Primordial Era: I am a treasure trove, full of magical treasures.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, Xuan Cang has grown from a child into a spirited young man. Under the careful tutelage of "Qing Xuanzi," an incarnation of Fuxi, he has not only become wise and insightful but has also honed remarkable skills, especially in matters of celestial phenomena, geography, tribal governance, and the livelihoods of the people. He often uses his knowledge to help the Fengyan and surrounding tribes improve their farming tools, divert water for irrigation, and mediate disputes. His reputation for benevolence and talent spreads like a spring breeze along the shores of the East China Sea.

However, the grand scheme of things in the primordial world is never smooth sailing. The rising fortunes of the human race have attracted countless eyes, both overt and covert, and have also drawn covetousness and malice.

Shouyang Mountain.

The three ancestors, Suiren, Youchao, and Ziyi, were intently gazing at a mysterious mirror before them, condensed from the essence of humanity. The mirror reflected the valley scene where Fuxi was teaching Xuancang. Seeing Xuancang's calm and wise demeanor, the three ancestors all showed expressions of satisfaction.

"With the guidance of the great god Fuxi, Xuancang's growth has far exceeded our expectations," Youchao sighed, stroking his beard. "Given time, he will surely be able to shoulder great responsibilities."

Fuxi holds a very special position among the human race. It can be said that, apart from Nuwa, the Three Pure Ones, and Xuanbao, Fuxi enjoys the highest prestige among the human race. After all, the progress of the human race is inseparable from Fuxi's teachings.

"Indeed." Ziyi nodded, then a trace of worry appeared between his brows. "However, recently, when I used the human destiny to sense the secrets of heaven, I discovered several dark and unclear auras that seemed to be lingering and spying on the outskirts of the East Sea, vaguely targeting the core of our human destiny. I'm afraid they are coming for Xuan Cang."

A glint of fire flashed in Suirenshi's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "The taller the tree, the more the wind will blow. With the rise of the human race and the emergence of an emperor, those forces that are unwilling to see the human race prosper, or who want to take a share of the spoils, or even to stifle the future of our race, will eventually be unable to hold back. Although the Father God has issued a decree and the Heavenly Court is paying attention, it is difficult to guard against a hidden arrow. Although the Great God Fuxi is strong, it is easy to dodge a spear in the open, but difficult to guard against a hidden arrow. We must be doubly vigilant."

Just as the three patriarchs were discussing strengthening covert defenses, a sinister conspiracy was taking place in a hidden cave deep within a miasma-ridden swamp tens of thousands of miles away from the Fengyan tribe.

The cave was dimly lit, illuminated only by a few eerie green will-o'-the-wisps. Seated in the main seat was a figure shrouded in a black robe, exuding a cold and sinister aura, possessing the cultivation of a Quasi-Saint in the early stages! Below him stood several people respectfully, none of them human. Some emanated demonic energy, some were shrouded in demonic runes, and some possessed strange auras, neither god nor ghost.

"My Lord," a demon cultivator with triangular eyes and fleshy wings bowed and said, "We have investigated thoroughly. The so-called 'Heavenly Emperor' of the human race is named Xuan Cang, and he resides in the Fengyan tribe. His master is a hermit who calls himself 'Qing Xuanzi,' whose cultivation is unfathomable, possibly at the peak of the Great Luo realm, or even higher. He usually lives in a secluded valley near the tribe, teaching Xuan Cang many wondrous techniques and methods. Xuan Cang himself is only a True Immortal, but his fortune is connected to the human path, extremely rich, and he is protected by a rare treasure, seemingly related to the divination of heavenly secrets."

"Qing Xuanzi?" The black-robed figure spoke in a hoarse, low voice, like the grinding of sand, "Can't find his background?"

Another cultivator, shrouded in shadow like a ghost, spoke up: "Reporting to the Venerable One, this person appeared out of nowhere, with no prior knowledge of the past. However, the teachings he imparts are unfathomably profound."

The figure in black robes sneered, "No matter who he is, as long as he can stop the rise of humanity, all obstacles must be eliminated. Although Xuan Cang has not yet become an immortal, he is protected by a rare treasure. However, if we join forces, we are not without a chance." After saying that, the figure in black robes exuded an even colder aura.

