Are You a Demonic Cultivator

The next day.

Lu Ze woke up early.

The number of people on Li Fire Peak had inexplicably increased.

On the way to the Artifact Refining Pavilion, countless disciples whispered among themselves.

"Did you see it last night? Some expert was breaking through in the back mountains, and it actually caused such celestial phenomena!"

"Like we had a choice… The sky was so bright, we couldn’t even sleep."

"I heard the elders rushed to the back mountains overnight to find them but came up empty-handed."

"Honestly, what’s the point of hiding like that?"

"My senior brother said no one actually broke through. It was just the lingering spiritual energy from the three true disciples sparring on Li Fire Peak yesterday. Under some coincidence, it manifested as those phantom projections."

"That actually makes sense… No wonder those three phantoms resembled the true disciples!"

"Why were the true disciples on Li Fire Peak?"

"Supposedly, they were trying out 'Escape from the Demon Sect.'"

"Seriously? Even true disciples are into it?"

"Well, not exactly. Only Senior Sister Li gave it a try, and she instantly broke the record—5,000 steps!"

"Wait, what?! We inner disciples trained nonstop for five whole days and barely hit 4,000 steps… Senior Sister Li surpassed that in one day?"

"Correction—one afternoon."

"Damn… True disciples are on another level!"

"What happened to those who said cultivation realm doesn’t affect performance? Gone quiet now, huh?"

"Huh? Senior Sister Li isn’t at the top? Why is there a nickname instead of her real name?"

"Probably another true disciple who didn’t want to reveal their identity."

"Then where’s the third true disciple? Their name isn’t on the leaderboard."

"Trivial illusion trials probably aren’t worth their time. They likely never even tried it."

"Fair point."

…

Lu Ze listened with great amusement.

Damn, they’re all talking about me.

He could barely suppress the grin threatening to split his face.

So this is how it feels to secretly flex!

As for the phantom projections, even he wasn’t entirely sure.

But according to ancient texts, the Myriad Illusions Profound Demon Immortal Body could convert all phenomena into Dao power—that was probably the reason.

But he’d never even seen the three true disciples cultivate before.

Unless…

A sudden realization struck him.

Perhaps their deaths in "Escape from the Demon Sect" automatically fueled his immortal body’s cultivation.

That would explain it.

The phantom projections of plants, insects, and beasts were likely traces left by outer disciples.

As for the immortal-demon wielding boundless lightning…

That had to be the mysterious powerhouse who always gave him +10 Demon Points.

He didn’t know the exact purpose of these projections, but they couldn’t be anything bad.

The surrounding disciples were still debating the true disciples’ involvement in "Escape from the Demon Sect."

One claimed he’d seen Zhong Yi’s name appear right above his on the leaderboard, while another scoffed that a true disciple would never perform at an inner disciple’s level.

The argument raged on.

Most sided with the latter.

They believed someone as diligent and upright as Senior Brother Zhong Yi would never stoop to such trivial entertainment.

Lu Ze nearly laughed out loud.

The Zhong Yi they praised for his discipline was probably holed up in his pavilion, obsessively playing "Escape from the Demon Sect" right now.

How did he know?

Because since waking up, the constant chime of [+1.2 Demon Points] in his ears could only mean one thing—Zhong Yi was still at it.

An entire night had passed.

Not only was Senior Brother Zhong’s enthusiasm undiminished, but his Demon Point contributions hadn’t slowed either.

Truly, he’d struck gold this time.

…

With the outer disciples’ illusion training period over, Lu Ze returned to the Artifact Refining Pavilion’s external repair station.

Normally, he handled minor artifact repairs.

But since most artifacts were durable and rarely broke, he usually had plenty of free time.

Otherwise, he’d never have managed to serialize so many novels simultaneously.

Now, though, he no longer needed to write. The latter half of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" was already complete, ready for scheduled releases.

Since he was no longer a cultivation cripple, actual cultivation took priority.

While the system had boosted his realm,

cultivation wasn’t just about levels.

The system-granted foundation, though not unstable, lacked the depth and techniques one should naturally possess at this stage.

Only through genuine cultivation could he solidify his foundation and stand firm.

Closing his eyes, Lu Ze slowly circulated his spiritual energy, practicing the basic techniques taught to outer disciples.

He couldn’t help but hope some kind senior brother might drop a higher-tier cultivation manual for him…

…

"Lu Ze! What do you think you’re doing?!"

His cultivation session was abruptly interrupted.

Lu Ze opened his eyes, irritation flashing as he recognized the intruder—

Wang Tai, the Artifact Refining Pavilion’s second senior brother.

"Senior Brother Wang, what brings you here?"

Lu Ze replied politely.

Basic courtesy was still necessary, even toward a fellow sect member he disliked.

"You? Cultivating? Hah!"

Wang Tai didn’t bother hiding his scorn, raising his voice mockingly.

"Since when did the sun rise from the west? Three years stuck at early Qi Refining, and now you’re putting on this act?"

"Cultivation is every Lingxiao Sect disciple’s duty. What’s wrong with that?"

Lu Ze shot back coldly.

Wang Tai had always looked down on him.

During his time at the Artifact Refining Pavilion, Lu Ze had endured countless provocations.

Though cautious, he never groveled.

When pushed, he always pushed back—

whether as a powerless outer disciple or now, with fate on his side.

"You—"

Wang Tai seemed ready to explode but suddenly checked himself, as if remembering something.

"Whatever. Anyway—about that movement technique illusion trial I assigned you recently. Who gave you the illusion crystal?"

"You mean 'Escape from the Demon Sect'?"

"Yes, that one."

"I made it myself. Is there a problem?"

"You… made it?!"

Wang Tai gaped at him like he’d seen a ghost, disbelief written across his face.

Second Elder had personally tasked him with investigating this. The creator’s mastery of spellwork and ability to manipulate minds suggested a demonic cultivator.

Was Lu Ze a spellwork master?

Was he a demonic cultivator?