A Foundation Establishment Disciple Wants to Test the True Disciples?

The lengthy opening ceremony ended.

At last, they got to the main event.

The first to speak was Yang Zhengxin, an elder of the Azure Peak Sect.

"I heard that Elder Ding of your sect was actually sent to Repentance Valley to face the wall and reflect because he disciplined a disciple?"

"Elder Ding is my sworn brother. I know his character better than anyone—how could he possibly make trouble for a disciple without cause?"

"That disciple must have played some trick, leading to this misunderstanding!"

Yang Zhengxin's tone clearly carried a hint of reproach.

He and Ding Mingcang were quite close, and he had been unable to let the matter go ever since hearing about it.

Originally, a different elder had been assigned to lead the Azure Peak Sect's disciples to the exchange. Only after Yang Zhengxin repeatedly insisted was the arrangement changed.

All so he could put in a few words for him.

"With the Azure Peak Sect facing one upheaval after another these days, Elder Yang still has the mind to concern himself with the affairs of my Spirit Cloud Sect. Thank you for your concern."

Chao Wendao narrowed his eyes and replied with a false smile.

That single remark darkened Yang Zhengxin's face.

He snorted coldly.

"Hmph!"

"In previous years, your sect's Competition Secret Realms were all created by Elder Ding."

"If today's Secret Realm fails to meet Elder Ding's standards, I will not accept it!"

Ding Mingcang was the Spirit Cloud Sect's current master of formations.

The core of the Spirit Cloud Sect's Sect Protection Array was his work.

By Yang Zhengxin's standards, even if Chao Wendao took the field himself, he would not meet the requirement.

Chao Wendao smiled. "Elder Yang need not worry about that. My sect is full of talented people. Naturally, someone is responsible for the Illusion Realm used in the Martial Arts Exchange."

"May I ask who? Could it be that Grand Elder Chao intends to take the field personally?"

Yang Zhengxin had already made up his mind to viciously criticize the Secret Realm, so that Ding Mingcang could be released from Repentance Valley early.

Even Grand Elder Chao Wendao was noticeably inferior to Ding Mingcang when it came to constructing Secret Realms.

"Of course not."

Chao Wendao shook his head.

"Then who is it?"

"A disciple of my Spirit Cloud Sect."

"A disciple!?"

Yang Zhengxin's brows shot up, delight secretly blooming in his heart.

"Which disciple of your sect can even create a Secret Realm?"

"Elder Yang misunderstands. It is not a Secret Realm, but an Illusion Realm."

"An Illusion Realm? That is no easy task either. May I ask which true disciple it is? Zhong Yi or Zhou Yue?"

"Neither." Chao Wendao smiled somewhat proudly. "It is one of our Inner Disciples."

"An Inner Disciple!?"

Yang Zhengxin was greatly shocked.

The other elders also exchanged looks, all thinking they had misheard.

"The ways of Secret Realms are ever-changing. With an Inner Disciple's limited perspective, what qualifications or abilities could he possibly have to design an Illusion Realm trial for the disciples representing the Five Great Sects?"

Yang Zhengxin sneered.

He had originally been worrying over how to stir up trouble.

Now, this was practically a perfect opportunity delivered straight to his door.

Yang Zhengxin's doubts won the agreement of the other elders.

Across the world, countless Secret Realms lay hidden.

Within them lay both opportunities and dangers.

Some even contained many strange rules unknown to others.

At every Martial Arts Exchange, it had become tradition for the hosting sect to create a Competition Secret Realm for the disciples to spar and exchange pointers within.

Over time, it had also become a display of a sect's strength.

Whenever an outstanding Competition Secret Realm was created, it would be named after its sect and preserved for future generations to study.

Now, it was one thing for the Spirit Cloud Sect to use an Illusion Realm in place of a Secret Realm.

But its creator was merely an Inner Disciple?

What kind of conduct was this?

Chao Wendao was not surprised by Yang Zhengxin and the other elders' reactions.

If he had not seen the two Illusion Realms Lu Ze had created in succession, he would never have believed such a thing either.

"Rest assured, Elder Yang. The Spirit Cloud Sect has never kept idlers. Though this disciple's cultivation is somewhat shallow, his attainments in Illusion Realms likely surpass even yours and mine by far!"

Chao Wendao did not stint on his praise for Lu Ze.

"Oh? Such a genius exists?"

Yang Zhengxin did not believe it in the slightest.

"Elder Yang doesn't believe me? Hehe, Lu Ze!"

"This disciple is here."

