"Brother Cloud, what's wrong? Is my son not good enough?" asked Patriarch Song.
"So it's Patriarch Song. You may not know, but my daughter has already formed a relationship with someone else. As her father, how could I break them apart?" said Patriarch Cloud.
Patriarch Song secretly grumbled, "Damn it, this guy must have received some news and changed his mind at the last minute."
Patriarch Cloud cursed inwardly, "You people knew about my daughter's situation and didn't say a word."
"Is Patriarch Cloud really not going to change his mind?" asked Patriarch Song.
Patriarch Cloud nodded, "That's right, it's settled. I hope Patriarch Song can join us for my daughter's wedding tomorrow."
"Patriarch Cloud, you'd rather marry your daughter to an outsider than consider my feelings? We'll see," said Patriarch Song.
Patriarch Song stormed off in anger. After watching him leave, Patriarch Cloud headed for his study, opened a drawer, and took out a letter and a small sword-shaped jade pendant. Looking at them, he muttered, "Girl, I hope your identity isn't exposed. Otherwise, I really don't know how to fend off those greedy people."
Miss Cloud, whose original name was Tina Cloud, was brought back by Patriarch Cloud years ago. When he found her, she had those two items with her, and he knew this day would come. Now, all he can do is brace himself and act as if nothing has happened, determined not to yield no matter what.
Evan Yang was resting in his room when someone suddenly delivered a message, asking him to meet Patriarch Cloud.
"Strange, why is Patriarch Cloud looking for me?" Evan Yang wondered, confused about why the patriarch wanted to see him. Was it to interrogate him alone? Thinking of this, Evan could only brace himself for whatever came.
When Evan Yang was brought to Patriarch Cloud's study, the patriarch let him sit down. After the door closed, Patriarch Cloud spoke, "The Cloud Family has existed for many generations. I am Lynton Cloud, the 120th-generation patriarch. My daughter Tina Cloud is about to become your wife."
Evan Yang was puzzled—why was Patriarch Cloud introducing himself so formally?
Seeing Evan Yang's confused expression, Lynton Cloud asked, "Your name is Evan Yang, right? Where are you from? If you trust me, just tell me."
"Honestly, I'm afraid you wouldn't believe me even if I told you," Evan Yang replied.
"Don't hide anything. Although everyone thinks you're from Cloud's End, I know you're not. You're from outside, aren't you?" Lynton Cloud suddenly said something that shocked Evan Yang.
"How did Patriarch Cloud know?" Evan Yang asked in surprise.
Lynton Cloud took out a talisman—a pale-green stone. He brought it close to Evan Yang, and the stone turned white. "What's this?" Evan Yang looked puzzled.
"It's a treasure I acquired years ago. Its main function is to distinguish whether someone is from Cloud's End. It doesn't do much else, so I just kept it as a collectible. I never expected to actually meet someone who isn't from Cloud's End," said Lynton Cloud.
"Since Patriarch Cloud already knows, why haven't you captured me?" Evan Yang asked curiously.
"Capture you? Why? Just because you're not from Cloud's End?" Lynton Cloud laughed.
"So, Patriarch Cloud, you didn't call me here just to single out my identity, did you?" Evan Yang asked.
"That's right. I called you here because I need your help. But with your current strength, how did you get into Cloud's End?" Lynton Cloud asked curiously.
"Well, it's like this... Mainly because something happened to my awareness, causing my strength to regress. I came here to strengthen my consciousness," Evan Yang explained.
"So that's it. Then you've really come to the right place. If you can reach Cloud's End Palace and have enough strength, you can return to your former peak," Lynton Cloud replied. "Oh? Cloud's End Palace? Restore? How does it restore you?" Evan Yang asked curiously.
"Cloud's End Palace has a Challenge Tower. Clear a floor and you'll get something called a Willstone. Absorb it and your strength recovers a bit, then you move to the next floor and get more rewards. The difficulty increases with each level. The lowest floor is Earth-Immortal, and only those below Earth-Immortal can start there. You're perfectly suited. Others have to start from higher floors," explained Lynton Cloud.
"So that's how it works. Thank you, Patriarch Cloud," Evan Yang exclaimed, surprised to hear Cloud's End had such a place. If he could get those Willstones, he could recover his power—exactly what he hoped for.
"No need to thank me. Once you recover your strength, I hope you can help me with something," Lynton Cloud replied.
"Since Patriarch Cloud told me all this, of course I'll help. What do you need me to do?" Evan Yang asked.
"It's a big favor. Take a look at these two things first, then decide," Lynton Cloud said after thinking for a moment. He handed Evan Yang a letter and a small sword.
