure.

She cleared her throat and said, "Congratulations!"

Nie Li, with a hint of satisfaction, reminded her, "The bet."

Shen Xiu, hesitantly, replied, "Yes, what do you want?"

Time seemed to stand still as Nie Li was presented with the system's options.

[ Option 1- I want you and me in a hot steamy night together. (Choosing this option will allow you to complete Mission "Love and Betrayal )]

[ Option 2- I want you to leave your post as the teacher ]

[ Option 3- Why don't we take a rain check on that? ]