Cloudcrane City!

The streets were bustling with people.

Merchants called out endlessly.

Cultivators moved through the city one after another.

Many of the shops have a silver crane soaring amidst storm clouds, the emblem of Nie Clan. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Ever since Nie Fengzhuo’s meteoric rise, the status of the Nie Clan had soared alongside him.

Not to mention, it wasn’t just Nie Fengzhuo—many members of the Nie Clan had also mysteriously become far stronger than before.

Thus, the once-declining clan had risen and taken the position of the number one force in Cloudcrane City.

No one within Cloudcrane City dared provoke them anymore.

And at this moment, a group of youths walked proudly through the central streets.

At the center of them was a young girl dressed in elegant pale-blue robes embroidered with silver patterns.

Her appearance was beautiful and lively.

Her chin was slightly raised as she walked.

Everywhere she passed, people immediately greeted her respectfully.

"Young Miss Nie!"

"Young Miss Nie has come out today?"

"Young Miss Nie looks even more beautiful today!"

Voices rang out continuously, each filled with flattery.

The girl merely nodded lightly in response, clearly already accustomed to such treatment.

She was Nie Qingyu, Nie Fengzhuo’s younger sister.

And currently one of the most untouchable young figures within Cloudcrane City.

After all, who dared offend the biological sister of Nie Fengzhuo?

The current Nie Fengzhuo was no longer the useless youth from the past.

He was now the pride of the Nie Clan and the pride of Cloudcrane City.

A Heaven Chosen whose fame had spread across the empire.

Even powerful clans now treated the Nie Clan cautiously because of him.

Naturally, Nie Qingyu’s status also rose alongside his.

The youths surrounding her all wore flattering smiles.

Some were descendants of local clans.

Others were talented disciples hoping to gain favor with the Nie Clan.

One young woman beside her smiled sweetly.

"Qingyu, I heard your brother recently forced back even the Seventh Prince?"

Nie Qingyu’s eyes immediately brightened with pride.

"Hmph, of course!"

Her small face lifted even higher.

"My brother is a genius! Even those princes are nothing before him."

Her tone was filled with admiration and pride.

The surrounding youths quickly nodded in agreement.

"That’s true!"

"Young Master Nie is unmatched among the younger generation!"

"Even those imperial princes don’t dare underestimate him now!"

Hearing the praise directed toward her brother, Nie Qingyu felt even happier.

Ever since childhood, she had always believed her brother was extraordinary.

Even during the years when everyone mocked and looked down on him, she never doubted him.

And now, those same people who once sneered at the Nie Clan could only lower their heads respectfully.

Thinking of this, Nie Qingyu felt extremely satisfied.

Especially when she recalled how the Bai Clan had once humiliated her brother.

A trace of anger appeared in her eyes.

(Hmph... Bai Xueqing...)

Even now, she still deeply hates that name.

Back then, after breaking off the engagement, the Bai Clan had caused her brother to become the laughingstock of countless people.

If not for her brother’s strong will, he might never have recovered.

Fortunately, her brother had risen rapidly afterward.

And now, even the Bai Clan could no longer casually look down on him like before.

Just as Nie Qingyu was thinking this—

A sudden commotion erupted near the city gates.

"Hm?"

Many people instinctively turned their heads.

A luxurious flying carriage slowly descended from the sky.

The moment people saw the insignia upon the carriage, the entire street fell silent.

Then shock exploded everywhere.

"T-That symbol..."

"The Bai Clan?!"

"What are they doing here?"

...

Cloudcrane City instantly fell into an uproar.

No one knew why the Bai Clan had suddenly arrived.

But one thing was certain—their arrival was enough to shake the entire city.

After all, this was the Bai Clan!

One of the supreme overlords of the empire.

A force standing at the very peak of the Desolate Heaven Empire.

Compared to them, the current Nie Clan—even with Nie Fengzhuo’s rise—still appeared insignificant.

Countless similar thoughts immediately surfaced within everyone’s minds.

(They must be here for the Nie Clan!)

Those close to the Nie Clan felt their hearts tighten.

Anxiety spread rapidly across their faces.

Some people had already begun sweating nervously.

The matter between Nie Fengzhuo and Bai Xueqing was no secret.

And now, the Bai Clan had suddenly appeared in Cloudcrane City without warning.

How could they not panic?

Meanwhile, those who had once been suppressed by the Nie Clan felt the exact opposite.

Their eyes lit up with excitement.

Some even secretly revealed schadenfreude-filled smiles.

"The Nie Clan has been arrogant for too long."

"Maybe the Bai Clan has finally come to settle accounts!"

"If the Bai Clan truly suppresses them, then the Nie Clan is finished!"

Many people could barely hide the hope in their eyes.

After all, ever since the Nie Clan rose to power, countless local factions had been suppressed by them.

When one force rose, others naturally declined.

Many had lost resources and influence because of the Nie Clan.

If the Nie Clan fell, wouldn’t that mean they could rise once again?

Thus, in just a few moments, the atmosphere within Cloudcrane City became extremely strange.

Some were nervous.

Some were terrified.

Others were secretly celebrating.

And among them, Nie Qingyu narrowed her eyes.

The moment she saw the Bai Clan insignia, hatred and anger immediately surfaced within her gaze.

"What do they want now?"

She muttered coldly.

Her expression darkened visibly.

The surrounding youths also became uneasy.

The Bai Clan’s presence was simply too terrifying.

Several people immediately began retreating.

"Haha... Qingyu, I suddenly remembered I still have something to do..."

"Yes, yes, my father told me to return early today..."

"I should leave first..."

One after another, excuses appeared instantly.

After all, if they were seen standing too close to Nie Qingyu while the esteemed Bai Clan was offended, their own clans might become implicated.

In mere moments, more than half the group had disappeared.

Only a few remained beside Nie Qingyu.

Even then, their expressions were stiff and nervous.

"Qingyu... maybe we should return to the clan first and inform the elders?"

Another hurriedly nodded.

"Yes! We should warn them immediately!"

But Nie Qingyu showed no fear.

Instead, she lifted her chin proudly.

"Hmph!"

Her eyes remained fixed on the enormous flying carriage in the sky.

"Why should we retreat?"

Her tone carried obvious arrogance.

"This is Cloudcrane City, not the Bai Clan’s territory! Why should I be afraid in my own home?"

As she spoke, confidence filled her eyes.

In her mind, Nie Fengzhuo was already invincible among the younger generation.

Her Nie Clan was also on the verge of becoming a First-Rate Clan.

There was no need to fear the Bai Clan.

"Let’s go!"

Nie Qingyu suddenly declared.

"We’ll go see who came!"

The few remaining youths froze.

"You want to go there?!"

Nie Qingyu snorted.

"What? Are you scared?"

Her gaze carried disdain.

Instantly, several youths straightened their backs awkwardly.

"N-No!"

"Of course not!"

Although fear remained in their hearts, none of them wanted to appear cowardly before Nie Qingyu.

Thus, they could only grit their teeth and follow her.

At the same time, many people within the city also began moving toward the gates.

Curiosity had already overwhelmed them.

After all, a visit from the Bai Clan was something Cloudcrane City might not witness even once in a hundred years.

Although Bai Xueqing had come a few years ago, she had arrived under the banner of the Heaven Sword Sect.

Today, however, it was a true Bai Clan flying carriage.

Moreover, judging from the sheer size and luxury of the carriage, everyone knew that the person inside was definitely no ordinary figure from the Bai Clan.

(Who is it?)