Mount Sumeru, Zhunti Can't Trick Us?

After fleeing Mount Buzhou, Yun Ting communicated with the system: "That was way too intense, wasn't it? I almost ended up in a full-on fight with the Wu Clan."

"Mm, perfectly normal. Those Wu Clan brutes don't care if you're in the right or not. If you try to cut down one of their Great Shamans, they'll step in to shield them. So, what's your plan?" the system replied directly.

"I'm thinking... I can't be the only one in the Primordial Wilderness who finds the Wu Clan annoying, right? Last time, those two gourds already built a connection with Di Jun and Taiyi. How about I ally with them?" Yun Ting asked the system for advice.

"This system suggests the Host decide for himself. Two options: One, resolve the Entangled by Karma issue, then return to negotiate peace with the Wu Clan. Risk—no guarantee of success, and you'd lose face. Reward—Nine Revolutions Profound Art. Two, command the Demon race, ally with Di Jun and Taiyi to establish the Demon Heavenly Court. Risk—offending East King Duke. Reward—Purple Firmament Divine Thunder Cultivation Method." Inside the system space, A Certain Lady pondered for a moment before letting Yun Ting choose.

Yun Ting chuckled and said, "Nine Revolutions Profound Art... I've no use for that. I pick option two. I'll contact Di Jun and Taiyi to become a Demon Emperor of the Demon race—at least that'll boost my luck. As for the Wu Clan, they don't even have Primordial Spirits, so they're not easy to talk to. I'll deal with them later."

With that, Yun Ting transformed into a beam of golden light and shot straight toward Mount Sumeru... Well, contacting Di Jun and Taiyi to set up the Demon Heavenly Court could wait. He needed to offload that Entangled by Karma debuff as soon as possible.

Before long, near Mount Sumeru, Yun Ting communicated with the system: "How about I gift this black-plus Entangled by Karma trait to Zhunti?"

The system replied, "Hold on, this system will check. [Name: Daoist Zhunti] [Cultivation: Mid Quasi-Saint] [Traits: Western Teachings Founder (Purple), Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree (Gold), Sweet Dew Sprinkled Everywhere (Gold), Wisdom Like the Sea (Orange), Buddhist Law is Boundless (Orange)...] Your cultivation is insufficient. You cannot transfer the Entangled by Karma trait to Daoist Zhunti for now."

Yun Ting gave an awkward laugh. "Can't touch him, then. I'll go after someone else. Read Mahasthamaprapta's traits."

"Ding, querying. [Name: Mahasthamaprapta] [Cultivation: Late Taiyi Golden Immortal] [Traits: Mahasthamaprapta (Red, Unactivated), Vase of Sweet Dew (Gold), Irresistible Momentum (Gold), Buddha Light Protection (Orange), Great Wisdom Appears Foolish (Orange)...] Your cultivation exceeds Mahasthamaprapta's. You can add one trait and modify or extract another." The system's voice rang in Yun Ting's mind.

"Oh ho, now this is fun. Alright, add Entangled by Karma (Black+) to him, then change Great Wisdom Appears Foolish to Great Stupidity Appears Foolish." Yun Ting thought it over. Changing any other word would be tricky, so he swapped 'wisdom' for 'stupidity.' When he checked again, Mahasthamaprapta's traits instantly became: Mahasthamaprapta (Red, Unactivated), Vase of Sweet Dew (Gold), Irresistible Momentum (Gold), Buddha Light Protection (Orange), Entangled by Karma (Black+), Great Stupidity Appears Foolish (Black+)...

Staring at the traits, Yun Ting asked the system in confusion, "This... I only changed one word. Why did the trait color change too?"

"Pfft." Inside the system space, A Certain Lady couldn't help laughing. She explained, "Entangled by Karma and stupid to boot—this disciple of his is going to drive Zhunti crazy in a while. And you still have the nerve to ask? Great Wisdom Appears Foolish is a good thing. But stupid and foolish? What do you think? What color would you give it if not black-plus? Alright, shouldn't you be running? Mahasthamaprapta suddenly got hit with Entangled by Karma. Even if Zhunti has no proof, he'll likely pin it on you."

Hearing this, Yun Ting prepared to leave, but it was too late. Zhunti had already sensed the dense karmic black energy around Mahasthamaprapta. Sweeping his Divine Sense over the area near Mount Sumeru, he spotted Yun Ting and flashed over. "Young friend Yun Ting, my disciple Mahasthamaprapta has suddenly become Entangled by Karma. Does this have anything to do with you?"

Yun Ting chuckled. "I'm just passing through. Do you have any proof that I did something to Mahasthamaprapta? Careful—next time the Dao Ancestor lectures at Purple Firmament Palace, I might go report you for slander."

Zhunti smiled coldly. "Mahasthamaprapta suddenly becomes Entangled by Karma, the karmic force assaults his Primordial Spirit, and he goes stupid on the spot. And you just happen to be near Mount Sumeru. Dare you say you're unrelated?"

Yun Ting sneered. "So you're saying I caused Mahasthamaprapta's karmic entanglement? Zhunti, if you don't have proof today, watch out—I'll call my elders to tear down your Mount Sumeru." In his mind, he thought: This is the system's doing. Even the Dao Ancestor couldn't find anything off about me. Can you, Zhunti, detect the system's handiwork? If not, there's nothing you can do to me today.

Then, Yun Ting summoned the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Exquisite Pagoda above his head and said, "I've got the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Exquisite Pagoda over me. With your skill, Zhunti, you can't take me down."