“Tower climbing?”
“Just that ordinary??”
“Returning to the basics – that’s a good theme!”
“Tower climbing… isn’t that just combat? I can do that!”
“What good would it do if you could? Can the old demon Lu do it? Or do you think you can do it better than he can?”
“Sigh, as long as old demon Lu’s around, we’ll never have our moment in the sun…”
...
Once the theme was announced, the cultivators buzzed with discussion, mostly tinged with pessimism.
Standing by the center of the lakeside, Sikong Che listened, then glanced subtly at the figure beside him—【Rakshasa】.
The latter gave him an imperceptible nod. Sikong Che returned a silent nod of his own.
“Though the theme is simple, I have additional requirements…”
Sikong Che cleared his throat and raised a finger, releasing a faint pressure that instantly silenced the murmurs in the crowd.
“Our Ten Thousand Dao Sect celebrates all paths leading to immortality… We dislike being constrained to a single solution.”
“Thus, for this theme, no single type of illusion realm may exceed one hundred in number.”
“Furthermore…”
“Those who insist on the same type as others will have their scores reduced on a sliding scale.”
As soon as Sikong Che finished speaking, he raised a second finger.
“Next requirement.”
“Our Ten Thousand Dao Sect believes in simplicity in all great paths… So please make these illusion realms as compact as possible.”
With that, Sikong Che stepped back behind 【Rakshasa】.
“Good heavens! Elder Sikong’s theme returns to the roots! Truly fitting for the first presenter at this exchange meet!”
【Rakshasa】 took over the conversation, feigning an expression of amazement. Then he grinned smugly toward Lu Ze’s direction, a hint of slyness curling at his lips.
“Everyone, Elder Sikong’s requirements have been stated. Now allow me to present the details…”
With that, he clapped his hands.
Azure spiritual energy transformed into a series of large characters, suspended directly above the Cloud Leisure Lakeside:
【Theme of this Illusion Realm: Tower Climbing】
【Condition 1: Each type of illusion realm can be chosen by up to 100 cultivators.】
【Condition 2: For those choosing the same type as others, the later your position in the selection order, the lower your scoring weight (First to tenth choosers: no weight reduction; Eleventh to twentieth: 10% reduction; Twenty-first to thirtieth: 20% reduction… and so forth).】
【Condition 3: The illusion realm must not exceed a radius of one hundred meters (if scores are tied, the smaller realm wins).】
【Deadline: One month】
【Scoring Method: Based on visitor count and playtime within the realm (determined by publicly available Heavenly Dao simulation data).】
...
The moment the three conditions were announced, the cultivators gathered by the lakeside surged forward in a frenzy.
“I want to choose! I know what I’m picking!”
“I was here first!”
“I go first!!”
...
Watching the crowd jostle, 【Rakshasa】 cast a mocking glance toward Lu Ze’s direction before clapping his hands again.
“Everyone, settle down!”
“Elder Sikong has already decided the order for selecting illusion realms.”
“According to the sequence numbers on your registration talismans, come up to the stage in order to choose your themes!”
At these words, Zhong Yi’s face fell. He stamped his foot in frustration.
“Damn! I knew these old foxes were up to no good… Their hearts are full of schemes!”
There were over seven hundred cultivators present.
Zhong Yi’s number was 369—right in the middle.
But Lu Ze had registered at the very last moment…
Ever since everyone learned that Lu Ze was participating, they’d abandoned all hope of winning. So no one else bothered to sign up.
Thus, Lu Ze’s number was the last one.
“I can’t accept this! I’m going to argue with him—Why decide priority by sequence number?”
Zhong Yi, fuming with indignation, saw golden talisman seals glow faintly around him. He was about to go confront 【Rakshasa】 when Lu Ze reached out and stopped him.
“It’s fine, Senior Brother Zhong.”
Lu Ze smiled faintly and raised one curved finger.
“This problem… I have nine solutions.”
“Nine of them.”
...
...
Deep within the Cloud Leisure Manor, a pavilion floated in the air.
“Brilliant! That’s how it’s done!!”
Watching 【Rakshasa】 announce the rules, 【White Crane】 clapped his hands excitedly.
He had been worried that Lu Ze, given his position as a true disciple of the Spirit Firmament Sect, might cause a scene or simply withdraw from the competition…
But seeing everything go smoothly, he felt a surge of triumphant joy.
“Mastermind, your strategy was brilliant!”
【Cloud Sky】 cupped his hands toward 【Heart Demon】, full of admiration.
Just as 【Heart Demon】 had said—though Lu Ze’s mastery of illusion realms was unmatched, if you bound him with restrictions, what could he do?
On the Heavenly Dao’s arena, they couldn’t influence the board.
But here, this was their own turf!
For a “tower climbing” illusion realm, the obvious choice in anyone’s mind was combat-based challenge levels.
If they filled all those slots first, even Lu Ze—no matter how supreme his skills—would be helpless if his chosen direction was blocked!
They also made sure to occupy slots for anything Lu Ze had created before that could relate to “tower climbing”—like tower defense, movement techniques, and so on.
And if Lu Ze tried developing a brand new type?
Add the size restriction—he couldn’t win through epic-scale production either!
Thus, even someone as powerful as Lu Ze couldn’t claim a single point in this round.
【Heart Demon】, seated at the center, had remained silent this whole time, his eyes fixed on Lu Ze’s movements.
Deep down, a faint unease gnawed at him.
