"Is this the Guiding Cloud Shuttle?"

Yu Ci initially thought that the Guiding Cloud Shuttle would be red. However, he soon discovered that the fiery red hue was actually a layer of flame enveloping the exterior.

As the red cloud descended, he saw it more clearly. The Cloud Shuttle was wrapped in a layer of cloud, but tongues of flame flickered within the cloud. Even though the flames did not seem to burn fiercely, he wondered if the shuttle's body was truly unscathed.

Zhao Xi Qiao explained to Yu Ci, "That's the 'Magnetic Fire' produced when the Docking Array and Mountain Moving Cloud Boat connect. The Guiding Cloud Shuttle operates on this Magnetic Fire, ascending and descending. The outer material of the Cloud Shuttle is fire-resistant, and it's engraved with a Fire-avoidance Symbol. It may appear dangerous, but it's actually quite safe."

Yu Ci responded with a sound of acknowledgment, thought for a moment, and suddenly asked, "So, the Guiding Cloud Shuttle can't actually fly?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xi Qiao gave a thumbs up, "Brother Yu hit the nail on the head!"

Zhou Hu, standing nearby, nodded and said, "There are countless Magical Instruments and Magical Treasures in the world that can fly, but they all require a Golden Elixir level or above to control. As for the Artisan Tools that anyone can control, very few can fly. Due to the design problems of Rune Array propulsion, they are either extremely large or extremely small. Our Mountain Moving Cloud Boat is a representative of the 'large' ones.

"Compared to these, the Guiding Cloud Shuttle's size is not sufficient to engrave a powerful Rune Array, nor can it be reduced to a weight that the Rune Array can carry. We had to find another way, connecting the Mountain Moving Cloud Boat and Docking Array Rune Array Aura to generate Magnetic Fire, which pulls the Cloud Shuttle up and down, thus solving this problem."

Yu Ci thought of Bao Guang's Ghost Yarn Cloud, which probably represented the "small" among the flying Artisan Tools. Its material was special and light as a feather, enabling it to ascend into the sky.

During their conversation, the Guiding Cloud Shuttle had slowly descended to the top of the ravine. The Docking Array was adjusting the intensity of the Magnetic Fire, causing the surrounding flames to gradually weaken. Yu Ci could now see the shape of the Cloud Shuttle through the cloud.

Rather than being shuttle-shaped, the Guiding Cloud Shuttle more closely resembled two willow leaves clasped together, with a noticeable convex arc in the middle. It was about fifteen zhang long and five zhang wide, quite a behemoth indeed. Even when viewed from the Round Light Spell as it descended along the mountain peak at the mouth of the valley, it seemed quite imposing, making one wonder about the grandeur of the Mountain Moving Cloud Boat.

Watching the Guiding Cloud Shuttle descend, Zhou Hu also let out a sigh of relief. The entire process was a bit dangerous, especially when entering the valley mouth. One wrong move could result in a collision with the mountains. However, due to the need to control the Magnetic Fire, the Docking Array had to be placed here, creating an undeniable contradiction.

At this point, Zhao Xi Qiao turned around and walked out, "I'm going to keep an eye on the shop, see if there's any business to be done."

Seeing him like this, Yu Ci remembered what his senior brother had mentioned when he took over the duties. When the Guiding Cloud Shuttle arrives or departs with guests, he should briefly inspect it to see if there are any unsuitable characters inside. This was also one of his responsibilities as a guard.

"I'll go and have a look too. Can I enter the Cloud Shuttle?"

Zhou Hu laughed, "It's good to go and have a look. However, wait half an hour for the surface of the Cloud Shuttle to cool down before sending it back to the Mountain Moving Cloud Boat. Brother Yu, don't get taken up there!"

Yu Ci also laughed heartily, and followed Zhao Xi Qiao out of the door.

Once outside, the two found a staircase and went down. The mountain belly is divided into two layers and five areas. The top is the Central Docking Array and the residence of the stationed personnel, while the bottom is the warehouse, the temporary residence of the outsiders, and the Dock where Yu Ci and Zhao Xi Qiao were about to go.

The Dock is where the passengers of the Guiding Cloud Shuttle come and go. One side is connected to the absolute valley, and the other is connected to the outside of the mountain belly. People coming down from the Guiding Cloud Shuttle can go directly outside through the Dock. Originally, the passage here was connected to the houses on the mountainside, but now to guard against Demons, the road there is closed, and people have to take a detour and go out from the tunnel where Yu Ci and Zhao Xi Qiao came in.

Ensuring that the comings and goings of these people would not be discovered by the Demons to protect the secrecy of the dock was also Yu Ci's responsibility as a patrolman.

Zhao Xi Qiao had a precise grasp of time. When the two entered the Dock, it was just when this wave of passengers came down from the Cloud Shuttle, following the guidance, and entered the mountain belly. When both sides met, Zhao Xi Qiao greeted them with a hearty laugh, "It must have been hard for you all to come from afar..."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Zhao Xi Qiao was a man of many faces, quickly striking up a conversation with the passengers and starting to promote his goods, while Yu Ci stood back, watching coldly. This wave consisted of more than thirty people, both men and women, of different walks of life. They all seemed to have complex backgrounds, but their Cultivation Levels were not weak. He didn't have the ability to see through these people's Cultivation Levels, but he could pick up some clues from their expressions and postures.

As his gaze swept over, Yu Ci naturally landed on a female cultivator in the crowd. The female cultivator had a high bun like a cloud, a face like a peach blossom, and was dressed in a thin water-red woven shirt. The fabric on her shoulders was particularly thin, revealing some flesh color. Her chest was pushed up to create a heart-stopping curve, extremely charming and flirtatious. Without a doubt, she was the most eye-catching one in the crowd.

