Flowing Cloud Matriarch

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

The Flowing Cloud Sect has a tradition of female leadership: its former sect leaders are all depicted as women. As its current leader, Flowing Cloud Matriarch accepts Jiang Liu as the sect’s unusual male True Inheritor Disciple and takes an immediate interest in his cultivation after he merges the Flowing Cloud Art with the Star Moon Sect’s art. 272 273

Before meeting Jiang Liu, she considered herself an exceptional cultivation talent, having reached Peak Grandmaster after only several decades of cultivation and subsequently inherited the sect leadership. Her prolonged inability to enter the Saint Realm contrasts sharply with Jiang Liu’s rapid advancement, sometimes leaving her discouraged despite her happiness at his achievements. 635

After Jiang Liu reveals the correct Saint Realm advancement sequence—physical tempering, spiritual strengthening, then Primal Qi accumulation—she recognizes that prior cultivation understanding was flawed. She studies the Soul Arts he provides, then begins tempering her body through the Star Cloud Saint Art after Jiang Liu guides Star Power into her Primal Qi circulation. 394 395 401

She subsequently organizes joint cultivation with the True Inheritor Disciples after discovering that their combined efforts draw down more Star Power than individual cultivation. She also watches the disciples’ progress closely, regarding her eldest disciple Yue Yue as a dependable future successor. 404 407

Her longstanding rivalry with Star Moon Sect leader Gongsun Haoyue shapes much of her political thinking. She investigates the historical connection between their sects, finding clues that they may once have been the unified Star Cloud Saint Sect. Although she supports closer cooperation and marriage alliances, she initially hopes to advance first and have the Flowing Cloud Sect annex the Star Moon Sect instead of merging as equals. 417

During the conflict with the Great Qian Imperial Family, she directs the Flowing Cloud Sect’s Grandmasters, participates in the Imperial City campaign, and helps oversee the postwar restoration of Tian Province. She later works with Gongsun Haoyue to manage the two sects’ shared rule and integration. 528 548 550 556

During the Imperial City battle, she withstands Duanmu Haotian’s final attack, although it leaves her haggard and her aura unstable. After Jiang Liu is gravely injured by the Five-Colored Light, she accompanies Gongsun Haoyue to the Star Moon Sect’s residence and helps position him for treatment using Gongsun Haoyue’s special constitution. 544 546

When provincial inspections and interference by elders deepen the rift between the two sects, she explains the situation to Jiang Liu and announces that she and Gongsun Haoyue intend to promote an alliance. Following Jiang Liu’s wedding, she participates in the merger discussions and agrees to establish the Star Cloud Saint Sect, temporarily relocate to the former Haotian Sect’s mountain range, and construct a permanent residence near Qian City. 617 638

When Peak Grandmasters vanish near the Abyssal Canyon, she personally investigates despite the danger. After sensing concealed black mist, extreme cold, and malevolence within the canyon, she prohibits others from approaching and chooses to await Jiang Liu’s return rather than risk her subordinates. 784

After returning from the canyon, she searches the Pavilion of Books and discovers an ancient text whose contents shock her. She later helps Jiang Liu locate a tome recording the Nether clan’s history. 784 826

Following Gongsun Haoyue’s Saint Realm advancement, Flowing Cloud Matriarch asks Jiang Liu to help her advance as well. Their Joyous Meditation cultivation develops into a romantic relationship, which Gongsun Haoyue discreetly conceals while Flowing Cloud Matriarch continues preparing for her breakthrough. 875 876

She eventually advances to the Saint Realm within the Yang Ring, enduring torn meridians, blood loss, and lightning tribulation while Jiang Liu blocks Heavenly Dao’s interference. Much later, she and Gongsun Haoyue successfully enter the God Realm with Jiang Liu’s assistance. 907 908 2107

Immediately after her Saint Realm breakthrough, she helps awaken the injured Gongsun Haoyue by circulating the Star Cloud Saint Art, prompting the corresponding energy within Gongsun Haoyue to respond. When Gongsun Haoyue awakens with a chaotic aura, Jiang Liu moves Flowing Cloud Matriarch to safety and discovers a trace of Heavenly Dao consciousness within that energy. 909

