The Majestic Cloudtop Mountains, towering and magnificent, pierce the heavens with their rugged peaks and ridges, like a line of mighty dragons hovering between earth and sky. Mists and clouds swirl around the mountains, ever-changing, sometimes like delicate gossamer, sometimes like raging waves, shrouding the entire mountain range in a hazy, mystical veil, like an immortal realm, mysterious and unfathomable.
Nestled deep within this sea of clouds, a series of palaces and pavilions can be seen, glittering and resplendent, with exquisite carvings and elegant roofs - a celestial abode, a mortal paradise. The golden glazed tiles sparkle in the sunlight, and the white jade-paved plaza is adorned with lifelike statues of cranes and auspicious clouds. Rare flowers and exotic plants bloom in profusion, their sweet fragrance wafting through the air, captivating all who behold them. This is the ancestral estate of the preeminent Immortal Cultivation Clan - the Cloud Clan, the Cloudtop Immortal Abode.
The Cloud Clan, with a lineage spanning millennia, has deep roots and wields immense influence in the Immortal Cultivation world. Their scions are all born with exceptional talents, and prodigies in the Way of Immortal Cultivation emerge one after another, envied by countless cultivators. The reason the Cloud Clan has stood firm for a thousand years is not only their formidable strength, but also the "Azure Lotus Sword Tome" they have inherited - an ancient sword art passed down from a legendary Immortal Sword Sage, possessing unparalleled power and boundless transformations, one of the pinnacle sword arts in the Immortal Cultivation world, and the Cloud Clan's ancestral treasure.
Today, the entire Cloudtop Immortal Abode is immersed in a joyous and auspicious atmosphere. Red banners and streamers decorate every palace and pavilion, festive red lanterns hang high, casting a warm glow over the entire estate. Lively music echoes through the mountains, like heavenly melodies. Representatives from the major sects and clans of the Immortal Cultivation world, clad in elegant attire, arrive by sword, gathering together, celebrating the grand occasion, making the already lively Cloudtop Immortal Abode even more vibrant and joyous.
All of this is because today is the Coming-of-Age Ceremony of the Young Master of the Cloud Clan - Cloud Beguile.
Who is this Cloud Beguile?
He is the son of the Cloud Clan Patriarch, Cloud Soaring Sky. From a young age, he has displayed astonishing talent in Immortal Cultivation, born with an innate aptitude for the sword, one in a million - a true prodigy in the Way of the Sword! At just eighteen years old, he has already cultivated to the late Foundation Establishment stage, and has shown remarkable comprehension in the path of the sword, mastering the Cloud Clan's ancestral "Azure Lotus Sword Tome" to the Transformation Realm, even earning the admiration of the Clan's Elders, who hail him as "the greatest genius the Cloud Clan has seen in a century!"
To nurture this heavenly talent, the Cloud Clan has naturally spared no effort, providing him with the best cultivation resources since childhood - all kinds of rare treasures, precious elixirs, not hesitating to even acquire invaluable cultivation resources from other Immortal Cultivation clans, all for the sole purpose of allowing him to focus on his cultivation without any distractions, and achieve greatness at the earliest possible time.
Even the Clan's Patriarch-level Nascent Soul Elders, who have been in secluded meditation for years, have specially emerged from their seclusion to personally guide Cloud Beguile's cultivation. It must be known that Nascent Soul Elders are supreme existences in the Immortal Cultivation world, capable of commanding the forces of heaven and earth with a mere thought, able to decide the life and death of an entire Cultivation Clan with a single intention. Yet, this venerable Elder has deigned to make an exception for Cloud Beguile, a clear testament to the Cloud Clan's extraordinary expectations for him.
Under the meticulous nurturing of the Clan, Cloud Beguile has not disappointed the hopes placed upon him. Blessed with keen intelligence and exceptional comprehension, he is diligent and tireless in his cultivation, making rapid progress. In his journey of Immortal Cultivation, he has been smooth sailing, marching forward steadily, and at a young age, he has already made a name for himself in the Immortal Cultivation world, becoming the idol and role model of many young cultivators.
However, despite his peerless talents, Cloud Beguile is not a sheltered bookworm unaware of the ways of the world. His character is carefree and unbridled, fond of making friends and traveling to experience different lives. Although he may not openly express it, he is well aware of the responsibilities and expectations placed upon him by the Clan, and has been quietly striving to fulfill them.
On this day, the Cloudtop Immortal Abode is festively decorated, and the grand Audience Hall is bustling with guests. Representatives from the major sects and clans of the Immortal Cultivation world, dressed in their finest attire, gather in groups, engaged in lively conversations, exchanging compliments and raising their cups in toast - all here to celebrate Cloud Beguile's Coming-of-Age Ceremony, and also to seek better relations with the Cloud Clan.
"Congratulations, Brother Cloud, congratulations! You have been blessed with a truly exceptional son!" a purple-robed elder with a venerable bearing, holding a cup of wine, said cheerfully to Cloud Soaring Sky, who was seated in the place of honor.
He was the Supreme Elder of the Purple Yang Sect, the Purple Yang Immortal, highly respected and with unfathomable strength in the Immortal Cultivation world, even Cloud Soaring Sky had to show him due deference.
"The Purple Yang Immortal is too kind, my son is still wayward, and has embarrassed you," Cloud Soaring Sky quickly stood up, raising his cup in return.
"The Young Master's talents are extraordinary, and he is destined for greatness. We all eagerly await his future achievements!" another middle-aged man in a golden robe, with a imposing physique, also said with a smile.
He was the Sect Master of the Golden Saber Gate, the Golden Saber Guest, renowned for his "Golden Saber Technique" in the Immortal Cultivation world, and his strength was not to be underestimated.
"Master Cloud, you are truly blessed to have such an outstanding son. The envy of all!"
"Indeed, indeed! The Young Master's cultivation at such a young age is truly limitless in potential!"
...
Listening to the guests' compliments around him, a faint smile remained on Cloud Soaring Sky's face, appearing humble, but his heart was filled with pride and joy.
As for the protagonist, Cloud Beguile, at this moment, he seemed a little distracted. Dressed in a white brocade robe, with a translucent jade pendant hanging at his waist, his long black hair tied up with a white jade hairpin, his handsome features and lofty bearing exuding an air of carefree elegance, yet a hint of melancholy could be seen in his eyes.
His gaze would occasionally drift towards the entrance of the hall, as if he was waiting for someone.
"Beguile, what's wrong? Today is your Coming-of-Age Ceremony, why do you seem so absent-minded?" the white-robed beauty sitting next to Cloud Beguile, his mother Willow Like Smoke, asked with concern, seeing his unusual demeanor.
She was from one of the four great Immortal Cultivation Clans, the Willow Clan, and was also a formidable cultivator. Her beautiful features and gentle demeanor showered Cloud Beguile with great affection.
"It's nothing, Mother. I just feel a little stuffy in this hall and wanted to go out for some fresh air," Cloud Beguile replied with a slight smile.
"You and your mischievous ways..." Willow Like Smoke sighed helplessly, saying, "Go on then, but don't wander too far. The ceremony will be starting soon."
"I understand, Mother." Cloud Beguile stood up, bowed respectfully to Willow Like Smoke, and then turned to leave the Audience Hall.