Old Zhou, hurry up and log in

"At this point, there’s nothing left for me to say—yes, I’m from the Demonic Path."

"But Player 11..."

Zhong Yi narrowed his eyes at Guo Yunwen.

"You... you’re not actually a [Spirit Seer], are you?"

"Correct. I’m a [Rotting Ghoul]."

Guo Yunwen didn’t bother denying it.

A [Spirit Seer] could detect spirits in the game, allowing them to determine how many had died.

A [Rotting Ghoul], on the other hand, could locate corpses on the map, so they could also figure out when deaths occurred.

That was why he’d dared to impersonate a [Spirit Seer].

Unfortunately, the [Rotting Ghoul]’s win condition was to consume four corpses.

Right now, Guo Yunwen had only eaten one. The game was ending too quickly—he had no hope of victory.

Whether he helped the righteous faction or the Demonic Path was entirely up to him.

"I can’t win, so I’ll side with the righteous faction."

Guo Yunwen didn’t hide his intentions.

This was just how the demonic faction worked.

Due to their harsh win conditions, forming alliances with other factions was common.

"Fine. Then you’d better help us properly. If Brother Shen hadn’t cut down Player 13 for you... you’d already be cursed to death."

Zhong Yi shook his head.

"Player 13 was a [Death Curse Master]?"

Shen Yan immediately seized the key information.

‘He took the bait!’

Zhong Yi rejoiced inwardly, but his face remained expressionless.

The only information gap he held was Player 13’s identity!

No one had challenged Xiao Hongzhi, who was impersonating a [Blade Hero], meaning the real [Blade Hero] was likely already dead.

That left only one person who could still make a kill...

"Right. Player 13 was my teammate, the [Death Curse Master]."

Zhong Yi nodded, calmly digging the trap deeper.

"We originally planned for each of us to take out one target, then curse another during the meeting... but you ruined that."

"However, that raises another question..."

As he spoke, a strange smile curled at Zhong Yi’s lips.

Shen Yan couldn’t help but follow his train of thought.

"Do you know how Player 3 died?"

"No."

Shen Yan shook his head.

Too many had died this round—he couldn’t have seen them all.

"Player 3? He might’ve been killed by Player 13. I saw them run into each other at the tavern..."

Player 7, Zhou Qiaoling, finally found an opening to speak up.

"Impossible."

Zhong Yi smirked inwardly and immediately dismissed her claim.

He’d been hoping she’d say something...

"Know why?"

"Because Player 3 was also my teammate."

The moment those words left his mouth, Shen Yan grew wary.

Zhong Yi and Zhou Qiaoling...

One of them was lying.

"Player 13 and I already figured out that Player 9 was the mole. Why would he kill Player 3?"

Zhong Yi spoke with absolute confidence.

He wasn’t in a hurry to accuse Zhou Qiaoling. Instead, he kept his gaze on Shen Yan, pressing further:

"On this field, the only ones openly carrying blades are you and me... Brother Shen, if Player 3 wasn’t killed by you or me, who do you think did it?"

"[Malicious Ghost]!"

Shen Yan connected the dots instantly.

The [Malicious Ghost] was one of only two blade-wielding roles in the demonic faction.

And it was guaranteed to be in this game!

"I’m the [Hidden Demon]. Don’t overthink it—I was the one who killed Player 8 on the first day... Player 10 was framed. Come on, Player 10’s a veteran. You really think he’d kill someone right in front of you?"

Zhong Yi scoffed, dispelling Shen Yan’s last shred of doubt.

"Player 7, what’s your role?"

Shen Yan’s piercing gaze locked onto Zhou Qiaoling.

Zhou Qiaoling tensed up. "I—I’m definitely on the righteous side..."

Watching this unfold, Zhong Yi knew he’d escaped disaster once again.

The [Malicious Ghost]?

The [Malicious Ghost] was Player 13, the one who’d killed both his teammates!

As long as everyone believed Player 13 was the [Death Curse Master], Zhou Qiaoling’s suspicion would never fade.

"I... I..."

Zhou Qiaoling was at a loss for words.

Shen Yan was still weighing his options.

Whether he voted out the [Hidden Demon] or the [Malicious Ghost], the outcome was the same for him.

