Chapter 63: Feathered Transformation Gate

Just as Chen Zheng was summoned by the Transmission Elder into the Heavenly Punishment Hall, something concerning him was unfolding on a peak at the far southern end of the Feathered Transformation Mountains.

The peak was lofty and majestic; below, a stone staircase like an azure dragon rose straight upward, leading directly to a square on the summit that spanned ten li in radius and was paved with precious sea‑blue stone.

Mist swirled over the square, upon which a grand palace towered, its plaque bearing three bold characters: "Wanluo Palace."

Wanluo sat upright on the throne at the upper part of the hall, his large hands showing blue veins as they rested on the armrests, his face so grim it seemed he could wring water from it.

He was extremely angry.

How could a figure of his stature—someone who had reached the Seventh Rank of Divine Power, Golden Core realm—be publicly rebuked by Chen Zheng, told to scram; how could he swallow such venomous anger?

Moreover, the Golden Core realm is extraordinary; it brings a qualitative leap in strength, a lifespan of over a thousand years, and is revered throughout the cultivation world, earning the title "Ancient Giant."

An Ancient Giant must not be disgraced!

Chen Zheng nevertheless insulted him, and with a powerhouse like Fang Qingxue, who wields a supreme Dao instrument, backing him, Wanluo was left with no recourse.

Thinking of this, the atmosphere in the hall grew ever more oppressive.

Below, Cang Baizi, bearing the pressure, broke out in cold sweat on his forehead, his eyes rolling, and hurriedly forced a smile: "Senior Brother Wanluo, calm down; I have devised a clever scheme against Chen Zheng."

The mastermind had been silent, but once he spoke, Wanluo's fury flared; he snatched the tea cup from the nearby table and hurled it at Cang Baizi's face.

With a "bang," the cup shattered, and the force knocked Cang Baizi to the ground.

Wanluo, having vented some of his anger, softened his expression slightly and said in a deep voice to the disheveled Cang Baizi, who was scrambling up: "Speak, what is your clever plan?"

Cang Baizi's face was smeared with tea and broken shards, yet he dared not wipe it away.

He hurried a few steps to Wanluo and laughed, "Senior Brother Hua is in seclusion; we can't use Fang Qingxue for now, but we could leak the news that Chen Zheng is practicing Demonic Cultivation to Taiyi Gate. What do you think, senior brother?"

"Taiyi Gate?" Wanluo was startled at first, then stroked his chin, pondering.

Cang Baizi's intention was clear: since they could not handle Chen Zheng, they would redirect the trouble elsewhere, letting Taiyi Gate punish Chen Zheng.

Since three thousand years ago, when Taiyi Gate disciple Linglang fell into demonic cultivation, causing the Linglang Calamity, Taiyi Gate has harbored deep hatred for those of the Correct Path who practice Demonic Cultivation.

If Taiyi Gate learned of Chen Zheng's practice of Demonic Cultivation, they would surely focus their attention on him.

Of course, Chen Zheng is currently within Feathered Transformation Gate; even if Taiyi Gate despises him, they could not rashly march in to prosecute.

After all, Feathered Transformation Gate is one of the Ten Celestial Paths, not a minor sect to be compared with small factions.

But Chen Zheng cannot stay within the sect forever; he will eventually have to go out to train, right?

Whenever Chen Zheng meets Taiyi Gate disciples outside, stripped of sect protection, he will inevitably face their stern interrogation.

Only…

Chen Zheng, as a true heir of Feathered Transformation Gate, holds a high position, and practicing Demonic Cultivation does not violate the sect's regulations; thus Taiyi Gate must consider carefully before intervening with Chen Zheng.

Wanluo guessed that the final outcome would likely be only a verbal reprimand of Chen Zheng by Taiyi Gate disciples.

What a damn clever scheme is that?

Wanluo's expression darkened again.

