Was it really his work

An overwhelming pressure coiled around Lu Ze like a giant serpent, tightening its grip.

Were it not for the protection of his Ten Thousand Phantoms Demonic Immortal Physique, even with an iron will, Lu Ze would have surely been forced to yield.

"Ask me ten thousand times—the answer remains the same. This illusion was my creation!"

The young man's tone was unshakable.

He knew that if he faltered now, he was dead.

For some reason, Ding Mingcang was determined to crush him.

He had to make the inner sect—no, the true disciples—believe him.

"You dare spout such nonsense?!"

Ding Mingcang, furious, prepared to intensify the pressure.

Just then, an icy-cold woman's voice drifted through the air.

"What he says may not be false."

Every disciple present turned in surprise to look at Li Moran.

Zhong Yi’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

His junior sister, due to the nature of her cultivation physique, was usually indifferent to emotions and desires.

When had she ever spoken up for someone else?

This was truly unprecedented!

"Explain yourself," Ding Mingcang said, retracting some of his aura as he narrowed his eyes at Li Moran.

Li Moran gave a slight nod and replied calmly,

"Last night, I attempted to analyze the illusion’s construction. While its design was intricate, the techniques used were not advanced—even a Qi Refinement cultivator could accomplish it. The execution, however, was masterful."

Murmurs broke out among the disciples below.

"Is that true? Any disciples from the Artifact Forging Pavilion know about this?"

"I’m from the Artifact Forging Pavilion… I was too busy messing around to analyze this stuff!"

"Senior Sister Li isn’t wrong. Advanced techniques have long been replaced by artifacts crafted by great experts—just pour in spiritual energy and they work."

"I heard Junior Brother Lu was accepted as a probationary disciple precisely because of his clever ideas in artifact forging."

"Could it really be… Lu Ze?"

"I believe it. I’d believe anything Senior Sister Li says."

"How is this possible? A mere Qi Refinement cultivator—what qualifications does he have…?"

"Even if Senior Sister Li says so, I don’t buy it."

"Senior Sister Li’s words are purely theoretical."

Zhong Yi frowned, deep in thought.

He had studied the same thing Li Moran mentioned and knew her words held weight.

But…

No matter what, he couldn’t reconcile the revered master he admired with the young man standing before him.

The gap in their cultivation realms was simply too vast!

"Him? Hah, absolutely impossible!"

Ding Mingcang barely spared Lu Ze a glance before dismissing the idea outright.

"Why not? If I can prove this illusion was my work, will this matter be settled?" Lu Ze challenged.

Ding Mingcang sneered. "You? How do you plan to prove it?"

"Ask me anything about Demon Sect Escape. I’ll answer everything."

"Fine! Then tell me this—the size of an illusionary trial space is tied to the creator’s spiritual sense."

Ding Mingcang cut straight to the heart of the matter.

"How could a mere Qi Refinement cultivator create a near-endless space? That would require at least a Nascent Soul or higher cultivation!"

Lu Ze didn’t hesitate. "Simple."

"Demon Sect Escape’s actual space is only a hundred meters in radius."

"All I did was prepare several identical yet distinct spaces and set up randomly combined scenarios within them."

The size of the game's space was limited by the cultivator's cultivation level.

However, when creating "Escape from the Demon Sect," Lu Ze employed a clever workaround.

He crafted three identical spaces.

Then, using arcane techniques, he stitched these three spaces together in an endless loop.

To the eye, it appeared as an infinitely vast world.

As soon as he explained this, Zhong Yi in the sky paled, then looked at Lu Ze with overwhelming delight.

Beside him, Li Moran's brows also flickered with astonishment.

Ding Mingcang, who was not well-versed in illusionary techniques, couldn't grasp it.

But seeing the reactions of Li Moran and Zhong Yi, his heart sank heavily.

It seemed this kid had actually hit the mark.

"Elder Ding, don’t tell me you didn’t understand? Should I explain it more clearly?"

