You're Not Practicing Enough

Three hours had passed.

The temporary tokens for the first batch of outer sect disciples had reached their time limit.

Returning to the cultivation hall, the group looked refreshed and full of energy.

"This illusionary cultivation truly lives up to its reputation!"

"Not only is the cultivation effect excellent, but the process is also incredibly engaging!"

"How envious we are of the inner sect disciples, who get to enjoy such benefits every day!"

"It's just a shame we only have five days to cultivate here."

"Indeed! And the daily token limit is only three hours..."

"I'm just a few spirit stones short of buying a Golden Core-stage mount! Damn it!"

"Ah, if only I had a small illusionary tower..."

"That thing costs 100 spirit stones—way too expensive!"

...

The outer sect disciples whispered among themselves, their eyes lingering on the massive illusionary tower at the center of the hall, filled with reluctance.

The large illusionary tower in the cultivation hall could accommodate ten thousand people simultaneously, making it ideal for unified cultivation and instruction.

The sect also sold smaller illusionary towers, but the price of 100 spirit stones was an astronomical sum for ordinary outer sect disciples.

Standing atop the high platform, Lu Ze overheard their murmurs and cleared his throat.

"Fellow disciples, I happen to have a batch of temporary tokens that allow unlimited access to 'Demon Sect Escape' for five days—priced at just one spirit stone each."

Lu Ze leisurely raised a single finger.

The outer sect disciples below nearly lost their minds.

Had they not been strapped for spirit stones, they might have even scrambled to buy a 100-spirit-stone small illusionary tower on the spot.

Now, riding high on excitement, Lu Ze was offering them five days of unlimited access for just one spirit stone—how could they hesitate?

"I'll take one!"

"Me too!"

"Does anyone have an extra spirit stone? Lend me one, and I'll pay you back later!"

"Senior Brother Lu, I need to go fetch my spirit stones... Could you save a token for me?"

...

Their eyes burned with fervor, and in that moment, Lu Ze seemed like a saint in their eyes.

"No need to worry, there are plenty of temporary tokens. Feel free to go retrieve your spirit stones and return," Lu Ze waved dismissively.

He had anticipated this.

The outer sect disciples' tokens only allowed three hours per day.

That wouldn't do—his mission required them to neglect their duties for five full days. How could they leave after just three hours?

Over the past three days, aside from developing the game, Lu Ze had been tirelessly crafting temporary tokens for this very moment.

For the next five days, not a single one of them was allowed to leave!

Seeing the disciples in the cultivation hall gazing at him with reverence, Lu Ze knew he had succeeded.

"Pah! What kind of lousy cultivation is this? It's nothing like what the inner sect disciples get. Are you looking down on us outer sect disciples, giving us the scraps?"

From the crowd, Wang Ba, who had been scowling the entire time, suddenly lashed out.

Among the jubilant outer sect disciples, he was the only one with a sour expression.

The reason was simple—he had ranked second-to-last in 'Demon Sect Escape.'

A poor performance was one thing, but the illusion openly displayed rankings, making him a laughingstock.

A few days prior, through his elder brother's connections, Wang Ba had already experienced the basic movement technique cultivation illusion.

It was nothing like this 'Demon Sect Escape'!

He refused to accept his current results.

If only he could use the same cultivation illusion as the inner sect disciples, he was certain he would dominate!

Wang Ba's outburst immediately drew backlash from those around him.

"What's wrong with 'Demon Sect Escape'?"

"Even if I'm ignorant, today's cultivation gave me tremendous gains!"

"I've heard inner sect seniors talk about illusion trials—they're nowhere near as exhilarating as today's experience!"

"Brother Wang, are you just bitter because your results were terrible?"

...

Amid the barrage of criticism, Wang Ba's face flushed red.

"Pigs can't appreciate fine pearls. I won't waste my time arguing with a bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well."

Wang Ba gnashed his teeth.

Lu Ze narrowed his eyes, observing Wang Ba's loud protests.

Gaming wasn't something everyone had a talent for.

