Flowing Cloud Sect

Biodata

Power Progression

History

The sect was established on Clear Wind Mountain, a cloud-shrouded mountain whose open forests served as cultivation grounds. It was counted among the Heavenly Wind Kingdom's “One Valley, One Manor, Three Sects,” alongside Jade Valley, North Snow Manor, Southern Luo Sect, and Purple Sun Sect. Even the Royal Court generally avoided direct conflict with these powers. 1 2

More than twenty years before the main story, the Flowing Cloud Sect was a top-tier Eighth-Rank Sect. During a joint campaign against the Nine Nether Sect remnants, the Purple Sun Sect deceived its forces into an enemy encirclement, inflicting catastrophic casualties and reducing the Flowing Cloud Sect to a Ninth-Rank Sect. In retaliation, the Flowing Cloud Sect later lured the previous Purple Sun Sect Master and several of that sect's leading Inner Sect Elders to their deaths. The two sects thereafter became irreconcilable enemies. 121 164

Despite its weakened foundation, the sect continued to cultivate promising disciples such as Xu Jing, Luo Hanshan, Zhu Mei, and Ye Chen. Ye Chen's victory in the Inner Sect Disciple Ranking Competition and his later performance at Jade Valley significantly improved the sect's standing among the Five Great Sects. 116 128

The Heavenly Dream Ancient Land expedition brought both gains and losses. Several Flowing Cloud Sect elders died in the conflict with Heavy Mountain Gate, but the sect defended Ye Chen from demands that he be surrendered over Hong Qianjun's death. Southern Luo Sect intervention ultimately halted the clash. 162 164 165

Ye Chen's first-place finish on the Hidden Dragon Rankings transformed the sect's fortunes. His and Xu Jing's Dragon Vein Qi strengthened Clear Wind Mountain's Dragon Vein, clearing disciples' minds, suppressing harmful Earth Qi, and drawing surrounding Origin Energy toward the sect. 287 295 296

Following Golden Radiance Daoist's attack, the sect purged elders who had abandoned it in crisis. The remaining members developed a notably stronger sense of unity, while the sect's recruitment standards became stricter as its reputation attracted large numbers of applicants. 303 306 299

Organization

Hierarchy

• Sect Master — Luo Xinglie led the sect during Ye Chen's rise; by Ye Chen's later return, Luo Hanshan had succeeded him as Sect Master. 166 502
• Supreme Elders — Xian Yunzi was the original Supreme Elder. Ye Chen was appointed a Supreme Elder after the Hidden Dragon Rankings, and the sect later grew to twelve Supreme Elders. 296 502
• Core Elders — Xu Jing became a Core Elder after contributing her Dragon Vein Qi to the sect. 296
• Inner and Outer Sect Elders — Elders oversee sect affairs, instruction, and defenses; Luo Hanshan and Zhu Mei became Inner Sect Elders after Ye Chen and Xu Jing rose above them in rank. 306
• Core, Inner, and Outer Sect Disciples — The sect trains disciples through a tiered system, with promotion requiring demonstrated cultivation and combat ability. 4 53

Training and Advancement

• Outer Sect Disciples attended morning and evening assemblies, received martial-skill lessons once every three days, and could otherwise arrange their own cultivation. 2
• Promotion to Inner Sect Disciple required an assessment beyond merely reaching the True Condensation Realm; the first test required making a Bronze Bell ring from ten steps away with a single punch. 53
• Inner Sect Disciples received personal waist tokens, access to Human-grade Top-tier manuals, permission to accept missions, and freedom to travel and temper themselves in the martial world. 35
• Core Disciples were generally limited to one Earth-grade Low-tier martial art at a time to prevent divided focus. 130

