I Think the Sect Needs Me

Lu Ze had been fighting for two full hours.

Outside, the disciples had been watching for two hours as well.

The crowd of onlookers grew larger by the minute.

Even the stewards and elders from various peaks came over to witness the spectacle.

As the last red-eyed barbarian zombie of the fiftieth level was smashed in the head by the Ice Melon and slowly collapsed,

Lu Ze calmly chose to withdraw, smiling softly as he glanced back at Ding Mingcang, whose face had turned ashen.

“Elder Ding, is fifty levels enough?”

Ding Mingcang’s expression was dark and gloomy.

He never would have dreamed that even with the combined efforts of numerous elders and true disciples, they couldn’t break past level twenty in the endless mode.

Yet Lu Ze had breezed through fifty levels with ease.

Not once had he died along the way.

Now, speechless and unable to argue, Ding Mingcang could only snort coldly and sweep his sleeves as he turned and left.

The once lively crowd instantly fell into a stunned silence.

“Since the outcome is clear, everyone may disperse.”

Zhao Wendao’s voice rang out like a bell, and his figure appeared before Lu Ze.

Upon hearing this, the disciples reluctantly began to leave.

“Is there really no room for negotiation regarding the sect’s contract?”

Zhao Wendao asked.

As fellow elders, he still needed to consider the sect’s reputation.

Because of one disciple’s actions, the Second Elder had been punished and sent to Reflection Valley for solitary contemplation, so word getting out wouldn’t be good.

“None at all.”

Lu Ze answered resolutely.

Ding Mingcang had tried multiple times to forcibly strip him of his cultivation and expel him from the sect; there was no way Lu Ze would back down on this matter.

Given that old man’s temperament, even if Lu Ze compromised, he would only harbor resentment.

Might as well be the villain to the end.

Besides, collecting more rewards from the system could give him more leverage to deal with future troubles.

“If you insist on this, then I won’t stop you.”

Zhao Wendao nodded.

He wasn’t surprised by the outcome.

Although he personally preferred someone like Zhong Yi—honest and righteous—

he had to admit that a prodigy like Lu Ze, who carried a certain pride and sharpness, was actually quite normal.

As for why he didn’t see Lu Ze as a genius...

Zhao Wendao cast a glance at Lu Ze’s innate roots.

A chaotic mix of the five elemental roots, it doomed his cultivation ceiling.

“Such a pity...”

Zhao Wendao sighed.

If Lu Ze’s talent were just a little better—say, even the standard of an ordinary inner sect disciple—perhaps some elder would be willing to take him as a true disciple.

With such roots, foundation establishment was likely his absolute limit.

“Since you’ve reached the Foundation Establishment stage and are the registered disciple personally appointed by Elder Nangong, from today onward, you’ll officially cultivate within the inner sect.”

Zhao Wendao said.

“Thank you, Elder.”

Lu Ze cupped his fists and bowed.

“By the way, since you’re determined to fulfill the sect’s contract punishment, there’s something you’ll need to do for Elder Ding in the near future.”

A sly glint flashed in Zhao Wendao’s eyes; he clearly had something prepared.

Lu Ze cautiously asked, “May I ask what it is?”

“Every four years, the five great sects hold an exchange martial arts tournament for disciples. The participants are outstanding new disciples who have joined within the past four years.”

“This year, it will be hosted by our Lingxiao Sect, just half a month from now.”

Lu Ze listened and felt puzzled. “You mean you want me to represent the disciples and participate in the sparring exchange?”

“Yes... and no.”

Zhao Wendao smiled faintly and shook his head.

Each generation’s disciple representatives were either true successors of their sects or inner disciples with exceptionally high cultivation.

Although he intended for Lu Ze to participate, the matter at hand was not a mere sparring match.

In terms of martial strength, even ten Lu Ze combined wouldn’t be a match for a true successor.

“As per tradition, the sect hosting the martial arts exhibition will provide a secret realm for exchange… This task has always been handled by Elder Ding in the past.”

