Framing Kunpeng, the Sixth's Wisdom

"Jieyin and Zhunti... defected to Luohu?!"

This news struck Lu Chen like a bolt of lightning, making his scalp tingle.

He immediately recalled the two dull thuds outside Treasure Distribution Cliff—no wonder the demonic energy lingering at the back of Jieyin's head was so hard to dispel. It turned out it wasn't because his divine abilities were special, but because a demonic seed had long been planted within him!

"Little friend, do not make a sound," Zhen Yuanzi transmitted, his expression as grave as iron. "This matter has too many implications."

Hongyun looked out of the pavilion with complicated eyes. "They specifically asked to see us... I fear their intentions are not good."

The Half-Demon Qilin cowered at Lu Chen's feet, trembling. "They... they can sense my existence... Quickly hide me..."

Without a word, Lu Chen unfurled the Qiankun Diagram, drawing the three little qilins into its world. Especially the half-demon one, he wrapped it in layers of Sky-Opening Merit, isolating all its aura.

Just as he finished, the pavilion door was knocked.

"Dong dong dong."

Not too loud, yet carrying a certain rhythm, each knock struck their hearts.

"Please enter," Zhen Yuanzi said in a deep voice.

The door opened.

Jieyin and Zhunti walked in side-by-side, their faces still wearing that sorrowful expression, but in the depths of their eyes, Lu Chen caught a faint, dark trace that did not belong to the orthodox Xuanmen path.

"Greetings, three Daoist friends," Jieyin said, clasping his hands in greeting. "Forgive our uninvited visit; we truly have a matter to request."

Zhunti's gaze swept over Lu Chen and Hongyun, pausing for a moment on Hongyun's waist—where the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd hung, one of the treasures Zhunti would later try to seize after Hongyun's demise.

"What matter?" Zhen Yuanzi asked calmly.

"We plead on behalf of the beings of the West," Jieyin sighed. "My West is barren, its spiritual meridians fractured, making it difficult for living beings to cultivate. Daoist friend Hongyun bears great merit and has the opportunity of the Purple Qi (though it is false, outsiders do not know). If you are willing to accompany my brother and me to the West, nourishing the land with merit, you shall gain immeasurable merit..."

They want to poach someone for the West?

Lu Chen sneered inwardly.

In the original story, Zhunti had tricked Hongyun into giving up his seat, creating karma. Now they've upgraded to kidnapping?

Hongyun shook his head. "This humble one is accustomed to freedom and cannot bear restraint. I have the will but not the strength for matters of the West."

"Daoist friend, you speak incorrectly," Zhunti stepped forward, his eyes fervent. "Look at my brother and me, toiling for the West, restless day and night. If Daoist friend is willing to help, you will be the benefactor of billions of beings in the West, such great merit, such great compassion—"

"Bang!"

Before he could finish, Lu Chen suddenly acted.

He didn't hit anyone, but smashed a brick onto the stone table inside the pavilion.

The stone table exploded, sending shards of rock flying.

Everyone was stunned.

Lu Chen put on a look of "panic." "Oops! My hand slipped! This table is too flimsy!"

Jieyin and Zhunti: "..."

Zhen Yuanzi's mouth twitched, but he played along. "Little friend, do not panic; it is just a stone table."

"However..." Lu Chen changed the subject, looking at Jieyin and Zhunti. "What were the two seniors just saying? Oh, right, the West is barren... Coincidentally! This junior just encountered Kunpeng in the chaos secretly collecting fragments of the West's spiritual veins, saying he wanted to refine the 'Myriad Spirits Return to Origin Formation' and had grand ambitions!"

As soon as he said this, Jieyin and Zhunti's expressions changed simultaneously.

"Kunpeng? Collecting fragments of the West's spiritual veins?" Zhunti's eyes sharpened. "Little friend, is what you say true?"

"Absolutely true!" Lu Chen put on his best acting. "I saw it with my own eyes! He was also plotting with Old Ancestor Minghe, saying, 'The Two Sages of the West are not to be feared; once the great formation is complete, we will first devour the West, then plot against the Primordial Era'!"

Half-true, half-false.

Kunpeng was indeed collecting spiritual vein fragments (Lu Chen had seen records in the formation diagram), but his purpose was to perfect the Great Formation of the Stars. As for plotting against the West and colluding with Minghe, it was pure fabrication by Lu Chen.

