Chapter 349: Human Nature (1/2)

Chapter 349: Human Nature

Even though Hua Mu had said that they were almost at the Cloudsoaring Sect, there was still some ground to cover.

Standing on the Lightning Shuttle, Nie Tian looked off into the distance, and he could see the cloud-wreathed Cloudsoaring Mountain already.

Normally speaking, they would have to pass over Black Cloud City to get to Cloudsoaring Mountain. However, Hua Mu seemed to be intentionally circling around it.

Nie Tian turned to Hua Mu and asked in a soft voice, “Is my master in the Cloudsoaring Sect right now?”

Hua Mu shook his head, saying, “I’m afraid not.”

“Do you know where he is now?” Nie Tian was curious.

“Pulling strings somewhere in order to secure the Cloudsoaring Sect’s future. Where else could he be?” Hua Mu said, his face filled with helplessness. “Your master has never lost faith in you. However, many people within the Cloudsoaring Sect believe that you won’t return to the Realm of Flame Heaven again. The way they see it, even if you’re still alive, you won’t be able to refine the fragmentary star marks within such a short time.

“Not to mention that you only had two fragmentary star marks when you disappeared. As everyone knows, the third fragmentary star mark was in Ning Yang’s hands, and all three fragmentary star marks need to become one to seal the spatial rifts and restore peace to the Realm of Flame Heaven.

“Most of them assume that even if you’re still alive, the Realm of Flame Heaven will be submerged in dense demon Qi before you return. By that time, Demon armies will once again pour into the Realm of Flame Heaven and make it their paradise.

“That was why the senior members of the Cloudsoaring Sect asked your master to help them seek a place in another realm where the Cloudsoaring Sect could keep a foothold.

“Therefore, he went to the Realm of a Hundred Battles.”

After hearing Hua Mu’s description. Nie Tian said with a deep frown, “My grandfather, my aunt, and my master are the only ones I truly care about in the Realm of Flame Heaven. Now that none of them are in the Cloudsoaring Sect, I’m not in a hurry to go there. Mr. Hua, if you don’t mind, can you take me to Black Cloud City? I want to take a look there.”

Upon hearing these words, Hua Mu fell silent.

A concerned look appeared in Nie Tian’s eyes as he asked, “Is there something wrong?

Hua Mu smiled bitterly. “As a matter of fact, I intentionally took a detour so that we wouldn’t pass above Black Cloud City. I just don’t want you to return to Black Cloud City and see how nasty it has become.”

However, Hua Mu’s words made Nie Tian even more curious, and thus he insisted, “I went through lots of things in the Green Illusion dimension, the Heaven Gate, and the Realm of Split Void. I’m no longer the child you think I am, and I’m strong enough to handle whatever is happening in Black Cloud City.

“No matter how bad it has become, handling it will be a part of me growing up. I hope you can understand.”

“Alright...” With a soft sigh, Hua Mu changed the direction of the Lightning Shuttle and steered it towards Black Cloud City.

Even in powerful realms such as the Realm of Mystic Heaven, air-transportation spiritual tools were rarely seen, much less in the Realm of Flame Heaven.

Even though the Lightning Shuttle was flying close to the ground, since Hua Mu had completely sealed its trace and aura, it would be very difficult for ordinary Qi warriors to sense its existence.

As the Lightning Shuttle flew closer and closer towards Black Cloud City, Nie Tian looked down from midair, and discovered that the fields outside Black Cloud City were completely wasted, as if no one was farming them anymore.

In his memories, the areas outside of Black Cloud City used to bustle with farming activities; farmers could be seen everywhere, working hard in their fields.

However, all he could see now were farmers sitting idle at their doors. Each of them was wearing a grim expression, and not the slightest spirit could be seen in their eyes.

Even though they were still alive, their hearts seemed to have died already.

In a secluded location outside Black Cloud City, Hua Mu landed the Lightning Shuttle. Nie Tian hesitated for a moment before taking out the mask Dong Baijie had gifted him. After putting it on, he turned to Pei Qiqi and Hua Mu and said, “I’ll take a walk in the city.”

Hua Mu nodded and said, “Sure.”

Then, he turned to Pei Qiqi. “Qiqi, you might want to make some alterations to your appearance as well. The current Realm of Flame Heaven is a bit... strange. Your appearance might attract some unnecessary trouble.”

“Oh, I see.” Pei Qiqi took out a plain-looking mask from within her ring of holding and gently placed it on her face.

Afterwards, the three of them walked quietly into the city.

After entering Black Cloud City, Nie Tian didn’t head directly towards the Nie Clan. Instead, he strolled around without a destination, and observed what changes had happened to Black Cloud City.

He saw that the citizens of Black Cloud City were in similar state to the farmers he had just seen; they all lived soulless lives.

Most of them had sluggish eyes, as if their lives had lost all purpose.

Some stronger citizens bullied the weak to vent their negative emotions. Brothels had become the most popular places within the city. People ate, drank, and whored all day long, as if they were enjoying their final moment of madness before the impending doom.

Bloody fights took place day and night in every corner of the city.

Plundering, murdering, and raping could be seen everywhere.

The former three great clans, the Nie Clan, the An Clan, and the Yun Clan, seemed to have left the security within the city completely unattended.

During the night, every household locked their doors and didn’t dare to go out.