“So, this is the Ferry Cloud Shuttle?”
At first, Yu Ci thought the Ferry Cloud Shuttle was red, but he soon realized the fiery glow came from a layer of flames surrounding it.
As the crimson cloud descended, he could see more clearly.
The shuttle was enveloped in mist, but tongues of fire flickered within. Even though the flames didn’t seem too intense, he wondered—was the shuttle itself really unaffected?
Zhao Xiqiao explained, “That’s ‘Magnetic Fire,’ generated when the mooring array connects with the Mountain-moving Cloud Boat. The Ferry Cloud Shuttle uses this Magnetic Fire to ascend and descend. The outer layer is fire-resistant, and it’s engraved with flame-warding talismans. It looks dangerous, but it’s actually quite safe.”
Yu Ci made a sound of acknowledgment, then suddenly asked, “So, the Ferry Cloud Shuttle can’t actually fly on its own?”
Zhao Xiqiao gave him a thumbs-up. “You hit the nail on the head, Brother Yu!”
Beside them, Zhou Hu nodded. “There are countless artifacts and treasures in the world capable of flight, but they all require at least a Core Refinement cultivator to control them. As for craftsman-made tools that anyone can operate, flying ones are exceedingly rare—and due to the design limitations of talismanic arrays, they’re either extremely large or extremely small. Our Mountain-moving Cloud Boat is an example of the former.”
“In contrast, the Ferry Cloud Shuttle is too large to be light enough for a flight talisman array, yet too small to carry a powerful one. Our solution was to use the Mountain-moving Cloud Boat and the mooring array’s energy resonance to generate Magnetic Fire, which pulls the shuttle up and down. It’s an unconventional approach, but it works.”
Yu Ci thought of Bao Guang’s Ghost Silk Cloud—that thing was likely an example of the “small” flying craftsman tools, made of an ultra-light material that allowed it to float effortlessly.
As they spoke, the Ferry Cloud Shuttle slowly descended to the top of the ravine. The mooring array adjusted the Magnetic Fire’s intensity, causing the surrounding flames to weaken.
Yu Ci could now see the shuttle’s shape through the mist.
Rather than a true spindle, the shuttle resembled two willow leaves pressed together, with a noticeable bulge in the middle. It was about fifty feet long and sixteen feet wide—a massive structure. Even watching it descend past the mountain peaks through the Circular Light Art was imposing, making him all the more curious about the grandeur of the Mountain-moving Cloud Boat itself.
As the shuttle landed, Zhou Hu exhaled in relief. The most dangerous part of the process was navigating the ravine’s entrance—one wrong move, and it could crash into the mountains. But the mooring array had to be placed here for Magnetic Fire control, creating an unavoidable risk.
Zhao Xiqiao turned to leave. “I’ll go back to the shop and see if there’s any business to be done.”
Watching him go, Yu Ci remembered the senior who had handed him this assignment. When the Ferry Cloud Shuttle arrived or departed with passengers, he was supposed to inspect them briefly, ensuring no suspicious individuals were aboard—part of his duties as a guard.
“I’ll go take a look too. Can we enter the shuttle?”
Zhou Hu chuckled. “Feel free, but it’ll take off again in half an hour once the outer layer cools. Don’t let it carry you away, Brother Yu!”
Yu Ci laughed and followed Zhao Xiqiao out.
Outside, they took a staircase downward. The mountain’s interior was divided into two levels with five sections: the upper held the mooring array’s control center and living quarters, while the lower housed storage, temporary lodgings for outsiders, and the docking area they were heading to—where passengers disembarked.
The docking area connected the shuttle to the ravine on one side and the mountain’s exterior on the other. Passengers could exit directly to the outside, though the original path led to a manor on the mountainside. With the roads now closed to guard against demons, people had to detour through the same tunnel Yu Ci and Zhao Xiqiao had used earlier.
Ensuring their passage remained undetected by demons or beasts—keeping the dock’s location secret—was also part of Yu Ci’s responsibilities.
Zhao Xiqiao’s timing was perfect. As they entered the docking area, a group of passengers was disembarking. Spotting them, Zhao Xiqiao grinned and strode forward. “Welcome, everyone! You’ve had a long journey—”
Smooth-tongued as ever, he quickly struck up conversations, promoting his wares. Yu Ci lingered behind, observing.
There were over thirty passengers, men and women, cultivators and commoners—a mixed group, but all clearly skilled. Yu Ci couldn’t gauge their exact cultivation levels, but their demeanor gave hints.
