Heaven's scale, whereupon all are weighed, and none escape its judgment. The weight of lives, of power, of dreams crushed 'neath cruel fate, lie heavy in the balance. Yet 'tis not gold nor birthright that tips the scale, but Heaven's cold, impartial hand.
Shen Xiu completed her demonstration and reverted her transformation, her expression returning to its usual indifference.
She crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze sweeping disdainfully over the students. "In the next two years, all of you are my students. During this time, I will be teaching you about cultivation and fighting. Although the principal has mentioned that Holy Orchid Institute's students are all equal, I must tell you the harsh truth: equality does not exist in this world!" Shen Xiu's voice was stern and unyielding, each word a piercing statement that seemed to stab at the hearts of the students.
The room fell silent, the students' faces darkened as they absorbed her words. The idealistic notion of equality they had been taught was now being dismantled before their eyes. They listened quietly, unable to muster a response.
"Once you have grown up and graduated from this school, you will come to understand the truth of my words. Equality is merely a comforting lie adults tell you. You cannot live in a fairy tale forever. One day, you will have to confront the demonic beasts and protect our city."
Shen Xiu continued, "Glory City is the only city that has survived through the Age of Darkness. We are the last bastion of humanity. Within Glory City, there are two kinds of powerful existences: Fighters and Demon Spiritualists."
Her tone carried a note of superiority. "A Demon Spiritualist's existence is noble. Only one Fighter out of thousands, has the chance of becoming a powerful Demon Spiritualist. To date, there are only a few thousand Demon Spiritualists in all of Glory City. We are the guardians of this city!"
"The ranks of Fighters and Demon Spiritualists are divided into Bronze, Silver, Gold, Black Gold, and Legend. The higher the rank, the more powerful the individual."
Shen Xiu’s gaze grew colder as she addressed the disparity between families. "If a family produces a Gold rank Demon Spiritualist, it can become an Aristocratic family. If a family produces a Black Gold rank Demon Spiritualist, it can become a Noble family. And if a family produces three Black Gold rank Demon Spiritualists or a Legend rank Demon Spiritualist, that family can become a Major family."
"Here, we have thirty-six students. Some come from commoner families, some from noble families. Although your starting point might be the same, your identities are not. I expect each of you to have self-awareness and a degree of manners."
"Commoners will always remain commoners. It is impossible for you to rise to the status of an Aristocratic family, so do not dream of becoming something you're not. Even within nobility, there is a strict hierarchy that cannot be surpassed."
"Work hard, and you might become a strong fighter. Protect our city, secure our future, and ensure that future generations will prosper!"
The students sat in stunned silence, grappling with the harsh reality Shen Xiu had laid out for them. Her words had shattered any lingering illusions of equality, leaving them to confront the rigid social structure of their world.
Under Shen Xiu’s piercing gaze, the commoners in the class were visibly disheartened. Their faces reflected a mix of disappointment and embarrassment as they lowered their heads. The harsh reality of their place in society had been laid bare, and they were acutely aware of their limited prospects.
In contrast, the nobles in the room puffed out their chests, their faces displaying a mix of arrogance and pride. They were accustomed to the privilege and power that came with their status and showed no signs of being dismayed by Shen Xiu's words.
Naraku, Nie Li, Ye Ziyun, and a few other nobles remained composed, their reactions controlled.
Naraku took a deep breath, acknowledging the truth in Shen Xiu’s speech despite her provocative tone. Her intention to belittle the commoners was clear, but her words contained an undeniable reality.
Nobles had become nobles for a reason: their talent, strength, and advantageous circumstances. A noble family had access to superior cultivation resources and techniques, which were meticulously passed down through generations. This access helped reinforce their position and standing within the city, creating a cycle of privilege that was difficult for outsiders to break.
For those without wealth, the lack of funds meant an inability to purchase essential resources for cultivation. This financial barrier significantly limited their potential for advancement.
Similarly, individuals without innate talent faced slow cultivation progress, often struggling to break through higher realms in their lifetime. Their growth was stunted by their inherent limitations.
The absence of a strong background and influential connections further compounded these challenges. Without access to top-tier cultivation techniques, knowledge, and martial arts tutoring, one’s development remained hampered. The gap between the privileged and the commoners grew wider with each passing day.
Moreover, the opportunity to merge with a demon spirit was a crucial factor in one's cultivation journey. For nobles, obtaining a demon spirit was part of their inherited advantages. They had better resources and support for capturing and sealing demon spirits.
