What's the deal with this guy

"Of course you can?"

Ding Mingcang's accusatory voice rose several notches.

"How many more of these heretical contraptions do you intend to produce?"

"..."

Lu Ze was utterly speechless inside.

He had long heard that the Second Elder was stubborn and tyrannical.

But he never expected it to reach such extremes.

"Enough! No more words!"

Ding Mingcang lost patience and slammed the verdict:

"Today, I shall strip you of your cultivation and expel you from the sect!"

Hearing this judgment, Lu Ze frowned slightly.

Being expelled from the sect was bearable—he could slowly rebuild his player base elsewhere.

But having his cultivation crippled was unacceptable.

This Myriad Profound Devil Immortal Physique had been hard-earned.

If truly destroyed, he wouldn’t even be able to channel spiritual energy, let alone continue developing his game!

Just then,

a hurried voice called from afar: "Elder Ding, hold on!"

The voice sounded familiar.

Lu Ze’s brow relaxed slightly.

It was the core disciple Zhong Yi.

On the platform, Ding Mingcang frowned deeply, his expression odd as he stared in the direction of the voice.

Irritated, he turned to the Law Enforcement Hall attendant beside him: "Just what is this kid’s background?"

"Never heard of him."

The attendant was equally baffled.

Truthfully, apart from outer disciples and those frequenting the Artifact Refining Pavilion, few in the Lingxiao Sect knew of Lu Ze.

Ding Mingcang studied Lu Ze with a strange gaze.

He couldn’t fathom how this mediocre youth commanded such influence.

First, outer disciples.

Then, inner disciples.

Now even core disciples were pleading for him.

"Disciple Zhong Yi, after arduously studying Devil Sect Escape yesterday, I gained profound insights that aided my cultivation. It is far from the mind-corrupting creation Elder claims... I beg you to show mercy!"

Zhong Yi moved swiftly, arriving outside the Law Enforcement Hall in moments.

Behind him followed the brawny Mu Yawen and the frosty Li Moran.

The crowd of outer and inner disciples below erupted.

"It’s Senior Brother Zhong!"

"Tsk, as expected of him—such noble bearing!"

"Senior Brother Mu’s physique suggests his cultivation has advanced further."

"What occasion is this? To see Senior Sister Li in the Lingxiao Sect!"

"Even more stunning than the rumors..."

"With three core disciples pleading, surely Elder Ding will relent?"

"Our senior is saved!"

Zhong Yi bowed respectfully.

On their way, the trio had sensed Ding Mingcang’s fury from afar and used divine sense to investigate—only to discover the designer of Devil Sect Escape had been arrested by the Second Elder.

And now faced crippled cultivation and expulsion?

Zhong Yi was stunned.

He never imagined Devil Sect Escape was designed by a sect disciple.

He couldn’t conceive which disciple possessed the vision to craft such an intricate illusion.

But saving the designer took priority.

Though they’d never met, Zhong Yi deeply admired the mind behind Devil Sect Escape.

Exchanging insights over tea with such a talent would be invaluable.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Ding Mingcang’s gaze toward Lu Ze remained hostile, though his tone softened slightly.

Core disciples were the confidants of elders—their face had to be honored.

"Absolutely, Elder. I wouldn’t dare deceive you."

"Then do you know who created Devil Sect Escape?"

"I do not, but one capable of such an illusion must be a sage of great wisdom."

"A sage? Hah!"

Ding Mingcang scoffed at Zhong Yi’s reply, his eyes mocking as they settled on Lu Ze.

"Then let me show you this so-called ‘sage’!"

With that, his palm slammed onto the table.

The Law Enforcement Hall’s walls vanished instantly.

Zhong Yi gaped, speechless with shock.

Li Moran’s icy eyes flickered with fleeting relief before resuming their chill.

Disciples below clamored to see what transpired.

Inner disciples—some at Golden Core or Nascent Soul stages—strained their divine sense to glimpse the scene, shutting their eyes in concentration.

Chaos ensued.

"Who is this sage?"

"Quiet! I’m trying to see!"

"It’s... it’s the junior from the Artifact Refining Pavilion who sold us crystal copies!"

"What? Lu Ze? You must be mistaken!"

"How could he design such an illusion?"

"Bro, you’re not seeing clearly."

"No, it’s true! I see Junior Brother Lu too!"

"Junior Brother Lu???"

"This can’t be right..."

Outer disciples, inner disciples, and the three core disciples above—

all fell silent simultaneously.

No one believed Devil Sect Escape could be Lu Ze’s work.

Even if he were Golden Core realm, none would credit it.

"Now, do you still plead for him?"

Ding Mingcang relished their reactions, sneering.

"Elder Ding..." Zhong Yi wiped his brow. "Perhaps there’s some misunderstanding..."

Kind-hearted, Zhong Yi had met Lu Ze only once but recalled him favorably.

Lu Ze had solved naming dilemmas for him and Mu Yawen and offered escape tactics.

Even if Lu Ze weren’t the designer, Zhong Yi wished to spare him crippled cultivation.

"Misunderstanding? Nonsense!"

Ding Mingcang pointed at Lu Ze, roaring.

"Did you truly think I’d believe this trash was his creation?"

"I’m not senile yet!"

"Who has the power to craft such illusions but hides in shadows?"

"Using an outer disciple as a scapegoat?"

"Such actions prove malice!"

Ding Mingcang was certain Lu Ze wasn’t the designer.

His pressure aimed to expose the true mastermind—

the one threatening his interests!

Moreover, last night, an expert’s breakthrough at Mount Lihuo’s rear peak had stirred celestial phenomena, yet their traces vanished...

He suspected

the two were the same person—

likely a Devil Sect infiltrator!

Why else design such depraved trials?

Glares burning, he unleashed crushing pressure on the youth below.

"Outer Disciple Lu Ze!"

"You deceived elders, peddled devilry, harbored criminals, and fostered heresy..."

"Name the true designer of Devil Sect Escape, and I’ll spare your life!"