Sect Covenant

"This…"

Zhao Wendao hesitated for a moment.

In truth, he already mostly believed Lu Ze.

To remain so composed and articulate under the pressure of a sect elder was not something an ordinary young man could pull off.

Moreover, Lu Ze’s explanations of certain key techniques had left him thoroughly impressed.

Given this, even if The Demon Sect Escape had been created by a Qi Refining cultivator, it wasn’t entirely impossible.

A faint smile curled at Lu Ze’s lips, as if he had stumbled upon a stroke of immense fortune.

Before his eyes, a clear system notification materialized:

[Righteous Path expert Ding Mingcang has challenged you! To preserve the Demon Sect’s dignity, you must secure a resounding victory.]

[Mission: Accept Ding Mingcang’s challenge and win, inflicting as much damage as possible upon him.]

[Reward: Determined by mission outcome.]

Without a second thought, Lu Ze spoke up, "Of course I can."

His words sent shockwaves through the crowd.

The mere existence of The Demon Sect Escape had already left everyone astounded.

Now, Lu Ze was claiming he could create another?

The disciples below erupted into murmurs.

"Could it really be his work?"

"Even if Brother Lu did create it, crafting another in such a short time seems impossible."

"It feels like a bluff."

"A trial of such seamless perfection is a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of genius. To expect a second… that’s asking too much!"

"Brother Lu, you’re being reckless! With Elder Zhao here, you didn’t have to agree!"

The more Lu Ze spoke, the more skeptical the crowd became.

His actions were simply too outlandish.

"Good!"

Ding Mingcang’s eyes gleamed as he seized the opportunity, afraid Lu Ze might change his mind.

"Since you’re so bold, this old man will indulge you!"

"But there’s one condition."

"You have one month, and during that time, you are forbidden to leave the Artifact Refining Pavilion. I’ll have disciples from the Enforcement Hall monitor you at all times!"

Ding Mingcang still refused to believe Lu Ze was the creator of The Demon Sect Escape.

He was convinced someone else was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

By cutting off outside contact, Lu Ze would have no room to maneuver.

To his surprise, the young man in the center merely nodded calmly.

"Fine."

"But since Elder Ding has set such terms, it’s only fair that I make a few demands of my own, isn’t it?"

Lu Ze’s gaze sharpened.

Ding Mingcang didn’t immediately agree. "What demands? Speak."

"First, if I succeed, shouldn’t Elder Ding be punished for his relentless harassment today?"

"Second, from now on, the sect must not interfere with any trial realms I create, under any pretext."

Lu Ze’s tone was unyielding.

From Ding Mingcang’s eyes, he could tell—this man was no benevolent figure.

His vendetta ran deeper than mere sect discipline. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths.

The grudge was set.

And it was set in stone!

There was no need for courtesy anymore.

Besides, the system had promised rewards—the more damage inflicted, the greater the prize.

Might as well go all out!

The Enforcement Hall disciples were stunned.

Never before had they seen a disciple dare to demand punishment for an elder.

Even hypothetically…

‘Trying to scare me?’

Ding Mingcang smirked inwardly.

The more Lu Ze pushed, the more certain he became that this was all a ruse.

"If it truly is your work, not only will I apologize, but I’ll even spend a month in Reflection Valley!"

Ding Mingcang agreed without hesitation.

Reflection Valley was the sect’s disciplinary ground.

A place of thin spiritual energy, choking miasma, and ancient suppression arrays that even elders couldn’t endure unscathed.

Ding Mingcang’s confidence was absolute.

Even if The Demon Sect Escape was Lu Ze’s creation, crafting another in a month? Impossible!

"Deal!"

Lu Ze’s brow arched slightly.

Ding Mingcang’s self-imposed penalty was harsher than he’d expected.

"But if you fail, I’ll cripple your cultivation and expel you from the sect!"

Ding Mingcang’s glare was venomous.

Lu Ze merely clasped his hands and bowed to Zhao Wendao. "Elder Zhao, I request a Sect Oath."

The moment "Sect Oath" left his lips, the crowd tensed.

This guy…

Was dead serious?

As the elder, Zhao Wendao hesitated.

Without the oath, today’s exchange could later be dismissed as a heated argument.

But once sworn, there was no turning back.

"Are you certain? Once the Sect Oath is sealed, not even I can revoke it without the Sect Master’s intervention."

Zhao Wendao’s voice carried a note of pity.

Deep down, he believed Lu Ze was the real creator.

But youthful pride could lead to reckless decisions.

In his eyes,

A masterpiece like The Demon Sect Escape couldn’t be replicated in a month.

"I’m certain. Thank you for your concern, Elder Zhao."

"Elder Zhao, delay no further! Such insolence deserves severe punishment!"

Ding Mingcang pressed, eager to lock in the terms.

"Since both of you are resolved, I shall not interfere."

With a wave of his hand, a massive golden brush materialized in Zhao Wendao’s grip.

Swift strokes filled the air, and a scroll inscribed with radiant characters unfurled between Lu Ze and Ding Mingcang.

Lu Ze bit his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto his designated seal.

"The oath is sealed."

Zhao Wendao’s voice was heavy with regret.

Had he not already reached his quota of personal disciples, he might have taken Lu Ze under his wing.

"Elder Ding, name your challenge."

Lu Ze gestured invitingly.

A sly grin crept onto Ding Mingcang’s face.

"Within the Lingxiao Sect, the path of cultivation is vast, but the sword remains the weapon of choice for most disciples."

"At the Juexian Cliff of Inquiry Mountain, disciples meditate daily on sword intent."

"Yet their foundational swordplay remains sorely neglected."

"Since you’re so confident, design a trial realm centered on basic sword swings—one that will drill laziness out of our disciples and keep them honing their blades day and night!"

"And since the sect already has plenty of sparring trials, yours must exclude combat functions."