On the other hand, commoners faced a significant challenge: not only did they have to catch a demon spirit, but they also needed the means to seal it properly.
The chances of a commoner successfully merging with a high-quality demon spirit were substantially lower compared to those from noble families, who had access to established methods and resources for this process.
In essence, the disparity in cultivation opportunities between nobles and commoners was stark. While nobles could leverage their resources, talent, and connections to accelerate their progress, commoners had to navigate a labyrinth of obstacles and limitations.
The system perpetuated a cycle where the privileged continued to advance, while the commoners struggled to rise above their circumstances.
Naraku understood that the difference in status and strength was a harsh reality. Nobles had access to superior resources, techniques, and connections, all of which contributed to their advancement. Without these advantages, commoners were often doomed to a life of mediocrity.
The commoners' faces flushed with anger and indignation as Shen Xiu's blunt words sunk in. They glared defiantly, their pride wounded by the harsh reality of their social standing.
Many had come to the academy with dreams of rising to greatness, of becoming heroes like Lord Ye Zong, but they were now confronted with the stark truth of their limitations. Their frustration was palpable, as they struggled to reconcile their lofty aspirations with their apparent lack of resources and support.
Only a day had passed since Naraku’s transmigration into this new world, but already, he could feel the pulse of energy coursing through his veins.
Though he had yet to fully understand the nuances of this strange land—the history, the politics, the intricate cultivation systems, his talent and comprehension were at least promising.
Naraku sat in quiet reflection. Legend Rank?' He smirked to himself. 'It’s not a question of if, but when.'
His confidence didn’t come from arrogance or the privilege of nobility.
If others relied on cultivation techniques passed down through their families, or on the riches and resources available to them, Naraku relied on his ruthless drive to succeed.
'If I have no cultivation technique, I’ll create one,' he thought. 'If I need resources, I’ll seize them by force or cunning. Wealth, power, influence—all of these are merely tools to be taken from the weak. Even without a demon spirit, I’ll temper my body to the absolute limit.'
Naraku opened his eyes and surveyed the other commoners in the classroom. To them, cultivation was a mysterious art, one that required guidance and support from their families or teachers. Without the resources or prestige of nobility, they believed their chances of rising to the top were slim, if not impossible.
But Naraku, with the experience of a lifetime behind him, saw things differently.
These commoners couldn’t see past their immediate circumstances—their lack of family connections, wealth, or techniques. But Naraku? He was bound by nothing. No rules, no fate, no noble lineage would determine his success or failure. He would forge his own path, carving through this world like a blade through flesh, leaving nothing but ruin in his wake for those who stood in his way.
Additionally the Karma template he possessed provided him with a unique advantage. It allowed him to grow faster and enhance his Soul Realm by accumulating Karma. While other commoners lacked the experience and resources to challenge their fate, Naraku’s possession of the Karma template made his path to success clearer.
---
Seeing Shen Xiu’s look, filled with contempt for commoners and her confidence rooted in nobility, Nie Li felt a surge of anger rise within him. To him, her arrogance born of her noble status was, infuriating.
"Teacher Shen Xiu, I have a question," Nie Li suddenly spoke up, his tone cutting through the quiet classroom.
Shen Xiu frowned. All the students had been listening in silence, and this audacious interruption grated on her. She instantly recognized the boy—the one who had dared to cast lewd glances at Ye Ziyun. The very same student she had subtly warned earlier, advising him to keep his mouth shut. And now, he had the gall to speak up?
"What is it?" Shen Xiu asked coldly, her voice dripping with disdain as she gazed at him, expecting nothing of worth.
Nie Li’s eyes gleamed with a confidence that almost bordered on arrogance. "Teacher Shen Xiu, you mentioned that Glory City is the only human settlement that survived the Age of Darkness. That we are the sole survivors. But what proof do you have to support that claim?" Nie Li said, his question was laced with smugness.
Shen Xiu’s frown deepened, irritation clearly spreading across her face.
"May I ask," Nie Li continued, unbothered by the growing tension, "has the teacher ever ventured beyond the St. Ancestral Mountains? Have you traveled to the Endless Desert, the Toxic Forest, the Blood Moon Marsh, the Spirit Gulf, the Heavenly Luster Mountains, or the Northern Snow?"
His words were precise and pointed. Nie Li, with the memories of his past life still fresh, held far more knowledge than Shen Xiu could comprehend, and he relished the opportunity to look down on her with the superiority of experience.
