Three days later, in Black Cloud City. DuskâŠ
Nie Tian was sitting in the carriage as An He drove through the city gate.
After entering the city, the front curtain of the carriage had already been lifted, as An He would occasionally glance at Nie Tian.
On their way to the Green Illusion dimension trial, the curtain of the carriage had never been lifted. During those three days, An He had practically ignored Nie Tian, and they had traveled in silence.
However, on their way back, An He took the initiative to pull up the curtain, and had friendly conversations with Nie Tian along the way, spelling out the conflicts between Black Cloud Cityâs three clans in detail.
Nie Tian also had a clear feeling that An Heâs attitude towards him had undergone a fundamental change.
From An He, Nie Tian learned that there had been internal disputes within the Nie clan in recent months, with the focus being the Flamecloud gem mine.
Nie Beichuan had confirmed that they would no longer be able to mine Flamecloud gems from it.
He, who had just ascended to the position of clanmaster, panicked. He had interrogated every single one of the miners, and found out that Nie Qian had taken Nie Tian into the mine, then blamed Nie Qian for everything that occurred.
Since he couldnât figure out a way to explain what had happened to the Cloudsoaring sect, he had deliberately made things difficult for Nie Qian, and had repeatedly urged Nie Donghai to take Nie Qian to the Cloudsoaring sect and admit to causing the mining accident.
In Nie Beichuanâs eyes, Nie Donghai didnât have much time left anyways. He might as well sacrifice himself and shoulder the wrath of the Cloudsoaring sect together with Nie Qian, and thus bring peace and safety back to the Nie clan.
His decision won the assent of many clan elders, who later joined him in rebuking Nie Donghai and Nie Qian.
âUncle An, did the Cloudsoaring sect do anything after learning that the mine could no longer produce Flamecloud gems?â Nie Tian asked.
Driving the carriage slowly towards the Nie clan, An He frowned and said, âQuite strangely, no. According to what I know, it seems the Cloudsoaring sect hasnât made any statements or held your clan accountable.â
âThen why did they insist on making my grandfather and aunt admit the guilt?â Nie Tian asked, his voice cold.
After a moment of hesitation, An He explained, âBecause theyâre scared. The Cloudsoaring sect assigned that mine together with the job of mining it to your clan. The reason that your clan had been acknowledged and protected by the Cloudsoaring sect all these years was that your clan has been working for them.
âSome drastic change occurred, ensuring that a mine which should have been able to produce Flamecloud gems for another ten years went dry overnight. Before the Cloudsoaring sect raised any questions, your second grandfather already started to panic.
âMonumental changes struck the mine which the livelihood of the entire Nie clan relies on, all when he took power. How could he not be scared?â
Nie Tian snorted and said, âHe doesnât deserve to be my second grandfather!â
An He turned to look at Nie Tian. After a moment of pondering, he said, âWhen your grandfather was in his prime, he severely injured Nie Beichuan during their fight for the position of clanmaster. After that incident, the two brothers became estranged. Your grandfather controlled the Nie clan and overshadowed Nie Beichuan for many years after that. Now that your grandfather has finally lost his power, Nie Beichuan surely wonât bother to consider the brotherly love between them.â
âMy grandfather will reassume the position of clanmaster one day!â Nie Tian said in a firm, low voice.
An He laughed. With a meaningful look in his eyes, he glanced at Nie Tian and said, âPerhaps so.â
If it were before, An He probably would ridicule him a bit, and tell him that he didnât know the immensity of heaven and earth.
But now, An He felt that it might not be impossible for Nie Tian to help Nie Donghai regain his former position if he kept his upheaving momentum.
Pan Tao and Jiang Lingzhu were two extremely important third generation disciples of the Spiritual Treasure sect and Cloudsoaring sect. The powers backing those two would even put An He in awe.
As long as Pan Tao and Jiang Lingzhu continued to support Nie Tian, he would definitely gain benefits from the rise of Pan Tao and Jiang Lingzhu in their respective sects.
âWeâre here.â
An He pulled on the reins and stopped the carriage.