However, this lady was clearly spoken for, standing beside her was a man slightly shorter than her, with a dark complexion and a mustache that made him appear robust. What was particularly striking was his Taoist attire, nonchalantly wrapping his arm around the waist of the female cultivator as if they were the only two people in existence.

While Yu Ci was observing others, he too was under scrutiny. Those present were all accomplished cultivators. Although Yu Ci's gaze bore no hostility, it still drew attention. His tall and elegant stature, handsome features, were particularly attractive to the seductive red-dressed female cultivator. Her charming eyes frequently swept over him, her crimson lips slightly parted, revealing a teasing smile. Yu Ci was unfazed. However, the dark-faced Taoist by the female cultivator's side glared back with a piercing gaze.

Unfazed by the Taoist's stare, Yu Ci's gaze shifted to another person. This individual, along with the red-dressed woman, were the only two female cultivators among the passengers. However, her demeanor was completely different from the former.

This lady, while walking with the crowd, maintained a certain distance from everyone. Her slender figure and downcast gaze allowed Yu Ci only a glimpse of her glossy and docile hair. She stood quietly as the crowd paused to listen to Zhao Xi Qiao's eloquent speech. Only when the majority of people started moving again did she proceed, her head still lowered, her steps small, giving off a quiet and somewhat shy vibe.

She seemed to be traveling with an elder, but Yu Ci, after a quick scan, felt it wasn't so. Although he couldn't see her face, Yu Ci still felt that she must be a beauty. The seemingly lecherous dark-faced Taoist often rested his eyes on her, his gaze intense and unabashed.

Apart from these few, there were no particularly noticeable characters among the passengers. Yu Ci couldn't possibly scrutinize each one of them. His main focus should be on ensuring the safety outside the mountain, watching out for any lurking Demons.

Watching the passengers trickle out following the signs, Yu Ci entered the tunnel first, preparing to check the situation outside. However, as he reached the exit, he saw the blocking stones outside being moved away, and Zhou Hu stuck half his body in, "There's no problem nearby, Yu, you stay here, I'll go a bit further and check."

Yu Ci frowned, "Brother Zhou, I should be the one to do this!"

"That won't do, Elder Chu has said that you're still recovering from your injuries and should focus on recuperation for the next few months. Today, you went out once and it already upset Manager Zhao. Now, Elder Chu is in the hall, I can't go against his wishes."

With that, Zhou Hu laughed heartily and leaped into the woods. Yu Ci's frown deepened, but as the passengers were coming out one after another, he could only stay and caution the outgoing cultivators.

After several groups passed by, a faint fragrance suddenly wafted into his nostrils. Turning his head, he saw the quiet and shy female cultivator. Upon closer inspection, she was indeed alone.

Knowing that those who came to Sky Rift Valley at this time were all extraordinary cultivators, the female cultivator still gave off a frail and delicate vibe. Yu Ci couldn't help but caution her, "The outside world is full of rampant Demonic beasts, it's extremely dangerous, please be careful."

"Thank you!"

The female cultivator spoke in a soft voice. Although her voice wasn't loud, it was clear enough. She seemed to glance in Yu Ci's direction, but the dim light in the corridor made it hard for him to see her face. All he could tell was her eyes were bright, and she carried an aura of grace, not as petty as he had imagined.

Shaking his head, he watched as the female cultivator left the corridor. After waiting for two more groups of people, he counted them and found two missing. Intrigued, he turned around and walked back.

Upon entering the dock, he ran into Zhao Xi Qiao. The innkeeper hadn't made any business today, but he wasn't disappointed. He said, "Two people want to stay here for a long time. It seems they are using this place as a base to hunt demons in the Sky Rift Valley. You might have a lot of work to do in the future."

Yu Ci thought for a moment and guessed, "That pair?"

He was referring to the dark-faced Taoist and the red-clothed female cultivator. He hadn't seen them leave earlier. Zhao Xi Qiao blinked and laughed, "Correct, both are lone cultivators. They have registered, one goes by the name of Lake Sea Wanderer, and the other's surname is Chu, with a given name of 'Yan'."

His peculiar tone made Yu Ci smile. But then he pondered, "If they often go out, let them stay in the house outside..."

Zhao Xi Qiao chuckled, "No need for us to push them. They already complained about the stuffy air inside and volunteered to live outside. They are very cooperative!"

Perhaps it's the courage that comes with great skill. Yu Ci thought the cultivation level of the dark-faced Taoist was quite impressive, probably already condensed into a Yin Spirit. In these mountains and forests, unless they were particularly unlucky and encountered powerful demons on the run, they wouldn't have much to fear. However, due to his duty of guarding and patrolling, Yu Ci felt there were some things he still needed to do...

"Let's leave it at that, I'm going back to rest."

Zhao Xi Qiao was quite puzzled, "Aren't you going to watch the Guiding Cloud Shuttle? It's going to fly back soon."

"There will be other opportunities." Yu Ci waved his hand and turned to leave, leaving Zhao Xi Qiao confused, not knowing what was going on.

When Yu Ci returned to his room, he lay flat on his bed with his eyes closed, silently reciting the mantra. Gradually, his body and mind relaxed, as if floating in a void with nothing to rely on. Slowly, even his body seemed to become ethereal, with only his Divine Soul Vitality breaking all restraints and spreading out.

Method of Returning to Void and Combining.

In fact, since the last chapter, some of the readers' characters have entered the Mirror Question. However, to cater to some friends' reading experience, I won't specify here. Those who understand can just smile knowingly.

Please vote for this story, dear brothers and sisters, don't hold back, just throw your votes here!

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