Reap wildly and win big

The zombies launched their attack.

Under the astonished gazes of everyone, Lu Ze's formation proved to be far more stable than anyone had anticipated!

During the daytime pool stage, attacks from the water were the weakest.

The three Gloom-shrooms at the front unleashed their full firepower, and with the slowing effect of the Winter Melons on either side, zombies of small and medium sizes couldn’t even advance a single tile before being wiped out.

As for the lanes beyond the Gloom-shrooms' range?

Four Gatling Peashooters paired with Torchwoods ensured the damage output was equally maximized!

The disciples watched in stunned silence.

"Could it really… be this simple?!"

"Did Lu Ze secretly lower the difficulty of this endless mode…?"

"Impossible! Elder Ding was watching the whole time!"

"Wait… Gloom-shrooms are this powerful?"

"Never judge a spirit plant by its appearance!"

"Don’t get too excited yet. The first wave is just regular zombies—the barbarian zombies haven’t even shown up!"

"Second wave… here come the barbarians!!"

……

Hordes of barbarian zombies crowded together.

Under the illusionary simulation, every step they took sent faint tremors through the ground.

Their imposing aura and pressure were even more intense than the 2D visuals of the past.

"Finally."

A faint smile curled at the corners of Lu Ze’s lips.

He had been waiting for these barbarian zombies for ages.

Any longer, and he might’ve dozed off.

Lu Ze perked up slightly, his sword dancing swiftly in his hands.

A Coffee Bean landed on the head of an Ice-shroom, jolting it awake instantly.

A surge of frigid energy erupted.

Every zombie was instantly frozen into an ice sculpture!

Countless flaming peas, frozen watermelons, and purple miasma rained down upon the barbarian zombies.

Within moments, just as the barbarian zombies were about to break free, they collapsed in defeat.

Then came the second wave, the third wave…

……

Once again, Lu Ze’s maneuvers left the crowd utterly dumbfounded.

Especially when the Gargantuars hurled their Imp minions from baskets, only for them to climb ladders placed on the backline plants—without dealing a single point of damage—the entire scene erupted in excitement.

"Holy shit! So that’s why he never removed the ladders!"

"Turning the enemy’s tactics into his own advantage? Brilliant!"

"He planned this all along?!"

"Lu Ze was already thinking about the 30th wave back in the second stage?!"

"He’s too strong!!"

"Brother Lu’s foresight is unmatched—we’ve underestimated him!"

"If illusions are like this, then so is cultivation… If not for his innate limitations, Brother Lu might’ve surpassed us all by now…"

……

Meanwhile.

In Lu Ze’s ears, the system notifications exploded like fireworks, one after another.

[Host has impressed righteous cultivator Xiao Hongzhi with his prowess, earning his admiration. Randomly acquiring one of his abilities.]

[Reward obtained: Nine Heavens Spirit Refinement Art]

[Host has impressed righteous cultivator Zhang Ming with his prowess, earning his admiration. Randomly acquiring one of his abilities.]

[Reward obtained: Six Months of Martial Insight]

[Host has impressed righteous cultivator Luo Hao with his prowess, earning his admiration. Randomly acquiring one of his abilities.]

[Reward obtained: Primordial Intent Technique]

[Host has impressed righteous cultivator Shen Cangtian with his prowess, earning his admiration. Randomly acquiring one of his abilities.]

[Reward obtained: Azure Abyss Sword Art]

……

Lu Ze’s movements faltered for half a beat before resuming.

His heart pounded wildly.

This was an absolute windfall!!

Originally, he’d been a little regretful—revealing his skills like this would speed up the disciples’ progress in the game, reducing the amount of demonic energy he could harvest.

But now? This was an overwhelming profit!

Who would’ve thought that a casual demonstration of endless mode would shock the entire sect to this extent?!

Nearly 30% of the disciples were showering him with loot!

Some rewards were mere months of martial insight, while others were full-fledged cultivation techniques or combat skills.

All of it—now his for the taking!!

‘A shame, though. Now that I already have Senior Brother Zhong Yi’s [Great Dao Truth Scripture], the other techniques feel a bit redundant.’

Lu Ze sighed inwardly.

Cultivation techniques were a one-and-done deal.

Having just acquired the [Great Dao Truth Scripture] from Zhong Yi, the other disciples’ techniques were somewhat wasted.

He couldn’t help but indulge in a wild fantasy—what if the system could convert surplus techniques into manuals he could sell for profit…?

……

……

At the Sword Inquiry Peak, atop the Cliff of Lost Thoughts.

Frost-laden sword energy continuously split the heavens and earth, as if intent on cleaving the entire valley asunder.

Only after a long while did the turbulence finally settle.

Li Moran exhaled softly, a wisp of cold breath dissipating into the air.

"Still no breakthrough…?"

She ran her fingers along the length of her silver sword, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

For months now, she had been stuck at the Great Perfection stage of the Nine Heavens Frost Sword Art, unable to advance to the pinnacle of mastery.

According to her master, Liu Qingmei, once the Nine Heavens Frost Sword Art reached its zenith, a single strike could freeze the world—even time itself would near a standstill.

Though the Great Perfection stage was already enough to dominate the Lingxiao Sect, and few across the Heavenly Profound Continent could rival her at the same level…

Li Moran remained unsatisfied.

Lately, while practicing her swordplay, she had sensed an impending breakthrough, yet it remained just out of reach.

No matter how relentlessly she trained, she was perpetually on the cusp—never crossing that final threshold.

She recalled her master’s teachings.

Breakthroughs required a catalyst.

Sometimes, observing a single flower or blade of grass could spark enlightenment.

But such serendipity was rare—where was she supposed to find it?

Li Moran sighed softly.

She sheathed her silver sword and retrieved a miniature illusionary tower from her storage pouch.

Lately, she had occasionally played [Plants vs. Zombies].

On one hand, it allowed her to keep her swordplay sharp even during moments of rest.

On the other, she genuinely found the game’s design intriguing.

In her opinion, it was far more engaging than [Demon Sect Escape].

Recently, after clearing a few rounds of endless mode, she found her subsequent sword training noticeably more effective.

Li Moran entered [Plants vs. Zombies] and, out of habit, glanced at the forum.

To her surprise, the entire front page was flooded with discussions about Lu Ze’s public demonstration of endless mode in the Lingxiao Plaza.

"Him? A public showcase?"

A thoughtful glimmer flashed in her eyes, and the faintest trace of a smile touched her lips.

A moment later, she exited the illusion.

Mounting her silver snow sword, she murmured under her breath.

"That person… it’s you again, isn’t it?"