The Collapse of Cloud Sect

Cloud Sect's main hall was filled with unease.

At the center sat Sect Master Huang Zhenhai, his expression grim. To his left and right, Elder Wei Qingfeng and Elder Song Bai sat in tense silence.

They had just received the report.

Three unknown cultivators had entered Cloud Sect without permission, effortlessly defeated Lin Shaoyang—Cloud Sect's strongest disciple—and walked inside as if they owned the place.

Not one of them had suffered a single injury.

Wei Qingfeng slammed his hand on the table. "This cannot be ignored! A disciple of our sect was humiliated at our own entrance. If we do nothing, how can we face our disciples?"

Huang Zhenhai's brows furrowed. "I have never heard of a sect with such strong experts. Three unknown cultivators, yet one of them took down Lin Shaoyang without even trying?"

Song Bai, the oldest of them, spoke slowly. "Strength alone does not determine a person's danger. The way they entered... without hesitation... as if they already knew no one could stop them. That confidence is unsettling."

Wei Qingfeng scoffed. "Confidence? Arrogance is what it is. No matter how strong they are, this is Cloud Sect. If we allow them to do as they please, we will lose our dignity!"

Huang Zhenhai exhaled sharply.

"Enough." He stood, his robes billowing. "We will confront them now. If they refuse to explain themselves—" His gaze turned cold. "—we will remove them from our sect. By force."

The three of them rose in unison, their Foundation Establishment auras surging.

The full might of Cloud Sect would be brought down upon these trespassers.

The main courtyard of Cloud Sect.

Disciples gathered in the distance, whispering anxiously as they watched the confrontation unfold. The once mighty Cloud Sect had never been in such a situation before.

At the center stood three figures.

Xu Tianran, his expression indifferent. Yue Lingxi, her presence like a sharp blade. Jin Wuhen, his arms crossed, exuding casual dominance.

A sudden gust of wind swept through the courtyard as Huang Zhenhai, Wei Qingfeng, and Song Bai arrived.

The first thing they saw—Lin Shaoyang kneeling in a daze, drenched in sweat, unable to even stand.

Their expressions darkened.

Wei Qingfeng's voice was sharp. "You dare to enter Cloud Sect and injure our disciples without reason?!"

Jin Wuhen scoffed. "Without reason? He was the one who tried to fight us."

"You—!"

Huang Zhenhai raised a hand, silencing Wei Qingfeng. His gaze locked onto Xu Tianran. Unlike the others, he remained composed.

"You entered our sect and humiliated our strongest disciple," he said. "Now, you stand here as if you belong. Tell me, who are you?"

Xu Tianran finally spoke, his voice calm and almost lazy. "Who I am is not important." His gaze swept over them. "What's important is that Cloud Sect is already crumbling."

The words struck like a hammer.

Wei Qingfeng's spiritual energy surged. "Presumptuous! Do you think three outsiders can decide the fate of our sect?!"

Xu Tianran didn't react. Instead, Yue Lingxi took a step forward.

For a brief second, the air froze.

Song Bai's breath hitched. A sense of death crawled up his spine.

Not a single wasted movement. Not a single fluctuation of energy.

Yet, in that instant, he knew—if she wanted to kill them, she could.

And she wouldn't even need to try.

This isn't arrogance. This is absolute confidence backed by ability.

Wei Qingfeng, previously fuming, hesitated.

Huang Zhenhai exhaled slowly. His mind raced. Fight? Negotiate? Submit?

He had to decide.

"We are not blind," he finally said. "Cloud Sect has fallen behind other sects. We are aware of this." His gaze sharpened. "But that does not mean we will bow to just anyone who walks into our home."

Xu Tianran's lips curled slightly. "I never asked you to bow."

Silence.

Jin Wuhen chuckled. "But you might want to consider it."

Wei Qingfeng's grip on his sword tightened. His instincts screamed not to fight.

Song Bai lowered his gaze. His wrinkled hands trembled slightly.

And then—Huang Zhenhai did something no one expected.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then—he lowered his head slightly.

Not a bow. Not submission.

But a sign that he acknowledged reality.

"…Tell me," he said, voice steady. "What do you intend to do in Cloud Sect?"

Xu Tianran's expression remained unreadable.

"I will change it."

Huang Zhenhai stared at him, searching for something in his gaze.

Finally, he turned to Wei Qingfeng and Song Bai.

A decision had been made.

"…From this moment forward, we will listen."

Cloud Sect was no longer Cloud Sect.

And Xu Tianran was now at its center.