I’m Truly Being Framed!

Boom!

Just as everyone was admiring Grand Elder Xiao's courage, the storage bag he had been protecting at his waist was suddenly struck by the punishment lightning!

Under the shocked gazes of the crowd, countless spirit stones and natural treasures were blasted out.

Those weren't the most important things, however. Most importantly, immortal spirit water flew out from among them.

Though it evaporated into the void in an instant, everyone from the Tiansheng Sect noticed it.

“Ancestor, look! Look! It really was this fellow who stole the immortal spirit water!”

“We didn't frame him, and the punishment lightning didn't frame him either... how does he still have the face to cry about being framed?”

The Tiansheng Sect Leader’s face was flushed with excitement as he shouted.

Seeing the Tiansheng Sect Leader’s excited face, the Tiansheng Sect Ancestor’s expression turned grim.

“The immortal spirit water has been destroyed, and you’re happy?”

“Uh... I’m not!”

The Tiansheng Sect Leader didn't dare say anything more.

Inwardly, however, he was feeling quite satisfied. The person who had framed him was finally receiving his due punishment, and he had witnessed it with his own eyes.

Was there anything in this world more heartening than this?

Xiao Chen watched his grandfather being pelted by the punishment lightning with a face full of terror.

What was the situation?

When did his grandfather go to steal the immortal spirit water?

Could it be that the person who knocked him unconscious was actually his grandfather?

But what was the deal with the Cloud-Piercing Halberd? Was it a fake?

No wonder he was still alive. If it had been anyone else, wouldn't they have silenced him permanently?

Only his own grandfather would have spared his life, right?

He just hit a bit too hard!

Sigh... why didn't Grandpa give him a heads-up beforehand? That way, he could have cooperated better!

He wouldn't have had to take a beating for nothing.

The sky cleared, and the lightning stopped!

Grand Elder Xiao, who had been blasted into a tattered mess, weakly opened his mouth, and a puff of black smoke drifted out.

“I... I’m being framed... I... didn't steal the immortal spirit water...”

Hearing this, the members of the Tiansheng Sect were all speechless. You’re already in this state, yet you’re still being so stubborn?

Is it because the lightning didn't hit you hard enough!

Lu Ming’s mouth twitched. Sigh... poor guy, he really is too miserable!

But who told you to try and kill us?

If we don't frame you, who else are we going to frame?

“Senior, I plan to move out...”

Lu Ming then looked at the Tiansheng Sect Ancestor and spoke.

His meaning was clear: there was too much trouble staying here. Next time something went missing in their house, they’d probably suspect him again!

The Tiansheng Sect Ancestor looked at Lu Ming and said, “Very well. Saint Lu can stay in Tiansheng City. The Immortal Ancient Secret Realm is about to open anyway...”

This incident had already been humiliating enough; he didn't want Lu Ming and the others to continue watching the joke.

“Thank you, Senior...”

Lu Ming cupped his hands in a polite gesture and prepared to leave with Big Yellow and the others.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, wait a moment!”

Just then, Ji Chen, who had been watching the spectacle from the courtyard entrance, hurriedly called out.

“Is there something you need, Fellow Daoist Ji?”

“Wait for us, we’ll leave with you!”

After saying this, Ji Chen brought several of his junior brothers to the Tiansheng Sect Ancestor’s side.

“I swear, I didn't steal your immortal spirit water, nor did I steal anything else...”

“I swear as well, I didn't steal your immortal spirit water...”

Without another word, Ji Chen and his junior brothers stood before the Tiansheng Sect Ancestor and rattled off a series of vicious oaths.

The expressions of the Tiansheng Sect Ancestor and his people were terrifyingly dark. What did these guys mean by this?

Was their Tiansheng Sect really that unreasonable?

Ji Chen and the others didn't care about the expressions of the Tiansheng Sect members and simply went on with their oaths.

After finishing, Ji Chen spoke up directly: “Senior, we also want to move out. I’m afraid that if your sect loses something else in the future, you’ll frame us!”

Boom...

The Tiansheng Sect Ancestor was so angry that his aura surged toward the sky, causing Ji Chen to tremble under the sudden pressure.

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Ji Chen asked in confusion, “Senior, what is the meaning of this?”

