The last rays of the setting sun cast a haunting blood-red glow over the ruins of the Cloudtop Immortal Abode, adding to the air of somber desolation. The heavy scent of blood mingled with the earthy aroma of soil and vegetation, nauseating. A crow's mournful caw echoed as it flew overhead, as if lamenting the tragic scene below.
Cloud Beguile knelt amidst the sea of corpses, howling to the heavens, his grief and fury unbridled, like a wounded lone wolf struggling in despair. His hands hung limply at his sides, the dried, dark red stains of his loved ones' blood caked on his skin, a wound in his heart that could never be erased.
"Is this truly the fate of the Cloud Clan? Centuries of legacy, destroyed in a single day - is this the will of Heaven?" Cloud Beguile's voice was hoarse and low, his fists clenched tightly, his nails digging into his flesh, blood trickling between his fingers, but he was oblivious to the pain, his heart consumed by endless hatred and despair.
The name "Purple Yang Immortal" was seared into his very soul, his sworn enemy. The icy visage, the mocking voice, the merciless acts of slaughter - they haunted his mind like a nightmare, torturing his senses, gnawing at his sanity.
"No! I cannot give up! I cannot let Father, Moonshade, and the others have died in vain! I must have my revenge! I will avenge the Cloud Clan, my father, Moonshade - blood for blood!" Cloud Beguile suddenly looked up, the despair in his eyes gradually replaced by a resolute gleam. This light came from the unyielding will deep within him, from his profound love for his family and beloved, and from the blood of the Cloud Clan that flowed through his veins.
Struggling to his feet, he looked around, searching for any glimmer of hope. But all he saw was devastation, the air thick with the stench of death and ruin.
Then, his gaze fell upon the direction of the rear mountain - the Cloud Clan's forbidden land, his last hope.
"The forbidden land!" A memory stirred in Cloud Beguile's mind, of an ancient legend passed down within the Cloud Clan.
It was said that deep within the forbidden land of the Cloudtop Immortal Abode, the Cloud Clan's greatest secret was hidden. Legend had it that the clan's ancestors had once obtained the legacy of an ancient divine artifact there, and this artifact was the very foundation that had allowed the Cloud Clan to stand tall in the immortal cultivation world for centuries.
However, the forbidden land was strictly off-limits to all but the clan's patriarchs. Any who dared to trespass would be swiftly executed without mercy. As a result, apart from the patriarchs, no one knew the secrets hidden within, or even the precise location of the forbidden land.
"Now that the Cloud Clan has been destroyed, what do I have left to lose? Even if there are dangers in the forbidden land, it's better than sitting idle and waiting for my demise!" Cloud Beguile's eyes gleamed with determination. He would venture into the forbidden land, for perhaps there he would find a glimmer of hope, a chance to take his vengeance.
With that resolve, Cloud Beguile did not hesitate further. Ignoring the pain in his body, he made his way towards the rear mountain. Each step was agony, but he gritted his teeth and pressed on, for he knew he had no choice but to move forward, no matter the cost.
...
The rear mountain of the Cloudtop Immortal Abode was perpetually shrouded in mist and fog, the terrain rugged and treacherous. Towering ancient trees blocked out the sun, their twisted vines and roots forming natural barriers that isolated the forbidden land from the outside world. Moreover, the area was protected by a complex array of restrictive formations, making it virtually impenetrable to ordinary mortals, and even cultivators could easily lose their lives if they were not careful.
But these obstacles were no match for Cloud Beguile.
Having grown up in the Cloudtop Immortal Abode, he knew its layout like the back of his hand, even familiar with its hidden corners. And as a talented cultivator, he was well-versed in restrictive formations, his innate connection to the Cloud Clan's bloodline granting him a natural affinity for the forbidden land's defenses. Thus, he easily navigated the dangers and soon reached a secluded valley.
Between two towering mountain peaks, a seemingly bottomless chasm yawned, as if split open by a gigantic sword. Above the gorge, roiling clouds and flashing lightning gave it the ominous air of a gateway to the underworld, instilling a sense of dread.
"This must be the forbidden land," Cloud Beguile murmured, his heart filled with awe and curiosity.
Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he leaped into the chasm.
...
In the gorge, howling winds and swirling mists made visibility extremely poor. Cloud Beguile could only rely on his senses as he plummeted downwards, his heart racing with trepidation and uncertainty about what awaited him.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally reached the bottom of the chasm.
Looking up, he saw the sky above obscured by the roiling clouds and lightning, casting the valley floor in an eerie half-light.
"Is this... the forbidden land?" Cloud Beguile gazed around, his mind filled with awe and wonder.
For below the chasm, a hidden realm lay concealed - a tranquil, secluded paradise, untouched by the raging winds and mists above.
In the center of the valley stood a massive circular altar, crafted of gleaming white jade, emanating a soft glow. Surrounding the altar were towering stone pillars, carved with an array of mystical images - fearsome demonic beasts and venerable immortal deities, lifelike and seemingly ready to come alive.
And at the center of the altar, a azure sword was planted.
This azure sword, some three feet in length, was inscribed with arcane symbols, faintly glowing with a azure light, as if alive and pulsing with energy. The hilt was carved in the form of a majestic azure dragon, its head held high, eyes wide open, exuding an aura of supreme dominance.
"The Azure Enigma Sword!"
Cloud Beguile recognized this azure blade as the Cloud Clan's ancestral treasure, the Azure Enigma Sword.