Who the hell did this

The Artifact Refining Pavilion, the central control platform for the illusion trial.

[Demonic Path Value +0.1]

[Demonic Path Value +0.1]

[Demonic Path Value +1]

...

Listening to the incessant system notifications ringing in his ears, Lu Ze was overjoyed.

After the outer sect disciples spread the news of "Escape from the Demon Sect," it quickly circulated among the inner sect disciples.

At first, the inner sect disciples didn’t believe it, dismissing it as mere fabrications by the outer sect disciples.

How could there be such an entertaining illusion trial in this world?

Outer sect disciples stronger than inner sect disciples?

Impossible!

It must be a lie!

But after visiting Lu Ze’s setup, without exception, every one of them became hooked.

Word of mouth spread, and more and more inner sect disciples came to experience "Escape from the Demon Sect."

"The amount of Demonic Path Value really does correlate with their cultivation level," Lu Ze nodded in satisfaction.

With the participation of inner sect disciples, Lu Ze’s Demonic Path Value skyrocketed.

In the morning, the inner sect disciples had contributed less than 5 points, but by the afternoon, the total had surged to 13.

"Time to level up!"

Delighted, Lu Ze summoned the system panel.

Behind his cultivation level, a small plus sign appeared.

[To advance from Qi Refining Layer 3 to Layer 4, 10 points of Demonic Path Value are required.]

[Proceed with the upgrade?]

"Yes!"

As the Demonic Path Value was deducted, Lu Ze immediately felt his body enveloped in a light, ethereal energy, his blood and qi swelling.

His cultivation, stagnant for three years, instantly broke through.

"As expected of a cheat—utterly overpowered."

Lu Ze briefly channeled his spiritual energy to confirm his new realm before withdrawing it.

Though he had a talisman to conceal his aura, caution was always wise.

His original body’s aptitude was poor, inherently unsuited for cultivation.

If not for his exceptional talent in artifact refining, he would have long been lost among the masses.

He had once resigned himself to a mediocre life—

A maintenance technician for cultivation equipment, neither outstanding nor lacking, idling away his days.

But now, with the system compensating for his innate shortcomings, the path of immortality no longer seemed out of reach.

What if he reached the pinnacle one day?

"Advancing to Qi Refining Layer 5 requires 20 Demonic Path Value… Hmm, that shouldn’t take too long."

Lu Ze glanced at the system, lost in thought.

The influx of inner sect disciples had multiplied his Demonic Path Value gains.

But the higher he climbed, the more points he needed.

At this rate, progress was still too slow.

Time to crank up the difficulty.

Fresh off his breakthrough and with Demonic Path Value flowing in faster, Lu Ze was in high spirits.

He stood up and walked into the training hall.

There, he spotted a dejected outer sect disciple slumped in a corner.

Lu Ze recognized him—

Wasn’t this Zhang Ming, the outer sect disciple who had gifted him the perfected "Shattered Cloud Art"?

"Junior Brother Zhang, what’s troubling you?"

In good humor, Lu Ze approached and inquired.

"High-grade…"

Zhang Ming’s lips twitched, his chest heaving violently.

"The Divine Transformation-stage spirit beasts in the shop cost high-grade spirit stones, but the ones earned in 'Escape from the Demon Sect' are low-grade!!!"

"That’s a hundredfold difference… A HUNDREDFOLD!!!"

"Which bastard set these values?! They clearly don’t want us to buy anything!!!"

His anguished cries drew sidelong glances from those nearby.

Lu Ze’s smile froze.

Because he was the very bastard Zhang Ming was cursing.

"Junior Brother Zhang, ‘Heaven bestows great responsibilities only after testing one’s resolve and tempering their will.’ Since it’s a treasure, how could it be obtained so easily?"

Lu Ze offered words of comfort.

This kid had a knack for gaming. Many inner sect disciples, frustrated that their scores couldn’t match his, kept replaying "Escape from the Demon Sect" out of sheer competitiveness.

As long as Zhang Ming kept improving, those inner sect disciples would surely contribute even more Demonic Path Value.

Such a golden goose couldn’t be allowed to flee.

"Senior Brother Lu speaks wisely. This junior has acted improperly."

Zhang Ming’s eyes cleared as he hastily rose and clasped his hands in respect.

"Trials are like cultivation… With such insight, Senior Brother Lu truly lives up to being an inner sect disciple. This junior is enlightened!"

"If Divine Transformation-stage beasts are out of reach, why not aim for Core Formation-stage ones? Those only require mid-grade spirit stones."

Lu Ze continued guiding him.

"The Core Formation-level 'Sweat-Blood Spirit Horse' may not offer much stat boost, but it increases spirit stone earnings, helping you save up faster."

"With enough effort, a Divine Transformation mount will eventually be yours!"

He patted Zhang Ming’s shoulder encouragingly.

"Senior Brother Lu is absolutely right!"

"Then why not go back and earn some spirit stones?"

"Understood!"

After seeing Zhang Ming off, Lu Ze continued wandering the training hall.

Outer and inner sect disciples who had just finished a round of "Escape from the Demon Sect" were exchanging tips, filling the hall with lively chatter.

"Strange, truly strange. How is my Core Formation-stage score barely any better than a Qi Refining junior’s?"

"What’s so strange about it? What use is high cultivation if you can’t bring it into the trial or utilize it properly?"

"Fair enough… If it purely relied on cultivation, how would this differ from other illusion trials?"

"But the spirit stones here are ridiculously hard to earn. I’d even trade real ones for in-game currency."

"Absolutely brutal. Without a week of grinding, forget buying a Core Formation spirit beast."

"The techniques in the shop are intriguing. I wonder if they actually exist."

"They must! An illusion trial of this caliber is surely the work of a supreme expert. The techniques are probably collected during his travels."

"Ah, this trial is so fun. If only I could take it back to my quarters."

"Such a precious illusion trial likely has no copies. We can only experience it here."

...

Hearing the inner sect disciples lament their inability to take "Escape from the Demon Sect" home, Lu Ze felt immensely gratified.

"If any of you seniors wish to do so, I happen to have some copies—10 spirit stones each."

Lu Ze pulled out the pre-prepared crystal copies.

For outer sect disciples, he had prepared temporary tokens. For inner sect disciples, these crystal copies.

Neither item was complicated to produce.

With the main program of "Escape from the Demon Sect" in hand, replication was mere busywork.

As for pricing, Lu Ze kept it modest.

Setting it too high would deter many cultivators, hindering his mission.

Besides,

Earning a few extra spirit stones paled in comparison to the thrill of amassing Demonic Path Value.

Of course, Lu Ze wasn’t some altruist who’d turn down easy money.

Spirit stones were, after all, hard currency.

But he wasn’t in a hurry.

Once his gaming empire took off,

A few cosmetic items or skins would have these wealthy, gullible cultivators emptying their pockets in no time.