The Golden Core ancestors from Luoyun Sect, Chaotic Star Island, and the Five Elements Sword Sect were present, and Master Yufeng was chatting and laughing with them, clearly having no free time for a while.
Lu Yuanshan waited for a moment until Master Yufeng had some free time and left alone, then he stepped forward to start a conversation.
When Master Yufeng saw a mere Qi Cultivator like Lu Yuanshan approaching to talk, he didn’t put on any airs; instead, he responded amiably.
Upon learning Lu Yuanshan’s identity, that he was from the Cyan Mountain Sect and the son of his friend Lu Ping, Master Yufeng showed a look of reminiscence and nodded after a moment.
"So it’s the eldest son of Younger Brother Lu."
"The last time I saw Younger Brother Lu was in the Southern Wilderness of Lingxi State. Back then, he was accompanied by Li Chaoge, Li Dao You, which I guess is your mother, his partner."
At this point, Master Yufeng scrutinized Lu Yuanshan for a moment and remarked with some emotion, "I didn’t expect so many years to pass in a flash, and Younger Brother Lu’s son has grown so big, with quite a resemblance to him."
Lu Changfeng nodded with a smile as Master Yufeng continued.
"I suppose you’re here to participate in the demon-eliminating operation, right? It’s good for young people to go out and gain experience; it benefits your growth. With us old bones leading the charge, some high-tier Outer Realm demons won’t pose a threat to you."
At this, Master Yufeng extended his Divine Sense to probe around and, not detecting Lu Ping’s presence or aura, immediately asked.
"Hmm, why didn’t Younger Brother Lu come with you?"
Lu Yuanshan was momentarily at a loss for words, thinking his father should have come along and should be nearby.
But he couldn’t see him.
He was also quite curious whether his father intentionally hid himself or used some kind of Great Divine Techniques.
If his father could speak with Master Yufeng, he would have already come forward, not letting himself initiate the conversation.
Just as he was about to say that his father was still in secluded cultivation, Lu Ping’s voice came through.
"Tell him I am still in secluded cultivation and that we can meet when I come out in the future."
Lu Yuanshan conveyed Lu Ping’s message, causing Master Yufeng to laugh heartily.
"Oh, Younger Brother Lu, despite all these years, you haven’t changed one bit; always eager to go into secluded cultivation. You shouldn’t follow your father’s footsteps; what fun is there in that?"
"Alright, alright, of course, we must meet and have a few good drinks."
"I have a hundred-year-old Monkey Wine that I’ve never been able to bring myself to drink. When Younger Brother Lu emerges from seclusion, I’ll come to your Cyan Mountain Sect to pay a visit and catch up."
"Cyan Mountain Sect always welcomes Elder’s esteemed presence."
Master Yufeng spoke very congenially and was quite down-to-earth, without any hint of cold arrogance.
"Xiaoshan, which group have you been assigned to?"
Master Yufeng then asked.
The demon-fighting teams are divided into four levels: A, B, C, and D.
Level A teams are high-tier teams composed of Golden Core ancestors, with the strongest combat power and serve as the backbone.
Level B teams are composed of Crystallization Cultivators.
Level C teams consist mainly of Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Level D teams are the weakest, made up entirely of Qi Cultivators, responsible for cleaning up most of the small fry Outer Realm demons at the Qi Cultivation level.
As long as there’s enough people and the strengths are evenly distributed, this is how they are divided.
However, this year the number of participants is vast, with varying strengths, making it impossible to neatly achieve the standardized A, B, C, and D groupings where everyone can team up with cultivators of the same tier.
Initially divided by realm to form standardized, same-tier strength teams, there will still be some with uneven strengths left over.
These people will be reorganized, possibly led by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator leading a group of Qi Cultivators, or perhaps a Crystallization Cultivator as the leader; it’s uncertain.
The team Lu Yuanshan is currently in is such a case.
He was assigned to a group led by a loose cultivator from the local Qingli Sea, named Huai Heyun, at the early-stage Crystallization.
The rest of the teammates are loose cultivators from various regions at the late-stage Qi Cultivation.
This team, in theory, has the overall strength to handle a Crystallization stage Outer Realm demon, equivalent to a Level B team, yet is defined as a Level C team.
After all, Crystallization Cultivators are present, but there are also a bunch of Qi Cultivators dragging them down, which could be called cannon fodder.
Lu Yuanshan’s Foundation Establishment strength is mediocre, considered the backbone of the team.
The team’s strength is quite awkward, with scarce high-end combat power.
But there’s nothing to be done; with so many people present, of mixed levels, having a Crystallization Cultivator as a leader is already considered good.
There are even Level C teams with only one early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator as a leader, and all other members at late-stage or mid-stage Qi Cultivation.
There is a considerable disparity between teams of the same level.
Knowing which team Lu Yuanshan was in, Master Yufeng inquired with the official responsible for team allocations and quickly returned to Lu Yuanshan’s side.
"Compared to other teams, the strength of your Level C team is somewhat uneven. When sent to the front lines, the Outer Realm demons you have to face will range from the Crystallization to the Foundation Establishment stages, and certainly won’t be sent to deal with small fry at the Qi Cultivation stage."
"Why don’t I switch you to another team, perhaps a Level C team composed entirely of Foundation Establishment Cultivators with a Crystallization Cultivator leading, making things much easier for you."
"That’s a good idea; agree to it."
Although it felt like taking shortcuts, Lu Ping was willing to accept this goodwill.
Being able to switch to a stronger team increased the chances of survival and victory, no one would refuse that.
Seeing that Lu Ping had already spoken, Lu Yuanshan couldn’t say no and agreed immediately.
"Then I’ll trouble Elder Yufeng."
"It’s nothing; you’re Younger Brother Lu’s descendant, it’s only right to take care of you."
"If you were to fall here, I wouldn’t be able to face Younger Brother Lu in the future; it would be hard to explain."
Master Yufeng promptly arranged the matter, and Lu Yuanshan switched teams, joining a group of Luoyun Sect cultivators.
This team was a Level C team.
It’s worth mentioning that the disciples sent by Luoyun Sect this time were surprisingly all Foundation Establishment Cultivators, including the team leader Han Yunsheng, a late-stage Crystallization Cultivator, totaling eleven people.
Lu Ping was quite satisfied with the result of this team change.
Luoyun Sect is a powerful immortal sect in the Qingli Sea.
The cultivators sent by this sect, in terms of equipment, resources, and cultivation techniques, are certainly better than loose cultivators and family cultivators, being organized and disciplined.
At least in terms of strength, they’re more reliable than loose cultivators.
Admittedly, the best team would undoubtedly be the Celestial Fire Palace’s own team, with extensive experience dealing with Outer Realm demons and specially tailored and bestowed equipment, ensuring combat effectiveness.
But Celestial Fire Palace disciples don’t team up with external cultivators; they’re self-contained.
Since it wasn’t possible to team up with Celestial Fire Palace disciples, this team switch was also a good choice.
It wasn’t uncommon for cultivators to switch teams at the scene; there were always some backdoors, and it wasn’t anything novel or strange, so no one said much about it.
Once the teams had been allocated and confirmed properly, the next step was to go to the front lines to fight.