The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 837: Clan Dispute!

Clan Dispute! . . .

Reaching from level six to level eight of the Dream Origin Stage in less than two decades was an extraordinary feat. Cha Nantian's ascent from level three to level eight was nothing short of a miracle, especially given the impoverished world he had inhabited and the debilitating condition he had endured.

Reflecting on this, Cha Nantian's thoughts naturally turned to his cherished son, his greatest source of pride in life. It was his son who had successfully healed his concealed injury and imparted a martial art that promised to elevate him further. He was confident that with this martial art, he could attain the Dao Origin Stage in just two more years.

The revelation left the elder Cha in a state of complete astonishment. "Level eight of the Dream Origin Stage!" he marveled, struggling to comprehend the improbable news. "How is that possible?" The son, who had been regarded as ineffectual, had brought back this astounding development.

"Your wounds? Healed?" the elder Cha inquired, his surprise evident. "Did the medicines I provided prove effective?"

Cha Nantian felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing his father's question. The realization dawned that his father had been sending him medicines over the years. Each year in the Land of Han-Yang, he would receive two sets of materials. One from his mother, the other from his seemingly cold and unfeeling father.

"I suppose Father doesn't know that Mother has also been sending me materials," he contemplated. "If he were aware, he would have said 'the medicines we gave you,' not 'the medicines I gave you.'"

"Yes, they worked," Cha Nantian replied, his tone softened. He was on the brink of tears, touched by the hidden love he had not fully recognized before. "I thought there was no love between us, but it has always been here. I was not an abandoned child."

He chose not to reveal the truth about his son. He did not want to convey that all his efforts had been in vain, so he assured his father that the medicines had indeed been beneficial. He simply wanted to spare his father's feelings.

The elder Cha, overjoyed, absentmindedly rubbed his beard, a usual gesture of his, and a few strands of hair came loose. "That's fantastic! You're completely healed and stronger than ever before! Now I have a better chance of persuading the elders to allow you to remain in the family!"

Cha Nantian could only hold back his tears as he turned and entered the inner sanctum, his heart filled with the words, "Mother, your son has returned."

...

The eldest young lord, previously expelled from the clan, had returned from the lower realm. The man responsible for significant turmoil within the clan had made his reappearance. Cha Nantian, the foremost cultivation prodigy of the Cha Clan, was back.

The news reverberated within the Cha Clan, shocking every member. In the Qing-Yun Realm, divided into four main regions—east, south, north, and west—with eight areas each, the Cha Clan resided in the northern region. Within the southern part of the north region, the Saint Oracle District was split into three districts: Saint Downfall District, Saint Oracle District, and Saint Extension District.

The Cha Clan was nestled in the Saint Oracle District, and it was among the eight great clans responsible for different areas within the district. The Cha Clan was considered average in size, not too large or too small. When Cha Nantian had first encountered Cha Eun Xiao in the Land of Han-Yang, the latter had boastfully claimed that the Cha Clan ranked among the top clans in the Qing-Yun Realm. Such a statement had been an attempt to intimidate the man he believed was a stranger but had turned out to be his own father. However, Cha Nantian was acutely aware that the Cha Clan was far from being considered a top clan in the Qing-Yun Realm.

The situation was akin to a cosmic clash, where the heavens and earth themselves were entangled in the turmoil of the Cha Clan's fate. It was a reminder that had the Cha Clan ranked among the top clans in the world, the misery of the past might have been averted.

It all stemmed from the events that had befallen Cha Nantian, a time when the Cha Clan's fortunes took an abrupt nosedive. The clan had been poised for a path to greatness, on the verge of elevating to the status of a great clan. With that achieved, Saint Oracle District would have boasted nine great clans instead of just eight. However, all hopes were dashed by the incident involving Cha Nantian, and the Cha Clan teetered on the brink of becoming a minor clan.

Within the clan, there was a pervasive sense of anger and resentment directed at Cha Nantian, the once-revered cultivation prodigy. He had singlehandedly obliterated the dreams of countless generations within the clan, shattering the hard work of its members when success had appeared within reach.

The discussions were fervent, a cacophony of voices echoing within the clan.

"Heaven and earth! Rain and wind! Land and air! Sometimes two paths must converge, and we're talking about a union," one voice exclaimed, emphasizing the significance of marriage.

"Indeed! He should have been more aware of his own limitations. It's like a toad lusting after a swan's flesh. He harmed not only himself but the entire clan. He placed the entire clan in peril," another voice chimed in.

"He should understand the insignificance of his stature before coveting a union with a lady from Qiong-Hua Palace. Does he even measure up?" someone else questioned, scorn evident in their words.

"He's earned his suffering," came another stern remark.

"He deserves it, but he should never have dragged the entire clan down with him!" another voice added, highlighting the shared resentment.

"Such a disgrace! Why should we even consider retaining him in the clan?"

...

Such sentiments were expressed throughout the clan, reflecting the collective anger and disdain for Cha Nantian.

Now, with Cha Nantian's unexpected return, the Cha Clan once more found itself in turmoil.

"He's recovered? So what? I won't permit him to remain!" declared one elder, a tone of finality in their voice. "What if Qiong-Hua Palace discovers his return? What if they retaliate against us once more? The Cha Clan could be utterly obliterated!"

"Indeed. I vote against his return," another elder concurred, speaking thoughtfully. "Cha Nantian has been an ill omen for us. The Cha Clan had enjoyed years of tranquility. We're on the cusp of a new era for our sect, and he returns with even greater power. But what does it matter? If Qiong-Hua Palace learns of it and seeks retribution, can he handle the consequences? The outcome will likely mirror the past, and in fact, Qiong-Hua Palace might be even more incensed this time."

While some were vehemently against Cha Nantian's return, others took a more forgiving stance. "I don't believe it's such a grave matter to allow him to remain. He erred in his youth and nearly brought the entire clan to ruin. Yet, he was but a youth then. Now, he returns from his retribution."

"Indeed," another agreed. "Consider Cha Nantian. Who among us has not navigated the tumultuous waters of youthful ignorance?"