The triangular-eyed cultivator said urgently, "Lord, Qing Xuanzi's strength is too great. If we act rashly, we may be countered." The black-robed figure pondered for a moment, then smiled sinisterly, "I have my own plan. First, send people to secretly sabotage the Fengyan tribe's production, create chaos, and lure Qing Xuanzi and Xuan Cang away from the tribe. Then, while they are away, set a trap to capture Xuan Cang." Upon hearing this, the demons all nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, in the Fengyan tribe, Xuan Cang was working with his people to improve new farming tools. Unaware of the approaching conspiracy, he sensed something amiss in the atmosphere. Far away in the Human Ancestor's Cave, the Three Ancestors also sensed the malice emanating from the depths of the miasma swamp; a power struggle, both overt and covert, over Xuan Cang, the chosen emperor of the human race, was about to unfold.

The subordinate suspects that he may be a reclusive master, unknown to outsiders.

By the way, Your Majesty, I have a plan.

Spit it out.

"Remnants of the demon race!"

The triangular-eyed monk only uttered four words.

"Remnants of the demon race?" The black-robed figure was taken aback for a moment, then reacted with a cold snort. "Emperor Jun and Taiyi have both vanished into thin air. What powerful demon race would dare to interfere in human affairs? But whether it's right or wrong is up to us. Humans and demons have a blood feud. If humans knew that their future emperor, on whom they placed their hopes, was apprenticed to a remnant of the demon race... hehe."

"Your Excellency is wise!" A ruthless glint flashed in the eyes of the triangular-eyed demon. "This plan is brilliant! It can not only ruin Xuan Cang's reputation and sever his imperial foundation, but also incite internal strife among the human race and weaken his fortune! However, Qing Xuanzi's strength is unknown, and the Three Ancestors are secretly watching over him, with the Heavenly Court providing a hidden backing. Direct action may not be successful, and we need to plan carefully."

"The Heavenly Court?" The black-robed figure spoke with deep disdain and apprehension. "Xuanbao, that brat, only managed to obtain the position of Heavenly Emperor by chance, relying on the backing of a sage. Now that the primordial world has just been stabilized, and the sages each have their own plans, the Heavenly Court's foundation is not yet secure, and its reach cannot extend that far. As for the Three Ancestors, they are merely three Great Luo Golden Immortals born from merit. They are fine for guarding their lair, but if a real conflict breaks out, they are not a cause for concern. The key is that Qing Xuanzi. How he cleverly spreads the news that 'Xuan Cang is a disciple of the demon race' will inevitably ignite suspicion and hatred within the human race."

He paused, two eerie lights gleaming beneath his black robe: "I remember, thirty thousand miles west of the East Sea coast, there is a tribe called the 'Black Teeth Tribe.' Their chieftain's son was killed by a demon hunting party, and he harbors a deep hatred for the demons, making him quite prestigious among the surrounding tribes. Meanwhile, the 'Ze Tribe,' southeast of the Fengyan Tribe, has a long-standing marriage alliance with the Black Teeth Tribe, but they have some friction over a hunting ground..."

"Understood!" The triangular-eyed cultivator immediately complied. "I'll make the arrangements right away. I'll make sure that the Black Tooth Clan Chief 'accidentally' discovers 'evidence' of Qing Xuanzi's connection to the demon race, and then spreads the news through the Ze tribe! At that time, the enraged Black Tooth tribe, together with other tribes dissatisfied with Feng Yan, will launch an attack, forcing Xuan Cang to prove his innocence or hand over his master... No matter the outcome, it will be enough to make this future Human Emperor extremely anxious and destroy his prestige! If Qing Xuanzi is indeed a demon, once exposed, he will surely become an enemy of humanity. At that time, we can secretly fuel the flames, and even provoke some powerful rogue cultivators who were harmed by the demon race in the past to take action..."

"Very good." The figure in black robes nodded in satisfaction. "Remember, act discreetly and leave no trace. The internal strife and turmoil of the human race present us with the perfect opportunity to seize human fortune and cultivate supernatural powers. Go."

"Yes, sir!"

