"Brother Li?"

Yu Ci had already suspected as much and was not too surprised at the revelation. He smiled and stepped forward to greet him.

After a brief exchange, he learned that this short, chubby and amiable senior brother was a fourth-generation disciple of the Empirical Department. He had been in the sect for more than seventy years and was the senior brother of Li You, whom Yu Ci knew.

The chubby Taoist always laughed before he spoke and was a very open-hearted person. After exchanging names, he patted Yu Ci's shoulder without any hesitation. However, as he was a head shorter than Yu Ci, his actions seemed rather comical.

"Junior Brother Yu, you've done something quite amazing. The incident at the sheer cliff city even alarmed the Sect Founder. Out of the three thousand disciples in the sect, only about a hundred could make the old ancestor remember their names. As for Outer Disciples, tsk, Junior Brother Yu, you are the first!"

As he spoke, the chubby Taoist gave Yu Ci a thumbs up. Seeing this, Yu Ci couldn't help but chuckle. He had learned during their interactions that this chubby Taoist often exaggerated his words and didn't take them too seriously. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Yu Ci asked about the origin of the "Heavenly Passage River."

Half a month ago, he received a decree from the sect. The decree praised him for his achievements in unveiling the conspiracy of the Blood Monk Tu Ling and killing the ringleader. It also instructed him to come to the Mountain Gate of the Lichen Sect as soon as he received the decree for further arrangements. Yu Ci didn't dare to delay and set off immediately. On his way, he made a detour to the Still Heart Temple to ask for directions, then continued northeast until he climbed the Miaoqing Mountain, which was not more than a thousand feet high.

According to the guidance of the old Daoist Yu Zhou, there was a "Flying Cloud Crossing" at the top of Miaoqing Mountain. From there, one could reach the Heavenly Passage River, and following the river for more than a thousand miles would lead to the Mountain Gate of the Lichen Sect. However, when Yu Ci reached the top of the mountain, he only saw a thousand mountains with lush greenery. There were streams and springs in the middle, but there was no trace of the "hundred-mile-long river."

The chubby Taoist was not surprised at all by Yu Ci's question. He said with a smile, "Since it's called the 'Heavenly Passage River,' of course, it should lead to the heavens. How can earthly rivers and streams be called 'heavenly rivers'?"

His words carried an undeniable air of arrogance. He pointed to the mountains with his thick fingers, and then patted the huge rock behind him. "Look at this 'Flying Cloud Crossing.' Although it backs onto the void, when the mountain mists surge up and gather into a sea of clouds, they can connect all the peaks, like a jade belt. We ride the wind on our swords, soaring high above the mountains, isn't that like following the flow and rushing waves, steering the boat like an arrow?"

Yu Ci cast his gaze about him. At this moment, the brilliant sun was high in the sky, the clouds barely visible. All that could be seen was a fresh greenery carpeting the hills. Yet, he could faintly imagine the peaks within the Cloud Sea, resembling islands amidst the surging mist.

The chubby Taoist beside him said, "To witness the magnificent scenery of the Heavenly Passage River, we must wait a little longer. Why not let me lead you, my junior brother, on a journey. When the clouds gather among the mountains, then we can admire the view."

Yu Ci naturally wouldn't refuse, and he responded, "Thank you, Brother Li."

"No trouble at all," the chubby Taoist chuckled, his thick hand waving. With a "buzz" sound, a pure white sword light emanated from him and Yu Ci. As a fellow swordsman, Yu Ci recognized that the Taoist's swordsmanship was not only skilled, but the sword light was also mixed with a special Magical Instrument. While the sword light lost its purity, it had a unique efficacy.

Sure enough, the chubby Taoist laughed and explained, "My Yanzhe Sword has been tempered with a 'White Cloud Barrier'. It doesn't have any other effects, but it does carry more weight than others. Come on, let's not delay. There are still twelve hundred li to the Sect's Mountain Gate. If we are lucky, it will take us over two hours. By nightfall, the Heavenly Passage River can be quite tumultuous."

Upon hearing this, Yu Ci smiled and without further ado, stepped into the circle of swords prepared by the chubby Taoist. The two of them immediately took to the skies, heading straight for the void surrounded by mountains outside the "Flying Cloud Crossing".

Being in the mountains, there was a distinct difference between climbing and flying around the mountains. The chubby Taoist's sword light flew both quickly and steadily. As Yu Ci stood within it, passing one peak after another, the beautiful mountain scenery unfolded before him. The chubby Taoist casually explained the sights, making the journey far from lonely.

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Twelve hundred li was neither far nor near. A Golden Elixir cultivator travelling at full speed could fly over eight hundred li in an hour, but carrying another person would inevitably slow them down. The two to three hours estimated by the chubby Taoist was quite reasonable. However, after about fifteen minutes of flight, Yu Ci began to notice something strange. According to the Taoist, the Heavenly Passage River was located higher up, so their flight path should also be upwards. But while the Taoist's sword light was fast, it constantly meandered through the mountains. They had seen all the beautiful scenery of Miaoqing Mountain, but their flight altitude remained around a thousand zhang, which made Yu Ci suspicious.