But Jieyin and Zhunti believed him—because the West's spiritual veins were indeed slowly draining, and they had long suspected someone was playing tricks!

"No wonder..." A cold light flashed in Jieyin's eyes. "No wonder the West's earth energy is weakening daily; there are thieves secretly stealing it!"

Zhunti was even more enraged. "That old thief Kunpeng! How dare he do such a thing!"

Lu Chen seized the opportunity. "Two seniors, this matter cannot be delayed. Kunpeng was just saved by Taiyi and is currently recuperating, at his weakest. If we act now—"

"Cut the weeds and remove the roots!" Zhunti interjected, radiating killing intent.

Jieyin clasped his hands. "Amitabha... To protect the beings of the West, we must shed blood."

The two exchanged glances and said to Lu Chen and the other two, "Thank you, little friend, for the information. This matter concerns the survival of the West; my brother and I will go find Kunpeng to demand an explanation!"

With that, they turned and left.

After they were far away, Hongyun frowned. "Little friend, your plan to frame him... is too obvious. Jieyin and Zhunti are not fools; they will know it's fake with a little investigation."

"So what if it's fake?" Lu Chen smiled. "I don't want them to believe it; I want them to 'be willing to believe it'."

"What do you mean?"

"The West's spiritual veins are indeed draining, and Kunpeng is indeed collecting fragments. Jieyin and Zhunti have long wanted an excuse to deal with Kunpeng—because Kunpeng possesses something they desire," Lu Chen said calmly.

Zhen Yuanzi pondered. "You mean..."

"The River Diagram and Luo Book," Lu Chen uttered the four words.

In the original work, Kunpeng later stole the River Diagram and Luo Book and defected to the demon race. The River Diagram and Luo Book contain the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, which are of great use to the Western Teachings in perfecting their doctrines. Jieyin and Zhunti had long been coveting them.

Now Lu Chen has handed them a knife—whether Kunpeng has ulterior motives towards the West or not, they'll strike first. If he's killed, it's a perfect opportunity to seize the treasure.

"Killing three birds with one stone," Lu Chen said, counting on his fingers. "First, divert Jieyin and Zhunti's attention from us; second, make them enemies with Kunpeng and even the demon race; third, if they truly kill Kunpeng, it will cause internal strife within the demon race, which we'd be happy to see."

Hongyun gasped, "Young friend, your schemes... are truly profound."

Zhen Yuanzi looked deeply at Lu Chen, "Although this plan is risky, it is indeed effective. Even if Jieyin and Zhunti see through it, they will go along with it—they need this excuse."

"Precisely," Lu Chen nodded. "Next, we should prepare for the next step."

"What next step?"

"Go to the Demon Abyss," Lu Chen took out the scorching Demon Abyss Token. "Luohu is going to send a gift? I'd like to see what 'grand gift' he can send."

"Absolutely not!" Hongyun and Zhen Yuanzi objected simultaneously.

"The Demon Abyss is Luohu's lair, fraught with danger. If you go now, it's like walking into a trap," Zhen Yuanzi said solemnly.

Lu Chen, however, shook his head. "Senior, if Luohu wanted to harm me, he could have done so in the chaos just now. Why go through all this trouble? He kept me alive for a reason, there must be a bigger scheme. Moreover..."

He looked towards the West. "Jieyin and Zhunti have already joined forces with Luohu, which means the infiltration of the demonic path into the Primordial Era is far beyond our imagination. Instead of waiting passively, it's better to take the initiative to make contact, at least to understand the situation."

Hongyun and Zhen Yuanzi fell silent.

After a while, Zhen Yuanzi sighed, "Young friend, since you have made up your mind, this humble one will not try to dissuade you further. But remember, the demonic path is treacherous, do not lose your original heart."

"This junior remembers," Lu Chen bowed. "I cannot stay here for long on this trip. Senior, I entrust the care of those three little qilin to you."

"Rest assured."

Lu Chen then looked at Hongyun. "Senior, you have just broken through to the Quasi-Saint realm and need to stabilize your cultivation. Wuzhuang Temple is safe; you can go into seclusion here."

Hongyun nodded, "Be careful with everything you do."

After giving his instructions, Lu Chen left Wuzhuang Temple and flew towards the West.

He did not go directly to Mount Sumeru (the entrance to the Demon Abyss) but detoured to the East Sea first.

Some preparations must be made thoroughly.