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"Heavenly Luster Mountains? Northern Snow?" Shen Xiu’s expression faltered slightly. She had heard of the Endless Desert, the Toxic Forest, and the Blood Moon Marsh before—places mentioned as legends in some old books, but all of them were so distant, beyond the borders of Glory City, almost mythical.
With a dismissive snort, Shen Xiu coldly replied, "I’ve never been to those places. I was born and raised in Glory City. None of those distant lands are of any relevance to us."
Naraku, observing the escalating debate, chuckled inwardly. ‘Isn’t it amusing how she manages to stay composed and even polite despite her usual disdain for commoners? Quite the performance,’ he mused, watching the spectacle unfold.
Nie Li, however, wasn’t finished. His lips curved into a faint smile as he calmly retorted, "Since Teacher Shen Xiu has never been to those places, how can you be so certain that we are the last surviving humans?"
Shen Xiu couldn’t help but fall silent for a moment, at a loss for words. Glory City had stood strong for hundreds of years, a self-governed and isolated community with no contact with any other human settlements. Despite the unexplored lands beyond, they held no relevance to the city, as they were believed to be unreachable.
Situated in a valley encircled by the St. Ancestral Mountain Range, Glory City was protected by both the impenetrable mountains and the lurking demon beasts beyond. The isolation that had kept them ignorant of the wider world had, paradoxically, shielded them during the Age of Darkness. The ancient city walls, weathered but resilient, had withstood countless assaults by demon beasts, safeguarding the city’s inhabitants.
From everything known, Glory City was the last human settlement to survive the Age of Darkness. No evidence had ever emerged to prove the existence of other human survivors.
And as logic dictated, without proof to support such claims, it was only natural to assume they were imaginary.
However, as Shen Xiu tried to compose her thoughts, she realized that proving something imaginary did not exist was equally impossible.
Around her, the classroom stirred with whispered conversations. The students, unaccustomed to such complex arguments, were confused and intrigued. Nie Li had mentioned places they had never heard of—places that, to them, existed only in the realm of fantasy. Could those places be real?
Far in the back, Ye Ziyun’s interest was piqued. She glanced at Nie Li, curiosity flickering in her eyes. How did he know of such distant lands?
Seeing the growing unrest among the students, Shen Xiu’s displeasure intensified. Nie Li’s challenge to her authority was only a half-baked argument, yet it had managed to sway the students’ opinions. She could feel their gazes, filled with doubt and even disdain, now directed at her.
"You’ve spent your entire life behind the walls of this city, Teacher Shen Xiu. The world beyond Glory City is vast—far more vast than you could ever imagine. It is filled with countless mysteries and places you’ve never even heard of. To claim that no other human settlements exist outside these walls... isn’t that the height of ignorance?"
The rest of the class watched in awe as Nie Li dared to challenge the authority of one of the academy's most respected teachers.
Nie Li pressed on, his words gaining momentum. "Just because you haven’t seen these places doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Glory City has survived the Age of Darkness, but do you truly believe we are the only ones? The only humans left in this world?" He shook his head, his tone almost pitying. "Just as Glory City endured, there are surely other cities, other settlements, thriving beyond the mountains and forests we cannot reach."
The class was stunned into silence. Shen Xiu’s previous argument had been practical, rooted in what was known. But Nie Li’s words stirred something in the students—a sense of curiosity, of possibility.
Scoffing, Shen Xiu regained her composure. "So what? You speak as if these places are real, but where is your proof? How can you prove that we are not the last surviving human beings?" Shen Xiu finally snapped, her tone sharp. "Without evidence, your words are nothing but empty conjecture!"
Shen Xiu’s face twisted in disdain, but her initial rebuttal had lost its strength. Nie Li had successfully planted the seed of doubt, not just in her, but in the minds of the entire class. Though his claims were hypothetical, they carried an undeniable weight.
Nie Li, sensing the shift, leaned back slightly, his lips curled into a faint smile, his tone softening as he said. "Proof? In time, proof will come. Teacher Shen Xiu, let me share a story with you."
Without waiting for a response, Nie Li began his tale, not intending to provide any concrete proof, but rather to convey a deeper message.
"There was once a frog, living at the bottom of a deep well. Since its birth, it had only ever known the view from within the well, seeing only a small patch of the sky above. Naturally, it claimed that the sky was only as big as the hole at the top of the well. But… is the sky truly only that small? No, it’s the frog that is ignorant!"
As soon as Nie Li completed his story the class erupted into laughter, the students unable to contain themselves. The idiom, "a frog viewing the sky from the bottom of the well," was a direct insult, comparing Shen Xiu to the foolish frog.
