Chapter 50:Trial of Arrogance- The One Who doesn’t Kneel

The Law Enforcement Hall was silent.

Not peaceful.

Oppressive.

Dozens of outer elders sat in a semi-circle, their auras pressing down like mountains. Killing intent lingered in the air—thick, suffocating.

At the center—

Lucifer stood alone.

Unchained.

Unbothered.

And—

Yawning.

"...Man, you guys talk too much."

The sound echoed.

Every elder's expression darkened.

The Judgment Begins

Elder One leaned forward, eyes sharp as blades.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Before Lucifer could answer—

Elder Two slammed his palm against the armrest.

"This is a waste of time! Look at him—no remorse, no fear. Kill him and be done with it."

Murmurs of agreement spread.

Lucifer scratched his cheek lazily.

"...I'm still trying to figure out what I did wrong."

That—

Set them off.

Elder Three stood up.

"How dare you speak so lightly? This moment decides your life!"

Lucifer finally looked at them properly.

Not intimidated.

Just... curious.

"Then explain it to me."

A pause.

Elder Four spoke coldly:

"You crippled ten outer disciples."

Lucifer shrugged.

"They tried to rob me."

A ripple spread through the hall.

Elder Five narrowed his eyes.

"You crushed their dantians. They will never cultivate again."

Lucifer tilted his head.

"...And?"

Silence.

Then—

He smiled faintly.

"I thought this was a demonic cult."

The temperature dropped.

"Strong survive. Weak get eaten," he continued calmly.

"They preyed on others. I removed them."

A pause.

"You should be thanking me."

Turning the Blade

Elder Six's voice turned sharp.

"Killing is decided by the elders—not you."

Lucifer sighed.

"So now I'm the enemy... for following your philosophy better than you?"

That line—

Hit harder than any attack.

Several elders clenched their fists.

This wasn't just arrogance.

This was defiance.

The Arrival of Chaos

Clap... clap... clap...

Slow.

Amused.

Everyone turned.

A woman leaned lazily against the entrance.

Zhong Yu.

Hair messy. Expression bored. A jug of alcohol in her hand.

"...Nice," she said, smirking.

"Finally, a demon who actually acts like one."

The elders froze.

Whispers spread instantly.

"Why is she here...?"

"She never attends summons..."

"Don't call her out—she'll kill you..."

Zhong Yu rolled her eyes.

"I can hear you idiots."

Instant silence.

Elder Twelve forced a smile.

"We meant no disrespect—"

"I know exactly how much you respect me," she cut him off.

Her gaze shifted to Lucifer.

"...I'm here for him."

The Request

Elder Thirteen frowned.

"What business do you have with this criminal?"

Zhong Yu shrugged.

"Drop the charges."

Shock.

Elder Fourteen shook his head.

"Impossible. He disobeyed an elder. That alone is a death sentence."

Lucifer finally spoke again.

"...So you think I'm weaker than that elder?"

Elder Fifteen laughed.

"You're at Qi Gathering, eighth stage."

"He's at Foundation Establishment, ninth stage."

"The gap between you is heaven and earth."

Lucifer smiled slowly.

"...Then I just have to win."

Silence.

Then—

Laughter exploded.

Loud.

Mocking.

Disbelief.

Elder Fifteen leaned forward.

"Didn't you hear anything I just said?"

Lucifer's eyes gleamed faintly.

"If I win... I'm stronger."

"If I lose... I die."

He spread his arms slightly.

"...Isn't that exactly how your world works?"

That shut them up.

Elder Six spoke coldly:

"Or we could just kill you now."

Lucifer's smile sharpened.

"...Then that just proves you're afraid."

Silence.

Heavy.

Dangerous.

"...Afraid I might kill you instead."

That was it.

Every elder's killing intent flared.

"Fine."

"We accept."

The Arena

Word spread like wildfire.

Disciple vs Elder.

Madness.

The arena filled instantly.

On one side—

Lucifer.

Relaxed.

Stretching.

