Chapter 19

Lingyun Mountain is located in the southeastern corner of Heiyun City. Although it is called a mountain, it is actually composed of several peaks of varying heights.

The main peak, Lingyun Mountain, stands several thousand meters tall, towering into the clouds, surrounded by a dense aura of spiritual energy.

The smaller mountains surrounding it are much lower in comparison to Lingyun Mountain.

Due to the rich spiritual energy around Lingyun Mountain, each of these smaller mountains has its own unique characteristics.

Some peaks are planted with numerous spiritual herbs by the Lingyun Sect, tended to by the sect's disciples.

Other peaks contain higher-grade spiritual materials, and these are also mined by the disciples of the Lingyun Sect.

The mountain where the Nie family mines Huoyun Stone is one of the least noticeable among the many smaller mountains around Lingyun Mountain.

Nie Tian and Nie Qian arrived at the mountain where the Nie family mines Huoyun Stone in the afternoon.

"Miss, it's not yet time to count the Huoyun Stones. Why have you suddenly come?" Nie Xiang, a steward of the Nie family, looked curiously at Nie Qian, who was accompanied by a child, his mind filled with doubts.

"This trip is not to count the Huoyun Stones, but to bring my nephew to the mine to broaden his horizons," Nie Qian smiled.

"Come to the mine to broaden his horizons?" Nie Xiang was taken aback, even more puzzled.

Because the mine is not safe, only children who have committed serious offenses in the Nie family are sent there.

Nie Qian bringing Nie Tian here to broaden his horizons left Nie Xiang very confused.

Nie Qian did not explain further. After greeting Nie Xiang, she took Nie Tian's hand and headed straight for the mine.

"Miss, this child... is still too young. If anything happens in the mine, I won't be responsible," Nie Xiang hurriedly said.

"Alright, if anything happens, I'll take responsibility," Nie Qian replied.

Hearing this, Nie Xiang no longer said anything and let Nie Tian and Nie Qian proceed into the depths of the mine.

Inside the mine, Nie Tian looked around curiously. "Is this where the Huoyun Stones are?"

"They are deeper in the mine," Nie Qian took a deep breath, her expression showing concern. "Remember, you must listen to me and always stay with me. Due to over-mining, many parts of the mine are hollow and can collapse with the slightest tremor. I know where it's safe and where it's dangerous. You must not leave my side."

Nie Tian looked up at the large, jagged rocks hanging from the cave ceiling, about five or six meters above his head, and nodded quickly.

Those rocks weighed thousands of pounds, and if they fell, he would be crushed instantly.

"Follow me."

Nie Qian gripped his arm and led him deeper into the dark, narrow stone passage.

Nie Tian looked around curiously, following her cautiously.

"Hello, Miss, why have you come?"

"Be careful, Miss, it's not safe inside. There was a collapse a few days ago."

"Hello, Miss."

Along the way, many collateral members of the Nie family and laborers hired by the Nie family greeted Nie Qian respectfully.

Nie Qian nodded and smiled at each of them, reminding them to be careful and avoid accidents.

Nie Tian could see that those who mined Huoyun Stones in the mine seemed to genuinely respect Nie Qian.

"The people who mine Huoyun Stones in the mine are all unfortunate. Each one of them knows what they will face when they come in," Nie Qian sighed softly when they were alone. "Xiao Tian, if you are not accepted by the Lingyun Sect, after you turn fifteen, you might also be assigned to mine Huoyun Stones here by your second grandfather."

"Isn't it only the collateral members of the Nie family who are assigned here?" Nie Tian asked.

"It used to be, but it might not be in the future," Nie Qian shook her head, her expression somber. "The death rate in the mine is high, and people die here from time to time. The main task of the Nie family is to mine Huoyun Stones for the Lingyun Sect. Other family matters are not as important."

"In recent years, because the outer Huoyun Stones have been mined out, we have to dig deeper, making it more dangerous."

"The collateral elders of the clan are also trying to prevent their children and grandchildren from coming to the mine."

"But this is the foundation of the Nie family. People are afraid of death, and the laborers hired by the family are unwilling to dig deeper without supervision. However, we need to provide the Lingyun Sect with a sufficient amount of Huoyun Stones every year. If we fall short in any year, the Lingyun Sect might not value the Nie family as much."

"Without the protection of the Lingyun Sect, the Nie family would find it difficult to survive in Heiyun City."

"Therefore, the mine is of utmost importance to the family. At any time, family members must guard the mine. Now that your second grandfather is in charge, he has said that he will reform, and direct-line family members will also be assigned here in the future."

At this point, Nie Qian paused and said meaningfully, "Because your grandfather lost his influence in the clan, I started coming to the mine more often before he stepped down as the clan leader. Now that we are even weaker, if you do not become a disciple of the Lingyun Sect, you will inevitably be assigned here in the future."

Nie Tian thought seriously for a moment and then nodded lightly, "I understand."

"Let's go." Nie Qian continued deeper into the mine.

After a while, Nie Tian noticed that the stone passage leading to the mountain's interior was becoming narrower, and the distance between the ceiling and the walls was getting shorter.

He also noticed that the number of laborers he saw along the way was decreasing, and each one of them was thin and gaunt, with a lifeless expression.

"Miss, it's dangerous ahead. You'd better not go further," a thin, middle-aged man suddenly appeared from a corner of another passage and warned kindly, "Mine No. 73 collapsed eight days ago, and two people died. We just finished clearing it."

Nie Qian stopped immediately. She hesitated for a moment with a serious expression and then said, "Thank you for the warning. I'll go take a look and be back soon."

"Be extremely careful. I... won't accompany you," the man said fearfully.

"Alright, you go about your business." Nie Qian nodded, and the thin man disappeared instantly.

"The deeper we go, the higher the death rate. That's why the laborers here all look lifeless, as they don't know when disaster will strike," Nie Qian said after a moment of silence. "They are all unfortunate people from Heiyun City, risking their lives here for their families in the city."

"The Lingyun Sect's cultivators are powerful. If they come here, even if the mine collapses, they should be fine, right?" Nie Tian asked.

"Once you reach the Zhongtian realm, you can move freely in the mine and won't fear any collapses," Nie Qian nodded lightly. "But would a cultivator at the Zhongtian realm waste their time on low-grade Huoyun Stones?"

"Powerful cultivators are the most heartless!"

"In their eyes, the Nie family is nothing. They wouldn't care if some people die, let alone the unfortunate commoners hired by the Nie family."

"True cultivators are always above us. Families like ours can only serve them."

"Similarly, the commoners in Heiyun City serve us, the Nie family."

"This world is inherently cruel, and neither of us can change it. To rise above others and not be enslaved or controlled by them, there is only one way."

"And that is to become one of them!"

Nie Qian taught him earnestly.

Nie Tian's expression was solemn, and he nodded heavily, "I will definitely become a powerful cultivator!"

"Let's go to Mine No. 73!" Nie Qian also made up her mind.

Soon, under her lead, Nie Tian appeared in a large mine.

As soon as they entered, he noticed that the surrounding stone walls of the mine had faint red light points.

"Huoyun Stones!" Nie Tian's spirit was lifted.

"This place is dangerous. Don't waste time. Quickly try to use the beast bone to absorb the fire energy from the unmined Huoyun Stones! We shouldn't stay here for too long. Once the blood in the beast bone congeals, we should leave immediately to avoid any unexpected changes!" Nie Qian urged loudly.

"Alright!" Nie Tian immediately started working.

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