Boundless pressure took the shape of a giant python, coiling tightly around Lu Ze.
Without the protection of his Myriad Manifestations Xuan Demon Immortal Physique, even Lu Ze's iron will might have been forced to bend.
"Ask me ten thousand more times, and my answer will still be the same—I made this Illusion Realm!"
The youth's voice was utterly resolute.
He knew,
if he gave ground now, he was dead!
For some unknown reason, Ding Mingcang had made up his mind to hound him to death.
He had to make the inner disciples... no, the true disciples believe him.
"You still dare spout such outrageous claims?!"
Ding Mingcang seethed, about to pile on even more pressure.
Just then, a woman's cool, clear voice drifted over.
"What he says may well be true."
Every disciple present turned toward Li Moran in astonishment.
Zhong Yi stared, his eyes practically popping out.
Because of the physique she cultivated, this junior sister of his had very little in the way of emotions and desires.
When had she ever spoken up for someone else?
This was truly an unprecedented first!
"What makes you say that?"
Ding Mingcang withdrew a little of his aura and narrowed his eyes at Li Moran.
Li Moran gave a slight nod and said calmly,
"Last night, I tried analyzing the spells used to construct the Illusion Realm. I found that, although the design was ingenious, the spells themselves weren't particularly advanced. Even a Qi Refining Stage cultivator could perform them... it was their application that was truly brilliant."
At those words, the disciples below began whispering again.
"Is that really true? Does anyone from the Artifact Forging Hall know?"
"I'm from the Artifact Forging Hall... I was too busy playing. Who had time to analyze the thing?!"
"Senior Sister Li is right. Artifacts made by grandmasters have long since replaced the functions of advanced spells. All you have to do is feed them spiritual energy."
"I heard Junior Brother Lu was accepted as an outer disciple precisely because he had a knack for ingenious artifact designs."
"Could it be... it really was Junior Brother Lu?"
"I believe it. I believe anything Senior Sister Li says."
"It's impossible, no matter how you look at it! What could a Qi Refining Stage cultivator possibly have to pull that off...?"
"I agree. Even if Senior Sister Li says so, I don't believe it."
"What Senior Sister Li said only holds in theory."
Zhong Yi frowned, seemingly deep in thought.
He had also studied what Li Moran had mentioned, so naturally, he knew she was right.
But...
No matter what, he could not connect the expert he admired so deeply with the youth standing below.
The gulf between their cultivation realms was simply too vast!
"Him? Hmph, absolutely impossible!"
Ding Mingcang merely glanced at Lu Ze out of the corner of his eye before immediately dismissing the possibility.
"Why is it impossible? If I can prove I made this Illusion Realm, can we put this matter to rest?"
Lu Ze challenged him.
Ding Mingcang sneered. "You? How would you prove it?"
"Ask me anything about 'Demonic Path Escape.' I'll tell you everything I know."
"Fine! Then let me ask you this: the size of an Illusion Realm trial's space depends on its creator's spiritual sense."
Ding Mingcang wasted no time and went straight for the crux of the matter.
"Tell me, how could a mere Qi Refining Stage cultivator like you create a space with practically no end in sight?! That would require cultivation at least above the Spirit Transformation Stage!"
Lu Ze did not panic in the slightest. He promptly replied,
"It's simple."
"The actual space of 'Demonic Path Escape' only extends a hundred meters around."
"All I did was prepare several spaces that were the same yet different, then set up scenes inside them that could be combined at random."
The size of a game's space was limited by the cultivator's cultivation.
But when making "Demonic Path Escape," Lu Ze had used a clever shortcut.
He had created three identical spaces.
Then, using spells, he joined those three identical spaces together in a continuous loop.
To the eye, they became an infinitely vast world.
The moment he offered his explanation, Zhong Yi's expression changed dramatically in the sky above. He looked at Lu Ze with overwhelming delight.
Beside him, a flicker of surprise also crossed Li Moran's brow.
Ding Mingcang was not skilled in Illusion Realm spells and could not understand the explanation.
But seeing Li Moran's and Zhong Yi's reactions, his heart suddenly sank.