But someone like Wang Ba, with results this poor, likely lacked not just gaming aptitude but also a shaky foundation in his cultivation techniques.

Other outer sect disciples who had ranked near the bottom were still animatedly discussing their experiences—nothing like Wang Ba's tantrum.

Judging by his posture and breathing, Wang Ba's cultivation was likely propped up by rare treasures, leaving it hollow and unstable.

"Instead of questioning 'Demon Sect Escape,' you'd be better off practicing the Cloud-Shattering Art."

Lu Ze smirked at Wang Ba.

The latter only grew angrier, veins bulging on his forehead.

"You're just at the third level of Qi Refining! Don't think lucking into a nominal disciple title puts you above me! Once I enter the inner sect, I'll make sure you regret this!"

Lu Ze's gaze remained indifferent.

"Get into the inner sect first."

"You—!"

Wang Ba was seething.

Had these words come from a genuine inner sect disciple, he might have held his tongue.

But Lu Ze was merely a nominal disciple—a title without substance.

And with only Qi Refining third-level cultivation, where did he get the audacity to speak to him like this?

He immediately jabbed a finger at Lu Ze and roared, "Who are you to say my Cloud-Shattering Art is lacking? This stupid illusion has nothing to do with the Cloud-Shattering Art!"

Lu Ze's eyes narrowed slightly.

In the next instant, he activated the Cloud-Shattering Art, his figure flashing behind Wang Ba in a blur.

"Because if you're bad, you should practice more."

Lu Ze's voice was icy.

The sheer speed left most of the outer sect disciples gaping—only a handful could follow the movement.

"Damn, has he mastered the Cloud-Shattering Art?"

"As expected—no one who enters the inner sect is ordinary."

"Strange... I've interacted with Brother Lu before, but I never heard he specialized in movement techniques."

"Even at the same Qi Refining stage, the gap is huge!"

...

Humiliated beyond measure, Wang Ba's face cycled between green and red.

He hastily turned and stormed off.

"Hmph! Just you wait!"

Watching Wang Ba's retreating figure, Lu Ze found it almost laughable.

With such poor aptitude and an impatient, aggressive temperament, there was no way he'd ever enter the inner sect.

Lu Ze made up his mind.

If this fool dared to return for another trial, he would design a special set of challenges just for him—ensuring he remained firmly in last place.

......

At the Lingxiao Sect's main plaza, disciples bustled about.

The outer sect disciples who had just left the Artifact Refining Pavilion's cultivation hall hurried along.

Unlike inner sect disciples, most outer sect members didn’t possess storage rings.

And who carried spirit stones with them when attending lectures in the peaks?

Thus, they had no choice but to return to the outer sect to retrieve their spirit stones before rushing back to buy Lu Ze's temporary tokens.

Along the way, they continued eagerly discussing their experiences in 'Demon Sect Escape' to tide themselves over.

"This trial is so hard—I wonder when I'll break past 500 steps!"

"I heard from Senior Brother Zhang Ming that after 2,000 steps, there are tons of formation traps—way more difficult!"

"2,000 steps... I never expected Senior Brother Zhang Ming to be so talented!"

"If we work hard enough, we can definitely surpass 1,000 steps too!"

"That's what I think! If I can gather more spirit stones and buy a high-quality spirit beast, I’ll definitely go much farther!"

"I still think magic treasures are better—an extra life is always useful."

"...I meant striving to cultivate the Cloud-Shattering Art!"

"Ah, how I envy the inner disciples—they get to experience such illusion trials every day!"

...

The square was bustling with inner disciples.

Xiao Hongzhi was among them.

He was sipping tea and discussing cultivation with his fellow senior brothers when a group of outer disciples, their steps light and swift, passed by nearby.

Genuine inner disciples possessed considerable cultivation realms, their senses far surpassing those of outer disciples.

The idle chatter of the outer disciples reached their ears with perfect clarity.

A junior brother nearby frowned in confusion:

"Illusion trials? Escaping the Demon Sect? Senior Brother Xiao, have you heard of such a trial before?"