CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 182: A HUNDRED-YEAR TERM, OUTER REALM DEMONS

Sixteen days later, Lu Ping found himself at a scene where the sea and sky melded into one.

He floated above the sea, with waves undulating beneath his feet, a vast expanse of azure.

This place is the Qingli Sea.

The waters of the Qingli Sea are not actually blue; it gets its name from its first ruler, the Qingli Demon Saint, who once held this area under the rule of the Demon Race and was a forbidden zone for the Human Race.

The Qingli Demon Saint governed this sea, making it his domain and naming it Qingli Sea. His rule lasted for tens of thousands of years, hence the name has been passed down ever since.

After setting sail towards the Lost Vortex, Lu Ping quickly arrived at his destination.

Although called the Lost Vortex, the area where it is located does not actually have a giant vortex. Instead, the sea’s surface appears quite calm, without ripples, situated within a massive heaven-confining, earth-locking array.

The existence of this array prevents outsiders from entering, ensuring the seal within the Lost Vortex is not maliciously damaged by external forces.

The Celestial Saint Palace has also stationed Crystallization Cultivators here year-round.

To Lu Ping, the array seemed as if it weren’t even there.

Who would have thought that beneath this seemingly tranquil sea, it used to be a source point for Outer Realm Demons?

It was once known as a site of great peril in the Qingli Sea, so much so that even the Golden Core Ancestors would avoid it and take detours.

Nowadays, this Lost Vortex is still under the jurisdiction of the Celestial Fire Palace.

Lu Ping explored the area and discovered that the spiritual qi between heaven and earth was particularly abundant, with streams of spiritual qi extending from the seabed, spreading out, and permeating throughout the array.

As he dived deeper, approaching the center of the Lost Vortex, the purity of the surrounding spiritual qi intensified, maintaining the array’s operation.

At the seabed, Lu Ping also noticed several figures moving deliberately back and forth, donned in crimson robes, as agile as if on land.

These were disciples of the Celestial Fire Palace, ever mindful of the array’s sealed state.

With Lu Ping’s exploration, the system quickly responded, presenting the results of a hidden quest.

[Conquest Mission: As the centennial period approaches, Outer Realm Demons in the Lost Vortex of Qingli Sea are stirring. Dispatch disciples to assist the Celestial Fire Palace in clearing the Outer Realm Demons set to invade Qingli Sea.]

[Quantity: 29 (partial)]

[Combat Power: Eighth-Layer Qi Cultivation to First-Layer Foundation Establishment]

[Status: Emerging from the Lost Vortex in two months, provide appropriate assistance in clearing, not all need to be cleared]

[Completion Reward: Reputation 990, Rare Three-Star Item Fire Element Spirit Body ×1]

...

No mistake in the guess.

This hidden affair truly involves the Outer Realm Demons in the Lost Vortex and requires dispatching disciples to clear them out.

Upon seeing the number of Outer Realm Demons, 29, clearly, this is not the entire number of Outer Realm Demons but merely the quantity the system mandates for clearance.

Every hundred years, the sealing barrier below the Lost Vortex loosens, showing signs of weakening.

At this time, becoming a rush period for Outer Realm Demons, hundreds to thousands will break through the seal and emerge in Qingli Sea to wreak havoc.

It is no longer a secret in the Qingli Sea.

Therefore, every hundred years, the Celestial Fire Palace reinforces the seal, cleansing the emerging Outer Realm Demons.

It is notable that due to the lack of Celestial Fire Palace disciples, cleansing the Outer Realm Demons solely is somewhat labor-intensive, thus they invite cultivators from various sea regions to unite in defending the sea’s peace.

The reward is the Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper, a specialty of the Celestial Fire Palace.

Whoever assists in the clearing and merits in slaying Outer Realm Demons can obtain Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper.

The more effort put in, the more Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper gained.

This is also a long-term cooperative benefit manner between the Celestial Fire Palace and external cultivators and forces.

For instance, Shenxiao Palace often collaborates with the Celestial Fire Palace for Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper.

The Thunder Control Technique, inherited by Shenxiao Palace, is also the nemesis of Outer Realm Demons, providing significant advantage in battle.

"Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper..."

Looking at this conquest mission, Lu Ping was intrigued.

Does he need Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper?

Of course, he does.

After cultivating the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword to the Second Layer, he can refine the Lifebound Flying Sword Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword.

How powerful the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword is, can be referenced from Lu Zhiwei.

Back then, at the same realm, Lu Yuanshan struggled to handle the Black Water Profound Snake.

Yet, Lu Zhiwei could wield the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword and swiftly deal with the Black Water Profound Snake, demonstrating the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword’s might.

Timely enough, clearing the Sea-Overturning Flood Dragon in Qiantang River also requires boosting Lu Yuanshan’s strength.

Once obtaining the Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper to refine the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword, the combat power might increase by at least twenty percent, which improves the odds greatly.

A serendipitous arrival.

Completing this conquest mission can earn reputation points and a [Three-star Fire Element Spirit Body] reward, while also gaining some Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper from the Celestial Fire Palace.

A double benefit.

As for the listed strength of the Outer Realm Demons in the conquest mission, ranging from Eighth-Layer Qi Cultivation to First-Layer Foundation Establishment, the reason lies in the system allocating based on Cyan Mountain Sect’s combat capabilities.

The strength of Outer Realm Demons isn’t confined to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

There exist some demons at the Crystallization Stage.

Not to mention, even Golden Core Stage demons causing trouble.

Crystallization Stage and Golden Core Stage demons fall to the Celestial Fire Palace’s handling, along with broad alliances of invited cultivators united to vanquish.

The remaining Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment Stage demons can stir no great storms.

This conquest mission, released by the system, seemed reasonably assigned.

The First-Layer Foundation Establishment Outer Realm Demons, Lu Yuanshan can deal with.

With the Outer Realm Demons emerging in two months, ample preparation time exists.

By then, dispatch Lu Yuanshan to lead the crew over, fulfill the mission, and take possession of the Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper.

Here, it is required to sign up in advance for participation at the Celestial Fire Palace.

Determined, Lu Ping ascended to the sea surface, his head emerging into an expansively clear azure sky.

Having completed the exploration of the hidden affair, Lu Ping simply floated quietly on the Qingli Sea, deciding to conduct three more Doorway Affairs explorations.

To earn additional reputation points.

Exchanging 15 points of reputation for three Doorway Affairs explorations, Lu Ping then opened the system map to select regions for exploration.

Exploring locally.

No need to select far places, deciding to experiment with the Qingli Sea.

Exploring this sea engaged Lu Ping’s interest much more than exploring Lushan County’s domain.

Selecting a random area of the sea, the first exploration commenced.

As the exploration started, ripples emanated, slowly unfolding.

The exploration results appeared promptly.

[Doorway Affairs: The coastal areas of Luzhou Port in Bright Moon County, frequently face sea beasts landing to attack. Dispatch disciples to Bright Moon County to assist local residents in clearing the sea beasts.]

[Quantity: 39]

[Combat Power: Seventh-Layer Qi Cultivation to Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation]

[Status: Long-term presence along the coast of Luzhou Port in Bright Moon County]

[Completion Reward: Reputation 610, System Mall free refresh ×1]

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