After reading the letter, Evan Yang frowned, then looked shocked. It turned out Tina Cloud was not Patriarch Cloud's biological daughter. According to the letter, Tina actually came from Cloud's End Palace—though it didn't specify her exact identity. She was abandoned because she possessed a threatening aura called 'Cloud.' If that aura grew stronger, it could bring disaster to everyone. That's why she was supposed to avoid cultivation; as long as she didn't get stronger, nothing would happen.
"Finished reading?" Lynton Cloud asked.
"Yes. Your daughter—or rather, someone from Cloud's End Palace—was abandoned because she has some strange power inside her, this 'Cloud.' What exactly is it?" Evan Yang asked curiously.
"Cloud is considered a demon in Cloud's End. When it grows strong enough, it can reverse-control its host, causing them to lose awareness. That's the terror of 'Cloud.' So most people just hope she'll self-destruct. I even tried to keep her from cultivating, but her comprehension is remarkable—she improves quickly regardless," explained Lynton Cloud.
"Are you afraid she'll be controlled by the Cloud?" Evan Yang asked, surprised.
"That's part of it. The other reason is, I suspect someone has discovered her secret. People have started paying close attention to the Cloud Family, and another clan keeps trying to marry her. From my investigation, it seems they already know her origin and are trying to take her away. So, without hesitation, I arranged for you to marry my daughter," said Lynton Cloud.
Evan Yang still felt it was strange—why did Lynton Cloud arrange for him to marry Tina without asking anything? Now, after hearing this explanation, he finally understood. "I see. So, Patriarch Cloud, what's your plan?" Evan Yang returned the items and asked.
"After the wedding tomorrow, you'll go to Cloud's End Palace. If you can restore your strength, great. If not, I'll have you take Tina Cloud and leave," Lynton Cloud said after thinking for a moment.
Take Tina Cloud away? That gave Evan Yang a headache. But for now, all he could do was focus on regaining his strength and resolving this situation—as repayment for Patriarch Cloud telling him how to restore his awareness.
"Patriarch Cloud, as long as outsiders see the wedding, that's enough. Privately, I'll leave after it's done," Evan Yang said. "Alright, I'll give you the address for Cloud's End Palace now. I hope you can recover your strength and return," Lynton Cloud replied.
Evan Yang nodded, then received Lynton Cloud's instructions and returned to his own quarters as arranged. He muttered to himself, "I didn't expect the Cloud Family to have all this going on. But I'm just a passerby—once I recover, I'll leave. Those damned Immortal Lords, just wait."
Everything he's experiencing now was caused by those Immortal Lords. Evan Yang only hoped he could recover quickly.
Just as Evan Yang was lost in thought, a voice sounded outside, "Yang, I'm coming in." With that, the person pushed the door open and entered.
"Just barging in like that? No greeting?" Evan Yang complained. "Didn't I just greet you? Are you deaf?" Tina Cloud retorted.
"Fine, I'm not arguing with you. What do you want?" Evan Yang asked.
"What else? Tell me, what did my dad want you for just now?" Tina Cloud asked.
"Your dad? He wanted to discuss how I'm marrying you tomorrow, and how to consummate the marriage and all that," Evan Yang teased.
"Do you believe I'll cut your tongue out?" Tina Cloud threatened.
"I believe you," Evan Yang replied.
"Then why aren't you talking?" Tina Cloud demanded.
"I already told you. What else do you want me to say?" Evan Yang replied helplessly.
"You! But don't take it seriously. If you dare touch me tomorrow, I'll cripple you," Tina Cloud said, then turned and left.
"Fine, I won't touch you. Can you leave now?" Evan Yang said. Tina Cloud snorted, then turned and left. As she walked outside, she muttered, "This is obviously my house—why do I have to listen to him? I'm going crazy."
Meanwhile, at the Song Family, Patriarch Song was discussing tomorrow's plans with several people.
"Remember what I told you about tomorrow? I'll have someone drug the guests. When chaos breaks out, you must grab Miss Cloud and get her out of the Cloud Family as fast as possible," said Patriarch Song.
"But isn't her fiancé with her?" someone asked. "What are you afraid of? That kid's a weakling—not even Earth-Immortal. Nothing to worry about," Patriarch Song replied.
Hearing Patriarch Song's words, the group nodded and began preparing for tomorrow's operation.
At the Cloud Family, Lynton Cloud also knew that something big was bound to happen tomorrow, so he arranged for personal guards to ensure the safety of both Tina Cloud and Evan Yang.
Evan Yang also knew tomorrow wouldn't be easy, so he immediately created a clone and hid his true self. That way, as long as he stayed in the Cloud Family, he could achieve unexpected results.
The wedding banquet was like preparations for war. Both the Cloud Family and the Song Family were taking action—and others were making moves in secret as well.