Was It Really His Work?

The boundless pressure took the form of a giant python, coiling tightly around Lu Ze.

If not for the protection of the Myriad Manifestations Xuan Demon Immortal Physique, even with a will of steel, Lu Ze would likely have been forced to submit.

"Ask me ten thousand more times, and my answer will still be the same—the Illusion Realm was created by me!"

The young man's tone was incomparably resolute.

He knew it.

If he gave in now, he was dead for sure!

For some reason, Ding Mingcang had made up his mind to crush him to death.

He had to make the inner sect... no, the True Disciples believe him.

"You still dare spout such nonsense!?"

Ding Mingcang flew into a rage and was about to increase the pressure further.

Just then, an icy female voice drifted over.

"What he said may not necessarily be false."

All the disciples present looked at Li Moran in astonishment.

Zhong Yi's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Because of her cultivation physique, his junior sister had always been rather indifferent to the seven emotions and six desires.

When had she ever spoken up for someone else?

This was truly unprecedented!

"What makes you say that?"

Ding Mingcang withdrew some of his aura and narrowed his eyes at Li Moran.

Li Moran gave a slight nod and said calmly, "Last night, I tried to analyze the spells used to construct the Illusion Realm. While the design was indeed ingenious, the spells themselves were not particularly profound. Even Qi Refining Stage cultivators could accomplish it... though the methods used were undeniably brilliant."

Upon hearing this, the disciples below began whispering among themselves again.

"Is that really true? Are there any disciples from the Artifact Forging Hall who know?"

"I'm from the Artifact Forging Hall... I was too busy playing around. Who would analyze this thing?"

"Senior Sister Li is right. The functions of profound spells have long been replaced by artifacts crafted by Grandmasters. You only need to infuse them with spiritual energy to use them."

"I heard Junior Brother Lu was accepted as an Outer Disciple precisely because he had quite a few clever ideas in artifact forging."

"Could it really have been Junior Brother Lu...?"

"I believe it. Whatever Senior Sister Li says, I believe."

"No matter how you think about it, it's impossible! What could a Qi Refining Stage cultivator possibly be capable of...?"

"I think so too. Even if Senior Sister Li said it, I still wouldn't believe it."

"What Senior Sister Li said is only theoretically possible."

Zhong Yi frowned, as though seriously pondering something.

He had also studied what Li Moran mentioned, so he naturally knew she was speaking the truth.

But...

No matter what, he could not connect that expert he so deeply admired with the young man standing before him.

The difference in their realms was simply far too great!

"Him? Hmph, absolutely impossible!"

Ding Mingcang merely glanced at Lu Ze from the corner of his eye before immediately dismissing the possibility.

"How is it impossible? If I can prove that I created this Illusion Realm, can we put an end to this matter?"

Lu Ze asked in return.

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 answer this: the size of an Illusion Realm Trial's space is related to its creator's Spiritual Sense."

Ding Mingcang did not waste words and went straight for the heart of the matter.

"Tell me, as a mere Qi Refining Stage cultivator, how could you create a space that seems to stretch endlessly!? That would require at least Spirit Transformation Stage cultivation to be possible!"

Lu Ze did not panic in the slightest and swiftly replied, "It's very simple."

"The actual space of Demonic Path Escape only spans a hundred meters in every direction."

"All I did was prepare several similar yet distinct spaces, then set up randomly combined scenes within them."

The size of a game's space was limited by a cultivator's cultivation.

But when making "Demonic Path Escape," Lu Ze had used a clever shortcut.

He created three identical spaces.

Then, using a spell, he linked those three identical spaces together in an endless loop.

Thus, it appeared to become an infinitely vast world.

The moment he explained it, Zhong Yi's expression changed drastically in the sky as he looked at Lu Ze with immense delight.

At the side, a trace of surprise also flashed through Li Moran's eyes.

Ding Mingcang was not skilled in Illusion Realm spells and could not understand.

But seeing Li Moran and Zhong Yi's reactions, his heart suddenly sank.

