Chapter 19: Mine #73 (1/2)

Chapter Nineteen: Mine #73

Cloudsoaring Mountain was to the southeast of Black Cloud City. People called it Cloudsoaring Mountain, but what they were actually referring to was the mountain range formed by several mountains of different heights.

The highest peak, Cloudsoaring Peak, was thousands of meters high, reaching into the clouds, with spiritual Qi swirling around it.

The other surrounding peaks were completely dwarfed by it.

The spiritual energy surrounding Cloudsoaring Mountain was quite rich and thick, thus every mountain peak in it had their own unique features.

Some mountain peaks were seeded with a large number of spirit plants and guarded by disciples of the Cloudsoaring sect.

Inside of other mountain peaks, numerous high-level spiritual materials were hidden away. These mountain peaks were also managed and mined by disciples of the Cloudsoaring sect.

The mountain peak in which the Nie clan mined flamecloud gems was actually the least impressive among all the smaller mountain peaks.

It was late in the afternoon when Nie Tian and Nie Qian finally arrived at that very mountain peak.

At the mouth of the mountain mine, Nie Xiang, a keeper of the Nie clan, looked at Nie Qian and the child with her, suspicions bubbling up in his mind. “Eldest sister, it’s not yet time to audit the flamecloud gems again. Why are you here?”

Nie Qian answered with a smile, “I’m not here to audit the flamecloud gems. I’ve brought my nephew here to help him gain experience.”

“Come to the mine to help him gain experience?!” Nie Xiang looked stunned, and even more confused than before.

The mine wasn’t safe, therefore over the years, only the children who had committed serious violations of clan rules would be sent there to the mine.

Hence, Nie Xiang was deeply confused by Nie Qian, who claimed to have brought Nie Tian there to help him gain experience.

Nie Qian didn’t give a more detailed explanation. After greeting Nie Xiang, she went straight into the mine, holding Nie Tian’s hand.

Nie Xiang immediately blurted out some warnings. “Eldest sister, the kid… he’s too young. If something happens to him in the mine, I can’t accept responsibility.”

“That’s fine,” Nie Qian declared. “If something bad happens to him, I’ll take full responsibility.”

Upon hearing her words, Nie Xiang didn’t say another word and allowed Nie Tian and Nie Qian to enter the mine.

Inside the mine, Nie Tian glanced around curiously as they walked along. “Flamecloud gems are mined here?”

“In the depths of the mine they are.” Nie Qian took a deep breath, her eyes filled with worry. “Remember, you have to follow my instructions and walk alongside me at all times. Due to overmining, many areas of the mine has become almost completely hollowed out, although you can’t tell by looking at them. Every now and then, those areas collapse when earthquakes strike. I know which areas are safe and which are dangerous. You must never leave my side.”

Nie Tian looked up at the rhombus-shaped rocks that hung five or six meters above. Then he started to nod vigorously.

Each of those rocks weighed more than five hundred kilograms; if they fell, he would be instantly reduced to a meat patty.

“Follow me.” Nie Qian grabbed him by the arm and walked down the endless, dim stone path.

Nie Tian followed Nie Qian wordlessly, gazing around with great curiosity. He also walked with more care and caution.

As they walked deeper, a lot of extended members of the Nie clan, together with hired laborers, greeted Nie Qian respectfully the moment they saw her.

“Good day, eldest sister. What brought you here?”

“Be careful, eldest sister. It’s not safe in there. Some areas collapsed just a couple of days ago.”

“Greetings, eldest sister.”

Nie Qian nodded and smiled back to every one of them. She also urged them to be extra cautious and prevent accidents by all means.

Nie Tian could see those who worked in the mine paid heartfelt respect to Nie Qian.

“These people, who mine flamecloud gems in the mine, live hard lives. Every and each one of them knew what they were facing when they came in.” Nie Qian sighed briefly when she saw no one was around. “Little Tian, if you fail to be accepted by the Cloudsoaring sect when you are fifteen, you will probably be sent to this place by your second grandfather to mine flamecloud gems.”