"How fitting!" a few girls giggled, their voices carrying across the room.
Many students had always harbored resentment toward Shen Xiu, jealous of her power and irritated by her condescending attitude toward commoners. Now, they couldn’t help but slightly admire Nie Li. He was the only one bold enough to openly challenge and insult a teacher in class.
"You…!" Shen Xiu glared at Nie Li, her face flushed with fury. She could feel her blood boiling—Nie Li had compared her to an ignorant frog! As a noble, no one had ever dared insult her so brazenly.
---
Bam! Shen Xiu slammed her hand on the table, causing it to break, her patience at its breaking point. Never had she encountered such an audacious student.
Nie Li, however, remained calm. He looked at her with an amused expression and continued. "Teacher Shen Xiu, I still have another question."
Shen Xiu, red with anger, gritted her teeth. Yet, as a teacher, she had no choice but to respond, though her voice dripped with bitterness. "What question do you still have?"
Nie Li’s eyes gleamed as he spoke. "Teacher Shen Xiu, you’ve claimed that 'a commoner will always remain a commoner, and they can never become a noble.' Let me ask you, wasn’t the Legend-rank Demon Spiritualist, Ye Mo, a commoner in his youth?"
Shen Xiu’s eyes narrowed. She hesitated, but Nie Li pressed on, blinking innocently. "Is Teacher Shen Xiu not aware of this?"
The commoners in the classroom suddenly straightened up, their eyes brightening with newfound hope. Everyone knew the tale of Lord Ye Mo, a legend they aspired to follow. His story was proof that anyone, regardless of birth, could achieve greatness. But Shen Xiu’s harsh words earlier had crushed their spirits, leaving them unable to argue.
"You…" Shen Xiu altered, but she quickly regained her composure and retorted. "In all the hundreds of years since the founding of Glory City, Lord Ye Mo is the only one to have reached such heights by relying solely on his own abilities!"
Nie Li shook his head. "So you agree that birth does not determine a person's future, then? Didn’t Teacher Shen Xiu claim it was impossible?"
Shen Xiu glared at him, but Nie Li continued. "Lord Ye Mo stands as a clear example—whether noble or commoner, a person’s future potential is limitless. Nothing is impossible if one is determined to ascend."
Shen Xiu, with her pride stung by Nie Li's defiant words, refused to concede and retorted sharply. "Lord Ye Mo was a prodigy in cultivation, unmatched for hundreds of years. Only the most talented demon spiritualists have reached his heights. How could someone like you possibly compare?"
Nie Li's voice was unwavering as he responded, "Though I'm not from a prestigious family, as a noble, my spirit burns with ambition."
Shen Xiu scoffed, her disdain evident. "Ha! You're not even a commoner, and yet you dare to defend them? How laughable."
Nie Li’s eyes flashed with determination. "We'll see, Teacher Shen Xiu. You'll come to regret your words. Many of the commoners you look down upon in this class will achieve great things through their own efforts, and I will, too."
Shen Xiu shook her head in derision and said. "Nie Li, you're nothing but a clown. Your rank is still only Bronze; it will take years, even decades, to advance, and for some, a lifetime might not be enough to reach higher realms."
Shen Xiu’s tone grew even more condescending. "At your age, Lord Ye Mo had already attained Silver level. If your soul is a drop of water, then Lord Ye Mo's is an entire sea. It's a level you will never reach with your current talent and strength."
She continued, her voice dripping with scorn. "Instead of dreaming here, you should focus on your studies. Perhaps, by the time you graduate, you might just barely reach the Bronze level."
Nie Li stood tall, his voice resonating with heroic fervor. "Qualities of high and low do not determine a person's achievements. We cultivators are meant to defy the heavens, to conquer the impossible. With willpower and perseverance, we make the improbable a reality."
His words echoed through the hall, carrying a powerful resonance that struck a chord with many. The class, initially skeptical, now listened intently, their thoughts swayed by Nie Li's passionate resolve.
Shen Xiu glared coldly at Nie Li, her thoughts boiling beneath the surface.
‘This brat is too cunning! Finding loopholes in my words and relentlessly attacking them. He has no respect for his elders!’
Her gaze hardened. Nie Li dared to contradict her openly, in front of all these students. She seethed in silence, already planning how she would make his life difficult in the near future.
This humiliation would not go unpunished.
This brat would regret the day he decided to challenge her authority.
Not far from Nie Li, Du Ze sat in tattered clothing, his expression conflicted as he watched the exchange. Though Nie Li was a noble, he had risked offending Shen Xiu by speaking up for commoners like Du Ze. That act of defiance, challenging a teacher on behalf of the downtrodden, touched him deeply.
