August Celestials Reputation Guide Order of the Cloud Serpent Reputation Guide
How to Get The Reins
Reins of the Thundering Ruby Cloud Serpent is a guaranteed drop from Alani, who can be found flying around Vale of Eternal Blossoms. He cannot be attacked usually due to having the buff Nimbus Shroud. The only way to remove this buff is by using Sky Crystal, which is created by combining 10 Skyshards. Once the buff is removed, killing Alani is trivial for a solo player.
Alani <The Stormborn> in Vale of Eternal Blossoms
Obtaining Sky Shards
Skyshards can be acquired from a few sources:
Obtained as a rare drop from mobs throughout Vale of Eternal Blossoms.
Contained in Treasures of the Vale, which is rewarded for completing the final Golden Lotus daily.
Contained in Ancient Guo-Lai Cache, which are found in Gui-Lai Halls. These require Ancient Guo-Lai Cache Key to open, which are dropped by Mogu enemies in the Vale.
Due to the rarity of Skyshards, if you're looking to get this mount, you will either have to acquire them from Treasures of the Vale slowly, or you will have to farm mobs - and a lot of them. Grinding mobs for the Skyshards will likely take tens of hours. However, along the way, you should make a lot of gold from drops, especially if you use Potion of Luck.
Reputation Requirements
There are two reputation factions that you will need to be Exalted with:
The August Celestials: To use the Reins and learn to summon the mount.
Order of the Cloud Serpent: As with all Cloud Serpents in Mists of Pandaria, you must have learnt Cloud Serpent Riding to ride the mount. This is taught automatically on completion of Riding the Skies after reaching Exalted, or by using Order of the Cloud Serpent Flight Log, which can be purchased by a character that is Exalted and mailed to an alt.
Are you trying to get this mount? Do you have any tips? Let us know in the comments below!