It seemed the brat had actually answered correctly.
"Elder Ding, don't tell me you didn't understand? Would you like me to explain it more clearly?"
Lu Ze asked with a smile.
Knowing he had suffered a loss he could not complain about, Ding Mingcang ignored Lu Ze's words and continued questioning him.
"Then let me ask you this: how did you finish even the music in just three days? Don't tell me you're proficient with musical instruments as well?"
"I purchased an Imagery Instrument at the market. I created all the music through my imagination. If you need it, Elder Ding, I can fetch the Purchase Receipt."
"Then how do you explain the cultivation restrictions?"
"...The spell that restricts cultivation was developed by our predecessors. I only needed to incorporate it through a tool."
"Then..."
Ding Mingcang fired off question after question, and Lu Ze answered without missing a beat.
In the end, Ding Mingcang truly had nothing left to ask. He stood there awkwardly with his mouth open.
The disciples below were wide-eyed with shock.
"Then... could 'Demonic Path Escape' really be Junior Brother Lu's work?"
"No wonder Elder Nangong was willing to make an exception and accept him as an outer disciple!"
"To accomplish something like this at the Qi Refining Stage—given time... I hardly dare imagine it!"
"There's nothing to be afraid of imagining. Junior Brother Lu's cultivation aptitude is poor. I heard he's cultivated for three years and is still at the Qi Refining Stage."
"That's what they call each trade having its own masters!"
"Do you have any other questions, Elder Ding?"
Lu Ze looked at Ding Mingcang, perfectly composed.
Ding Mingcang shook his head.
He absolutely refused to believe that Lu Ze was the person who had crafted this Illusion Realm.
He felt he had to uncover whoever was directing him from behind the scenes.
That mysterious figure who was truly threatening his interests!
"No... you certainly didn't make this Illusion Realm! Someone else must have guided you! Name that person at once, or else..."
Before Ding Mingcang could finish,
an old man's voice suddenly came from the horizon.
"Elder Ding, please be patient."
The voice carried a gentle yet solemn current of Dao Power, and the pressure Ding Mingcang exerted on Lu Ze's back immediately lessened considerably.
"Grand Elder!"
Ding Mingcang's expression changed abruptly, and he immediately rose from his chair.
Chao Wendao appeared, looking at everyone with an unsmiling expression.
The three true disciples in the air and the inner and outer disciples on the ground all bowed their heads in greeting.
"I heard what happened just now."
Chao Wendao waved a hand, putting on no airs.
He looked at Lu Ze and suddenly smiled. "When did our Spirit Cloud Sect gain such an insightful disciple? Elder Nangong never even informed me."
He had just listened in secret as Lu Ze argued his case.
The various theories and techniques for designing Illusion Realms had given him the sensation of wisdom being poured straight into his mind.
In particular, the method of using individual spaces in succession to create an infinite space truly made him want to slap the table in admiration.
"You flatter me, Grand Elder. It's all thanks to my master's excellent teaching."
Lu Ze returned his smile.
He suspected that Chao Wendao, standing before him, was probably the grandmaster who had been steadily providing him with 10 demonic value.
Beside them, Ding Mingcang's expression shifted like storm clouds.
From Chao Wendao's words, he seemed inclined to favor Lu Ze.
Once Lu Ze accepted Chao Wendao's favor, interfering with the sale of the Illusion Realm would become even harder.
And most importantly—
a crowd of disciples was watching right now.
He was a dignified sect elder, yet a Foundation Establishment disciple had made him lose face. Where was he supposed to put his dignity?
He had to expose Lu Ze's lies!
"Grand Elder, we cannot draw a conclusion just yet!"
Ding Mingcang still refused to accept it.
"If someone else taught him the theory, wouldn't it be perfectly normal for him to answer so fluently?"
"Then what do you propose?"
Chao Wendao frowned.
He did not approve of Ding Mingcang's actions.
No matter how he looked at it, this was far too harsh a way to treat an ordinary disciple.
"I believe that, since Lu Ze possesses such ability, he ought to make another one in front of everyone. Only then will I be sincerely convinced!"
Before you continue