The Chu Kingdom’s royal family had long anticipated the current situation within the country.
Although they were not interested in participating in the Celestial Fire Palace’s actions, they had reinforced defenses everywhere to prevent cultivators from the Qi Kingdom and other foreign enemies from passing through the Chu Kingdom and causing chaos.
At the Cyan Mountain Sect, within the Sect Hall, when Lu Yuanshan was about to set off for the Qingli Sea to assist the Celestial Fire Palace in demon-slaying action, Lu Changfeng and Lu Zhiwei quickly came over.
"Big brother, let me go with you on this journey to the Celestial Fire Palace!"
The first to speak was Lu Changfeng, who felt a bit worried about Lu Yuanshan’s upcoming expedition.
He had heard the messages sent out by the Celestial Fire Palace and was well aware of the high risk involved in this journey.
Acquiring the Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper from them wasn’t something easily attainable; it ultimately depended on how many Outer Realm Demons were slain, the strength demonstrated, and the merit achieved.
Simply participating and being idle wouldn’t earn a piece of Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper.
The Celestial Fire Palace was very astute and exercised precise control over the Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper, offering very little as rewards.
The reinforcement of the sealing barrier itself required a large amount of Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper to be invested inside.
The Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper from the Celestial Fire Palace only appeared once every ten years, and most of it was consumed internally, with very little available externally.
"What are you going for? Stay in the sect and study the path of arrays!"
Upon seeing Lu Changfeng’s eager expression, Lu Ping immediately rejected him, "Don’t be indecisive."
"Father, within the sect, only my little sister and I are at the peak of Qi Cultivation, able to better assist big brother in combating Outer Realm Demons. If I don’t go, are you suggesting letting little sister go?"
Lu Changfeng felt slightly discontented and turned his head towards Lu Zhiwei.
"With big brother not in the sect, little sister must manage sect affairs, whereas I cannot; I’m not suited to manage them."
"After big brother leaves, the sect will need little sister to manage things, so if I don’t go, who should? It’s absolutely impossible to let little sister go."
Lu Changfeng’s words left Lu Zhiwei at a loss for words.
Lu Zhiwei understood that Lu Changfeng was protecting her from taking risks, which warmed her heart, but she still spoke up, "Second brother, why not stay in the sect? I will go with big brother."
"Sect affairs are not as difficult to manage as you imagine, and we can also close the sect for two to three months, allowing disciples to rest for a while."
"Sect affairs cannot halt!"
Lu Yuanshan interjected seriously, "I’ve now broken through to the second layer of Foundation Establishment and can go alone."
Speaking to this, Lu Yuanshan communicated with Lu Ping, asking, "Father’s intention should be to let only me go. Both Changfeng and Zhiwei should stay well within the sect."
Mentioning Lu Ping, both Lu Changfeng and Lu Zhiwei fell silent, awaiting Lu Ping’s response.
This matter must still follow father’s arrangements.
"There’s no need for debate."
Lu Ping, who had been quietly listening, spoke with a calm tone.
"Let Yuanshan go alone; I will accompany him, so you needn’t worry."
"The survival rate for Foundation Establishment cultivators fighting Outer Realm Demons is quite high, and great dangers are unlikely."
"Outer Realm Demons of the Foundation Establishment stage and above have other high-tier cultivators countering them, so situations where Crystallization stage demons overwhelm Foundation Establishment cultivators won’t occur. The Celestial Fire Palace has always been well-prepared for anti-demon actions, with rational arrangements, so there’s no need for undue concern."
"Besides, you two are still in Qi Cultivation. Even if you wish to help, you cannot support Yuanshan. On the contrary, you might distract him and hold him back."
The three siblings heard this, finding some sense in it while also giving a wry smile.
Father’s words were straightforward, pointing out that going could lead to holding him back, which upon reflection, indeed sounded true.
If they encountered an Outer Realm Demon at the Foundation Establishment stage, relying on themselves without outside help, they couldn’t manage and would need to call on Lu Yuanshan for assistance.
Lu Yuanshan laughed heartily, nodding vigorously.
"Let’s follow father’s advice. I’m not going to throw my life away; why worry so much? Father will be by my side."
