“Is Master suggesting... that I represent the Sect in the exchange?” Lu Ze speculated.

However, Nangong Yuan shook his head, slowly saying, “No... On the contrary, Elder Chao’s intention is for you not to participate.”

“Oh?” Lu Ze raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Being excluded from such an advantageous competition didn’t align with the Sect’s interests, which caught him off guard.

“You boy...” Nangong Yuan sighed, patting Lu Ze’s shoulder.

“As my Rebellious Disciple, who doesn’t know your Genius in the Illusion Realm?”

“After causing such a stir with the Heavenly Dao’s remnant spirit... now various Sects have people eyeing your position, wanting to replace you.”

“Elder Chao asking you to withdraw from ‘Demon Slaying Day’ is actually a form of protection, to prevent you from falling into a treacherous person’s trap.”

After hearing Nangong Yuan’s explanation, Lu Ze suddenly understood.

His achievements in the Illusion Realm were already a massive lead.

In such minor activities, there was no need to compete for the limelight with others.

If he won, it was his due.

If he lost, it would be a huge loss.

One must know that forming a connection with the Heavenly Dao and entering the Dao through the Illusion Realm was such a great fortune that even many transcendent experts were incredibly envious.

At that time, the theme of the Illusion Realm would likely become another confrontation between various forces.

Lu Ze saw no need to get involved in that muddy water.

Lu Ze was naturally very satisfied with Chao Wendao’s decision.

He was too lazy to do thankless tasks.

Given the current situation, with the three giants, my world, "Clash of Immortals and Demons", and eternal calamity, supporting him, his Demonic Value would remain very stable for a long time.

Although he didn’t think he would lose, creating an Illusion Realm was always somewhat energy-consuming.

In the more than a year since he unlocked the System, he had never stopped on the path of creating Illusion Realms.

Now that the great Illusion Realm endeavor was stable, he was happy to steal some leisure time and be a lazy, laid-back person.

What Lu Ze feared most now was the System suddenly giving him a task, asking him to represent the Demonic Path in a grand assembly or something similar.

Fortunately, after waiting for a long time, no System prompt sounded in his mind.

‘The System finally acted like a human...’ Lu Ze secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, then curiously asked, “Then, who from our Lingxiao Sect will participate in the Illusion Realm exchange for ‘Demon Slaying Day’?”

“Elder Chao’s Disciple, Zhong Yi.”

Hearing Nangong Yuan’s answer, Lu Ze relaxed.

Whether it was the means of constructing Illusion Realms or the analysis of game mechanics, Zhong Yi possessed good Genius.

Nangong Yuan made no secret of his admiration for Zhong Yi: “With your Senior Brother Zhong’s talent, handling this kind of competition should be no problem.”

Lu Ze immediately chuckled, adding, “Provided he doesn’t say that himself.”

Nangong Yuan: “...”

... ...

... ...

In the following half-month, Zhong Yi would come to Lingyu Pavilion every day to ask Lu Ze various questions about the Illusion ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Realm.

For this kind and good-natured Senior Brother, Lu Ze was happy to share, teaching him everything he knew.

Half a month passed quickly.

Demon Slaying Day arrived as scheduled.

As the representative of the Lingxiao Sect, Zhong Yi, with a green jade immortal sword on his back and a purple Dragon under his feet, set off in magnificent attire, looking incredibly imposing.

This journey was for the first and most classic segment of Demon Slaying Day: slaying Devils.

Representatives from various Sects and forces would receive a clue related to a Devil.

This clue was said to be provided by a secret treasure within the Qingshan Sect.

The representatives would capture the Devil from their respective clues, then bring them back to the Demon Slaying Platform for public trial and execution.

“Old Zhong, if you’re not the first one back, I’ll beat you so badly your Master won’t recognize you!” Zhou Yue threatened with a laugh before they departed.

“Haha, mere Devils, how could I be soft-hearted?” Zhong Yi waved his hand heartily, his figure disappearing with the wind.

In the air, specks of golden runes lingered, not dissipating for a long time.

... ...

... ...

Three days later.

As representatives from various forces gradually returned, Zhong Yi of the Lingxiao Sect was still nowhere to be seen.

“Elder Chao... if Zhong Yi still hasn’t returned in three more hours, your Lingxiao Sect will forfeit.” Zhang Yuxian, the Grand Elder of the Qingshan Sect, tapped the table with the back of his finger.

“A bet made is a bet paid.” Chao Wendao’s gaze was gloomy, unable to hide his inner worry.

“After the time is up, give me the clue my foolish Disciple obtained.”

Zhang Yuxian nodded: “That is natural.”

At this moment, Chao Wendao no longer cared about rankings.

He only worried if Zhong Yi had bad luck and drew a Devil Head’s Reincarnation, whose cultivation was above Zhong Yi’s.

Chao Wendao now wished he could forfeit immediately, get the clue from the secret treasure, and investigate.

However, at the last moment before time ran out, Zhong Yi finally appeared.

He looked utterly dejected.

“Disciple Zhong Yi...”

“...” Zhong Yi paused for a long time, only managing to squeeze out a few words from his throat after a while.

“...I have fulfilled my mission.”

... ...

... ...

Three quarters past midnight.

Leigong Peak, Qingyun Pavilion.

“Lao Zhou, Junior Brother Mu, Junior Brother Lu...” Zhong Yi looked haggard, as if his beliefs had collapsed.

“You say...”

“Are Demonic Cultivators necessarily bad people?”

“Must they all die?”

“Every single one?”

Lu Ze, Zhou Yue, and Mu Yawen exchanged glances, frowning simultaneously.

“Old Zhong!? Have you been bewitched by the Demonic Path!?” Zhou Yue shouted, his words carrying the pressure of Dao power, attempting to clear away any Gu or bewitching Formation from his Divine Soul.

“Senior Brother Zhong, why even ask? Demonic Cultivators are all extremely evil individuals who use human lives to advance their cultivation; a thousand cuts and ten thousand slices wouldn’t be too much for them!” The usually gentle Mu Yawen also became anxious.

Only Lu Ze silently took two steps back.

Not bad people, not doing bad deeds, innocent Demonic Cultivators who didn’t use human lives to advance their cultivation...

There really were such people.

It was all thanks to that damned System...

“Junior Brother Lu, do you also think so?” Zhong Yi looked up at Lu Ze.

“What does Senior Brother Zhong think? Did you meet someone?” Lu Ze didn’t answer, instead asking a question.

“Sigh...” Zhong Yi let out a long sigh, his fingers quickly performing a spell in the air.

“You’ll know once you see it...”

The three followed Zhong Yi in confusion, stepping through the Formation, and arriving at the dungeon where prisoners were held.

In a special cell, a young man covered in old scars and with a full beard was imprisoned.

Beside the young man stood a girl, like a protective kitten, trembling as she shielded the young man, trying to deter everyone with her beautiful, wide-eyed gaze.

Lu Ze, Zhou Yue, and Mu Yawen frowned in unison.

They keenly sensed that the young man was a Demonic Cultivator, while the girl was an ordinary person.