It seemed that this brat had really been right.

"Elder Ding, don't tell me you didn't understand? Do you need me to explain it more clearly?"

Lu Ze asked with a smile.

Knowing that he had suffered a silent loss, Ding Mingcang ignored Lu Ze and continued questioning him.

"Then let me ask you this: in just three days, how did you even create the music? Don't tell me you're also proficient with musical instruments?"

"This disciple once bought an Imagery Instrument from the market. All the music was created through this disciple's imagination. If Elder Ding requires it, I can retrieve the Purchase Receipt."

"And what about the matter of limiting cultivation?"

"...The spell that restricts cultivation was developed by our predecessors. This disciple merely needed to introduce it using a tool."

"Then..."

Ding Mingcang's questions came one after another, while Lu Ze answered every one with ease.

In the end, Ding Mingcang truly had nothing left to ask. He opened his mouth and froze awkwardly in place.

The disciples below were all utterly shocked.

"Th-this... Could 'Demonic Path Escape' really be Junior Brother Lu's work?"

"No wonder Elder Nangong was willing to make an exception and take him as a registered disciple!"

"To achieve this much at the Qi Refining Stage—given enough time... I dare not even imagine it!"

"What's there not to imagine? 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 called having a specialized field of expertise!"

"Does Elder Ding have any other questions?"

Calm and composed, Lu Ze looked at Ding Mingcang.

Ding Mingcang shook his head.

He absolutely did not believe that Lu Ze was the one who had crafted this Illusion Realm.

He felt that he had to uncover the person behind it.

That mysterious figure who had truly affected his interests!

"No... This Illusion Realm definitely wasn't your doing! Someone must have guided you! Quickly reveal that person, otherwise—"

Before Ding Mingcang could finish speaking, an elderly voice suddenly came from the horizon.

"Elder Ding, please calm down."

The voice carried a gentle yet solemn Dao Power, and the pressure from Ding Mingcang on Lu Ze's back immediately lessened considerably.

"Grand Elder!"

Ding Mingcang's expression changed sharply, and he immediately rose from his chair.

Chao Wendao appeared, looking at everyone with a stern expression.

The three true disciples in the air, along with the inner and outer sect disciples on the ground, all lowered their heads in salute.

"I have already heard the course of events."

Chao Wendao waved his hand, showing no airs.

He looked at Lu Ze and suddenly smiled. "Since when did our Spirit Cloud Sect produce such an insightful disciple? Elder Nangong did not even inform me."

He had listened in secret as Lu Ze argued his case just now.

The theories and techniques behind designing Illusion Realms gave him the feeling of being suddenly enlightened.

Especially the method of using a single space to construct endless spaces in succession—it was truly brilliant enough to draw resounding applause.

"Grand Elder, you praise me too highly. It is all thanks to Master's usual teachings."

Lu Ze returned the smile.

He guessed that Chao Wendao standing before him was likely the Grandmaster who had been continuously providing him with 10 Demonic Value.

Beside them, Ding Mingcang's expression shifted constantly.

From Chao Wendao's words, it seemed he intended to favor Lu Ze.

Once Lu Ze accepted Chao Wendao's goodwill, it would become even harder to interfere with the sale of Illusion Realms in the future.

And most importantly—

A group of disciples was watching.

He was a dignified Sect Elder, yet a Foundation Establishment disciple had embarrassed him in public. Where was he supposed to put his face?

He had to expose Lu Ze's lies!

"Grand Elder, we cannot draw a conclusion on this matter just yet!"

Ding Mingcang still refused to accept it.

"If someone else had taught him the theory, then wouldn't it be perfectly normal for him to answer so fluently just now?"

"Then what do you suggest?"

Chao Wendao frowned.

He did not approve of Ding Mingcang's approach.

No matter what, it was far too harsh on an ordinary disciple.

"I believe that since Lu Ze has such ability, he should make another one in front of everyone before I can be truly convinced!"