The swirling vortex of clouds spun relentlessly, generating a bizarre suction force.
All the clouds in the skies above the Congyun Sea were slowly drawn into it, merging with the growing maelstrom.
Its scale expanded until it eclipsed the entire horizon, so colossal that it stole any observer’s breath.
At the center of the vortex, the blue flashes of light quickened in rhythm.
Finally, when everything reached a critical point, a brilliant blue light erupted from the vortex’s heart.
It formed a ring of blue radiance that expanded outward from the center, spreading with shocking speed.
One moment, it was contained within the swirling clouds; in the blink of an eye, it swept over every cultivator present.
Before shock could register on their faces, those touched by the blue light faded like illusions, vanishing one by one.
The light continued its outward rush.
If one stood at a vantage point ten thousand meters above, one could have seen the blue ring expand from the central region of the Congyun Sea to its entirety in an instant.
It didn’t stop until it reached the farthest edges of the sea.
Then, it contracted.
The light rushed inward several times faster than it had expanded, collapsing back to its point of origin.
The blue light intensified to an almost blinding brilliance, while the thunderstorm within the vortex ceased.
The layered clouds, kilometers thick and stretching for thousands of li, seemed to be squeezed and kneaded by an invisible giant hand.
At the same time, across the Congyun Sea below, countless specks of blue light emerged from the sea’s surface. They floated upward, gathering and converging, then raced toward the clouds above.
Gradually, the thick, moving cloud layers began taking the forms of vast, interconnected structures.
Then, as the drifting blue motes of moisture-rich light settled upon them, the clouds slowly turned a translucent blue.
The phenomenon continued for a full quarter-hour.
In the end, a massive, blue celestial palace woven from clouds and water appeared above the Congyun Sea. It seemed to exist in a state between reality and illusion.
Sealed away for millennia, the Cloudwater Palace had returned to the world.
***
“The situation on the frontlines is dire. Every major sect has suffered heavy losses. As the leading sect of the Congyun Sea, my Cloudwater Palace has been hit especially hard.
“Who knows how many of my brothers and masters have already fallen on the battlefield.
“Before the sect leader left, he entrusted me with recruiting new disciples. I cannot fail in this duty.
“Fortunately, this trip is shaping up to be a fruitful one.”
Li Fan gradually regained consciousness and looked around.
He was on a plaza, where over a hundred cultivators lay scattered haphazardly where they had fallen.
Every one of them now wore blue and white robes, faintly embroidered with the word “Cloudwater.”
At the front of the crowd stood a tall, straight-backed man in white muttering to himself.
He looked strikingly handsome, with sharp eyebrows and piercing eyes, yet a hint of irreverence lingered in his expression.
Seeing the scene before him and recalling what he had learned in his previous life, Li Fan knew he had successfully entered Cloudwater Palace.
For now, it was best to wait quietly for the “story” to begin and not act rashly. Thus, he suppressed his aura and remained still.
Slowly, the other cultivators in the square began to wake up.
As they took in their surroundings, a few grew visibly agitated.
“What’s going on? Where is this? Weren't we just outside those layers of swirling clouds?"
"And what's with these clothes we're wearing?"
Their eyes fell upon the solitary figure in white robes ahead, whose appearance starkly contrasted with their own.
Someone immediately called out, "Hey! You there, the one in white! Did you bring us here? Who are you? What's your purpose?"
The man in white seemed to snap out of his conversation with himself.
He looked at the assembled cultivators, a pleased smile spreading across his face. "Ah, excellent! You're finally awake. Now, quiet down. I need to explain some important rules—"
He was interrupted by an impatient voice.
"Enough nonsense! Just tell us where we are!"
A faint smile touched the corners of the white-robed man's mouth, and he shook his head slowly. "This new batch doesn't seem very obedient."
He didn't appear to move, simply casting a glance.
There was a flash of blue light, and the head of the person who had spoken tumbled to the ground.
The plaza fell deathly silent.
Among the cultivators present, some wore expressions of sheer terror, while others looked on with dawning comprehension.
Satisfied by the newfound quiet, the man in white spoke again, his tone unhurried. "My name is Qin Tang. I am the Chief of the Technique Transmission Pavilion of Cloudwater Palace. You will address me as Senior Brother Qin.
"You are all outer disciples I recruited during my recent travels. In the coming months, if you can pass my series of trials, you will be formally inducted into our Cloudwater Palace.
"Naturally, there are a few points you must remember above all else.
"First, you will show me the necessary level of respect. You will do exactly as I say. The consequences of defiance... well, you've just witnessed them."
"Second..."
Qin Tang continued his lengthy speech.
The cultivators below maintained an outward silence. But privately, frantic exchanges buzzed between them via divine sense.
"Does any Fellow Daoist understand what's happening?"
"It's an Oddity! This Cloudwater Palace must be the ruins of a sect, and it’s now filled with Oddities."
"Is that Qin Tang even real? Or is he something else?"
"He's definitely not alive! Can't you sense that he has no aura at all?"
"Everyone, stay calm. Oddities operate by their own rules. If we just do what this Qin Tang says, we should be safe for now."
***
Li Fan discreetly glanced toward Sikong Yi and Baili Chen.
Their expressions remained perfectly normal, as if they had anticipated encountering Oddities all along.
Or perhaps, even when faced with Oddities, these two already had a plan?
Li Fan's gaze returned to the white-robed figure of Qin Tang.
Based on the experiences of those who had explored Cloudwater Palace in his previous life, this Qin Tang was the first test one faced upon entering the palace.
He was not a living person, but an existence akin to an Oddity itself.
His words were the rules of the Oddity. To survive, one had to obey.
Only by passing his trials could one earn the right to explore the various parts of Cloudwater Palace.
***
Qin Tang finally finished speaking.
He clapped his hands together. "It's getting late. I'll take you to your quarters to rest. The trials will begin first thing tomorrow morning.
"Follow me."
With that, he turned and walked toward the edge of the plaza.
The vast majority of cultivators, including Sikong Yi and Baili Chen, obediently followed the white-robed Qin Tang.
Li Fan kept close to the group.
Only a handful of individuals chose not to follow. Instead, after exchanging glances, they sped off in the opposite direction, attempting to flee.
Qin Tang seemed completely unaware of their actions, showing no reaction whatsoever.
As these cultivators raced away, they failed to notice the faint blue light seeping from their bodies, which grew more pronounced the farther they moved from Qin Tang.
Eventually, after covering some distance, all of them withered into desiccated corpses, crashing heavily to the ground.