"The sect’s development is ongoing and needs you to oversee, managing sect affairs and maintaining operations. We will return swiftly."
With Lu Ping accompanying, Lu Yuanshan felt much more at ease.
Upon hearing this, Lu Changfeng and Lu Zhiwei spoke no further, acquiescing to Lu Ping’s instructions.
"Alright, it’s decided; based on Yuanshan’s pace, you should reach the Celestial Fire Palace in approximately two days."
"We depart tomorrow morning to reach there early."
After the Cyan Mountain Sect decided on the traveling party, taking a look at the Celestial Fire Palace, today over nine thousand cultivators had gathered.
Over half of these cultivators were loose cultivators from various places in Lingxi State and Qingli Sea, with an average strength at the Foundation Establishment stage.
The other portion involved Shenxiao Palace, Heaven-Facing Sect, Hengyue Sect, Tang Family, and other sects and family forces, many of which were not limited to Lingxi State.
In Qingli Sea, three sea forces participated this time.
Five Elements Sword Sect.
These three forces were established Golden Core level forces in the Qingli Sea, renowned and with lengthy traditions.
Following past customs, each would dispatch one Golden Core Ancestor to aid the Celestial Fire Palace against high-tier Outer Realm Demons.
Crystallization stage and lower realm Outer Realm Demons would be assigned to cultivators and forces drawn in from various places to deal with.
The passage between the realms lay beneath the Lost Vortex, with the Celestial Saint Palace situated beside it, making the front line against the Outer Realm Demons essentially at the Celestial Fire Palace.
The Celestial Fire Palace had established a Celestial Fire Forbidden Area, bordering the Lost Vortex center, as the main battlefield.
During less than a hundred-year period, this Celestial Fire Forbidden Area remained sealed, with a Celestial Fire Demon Refining Array, tier five in grade, enough to refine Nascent Soul level demons.
Compared to the previous centenary, this time around the gathered cultivators at the Celestial Fire Palace are more numerous, making it extremely lively, capable of hosting a substantial Trade Conference for cultivators.
In the next several days, cultivators from all over, gathered at the Celestial Fire Palace, would be distributed according to the Celestial Fire Palace’s arrangements at the Celestial Fire Forbidden Area, Boundary Point Sealing Center, and around the Lost Vortex to fortify defenses.
Before departing, Lu Ping took Lu Yuanshan to Qinghe Market to begin purchasing equipment for him.
Lu Yuanshan had two Tier Two pieces of equipment: Qingyin Flying Sword and Vajra Ring.
Three Tier Three Spiritual Artifacts: Golden Crow Sword, Wind Thunder Wings, and Primordial Magnetic Treasure Bottle.
Among early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, his equipment was indeed not lacking, comparable to early-stage Crystallization cultivators.
Nevertheless, Lu Ping was not entirely at ease, opting to purchase one or two more defensive spiritual artifacts for Lu Yuanshan.
"Father, I feel the artifacts I have are sufficient, no need to spend money on more tier three artifacts."
Having been led by Lu Ping to Qinghe Market, upon learning of the intent to purchase new artifacts, Lu Yuanshan showed slight resistance.
"I believe it’s better to save some spirit stones for future Foundation Establishment Pill purchases. Zhiwei and Changfeng are also nearing Foundation Establishment, and there are many needs for spirit stones within the sect."
"No more talking; you still need a Tier Three Defensive Spiritual Artifact."
"A Tier One Top-Grade Water Element Shield is inadequate to withstand attacks from Foundation Establishment Evil Demons."
Lu Ping did not elaborate further, guiding Lu Yuanshan through Qinghe Market, spending 3,500 spirit stones to purchase a Tier Three Middle Grade Defensive Spiritual Artifact, the Black Tortoise Shield, before setting off the next day, using Sword Control to reach the Celestial Fire Palace.
This was Lu Yuanshan’s second solo trip to the Qingli Sea. With experience from his first journey, his pace was faster this time, reaching the Qingli Sea by the third evening and locating the Celestial Fire Palace.
Lu Ping, noting Lu Yuanshan’s location at that time, spent 5 Reputation Points and used "Instant Transmission" to teleport there.
He arrived at the Celestial Fire Palace.