The Central Region, vast and abundant in resources, is renowned for its talented inhabitants and flourishing culture. Nestled at the heart of the Xuan Continent's five domains, it stands as a hub of power and intrigue.
Within this region lies the fearsome "Endless Mountain Range," a colossal chain of peaks that stretches across the land like a slumbering dragon. This mountainous expanse, rich with rare treasures, also serves as a haven for ferocious beasts.
Deep within a secluded valley of the Endless Mountain Range, two groups of humans now face off.
On one side stand five men, their expressions resolute. On the other, only two figures—a breathtakingly beautiful woman and a delicate girl of about nine years old.
"Lady Yin, you'd best come with us willingly," the middle-aged man leading the group said with feigned patience.
"I will never go with you. If you wish to take me, it will only be my lifeless body you carry away," Lady Yin responded, her voice filled with bitter resolve despite the sorrow in her eyes.
"Your husband has already abandoned you. Why do you insist on fighting? My lord, the esteemed leader of the high-ranking Firecloud Sect, favors you. Such an honor should not be taken lightly," the man persisted, his tone softening as though coaxing a stubborn child.
"And think of your precious daughter. What will become of her if you perish?" he added, his words tinged with veiled menace.
Frustration churned in the man's heart. The woman before him was no ordinary prize—she was the object of his master's obsession, possibly destined to become the sect leader's wife. He dared not offend her, yet her defiance left him at a loss.
Lady Yin tightened her hold on her daughter, her expression growing even more desolate. Her thoughts drifted to her past. Once the wife of the sect leader of the modest Biqing Sect, she had led a tranquil life. Though her husband bore an incurable ailment that rendered their marriage loveless, the adoption of her daughter, Yin Yue, had brought her a semblance of peace.
But all of that was shattered when the Firecloud Sect's leader set his sights on her. The mere whim of a high-ranking sect could annihilate a lower-ranking one with ease. Faced with threats, her husband had abandoned her without hesitation.
With no refuge left, she had fled with her daughter, only to be hunted down in the end.
Despair gripped her heart as she clung to her child. If only it were just me. Death would be a release.
For the sake of her daughter, however, she forced herself to make a painful decision. She lifted her head, her once vibrant eyes now dull. "I will—"
Before she could finish, her gaze froze, her lips parting slightly in astonishment as she stared ahead. Her reaction was so stunning that even in despair, she exuded an ethereal beauty, enough to captivate any soul.
The five men, relieved at her apparent surrender, followed her gaze and were similarly taken aback.
White Cloud had just arrived. The teleportation array's sudden activation had caught him off guard. Darkness momentarily enveloped him before light flooded his vision again. As his feet touched solid ground, the sounds of the confrontation reached his ears. Alarmed, he scanned his surroundings.
"What's going on here?" he muttered to himself, taking in the scene before him.
Is this some kind of "hero saves the damsel" trope? A stroke of protagonist luck? Or something orchestrated by the Cosmic Evolution System? Either way, there's no way this is a coincidence.
"You there! Who are you, and what is your purpose here?" barked the leader of the five men, his spiritual sense sweeping over White Cloud. Discovering that he was merely a mid-tier Mystic Master, the man's tension eased, though his tone remained hostile.
White Cloud calmly pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and smiled. "Who I am doesn't matter. But I won't let you harm that woman or her daughter."
His nonchalance caught everyone off guard. Even the elegant Lady Yin and her daughter looked at him in disbelief.
"Foolish! Do you even understand what you're meddling in? This is a matter of the Firecloud Sect. If you value your life, leave now. Otherwise, you'll die a meaningless death," the leader sneered.
Lady Yin's heart briefly lifted at the sight of a potential savior, only to sink again upon realizing his level of strength.
"Kind sir, I appreciate your intentions, but you should leave. This is not your fight," she said softly, her voice tinged with sadness.
White Cloud chuckled inwardly. Ah, the classic setup—playing the underdog before turning the tables. Just my style.
"Well, since you insist, I suppose I'll—"
Before finishing his sentence, he crushed a speed talisman and activated Thunderstep. In an instant, he vanished from his spot.
Lightning crackled as he reappeared amidst the five men. His fists, charged with thunderous energy, struck with devastating speed. Two of the men fell lifelessly to the ground before the others could react.
Within moments, only the leader remained, his companions defeated by White Cloud's blistering speed and overwhelming strength.
The leader, a low-tier Mystic King, was a far tougher opponent. Fire surged around him as he engaged White Cloud, their clash setting the nearby trees ablaze and filling the air with acrid smoke.
Despite his superior cultivation level, the Mystic King found himself on the defensive, his every move suppressed by White Cloud's relentless attacks.
I should invest in some advanced combat techniques, White Cloud mused, even as his fists drove the Mystic King into retreat.
When his opponent attempted to take to the skies, White Cloud leapt after him with a burst of lightning-infused energy. His thunderous strike sent the man hurtling back to the ground, ending the battle in a cloud of dust and ash.
Lighting another cigarette, White Cloud dusted off his hands. "All done."
Lady Yin, who had watched the entire battle in stunned silence, clutched her daughter tightly. Both gazed at White Cloud with awe, the young girl's eyes sparkling with admiration.
White Cloud turned his attention to the pair, a slow grin spreading across his face. A beautiful widow and her adorable daughter? Looks like my luck is changing.
"Thank you for saving us, noble hero. May I ask your name?" Lady Yin's voice, soft and enchanting, drew his focus.
White Cloud's heart skipped a beat, though he maintained his composure. "Call me White Cloud. And you?"
"I am Yin Mei, and this is my daughter, Yin Yue," she replied, her tone tinged with gratitude and warmth.
White Cloud nodded absently, his thoughts already wandering. A lonely mother and daughter… clearly fated to follow me. Love will blossom, and before long, they'll be mine. Such a perfect life—too perfect. Will I be struck by lightning for this?