Cloud Emperor

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Cloud Emperor (云帝)
Alias(es)	Human Emperor; His Majesty
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Humanity; Yunzhou Imperial Court
Occupation/Role	Sovereign of Yunzhou; ruler above Yunzhou's Thirty-Six Feudal Kings
Status	Active
First Appearance	Appears at the Emperor's Grand Gathering in Cloud Palace 437

Background / History

The Cloud Emperor rules Yunzhou from Cloud Palace in Cloud Emperor City, with the Thirty-Six Feudal Kings and imperial ministers under his authority. His capital is protected by a powerful rune formation and imperial destiny; its aura places palpable pressure on those who enter. 435

He maintains historical knowledge preserved by the imperial line. After the Heavenly Ruins Realm expedition, he judged that the shadow encountered by Song Changming's group was likely Emperor Abyss's remnant soul, then revealed the concealed history of the two heavenly calamities: the primordial disaster caused by Outer Realm Strange Beasts and the later catastrophe tied to the Star Devouring Dragon. 548 549

The Cloud Emperor personally led Song Changming to the Bottomless Abyss, confirming that it is the Star Devouring Dragon's sealing ground. He later treated Song Changming for the dragon's lingering spiritual influence and gave him broad freedom to decide where and how he would act for humanity. 550 553

During humanity's war against the demon clans, he coordinated Leizhou's occupation and supported the wider project of reclaiming the Nine Provinces. Although he considered Song Changming a suitable Human Emperor, he accepted Song's repeated refusal of the Thunder Emperor position and backed Pei Xinyuan instead. 627 628

After Song Changming became the Martial Emperor, the Cloud Emperor proposed reducing the provincial emperors to provincial kings so that the Nine Provinces would have only one emperor. He had already secured the other provincial rulers' agreement before presenting the policy to Song Changming. 670

Appearance

The Cloud Emperor appears as a handsome, pale-skinned young man despite possessing a voice older than his appearance suggests. His refinement and restraint contrast with the overwhelming presence that makes him impossible to ignore. 437

• Wears a mysterious black imperial robe embroidered with the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, beasts, and birds. 437
• Wears an imperial crown set with twelve White-Pattern Emperor Pearls. 437
• Uses a jade belt and dragon boots as part of his formal regalia. 437
• Is consistently described as young-looking, elegant, and extraordinary in bearing. 437 483
• Carries an imperial aura that compels instinctive respect. 483

Personality

The Cloud Emperor is composed and restrained, even in crises that alarm other rulers. During the Leizhou war, he remained calm enough to continue playing chess while acknowledging that defeat could end humanity's prospects. 617

He governs pragmatically and with leniency. Following decades of disasters in Yunzhou, he declared that the Emperor's Feast would bring rewards for achievements but no punishments for failures in reconstruction. 437

He places great faith in Song Changming but does not attempt to control him. Rather than compel Song to remain in Yunzhou, become emperor, or accept political responsibility, he repeatedly respects Song's choices and asks only that he aid humanity when possible. 553 628

The Cloud Emperor is ambitious for humanity's revival and expansion, yet he also admits that he would seek immortality if presented with a genuine opportunity. 627 635

Abilities & Skills

Imperial Martial Prowess

The Cloud Emperor's precise cultivation realm is not disclosed. Song Changming cannot see through his strength, sensing only an overwhelming and mysterious spiritual aura unlike that of ordinary Martial Arts Grandmasters. 499 500

• Repelled the White Hairy Worm King's massive black hand with a golden palm, producing shockwaves that spread hundreds of li. 547
• Destroyed the Insect Cage surrounding Song Changming's battlefield in Yuanzhou. 610
• Fought alongside Song Changming against the Tiger Kings and slew Dai Carson, their strongest member. 610
• Severed Kannan Gray's claws with sword qi extending dozens of li. 611
• Considered Song Changming's abilities to be no weaker than his own by the Leizhou war. 617

Emperor Sword

The Cloud Emperor wields the Emperor Sword, a weapon capable of projecting immense sword qi.

• Its sword light pierced through Kannan Gray's mouth when the Tiger King attempted to bite and halt it. 610
• It continued toward Dai Carson after breaking free, forcing the Tiger King to respond with the thunder tiger divine projection. 610
• A single descending sword strike split a sea of lightning apart. 610

Imperial Authority and Perception

As Yunzhou's sovereign, the Cloud Emperor commands the Thirty-Six Feudal Kings, imperial officials, and an elite personal guard force composed of Martial Arts Grandmasters. 437

• Remained inside Cloud Palace while still observing the Cloud Battle outside the hall. 443
• Monitored the Heavenly Ruins Realm's closing from afar and summoned Hua Sichen immediately after his return. 547
• Mobilized humanity's great families, sects, academies, and independent fighters when the demon race launched its counteroffensive. 648

Crimson Cloud Saber Art

The Cloud Emperor created the first-grade Crimson Cloud Saber Art, later mastered by Song Changming. 407

Historical Knowledge

The Cloud Emperor possesses access to ancient imperial records and inherited secrets unavailable to the public.

