TALES OF DEMON AND GODS : FAN FICTION

The meeting about the City Lord Mansion request with Yang Xin had concluded, and Nie Li knew that it was only the first step in his true ambitions.

The political maneuvering in Glory City was only a distraction—his true goal lay beyond mere authority. He was planning to reshape the very structure of power itself.

Nie Li looked at Yang Xin, she had remained silent for while after he announced her as an elder of his future faction, her sharp eyes studying him with curiosity.

Yang Xin was a woman of intelligence and pragmatism. She was not someone who could be easily swayed with simple promises of power. She had her own position, her own values, and most importantly, her own goals. If Nie Li wanted her to be one of the elders in his faction, he had to convince her completely.

"Director Yang," Nie Li said, his tone serious yet calm, "I want you to be an elder in my faction."

Yang Xin's eyes widened slightly, clearly caught off guard. This was not what she had expected from him.

She remained silent for a moment before responding. "That's… quite the offer, Nie Li. But before I give you an answer, I need to understand exactly what you are proposing."

Nie Li smiled. He had expected this reaction. Yang Xin was cautious, but she was also ambitious. If she saw value in what he was offering, she would not refuse.

"Of course," he said, standing up taking out a map from a bookshelf and spreading it across the table in the center of the room. "Let me explain everything."

Nie Li gestured toward the map, pointing at the area surrounding his Nie Mansion.

"The first thing you need to know," he began, "is that I have already taken action. With a portion of the profits from my Spirit Calming Tea business—millions of demon spirit coins—I have purchased a vast three-kilometer area surrounding the Nie Mansion."

Yang Xin's eyebrows lifted slightly, that a lot of land to be purchased, even the City Lord Mansion is only about one kilometre in size. But being far away from the main town, the prices can't be compared.

"The reason for this purchase is simple," Nie Li continued. "The Ten Thousand Beast Array I have constructed have a protective range of five kilometers. This will make it the most secure place in all of Glory City—far stronger than even the defenses of the City Lord Mansion itself."

Yang Xin's fingers lightly tapped against the table as she absorbed the implications.

Nie Li's expression was calm but confident. "I suggest you do the same."

Yang Xin's tapping stopped. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Nie Li explained, "purchase land and relocate your resources into the protective range of my array. If you do this, you will have absolute security. No noble house, no external enemy, not even the Dark Guild will be able to threaten us here."

Yang Xin's mind raced. A private territory within Glory City that was stronger than the City Lord Mansion? If such a thing existed, it would completely shift the power dynamics of the city.

Before she could respond, Nie Li moved on to the true heart of his plan.

"I'm creating a faction, Director Yang. But not just a faction—I'm building an academy."

Yang Xin's eyes snapped to him. "An academy?"

"Yes," Nie Li said, nodding. "Not just any academy, but a completely independent institution that will train the strongest individuals in all of Glory City."

Yang Xin's face darkened slightly. "You are aware that establishing an independent institution without the City Lord Mansion's direct control is dangerous? That borders on treason."

Nie Li chuckled. "That depends on how you look at it. Publicly, it will be called Glory Academy. But to us, its true name will be Overlord Mansion."

Yang Xin stood up immediately, her chair scraping against the floor. "Are you insane?! That is outright rebellion!"

Nie Li simply smiled.

"No," he corrected her, "it's revolution. And revolution doesn't happen overnight. That's why, until we have our own Legend Rank Demon Spiritualists, we will maintain the public image of an academy."

Yang Xin stared at him, her mind racing. If he actually succeeded… if he managed to build an independent faction strong enough to rival the City Lord Mansion…

Glory City itself would never be the same again.

Nie Li walked over to another section of the map, drawing Yang Xin's attention back.

"The current world," he continued, "runs on power, money, and connections. Noble families dominate everything. That will change."

Yang Xin frowned. "How?"

"In my academy, demon spirit coins will be meaningless. The only currency that will matter is merit points."

Yang Xin was taken aback,"Merit points?"

"Yes. No noble connections, no bribery, no family influence. The only way to rise in Glory Academy will be through merit."

Yang Xin was silent, considering the implications. If this system worked, it would create a level playing field unlike anything Glory City had ever seen.

