The Edge of Heaven, Sea Horn, Celestial Fire Palace, Purple Gold Copper.
These twelve short words are how the outside world describes the Celestial Fire Palace.
The Edge of Heaven and Sea Horn appear to refer to the location of the Celestial Fire Palace, situated at the ends of the world in this realm.
In reality, this "ends of the world" merely refers to the ends of the Qingli Sea.
The Celestial Fire Palace is located in the southwest of Cyan Simurgh Island, bordered by the Lost Vortex to the west and the vast sea beyond Qingli to the east.
And Celestial Fire Palace and Purple Gold Copper, as the name suggests, refer to the Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper of the Celestial Fire Palace.
In the entire sea region, and even within Lingxi State, only the Celestial Fire Palace controls a Celestial Fire Ore Vein, producing large amounts of Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper every decade.
The fact that they can guard this Celestial Fire Ore Vein, extracting continuously for thousands of years, almost inexhaustible, is enough to prove the power of the Celestial Fire Palace, and the vastness of this ore vein.
Also, because the Celestial Fire Palace bears the heavy responsibility of guarding the Lost Vortex, it establishes good relations with others and has strong power.
To this day, no force dares to provoke the Celestial Fire Palace. While there is some fear, there is more admiration.
Admiration for the Celestial Fire Palace’s dedication to guarding the Lost Vortex, protecting the Qingli Sea Cultivation Realm’s peace.
As the effect of [Instant Transmission] triggered, the scene before Lu Ping changed.
In an instant, he found himself amidst towering palaces and gathering crowds.
This was the reception area inside the Celestial Fire Palace, on a massive square called the Double Fire Palace.
Around the square stood several fiery red palaces, each grand and majestic, far surpassing what the Cyan Mountain Sect could compare to.
Cultivators of various ages, young and old, were gathered on the square, bustling and vibrant, some conversing, others resting with eyes closed.
Compared to other places, the surrounding air carried a faint trace of fire element spiritual qi, catching Lu Ping’s attention.
The Celestial Fire Palace, built upon the Celestial Fire Ore Vein, had temperatures hotter than Lushan County or the Chu Kingdom.
Even in what should be winter, and with snow already falling in northern Chu Kingdom, entering full winter,
here, the temperature remained at spring levels, warm and comfortable, conducive for living and for fire attribute cultivators to practice.
Lu Ping had been transmitted to a point one zhang beside Lu Yuanshan, quickly spotting where Distant Mountain stood, finding him curiously observing the surrounding cultivators, looking quite new to the scene.
The cultivators gathered here, apart from sect disciples and family members, were powerful loose cultivators, with the lowest cultivation being at the Foundation Establishment Stage.
These loose cultivators, battling in the cultivation realm for years, reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage through their efforts, prove their uniqueness and prowess.
Their battle experience and methods of thinking are far beyond those grown in the comfort of a sect, or family disciples.
Forged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, through blades and swords, these Foundation Establishment Cultivators endured hardships far more than Lu Yuanshan did.
Lu Ping, observing with some care, noticed some Foundation Establishment independent cultivators showed vigilance, cautious conduct, with a hint of wariness of those around, a habit clearly forged from years of intrigues.
Unlike Lu Yuanshan, still observing his surroundings with curiosity, as if he had never seen such a spectacle.
To Lu Ping, it was rather like a country bumpkin entering the city, feeling a bit bitter for a moment.
"Why do I feel that as a father, I’ve never properly taken my child out to see the world and broaden their horizons?"
Thinking back, of course, this was Lu Yuanshan’s first time attending such an event, surrounded by Foundation Establishment Cultivators and even Crystallization Stage experts.
In Lu Yuanshan’s eyes, it was indeed a gathering of big shots.
Confined in the small plot of land that is Lushan County, such a minor cultivator, busy with sect affairs for years, had no time to go out and gain experience, broaden his horizons.
So be it, who told me to pass away early, with no time to take the children out and gain experience.
Shaking off these thoughts, Lu Ping established communication.
"Yuanshan, your father is here."
Hearing Lu Ping’s communication, Lu Yuanshan’s expression brightened.
In this unfamiliar Celestial Fire Palace, surrounded by powerhouses, having his father nearby made him feel much more at ease.
Previously on the journey, not hearing Lu Ping’s communication, Lu Yuanshan thought Lu Ping might have gone into secluded cultivation again, unable to accompany, feeling a bit disappointed.
"Hmm, these days might be tough, but your father will be by your side, don’t feel too pressured."
Lu Ping advised, noticing the joy on Lu Yuanshan’s face, showing a gentle smile.
The truth is, sending Lu Yuanshan to the Celestial Fire Palace to participate in the mission to eliminate the Outer Realm Demons, Lu Ping’s primary goal was to accomplish this hidden task.
Obtaining the Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper was merely a convenient bonus.
One feels a bit like he’s using Lu Yuanshan to earn Reputation Points for himself.
However, such opportunities are rare.
The next chance to obtain Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper might be unknown, probably a hundred years later.
Buying from other participants in this mission would almost certainly not be available, even if they were willing, the price would be exorbitant, not worth it.
So his eldest son’s hard work, to personally acquire Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper, was necessary.
Hearing Lu Ping’s advice, Lu Yuanshan smiled, but said nothing.
On the third day after that, at the end of the final reporting deadline, the Celestial Fire Palace halted reception of cultivators from all directions and began strategic planning.
There were a total of over nine thousand eight hundred cultivators, divided into several hundred groups under the unified arrangement of the Celestial Fire Palace.
These small teams naturally varied in strength.
Of particular note was the first contingency group, a small ensemble composed of numerous Golden Core Ancestors.
These Golden Core Ancestors are well-known figures, mostly foundational patriarchs, led by Master Yufeng, the late-stage Golden Core Ancestor from the Celestial Saint Palace.
The other six each belonged to either the Luoyun Sect, Chaotic Star Island, or Five Elements Sword Sect, with two Golden Core Ancestors participating from each faction.
Key to mention is that in Lu Ping’s eyes, these six Golden Core Ancestors from the three factions were unfamiliar faces, none of whom he recognized.
But Lu Ping did recognize Master Yufeng from the Celestial Fire Palace.
In simple terms, there was some acquaintance.
Lu Ping considered communicating to exchange greetings with Master Yufeng, hoping he could look after Lu Yuanshan.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible.
The communication function of the system was only usable for members of the Cyan Mountain Sect.
To communicate with Master Yufeng, he’d have to bring him into the Cyan Mountain Sect first.
Clearly, this idea was unrealistic.
After some thought, Lu Ping decided to instruct Lu Yuanshan to greet him warmly.
Upon hearing Lu Ping’s intentions and looking again towards Master Yufeng, Lu Yuanshan felt a bit daunted.
"Father, are you sure this Elder Yufeng remembers you and hasn’t any grievances?"
Lu Yuanshan hesitated, afraid to step forward.
After all, when Lu Ping was young, his actions were notoriously overbearing, making many enemies, and within the Chu Kingdom, some even privately referred to Lu Ping as Old Demon Lu.
Lu Yuanshan was now worried; if Lu Ping had offended Master Yufeng and didn’t remember, going to him now and revealing his identity wasn’t courting death?
Facing a Golden Core Ancestor, killing a Foundation Establishment Cultivator on the spot wouldn’t stir many words among the onlookers.
"When did you become so timid?"
Lu Ping didn’t explain much, rushing him: "I told you to go, so you go!"