I Just Want to Be a Substitute

"A tournament? Across the entire Heavenly Profound Continent?"

After listening to Lu Ze's description, the remnant spirit of the Heavenly Dao showed a rather intrigued expression.

"Exactly... The popularity of the illusion realm is currently on the rise, and hosting a tournament would further expand the player base."

Lu Ze nodded and began elaborating on his ideas for the competition.

The ideal scenario would be to divide the tournament into regional or sect-based qualifiers.

Each qualifier would produce one or two teams to advance to the final competition.

Such a grand event would be held annually.

This way, the allure of esports would undoubtedly sustain the popularity of Immortal-Demon Conflict, ensuring a constant influx of new players.

When Lu Ze shared this idea with Zhao Wendao, the latter immediately voiced his support.

Immortal-Demon Conflict was already widely known in the cultivation world, and many were eager to sponsor such a large-scale event.

According to Zhao Wendao, he planned to collaborate with other sects to jointly organize the tournament.

"Hmph, what kind of rewards could a bunch of ants possibly prepare?"

Upon hearing that the five great sects were preparing prizes for the winners, the remnant spirit of the Heavenly Dao sneered.

"Oh? Don’t tell me… you’re planning to offer another Heavenly Dao opportunity?"

Lu Ze raised an eyebrow, sensing hidden meaning in the spirit’s words.

"Tch, do you think opportunities are something I can just hand out to anyone? They’d need the fortune to bear it."

The remnant spirit snorted coldly before extending a hand.

A verdant orb of light materialized in its palm.

"This is a fragment of a technique left behind by a mere mortal who fell in battle long ago. Not exactly top-tier, but still better than the trash those sects are offering."

Lu Ze was stunned.

Long ago? Battlefield?

That would mean it dated back to the Great War between the righteous and demonic factions.

Moreover, if the remnant spirit didn’t dismiss the original owner as an "ant," they must have been at least a Unity Realm expert…

Even a fragment of such a powerhouse’s technique would be an invaluable treasure!

"Not enough?"

The remnant spirit asked, puzzled.

"It’s enough…"

Lu Ze hastily nodded, thinking to himself that since he wasn’t participating, what did it matter how good the rewards were?

Just then, the system’s voice suddenly rang out.

[An ancient treasure is about to resurface, drawing countless righteous and demonic cultivators into fierce competition!]

[Quest: Enter the secret realm, seize the ancient treasure, and make your name known across the world!]

[Reward: Heavenly Derivation Jade (capable of completing fragmented techniques)]

"...Enough my foot!"

Lu Ze immediately changed his tune.

"Ahem, how about… adding a little more?"

"...Get lost."

......

With the remnant spirit’s contribution, organizing the tournament became much easier.

Having an ancient powerhouse’s treasure as the grand prize was an unparalleled opportunity to promote the participating sects.

The five great sects scrambled to become the main sponsors.

Not only were the younger generation’s prodigies eager to compete, even sect elders and leaders coveted the championship.

Since this was the first tournament, the format and scale hadn’t yet reached their peak.

The rules weren’t strictly defined either.

There were no regional qualifiers or offline finals—everything took place online.

First was a month-long online qualifier to determine the top 16 teams.

Then came the [Heavenly Dao Cup Immortal World Series].

With the prestige of the Heavenly Dao’s name and the relentless promotion by the five great sects, Immortal-Demon Conflict’s popularity soared...

......

Lingxiao Sect.

"Old Zhong, you’re really not joining me?"

Zhou Yue frowned, puzzled as he looked at Zhong Yi.

"If there’s a more suitable candidate, why should I fight for glory? Ensuring our Lingxiao Sect secures the legendary ancient treasure is what truly matters!"

Though Zhong Yi felt a twinge of regret, he still managed a carefree smile.

All the elders had pinned their hopes on Zhong Yi’s team to claim the ancient treasure.