Under the astonished gazes of countless people, Lu Ze calmly rose to his feet.

Zhang Shifei, who stood at the head of the group, stared at Lu Ze with humiliation and fury.

Just moments ago, he had confidently told those around him that the disciple Elder Chao spoke of had to be him.

When Chao Wendao mentioned Illusion Realms, he had already vaguely sensed something was wrong.

Now that he had been slapped in the face so thoroughly, he felt utterly humiliated and hated Lu Ze to the core.

"Elder Chao... this is the Inner Disciple you said could create Illusion Realms?"

Yang Zhengxin looked at Lu Ze with blatant mockery, making no attempt to conceal his ridicule.

The other elders also whispered among themselves, their eyes full of criticism.

"Haha, hahahaha!"

Yang Zhengxin could not help but burst into laughter.

"Elder Chao, are you saying... that a disciple who has only just reached Foundation Establishment will create a Competition Illusion Realm for the outstanding disciples of our Five Great Sects?"

As soon as those words were spoken, not only did the elders of the various sects darken in expression, even the disciples who had come for the exchange looked extremely displeased.

Everyone qualified to participate in this event was among the best of the best.

Even among Inner Disciples, few were below the Golden Core Stage.

And now, they were supposed to let a junior with the lowest cultivation create an Illusion Realm to "test" them?

It was utterly unreasonable!

With a whoosh, a Red-Haired True Disciple rose from the ranks of Azure Peak Sect disciples behind Yang Zhengxin.

"Forgive this junior for speaking frankly! I cannot accept being tested by a Foundation Establishment junior!"

The moment he said this, countless others echoed him.

Many disciples nodded in agreement.

"I think so as well!"

"Cultivation may not represent everything, but in terms of breadth of experience, a Foundation Establishment disciple certainly cannot compare to me."

"I have also studied Illusion Realm construction. Why not let me try my hand at it?"

"Your Spirit Cloud Sect is being far too disrespectful!"

The other elders exchanged glances.

Yang Zhengxin had already played the villain. As fellow Sect Elders, the others found it difficult to keep applying pressure.

In the end, an elder from the Sky Profound Gate rose and said tactfully, "Elder Chao, I naturally believe that the Spirit Cloud Sect is brimming with talent... but we cannot disregard the juniors' wishes either. How about your sect appoints someone else to handle this matter?"

Yang Zhengxin immediately added, "Elder Chao, if you ask me, you should invite Elder Ding back... Otherwise, if word gets back, it will still be the Spirit Cloud Sect that loses face."

After saying that, he crooked his lips and pointed at Lu Ze.

"Him? He can create Illusion Realms?? And test True Disciples? Hahaha..."

Lu Ze looked coldly at Yang Zhengxin.

From their perspective, Lu Ze naturally understood why these people did not trust him.

But this Yang Zhengxin was being far too disrespectful.

His manner of speaking and acting was practically identical to Ding Mingcang's!

No wonder they had become sworn brothers.

Birds of a feather truly flocked together!

"When Elder Ding first learned of this matter, his attitude was exactly the same as yours."

Lu Ze let out a cold laugh and suddenly said, Hearing this, Yang Zhengxin's expression instantly froze.

"What do you mean by that?"

Yang Zhengxin suddenly could no longer laugh. His expression turned somewhat hostile.

"Exactly what it means. Elder Ding didn't believe I was the one who designed the Illusion Realm I created, so he made a bet with me... He lost, so he went to Repentance Valley."

Seeing Yang Zhengxin stop smiling, a faint smile immediately appeared on Lu Ze's lips.

"Then, Elder Yang, would you also like to make a bet with me?"

"You...!!"

Yang Zhengxin flew into a rage.

He had volunteered to lead the group precisely to seek justice for his brother.

Now that the person responsible stood before him, how could he not be angry?

What angered him even more was Lu Ze's final remark—it was practically saying outright that he wanted to send him to Repentance Valley to face the wall as well!

Chao Wendao's aura had been locked onto him the entire time, constantly offering him a "friendly" reminder.

Yang Zhengxin could not lash out.

Even if he did, Chao Wendao would certainly protect his own disciple.

He could only endure it.

Looking at the utterly composed youth, Yang Zhengxin felt an inexplicable wave of irritation rise within him.

"Fine!"

"Since you claim you have the ability to create an Illusion Realm to test True Disciples of the Nascent Soul Realm, then I'd like to see what you can do!"

"But if you don't have the ability..."

"Don't blame this old man for being merciless!"