• Identified Emperor Abyss's remnant soul from Song Changming's account. 548
• Explained the connection between the great fog, Outer Realm Strange Beasts, the Star Devouring Dragon, and humanity's historical decline. 548 549
• Produced and consulted ancient texts concerning the Primal Land, also called the Qiong Realm. 634
• Used burning incense to create shifting smoke-scrolls that illustrated the ancient calamities as he recounted them. 548 549

Equipment / Regalia

• Emperor Sword — Imperial sword used against the Tiger Kings. 610 611
• Imperial Crown — A golden crown set with twelve White-Pattern Emperor Pearls. 437
• Mysterious Black Imperial Robe — Formal robe embroidered with celestial bodies, landscapes, and living creatures. 437
• Ancient imperial tome — A preserved record containing references to the Primal Land and immortals. 634

Relationships

• Song Changming — Favored human powerhouse and trusted ally. The Cloud Emperor investigates Song's ancient inheritance, shares state secrets with him, fights beside him in Yuanzhou, and respects his refusal of imperial office. 443 548 553 610 628
• King Cui — One of Yunzhou's Thirty-Six Feudal Kings. King Cui represents Cuibai Way at the Emperor's Feast and brings Song Changming to compete on his behalf in the Cloud Battle. 435 437
• Miao Emperor — Fellow Human Emperor and chess partner. They discuss Leizhou's war and humanity's future together. 617 627
• Empress of Fengzhou — Fellow Human Emperor who participates with him and the Miao Emperor in deliberations on the Leizhou conflict. 617
• Hua Sichen — Grandmaster who reported the Heavenly Ruins Realm events to the Cloud Emperor and witnessed the discussion of Emperor Abyss's remnant soul. 547 548
• Emperor Abyss — Ancient predecessor whose sealing of the Star Devouring Dragon and suspected burial ground become central concerns for the Cloud Emperor. 548 550

Story Role / Major Arcs

Emperor's Feast and Cloud Battle

The Cloud Emperor hosts the Emperor's Feast in Cloud Palace, where Yunzhou's kings report on their fiefs and receive rewards. He established the Cloud Battle as a contest for younger talents raised by each king, generally matching competitors within the same cultivation realm. 435 437

He takes notice of Song Changming during the event and privately questions him about the Ancient Aura associated with his Witch Clan inheritance. 443

Heavenly Ruins Realm

When abnormal battle sounds emerge near the Heavenly Ruins Realm entrance, the Cloud Emperor arrives in person but cannot determine their source. He recognizes that the secret realm has become increasingly unfamiliar after a second entrance opened in the Land of Nine Nether. 506

After the expedition, he protects the returning Grandmasters from the White Hairy Worm King's attack and summons Song Changming to investigate the apparent remnant soul of Emperor Abyss. 547

Star Devouring Dragon Investigation

The Cloud Emperor reveals the truth behind humanity's decline and directs Song Changming to inspect the Star Devouring Dragon's seal in the Bottomless Abyss. 548 549 550

He later supports Song Changming without restricting his movements, asking him only to continue helping the human race. 553

Tiger Kings and the Leizhou War

The Cloud Emperor intervenes in Song Changming's battle against the Tiger Kings, breaks the Insect Cage, and kills Dai Carson with the Emperor Sword. 610

He subsequently directs the Second Reserve Army to support the occupation of Leizhou and regards its recapture as the first step in humanity's revival. 627

Human Revival and the Martial Emperor

During the demon race's later counterattack, he orders a full mobilization of humanity's forces, including major clans, sects, and independent demon hunters. 648

After Song Changming's victories establish human dominion over the Nine Provinces, the Cloud Emperor helps persuade him to accept the title of Martial Emperor while arranging for the Nine Provinces Council to manage ordinary governance. 666

Notable Quotes

“Over the past twenty-five years, Yunzhou has endured the Heavenly Fiend Swallowing Sun Savage Elephant, the invasion of the demon race, and the subsequent reconstruction of order. None of you have had it easy. Therefore, there shall be rewards today and no punishments.” 437

“Whether you wish to remain in Cuibai Way or Cloud Emperor City in the future, I will not restrict you. Do what you wish to do. Just help the Human race as much as you can in the future.” 553

Trivia

• Cloud Palace is golden despite Cloud Emperor City's overwhelmingly white architecture; its more than five thousand white-jade Heaven-Ascending Steps give it the appearance of standing among the clouds. 435
• Song Changming initially speculated that the Cloud Emperor might be in the Late Grandmaster Realm, at Grandmaster completion, or beyond, but could not determine the truth. 499 500
• He enjoys playing chess and defeated the Miao Emperor during their discussion of the Leizhou war. 617