Several dark figures silently disappeared into the darkness, and the cave returned to deathly silence. The black-robed figure let out a low, grating laugh: "A human emperor? Heh heh, perfect nourishment for the main soul of my 'Ten Thousand Souls Banner'! This overwhelming human fortune and resentment should be used by me!"

A conspiracy targeting Xuancang and Fuxi unfolds silently, like a venomous snake.

……

Fengyan tribe, a secluded valley with thatched huts.

Fuxi was instructing Xuancang on how to deduce a simple calendar to aid in agricultural activities. Suddenly, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and he stopped using the yarrow stalks in his hands to perform the calculations.

"Teacher, what's wrong?" Xuan Cang keenly noticed Fuxi's unusual behavior.

Fuxi raised his eyes and gazed in a certain direction outside the valley. His gaze seemed to pierce through layers of space, revealing a dark figure plotting in the swamp. Although he was no longer a sage, he was skilled in divination and possessed an extremely keen sensitivity to causal and malicious intent related to himself.

"Some little bugs are getting restless." Fuxi's tone was calm, but his eyes no longer held their usual gentleness; instead, a cold, sharp glint flashed in them. "They're after your master and you. They want to use underhanded tactics like framing and sowing discord to ruin your reputation and hinder your path."

If the two people who were plotting just now had heard what Fuxi said, their eyes would probably have popped out. What's the difference between this and cheating?

Xuan Cang's expression hardened, but his eyes showed no fear, only composure: "Teacher, is it because our human race's fortune is too strong that it has attracted jealousy and hatred? What do they intend to do?"

"He merely wants to brand me as a 'remnant of the demon race,' thereby inciting hatred, forcing you into a dilemma, and destroying your foundation," Fuxi sneered. "He certainly has a good plan. Unfortunately, he misjudged the person and the situation."

He looked at Xuan Cang, his tone turning serious: "Xuan Cang, this is the first true test on your path to becoming emperor. It is not only a test of strength, but also a test of character, wisdom, and responsibility. How will you face it?"

Xuan Cang pondered for a moment, his gaze clear and firm: "The innocent will remain innocent, and the guilty will remain guilty. My teacher imparted to me the Great Dao, taught me skills, and guided me to understand principles. He has given me a second life, and his contributions to the human race are evident to all. How can we be swayed by a few slanderous words from petty people? I believe that justice resides in the hearts of the people. However, malicious words can hurt, and public opinion can be devastating. If we do not respond promptly, it may harm the innocent in our tribe and create rifts within the human race. I believe we should take the initiative to clarify the situation, speak with facts, expose the conspiracy, and expose the mastermind behind it all, so as to set the record straight and deter those with ill intentions."

"Excellent!" Fuxi's eyes showed even greater admiration. "Neither humble nor arrogant, courageous and resourceful. However, merely clarifying and exposing is not enough. The reason a conspiracy is a conspiracy is that it lies in its hidden presence, inciting ignorance. We must act with thunderous force, exposing its conspiracy to the public before it even launches, capturing its leader, and putting him on trial in full view of the public, in order to completely crush its scheme and deter future intruders."

"What the teacher means is..."

"Use their scheme to lure them out, then... strike them dead in one blow." A wisp of clear light flowed from Fuxi's fingertips as he rapidly deduced. "They want to launch an attack through the Black Tooth Tribe, don't they? Then let them 'smoothly' discover the 'evidence.' At that time, you, as a candidate for Human Emperor, will proactively invite the leaders of surrounding tribes and respected figures to gather in Fengyan for a public trial. I will give you some 'surprises.' As for the venomous snake hiding behind the scenes..." A cold glint flashed in his eyes, "I will personally 'invite' him over and have him speak publicly."

Xuan Cang felt reassured and bowed, saying, "This disciple will obey Master's arrangements!"

……

Several days later, Li Shan, the chieftain of the Black Teeth tribe, "accidentally" saved a stranger cultivator who was being chased by a demonic beast and was critically injured and on the verge of death while hunting. Before dying, the cultivator handed Li Shan a jade slip containing his image and said intermittently, "Feng Yan... Master of Xuan Cang... Qing Xuanzi... is indeed a powerful figure of the demon race... infiltrating the human race... with great ambitions... be careful..." He then breathed his last.