"Your call. I’ve already cast my vote for Junior Sister Zhou."

Zhong Yi spread his hands with a grin.

"Don’t forget... the [Malicious Ghost]’s blade is longer than yours or mine."

That line was the final straw for Shen Yan.

No matter who he voted for, he’d still have to face the other in a duel.

Even if...

He glanced at his own role card—[Avenger].

Even if his chances of winning were already slim.

At least his odds were slightly better against the [Hidden Demon].

Worst case, he could rely on the incense ritual to force another vote.

"Fine. I’ll vote with you—Player 7!"

"Hah! Brother Shen, you’re a man of reason... Let’s have a proper duel later!"

Zhong Yi laughed heartily.

"Let me tell you now—I’ve already won!"

[Player 7, Nimble Little Zhou, has departed for a better place...]

The moment the voting results were announced, Zhong Yi felt like he’d pulled off something legendary.

Turning the tide single-handedly? Holding up a collapsing empire?

This was it!

He’d outwitted everyone, found the one blind spot, and deceived them all!

"This play was absolutely godlike!"

Zhong Yi marveled at his own brilliance.

"Next, all I need to do is..."

"Huh???"

[The Dull Owl has won!]

"GODDAMMIT!! CAN SOMEONE DELETE THE DULL OWL ALREADY?!"

......

......

Half a month after [Demonic Slayer] took the world by storm...

The grand campaign to purge the Demonic Path gradually died down.

Demonic cultivators across the land retreated into the shadows once more, not daring to show their faces.

"I’m gonna lose my mind, Old Zhong... Hurry up and take me for a round!"

The moment Zhou Yue returned to the Lingxiao Sect, he eagerly dusted off his long-neglected Illusion Tower and stepped inside.

To set a good example, Zhou Yue hadn’t brought the Illusion Tower with him during the demon-slaying campaign.

After half a month of abstinence, he was practically climbing the walls.

What made it worse was that Zhong Yi and Zhou Qiaoling kept rubbing it in—constantly sharing their latest in-game experiences.

They’d recount every little detail: what happened each day, what teammates they met.

Especially with the newly launched [Demonic Slayer].

All the lies, deductions, bizarre skills, and strategies...

It drove him crazy with envy!

Every day felt like ants were crawling under his skin!

If not for his reputation, he would’ve borrowed an Illusion Tower just to join in.

"Haha, Old Zhou, you’re finally here! Everyone’s been waiting for you!"

Seeing Zhou Yue log in, Zhong Yi cheerfully sent him an invite.

A group of old friends had already gathered.

"Old Zhou! We’ve been waiting for you like stars waiting for the moon... Come on, let’s start a match!"

"But I don’t know how this illusion works..."

Zhou Yue was a bit nervous.

"Don’t worry, you’ll learn as you play."

Soon, the game began.

"Seriously?! I get the Demonic Path right off the bat?"

Zhou Yue stared at his role card with a strange expression—

[Face Stealer].

A skill that let him mimic other players—clearly a role requiring finesse and strategy.

Before joining the match, Zhong Yi had already explained the rules and mechanics in detail.

Zhou Yue had a rough idea of what he needed to do, but he couldn’t help feeling a little nervous.

Especially since the [Skin-Painting] class wasn’t exactly beginner-friendly.

Fortunately, he discovered that Zhong Yi was actually one of his teammates!

"Oh hell yeah, this round’s in the bag!"

Zhou Yue instantly felt much more at ease.

If this were an illusion like Bed Wars or Immortal Realm Domination, teaming up with Zhong Yi would’ve been a recipe for disaster.

But Demon’s Deception was different!

Who was Zhong Yi, anyway?

The undisputed King of Banter!

In a game that relied on wit and words, even Lu Ze might not stand a chance against him!

During Zhou Yue’s time away, the title of "Genius Cultivator" had spread far and wide.

Every major sect knew just how formidable Zhong Yi was!

Whether playing as a demon or a righteous cultivator, he was a top-tier expert—no contest.

A certified carry!

"Finally, an illusion where luck doesn’t matter at all… Looks like I’ve got another chance to shine—hahaha!!"