Primordial Era: A brick knocks Hongyun unconscious, and he seizes the throne at the start.

Deep within the Demon Abyss, the Myriad Demons Devouring Heaven Formation was operating at its maximum.

Billions of demonic creatures formed a jet-black chain, binding Lu Chen in the center.

The demonic energy surged like a tide, corroding everything, even the surface of the Chaos Brick emitted a sizzling sound.

The remnant soul of Rahu stood before the Banner of Ten Thousand Demons, his crimson demonic eyes filled with mockery: "Junior, do you think I'm unprepared? This Ten Thousand Demons Devouring Heaven Formation has consumed a thousand years of my life's work; even a saint would be skinned alive if he entered!"

Lu Chen looked around; it was indeed dangerous. But a strange smile appeared on his face: "Luo Hou, have you forgotten... that I came to the Demon Abyss last time with the Dao Ancestor's tacit permission?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand and slapped a purple talisman on the ground.

That is the Demon-Slaying Talisman bestowed by the Dao Ancestor Hongjun, specifically designed to counter demonic formations!

"boom--!!!"

The talisman exploded, transforming into countless bolts of purple lightning that cascaded down like a waterfall!

The demonic chains shattered upon contact, and demons vanished upon touching them. The entire Myriad Demons Devouring Heaven Formation collapsed within three breaths!

Luo Hou's remnant soul's expression changed drastically: "That old man Hongjun actually gave you the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Talisman?!"

"Surprised?" Lu Chen grinned, activated his Brick Escape Technique, and arrived in front of the Myriad Demon Banner, thrusting the God-Slaying Spear straight at the banner pole!

This shot was as fast as lightning. Its malevolent aura locked onto the core of the Myriad Demon Banner. Before the spear tip even arrived, the banner trembled violently, and countless demonic thoughts howled and fled.

"Don't even think about it!" Rahu's remnant soul burned its essence and struck Lu Chen in the back with a palm.

This palm strike contained all the demonic cultivation he had recovered over a thousand years, enough to shatter stars!

But Lu Chen neither dodged nor avoided. The Chaos Brick behind him automatically protected him, and the phantom of Pangu creating the world appeared on the brick, allowing him to withstand the palm strike!

"clang--!!!"

The bricks collided, and the demonic energy clashed with the power of creation, causing the entire Demon Abyss to shake violently!

Taking advantage of this brief moment, the God-Slaying Spear had already pierced the pole of the Ten Thousand Demon Banner!

"Snap!"

A crisp snapping sound rang out as the banner pole was pierced by a spear! Countless demonic thoughts surged forth like a burst dam, backfiring on Rahu's remnant soul!

"No—!!!" Rahu screamed in agony as his remnant soul was torn apart by demonic thoughts, and his aura rapidly weakened.

Taking advantage of the situation, Lu Chen swept his spear across, completely severing the Myriad Demon Banner! The banner turned into black smoke and dissipated, while the demonic essence sealed within was frantically devoured by the God-Slaying Spear.

The God-Slaying Spear shone with an intense black light, its ferocious power increasing by another 30%!

"Luo Hou, it's time to go!" Lu Chen thrust his spear towards Luo Hou's brow.

"You want to kill me? You're not qualified!" Rahu's remnant soul laughed maniacally, his body suddenly exploding into nine beams of black light that shot towards nine directions in the Demon Abyss—he was trying to escape!

"Can they escape?" Lu Chen was prepared and summoned the Morning Bell.

"clang--!"

The bell tolled, and time seemed to stand still. The nine streaks of black light slowed abruptly, and Lu Chen used his brick-escape technique to dodge them, eliminating eight of them with a single shot!

The last streak of black light had escaped to the exit of the Demon Abyss, and was about to disappear into the chaos—

"Please turn around, baby."

Lu Chen gave a light shout, and the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife Gourd (obtained from the Treasure Dividing Cliff) at his waist emitted a beam of white light, which circled around the neck of the black light.

"puff!"

The black light dissipated, and Rahu's remnant soul was completely annihilated.

But Lu Chen frowned—something felt off. Could an old demon like Luo Hou really die so easily?