"All orphan students will be accepted," Nie Li continued. "Orphans, commoners, nobles—everyone will have an equal chance. Those who show no spiritual talent will be trained in fighter classes. Those who have demon spiritual talent will join the Demon Spiritualist division. But all of them will be required to complete missions to earn resources and guidance."

Yang Xin's mind quickly connected the dots. "And these missions will come from…?"

"The noble families," Nie Li said. "Didn't I say, Families and association that gets my help, need to help my faction in exchange of me creating an array for them. The families I would worked with, and those who wished to get an array in the future will provide tasks of varying difficulty, ensuring a constant flow of challenges and opportunities."

"But," Nie Li added, "there will also be an elite program."

Yang Xin's eyes narrowed. "Elites?"

"Yes. They will receive the best techniques, the best spirit demons, and the most advanced facilities."

Nie Li listed the allocations: Each aristocratic family will receive one seat. Each noble family will receive three seats. The larger noble families will receive five seats.

And one exception to this rule—the Heavenly Marks Family will receive five seats as well."

Yang Xia's lips curled into a small smirk. "Oh I thought you hated your family."

"Hate is a strong word, I don't have a good opinion of the leaders of that family but the many hardworking, loyal and simple clan members shouldn't have to suffer. As a member of their clan, some benefits are given but instead of courting me for favours and resources I would rather they work harder. Also my parents have decades of sentiment attached with Heavenly Marks Family if nothing else, then for their happiness only its a small things."

"I see, I must say though your allocation of seats in elite class to nobility is smart. You're ensuring that the nobility has a stake in your academy, so they won't move against you too soon."

Nie Li smirked back. "Exactly."

"Glory Academy will not just focus on cultivation," Nie Li continued. "We will have dedicated divisions for:

Inscription Masters

Alchemy Experts

Fighters

Demon Spiritualists

All students will be required to train in at least one side profession. If they prove talented, they can earn more merit points."

Yang Xin was beginning to see the full picture.

Yang Xia crossed her arms. "What about teachers? Where you gather personnel to train so many students?"

"Any Gold Rank and above Demon Spiritualist will be allowed to apply. Those accepted will be permitted to move their families into the academy's protected area."

Yang Xin's breath caught. This alone would attract hundreds of powerful individuals.

"And," Nie Li added, "teachers will have a chance to earn merit point too, gaining them access to ancient lost texts—knowledge that no one else in Glory City has access to."

"Teachers can earn merits though the results of their students, they can complete mission themselves or they can share knowledge, books, inscription etc they possess or from their own families or legacies including weapons etc, which would be evaluated by our merit system and allow them exchange for points." Nie Li said, this way he can also squeeze the many families for their secrets. Although he has raided the library of many families, its not difficult to deduce that the most valuable things are probably kept in person by many family heads.

With the benefits he is offering, families would excavate their treasury upside down and jump over each other to share them with him. Then his A. I. Chip can evaluate them accurately and his wealth would only continue to increase. His faction would become the centre point of the whole Glory City where all knowledge would gather.

Yang Xin fell silent, staring at Nie Li. After a long pause, she finally exhaled.

"…This is madness," she whispered.

Nie Li smirked. "Madness? No. This is the future."

Yang Xin hesitated… but then, slowly, she smiled.

"I'll think about it."

Nie Li nodded. "Take your time. But know this—we are going to change the world."

_____

Several days had passed since Nie Li meeting with Yang Xin, and made his bold proposition to the City Lord Mansion and other powerful factions of Glory City. The reaction was nothing short of mixed.

At first, the City Lord Mansion hesitated. While the offer of an unbreakable defensive array was tempting, allowing a single youth to control such an unprecedented power in the city was a risk. But after careful deliberation and an internal meeting among their top strategists, Ye Zong himself made the final decision.

A formal response arrived at the Nie Mansion, stamped with the official seal of the City Lord.

"Nie Li, we accept your proposal and all of your requirements. We request the strongest defensive array possible, something that will shield the City Lord Mansion from any external force. Additionally, we are extending an offer to other noble families who wish to procure similar protections. Your genius in array construction is beyond question, and Glory City needs this advancement."

With those words, the floodgates opened.

The moment the City Lord officially endorsed Nie Li's arrays, all the major factions in Glory City frantically submitted their requests—some offering staggering sums of money, others attempting to leverage their influence and status.

Every noble family had witnessed the unparalleled power of Nie Li's arrays, and none wished to be left behind.

