Chapter 177: Lou Ri Square
Chapter 177: Lou Ri Square
Upon reaching the Eight Cave Heavens, Cheng Lingyu stopped. Through calculations using the technique of origins, he realized merging only two Immortal Souls wouldn’t allow him to open the ninth cave heaven—a peculiar restriction.
Records from Thousand Layers of Snow stated that opening the tenth cave heaven required merging nine Martial Souls. Without this, advancement was impossible. This critical restriction remained unknown to most cultivators.
Next, Cheng Lingyu needed to merge the Nine Nether King Sparrow and Jade Crystal Ice Wing Dragon—both tough challenges. Yet with his current cultivation level, subduing these two Immortal Souls was far easier than before.
Lou Ri City lay tranquil, detached from worldly matters like a secluded cultivation sect. The Western Fallen Nine Ridges buzzed with activity, especially Lou Ri City, where disciples gathered to exchange tasks and earn contribution points.
That afternoon, Cheng Lingyu arrived alone at Lou Ri Square, crowded with over a thousand disciples from various branches.
On the square’s eastern side stood a towering black crystal stone—the contribution board—displaying disciples’ contribution points. The top-ranked disciple had over ten thousand points, the top three all exceeding that mark. Tenth place held around two thousand.
The numbers decreased progressively, listing the top one hundred. The rankings shifted often as disciples spent points on benefits, reducing their totals.
Cheng Lingyu, visiting for the first time, found the board intriguing.
Nearby, someone recognized him. “You’re Cheng Lingyu from the Fifth Palace of Fallen God! Here to take tasks? I’m Huang Feng from the Ninth Palace of Youxing—pleased to meet you!”
The young man in white clothing, average in height and looks, smiled eagerly.
Cheng Lingyu returned a polite smile. “Hello, Huang Feng. I’m just learning how things work here.”
Huang Feng grinned. “Ask me anything—I know this place well.”
Cheng Lingyu gestured to the board. “Start with this.”
“Gladly!” Huang Feng launched into an explanation. “This board’s existed for millennia. Any Lou Ri City disciple can check their points and rank by placing their token here.”
He demonstrated with his Youxing Ridge token. The stone flickered, displaying: *Huang Feng, Ninth Palace of Youxing: 73 contribution points.*
Cheng Lingyu asked, “What if someone has no points?”
“They’re not listed. The board also stops point theft. Before it existed, disciples often stole points, causing endless feuds. Now, it’s impossible—everyone’s protected.”
“What if a disciple dies?”
“Two options: transfer points via will, or they go to their branch. Say I die on a task. If my will gives you my points, you get them. Without a will, Youxing Ridge claims them.”
“What about deaths outside the city?”
“Same rules. Points stay until death’s confirmed.”
Cheng Lingyu nodded. “Go on.”
“Most earn points through tasks—long-term, short-term, or temporary. Difficulty decides the reward. Branches also gift points for excellence. Redeeming benefits costs fewer points within your own branch—it’s how branches protect their interests.”
This was straightforward, and Cheng Lingyu understood immediately.
Take Huang Feng. If he wanted to exchange for a technique or ultimate skill from Youxing Ridge, his contribution points cost would be lower since he belonged to that branch. But if he sought a technique of the same level from Lou Ri Ridge, the cost would rise sharply.
Likewise, disciples from Lou Ri Ridge would pay a higher price for Youxing Ridge’s benefits. This applied to all nine ridges of Western Fallen Nine Ridges—a reasonable system.
“Lou Ri Square is open to all disciples. Besides the contribution board, what else is notable here?”
Huang Feng laughed, “Lou Ri Square has four main areas. The contribution board is one. The second is the task zone, third the communication zone, and fourth the trading zone. The task area lies south, split into long-term, short-term, and temporary tasks. The communication zone in the west corner is for recruiting teammates or negotiating partnerships. Some high-risk tasks require multiple skilled cultivators to tackle. They agree on payment beforehand and split contribution points after completing the job. The trading zone in the north lets you exchange points for benefits.”
Cheng Lingyu remarked, “This isn’t so different from the mortal world.”
“It’s similar, just more secluded. Let’s check the tasks to learn more.”
Guided by Huang Feng, Cheng Lingyu headed to the southern task area.
Three sections divided the task zone, each staffed by attendants. Cheng Lingyu noticed long-term tasks drew the most disciples—common and safer, but offering fewer points. Short-term tasks varied widely in type. Temporary tasks were riskiest but paid more.
Huang Feng explained, “Points match the risk. Even long-term tasks can have high-risk options. Capturing spirit beasts gives big rewards but great danger. Gathering herbs or ore is safer but pays little.”
Cheng Lingyu asked, “Why do some long-term and short-term tasks overlap?”
“Simple. Long-term tasks come from Lou Ri City itself, distributed evenly among the nine branches—prices stay steady. Short-term tasks are posted by individual branches needing urgent help. They offer slightly higher points to attract takers.”
“Most tasks list specific areas. Can disciples enter any freely?”
Cheng Lingyu found this puzzling, as each ridge’s Twelve Palaces strictly forbade trespassing.
Huang Feng answered, “Xiyun Divine Mountain is vast. The 108 palaces govern small territories across nine ridges—none may enter these zones. But beyond palace grounds, disciples may roam freely. Each palace’s teleportation array lies within its jurisdiction, guarded by a defensive barrier. Trespassing is forbidden except in life-threatening emergencies.”
“Any exceptions?”
“Depends on rank. If you’re from Fifth Palace of Fallen God, you could enter Youxing Ridge’s Sixth Palace territory. But I can’t, unless my life’s at stake.”
Cheng Lingyu mused, “Lou Ri City’s hierarchy is rigid indeed.”
Twelve long-term tasks existed today, slightly more short-term ones, and four temporary tasks. Most involved gathering alchemy ingredients or weapon-making ore, followed by soul-catching and spirit beast hunts of varying difficulty.
Among long-term tasks, gathering spiritual herbs was popular: ten points for low-grade, thirty for mid-grade, a hundred for high-grade.
“Herb gathering pays poorly.”
Huang Feng chuckled, “Perspective matters. In resource-poor lands, herbs would be prized. But Xiyun Divine Mountain overflows with cultivation resources and spiritual energy, making herbs cheap. Spirit beast hunts pay better but are dangerous—few take them.”
“Where are Immortal Souls usually found here?”
Cheng Lingyu needed Immortal Souls urgently, so he pressed the question.
Huang Feng said, “Each Western Fallen Nine Ridge has a Soul Gathering Valley open to all. Visit them all if you’re willing to travel. Their exact locations vary—some sell maps.”
“Maps? Where?”
“North side, trading zone.”
Cheng Lingyu entered the bustling trading area. Disciples bartered privately while a reference chart displayed benefit exchange rates for contribution points.