Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha

The difficulty of the road can only be known by those who walk it.

In this world, countless cultivators exist, some with mediocre talents, others extraordinarily gifted, all filled with awe for this exceedingly arduous path of cultivation.

From the Golden Core Realm that doubles the lifespan of the mortal body, to the Immortal Dao Barrier separating the mortal from the immortal, and then to the Golden Immortal Realm, where one can master the grand Dao and roam the world with the Dao's rules, followed by the Taiyi Golden Immortal Realm, which involves gathering three flowers atop the head and five breezes within the chest, signifying true attainment of the Dao.

Each checkpoint blocks countless cultivators, leaving countless geniuses sighing in vain, beating their chests in frustration, and ultimately fading into the crowd.

Among them are not a few individuals like Jiang Ziya, who considers themselves exceptional.

And now, someone stands before you, holding an elixir shrouded in a blood mist.

They tell you.

This road, though arduous, is not hard to walk. Just swallow this pill, and all obstacles ahead transform into a clear path, with transportation leaping from the steadfast legs traversing epochs to become a new age supercar.

Would you believe it?

This person says you need to pay no price. Would you like to give it a try?

The person speaking is not a roadside beggar selling martial arts secret manuals but one of the most authoritative figures in the cultivation world, the Tongtian Sect Leader.

Desires within people's hearts are like abysses; those that gaze into them are devoured without exception.

If you were a wise person, you would certainly think there must be a problem hidden within.

But when the person handing you the pill also places a knife at your throat, saying if you won't swallow the pill, you'll swallow the knife, the cost suddenly seems not such a big issue.

Nezha accepts the elixir.

This eye-sized pill is engraved with countless complicated runes, so dense that even Nezha's eyes can't make them out.

Such a pill doesn't require being eaten; merely holding it lets one feel the weight of its medicinal power.

Nezha asks, "Dare I ask, Sect Hierarch, after consuming this elixir, what do you want me to do? Continue participating in the Divine Enthronement War?"

The Tongtian Sect Leader laughs, saying, "Since you are already in the game, how to come and go is not for you to decide. Follow your heart's desire."

Nezha further asks, "After consuming this elixir, when my realm ascends, are you not afraid I might harm many Jie Sect disciples?"

The Tongtian Sect Leader's expression remains unchanged. He says, "I've mentioned before, you are nothing but ants and insects. A worm biting a few other insects—why should I care?"

"One last question."

"You aren't planning to sever seven emotions and six desires, intending to use the Eight-Nine Mysterious Skill to break through to the Taiyi Golden Immortal?"

Upon hearing this, Nezha sincerely pays homage: "Sect Hierarch is all-knowing."

"If I were truly all-knowing, I wouldn't bring you here today to see you in person."

The Tongtian Sect Leader continues, saying: "Although this Eight-Nine Mysterious Skill is a Chan Sect Secret Technique, the foundation of sanctifying the flesh, I have also observed it somewhat. The number seventy-two is represented by eight and nine, yet eight corresponds to the Innate Eight Diagrams, capable of evolving all things, while nine covertly resonates with the Luoshu Nine Palaces, controlling changes across time and space, celestial bodies spinning—it's said to forge the body, but is rather like setting up formations within the body."

In a few words, Nezha suddenly comprehends, and many previous questions are resolved.

He then says: "The Eight-Nine Mysterious Skill claims to be indestructible after nine transformations, but if stripping away those changes, it is akin to the Buddha's Great Success Unmoving Ming King Dharma Body, just a means to withstand blows, no matter how formidable it pales before your Black Giant Sword. If you wish to learn, I can teach you."

Of course, Nezha wants to learn, but before he could speak, the Tongtian Sect Leader says again: "Rest assured, there's enough time; there are still seventeen days and three hours before your wife gives birth. If you haven't entered the Eight-Nine Mysterious Skill, even if I teach you, it would certainly take a year and a half, but since you've already entered, half a month is sufficient to attain Great Success."

"Thank you for your guidance, Sect Hierarch."

"However, there's something else you need to know: according to my Taoist principles, only by severing seven emotions and six desires is the true path to attaining the Dao.

If you truly wish to enter the Dao through the Eight-Nine Mysterious Skill, when the Heavenly Tribulation descends, even your so-called indestructible Dharma Body will turn into tribulation ashes, not to mention the unresolved Dao injuries within your body, then with internal and external enemies, you will face certain death. It would just waste one of my Divine Evil Pills."

Upon listening to this, Nezha has an epiphany.

No wonder Yang Jian clearly had already practiced the Eight-Nine Mysterious Skill to Great Success but delayed passing through the Heavenly Tribulation, because this tribulation was exceedingly dangerous.

In the half month following, Nezha practiced the Eight-Nine Mysterious Skill to Great Success.

He was forcibly taken by Yun Xiao and returned by her personally from Biyou Palace.

She looked at Nezha, her gaze sharp as two swords, and said, "Do you intend to seek revenge?"

"Nezha doesn't dare."

"One so bold as you, is there anything you wouldn't dare? But don't act foolishly, wait until you become a Daluo Golden Immortal, and if you think you can kill me, you're free to try."

Yun Xiao's bravado matches her power, and Nezha has nothing he can say.

After leaving Biyou Palace, he finds the heavens not only occupied by Yun Xiao but also by other various people.

Two, one short, the other handsome.

These two somehow got the word, intercepting Nezha amongst the mountains.

The handsome one is Wei Hu, as for the short one, Nezha hasn't seen him before.

Seeing these two, he's curious and says, "In such a vast world, to meet you two fellow Daoists here, it's truly a fated connection."

Wei Hu clasps his hands toward him, saying, "Indeed a fated connection. Nezha, don't you know the military command is as firm as mountains and desertion during battle means a death sentence? We were tasked by Uncle-Ran Deng to capture you back to Xiqi for trial. After searching in Sanshan Pass for three days without finding a trace, who knew when returning to the city, the heavens showed a red light, coincidentally leading us to meet you."

Nezha smiles and says, "Wei Hu Daoist, do you have confidence you can capture me back?"

Wei Hu smiles: "We've crossed paths in battle; naturally, I know your prowess. But today, it's not just me here; there's another fellow Daoist too."

Nezha has never overlooked this short person, he clasps his hands and asks: "Dare I ask your esteemed name, Daoist?"

This short person looks up at Nezha, only to reveal his extremely ugly visage, with the sunlight shining, his shadow taller than his form, his face resembling a wilted wild sunflower beaten by storm rains, its stems at points still marked by traces of past lightning burns.

He mirrors Wei Hu's action, offering a smile: "I am Earth Traveling Sun, disciple under Ju Liusun of Jiaolong Mountain Feiyun Cave."

Nezha narrows his eyes slightly: "Just the two of you, claim to want to capture me?"

Wei Hu merely smiles.

Yet Earth Traveling Sun says, "We two, are not enough? Nezha Dao brother, don't be deceived by my appearance not matching you or Wei Hu Dao brother's grandeur; my abilities are no small matter."

Nezha steps forward, strokes his head, saying, "I see you two are merely here to put on a front."