She later helps defend against attacks on the Human Realm. After Jiang Liu subdues the Saint Realm attackers targeting the Heaven-Veiling Grand Formation, she cripples the invading black-clad Grandmasters. During the Devil Race invasion, she fights alongside Han Qi and Han Bing against Elder Xing’s forces and presses the attack with Han Bing when Elder Xing attempts to retreat through the Void Rift. 984 1082

While investigating a demonic-qi-filled region with Gongsun Haoyue, Han Yi, and Han Yue, she becomes trapped beneath a cliff. Han Yi and Han Yue help the others resist the demonic qi, but Flowing Cloud Matriarch fears she will not survive until Jiang Liu returns. He ultimately breaks through the formation and purges the demonic qi from her and Gongsun Haoyue with the Saintly Sky Art. 1294

Following her God Realm breakthrough, she initially struggles to stabilize and control her thunder Primal Qi. The Star Cloud Saint Art reaches its limit for her at the God Realm, leading Jiang Liu to provide her with a lightning-attribute God Grade cultivation manual and transmit his cultivation experience through divine consciousness. 2112 2121 2122

Although Divine Essence ensures that her breakthrough succeeds, it does not complete the necessary foundational consolidation. She must stabilize her Primal Qi and thoroughly temper her soul; her divine soul is weaker than Gongsun Haoyue’s, contributing to her greater difficulty controlling her newly advanced power. 2111 2112

After the Star Cloud Saint Sect relocates into the Chaos Space, Gongsun Haoyue continues entrusting most sect affairs to Flowing Cloud Matriarch. 2218

She later joins the women welcoming Jiang Liu back to Winter Rest Palace after his Lord God Realm advancement and questions him about the breakthrough. 2957

Appearance

Flowing Cloud Matriarch is described as an extremely beautiful woman who places considerable importance on maintaining her appearance. Her cultivation manifests a bright-white, thundercloud-like aura associated with her lightning Primal Qi affinity. 401 876 2107

• Takes great care of her appearance and reacts with embarrassment when body-tempering purges impurities. 401
• Often appears radiant after successful cultivation progress. 402 876
• Appears in a palace-style gauze dress, with an ethereal bearing contrasted by a cold, stern expression when addressing serious affairs. 756
• Her God Realm aura carries the appearance of a faint, bright-white thundercloud. 2107

Personality

Flowing Cloud Matriarch is ambitious, calculating, and intensely competitive. Her rivalry with Gongsun Haoyue has lasted for more than a century, driving both her desire to surpass her counterpart and her early plan to place the Flowing Cloud Sect above the Star Moon Sect. 417 875

Despite her political ambition, she is a responsible and protective leader. She advises Jiang Liu not to travel alone while Lu Tianheng remains a threat, investigates possible Bloodfiend Sect infiltration, and prioritizes Xing Qiong’s safety during the Abyssal Canyon investigation. 393 471 784

Her concern extends to other disciples: when Tang Wanyu and Chen Xiaoyun leave the sect while Lu Tianheng is hunting Grandmasters, she orders martial law throughout Qian Province to locate them and instruct them to return. She also recognizes when direct action would endanger Jiang Liu, refusing to risk capture by attackers who could use her as leverage against him. 424 981

She is highly determined in cultivation and accepts severe pain and danger in pursuit of higher realms. This resolve can become impatience; Jiang Liu considers her Saint Realm attempt riskier than Gongsun Haoyue’s because her accumulation is less complete. 401 906 907

Her stern public image is balanced by vanity, dry humor, and a teasing streak—particularly when provoking Gongsun Haoyue about marriage to Jiang Liu. Her feelings for Jiang Liu eventually shift from respect and reliance to open romantic attachment. 401 556 876

Despite their relationship, she retains a reserved and complicated attitude toward Jiang Liu due to their former sect leader-disciple relationship. She remains intensely focused on cultivation and is the first among the women to question him about his Lord God Realm advancement. 2957

She does not ordinarily address Jiang Liu openly as “Husband,” reserving the term for private intimacy. Jiang Liu and the other women understand this remaining reserve and refrain from teasing her about it. Her formidable strength also discourages the others from provoking her; even Gongsun Haoyue can only fight her to a draw. 2957

Abilities & Skills

Star Cloud Saint Art

Flowing Cloud Matriarch cultivates the Star Cloud Saint Art, using its Star Power to temper her body and build the foundation required for higher-realm advancement.

