Chapter 82

Three days later, in Black Cloud City.

Nie Tian sat in the carriage, led by An He, and entered the city at dusk.

The curtain at the front of the carriage had long been lifted, and An He, who had entered the city, kept glancing at Nie Tian.

When they were heading to the Qing Huan Realm, the curtain had hardly been lifted, and An He had shown no interest in Nie Tian, so the two had been silent all the way.

On the way back, An He had taken the initiative to lift the curtain, and had been talking to Nie Tian in a gentle manner all the way, analyzing in detail the conflicts among the three major families in Black Cloud City.

Nie Tian also clearly felt that An He's attitude towards him had fundamentally changed.

Through An He, he learned that in recent times, the Nie family had been arguing every day, and the source of the arguments was still the mine that produced Fire Cloud Stones.

After Nie Beichuan confirmed that the mine could no longer produce Fire Cloud Stones, he was extremely panicked. After questioning all the miners and learning that Nie Qian had once led Nie Tian into the mine, he blamed Nie Qian.

These days, not knowing how to explain to Ling Yun Sect, he had been making things difficult for Nie Qian every day.

He kept forcing Nie Donghai to take the blame for the mine and to go to Ling Yun Sect to admit the mistake.

In Nie Beichuan's view, since Nie Donghai had little time left, it was better to sacrifice Nie Donghai and Nie Qian to appease Ling Yun Sect and secure peace for the Nie family.

His decision won the approval of many of the Nie family elders, who all stood on his side and blamed Nie Donghai and Nie Qian.

"Uncle An, what's the reaction from Ling Yun Sect about the mine not producing Fire Cloud Stones?" Nie Tian asked.

"Very strange," An He, who was driving the carriage and slowly heading towards the Nie family, frowned and said, "As far as I know, Ling Yun Sect hasn't made any statement or held the Nie family accountable yet."

"Then why are they forcing my grandfather and my aunt to admit the mistake?" Nie Tian said coldly.

"Because they are afraid," An He hesitated for a moment and explained, "That mine was assigned to your Nie family by Ling Yun Sect, and your Nie family was responsible for its operation. Over the years, your Nie family has gained Ling Yun Sect's recognition because you were doing their work."

"Now that a major change has occurred in the mine, and the Fire Cloud Stones that were supposed to last for decades have suddenly disappeared, Ling Yun Sect hasn't taken action yet, but your second uncle panicked first."

"He had just secured his position, and then the mine, which the Nie family relies on for survival, suddenly faced a major crisis. How could he not be afraid?"

Nie Tian snorted and said, "He doesn't deserve to be my second uncle!"

An He turned to look at him, pondered for a moment, and then said, "When your grandfather was in his prime, he severely injured Nie Beichuan in a struggle for the family's leadership. After that incident, the two brothers became estranged. Your grandfather held the Nie family for many years and suppressed Nie Beichuan. Now that your grandfather has lost his power, he naturally won't consider brotherly affection."

"One day, my grandfather will become the head of the Nie family again!" Nie Tian said in a low voice.

An He smiled faintly, looked at him meaningfully, and said, "Perhaps."

In the past, An He might have mocked him, saying he was overestimating himself.

But now, An He felt that if Nie Tian maintained his current upward momentum, he might indeed help Nie Donghai regain his position.

Pan Tao and Jiang Lingzhu were extremely important third-generation members of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion and Ling Yun Sect. The power behind these two people was so great that it even made An He nervous.

As long as Pan Tao and Jiang Lingzhu favored Nie Tian, as they rose in the Spirit Treasure Pavilion and Ling Yun Sect, Nie Tian would surely benefit from it.

"We're here."

After a while, An He pulled the reins and stopped the carriage.

Nie Tian jumped out of the carriage, first thanked An He respectfully, and then said, "Uncle An, I'll go back first?"

"Go ahead, go ahead," An He smiled and said, "Don't worry too much. If Nie Beichuan pushes too hard, you can come to our An family. Hehe, since my young lady values you, you are a guest of our An family, and you can come anytime. Nie Beichuan has great power in the Nie family, but in our An family's eyes, it's just that."

"Thank you, Uncle An, I understand." Nie Tian thanked him again.

An He nodded, gestured for him to go home, and then whipped the reins, driving the carriage towards the An family.

Nie Tian took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and finally walked towards the Nie family's gate.

"Nie, Nie Tian?" At the gate, Jin Jiang, a guard of the Nie family, was suddenly stunned when he saw him.

Jin Jiang was not a member of the Nie family but a very ordinary guest. However, such people were often the most well-informed.

It took Nie Tian and An He three days to return to Black Cloud City from the swamp, but the news of the shocking events in the Qing Huan Realm had already reached Black Cloud City early that morning.

The members of the three major families in Black Cloud City had been discussing the major changes in the Qing Huan Realm all day.

Among the many trial participants in the Qing Huan Realm, Nie Tian was just a minor figure, so the news from the four sects did not include him.

On the contrary, the Yun family knew that the entire Ash Valley had been destroyed in the Qing Huan Realm, and they were in deep mourning.

When Jin Jiang passed by the Yun family this morning, he could faintly hear Yuan Qiuying's mournful cries, knowing that the Yun family had realized that their hopeful Yun Song had died in the Qing Huan Realm.

Jin Jiang also heard that not only had the Ash Valley been completely annihilated, but the trial participants from the other three sects had also suffered significant casualties.

In his eyes, Nie Tian, who had been led into the Qing Huan Realm by An Shiyi, was weak and insignificant, and should have become cannon fodder in the Qing Huan Realm long ago.

He never expected that Yun Song was dead, but Nie Tian could return alive.

"What's wrong?" Nie Tian frowned.

Jin Jiang came to his senses and smiled awkwardly, "I thought you and Yun Song from the Yun family had died in the Qing Huan Realm. Nie Tian, when your grandfather and aunt learned of the sudden changes in the Qing Huan Realm this morning, they were heartbroken. Go and see them quickly."

He was not a member of the Nie family, so whether Nie Tian was dead or alive would not affect him.

"News of what happened in the Qing Huan Realm has reached Black Cloud City?" Nie Tian was surprised.

"Of course," Jin Jiang nodded, "News can spread through many ways, much faster than your return. Go back quickly. Your grandfather has been locked in his room all day, and your aunt has been crying for almost a whole day. Go and reassure them quickly."

"Thank you." Nie Tian hurriedly entered the gate.

"Nie Tian!"

"Really? Nie Tian is still alive?"

"Yuan Feng and Yun Song are dead, and he can return alive?"

"He really has a big fortune!"

"..."

On the way, all the Nie family members who saw Nie Tian were extremely surprised and found it hard to believe.

Amidst the shocked gazes of the crowd, Nie Tian ran to the secluded pavilion where his grandfather Nie Donghai lived.

"Grandfather, I'm back." Before reaching the door, Nie Tian shouted loudly.

Inside the room, Nie Donghai, who had closed all the windows and doors and was heartbroken, was suddenly shaken.

He subconsciously wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, his eyes red, and suddenly pushed open the door.

"Xiao Tian! Is it Xiao Tian? I heard Xiao Tian's voice?" Not far away, Nie Qian, her voice tinged with sobs, ran out of another small building.

"Grandfather, Aunt, I'm fine, I've returned safely from the Qing Huan Realm!" Nie Tian shouted.

As soon as his voice fell, he saw Nie Donghai and Nie Qian looking at him with joy and relief.

Seeing Nie Donghai and Nie Qian at that moment, he suddenly realized that these two people had placed all their hopes and love on him.

He was their everything!

...

PS: Chapter 2~~

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