Completion of the Illusion

Just one day later, a nascent girl's soul had taken shape within Lu Ze's Cyber Soul Banner.

Judging by the intensity of this cyber soul, she must have died at least a thousand times.

At first, after a few attempts, the girl would rather die than continue.

Zhou Yue pleaded on her behalf, but Lu Ze simply said:

"Tell her that if she can endure seven consecutive days, Master Qing will live."

Zhou Yue was stunned, muttering that Lu Ze must be a demon reborn...

Yet the tactic worked. The girl fought from dawn till midnight, her cyber soul gradually becoming whole.

"Good, the resemblance is uncanny."

After evaluating the cyber soul, Lu Ze nodded in satisfaction.

Just as he had predicted, the girl's temperament closely mirrored Mathilda from The Professional.

Using her as a template would undoubtedly elevate the narrative impact within the illusion.

With that thought, Lu Ze nodded again and resumed constructing the scene.

A meticulously arranged town was already taking shape...

......

......

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

The illusion competition had garnered immense attention.

For one, this was the first formal illusion duel, and Lu Ze was a participant.

Secondly, the scandal of a Lingxiao Sect true disciple being seduced by a demonic cultivator had stirred heated debates.

On the forums, cultivators from all walks of life buzzed with opinions.

[Which sect will emerge victorious in this illusion contest?]

[Isn’t it obvious? Lu the Demon, of course!]

[Lu’s philosophy of ‘entertainment above all’ might not suit such a serious theme.]

[What’s wrong with entertainment? I’m all for it! Cultivation is exhausting enough—who wants to suffer in illusions too?]

[But Lu’s illusions rely on the same old tricks: health bars, spirit bars, and combat mechanics… If others copy them, he’ll lose his edge.]

[Hey, do you think the rumors about Lingxiao Sect’s Zhong are true?]

[Ha! Sheltering a demonic cultivator at the Demon-Slaying Assembly? She’s digging her own grave!]

[I heard the captured demonic cultivator had no choice—he didn’t willingly turn to the demonic path.]

[A demon is a demon, whether by choice or accident! Everyone has their fate, and his is to die on the execution platform!]

[Zhong’s judgment is truly clouded…]

......

......

By the third day, the towering Illusion Tower marked "One" on the execution platform burst open with a thunderous crash.

The Qingshan Sect’s participating disciple emerged in a daze, presenting a radiant illusion crystal.

Zhang Yuxian, as if expecting this, calmly accepted the crystal and announced in a booming voice that echoed across the mountain:

"Qingshan Sect disciple Zhao Ruoshan has completed his illusion in two days!"

"Illusion title: Tale of Demon-Slaying!"

......

As the first entry in the competition, Tale of Demon-Slaying immediately drew widespread attention.

Most cultivators were fans of Lu Ze’s illusions, so many entered with a critical mindset.

Yet, to their surprise, the reviews were overwhelmingly positive.

Players assumed the role of a peerless master descending the mountain to eradicate five demonic sects.

From a cultivator’s perspective, many mechanics felt familiar.

The combat skill system and parry mechanics were clearly borrowed from Naraka: Bladepoint.

Purchasing weapons and techniques from shops? Another Lu Ze innovation.

Red health bars, blue spirit bars, bosses with minions—all concepts pioneered by Lu Ze.

Stitched together, the experience was seamless.

The forums erupted with praise.

[I hereby declare Qingshan Sect the winner!]

[Two days to make something this polished? It rivals Lu the Demon’s work!]

[Rivals? Open your eyes—every design is borrowed from Lu! How shameless!]

[I always said Lu’s edge was just novelty. Now that others have caught on, he’s obsolete.]

[A blossoming of illusions is a good thing.]

[The era of illusions belonging solely to Lu is over.]

[Zhao Ruoshan’s illusion has surpassed Lu Ze’s! A bond with the Heavenly Dao is within reach!]

[Is there even any suspense left? Such quality, and finished first!]

[Do you think Lu has something hidden up his sleeve?]

[If it’s about demons, it’s just fighting—what new tricks could there be?]

[Ah, Lu the Demon’s reign is ending…]

......

......

The fourth day, the fifth day…

One by one, cultivators emerged from their Illusion Towers, submitting their crystals.

Each participant was a prodigy from their sect, all at least late-stage Nascent Soul realm and masters of illusion and array arts.

Regardless of quality, every illusion seemed to draw inspiration from one or more of Lu Ze’s creations.

Still, Tale of Demon-Slaying remained the crowd favorite.

Time marched on.

Only the tower marked "Twelve" remained shut.

By the seventh and final day, at high noon, the last tower showed no signs of opening.

The execution platform was swarmed with spectators, murmurs rising like tide.

"Why hasn’t Lu Ze come out yet?"

"Perhaps his talent has dried up. He doesn’t know how to proceed."

"Or maybe the rumors are true—Lu’s illusions were all aided by the Heavenly Dao. Without it, he’s nothing!"

"Even if he finishes now, it’s too late. Voting begins at midnight—no one will have time to fully experience it."

"I still believe if Lu delivers, he’ll take first place."

......

......

On the elders’ platform, Zhang Yuxian smirked at Zhao Wendao.

"Elder Zhao, it seems your sect’s new disciple will rank last again?"

"Lingxiao Sect values integrity over hollow accolades. We don’t resort to underhanded tactics for fame," Zhao Wendao retorted coldly.

"Once this incense burns out, if he still—"

Before Zhang Yuxian could finish, the twelfth Illusion Tower erupted open with a deafening crash.

The black-haired youth stepped out of the Illusion Tower and calmly tossed the Illusion Crystal in his hand toward Zhao Wendao.

"Lu Ze, disciple of the Lingxiao Sect, has completed the illusion."

"Time taken: Six days and three hours."

"The illusion's title—"

"‘This Demon Cultivator Isn’t So Cold.’"