Ling Zi stood atop the city walls, her keen eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the throng of people clamoring to enter High Clouds City. Her gaze flitted from one face to another, She was searching for someone specific, someone who might blend into the crowd but was anything but ordinary.

Her eyes landed on a boy who seemed utterly unremarkable at first glance. His clothes were in tatters, his hair a disheveled mess, and his overall appearance screamed poverty. He looked like a beggar, someone any passerby would ignore. But Ling Zi's eyes lit up with recognition when they fell upon him.

After a moment of contemplation, Ling Zi leaned toward Old Lady Ling and whispered something in her ear, subtly pointing at the boy. The old lady's face underwent a swift transformation; her eyes shimmered with a blend of gratitude and regret as she followed Ling Zi's gesture to the boy in rags.

Lin Tian, the boy in question, was not entirely surprised by the attention. He had sensed Ling Zi’s gaze lingering on him but chose to feign ignorance. His heart raced when a guard approached him, his expression puzzled.

The guard halted before Lin Tian, addressing him with uncharacteristic respect. "Young master, could you please follow me? Someone important wishes to meet you."

Lin Tian gave a small nod, falling in step behind the guard, who led him past the long line of people waiting to enter the city. Murmurs of discontent rippled through the crowd, culminating in an angry outburst.

"This is absurd! We can tolerate the Old Lady bypassing the line, but now even a beggar gets special treatment?" shouted a man from the back.

The murmurs grew louder, frustration bubbling to the surface. But then, a sharp shriek pierced the air. The crowd fell silent, their eyes widening in horror as they saw the man who had shouted lying lifeless on the ground, a pool of blood spreading around him.

"Does anyone else have something to say?" boomed a voice.

The crowd's eyes darted around until they landed on a muscular guard holding a massive bow, his presence exuding menace. Fear gripped their hearts as he laughed loudly, declaring, "This is the city of High Clouds. If you do not have strength, you are no more than an insect."

Lin Tian’s eyes flickered with confusion as he took in the scene—the corpse, the cruel guard, and the palpable fear in the crowd.

As Lin Tian passed through the city gates, his mood darkened. Many people now are looking and pointing at him, faces full of hatred.

Humans are predictable, Lin Tian mused. When they can't direct their jealousy towards the person who wronged them, they turn their frustration on someone closer to their level. It’s a way to feel superior, even if just momentarily.

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Once inside High Clouds City, Lin Tian was struck by its grandeur. The sprawling streets, the bustling shops, the towering buildings, and the sheer number of people made him feel minuscule.

The guard led Lin Tian to a secluded alley where Old Lady Ling awaited, flanked by two young girls. The guard bowed to the old lady before slipping away quietly. She scrutinized Lin Tian for a moment before handing him a silver ring.

"When I heard what happened in the forest, I felt both anger and regret," she said softly. "I am sorry for your loss, boy. I hope this compensation will suffice."

"Space ring?" Lin Tian murmured, his eyes widening in surprise. He had guessed that the girls had felt grateful and obligated to help him, but a space ring was beyond his expectations.

Old Lady Ling seemed momentarily taken aback by his knowledge but quickly recovered. "Yes, it's a space ring. Since you know what it is, there's no need for further explanation. You can store anything inside, but you must first bind it with a drop of your blood. Although the space inside is small, it’s the best thing a person without cultivation like you can bear."

Without waiting for his reply, the old lady turned and left with the girls. Lin Tian watched them go, his face expressionless. He knew this ring was meant as compensation for Uncle Jiang's death and for saving the girls' lives. Despite the tragedy not being the girls' fault, they had inadvertently caused it.

Lin Tian opened Uncle Jiang's pouch and extracted a copper plate from its depths. The plate, weathered from years of use, was inscribed with the location and number of Uncle Jiang's house in High Clouds City. Despite his humble demeanor, Uncle Jiang had not merely been an ordinary martial artist; he was also a respected merchant with an antique shop in the city.

After a lengthy search through the labyrinthine streets of High Clouds City, Lin Tian finally arrived at Uncle Jiang's residence. The building stood tall with two floors—the first floor housed the antique shop, and the second floor served as Uncle Jiang's living quarters. Lin Tian recalled Uncle Jiang's words, telling him that he could always work at the shop if he failed to join the High Cloud Sect.

With a silver key from his pocket, Lin Tian unlocked the door, the hinges creaking as it swung open. The antique shop was a treasure trove of artifacts and relics, each item seemingly whispering tales from the past. His eyes roamed the room, taking in the shelves filled with ancient vases, intricate sculptures, and weathered scrolls.

Ascending the stairs, Lin Tian reached the living area—a modest space with a small bed, a simple kitchen, and a compact bathroom. Memories of Uncle Jiang flooded his mind. He remembered the countless hours they spent together, training in martial arts and engaging in deep conversations.

As he stood in the living area, the reality of Uncle Jiang's absence hit him like a tidal wave. He felt a profound sense of guilt for not being able to protect the man who had been a mentor and a father figure to him. The sadness of never seeing Uncle Jiang again weighed heavily on his heart.

Sitting down, Lin Tian reaffirmed the promise he had made to himself: to become stronger and protect those he cared about. The road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but he was resolute in his determination to honor Uncle Jiang's memory.

After a hot shower and a change of clothes, Lin Tian finally turned his attention to the silver ring. He took out a small knife, made a shallow cut on his finger, and let a few drops of blood fall onto the ring. At first, nothing happened. Then, suddenly, he felt a slight headache as his vision shifted to reveal the contents of the ring.

Inside the ring, five items stood out: a long silver sword, an old booklet, a piece of jade stone, three bottles each containing a batch of pills, and a small pouch filled with faintly glowing stones.

Lin Tian's gaze first settled on the long silver sword. Its blade was polished to a mirror-like finish, reflecting his image back at him. As he gripped the hilt, a surge of power coursed through his veins, filling him with a newfound strength.

Next, he picked up the old booklet, flipping through its yellowed pages. His initial amusement quickly turned to surprise as he realized what he was holding. The booklet contained the Cyclone Sword Art, a powerful sword manual. Although it wasn't a body refining technique, the power it promised was equivalent to one.

He then examined the piece of jade stone. Its smooth, purple surface was adorned with a carved symbol. The stone's rich color and intricate design suggested it was far from ordinary. Lin Tian was dumbfounded by its presence, recognizing its potential significance.

Turning his attention to the bottles, he noted the labels indicating their contents were precious medicinal pills. He carefully put them away and returned to the booklet, eager to delve deeper into the Cyclone Sword Art.

The Cyclone Sword Art comprised seven stages, each with its own mastery requirements.

The stages were: Whirlwind Strike, Wind Blade, Gale Storm, Typhoon Fury, Hurricane Spin, Tornado Blast, and finally Cyclone God.