On the other—

Elder One.

Calm.

Killing intent barely contained.

The Gamble

Lucifer raised a hand.

"Before we start..."

Elder One frowned.

"...What now?"

Lucifer grinned.

"Let's make it interesting."

A ripple passed through the crowd.

"I'll bet my spirit sword."

Chirin immediately yelled in his head:

"YOU WHAT?!"

Lucifer ignored him.

Elder One smirked.

"...And why would I bet on a dying man?"

Lucifer tilted his head.

"Then don't."

That stung.

"...Fine," Elder One said.

"Three Foundation Establishment pills."

Lucifer clicked his tongue.

"...Cheap."

The crowd reacted.

Lucifer turned toward them.

"Let's open it up."

"Bet on him—you get my sword."

"Bet on me—you get triple returns."

A pause.

"...But if you lose, you lose everything."

Greed spread instantly.

Everyone knew—

Lucifer would die.

So they bet.

Everything.

The Fight Begins

Elder One raised his hand.

"I'll give you the first move."

Lucifer smiled.

"...Big mistake."

His voice dropped.

"Skill..."

"...Sin of Sloth."

For a split second—

He vanished.

Not fast.

Gone.

Elder One's eyes widened—

Too late.

SHING.

A blade pierced through his back.

Straight through the heart.

Silence.

Absolute.

Lucifer stood behind him.

"...Thanks for the opening."

Elder One tried to speak—

Lucifer twisted the blade.

Then whispered:

"Sin of Gluttony."

A dark force surged.

Energy drained.

Violently.

The elder's cultivation—

Gone.

Absorbed.

His body collapsed.

Dead.

Shock

No one moved.

No one breathed.

The entire arena—

Frozen.

Lucifer pulled his blade out slowly.

"...That was easier than expected."

Then—

He turned to the crowd.

Smiling.

"...Thanks for the donations."

Realization hit.

They'd all been played.

Perfectly.

Aftermath

Zhong Yu laughed.

Loud.

Unrestrained.

"You robbed them blind."

Lucifer shrugged.

"They gave it willingly."

She stepped closer.

"You just made enemies of the entire cult."

Lucifer's eyes gleamed.

"...Then I'll just outgrow them."

He turned.

And walked away.

Like nothing happened.

Breakthrough

"Why are we running?" Chirin asked.

Lucifer didn't slow down.

"...Because I'm about to break through."

They reached a secluded area.

Lucifer immediately swallowed the pills.

One.

Two.

Three.

Energy exploded inside him.

Wild.

Violent.

Unstable.

His veins bulged.

Bones creaked.

Mana surged uncontrollably.

"...Good," he muttered.

Pain tore through him—

But he didn't stop.

He guided it.

Forced it.

Controlled chaos.

His aura rose—

Higher.

Higher—

Until—

BOOM.

Foundation Establishment.

Seventh stage.

Understanding the Power

Lucifer exhaled slowly.

"...Now that's better."

Chirin hovered closer.

"When did you even create that skill?"

Lucifer smirked.

"...The moment he offered me the first move."

Chirin blinked.

"...You made it on the spot?"

"I needed one second," Lucifer said calmly.

"So I created a skill that erases my presence for one second."

A pause.

"...That's all I needed."

Chirin stared.

"...You're insane."

Lucifer smiled.

"...Efficient."

Next Step

As they walked back through the cult—

A board caught his attention.

"Inner Disciple Selection Exam."

Lucifer stopped.

Then smiled.

"...Finally."

Chirin crossed his arms.

"More chaos?"

Lucifer's eyes gleamed.

"No."

A pause.

"...More power."

End Hook

Back in the Law Enforcement Hall—

The elders sat in silence.

Resources gone.

Authority shaken.

Reputation shattered.

Zhong Yu leaned against a pillar, drinking.

"...You let a monster walk out."

No one replied.

Because they all knew—

She was right.

Final Line

Far away—

Lucifer walked forward without looking back.

"...Time to rise."