“So, you mean… you want me to do it?”

Lu Ze pointed at himself but immediately refused without hesitation:

“No way, I’m not handling the secret realm.”

Though only a single character apart, illusions and secret realms were worlds apart in their creation.

Lu Ze’s expertise in illusions was profound, thanks to his mastery over various devices and rule settings, far beyond ordinary people.

Creating a secret realm, however, demanded far more in terms of one’s own cultivation and mystical arts.

Most importantly, illusions were entered by divine consciousness, while secret realms required the physical body itself.

Since this was a disciple sparring event, it would obviously be a controlled confrontation—no fatalities allowed.

This meant no accumulation of demonic energy points.

He wasn’t about to do a thankless task.

“Well… illusions could also work,” Zhao Wendao stroked his beard with a smile. “There have been precedents.”

His thoughts were simple.

With Lu Ze’s ingenuity, the illusions he crafted would surely be a visual feast.

Other sects relied on elders to create secret realms or illusions, but the Lingxiao Sect had a Foundation Establishment disciple do it, and at a level only improving.

The disciples’ martial arts exchange was, frankly, a showdown of the five great sects’ prestige.

What could be more honorable than this?

Zhao Wendao was tempted, and so was Lu Ze.

Disciples representing their sects in martial exchanges?

These were the elite of the elite, with the lowest cultivation at least at the Golden Core stage, right?

All of them were walking piles of pure demonic energy points!

Seeing Zhao Wendao’s delighted expression, Lu Ze feigned reluctance: “Elder Zhao, designing illusions is no easy feat…”

“Oh? Is that so…”

Zhao Wendao frowned slightly but did not doubt him, only feeling a bit regretful.

“The main issue is I’m mentally and physically exhausted, and without incentive, I can’t get motivated.”

“…”

Zhao Wendao understood perfectly.

This kid was fishing for a reward!

“You may lack talent, but your comprehension is excellent. Though I can’t grant you the status of a true successor, I can specially approve your stipend as one.”

“Two thousand spirit stones a month, plus some pills. How does that sound?”

Seeing Lu Ze remain silent, Zhao Wendao raised another finger: “You can also receive a set of cultivation techniques and a weapon, just like other true successors.”

Lu Ze’s eyes widened in surprise: “Elder Zhao, don’t get me wrong. Spirit stones are just material things; I only want to help the sect!”

“I really don’t know how Elder Nangong teaches you normally.”

Zhao Wendao sighed helplessly.

“My master? He bet me I couldn’t win today and still owes me a magic treasure he hasn’t delivered.”

Lu Ze answered calmly, without a hint of embarrassment.

“…”

Zhao Wendao’s mouth twitched involuntarily.

He wasn’t sure if the sect had found a treasure or a troublemaker.

“What are the requirements for the martial exchange illusions? Please, Elder, give me some guidance.”

“There’s no rush. We’ll decide after the disciples from other sects arrive and the elders discuss it.”

“I understand, Elder.”

…

…

Ding Mingcang kept his promise that very day and went to Reflection Valley to meditate in solitude.

It wasn’t that he was particularly trustworthy.

It was simply the binding power of the sect’s contract.

Going to Reflection Valley to meditate in disgrace was humiliating enough.

But disturbing the sect leader, who was in seclusion, to plead for the contract’s cancellation—that would be even more shameful.

Lu Ze didn’t go to see Ding Mingcang off in person, but inside the Artifact Refining Pavilion, he already knew the old man had entered.

Because a pleasant system notification sounded in his ear:

[Host has won the challenge. Upright cultivator Ding Ming has been confined to Reflection Valley for one month, disgraced and with his Dao heart damaged.]

[Congratulations, host, you have overachieved your mission!]

[Reward granted: A perfect cultivation method tailored to your root constitution.]

[Ding! You have obtained: The Art of Harmonizing Heaven and Earth.]