Looking at the System mission requirements, Lu Ze couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Slaughtering Righteous Cultivators and seizing ancient secret treasures was one thing...

After all, it was all happening inside the Illusion Realm.

But this second requirement...

He had to use Demonic Path methods?

And subvert everyone's perception of a Saint??

Lu Ze's mouth twitched violently.

His reputation had finally begun to turn around with great difficulty, but the System was forcing him to stop acting like a human!!!

Acting like a beast was easy enough.

In "operation xianyuan continent," he could think of at least 100 different ways to act like a beast in the time it took to yawn.

If it were just about acting like a beast, he could just use his alt account "Wuming" to participate.

But the System mission specifically stated he had to subvert the public's view of a "Saint"...

Didn't that clearly mean he had to use his main account!?

Did he even want to keep his face anymore???

Lu Ze shook his head helplessly.

Given the System's nature, even if he ignored it this time, it would probably keep making him maintain his Demonic Path reputation in the future...

So overall, he just couldn't be a good person for once?

"Fine, fine, fine. Anyway, I've done plenty of inhuman things, one more won't hurt..."

Lu Ze calmly accepted reality.

He thought about it and felt like he wasn't actually that reluctant?

"Then I'll sign up."

Having made up his mind, Lu Ze immediately entered the Illusion Realm and arrived at the entrance of the registration area.

At this time, the content of the prize pools for the competition rewards had already undergone a round of updates.

Just as he expected, the rewards in each pool had become even more bountiful.

In the top-tier prize pool, some top-level rewards appeared, including ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) the Dao Transformation Art he had long desired.

It was almost as if the Fragment of the Heavenly Dao had dug a pit specifically for him.

"You brat..."

Lu Ze's teeth itched with anger.

No wonder the Fragment of the Heavenly Dao had asked him if he would regret it before the competition started.

So it was waiting for him with this pit!

By now, more than half of the first stage of the competition had passed. The players at the very top already had assets approaching the hundred-million mark.

Even for Lu Ze, catching up within five days was a bit of a challenge.

But Lu Ze wasn't flustered.

Instead, he exuded a calm confidence.

"Smurfing needs to have a bit of pressure to be fun..."

...

...

Every move of the Fragment of the Heavenly Dao drew the attention of the Cultivators.

Since the "operation xianyuan continent" competition was announced, people had been following its progress every day.

The list of top-tier Cultivators was updated daily.

Cultivators were also paying attention to the asset threshold for advancement.

Even some unimportant entertainment news was gossiped about by Cultivators.

Posts on the forum had long been dominated by the competition.

【Lingxiao Sect's True Disciple Li was targeted by other Sects today and failed to withdraw repeatedly... her rank dropped to third!】

【What's the background of this Loose Cultivator named "Huanghun"? He can actually go toe-to-toe with True Disciple Zhou!】

【Lingxiao Sect's True Disciple Zhou is really unlucky... getting caught by Potato Mines every time.】

【Hahaha! Elder Li of the Limitless Sword Sect went bankrupt again today... truly the fastest man to go bankrupt!】

【Tsk tsk, the competition for first place is intense, and the last place seems... wait!? Lu Ze!?】

...

While everyone was focusing on the top participants, it was inevitable that someone would look at the bottom.

And with that look, they saw a prominent name:

【Participant: Lu Ze (Lingxiao Sect)】

【Current Assets: 0】

【Rank: 90214】

Once this information came out, it immediately caused a stir on the forum.

【Lu Ze?? Is it the Lu Ze we know??】

【Could it be someone with the same name?】

【Impossible! Where would Lingxiao Sect get a second Lu Ze!?】

【Even if there was one, they'd probably have changed their name long ago... how unlucky would that be!】

【In other words, Old Devil Lu is participating?】

【What's the point of joining now? There are only five days left until the competition ends!】

【Maybe he's after the rewards from the Heavenly Dao?】

【In five days, never mind first place... even qualifying for the next round is impossible, right?】

【Fellow Daoists! Regardless of anything else, hasn't our chance to beat up Old Devil Lu arrived?】

【Agreed!! Everyone target Old Devil Lu tomorrow!!!】

【Anyone who gets Old Devil Lu's Dog Tag, contact me. I'm willing to trade a Rank 4 Magic Treasure for it!】

【A Rank 4 Magic Treasure? You're looking down on Old Devil Lu too much!】

...

In previous competitions Lu Ze attended, he usually entered as a guest for the finals.

Ordinary Cultivators had no chance to interact with him.

Of course, Lu Ze had acted many times under the identity of "Wuming," but no one knew this except for Li Moran.

In short, from the Cultivators' perspective, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Not only was he appearing in person, but he was participating in the preliminary stage which had no barriers to entry.

Everyone had a chance to run into Lu Ze!

Other Illusion Realms might be different, but "operation xianyuan continent" was another story.

No matter who it was, they'd get hit by a Potato Mine.

The Cultivators had a love-hate relationship with Lu Ze.

Considering "this devil cultivator is not so cold" from not long ago, it was probably more hate than love.

So at the thought of being able to pummel Lu Ze, all the Cultivators began to rub their hands in anticipation.

Many Cultivators who hadn't even signed up joined in just to participate.

For a moment, the popularity of the competition surged even higher.

...

The news of Lu Ze's participation quickly spread.

Lingxiao Sect, Wenjian Peak.

The moonlight was bright and clear.

Amidst the crystalline frost, Li Moran's figure paused, a smile playing on her lips.

In her deep, ice-abyss-like eyes, a spark of heat surged.

"This time..."

"Will you win?"

...

Green Mountain Sect.

Veins bulged on Zhang Yuxian's forehead; hearing the name Lu Ze caused Killing Intent to surge naturally.

"The Lingxiao Sect is going too far... do they want to hog all the Luck for themselves!?"

"Contact the Limitless Sword Sect and the Heavenly Mystery Sect..."

"We will work together to blockade the Lingxiao Sect!"

...

Luofeng Continent, Illusion Alliance Base.

The patterns on the Heart Demon's mask changed constantly.

"Lu Ze..."

Behind him, a pitch-black Formation slowly unfurled.

"You've come at the perfect time."

"The Ten Directions Spirit Descent Formation has been refined..."

"I will let the Heavenly Dao know that he is not omnipotent in the Illusion Realm!"