TALES OF DEMON AND GODS : FAN FICTION

The grand City Lord's Mansion was alive with opulence, its banquet hall bathed in warm golden light from glowing spirit lanterns. The scent of fine wine and exotic dishes lingered in the air, while nobles and cultivators engaged in conversation, their laughter and murmurs blending with the soft music played by skilled performers.

Amidst the grandeur, Nie Li sat at a quiet table near a pillar, a cup of spirit tea in his hand. Unlike the others, who reveled in the festive atmosphere, his expression remained indifferent. The influential figures of Glory City mingled together but to him, this gathering was nothing more than a formality, a game of power and influence.

But as Xiao Ning'er stepped through the entrance, all eyes turned toward her.

Dressed in an elegant sky-blue robe embroidered with lightning motifs, she exuded an aura of strength and refinement. Her once quiet and reserved nature had transformed into graceful confidence, making her the center of attention. Many young noblemen stole glances at her, some murmuring about her rapid rise as a Silver Rank Demon Spiritualist, others admiring her beauty.

Yet, Xiao Ning'er ignored their gazes, her amber eyes scanning the room until they landed on Nie Li. A soft, genuine smile blossomed on her lips, and with light steps, she approached him.

"Nie Li," she greeted, her voice smooth yet warm.

Nie Li's aloof gaze softened slightly. He placed down his cup and inclined his head. "Xiao Ning'er, congratulations on breaking through to Silver Rank," he said, his tone carrying a rare hint of approval. "And passing the test at the Heavenly Sacred Border... impressive."

Xiao Ning'er's eyes flickered with gratitude. "It wouldn't have been possible without your guidance," she said, her voice sincere. "That realm was unlike anything I have ever experienced. You should go yourself once you reach Silver Rank. There are many profound mysteries within—it would surely benefit you."

Nie Li gazed at her for a moment before responding. "Perhaps. If it is worth my time." His tone remained indifferent, and Xiao Ning'er could sense he didn't her words seriously.

Xiao Ning'er stepped a bit forward and said in a hushed tone, "Nie Li, there is an ancient existence in the Heavenly Sacred Border, he has many lost cultivation technique. He also wanted to give me one but after I told him about my technique modified by you, even he agreed that it's the best one for me."

Xiao Ning'er had a happy look in her face while she talked, to know that her cultivation technique after Nie Li's modifications were even better than ancient ones filled her with strange happiness as well as pride.

Nie Li noticed her satisfaction and couldn't help but smile.

"It seems the Heavenly Sacred Border is quite interesting."

"Yes, and although I didn't gain a cultivation technique but Lord Ancestor helped me in my breakthrough, and I guess there is a hidden secret in there."

"Secret?"

"Hn.. Lord Ancestor didn't explain but it's some kind of an ancient treasure buried there."

"I see.." A contemplating gaze flickered in Nie Li's eyes he knows better than anyone the secrets and wonders hidden in uncharted corners of Golry City.

'I guess I should give a visit.'

"Xiao Ning'er have you found a demon spirit to bind?" Nie Li suddenly asked, after becoming a Silver rank Demon Spiritualist one can merge with demon spirit and their powers would increase exponentially.

"Yes my father gifted me a Winged Dragon demon spirit." Xiao Ning'er replied.

"I see, well I actually got my hands on an excellent Lighting type demon spirit which I think would be best suited for your type of soul attribute and soul realm." Nie Li nonchalantly said, intending to give it to her.

Both of them have spent some time studying together in Alchemy Association. Though those days Nie Li told her many things and shared various books with her increasing her knowledge exponentially, Xiao Ning'er is well aware how powerful a demon spirit complimentary to one's attributes and soul realm is.

"No no!.. Nie Li, I can't accept such an expensive gift.. I am already so indebted by your help." Xiao Ning'er waved her hands in denial.

"It's alright, it's a gift to celebrate your breakthrough."

"But.. "

"It's alright you told me about heavenly sacred borders, if not for you I wouldn't bother to go there. If I am not wrong remember people aren't allowed to talk about things in heavenly sacred border but you shared them with me. And if I do gain something from there, it would be thanks to you. Just take it, I am sure to ask your help and get my money's worth."

Soon after a bit of persuasion, Nie Li was able to convince Xiao Ning'er and afterwards he changed the subject and talked with Xiao Ning'er exchanging a few more words, their conversation effortless, unlike the forced pleasantries exchanged among the other nobles.

Xiao Ning'er was one of the few people Nie Li did not find bothersome—she was strong, intelligent, and most importantly, she did not waste time on trivialities.

As they spoke, another presence entered the hall—Ye Ziyun.

Aside from Xiao Ning'er, Ye Ziyun lured the attention of many. Even though the two girls have their own distinguishing features, they were both extremely charming, causing the eyes of many to be unable to shift from them. Both Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er were the dream girls of all the youngster's hearts.

Ye Ziyun was dressed in an elegant violet gown, her silver-blue hair cascading over her shoulders, radiating an aura of nobility. Despite the admiration she received from the guests, her violet eyes sought out Xiao Ning'er.

She approached them with a genuine smile. "Ning'er, congratulations on your breakthrough," she said warmly. "I heard from my elders that Heavenly Sacred Border is particularly difficult, yet you passed with ease."

Xiao Ning'er froze for a second but after a short while she returned the smile. "Thank you, Ziyun. It was a great challenge, but a rewarding one."

Ye Ziyun then turned to Nie Li, offering him a polite nod. "Nie Li."