• Began body tempering after Jiang Liu guided Star Power into her Primal Qi storm. 401
• Endured the pain of Star Power strengthening without retreating. 401 402
• Participates in joint cultivation that draws down more Star Power than solitary practice, with each participant’s share determined by their individual pulling force. 407
• Uses Star Power to repair Jiang Liu’s ruptured blood vessels after a cultivation mishap, while helping stimulate the regeneration of his blood and qi. 472
• Uses the art to absorb and circulate vast amounts of Primal Qi while cultivating in the Yang Ring and Heaven-Veiling Grand Formation. 906 907
• Her initial physical strengthening proved insufficient for a complete Saint Body, leaving her meridians vulnerable during her Saint Realm breakthrough. 907
• Her Saint Realm Star Cloud Saint Art energy can stimulate the corresponding energy within Gongsun Haoyue, helping rouse her after an injury. 909
• Reached the art’s limit after entering the God Realm, requiring a more suitable lightning-attribute cultivation method for further advancement. 2121

Soul Arts and Divine Sense

After receiving the Soul Arts from Jiang Liu, Flowing Cloud Matriarch rapidly improves her spiritual power and Divine Sense.

• Confirms that the Soul Arts substantially accelerate her spiritual-power cultivation. 398
• Her Divine Sense grows to the point that she can detect Gongsun Haoyue’s arrival from afar without being sensed in return. 416
• Uses her heightened perception to sense Jiang Liu, the Fire-Winged Monkey, hostile presences, and the danger surrounding Abyssal Canyon. 393 784
• After entering the Saint Realm, gains a faint awareness of fortunes and calamities directed at her, experiencing unease before the assault on the Heaven-Veiling Grand Formation. 980

Spirit Control Art and Artifact Bonds

With Jiang Liu’s assistance, Flowing Cloud Matriarch learns to perform the initial form of the Spirit Control Art and places spiritual imprints on the Ruyi Celestial Palace Spirit, Yin-Yang Rings Spirit, and Half-Origin Celestial Pearl Spirit. These bonds substantially deepen her understanding of the Heaven-Veiling Grand Formation and allow her to communicate telepathically with Jiang Liu. 1019

Joyous Meditation Art

Flowing Cloud Matriarch cultivates the Joyous Meditation Art with Jiang Liu. Their early sessions greatly increase the density of the essence energy within her body, supporting her preparations for Saint Realm advancement. What begins as a request for cultivation assistance also confirms her romantic feelings for him. 876 906

Lightning Primal Qi

Her affinity manifests as lightning-aspected Primal Qi rather than the same attribute cultivated by Gongsun Haoyue.

• Can unleash lightning attacks, including a thunderbolt directed at the location where Duanmu Haotian falls during the Imperial City battle. 544
• When gathering power through the Flowing Cloud Sword, causes dark clouds to form overhead with lightning flickering within them. 1288
• Her God Realm aura appears as a bright-white thundercloud. 2107
• Following her God Realm breakthrough, she initially has difficulty stabilizing and controlling her thunder Primal Qi. 2112
• Jiang Liu provides her with a lightning-attribute God Grade manual and transmits his understanding of it directly through consciousness communication. 2122
• A Divine Artifact longsword adapts to her Primal Qi and gains a lightning attribute after recognizing her as its master. 1305

Combat Skills

• Forms enormous hands from Essence Particles to seize targets or deliver attacks. When testing Jiang Liu, her attack at eighty percent strength breaks his protective Essence Particles barrier. 273 528
• Uses throwing knives after finding Jiang Liu’s use of them effective. 801
• Easily cripples invading Grandmasters after reaching the Saint Realm. 984
• Blocks the pressure of heaven and earth to protect others near the imperial palace. 1003
• Remains evenly matched with Gongsun Haoyue in combat by the time Jiang Liu reaches the Lord God Realm. 2957

Sect Leadership and Strategy

As sect leader, she commands the Flowing Cloud Sect’s elders and disciples, manages external threats, and shapes the sect’s political direction.