His gaze naturally settled on one female cultivator. She wore her hair in a high, cloud-like bun, her face as radiant as peach blossoms. Dressed in a sheer, water-red brocade robe, the fabric over her shoulders was so thin it revealed the faint hue of her skin beneath, while the curves of her chest were breathtakingly pronounced. Without a doubt, she was the most striking figure in the crowd.
However, she clearly wasn’t alone. A slightly shorter, dark-skinned man with a mustache stood beside her, his arm possessively around her waist. Despite wearing Daoist robes, his demeanor was anything but ascetic.
As Yu Ci observed them, they noticed him too. His tall, handsome figure drew the woman’s attention—her lips curled in a teasing smile, her eyes flickering with amusement. The dark-faced Daoist, however, glared at him with undisguised hostility.
Yu Ci ignored the Daoist’s stare, shifting his focus to another woman. She was the only other female cultivator in the group, but her demeanor couldn’t have been more different.
Walking slightly apart from the others, she kept her head lowered, her glossy hair veiling her face. When the crowd paused to listen to Zhao Xiqiao’s sales pitch, she stood quietly, only moving again when the others did. Her steps were small, her posture reserved—almost shy.
At first, Yu Ci assumed she was accompanying an elder, but a quick scan of the group suggested otherwise. Though he couldn’t see her face, he sensed she was also a beauty. The dark-faced Daoist certainly seemed to think so—his gaze lingered on her, burning with undisguised lust.
Beyond these few, the rest of the passengers were unremarkable. Yu Ci couldn’t interrogate each one, so he turned his attention to securing the area outside, ensuring no demonic beasts were lying in wait.
As the passengers filed out, Yu Ci headed into the tunnel to check the exterior. But at the exit, he found the concealing boulder pushed aside—Zhou Hu stood halfway in.
“The area’s clear, Brother Yu. Stay here and keep watch—I’ll scout further out.”
Yu Ci frowned. “That’s my job, Brother Zhou.”
“No can do. Elder Zhu said you’re still recovering—these next few months, rest is your priority. After your little excursion today, even Shopkeeper Zhao got an earful. With the elder in the main hall, I can’t disobey his orders.”
With a laugh, Zhou Hu leaped into the forest. Yu Ci’s frown deepened, but passengers were already emerging behind him, forcing him to stay and brief them on safety precautions.
A few groups passed before a delicate fragrance caught his attention. Turning, he saw the quiet young woman. Now that she was closer, he confirmed she was alone.
Though he knew anyone coming to Sky Rift Valley had to be formidable, her fragile appearance made him add an extra warning: “Demonic beasts roam freely outside. Be very careful.”
“Thank you.”
Her voice was soft but clear. She seemed to glance at him, but the tunnel’s dim light kept her features obscured. Still, he caught a glimpse of her bright, spirited eyes—not as timid as he’d first thought.
Shaking his head, he watched her leave. After two more groups, he realized two passengers were missing. Curious, he headed back inside.
In the docking area, he ran into Zhao Xiqiao. The shopkeeper hadn’t made any sales but seemed unbothered. “Two decided to stay long-term—using this as a base to hunt demons in Sky Rift Valley. You’ll have your hands full from now on.”
Yu Ci quickly guessed. “That couple?”
He meant the dark-faced Daoist and the red-robed woman—they hadn’t exited earlier. Zhao Xiqiao smirked. “Right. Both are rogue cultivators. They’ve registered—one goes by ‘Lakes and Seas Wanderer,’ the other’s surname is Chu, first name Yan.”
His exaggerated tone made Yu Ci chuckle. But then he frowned. “If they’re going in and out often, they should stay in the outer residences—”
Zhao Xiqiao grinned. “No need to suggest it—they already complained about the stuffy air inside and asked to move out. Very cooperative!”
Probably confident in their strength. Yu Ci sensed the Daoist’s cultivation was formidable—likely at the Yin Spirit stage. Unless they were unlucky enough to encounter a powerful demon, they’d be fine. Still, as the guard, Yu Ci felt he should take certain precautions…
“Alright. I’ll go rest for a bit.”
Zhao Xiqiao blinked. “I thought you wanted to see the shuttle? It’ll take off soon.”
“Another time.” Yu Ci waved him off and left, leaving the shopkeeper baffled.
Back in his room, Yu Ci lay flat on his bed, eyes closed, silently reciting incantations.
Gradually, his body relaxed as if floating in empty space, his physical form dissolving until only his soul and vital energy remained, expanding beyond all constraints.
—Returning Void Harmonization Method.