“Fine!”

The Tiansheng Sect Ancestor abruptly withdrew his aura and spoke through gritted teeth.

Their Tiansheng Sect’s reputation had been completely dragged through the mud this time.

The most infuriating part was that he couldn't even kill these people to silence them!

Leaving aside the Qingshan Sect, since he still didn't know their current situation, that lunatic from the Guiyi Sword Sect was not someone to be trifled with either!

Suppressing the frustration in his heart, he turned to look at Lu Ming and the others.

“Regarding today’s events, I ask everyone to keep it a secret for my Tiansheng Sect!”

Lu Ming spoke up without a second thought. “I swear that I will absolutely not tell a soul. If I do, let the punishment lightning strike me!”

The Tiansheng Sect Ancestor’s face could no longer be described as merely dark; his aura was churning wildly within his body.

He felt that every word Lu Ming had just spoken was dripping with mockery!

Deep breaths. Don't get angry... don't get angry... the face has already been lost, and the immortal spirit water is gone too!

The Tiansheng Sect Ancestor had just managed to calm himself down.

Then Big Yellow and the others chimed in.

“Senior, I swear too...”

“I swear as well...”

Just as the Tiansheng Sect Ancestor was about to lose control of himself, Lu Ming and Ji Chen finally led their groups away.

Boom...

As soon as Lu Ming and the others left, the Tiansheng Sect Ancestor raised a hand and sent Grand Elder Xiao flying with a wave of energy.

Pfft...

Grand Elder Xiao, who was already heavily injured, was now barely clinging to life, looking as if he might breathe his last at any moment.

“Grandpa...” Xiao Chen couldn't help but cry out in worry.

He was truly afraid that his grandfather would be beaten to death by the Ancestor!

At that moment, the Tiansheng Sect Ancestor flickered and appeared beside Grand Elder Xiao, wordlessly stuffing a top-grade recovery pill into his mouth.

The Tiansheng Sect Leader and the others were bewildered, not understanding why the Ancestor would save this damned thief who stole the spirit water.

Xiao Chen was also shocked. The Ancestor was so good to his grandfather.

Even after committing such a huge mistake, he still gave him a recovery pill!

Could it be that Grandpa was the Ancestor’s illegitimate son?

If that were the case, wouldn't he be the Ancestor’s illegitimate grandson...

Before he could continue his pleasant daydreaming, he was interrupted by the Tiansheng Sect Ancestor.

Slap slap slap... Bam bam bam...

Grand Elder Xiao had only just recovered slightly from the top-grade recovery pill when the Tiansheng Sect Ancestor pinned him down and gave him a savage beating!

“If I don't beat you, my mind won't be at peace!”

“If I don't beat you, I feel like I'll explode from anger!”

“Ancestor, I’m being framed!”

“I really didn't steal the immortal spirit water! Someone placed that immortal spirit water at my residence...”

“I swear...”

Grand Elder Xiao’s mouth didn't stay idle while he was being beaten; he kept explaining and crying out about being wronged. But when he got to the part about swearing an oath...

He shut his mouth!

Because his misery had started precisely because of that oath!

Why on earth did it turn out like this?

He really was being framed! Others might not know if he had stolen it, but didn't he know it himself?

Why?

Could someone tell him why the punishment lightning had struck him?

Was it because he just had a face that asked to be struck?

After beating Grand Elder Xiao for a while, the Tiansheng Sect Ancestor finally felt less angry.

“Speak. Why did you steal the immortal spirit water? Where did you put the rest of it?”

Paralyzed on the ground, Grand Elder Xiao weakly moved his lips.

“Ancestor, I really didn't steal it. I was set up. I’m the scapegoat...”

At this point, the more Grand Elder Xiao thought about it, the more aggrieved and heartbroken he felt.

“Waaaah... I’m truly being framed... I’m truly, truly being framed...”

Grand Elder Xiao’s crying was so piteous that it would make anyone who heard it feel sad and moved to tears...

Hearing the profound grievance in his wails, the members of the Tiansheng Sect couldn't help but wonder—had they really framed him?

But then they remembered him being struck by lightning and the immortal spirit water found in his possession.

They unanimously concluded that Grand Elder Xiao was simply a very good actor!