Lu Ze asked with a smile.

Ding Mingcang knew he had suffered a silent defeat and ignored Lu Ze’s words, pressing on instead:

"Then let me ask you—how did you compose the musical score in just three days? Don’t tell me you’re also skilled in instruments?"

"This disciple once purchased a manifestation device from the market. The music was created through imagination. If Elder Ding requires proof, I can retrieve the purchase record."

"And what about the cultivation restriction?"

"...The technique to restrict cultivation was developed by our predecessors. This disciple merely needed to introduce it using a tool."

"But—"

...

Ding Mingcang fired question after question, and Lu Ze answered each one flawlessly.

By the end, Ding Mingcang had run out of things to ask, left standing there with his mouth agape.

The disciples below were utterly stunned.

"This... Could 'Escape from the Demon Sect' really be Junior Brother Lu’s work?"

"No wonder Elder Nangong made an exception to take him as a nominal disciple!"

"To achieve so much at the Qi Refining stage... Given time, it’s unimaginable!"

"Nothing’s unimaginable. Junior Brother Lu’s cultivation aptitude is poor. Rumor has it he’s been stuck at Qi Refining for three years."

"This is what they call 'expertise in a specialized field'!"

...

"Does Elder Ding have any further questions?"

Lu Ze remained composed as he looked at Ding Mingcang.

Ding Mingcang shook his head.

He refused to believe Lu Ze was the one who had crafted this illusion.

He was convinced there had to be someone behind the scenes—

The true mastermind threatening his interests!

"No... This illusion couldn’t possibly be your doing! There must be someone guiding you! Hand that person over, or else—"

Before Ding Mingcang could finish, an aged voice suddenly echoed from the horizon:

"Elder Ding, calm yourself."

The voice carried a serene yet authoritative Daoist power, instantly easing the pressure Ding Mingcang had placed on Lu Ze.

"Grand Elder!"

Ding Mingcang’s expression changed drastically, and he immediately rose from his seat.

Zhao Wendao’s figure materialized, his stern gaze sweeping over the crowd.

The three true disciples in the air and the inner and outer sect disciples on the ground all bowed in respect.

"I’ve heard everything that transpired just now."

Zhao Wendao waved his hand, showing no airs.

He looked at Lu Ze and suddenly smiled. "When did our Lingxiao Sect gain such an insightful disciple? Elder Nangong never mentioned this to me."

Earlier, while observing in secret, he had listened to Lu Ze’s debate.

The theories and techniques behind the illusion’s design had struck him like a revelation.

Especially the method of using a single space to create the illusion of infinity—it was nothing short of brilliance.

"Elder Zhao, you flatter me. It’s all thanks to my master’s diligent teachings."

Lu Ze replied with a smile.

In his heart, he speculated that the Zhao Wendao before him was likely the mighty figure who had been consistently providing him with 10 Demon Path points.

Beside them, Ding Mingcang’s expression shifted unpredictably.

From Zhao Wendao’s tone, it seemed he was inclined to favor Lu Ze.

If Lu Ze were to accept Zhao Wendao’s goodwill, it would become even harder to interfere with the matter of selling the illusion realm in the future.

And most importantly—

Right now, a crowd of disciples was watching.

As a dignified elder of the sect, how could he tolerate being publicly humiliated by a mere Foundation Establishment disciple?

He had to expose Lu Ze’s lies!

"Elder Zhao, we cannot draw conclusions so hastily!"

Ding Mingcang remained unconvinced.

"If someone else had coached him on the theory, wouldn’t his flawless answers just now be expected?"

"And what do you propose?"

Zhao Wendao frowned slightly.

He didn’t approve of Ding Mingcang’s approach.

No matter what, it was far too harsh on an ordinary disciple.

"I believe that since Lu Ze possesses such skill, he should prove it by crafting another illusion right here, in front of everyone. Only then will I be convinced!"