Zhong Yi's Distress

"Does Master mean... for me to represent the sect in the exchange?" Lu Ze speculated.

To his surprise, Nangong Yuan shook his head and said leisurely,

"No... On the contrary, Elder Zhao's intention is that you should not participate."

"Oh?" Lu Ze raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Being sidelined from such a high-stakes competition was quite unexpected, as it didn’t align with the sect’s interests.

"You brat..." Nangong Yuan sighed and patted Lu Ze’s shoulder.

"This rebellious disciple of mine—your talent in illusion arts is renowned far and wide."

"After causing such a stir alongside the Heavenly Dao’s remnant spirit... Now, every major sect has eyes on your position, eager to replace you."

"Elder Zhao wants you to stay out of the 'Demon-Slaying Day' as a way to protect you, lest you fall into some schemer’s trap."

After hearing Nangong Yuan’s explanation, Lu Ze suddenly understood.

Given his unparalleled achievements in illusion arts, he was already leagues ahead of everyone else.

There was no need to compete for the spotlight in such a minor event.

If he won, it would be expected.

If he lost, the loss would be immense.

After all, forming a bond with the Heavenly Dao and attaining enlightenment through illusions was such an extraordinary fortune that even many transcendent experts coveted it deeply.

When the time came, the theme of illusions would likely become another battleground for various factions.

Lu Ze had no reason to wade into that muddy water.

He was quite satisfied with Zhao Wendao’s decision.

He had no interest in doing thankless work.

Given the current situation, with the three major pillars—My World, Immortal-Demon War, and Eternal Tribulation—supporting him, his demonic path’s growth would remain stable for a long time.

Though he didn’t believe he would lose, crafting illusions was still somewhat draining.

In the year since unlocking his system, he had never stopped working on illusions.

Now that his illusion enterprise was stable, he was happy to take it easy and laze around like a salted fish.

What Lu Ze feared most was the system suddenly assigning him a task—like forcing him to represent the demonic path in the grand assembly or something similar.

Fortunately, after waiting for a long while, no system prompt echoed in his mind.

‘The system finally acted like a decent human…’

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief before asking curiously,

"Then who will represent the Lingxiao Sect in the illusion exchange during the 'Demon-Slaying Day'?"

"Elder Zhao’s disciple, Zhong Yi."

Hearing Nangong Yuan’s answer, Lu Ze felt reassured.

Whether in illusion construction techniques or game mechanics analysis, Zhong Yi had considerable talent.

Nangong Yuan didn’t hesitate to express his admiration for Zhong Yi:

"With your senior brother Zhong’s intelligence, handling such a competition shouldn’t be a problem."

Lu Ze couldn’t help but chuckle and added,

"Provided he doesn’t say those words himself."

Nangong Yuan: "..."

......

Over the next half-month, Zhong Yi visited the Jade Pavilion daily to seek Lu Ze’s guidance on various illusion-related matters.

For this kind and reliable senior brother, Lu Ze was happy to share everything he knew, holding nothing back.

The two weeks passed swiftly.

The [Demon-Slaying Day] arrived as scheduled.

As the Lingxiao Sect’s representative, Zhong Yi set off in grand style—a jade-green immortal sword strapped to his back, riding atop a violet flood dragon, an awe-inspiring sight to behold.

This journey marked the first and most classic segment of the [Demon-Slaying Day]:

Slaying the demonic cultivators.

Representatives from major sects and factions would each receive a clue related to a demonic cultivator.

These clues were said to be provided by the Qingshan Sect's secret treasure.

The representatives would hunt down the demonic cultivators indicated by their clues and bring them back to the Demon-Slaying Platform for public trial and execution.

"Old Zhong, if you aren't the first one back, I swear I’ll beat you until even your master can’t recognize you!"

Before setting off, Zhou Yue laughed and threatened.

"Hah, do you really think I’d show mercy to some lowly demonic cultivator?"

Zhong Yi waved his hand cheerfully, his figure vanishing with the wind.

Flecks of golden runes lingered in the air, slow to disperse.

……

……

Three days later.

As representatives from various factions gradually returned,

Zhong Yi of the Lingxiao Sect was nowhere to be seen.

"Elder Zhao… if Zhong Yi doesn’t return within the next three hours, your Lingxiao Sect will be disqualified."

Zhang Yuxian, the Grand Elder of the Qingshan Sect, tapped the table with his knuckles.

"A bet is a bet."

Zhao Wendao’s gaze was dark, unable to conceal the worry in his heart.

"Once the time is up, give me the clue my foolish disciple received."

Zhang Yuxian nodded. "Naturally."

At this point, Zhao Wendao no longer cared about rankings.

All he feared was that Zhong Yi had been unlucky enough to draw a reincarnated demonic overlord whose cultivation surpassed his own.

Right now, Zhao Wendao would gladly accept disqualification if it meant obtaining the clue from the secret treasure to investigate further.

Yet, at the very last moment before time ran out, Zhong Yi finally appeared.

His spirit seemed utterly broken.

"Disciple Zhong Yi…"

"…"

He paused for a long time, struggling to force out a few words from his throat.

"…Mission accomplished."

……

……

Midnight.

Thunder Peak, Qingyun Pavilion.

"Old Zhou, Junior Brother Mu, Junior Brother Lu…"

Zhong Yi’s face was haggard, as if his faith had collapsed.

"Tell me…"

"Are demonic cultivators always evil?"

"Must they always die?"

"Every single one?"

Lu Ze, Zhou Yue, and Mu Yawen exchanged glances, their brows furrowing simultaneously.

"Old Zhong!? Have you been bewitched by a demonic cultivator!?"

Zhou Yue bellowed, his voice infused with Daoist power in an attempt to dispel any mind-influencing hexes.

"Senior Brother Zhong, how is this even a question? Demonic cultivators are vile scum who use human lives to boost their cultivation—they deserve death a thousand times over!"

Even the usually gentle Mu Yawen grew agitated.

Only Lu Ze silently took two steps back.

Not evil, not committing atrocities, demonic cultivators who hadn’t used lives to cultivate…

They did exist.

All thanks to that damned system…

"Junior Brother Lu, do you think so too?"

Zhong Yi lifted his gaze to Lu Ze.

"What does Senior Brother Zhong think? Did you meet someone?"

Lu Ze avoided answering and instead posed a question of his own.

"Ah…"

Zhong Yi sighed deeply, his fingers swiftly weaving a spell in the air.

"See for yourselves…"

The three followed him in confusion, stepping through the teleportation array into the prison where captives were held.

Inside a special cell sat a disheveled young man covered in old scars, his face hidden beneath a thick beard.

Beside him stood a girl, trembling like a protective kitten, shielding the man with her body. Her wide, beautiful eyes glared defiantly, as if trying to ward them off.

Lu Ze, Zhou Yue, and Mu Yawen simultaneously furrowed their brows.

With keen perception, they sensed that the young man was a demonic cultivator, while the girl was merely an ordinary mortal.