Nie Li barely reacted, simply acknowledging her with the slight dip of his head. His aloofness toward her was in stark contrast to how he had spoken with Xiao Ning'er, and the difference was not lost on Ye Ziyun.

A flicker of something unreadable passed through her gaze, but she did not comment on it.

As the banquet carried on, noble heirs whispered among themselves, some still discussing Xiao Ning'er's rise, others taking note of Nie Li's indifferent yet imposing presence, some wished to talk to Xiao Ning'er but didn't have courage, while others felt jealous of Nie Li.

Ye Han, standing at a distance, observed everything with calculating eyes, his gaze lingering on Nie Li and Xiao Ning'er's interaction before shifting to Ye Ziyun. His expression remained unreadable, but the slight tightening of his grip on his wine cup did not go unnoticed by Chen Linjian, who smirked knowingly.

For all its grandeur, this banquet was not just about celebration—it was a stage where alliances, rivalries, and ambitions were quietly taking shape.

And at the center of it all stood Nie Li, untouched by the noise of politics, yet shaping the fate of Glory City in ways most could not even fathom.

___

At this moment, at a corner within the City Lord's Mansion, figures appeared one after another. They were all clothed in black, completely hidden in the darkness.

"Have you guys finished investigating?All of the targets have arrived?"

"Yes, all are inside but also all the powerful experts of Glory City. It would be difficult to breakthrough."

"I know this is why another team is creating a diversion. All the powerful Black Gold rank Demon Spiritualists like Ye Zong, Ye Xiu and Huyan Xiong wouldn't have time to care about anything else."

"Yes, thankfully our mission is just to take care of the little punks, experts would be held of by others."

"I think we should use this chance to get rid of all the experts of Glory City too. With our current Dark Guild's strength, as well as grasping some extraordinary techniques, eradicating Glory City isn't a difficult matter. But unfortunately Demon Lord is still not taking any action?"

"It's not difficult to eradicate Glory City? You're belittling Glory City too much! Those families of Glory City have been passed down for so long, how could they not have some counter methods? Three Major Families, seven Noble Families as well as some declining families. If it's really in danger of their clan's destruction, the power that they'll burst forth is not to be underestimated! This time, we seven brought men over to attack the City Lord's Mansion, you guys have to be extremely careful and not be careless!" The leading black clothed man snorted, "Aside from taking care of assassinations also capture that bookworm kid."

"Big Bro doesn't have to worry."

The seven black clothed men had their bodies undergo some transformations. Black Fox, Flaming Tiger, Meerkat, Scarlet Snake, Snow Bear and Snow Wind Corpse Worm. After their bodies had the features of these demon spirits, they hid within the darkness.

At this moment, in a Southern piece of land over at the City Lord's Mansion, this is the part of City Lord's Mansion that has the weakest defense. It's the City Lord Mansion's Martial Arts Field.

Right now, there are sixty black clothed people gathering together, forming a circumference of dozens of meters in the central area. Over at the central area, it was carved with one complex inscription pattern after another.

These inscription patterns were shining with a type of strange blue light. It's extremely eye-catching in the night.

The sixty people were chanting a complex spell, making the inscription patterns light up one after another.

All the guards in the area and around it were already killed, they were only Silver rank and those that assassinated them were all at least Gold rank experts.

They were caught off guard. Not even a sound was made and they fell into a pool of blood.

Hong! Boom! Boom!

The ground was constantly cracking.

"Release! Abyss Demon!" One of the leading men shouted, his voice was nearly frantic. That blue light shined on his face, causing his face to look especially sinister.

The grey robes on those sixty black clothed people fluttered without any wind, their bodies floated in midair.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The surface of the Martial Arts Field was full of cracks. Vaguely, lava emerged from the ground. A huge head rose up from the burning lava. The lava was tumbling, many small lava drops splashed onto the ground some distance away and turned into small fiery demons. Those little fiery demons roared, running in all directions. The places they ran passed made the ground burn.

A giant demon that was dozen meters in height rose from the lava like an awakened giant. A huge set of wings grew on its back. Its hand was holding onto a giant flaming sword.

"Hahaha, wreak havoc! Abyss Demon!" The leading black clothed man madly laughed.

At this moment, the Abyss Demon suddenly opened those bell-like eyes of his. The giant flaming sword in his hand swung out. The leading black clothed men instantly perished within the flames, there wasn't even a scream.

Seeing this scene, the remaining people were scared out of their wits, and immediately bolted outside.

After this Abyss Demon was summoned, there wasn't any way to distinguish enemies and allies. Everything in his eyes, will be destroy without hesitation!

Boom! boom! boom!

A fire was raging. The southern side of the City Lord's Mansion was destroyed.

As soon as the Abyss Demon was summoned, the once-lively City Lord's banquet hall was thrown in chaos. A sudden wave of suffocating pressure crashed through the hall, cutting through the laughter like a blade

BOOM!

A deafening roar echoed from the southern gate of the City Lord's Mansion, sending shudders through the stone walls. Every powerful expert in the hall turned their heads in alarm, their expressions hardening as a sinister demonic aura flooded the surroundings.

Nie Li's lips froze as words rolled back into his mouth. A chilling sensation crept up his spine as his eyes turned sharp, his ocean-blue pupils shifting to an unnatural fiendish yellow—his Soul Force surged instinctively, he turned towards the southern gate of City Lord mansion as if he could see beyond the walls, through the grand hall, straight into the depths of the night.

And there it stood— An Abyss Demon.

___

A/N: If you are liking the work so far please give some power stones and leave a comment.