Chapter 5: Shadows in the Azure Clouds
Chapter 5: Shadows in the Azure Clouds
The wind howled through the night as Shen Ziyan stood atop a jagged cliff, his black robes rippling against the moonlight. Beneath him stretched a vast expanse of mountains—the territory of the Azure Cloud Sect, the strongest force in the region.
But soon, even they would kneel.
---
[System Update: Clone Progress]
200,000 Combat Clones – Qi Condensation (5th Layer) – 90%
100,000 Spy Clones – Qi Condensation (4th Layer) – 100% (Infiltration Phase)
1,200,000 Cultivation Clones – Qi Condensation (6th Layer) – 60%
Host Cultivation: Qi Condensation (7th Layer – 45%)
---
His growth was relentless—unstoppable. Every breath his clones took pushed him closer to Foundation Establishment, a realm most cultivators could only dream of.
And now, his spies had infiltrated the Azure Cloud Sect. Information poured in like a raging river.
"System," Shen Ziyan commanded, his eyes gleaming coldly. "Show me the sect's power structure."
A glowing projection unfolded before him.
---
Azure Cloud Sect Power Structure:
1. Sect Master – Bai Xu (Foundation Establishment – Peak)
2. Grand Elders (3) (Foundation Establishment – Mid)
3. Core Disciples
Lan Yue (Qi Condensation – 9th Layer)
Mo Tian (Qi Condensation – 8th Layer)
---
"Lan Yue…" Shen Ziyan's lips curled into a smirk. His spies had revealed her icy beauty and terrifying sword techniques. A prodigy feared by all.
But to him—she was simply a target.
---
Azure Cloud Sect – Inner Training Grounds
Lan Yue stood at the heart of the sect's training field, surrounded by trembling disciples. Her silver-blue hair fell in a smooth cascade, but her blade gleamed with a cold, deadly light.
"Useless," she muttered, sheathing her sword. "If a true threat arrives, you'll all die within seconds."
A disciple fell to his knees, panting. "Senior Sister Lan, w-we heard rumors… of the one who destroyed the Black Serpent Sect."
Her eyes narrowed. "The one with a clone technique?"
The rumors had reached even the sect's highest levels. If someone like that existed, he could disrupt the entire region's balance of power.
---
Meanwhile – Shen Ziyan's Hidden Lair
Shen Ziyan closed his eyes, connecting with his spy clones inside the Azure Cloud Sect. Every conversation, every secret—it all belonged to him.
And now, it was time to test his new power.
"System," he ordered. "Activate Combat Clone Assault. Target: Azure Cloud Sect's Outer Region."
---
The Night Attack
The Azure Cloud Sect's outer region trembled beneath the moonlight as 10,000 Combat Clones surged forward—each one brimming with killing intent.
The night guards barely had time to react before the first wave struck.
BOOM!
Explosions ripped through the air as the clones tore through defenses. Disciples scattered, crying out in panic as the seemingly endless army flooded in.
Within minutes, the sect's outer disciples lay in ruins—every building reduced to ash.
From the inner hall, Lan Yue's senses sharpened. Her body flashed as she arrived at the battlefield. Her eyes widened as she saw thousands of identical figures cutting down her fellow disciples.
"Impossible…" she whispered. "So many?"
Her sword flashed, cutting through dozens of clones—but more surged forward, unrelenting.
---
Shen Ziyan's Arrival
Far above the chaos, Shen Ziyan appeared in a ripple of shadow, his cold gaze sweeping over the battlefield.
A hundred thousand lives—gone at his command.
This… is true power.
Lan Yue turned, sensing his arrival. Her sword pointed directly at him. "You—are you the one responsible for this?"
Shen Ziyan smiled faintly. "Your sect's arrogance ends tonight."
She scoffed. "A mere Qi Condensation cultivator thinks he can challenge the Azure Cloud Sect?"
"Mere?" His eyes flashed dangerously. "Let me show you what 'mere' truly means."
He raised his hand.
---
[System Command: 50,000 Combat Clones – Focus Attack.]
---
A tidal wave of clones surged toward Lan Yue. Her sword danced like lightning, cutting down dozens at a time—but for every clone she destroyed, hundreds more took their place.
Her breath quickened. This… this is madness!
---
Clone Synchronization
As the battle raged, Shen Ziyan's power surged. The system buzzed in his mind:
---
[Clone Synchronization Complete.]
Host Cultivation: Qi Condensation (8th Layer – 5%)
---
A new layer of power coursed through him. His control over his army grew sharper—more refined.
Lan Yue staggered, her spiritual energy drained. She knew she couldn't hold out much longer.
"Enough," she hissed, raising her hand. "Frost Lotus Bloom!"
A chilling wave of blue energy erupted from her sword, freezing hundreds of clones in an instant.
But Shen Ziyan only laughed softly.
"I admire your strength," he said. "But it's useless before me."
He vanished in a blur, reappearing behind her. Before she could react, his palm struck her Dantian—sealing her spiritual energy.
Her sword clattered to the ground.
"You… What do you want?" she gasped.
He leaned closer, his voice low and cold.
"Your sect… your power… it all belongs to me now."
---
End of Chapter 5.