Sure enough, from the depths of the Demon Abyss came Rahu's venomous roar: "Lu Chen... I'll remember you! When my true form returns, I will make you suffer all the tortures of the demonic path, and you will never be able to reincarnate!"

The sound gradually faded and eventually disappeared.

"As expected, they had a backup plan..." Lu Chen shook his head, unconcerned. Destroying the Myriad Demon Banner and severely injuring Rahu's remnant soul was already a huge victory.

He looked into the depths of the Demon Abyss, where the treasure trove left behind by Rahu still lay.

"Since we're already here, we can't go back empty-handed."

Half an hour later, Lu Chen walked out of the Demon Abyss carrying three large sacks (storage bags formed from chaotic energy), his face beaming with joy.

As expected of the Demon Ancestor, Luo Hou's wealth was terrifying: three thousand catties of Chaos Demon Iron, eight hundred pieces of Nine Nether Cold Jade, five hundred bottles of Heavenly Demon Pills, and various demonic cultivation techniques and forbidden jade slips...

The most precious item is a piece of [Chaos Demon God Essence Blood Crystal], which is said to be the essence left behind after the fall of three thousand demon gods, and has a miraculous effect on the cultivation of the Law of Power.

"This trip was worth it." Lu Chen nodded in satisfaction and used his brick-遁 (a type of teleportation technique) to return to the Primordial World.

Just as they passed through the primordial barrier, they heard explosive news—

Treasure Sharing Cliff has been emptied out!

"What's going on?" Lu Chen grabbed a cultivator who was flying by and asked.

The cultivator's face was filled with horror: "Fellow Daoist, don't you know? Just now, the restrictions on the Treasure Distribution Cliff were suddenly lifted, and three thousand mortal travelers rushed in, only to find... that all the treasures above the third level were gone! Not even a hair was left!"

"It is said that the Three Pure Ones were enraged, and the Taiji Diagram of Laozi (a replica), the Pangu Banner of Yuanshi (a replica), and the Zhuxian Sword Formation Diagram of Tongtian (a replica) have all disappeared!"

"The replica of Nuwa's 'Map of Mountains and Rivers' and the replica of the Red Embroidered Ball are also missing!"

"The twelve-grade golden lotus of merit of the saintly Amitabha Buddha (a replica) and the seven-jeweled tree (a replica) are also lost!"

"What's even more terrifying is that even the core area that the Dao Ancestor kept hidden was raided, and it's said that the Chaos Origin Liquid and the inheritance of the Power Demon God were stolen..."

The cultivator grew increasingly agitated: "The Sages are currently holding a meeting at Zixiao Palace to thoroughly investigate this matter! All cultivators who have recently visited Chaos must be questioned!"

Lu Chen's eyelids twitched as he listened.

He did move a lot, but he definitely didn't move everything!

At least 40% of the treasures were still left on the third floor, and only three items were taken from the core area.

Is this... someone taking advantage of the situation to pin all the blame on him?!

"Does fellow Daoist know who did this?" Lu Chen asked tentatively.

"Who else could it be?" the cultivator said in a low voice. "Everyone's saying it's 'Black Brick Thief' Lu Chenqian! That guy robbed the Treasure Distribution Cliff a few years ago, and this time he must have taken advantage of the Lich War, with the Sages too busy to spare any attention, to plunder it again!"

Lu Chen: "..."

This pot is big and round.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist." He cupped his hands in thanks, then turned and left.

We need to get out of here quickly! The saints are furious; if we get caught, we're doomed.

But just as he flew ten thousand miles, the space in front of him suddenly froze, and four saintly figures appeared, surrounding him completely!

Lao Tzu, Yuan Shi, Tong Tian, ​​Nuwa!

The four sages fixed their sharp gazes on Lu Chen.

"Young friend Lu Chen," Laozi said expressionlessly, "are you aware that Treasure Distribution Cliff was robbed?"

Lu Chen felt a chill run down his spine, but forced a smile and said, "This junior has just returned from the Demon Abyss and is unaware of this matter."