• Convenes sect meetings regarding war with the Great Qian Imperial Family, internal vigilance, and the teaching of the Star Cloud Saint Art. 469 470
• Uses the teaching of the Star Cloud Saint Art as a genuine cultivation initiative and a cover for examining Grandmaster elders for Bloodfiend Art cultivation, taking advantage of Star Cloud Power’s opposition to the Bloodfiend Art. 470
• Orders an internal investigation beginning with Grandmaster elders and extending through lower-ranking disciples after the Bloodfiend Sect’s return. 471
• Personally sets out to capture the Bloodfiend Sect’s operative in charge of Qian Prefecture after receiving information from the internal investigation. 473
• Swiftly seals Xingbai’s Dantian and meridians and imprisons her after uncovering her dealings with the Great Qian Imperial Family. 628
• Assigns True Inheritor Disciples to oversee provinces while continuing their cultivation. 558
• Participates in the planning of the Star Cloud Saint Sect’s merger and relocation. 638
• Continues handling most Star Cloud Saint Sect affairs after its relocation to the Chaos Space. 2218

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Divine Artifact longsword — Recognizes Flowing Cloud Matriarch as its master and manifests a lightning attribute suited to her Primal Qi. 1305
• Flowing Cloud Sword — Her former sword, later stated to have less compatibility with her than the Divine Artifact longsword. 1305
• Throwing knives — Adopts them after finding Jiang Liu’s throwing knives useful. 801
• Heaven-Veiling Token — A personally bound token that allows her to enter and exit the Heaven-Veiling Grand Formation’s Mystic Realm space; she cannot bring others through it. 725
• Spiritual imprints on the formation’s three sacred artifact spirits — Places imprints on the Ruyi Celestial Palace Spirit, Yin-Yang Rings Spirit, and Half-Origin Celestial Pearl Spirit with Jiang Liu’s help, deepening her connection to the Heaven-Veiling Grand Formation. 1019
• Lightning-attribute God Grade cultivation manual — Supplied by Jiang Liu after the Star Cloud Saint Art becomes insufficient for her God Realm cultivation. 2121 2122

Relationships

• Jiang Liu — Initially her True Inheritor Disciple and a source of crucial cultivation knowledge; she later relies on him for protection and advancement, and they become romantic partners through Joyous Meditation. Their former sect leader-disciple relationship continues to make her reserved around him despite their intimacy. After establishing spiritual imprints on the Heaven-Veiling Grand Formation’s artifact spirits, she gains telepathic communication with him and realizes that he does not regard her as someone who forced her way into his affections. 272 273 401 875 876 907 1019 2957
• Gongsun Haoyue — Longtime rival, political counterpart, and eventual collaborator in sect integration; both advance through the Saint and God Realms with Jiang Liu’s aid. Gongsun Haoyue subsequently leaves most Star Cloud Saint Sect administration to her. Their remaining hostility largely disappears after they become Jiang Liu’s partners, although Flowing Cloud Matriarch privately recognizes the particular depth of his feelings for Gongsun Haoyue. 417 556 875 876 909 2107 2218
• Nangong Yun — Trusted associate who assists her in uncovering Xingbai’s betrayal and handling the Discipline Hall investigation. 272 628
• Yue Yue — Her eldest disciple, whose stable temperament and steady cultivation make her a reassuring candidate to inherit the position of sect master. 404
• Duanmu Haotian — Disdained rival from the Haotian Sect; their feud predates his adoption of the name “Duanmu Haotian.” She survives his final attack during the Imperial City battle. 393 544
• Xingbai — Flowing Cloud Sect elder imprisoned after conspiring to trade a captive Clear Sky Sect Grandmaster for Great Qian Imperial Family cultivation methods. 628
• Xing Qiong — Wind Hall leader entrusted with monitoring the Abyssal Canyon from a safe distance. 784
• Han Yi and Han Yue — Companions during the demonic-qi crisis beneath the cliff; both help her and Gongsun Haoyue resist the demonic qi until Jiang Liu arrives to rescue them. 1294

Notable Quotes

“I want you to help me advance, like Gongsun did.” 875

“You bad thing, don't call me Sect Leader anymore.” 876