Within a mere twenty-four hours, Nie Li received dozens of proposals. Each family tried different tactics:

Wealthy Families, offered mountains of demon spirit coins, rare materials, and treasures.

Political Families, tried to appeal to the prestige of their names, believing that their status alone would earn them a spot.

Associations & Merchant Guilds, proposed strategic alliances, offering logistical support and resources for future expansions.

Yet, Nie Li ignored all political maneuvering. He didn't care about noble pride or alliances. This project was not for the weak or the ordinary.

Only the true giants of Glory City had a chance.

After careful consideration, Nie Li selected five recipients for his arrays:

City Lord Mansion – Their offer was the most generous and choosing them is most obvious. Strengthening the City Lord's power meant securing the stability of Glory City.

Divine Family – One of the Three Major Families, and the richest one. they had always been at the forefront of Glory City.

Alchemy Association – With Yang Xia own involvement in the association and resource-rich organization itself, it became an obviously choice.

Huyan Family – They stand at the very top of all noble families, just below the three big families, also close confidant of City Lord.

Winged Dragon Family – The most surprising selection. No body know why they were able to gain Nie Li favour but the family itself had an idea.

For the families that were left out, rage and disappointment spread like wildfire. But the worst fate fell upon the Sacred Family. Among the top five factions of Glory City, they were the only ones rejected.

Recently they have suffered a lot of disappointment, two successors were already dead.Their top experts were dwindling.

Now, with Nie Li's silent but clear message, they found themselves cast out from the heart of Glory City's power structure.

Without saying a word, Nie Li had effectively crippled the Sacred Family's standing. For those who still doubted that the Sacred Family was a dying force, this event confirmed their fall from grace.

Yet, despite their frustration, no one could do anything about it. Nie Li had spoken. And when Nie Li spoke, the city listened.

Now that the selections were made, the next phase of the project began. Nie Li provided each family with detailed instructions on how to prepare their land for the array pillars. Materials needed to be gathered, formations needed to be drawn, and specific spiritual energy nodes needed to be activated.

Until those were completed, Nie Li himself would not begin the final stage of installation.

While all those familes who were selected were frantically arranging the Black Gold rank demon beasts spirits and overseeing the construction of inscription pillars, deep within the underground cultivation chamber of the Nie Mansion, Nie Li sat cross-legged, surrounded by scrolls, blueprints, and floating holographic data.

His eyes glowed with a deep, analytical light. Before him, the A.I. Chip displayed a massive virtual interface, filled with calculations, simulations, and projected outcomes.

Nie Li had given the A.I. Chip a command, Design an automated security system to control all aspects of the Nie Mansion Arrays.

Ten thousand Beast array functionality was to be maintained ensuring each structure operated at peak efficiency.

Merit System Control regulating the Glory Academy's internal economy.

Student Data & Performance Analysis,Tracking talent and progress.

Library Content Security, preventing unauthorized access to restricted knowledge.

Intruder Detection & Threat Response to ensure a fully autonomous defensive measure.

The program had now been fully designed and deployed. Nie Li's vision was not just to create an array that could passively defend a location. He was building a fully integrated system, something far beyond the understanding of the current world.

Through the fusion of ancient inscription techniques and futuristic artificial intelligence, he had created an autonomous guardian—a contingency that would protect both the Nie Mansion and the future Glory Academy, even in his absence.

The A.I. Chip's voice echoed in his mind:[Beep! Automated security protocols established. Energy synchronization at 98.7%. Ready for full deployment.]

Nie Li exhaled slowly. Everything was falling into place. Glory City was changing and he was the one shaping its future.

'Ten Thousand Beast Array is complete, the guardian is deployed. The construction and managing all the logistics to start the Glory academy would at least take a few months.' thought Nie Li as he was pondering what to do next. Suddenly Nie Li remembered Xiao Ninger, who had sent a letter expressing her gratitude towards him for choosing her Winged Dragon Family.

'She must have sent a letter not wanting to disturb me. I guess after the arrays construction in the Glory City is also completed, I should invite her to pay a visit to Heavenly Sacred Border. Du Ze and Lu Piao also broke through to silver rank, they could also benefit from going there. '

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A/N : Requesting readers to do share their comment and reviews, its been a year since the last review. I hope you are enjoying the current development, do share how it is. Creation can be difficult do motivate me with your comments and reviews. Thx