Nie Tian jumped out and thanked An He respectfully. After that, he prompted, âOkay, Iâll head off now, alright Uncle An?â
An He nodded and smiled. âGo on, now. Donât worry. If Nie Beichuan makes it too hard for you, you can come to our clan. Since the miss regards you so highly, youâre welcomed to visit anytime you want. Nie Beichuanâs power may be enough to turn the heavens in the Nie clan, but heâs just a commoner in the eyes of our clan.â
âThank you, uncle An. I got it.â
An He nodded, signaling for Nie Tian to go in. With a lash of his horsewhip, he drove the carriage back in the direction of the An clan.
Nie Tian took a deep breath, and with a calm mind, he finally stepped towards the entrance of the Nie clan.
At the entrance, the guard Jin Jiang saw him, and was suddenly given a start. âNie⊠Nie Tian?!â
Jin Jiang wasnât a true member of the Nie clan, but rather a guest-member. However, people like him had a knack for gathering information.
It took three whole days for Nie Tian and An He to return to Black Cloud City from the marshland, yet it only took one day for the news of the horrible incident in the Green Illusion dimension to reach Black Cloud City.
Members of the three major clans in Black Cloud City had been all talking about it the whole day.
Among the many trial takers who participated in the Green Illusion dimension trial, Nie Tian was the most unremarkable one. Thus, none of the news that had come from the four sects regarded him.
The Yun clan, on the other hand, had already been filled with wailing and despair after hearing about the annihilation of the entire Grayvale sect group in the Green Illusion dimension.
Earlier this morning, when Jin Jiang walked past the Yun clan, he could just barely hear the shrill weeping sounds of Yuan Qiuying. It was at that moment that the Yun clan had received the news that Yun Song, whom they placed such high hopes upon, had died in the Green Illusion dimension.
Jin Jiang also heard that the Grayvale sect wasnât the only one that had suffered great casualties. The other three sects had also lost many juniors.
In his opinion, Nie Tian, who was unluckily invited to the Green Illusion dimension trial by An Shiyi, was probably the weakest of all, and his status wasnât even worth mentioning. He shouldâve long since died in the Green Illusion dimension.
He had never expected him to return alive, especially after knowing that Yun Song had died in there.
âWhatâs wrong?â Nie Tian furrowed his brow.
Jin Jiang snapped out of his reverie and smiled embarrassedly, âWe all thought you had died in the Green Illusion dimension just like Yun Song from the Yun clan⊠Nie Tian, your grandfather and aunt abandoned all hope after hearing about the enormous events that occurred. Youâd better go see them right away.â
He was not a member of the Nie clan, so Nie Tianâs life or death didnât exactly affect him.
Nie Tian was taken aback. âThe news of the incidents in the Green Illusion dimension has already reached Black Cloud City?â
âOf course.â Jin Jiang nodded. âThe news can be spread via many ways, so it beat you back. Youâd better go. Your grandfather locked himself in his house and hasnât come out since. Your aunt seems to have spent the day crying. Youâd better go relieve them now.â
âMany thanks!â Nie Tian rushed through the clan gate.
On his way in, every clan member who caught sight of him was greatly surprised by his unbelievable return.
âNie Tian!â
âNo way! Nie Tian is still alive?!â
âYuan Feng and Yun Song died, but he returns alive?â
âHeâs really lucky!â
ââŠâ
Under the astonished gazes of everyone, Nie Tian ran to the remote pavilion where his grandfather Nie Donghai lived.
Before even reaching the door, Nie Tian shouted at the top of his lungs. âGrandpa, Iâm back!!â
Inside the room, Nie Donghai, who was drowning in desperation with all the windows shut, felt a strong shock and suddenly became enlivened.
He subconsciously wiped away the tears from the corners of his bloodshot eyes, and thrust the door open.
âLittle Tian! Is that you? Did I just hear Little Tianâs voice?â Not far away, Nie Qianâs sobbing voice echoed out, as she dashed out from a small pavilion.
âGrandpa, auntie, Iâm fine,â Nie Tian said loudly. âIâm back from the Green Illusion dimension!â
As soon as those words were uttered, he caught sight of Nie Donghai and Nie Qian, who were staring at him ecstatically.
In that moment, he suddenly realized that those two had placed all of their hopes and love on him.
He was their everything!
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