CHAPTER 183: CHAPTER 183: IMPROVING THE SECT, REBUILDING THE MERIT HALL

The rewards from this exploration were rather satisfying.

A free refresh in the System Mall, worth 20 Reputation Points; it’s best to save Reputation Points whenever possible.

Moreover, the strongest among the Sea Beasts to be cleared weren’t at the Foundation Establishment Stage, the highest was merely at the Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation.

The difficulty isn’t high; sending Lu Yuanshan or Lu Zhiwei should suffice to complete the task.

Then proceed with the second and third Doorway Affairs exploration.

Hopefully, the Reputation Points rewards will be more generous.

Lu Ping carried out two consecutive explorations of Doorway Affairs.

The selected locations were all within the Qingli Sea.

[Doorway Affairs: Pirates frequently appear on the Ludao sea route frequented by Datong Sea Merchant. You may try dispatching disciples to escort and protect Datong Sea Merchant and their supplies to Cyan Simurgh Island, and clear out those pirates.]

[Quantity: 21]

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

[Status: Frequently appearing on the Qingli Sea Ludao sea route]

[Completion Reward: Reputation 510, Blazing Fire Talisman ×3]

...

[Doorway Affairs: In the Thousand Star Islands where Qingli Sea is located, there is a group of dispersed Merfolk whom you can try guiding back to their tribe.]

[Quantity: 19]

[Combat Power: Third-Layer Qi Cultivation to Sixth-Layer Qi Cultivation]

[Status: Scattered in the Thousand Star Islands, urgently seeking help to return to their tribe]

[Completion Reward: Reputation 499, Merfolk Tears ×10]

...

The results of the remaining two Doorway Affairs explorations were like this; in Lu Ping’s view, the difficulty wasn’t high.

These tasks can be delegated to the disciples to complete.

After the exploration, with 445 Reputation Points remaining, Lu Ping decided not to use any more Reputation Points and to accumulate them instead, as the total value of the items he wanted to exchange was quite expensive.

However, before that, he must spend 5 Reputation Points to transmit himself back to Cyan Mountain Sect.

Flying back would take too much time.

After exchanging for an [Instant Transmission], the scenery in front of Lu Ping changed, and in an instant, he returned to Cyan Lotus Mountain.

The first thing to do upon returning to the sect was to delegate one conquest task and three Doorway Affairs, to get them completed as soon as possible.

Summoning Lu Yuanshan, Lu Ping discussed the conquest task with him and inquired about the progress in cultivating the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword Technique.

The results were quite surprising.

"As for the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword Technique, during my secluded cultivation in the cultivation cave mansion, I successfully cultivated the sword technique to the Second Layer."

"Once I acquire the Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper, I can attempt to refine the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword."

Speaking of the Lifebound Flying Sword, Lu Yuanshan felt a bit excited and expectant in his heart.

Having witnessed the power of the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword in person from Lu Zhiwei, he was motivated to further cultivate the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword Technique, eager to soon master the Second Layer and refine his own Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword.

Now, having learned that Outer Realm Demons appeared in the Lost Vortex at Qingli Sea, Lu Yuanshan felt a bit apprehensive and dared not participate in the demon-cleansing action.

After all, according to Lu Ping’s description, the Lost Vortex contained major evil demons at the Crystallization Stage and Golden Core Stage, far beyond what Foundation Establishment Cultivators could contend with.

Yet the thought of assisting the Celestial Fire Palace against the Outer World Demons to potentially obtain Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper, and refine the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword, made Lu Yuanshan’s expectation outweigh his fear.

Without venturing into the tiger’s den, one cannot get a tiger cub.

This is a good opportunity.

Moreover, joint collaboration with the Celestial Fire Palace doesn’t equate to blindly sacrificing oneself.

The stronger Outer Realm Demons will naturally be dealt with by high-tier cultivators.

"Father, I am willing to undertake the task to deal with Outer Realm Demons in the Lost Vortex, in hopes of acquiring some Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper and refining my Lifebound Flying Sword early."

Lu Yuanshan agreed to this task; considering the timeline, there were nearly two months left for preparation, which was sufficient for him.

Lu Yuanshan would personally handle this conquest task; during the preparation period, Lu Ping decided to settle the other three Doorway Affairs quickly to exchange for the [Three-Star Wood Spirit Body] for Lu Yuanshan’s use.

After delegating the three Doorway Affairs, Lu Ping inquired Lu Yuanshan about the recent activity of the sect’s disciples, whether they had enough time to go out and carry out tasks.

"If Father wishes to send disciples down the mountain to execute tasks, the sect can indeed dispatch some disciples. However, complete all three tasks in the near term might exhaust the disciples."

"What is your good idea?"

Lu Ping foresaw this response.

This was why he didn’t explore Doorway Affairs extensively nor arrange tasks indiscriminately for the disciples, to not crazily earn Reputation Points.

For a Doorway Affair task, from planning to departure, and then to execution and completion, it could easily take over ten days.

Beyond mental exertion, there might even be casualty risks.

Dispatching disciples for one or two tasks with some rewards wouldn’t spark complaints.

After all, the disciples would gain benefits while enduring some fatigue, then be able to rest well afterwards.

However, if too many tasks were issued, exhausting the disciples intensively would cause them to develop resistance, complaints, lower their fondness for the sect, and consequently reduce the sect’s cohesion.

A sect aiming for great strength must maintain cohesion.

Even in cultivation clans, where blood relation strengthens bonds, clansmen earning rewards for their services gel well with abundant cultivation time, without being forced to work for the clan.

In Cyan Mountain Sect, Lu Ping felt most disciples were relatively laid-back.

Only a few like Zhang Nianchuan and Song Minghui, who held leading positions in strength, continuously pursued cultivation, while only a few enjoyed a favorable cultivation atmosphere.

The sect’s regulations must be revised to boost the disciples’ initiative in undertaking Doorway Affairs and stimulate more cultivation.

This not only enhances sect-wide strength but facilitates further Doorway Affairs exploration, earning Reputation Points, and developing the sect.

Lu Ping needed only sit back and enjoy the rewards.

This matter was discussed between Lu Ping and Lu Yuanshan and a conclusion was drawn.

——Rebuild the Merit Hall.

List Doorway Affairs as sect tasks, unifying their publication in the Merit Hall, allowing disciples to freely accept and execute them.

Every Doorway Affair will have corresponding Merit Points according to its difficulty.

Accomplish tasks to gain Merit Points, and accumulated Merit Points can be exchanged in the Merit Hall for various Magical Artifacts, Elixirs, Cultivation Techniques, Cultivation Resources, and more.

This exchange system somewhat resembled the System’s Reputation Points and System Mall.

Once the Merit Hall is established and the system initiated, disciples’ task enthusiasm could be significantly boosted, encouraging their endeavors for better cultivation resources and struggle for advancement.

Identifying issues in sect regulations and promptly solving them with rational plans is essential.

This was thus decided.

Coincidentally, the sect’s Spirit Testing Array was still under construction.

Various other sect buildings were being repaired and constructed as necessary.

Having made up their mind, the next day, Lu Yuanshan started the reconstruction of the Merit Hall.