Mainly because Li Moran and Zhou Yue were exceptionally skilled, making them top contenders for the championship.

Zhong Yi had always prioritized the sect’s honor.

His main role was mid-lane.

His mastery of the Spellblade Swordsage and the suicide-push strategy with the Undying Warlord was unparalleled.

But he knew full well that if these two champions were banned, he might as well retire on the spot.

With so many experts gathered for the tournament, he didn’t want to become dead weight.

So, he found another skilled disciple from Lingxiao Sect to take his place in mid-lane.

"Even if you keep dying, we can still—"

Though Zhou Yue often mocked Zhong Yi’s gameplay, when it came down to it, he valued their friendship more.

"What kind of nonsense is that?!"

Zhong Yi laughed and punched him lightly on the shoulder before pushing forward a seemingly unremarkable young man.

"Still, I think it’s only right to give our junior brothers a chance..."

"This is Liu Mo, an outer disciple… Bet you didn’t expect this—he’s the one ranked 32nd on the leaderboards under the name ‘Silent Liu’!"

"Junior Brother Liu, don’t be nervous. In this era, talent in the illusion realm is still talent… If you ever receive the Heavenly Dao’s legacy, you might surpass even us senior brothers and sisters!"

Zhong Yi patted Liu Mo’s shoulder, and the latter nodded stiffly.

Seeing Zhong Yi’s insistence, the others couldn’t refuse.

"There’s still a substitute slot on the team. How about Senior Brother Zhong takes that?"

Zhou Qiaoling suggested.

Mu Yawen quickly agreed, "I think that works!"

Just then, Zhou Yue’s Illusion Tower flickered.

After immersing his consciousness briefly, Zhou Yue, as the team captain, frowned and said with a wry smile:

"Someone just applied to join our team..."

"Who?"

"Bai Mu."

The moment Zhou Yue spoke the name, everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Bai Mu?? The rogue cultivator who humiliated Elder Li Jiujian in Bed Wars so badly that he put a bounty on his head?!"

"Outdated news… This guy recently started ranking in Immortal-Demon Conflict and is already close to topping the leaderboards..."

"Wait, why wouldn’t an expert like him form his own team? Why join ours?"

"If he’s joining, why ask for the substitute slot?? I’d give him my position!"

"Something’s fishy..."

......

After a heated discussion, they ultimately decided to decline the mysterious applicant.

No matter how they looked at it, a peerless expert like Bai Mu—rivaling Li Moran—volunteering as a substitute was just too bizarre.

......

Meanwhile.

Lu Ze was meditating in the Spirit Jade Pavilion.

Based on his observations in the game, Lingxiao Sect’s team—with Li Moran and Zhou Yue—was almost guaranteed to win the tournament.

If Lu Ze formed his own team, his only possible teammates would be the digital souls from his Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

If anyone noticed something off, it could lead to complications.

Beyond that, the biggest issue was:

He simply couldn’t be bothered to participate in nearly two months of matches. He’d rather coast as a substitute and claim the championship rewards.

Even if they faced an unbeatable opponent, Lu Ze could always log in temporarily and crush them effortlessly.

So, he sent Zhou Yue an application.

"Oh? Took them this long to think about it?"

Seeing the delayed response in the illusion realm, Lu Ze opened the message—only to find a polite rejection from Zhou Yue.

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly as he continued to send another message to Zhou Yue...

...

"What!? If we don’t take him as a substitute, he’ll form his own team and go all out against us!?"

Zhou Yue was furious after reading Lu Ze’s reply.

"Dammit! Fine, let him go all out!! I don’t even care about this treasure anymore!!!"

"Senior Brother Zhou, did he say anything else?"

Li Moran, who was usually reticent, suddenly spoke up.

"Uh, let me check..."

Zhou Yue glanced at Lu Ze’s message again.

"He said..."

"If we agree to let him be a substitute, he’s willing to spar with us in training matches?"