The Wanderer of White Cloud City
The cultivation world was vast.
Countless kingdoms rose and fell like waves upon the sea. Powerful sects ruled mountain ranges stretching thousands of miles. Hidden clans guarded ancient secrets passed down for generations.
Above them all stood the Heavenly Ranking Board.
A mysterious artifact said to be created by the Heavenly Dao itself.
Every cultivator dreamed of seeing their name upon it. Every genius fought to climb higher.
And at the very top were two names.
Rank One: Li Tianyu — Crown Prince of the Azure Dragon Empire.
Rank Two: Unknown.
No one knew the identity of the second-ranked cultivator. Some believed he was an ancient monster in disguise. Others claimed he was the disciple of an immortal.
For three years, his name had remained hidden. No one had ever seen his true face.
White Cloud City was unusually lively that morning.
Merchants filled the streets. Cultivators from various sects gathered around market stalls. The aroma of roasted chestnuts drifted through the air.
Among the crowd walked a young man dressed in simple blue robes. His black hair was tied loosely behind his back. A plain sword hung from his waist.
Nothing about him appeared extraordinary. Yet every step he took carried an indescribable elegance.
This young man was Shen Yue. The mysterious cultivator ranked second on the Heavenly Ranking Board.
At least, that was one of his secrets.
The truth was even more shocking. He was the sole heir of the Hidden Moon Clan, one of the oldest clans in existence.
Unfortunately for his elders, Shen Yue had absolutely no interest in spending his life trapped inside clan walls.
Three months ago, he had escaped. Since then, he had been travelling across the continent disguised as an ordinary cultivator.
For the first time in his life, he was free. And he intended to enjoy every moment of it.
“Three skewers.”
Shen Yue smiled at an elderly vendor. The old man blinked.
“Young master, are you travelling alone?”
Shen Yue nodded. “Is that strange?”
The vendor laughed. “Not strange. Just dangerous.”
“Dangerous?”
“White Cloud Mountain opens tomorrow.”
The atmosphere around the stall immediately changed. Several cultivators nearby turned toward them.
White Cloud Mountain. One of the ancient secret realms.
Rumours claimed an immortal inheritance had appeared inside. Treasures. Techniques. Ancient weapons.
Everyone wanted a share.
Shen Yue’s eyes brightened.
An adventure. Exactly what he was looking for.
Far away. Thousands of miles away. Inside the Imperial Palace.
A young man dressed in black sat upon a balcony overlooking the capital city.
His appearance was breathtaking. Sharp features. Dark eyes. An aura of authority that made even powerful cultivators lower their heads.
This was Li Tianyu. The Crown Prince. Rank One on the Heavenly Ranking Board.
And the hidden master of the world’s most feared intelligence network — Shadow Pavilion.
At that moment, a shadow silently appeared behind him.
“Your Highness.”
Tianyu continued reading. “Report.”
“The unidentified cultivator has entered White Cloud City.”