Li Shan examined the jade slip and found a blurry image within it. He could vaguely see "Qing Xuanzi" practicing magic in a valley, his body covered in demonic runes, and his aura quite similar to that of the powerful demons who had wreaked havoc in the past! There was also a divine message accusing Qing Xuanzi of being the incarnation of "Bai Ze Demon Saint," who had escaped from the demon court, and of infiltrating the human race, intending to manipulate the Human Emperor and wreak havoc on the prehistoric world!

Li Shan already harbored a deep-seated hatred for the demon race. Upon seeing this "ironclad evidence," he was instantly enraged. With the Ze tribe chief fanning the flames from the sidelines, he immediately united several tribes that harbored resentment towards Feng Yan or Xuan Cang's rise to power, and marched towards Feng Yan in a mighty force. They demanded that Shao Dian and Xuan Cang hand over the "demon spy" Qing Xuanzi, and that Xuan Cang cripple his cultivation to prove his innocence!

The news spread quickly, causing an uproar on the shores of the East China Sea! The human race was immediately divided, with believers and non-believers arguing endlessly, many tribes hesitant to act, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

The Fengyan tribe was on high alert. Shaodian was both shocked and furious. He absolutely refused to believe that Master Qingxuan, who had taught his son for many years, would be a spy for the demon race. However, Li Shan and the others came with great force and had "evidence," making it difficult for him to refute them for the time being.

Just as Li Shan and his men surrounded the Fengyan tribe, their emotions ran high, and conflict seemed imminent—

"Gentlemen, you have come from afar, why be so tense?"

A clear and calm voice rang out, and Xuan Cang, dressed in simple hemp clothing, calmly walked out of the tribe's fence, accompanied by several elders of Fengyan. His gaze swept over the menacing Li Shan and the others, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

"Xuan Cang! You finally dare to show your face!" Li Shan roared, his eyes bloodshot, brandishing the recording jade slip. "Your master is a demon spy! What do you have to say? Hand over Qing Xuanzi immediately, or I will rid the human race of this wicked creature today!"

"Chief Lishan, please calm down." Xuan Cang's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly drowned out the noise. "To condemn my master and me based solely on a jade slip of unknown origin and a few speculative remarks is far too hasty. My master, Qing Xuanzi, passed on civilization and taught me principles. His contributions to humanity are evident to all the surrounding tribes. How can he be unjustly accused because of the machinations of petty villains?"

"Contributions? That was to deceive you! To manipulate the human race!" the Ze tribe chief shrieked. "The evidence is irrefutable, and you still want to deny it? Could it be that you have colluded with the demon race?"

Xuan Cang ignored the clamor and turned to the growing number of people from various tribes gathered around him. He spoke loudly, "Chiefs, fellow countrymen! Today's matter concerns my master's innocence, and even more so, the future of our human race. Xuan Cang implores you all to temporarily quell your anger and give me, and my master, a chance to prove our innocence. I have already sent people to invite the respected elders of the hundred tribes along the East Sea coast. Three days later, here, my Fengyan tribe is willing to hold a public trial for this matter. At that time, my master, Qing Xuanzi, will also be present to confront Chief Li Shan face to face, and I ask you all to witness this. If my master is indeed a demon, or if I have colluded with demons in any way, Xuan Cang is willing to commit suicide here to atone for my sins against humanity! If it is proven that someone maliciously framed me, I also ask you all to give my master and me justice and to expose the mastermind behind this, as a warning to others!"

These words shocked everyone. Xuan Cang had actually volunteered for a public confrontation, even pledging his life as collateral! This frankness and confidence shook the resolve of many who had initially been skeptical.

Li Shan was also taken aback, not expecting Xuan Cang to be so firm and frank. He looked at the Ze tribe chief, who nodded almost imperceptibly, indicating that the plan was going smoothly. As long as the truth was revealed in public three days later, Xuan Cang would surely die.

"Fine! I'll give you three days!" Li Shan gritted his teeth and said, "If you can't prove your innocence in three days, don't blame us for acting on behalf of Heaven!"

……