Chapter 160: A Few Happenings Aboard the Ship

Soaring straight up three thousand li, piercing through the clouds and breaking open the ninefold sky.

As the Heaven-Piercing Shuttle rose without a breath of wind, in the next moment, auspicious clouds rapidly condensed beneath the ship, lifting the entire vessel directly into the air.

The control of the entire ship was almost entirely on those two wooden rods.

Xu Ping’an stepped closer; it was his first time observing such a Xianjia Artifact up close in this world.

“Husband… are you interested in this?”

Pei Qingxuan saw Xu Ping’an approaching and didn’t refuse. After all, all five people on the ship knew each other well.

Nearby, Li Yuer and Li Zhi’er had already started chatting, and when Li Zhi’er realized that the Li Yuer in front of her was the Shunnan King’s Heir, a look of shock spread across her young face.

She probably never imagined that the Zhennan King had never had a son all this time.

The two sisters talked happily, and as the ship flew into the air, whether it was Li Yuer, Li Zhi’er, or Xiao Jing’er, all wore excited expressions.

After all, mortals almost never had the chance to come into contact with such artifacts, let alone members of the royal family, who were forbidden from practicing the Immortal Way since childhood. Except for the Emperor, no one else was allowed to cultivate.

This was why neither Li Zhi’er nor Li Yuer had ever seen such a treasure before.

Not to mention Xiao Jing’er.

Xu Ping’an looked at the wooden rod before him.

On the rod was a circular disk, unlike a car steering wheel. It was a solid circle with a ring of handlebars around its edge for control.

On the front of the disk was a small wooden lever, next to which were the traditional Chinese characters “高低” (High-Low).

There were also several buttons, each seemingly with different functions.

The operation looked quite simple—perhaps even easier than driving a car.

“Do you want to try driving it, husband?” “Hmm, sure, why not.”

He had never had any aptitude for cultivation, which meant that although he owned several magical treasures, aside from using them as storage, he couldn’t activate any of their other functions.

Not to mention something as advanced as killing from thousands of miles away—he couldn’t even use simple flying abilities.

Yet unexpectedly, the control for the Heaven-Piercing Shuttle was so simple.

It didn’t require spiritual energy at all, and had a foolproof control panel.

To be frank, even a child seven or eight years old, as long as they recognized a few characters, could probably operate this ship.

“Sir, Qingxuan sister, what are you two talking about?”

Li Yuer stepped closer, apparently curious as she saw the two chatting so closely. She glanced at the focus of their gaze.

“What’s this?”

“This is the control panel for the Heaven-Piercing Shuttle. As long as you hold the handlebars, you can control the ship’s movements.”

“So interesting?”

Upon hearing this, the two little girls who had been watching the scenery—Xiao Jing’er and Li Zhi’er—also gathered around.

Their three pairs of bright, sparkling eyes fixed on the control panel, making Pei Qingxuan’s movements stiffen slightly.

“Interested?”

She hesitated a moment before looking back at Li Yuer.

“How about… you give it a try, Yuer sister?” “Really? Can I… really use it?”

Even usually calm Li Yuer showed a rare hint of nervousness at her first contact with a Xianjia Artifact.

“Of course you can.”

Pei Qingxuan stepped aside, and Xu Ping’an also moved, giving Li Yuer space.

Li Yuer’s face flushed slightly with a rosy tint, and her eyes gleamed with excitement.

“How… how do I use it?”

“You just gently push the control disk to steer the ship forward, backward, left, or right. That small lever up there controls altitude, and the buttons on the side are for…”

One teaching sincerely, the other learning humbly.

Who was Li Yuer?

Born with the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart—truly a prodigy.

After just one explanation, she had grasped most of it and started piloting the ship with a fair degree of skill.

If not for the few mortals on board, judging by her excitement, she might have even attempted some aerial stunts.

Xiao Jing’er couldn’t help but want to try, but as soon as she took the controls, the ship almost capsized.

Fortunately, Pei Qingxuan stabilized it with spiritual energy, but everyone was shaken.

At first, everyone assumed it was just Xiao Jing’er’s lack of skill, so Li Yuer patiently taught her again.

Second time, third time… even by the fifth attempt, whenever Xiao Jing’er touched the control panel, the ship would immediately tilt dangerously.

After that, no one dared let her try again, and Xiao Jing’er sulked in a corner, drawing circles.

Finally, it was Li Zhi’er’s turn.

Though she kept insisting she was afraid, Xu Ping’an nudged her into the pilot seat.

She screamed but reached out and tightly grasped the controls with her eyes closed.

Everyone thought she would be as bad as Xiao Jing’er, flipping the ship immediately.

Unexpectedly, despite her closed eyes and screams, she piloted steadily.

Afterward, everyone except Xiao Jing’er took turns trying the controls.

There wasn’t much to it, but with more people involved, the excitement lasted longer.

Of course, although the Heaven-Piercing Shuttle flew fast through the sky, Xu Ping’an quickly estimated the speed to be under two hundred kilometers per hour—less than an hour’s flight.

It was fast compared to carriages of this era, but nowhere near the planes on Blue Star, not to mention fighter jets.

At this speed, flying to Misty Mountain’s Liuyun Sect would take roughly a day and a night.

At first, everyone was excited, but as time passed, the novelty wore off.

Finally, they returned to the cabin to drink tea and let the ship fly itself.

“Two of a kind!”

“Royal flush!”

“Can’t beat that…”

“Pass~”

The five people had narrowed down to three—Pei Qingxuan, Xiao Jing’er, and Li Zhi’er—gathered around a table with a deck of poker cards Xu Ping’an had studied during his free time.

Why didn’t Li Yuer join?

She had casually played a few rounds, but the others wouldn’t let her continue.

No choice—Li Yuer’s Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart meant she could read everyone’s cards as soon as they were dealt.

Playing with her was just inviting discomfort.

As for why Xu Ping’an didn’t join?

He wasn’t unwilling—everyone just let him win.

Li Zhi’er was even more ruthless.

Though a peasant girl, holding two bombs (炸), she made him play every card one by one.

To keep the game fun, he had no choice but to bow out.

“Sir.”

“Hmm?”

Li Yuer and Xu Ping’an sat by a side table with a pot of tea and two cups, drinking together.

“How much longer until my illness is cured?”

“What’s wrong? Getting anxious?”

“A little…”

Li Yuer’s delicate face flushed as she shyly nodded.

“Hmm.”

“Why the sudden urgency? You’ve never been impatient before.”

“I…”

Li Yuer’s voice was like a whisper:

“I’m afraid… it will affect the child.”