Cang Baizi, seeing the unfavorable turn, tightened his heart and hurried: "Senior Brother Wanluo, let me finish. I have investigated Chen Zheng and know his situation inside out. Moreover, I have recently heard of a major incident; if plotted correctly, it could drive Chen Zheng into a hopeless corner…"

He spoke at breakneck speed, recounting a series of events: the underground world of the Great Virtue Dynasty had been ravaged by blood‑sucking demons, turning dozens of Taiyi Gate disciples and yakshas into dry corpses; and the clashes among Xia Jiuxiao, Wan Hai Mountain, Chi Lie, and Xue Wuhen, among others.

He even detailed how Chen Zheng, along with Xu Yue'er and others, went to the underground world on a mission for inner‑gate qualification, and how they later went their separate ways, informing Wanluo of all this.

"I have also heard of Taiyi Gate disciples being killed by the blood‑sucking demon," Wanluo said, puzzled, "but how does that relate to driving Chen Zheng into a dead end?"

Cang Baizi explained: "Taiyi Gate lost so many disciples that they were furious, dispatching Ancient Giant Zhao Xuanyi and others from the Bloodshadow Demon Sect to investigate, but the culprit was not the Bloodshadow Demon Sect. Taiyi Gate can only temporarily shelve the case, yet I am certain they will never abandon the hunt for the truth about the blood‑sucking demon."

At this point he leaned in closer, lowered his voice, and with a sinister grin said, "Hehe, Senior Brother Wanluo, tell me, if we link that blood‑sucking demon to Chen Zheng…" "Brilliant, brilliant!"

Before Cang Baizi could finish, Wanluo's eyes lit up, and he slammed the table and sprang up.

He had already understood Cang Baizi's intention.

It was to frame Chen Zheng, pinning the blood‑sucking demon's chaos onto his head.

Chen Zheng happened to be practicing Demonic Cultivation.

Moreover, during that period, Chen Zheng had indeed gone to the underground world of the Great Virtue Dynasty on a mission.

This is simply perfect!

What a coincidence!

Once Taiyi Gate learns of these facts, even without embellishment, they will develop suspicion toward Chen Zheng.

And then launch an investigation into Chen Zheng.

As for the ultimate truth uncovered, it no longer matters.

Because whether Chen Zheng is the blood‑sucking demon or not, ending up in Taiyi Gate's hands will not bode well.

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They might even think Taiyi Gate is so desperate that, unable to find the true culprit, they simply label Chen Zheng as a blood‑sucking demon.

When that happens, the yellow mud falling into one's crotch is nothing but filth.

"Fine, as you say!"

"Chen Zheng, Chen Zheng, I never wanted to frame you. But you keep opposing my Heavenly Assembly, so I have no choice but to act, to remove you as a stumbling block for Senior Brother Hua…"

………

"Then the disciple will take his leave first."

Inside the Heavenly Punishment Hall, after a discussion with the senior elders, Chen Zheng took his leave and departed.

The elders all held Chen Zheng in high regard, their gazes appraising him as if he were a rare treasure.

And they could not stop praising him.

However…

Due to Feathered Transformation Gate's fine tradition that its disciples must be self‑reliant, the elders gave Chen Zheng no reward.

Instead, they issued a true‑heredity task.

The task was to travel to the Great Northern Ocean and retrieve the head of the lowest‑ranked Ghost‑Scourge Thief among the overseas Forty Great Thieves.

"Well, I also planned to go out for training, and incidentally kill that ghost-evil thief. I haven't returned to Gold Feather Island for a long time; I don't know how Chen Fu is doing lately."

Chen Zheng secretly pondered, flew away from the Feather Transformation Heavenly Palace, and headed down toward the Feather Transformation Mountains.

"Huh?" As he was about to land on the summit of Righteous Qi Peak, his brows furrowed slightly.

Because many people had gathered on the peak's square, all dressed as servants, led by a young woman in splendid attire wearing white boots.

This white-booted woman was none other than Fang Qingxue's younger sister, Fang Qingwei.

At this moment, Xiao Hezi stood before the crowd, conversing with that Fang Qingwei about something.

(End of chapter)