However, Du Ze was bound by a life-saving debt to Naraku, promising to recruit him, a noble who represented hope for his family’s future. Supporting Nie Li now, based on nothing more than a few bold words, could jeopardize everything. And so, despite his feelings, Du Ze held back, remaining silent.
As the tension in the room simmered, Naraku, who had remained quiet up to this point, finally spoke. His voice was calm, measured, but carried an unmistakable undercurrent of challenge.
“I also have a question for Nie Li,” he said, locking eyes with the boy who had been glaring at him.
Naraku's tone was casual, yet his words held an implicit edge, hinting at something more than mere curiosity. His intention was that—he wanted to probe Nie Li’s arguments, test the foundation of his beliefs, and, expose the flaws in them.
The attention of the class shifted instantly toward Naraku.
Nie Li turned toward Naraku, meeting his gaze without hesitation.
"Go ahead," Nie Li said, his voice steady.
“You speak of potential and rising above one’s birth,” Naraku began, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But tell me, Nie Li, do you believe that potential alone is enough? Do you think that hard work and ambition can truly outweigh the centuries of history, wealth, and knowledge that others possess?”
The class fell silent, watching intently as the two exchanged words. Naraku’s question was not just a simple inquiry—it was a challenge to the very core of Nie Li’s philosophy. The students glanced between the two, curious to see how Nie Li would respond to such a loaded inquiry.
But Nie Li didn’t flinch. He had faced far more daunting opponents in his past life. “There’s no doubt,” Nie Li replied with a calm, deliberate tone, “that wealth and knowledge accumulated over centuries give nobles an advantage—a head start, if you will. But history has shown time and again that those who rise to true power, those who leave their mark on the world, aren’t always the ones born into privilege. They are the ones who fight for their future, regardless of where they come from.”
Nie Li smiled faintly, the weight of his past life giving him a calm confidence. “The strength to change the world,” Nie Li continued, “comes not just from status or lineage. It comes from vision. It’s those with vision—those who see beyond the limitations of the present—who can shape the future. Even if they come from the very bottom.”
Naraku’s lips curled into a slight smirk. ‘Vision?’ he thought to himself, amused by the righteousness in Nie Li’s tone. ‘Nie Li, who do you think you are? Gandhi? A revolutionary hero standing up for the oppressed?’ The idea was almost laughable to Naraku.
Nie Li’s words, while stirring, reeked of naivety in Naraku’s eyes. It was almost amusing how easily Nie Li stepped into the role of a righteous figure, championing justice and equality. But words alone won’t change the cruel realities of this world. Status, wealth, and history were not things one could simply transcend with moral conviction.
‘You talk about vision,’ Naraku thought, ‘but vision alone won’t make the world bend to your will.’
Yet as Naraku studied him, something about Nie Li gave him pause. Nie Li didn’t appear to be posturing for the sake of rebellion. There was a confidence in his voice, an unwavering certainty that suggested he knew something the others didn’t. It wasn’t just about challenging Shen Xiu’s authority—it felt like Nie Li was playing a deeper game, one where every word and action had been carefully calculated.
Naraku’s smirk faded as his gaze grew more focused. He could sense that Nie Li wasn’t like the others—there was a larger plan at work, something hidden beneath the surface. If Nie Li truly possessed knowledge beyond what the others could comprehend, then he wasn’t just another loudmouth commoner trying to shake up the system. He could be a formidable ally—or a dangerous rival.
In his mind, the gears were already turning. 'If you’re not careful, Nie Li, your vision will meet the harsh reality of my words soon enough.'
After speaking, Naraku had already begun formulating a counterargument, carefully dissecting Nie Li’s words in his mind. His intent was that he would break down Nie Li’s idealistic notions and expose the flaws in his hypothetical argument.
Du Ze, who had been watching intently, clenched his fists under the table. Naraku’s question had been meant to test Nie Li, to expose the difficulty of what he was suggesting. But Nie Li hadn’t backed down. In fact, he had doubled down, defending the belief that anyone could rise, no matter their birth.
The class remained silent, absorbing the exchange. The battle of words had drawn clear lines between the two sides—those who believed in the rigid structures of nobility and those who believed in the potential of individuals, regardless of their status.
Ye Ziyun, still observing from afar, felt her curiosity toward Nie Li growing. His confidence, his words—there was something different about him. Something that made her wonder who he really was and how he knew the things he spoke of so boldly.