Territory and Resources

• Clear Wind Mountain — The sect's home mountain, 3,800 meters high and perpetually covered in cloud and mist above its mountainside. 2
• Thirty-six cultivation peaks — Assigned to Inner Sect Elders as cultivation areas. 102
• Dragon Vein — A small Dragon Vein lies beneath Clear Wind Mountain; Ye Chen and Xu Jing's Dragon Vein Qi enhanced and purified it. 296
• Heavenly Wind Vultures — Mountain-guarding spirit beasts used for long-distance travel; a vulture can travel twenty thousand li per day. 119 298
• Martial Arts Pavilion — Holds sect manuals, though Outer Sect Disciples were initially restricted to works below Human-grade Mid-tier. 2
• Flowing Cloud Great Hall — The main administrative hall, accessible only to the Sect Master and Inner Sect Elders without special authority. 166

Notable Arts

• Flowing Cloud Sword Technique — A nine-stance sword technique featuring the named final moves Seeking Gaps, Flowing Cloud, Flowing Water, and Night Light Movement. 1 2
• Thirteen Peaks Sword Style — Created by the sect's Third Sect Master. Its original Human-grade Top-tier version was lost, leaving only an incomplete copy. 3
• Great Luo Divine Art — The sect's foundational ultimate art, obtained from the Heavenly Dream Ancient Land by the third-generation Sect Master. Only the Sect Master or their designated successor may cultivate it. 160

Relationships

• Ye Chen — Began as an Outer Sect Disciple, became First Inner Sect Disciple, then Supreme Elder; his achievements, Dragon Vein Qi, resources, and reputation drove the sect's expansion. 116 296 389 502
• Xu Jing — Core Disciple who became a Core Elder; her Dragon Vein Qi purified Clear Wind Mountain's Dragon Vein. 296
• Luo Xinglie — Sect Master during Ye Chen's early rise; supported Ye Chen's development and selected him to represent the sect in the Hidden Dragon Rankings. 166 237
• Luo Hanshan — Former disciple and Inner Sect Elder who later became Sect Master; led the agreement to merge the sect into Ye Chen's new organization. 502 951
• Xian Yunzi — Supreme Elder who appointed Ye Chen as a Supreme Elder and helped safeguard the sect through multiple crises. 296 303
• Thunderclap Hermit — External ally who repeatedly defended the sect and worked with Xian Yunzi to protect Clear Wind Mountain. 292 307
• Purple Sun Sect — Long-standing mortal enemy following mutual schemes and devastating losses connected to the Nine Nether Sect remnants. 121 164
• Southern Luo Sect — Ally that intervened with the Azure Dragon Token to stop Heavy Mountain Gate's assault on the Flowing Cloud Sect. 164 165

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Inner Sect Ranking Competition — Ye Chen becomes the First Disciple of the Inner Sect, elevating the sect's reputation. 111 116
• Jade Valley delegation — The sect sends Ye Chen, Xu Jing, Luo Hanshan, the Grand Elder, and the Fourth Elder to represent it at Jade Valley. 119 121
• Heavenly Dream Ancient Land — Its top disciples enter the ancient land amid assassination threats from the Purple Sun Sect; the sect later clashes with Heavy Mountain Gate over Ye Chen. 141 162 164
• Hidden Dragon Rankings — Ye Chen takes first place and Xu Jing ranks nineteenth, bringing exceptional fortune and prestige to the sect. 295
• Golden Radiance Daoist attack — Sect members unite against a Late Star Extremity Realm invader, after which the sect removes disloyal elders and consolidates its cohesion. 303 304 306
• Silent Mountain Range beast tide — Xian Yunzi and Thunderclap Hermit investigate a black aura, confront a Level 7 Sky Demon Python, and defend the sect's territory. 307 308
• Rapid expansion — The sect grows from a Seventh-Rank Sect into a pivotal Sixth-Rank power with numerous Star Extremity Realm experts. 502 753
• Proposed merger — Its leadership agrees to become part of Ye Chen's new sect, with the Flowing Cloud Hall preserving its institutional identity. 951