"Is that so?" Yuanshi sneered. "We have deduced the secrets of heaven and discovered that the remaining aura at the Treasure Distribution Cliff contains your Chaos Brick imprint, as well as... the malevolent aura of the God-Slaying Spear!"

Tongtian was even more direct, with the phantom images of the Four Swords of Zhuxian appearing: "Hand over the stolen treasures, and I will spare your life."

Although Nuwa did not speak, the pressure from the saint made it difficult for Lu Chen to breathe.

Oh no, they've caught them red-handed... no, they've framed them!

Lu Chen's mind raced, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him. He shouted, "Four Sages, please be aware! This junior did indeed go to the Treasure Distribution Cliff, but that was three years ago! At that time, this junior only took some useful items; I certainly did not take everything!"

"As for today's theft... I suspect someone framed it! Have any of you sages considered who could possibly deceive all of you and empty the Treasure Sharing Cliff in such a short time? Unless..."

He paused deliberately.

"Unless what?" Lao Tzu squinted.

"Unless someone inside the operation stole it!" Lu Chen said, enunciating each word clearly. "The Treasure Distribution Cliff was set up by the Dao Ancestor, with numerous restrictions. It's impossible for an outsider to empty it silently! But what if it were... the 'Daoist disciple' responsible for guarding the Treasure Distribution Cliff?"

These words were like a thunderclap!

The expressions of the four sages changed simultaneously.

Treasure Distribution Cliff is indeed guarded by Daoist boys, who are chaotic beings enlightened by Hongjun. Their daily duties include maintaining the restrictions and recording the treasures. If it were truly a case of Daoist boys colluding with outsiders…

"What evidence do you have?" Nuwa asked in a deep voice.

"I have no evidence, but I can take you saints to a place," Lu Chen gritted his teeth. "When I was in the Demon Abyss, I overheard a conversation between the remnant soul of Rahu and a certain 'Daoist disciple.' They arranged to meet somewhere in the Chaos to exchange stolen goods. Judging by the time, it's now!"

Half true, half false.

Luo Hou did indeed have contact with a certain traitor, but Lu Chen didn't know who it was, nor did he know the location of the exchange.

However... you can make it up on the spot!

He was betting that the sages would rather kill the innocent than let the guilty go free!

Sure enough, Laozi and Yuanshi exchanged a glance and nodded: "Lead the way."

Lu Chen breathed a sigh of relief, but said respectfully, "Please follow me."

He randomly chose a direction deep within the chaos and flew off, frantically plotting how to shift the blame.

After flying for about half an hour, a chaotic wasteland suddenly appeared ahead.

In the center of the ruins, there were actually two figures exchanging treasures!

One of them was dressed as a Taoist boy, and the other... was none other than a Kunpeng!

The young Taoist was holding a replica of the Taiji Diagram and a replica of the Pangu Banner, among other treasures, which he was about to hand over to Kunpeng!

Lu Chen was stunned: I just guessed randomly, and I actually guessed right?!

The four sages were furious!

"Kunpeng! How dare you—!!!"

---

In the chaotic ruins, Kunpeng and the Taoist boy were terrified.

They had planned to secretly sell the stolen goods while the saints were investigating Lu Chen, but they never expected to be caught red-handed!

"Misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding!" Kunpeng shrieked. "Lu Chen framed me! He forced me..."

"Shut up!" Yuanshi roared, the genuine Pangu Banner already unleashed. "Stealing the Dao Ancestor's treasure is a crime deserving of death!"

Taking advantage of the chaos, Lu Chen retreated, laughing wildly in his heart: Kunpeng, Kunpeng, you're doomed this time!

But his laughter didn't last long before he noticed the young Taoist suddenly crush a black jade talisman, grinning maliciously at him:

"Lu Chen, you think you've won? The Demon Ancestor anticipated this... You're going to take the blame for this!"

The jade talisman exploded, turning into a sky full of black light. Within the black light, a lifelike fake image of Lu Chen "looting the Treasure Distribution Cliff" appeared!

The four sages' gazes once again locked onto Lu Chen—

"Do you have anything else to say?"