At this moment, the chubby Taoist suddenly turned his head, grinned at Yu Ci, and pointed downwards, "Look, the clouds are coming."

The clouds over Miaoqing Mountain ascended with remarkable speed, enveloping the overhead sun in a layer of smog. The temperature in the mountains dropped, and from every direction, layers of cloud surged upwards. Not only that, but even above the nine heavens, tendrils of cloud descended, swiftly merging into a single mass, causing the distant mountains to blur abruptly.

The rotund Taoist abruptly halted his sword light, standing amidst the void, and chuckled at Yu Ci, "This is the Heavenly Passage River."

Following the direction of his pointing finger, Yu Ci saw clouds swirling between the mountains, like a vast jade belt winding through the peaks, reminiscent of a turbulent canyon river. The Taoist had chosen a good angle. From this perspective, the jade belt seemed to stretch into the endless void, making one wonder where this "great river" eventually ended.

"Let's go!"

With a loud whistle, the Taoist increased the speed of his flying sword, slashing through the clouds, shooting forward like lightning. He chuckled at Yu Ci, "We're a bit late. We'll have to take a shortcut, which might be a bit bumpy."

Yu Ci merely smiled in response.

The sword light moved extremely fast, but as they ascended from the mountain peak, Yu Ci's sharp eyes caught sight of a stone monument on the nearest peak. From his angle, he couldn't see what was written on it, but the "little fellow" always by his side could share its perspective.

On it were written three characters: Strike Cloud Pass!

This time, the Taoist's flying sword clearly ascended, and at a steep angle, quickly leaving the peak of Miaoqing Mountain. At this moment, clouds descended from the sky, looking like a row of huge waves suspended in the air, connecting with the sea of clouds in the mountains. The Taoist charged straight into these descending clouds.

The field of vision abruptly narrowed, only swirling fog changing shape before Yu Ci's eyes. The Taoist no longer spoke, just guiding his sword in a mad dash. After only a few accelerations, Yu Ci could no longer discern directions, only knowing that the sword light was not flying in a straight line, but making countless circles, stirring up the external clouds, making quite a scene.

In response, Yu Ci slightly closed his eyes, focusing his divine sense, observing the changes in the surrounding void.

In a short while, he discovered that Brother Li was not simply guiding the sword, but was casting the sword light into a current in the void, using the momentum to increase the speed of the sword light. It felt somewhat like sailing a boat.

At the same time, he didn't overlook the fact that around this current, there seemed to be other presences...

"Roar!"

A high-pitched roar suddenly pierced his ears. To Yu Ci's left, the clouds rolled, and a mountain-sized figure charged straight at them.

The Taoist's sword guiding technique was fully displayed at this moment. The pure white sword light spun like a top, narrowly scraping past the huge figure. He and the sword light became one, spinning dozens or hundreds of times was nothing to him, but Yu Ci couldn't enjoy such treatment. After a series of spins, he was not only disoriented about the cardinal directions, but even up and down, yet he still stood firm.

The rotund Daoist glanced at him, slightly surprised by his composure, then explained with a beaming smile, "Don't worry, these are Misty Flowing Beasts. They usually dwell in the skies, nearly two thousand feet high, but when the clouds descend, they follow the flow and enter the Heavenly Passage River. Most of these Misty Flowing Beasts are quite docile, and for the more ferocious ones, we just need to move a bit faster."

Yu Ci chuckled and turned to the rotund Daoist, "Brother Li, is this the difference between ascending the Sect's Mountain Gate from the Flying Cloud Crossing and the Cloud Striking Pass?"

The rotund Daoist was taken aback. When he looked again, the smile on his face had changed somewhat. "Junior Brother Yu has a keen eye. As for the difference... Ah, don't make a move!"

His warning came a step too late. As soon as Yu Ci noticed the change in his expression, he had already drawn out his Xi Guang Sword. Amidst the humming vibrations, two sword auras were already in motion, disappearing instantly into the mist on the side.

The Sword Aura of the Half Mountain Mirage originated from the Misty Mirage Shadows. Being of the same nature, the Sword Energy expelled perfectly merged with the surrounding mist. Moreover, Yu Ci had also incorporated Professor Xie Yan's "Sword Intent to Break Evil Illusions" method, which had a powerful killing effect on all Yin Divine Souls!

The next moment, Yu Ci heard someone exclaim, "Such a hot hand!"

This exclamation was a chorus from two people, their tones and inflections identical. If Yu Ci hadn't anticipated this, he might not have noticed it. At the same time, he felt that the Vaporized Sword Qi he had released was simultaneously blocked and melted. Of course, he had also held back some of his strength.

There was another ripple in the mist, and two clouds separated from it, transforming and coalescing into two human figures in an instant. Although their faces were still blurred, their statures and expressions were strikingly similar.

Yu Ci had long activated his Illuminating Soul Dharma Eye, and he instantly recognized that at the core of the two misty human figures was an extremely pure Yin Spirit reaction.

"Yin Spirit Astral Travel..."

He muttered to himself, then turned back to the rotund Daoist and grinned, "Who are these two Senior Brothers?"

...