I Think the Sect Needs Me!

Lu Ze fought for two hours.

The disciples outside watched for two hours.

More and more disciples gathered to watch.

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

As the final red-eyed Barbarian Zombie of the fiftieth stage had its head smashed apart by Ice Melon and slowly fell to the ground, Lu Ze calmly chose to exit and smiled at Ding Mingcang, whose face had turned livid behind him.

"Elder Ding, are these fifty stages enough?"

Ding Mingcang's expression was incomparably grim.

He had never imagined that Endless Mode, which even the elders and True Disciples had been unable to clear past the twentieth stage despite giving it their all, would be cleared so easily by Lu Ze through fifty stages.

He had not died even once along the way.

Now, with no way to defend himself, he could only snort coldly and leave with a sweep of his sleeve.

The once boisterous crowd immediately fell silent.

"Now that the result is clear, everyone may disperse."

Chao Wendao's voice rang out like a great bell as he appeared before Lu Ze.

At his words, the disciples reluctantly dispersed.

"Is there truly no room for compromise regarding the Sect Covenant?"

Chao Wendao asked.

As fellow elders, they still had to preserve the sect's reputation as much as possible.

It would not reflect well on the sect if the Second Elder were punished and sent to Repentance Valley to face the wall over a disciple.

"None."

Lu Ze answered without hesitation.

Ding Mingcang had repeatedly tried to forcibly cripple his cultivation and expel him from the sect. How could he possibly relent on this matter?

Given that old bastard's temperament, even if he compromised, the man would likely still harbor resentment.

He might as well be the villain to the end.

The more system rewards he obtained, the more cards he might have up his sleeve.

"Since you insist, I will not stop you."

Chao Wendao nodded.

He was not surprised by this outcome.

Though he preferred people like Zhong Yi, who were honest, kind, and righteous, he had to admit that a prodigy like Lu Ze would seem abnormal without some ambition and edge.

As for why he did not consider Lu Ze a genius...

Chao Wendao swept his gaze over Lu Ze's innate talent.

Those chaotic, mixed Five Spirit Roots had already determined the limits of his cultivation.

"What a pity..."

Chao Wendao sighed.

If Lu Ze's aptitude had been even slightly better—even merely on the level of an ordinary Inner Disciple—an elder would likely have been willing to accept him as a True Disciple.

With such innate talent, Foundation Establishment would likely be his limit.

"Since you have already reached the Foundation Establishment realm and are an Outer Disciple personally designated by Elder Nangong, you will officially enter the inner sect to cultivate from today onward."

Chao Wendao said.

"This disciple thanks you, Elder."

Lu Ze cupped his fists and bowed.

"By the way, since you insist on carrying out the Sect Covenant's punishment, there is something you will need to do for Elder Ding in the near future."

A sly glint flashed through Chao Wendao's eyes. He had clearly come prepared.

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

"Every four years, the Five Great Sects hold a Martial Arts Tournament for exchange between disciples. Those who participate are outstanding disciples who joined their sects within the past four years."

"This year, it will be hosted by our Spirit Cloud Sect, half a month from now."

After hearing this, Lu Ze was immediately puzzled. "Do you mean for me to serve as a disciple representative and take part in the exchanges?"

"Yes... and no."

Chao Wendao shook his head with a half-smile.

In every Martial Arts Exchange, the disciple representatives were either the true disciples of their respective sects or Inner Disciples with exceptionally high cultivation.

Though he intended to have Lu Ze participate, that was not what he had in mind.

In terms of combat prowess, even ten Lu Zes would not be a match for a true disciple.

"By convention, the sect hosting the Martial Arts Tournament provides a Secret Realm for the exchange... Elder Ding handled this in the past."

"So you mean... you want me to do it?"

Lu Ze pointed at himself, then decisively refused.

"No. I don't know how to make Secret Realms."

An Illusion Realm and a Secret Realm differed by only one word, but the methods involved were worlds apart.

Lu Ze's attainments in Illusion Realms were exceedingly high because his use of various tools and his setting of rules far surpassed ordinary people's.

Creating a Secret Realm, however, placed greater demands on one's own cultivation and Spells.

Most importantly, one entered an Illusion Realm with Spiritual Sense, whereas one entered a Secret Realm in the flesh.

Since it was a sparring match between disciples, they would surely stop at the proper point and no one would die.

That meant he would have no way to accumulate Demonic Value.

He would not do something so strenuous and thankless.

"Well... an Illusion Realm may not be impossible." Chao Wendao stroked his beard and smiled. "There have been precedents."

His thoughts were simple.

With Lu Ze's ingenuity, any Illusion Realm he created would surely be eye-opening.

The other sects had elders create their Secret Realms or Illusion Realms, while the Spirit Cloud Sect would have a Foundation Establishment disciple make one—and its quality would only surpass theirs.

A Martial Arts Exchange among disciples was, plainly put, the Five Great Sects comparing their prestige.

What could be more prestigious than that?

Chao Wendao was tempted, and Lu Ze was tempted as well.

The sects' disciple representatives were coming to the Martial Arts Exchange?

They were all the cream of the crop. Their cultivation had to be at least the Golden Core Stage, right?

They were all piles of gleaming Demonic Value!

Seeing Chao Wendao's pleased expression, Lu Ze pretended to be troubled. "Elder Chao, it truly isn't easy for this disciple to design an Illusion Realm..."

"Oh? Is that so..."

Chao Wendao frowned. He did not doubt him, only felt somewhat regretful.

"It's mainly because it leaves me physically and mentally exhausted. Without any incentive, I can't muster the spirit."

"..."

Chao Wendao understood.

This brat was asking him for payment!

"Though your aptitude is lacking, your Comprehension is exceptional. While I cannot grant you the position of a true disciple, I can make an exception and give you a true disciple's stipend."

"Two thousand Spirit Stones a month, along with a number of medicinal pills. What do you think?"

Seeing that Lu Ze did not respond, Chao Wendao raised another finger. "Like the other true disciples, you may also receive an additional Cultivation Method and weapon."

Lu Ze's eyes immediately widened. "Elder Chao, don't misunderstand. Spirit Stones are merely worldly possessions. I simply feel that the sect needs me!"

"I truly wonder how Elder Nangong usually teaches you."

Chao Wendao complained helplessly.

"My master? He bet me that I wouldn't win today, and he still owes me an Artifact he hasn't paid up."

Lu Ze answered without batting an eye.

"..."

The corner of Chao Wendao's mouth began twitching involuntarily.

For a moment, he did not know whether the sect had found a treasure or a disaster.

"What requirements are there for the Martial Arts Exchange's Illusion Realm? I ask Elder to offer some guidance."

"There is no rush. We will decide after the disciples from the other sects have all arrived and the elders from each sect discuss it."

"This disciple understands."

Ding Mingcang fulfilled his promise that very day and went to Repentance Valley to face the wall in reflection.

It was not because he kept his word.

It was purely the Sect Covenant's effect.

Going to Repentance Valley to face the wall in disgrace was humiliating enough.

Disturbing the sect master during seclusion to request the Sect Covenant's revocation would be even more humiliating.

Lu Ze did not go see Ding Mingcang off in person, but he still knew from within the Artifact Forging Hall that the old bastard had gone in.

Because a pleasant system notification rang in his ears:

The host has won the challenge. Righteous cultivator Ding Mingcang has been confined to Repentance Valley for one month, his reputation ruined and his resolve damaged.

Congratulations, host! You have exceeded the task requirements!

Reward obtained: one perfect cultivation method suited to your spiritual roots

Ding! You have obtained: Heaven and Earth Unification Art