He wouldn’t feel safe until Lu Ze had confirmed his chosen illusion type.
...
...
Meanwhile.
Cloud Leisure Lakeside—mixed emotions among the cultivators.
Those with earlier sequence numbers wore brighter smiles.
Everyone knew that for a “tower climbing” theme, combat was the best solution!
The old classic, though simple, was reliable!
Just combine it with recent advances in illusion crafting—toss in levels, equipment, skills—and even a pig could whip up a passable illusion realm!
Under these conditions, everyone clearly understood two things.
First—if you couldn’t snag a combat illusion realm, you were doomed to lose!
Second—the earlier you selected combat, the greater your advantage!
Thus, the first hundred participants all chose combat-type illusion realms.
Even contestant number 100, knowing his score weight was barely a tenth of the original, still gritted his teeth and picked combat…
Getting ten points was better than one, right?
Who knew if the Illusion Alliance would later require a certain score for membership?
The line grew shorter, and the gloom on the remaining cultivators’ faces deepened.
“Sigh… if only I’d registered earlier…”
“I signed up as soon as that post went live, and I’m only number one hundred forty… How ridiculous were those ahead of me?”
“Is there anything besides combat that can salvage this mess…”
“Fellow Daoists, I’ve tested it for you—writing terms like ‘spell techniques’ or ‘cultivation’ won’t work. You just can’t deviate from combat!”
“That’s too ruthless, isn’t it?”
“Look on the bright side—old demon Lu is worse off than us! He’s last!”
“Haha! Just thinking that the world’s number one realm master will come back empty-handed like us—that makes this trip worth it!”
“Indeed! This wasn’t a wasted journey!”
“I’m really curious what old demon Lu will choose…”
...
Those who had chosen their illusion types and stood by the lakeside all turned their eyes to Lu Ze, the final person in line.
Some gazes held pity, some awaited a joke, others were mocking, and some were full of hostility.
"Next, contestant 749... Lu Ze!"
[RAKSHASA] raised his voice, looking at Lu Ze with malicious glee.
"Long time no see, Elder Rakshasa. Where are you making your fortune these days?"
Lu Ze took his time, grinning and casually greeting [RAKSHASA].
"You—!!"
[RAKSHASA]'s blood instantly surged. If it weren't for the presence of Zhaowendao and Nangong Yuan watching from the lakeside, he might not have held back and would have lashed out.
"Take care of yourself, don't overdo it. Losing to Elder [Blood Crow] is totally normal, hehe~~"
Lu Ze was almost smiling as he twisted the knife into [RAKSHASA]'s wound. Then he picked up the brush.
An unruly script, carrying a hint of Lu Ze's spiritual energy, was clearly imprinted on the white paper:
"【Illusion Type: Board Game】"
ap a wealthy young lady? Or else I'll be eliminated by the system? Ye Feng, who awakened the Kidnapper System, originally wanted to live a peaceful life but never imagined he would become a kidnapper of young women. However, after some time, he discovered that all the girls the system ordered him to kidnap were far from ordinary. "Big brother Ye Feng~ You've kidnapped my heart, and now you're not allowed to leave me ever again~" "Ye Feng~ You kidnapped me back then, now it's my turn to capture you♡" "Little Feng, you're mine! You can only be mine!" "Ye Feng, none of them deserve you. Only I love you the most♡" ... This is madness, they've all gone mad! Wait, what? Why are all the girls I kidnapped yanderes?!
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
ng to die together with you." Lin Xuan is dead, his body thrown into the river by his scumbag lover and her accomplice. She, the president of the Su Group, is decisive, ruthless, and ice-cold. For three days and three nights, she had his body fished out of the river, and without hesitation, she kissed the bloated corpse of Lin Xuan. She laid down beside him in a cold coffin, their fingers intertwined, a smile lingering on her lips as she closed her eyes. The noble and cold-hearted woman, only bending for one man—Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan, with his golden finger, is reborn and returns to the day of his wedding to the treacherous woman. Su Qiang comes to steal the bride. Lin Xuan's eyes light up, eager to pledge his loyalty on the spot, but instead, her kiss transfers a glass of drugged wine into his mouth, causing him to pass out... 【Male Protagonist with Single Female Lead】【Yandere Tycoon】【Action-Packed】【True vs. Fake Heir】
ut it can buy an entire year of absolutely perfect training results! Su Yu stared at his empty wallet and decisively opened up various online loan platforms. “Borrow a thousand bucks! Recharge my vitality!” Boom! His vitality broke a hundred points, shattering the limits of the human body! “Borrow ten thousand bucks! Recharge my combat skills!” Boom! A basic punching technique so common it was everywhere instantly maxed out, revealing the ultimate assassination technique of Five Elements Unity—Inner Force! When a rich kid hired assassins for a midnight ambush, aiming to break both of his legs, they instead ran headfirst into a monster—a human-shaped tyrannosaur, brimming with dragon-like vitality. With just two fingers, Su Yu snapped a steel staff reinforced with alloy. Staring at the killer’s stash of stolen cash—a staggering quarter-million dollars—he showed a corporate-sincere smile: “Thanks for the pre-exam gift pack, Mr. Zhao! I’m gonna go re-invest this!” Three days later, at the National Martial Arts College Entrance Exam, while everyone else struggled just to reach the passing line, Su Yu threw a single punch—and more than a thousand vitality points literally detonated the entire arena!
